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23 Jan 2026, 08:21

Kansas legislators move to create state-backed Bitcoin reserve fund

Kansas state lawmakers have proposed a state-run BTC and digital asset reserve fund that will primarily hold cryptocurrencies transferred to the state government under unclaimed property laws. The filing follows a trend in the U.S. of states integrating crypto into their financial strategies. Craig Bowser, Kansas state Senator, introduced SB-352 to the state Senate floor on Thursday, Jan. 22, to create a state fund using crypto that ends up in state hands through unclaimed property rules. The proposal highlights the increasing acceptance of cryptocurrency by institutions and government agencies across the U.S. since March last year, when President Donald Trump created a U.S. strategic Bitcoin reserve fund by executive order. This move aimed to seize cryptocurrency acquired from criminal or civil cases, rather than selling it at auction. Kansas to allow 10% of deposits to the reserve fund into the general fund Kansas lawmakers have previously focused largely on tax incentives to block startups and on pilot programs for digital payments within state agencies to integrate crypto into state financial strategies. The recent proposal of SB-352 signals a more ambitious effort that could operate like sovereign wealth funds, allowing the state to hold, manage, and grow crypto holdings for public benefit. Proposed bill in *Kansas* to create bitcoin & digital assets reserve fund… Kansas. Yes, I will do what I can here. pic.twitter.com/KXjGMJxpoI — Nate Geraci (@NateGeraci) January 23, 2026 The SB-352 bill allows the state treasurer to credit up to 10% of each deposited digital asset into the Bitcoin and digital asset reserve fund to the state’s general fund. The reserve fund will consist of all airdrops, staking rewards, and interest earned, as prescribed in K.S.A. 58-3952(f) and amendments thereto. According to the proposal, all expenditures from the Bitcoin and digital assets reserve fund are bound by appropriations acts upon warrants of the director of accounts. So far, some states have already explored a strategic Bitcoin reserve as a treasury strategy; however, the Kansas bill focuses more on custody rules and unclaimed property. At the time of publication, BTC was down 0.6% to $89,365. The token has lost roughly 6.5% this week as we head into the weekend. ETH, on the other hand, had lost 2.14% on the daily chart, trading at $2,945 after losing almost 11% this week. Kansas follows a wave of proposals by other states across the U.S. Kansas joins other states that have enacted legislation establishing crypto reserve funds, such as Arizona, Utah, and Oklahoma. Wyoming has already established a blockchain legal framework, including crypto banks and a special-purpose depository charter. Wyoming became the first U.S. state to launch a blockchain-based stablecoin, issuing the Frontier Stable Token on several blockchain networks, with reserves backed by USD and short-term treasuries. “Today, Wyoming reaffirms its commitment to financial innovation and consumer protection. The mainnet launch of the Frontier Stable Token will empower our citizens and businesses with a modern, efficient, and secure means of transacting in the digital age.” – Mark Gordon , Governor of Wyoming Additionally, Texas has also accepted Bitcoin for state fees and passed Senate Bill 21 last year, creating the Texas Strategic Bitcoin Reserve. According to a Cryptopolitan report , Texas Strategic Bitcoin Reserve is funded by legislative appropriations, dedicated fees, investment returns, and voluntary cryptocurrency gifts. Florida and Arizona have also experimented with pilot programs for digital asset management in government operations. Florida established a proposal early this month to form a Bitcoin reserve. For eligibility, the House Bill (HB) 1039 required the state to purchase only a cryptocurrency with an average market cap of at least $500 billion over the past 24-month period. This means the reserve will only hold BTC with a market cap exceeding $1 trillion for now. Ethereum falls short of the requirement, with a market cap of roughly $354 million as of now. If you're reading this, you’re already ahead. Stay there with our newsletter .

23 Jan 2026, 07:47

DOGE Flashes Death Cross While Bollinger Bands Hint at 30% Breakout — Which Signal Wins?

