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21 Jan 2026, 08:25
Bithumb XLM Suspension: Essential Network Upgrade Halts Stellar and AQUA Transactions
BitcoinWorld Bithumb XLM Suspension: Essential Network Upgrade Halts Stellar and AQUA Transactions SEOUL, South Korea – January 21, 2025 – In a move highlighting the ongoing evolution of blockchain infrastructure, leading South Korean cryptocurrency exchange Bithumb has announced a temporary suspension of deposit and withdrawal services for Stellar (XLM) and the AQUA token. This proactive measure directly supports a significant, scheduled upgrade to the Stellar network, ensuring user asset security and platform stability during the technical transition. The suspension is set to commence precisely at 8:00 a.m. UTC on January 22, 2025, affecting a notable segment of the exchange’s trading pairs. Bithumb XLM Suspension: Decoding the Announcement Bithumb’s official communication, released on January 21, 2025, provides clear operational guidance for its user base. Consequently, all deposit and withdrawal functions for the Stellar (XLM) cryptocurrency and the AQUA utility token will be temporarily disabled. Importantly, trading of these assets on the exchange’s spot markets will remain fully operational throughout the suspension period. This distinction is crucial for traders, as it allows for the continuation of buy and sell orders using existing exchange balances. The exchange has strongly advised users to complete any necessary external transfers before the 8:00 a.m. UTC deadline to avoid disruption. This action is not an isolated event but a standard, security-first protocol within the cryptocurrency industry. Exchanges globally routinely enact such temporary halts during underlying blockchain network upgrades, forks, or maintenance windows. The primary goal is to prevent transaction failures, potential double-spends, or loss of funds that could occur if the exchange’s systems and the upgraded network become temporarily incompatible. For context, major exchanges like Coinbase and Binance have implemented similar suspensions for assets like Ethereum during its landmark Merge upgrade and for various Bitcoin Cash hard forks. The Driving Force: Stellar Network’s Protocol 21 Upgrade The suspension is directly tied to the implementation of “Protocol 21” on the Stellar network. This upgrade represents a core evolution of the Stellar blockchain’s consensus mechanism and smart contract capabilities. Specifically, Protocol 21 introduces Soroban, Stellar’s new smart contracts platform, into a production-ready environment on the mainnet. This transition follows extensive testing on dedicated testnets and represents a pivotal moment for the Stellar ecosystem, aiming to expand its functionality beyond fast, low-cost payments into the broader decentralized application (dApp) space. Network upgrades of this magnitude require validators—the nodes that secure and operate the blockchain—to update their software simultaneously. During this coordinated update window, the network can experience brief instability or forks. Therefore, exchanges like Bithumb must pause external transaction flows to guarantee that all user deposits and withdrawals are recorded on the correct, canonical chain. The Stellar Development Foundation (SDF) typically provides extensive advance notice to ecosystem partners, allowing exchanges ample time to plan these operational pauses. Expert Insight on Exchange Protocol “This type of announcement is a hallmark of a responsible exchange operating procedure,” explains a blockchain infrastructure analyst from a Seoul-based fintech research firm. “It signals that Bithumb’s operational team is closely aligned with the development roadmaps of the assets they list. The temporary inconvenience of paused withdrawals is vastly preferable to the alternative risk of users losing funds due to a technical mismatch. Furthermore, allowing spot trading to continue demonstrates sophisticated backend engineering that can isolate wallet functions from trading engines.” This approach balances user access with paramount security concerns. Impact on Traders and the AQUA Token Ecosystem The inclusion of AQUA in this suspension is particularly noteworthy. AQUA is a governance and utility token native to the Stellar ecosystem, primarily used within the Aquarius decentralized exchange (DEX) and liquidity protocols. Its functionality is deeply intertwined with the Stellar network’s core operations. The Protocol 21 upgrade, with its Soroban smart contracts, is expected to significantly enhance the capabilities of DeFi applications like Aquarius. Therefore, ensuring AQUA’s seamless transition is critical for its community. For traders on Bithumb, the immediate impact is manageable but requires attention. Users should note the following key points: Deposits/Withdrawals Halted: No sending XLM or AQUA to/from external wallets during the suspension. Trading Continues: XLM/KRW and AQUA/KRW trading pairs remain active. No Impact on Other Assets: All other cryptocurrencies on Bithumb are unaffected. Post-Upgrade Resumption: Services will resume once Bithumb confirms network stability, typically within hours of the upgrade completion. Historically, such suspensions have led to minor, short-term price volatility due to constrained arbitrage opportunities between exchanges. However, major network upgrades often generate positive long-term sentiment, as seen with previous Stellar protocol updates that improved transaction efficiency. Bithumb’s Position in the South Korean Crypto Landscape Bithumb’s announcement reinforces its status as a major regulated player in South Korea’s stringent digital asset market. The exchange operates under the guidelines of the Financial Services Commission (FSC) and the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), which mandate rigorous user protection measures. Proactive communication about service suspensions aligns perfectly with these regulatory expectations for transparency and risk management. Comparatively, other South Korean exchanges such as Upbit and Korbit often issue similar notices for network upgrades, creating an industry-standard practice within the region. The South Korean market is known for its high retail participation and significant trading volumes in altcoins like XLM. Therefore, Bithumb’s