Dogecoin faces a pivotal moment as two key indicators clash. The dreaded death cross suggests a downtrend, while Bollinger Bands hint at a potential breakout. This article delves into which signal may dominate and explores which other coins are primed for growth. Can Dogecoin overcome the bearish signals, or are other cryptocurrencies set to take the spotlight? Dogecoin (DOGE) Holds Steady but Faces Growth Challenges Source: tradingview Dogecoin currently trades between about $0.13 and $0.15. Recent trends show a drop of over 15% in one week and nearly 7% in one month. It's also down by almost half over the past six months. The nearest growth barriers sit just above $0.15 and $0.17. If DOGE breaks through the first barrier, it could grow by approximately 8%. Clearing the second barrier could mean a further rise. Support levels at around $0.12 and below $0.10 could cushion drops. While the market foresees challenges, bouncing back through these levels might uplift DOGE's outlook in the near term. Conclusion DOGE is at a critical point with two opposing signals. The death cross suggests a potential decline, while the Bollinger Bands indicate a chance for a breakout. It is essential to watch closely as these signals will play an important role in determining the coin's next move. Keep an eye on trading volumes and market sentiment for more clues on which direction DOGE may head. Disclaimer: This article is provided for informational purposes only. It is not offered or intended to be used as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice.

23 Jan 2026, 07:00

Crypto ETFs Are Coming To Thailand: SEC To Launch New Rules This Year

Thailand’s Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is preparing to launch new rules related to crypto, including exchange-traded funds (ETFs). Thailand To Regulate Crypto ETFs And Futures This Year As reported by Bangkok Post, the Thailand SEC is preparing regulatory changes related to crypto to support the growth of investment in the sector. Jomkwan Kongsakul, deputy secretary-general of the SEC, said the regulator is planning to issue guidelines supporting the launch of digital asset ETFs, while also working to enable crypto futures trading on the Thailand Futures Exchange (TFEX). ETFs are investment vehicles that allow investors to gain exposure to an underlying asset without having to directly own it. In the context of digital assets, ETFs enable traders to invest into coins like Bitcoin without interacting with any on-chain element like wallets or exchanges. In the United States, spot ETFs gained approval by the nation’s SEC in January 2024 for Bitcoin and July 2024 for Ethereum. Since then, these funds have attracted notable attention, capturing demand from traditional investors who were reluctant to deal with blockchain infrastructure. Kongsakul noted: A key advantage of crypto ETFs is ease of access; they eliminate concerns over hacking and wallet security, which has been a major barrier for many investors. Within Asia, Hong Kong approved spot ETFs for both Bitcoin and Ethereum in April 2024, while South Korea is planning to roll out similar investment vehicles this year. According to Kongsakul, Thailand’s SEC board has already approved crypto ETFs in principle, with detailed investment and operational rules currently being finalized. Although an exact timeline is unknown, the SEC is expected to introduce the regulations “early this year.” Alongside ETFs, the SEC is also moving to formally recognize crypto within Thailand’s derivatives framework, allowing digital asset futures products to trade on the TFEX. Kongsakul said crypto futures would provide traders with hedging tools and more sophisticated risk management options. In related news, the US spot Bitcoin ETFs have faced weak demand recently, with the netflow for the current week sitting at a notable negative value, according to data from SoSoValue . As displayed in the above graph, the US Bitcoin spot ETFs have witnessed net outflows of $1.19 billion this week so far. These negative netflows have come as the asset’s price has gone through a bearish shift , retracing the recovery it had made earlier this year. Last week, the funds actually saw net inflows of $1.42 billion, breaking the trend of weak inflows or outright outflows that had persisted since mid-October. But this week’s netflow suggests the bullish market mood couldn’t last. BTC Price At the time of writing, Bitcoin is trading around $89,100, down more than 8% over the last week.

23 Jan 2026, 05:00

Senate Ag Committee Unveils Crypto Market Structure Bill Draft, Markup Set For Jan. 27

Following the unsuccessful markup of the long-awaited crypto market Structure bill (CLARITY Act) by the Senate Banking Committee, the Senate Agriculture Committee unveiled a new draft of the bill, with a scheduled markup session for Tuesday, January 27. Stablecoin Yield Regulations Excluded The Agriculture Committee’s version of the bill primarily addresses regulations under the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), which would gain expanded authority to regulate cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH). In contrast, the Senate Banking Committee’s section of the legislation focuses on the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and its oversight. Notably, the Agriculture draft allocates $150 million to support the CFTC in the implementation of the proposed law. Market expert James Murphy reviewed the key provisions of the new draft and expressed optimism about its implications. He highlighted that the bill creates a pathway for decentralized finance (DeFi) to avoid CFTC regulation, providing important protections for developers and specific service providers from liability. The Senate Agriculture Committee’s draft also excludes any regulations concerning stablecoin yields. This decision is significant, particularly as it addresses a critical provision that resulted in Coinbase (COIN) withdrawing its support for the Banking Committee’s version of the bill last week. The Banking Committee’s version of the CLARITY Act aims to limit the yield that stablecoin platforms can offer. While banks support this approach due to concerns about deposits potentially flowing out, crypto firms oppose it, arguing that such restrictions hinder competition. In contrast, the Agriculture Committee bill seeks to exempt stablecoins from CFTC regulations and relies on existing frameworks like the already passed stablecoin bill, or GENIUS Act, which mandates that stablecoins be fully backed. Banking Committee Delays Crypto Bill’s Consideration Senate Agriculture Chair John Boozman expressed appreciation for the collaborative efforts among lawmakers, particularly mentioning Senator Cory Booker and his staff for their contributions to consumer protections and CFTC authority. Despite the remaining differences in fundamental policy issues with its Democratic counterpart, the Committee’s chair emphasized the importance of moving the bill forward: While it’s unfortunate that we couldn’t reach an agreement, I am grateful for the collaboration that has made this legislation better. It’s time we move this bill, and I look forward to the markup next week. But amid the broader cryptocurrency industry’s optimism surrounding the Agriculture Committee’s version of the market structure bill, the timeline for advancing the overall legislation remains uncertain. Bloomberg reported that the Senate Banking Committee is expected to delay consideration of its own portion of the bill, which could push discussions into late February or even March. Featured image from OpenArt, chart from TradingView.com

23 Jan 2026, 04:54

Capital One Agrees to Acquire Technology and Stablecoin Firm Brex in $5.15B Deal

Capital One has agreed to acquire fintech firm Brex in a deal valued at $5.15 billion, marking one of the largest fintech transactions in recent years and signaling the bank’s growing interest in stablecoin-based payments. Key Takeaways: Capital One will acquire Brex for $5.15 billion, gaining its payments technology and stablecoin infrastructure. The deal strengthens Capital One’s push into business payments as competition from fintech firms intensifies. Growing regulatory clarity and market growth are driving banks to explore stablecoins for mainstream payments. The US banking giant said on Thursday that the transaction will be structured as a combination of cash and stock and is expected to close in mid-2026, subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions. As part of the deal, Capital One will absorb Brex’s payments technology, including its stablecoin infrastructure. Capital One Says Brex Deal Accelerates Push Into Business Payments “Since our founding, we set out to build a payments company at the frontier of the technology revolution,” Capital One founder and CEO Richard Fairbank said in a statement. He added that the acquisition would accelerate the bank’s push into business payments, an area where competition from fintech firms has intensified. Brex, best known for its corporate cards and spend management tools, has increasingly positioned itself at the intersection of traditional finance and crypto. In October, the company announced plans to become the first global corporate card provider to support native stablecoin payments, beginning with USDC. That move placed Brex among a small but growing group of fintech firms experimenting with blockchain-based settlement for everyday business transactions. Brex co-founder and CEO Pedro Franceschi said he would continue to lead the company following the acquisition. Writing on X, Franceschi said the deal would allow both firms to move faster and invest more deeply, bringing expanded financial tools to businesses that remain underserved by traditional banks. https://t.co/IfEmfj5RSJ — Pedro Franceschi (@pedroh96) January 22, 2026 The acquisition comes as stablecoins draw renewed attention across Wall Street. Following the passage of comprehensive US stablecoin legislation last year, major financial institutions have begun exploring how tokenized dollars could fit into payments, treasury management, and cross-border transfers. According to CoinGecko, the total market capitalization of stablecoins has climbed 18.6% since the GENIUS Act was passed in July 2025, reaching a record $314 billion. That growth has sharpened interest from banks seeking to modernize payment rails while staying within regulatory boundaries. Stablecoin Transactions Hit $33 Trillion in 2025 as USDC Leads Usage Global stablecoin transaction value reached $33 trillion in 2025, marking a 72% increase from the previous year, according to Bloomberg data compiled by Artemis Analytics. USDC emerged as the most-used stablecoin by transaction volume, processing $18.3 trillion, while Tether’s USDT handled $13.3 trillion, despite maintaining its lead by market capitalization at $187 billion. The surge in activity followed the passage of the GENIUS Act in July 2025, the first comprehensive U.S. regulatory framework for payment stablecoins. Industry participants say the legislation has provided legal certainty that encouraged broader institutional and global adoption. As reported, stablecoin usage on fintech platform Revolut also accelerated sharply in 2025 , with payment volumes estimated to have climbed 156% year over year to roughly $10.5 billion, as digital dollars gain ground in everyday payments. The post Capital One Agrees to Acquire Technology and Stablecoin Firm Brex in $5.15B Deal appeared first on Cryptonews .

23 Jan 2026, 01:19

Trump nears Fed chair selection after completing interviews

The President of the United States, Donald Trump, confirmed the completion of the candidate interview stage for those set to assume Jerome Powell’s role as Chair of the US Federal Reserve upon his term ending in May. Trump asserted that the Fed chair position is already reserved for a particular person who, according to him, has the required skills to fulfill this role. His statement sparked heated debates among individuals, as many demanded to know who the preferred candidate was. Responding to this controversy, Trump declared, “I’ll let you know soon. I have someone I believe will do a great job, but I’m not going to disclose who it is.” Based on his argument, “This person is very respected, well-known, and I think they will perform excellently.” On the other hand, reports from reliable sources noted that some of the ideal candidates Trump earlier claimed to be perfect for this position included the Director of the National Economic Council of the United States, Kevin Hassett, BlackRock’s senior managing director, Rick Rieder, a Member of the Federal Reserve Board of Governors of the United States, Christopher Waller, and a Former Member of the Federal Reserve Board of Governors of the United States, Kevin Warsh. Trump affirms having the best fit for the Fed chair position once Powell’s term ends Concerning Kevin Hassett, sources with knowledge of the situation mentioned that Trump recently affirmed that he is an ideal candidate for the Fed chair role. However, after several considerations, the president now appears likely to retain him in his position at the White House. These sources sought to explain the sudden shift in decision-making , noting that Trump quietly expressed dissatisfaction with his choices. Meanwhile, it is worth noting that Trump has openly condemned Powell, frequently saying that the Fed chair was too slow to implement rate cuts. With the new Fed chair, the US president alleged that this approach will come to an end. During an interview on Wednesday, January 21, Trump provided unclear details about the number of candidates still under consideration for the role. Nonetheless, the United States Secretary of the Treasury, Scott Bessent, who was assigned to manage the selection process, disclosed that there are four candidates on the shortlist. Moreover, Scott projected that Trump might reveal his preferred choice before the end of this month. In a statement released on Wednesday this week, the president mentioned that, “I’d say we’re down to three candidates, but really it’s more like two. In my mind, we might have one.” Trump expresses disapproval of Powell’s role as the Fed chair The Trump administration accelerated its efforts to undermine Powell earlier this month. In this move, the administration issued subpoenas indicating a potential criminal investigation into the Federal Reserve’s renovations of its Washington-based headquarters. Responding to these claims, Powell described this investigation as an attempt to get back at him for refusing to reduce interest rates swiftly enough. In the meantime, sources confirmed that the Fed chair can continue to serve on the Fed board until 2028, even if his term terminates in May. However, the potential legal battle has fueled speculation that Powell may choose to stay even after his term as Fed chair concludes. This speculation drew the attention of reporters who asked Trump whether news that Powell might decide to stay at the Fed worried him. In response, Trump stressed that he was not bothered, adding that he will wait to see what unfolds. Still, the president insisted that Powell is slow to make decisions, even as interest rates are dropping. The smartest crypto minds already read our newsletter. Want in? Join them .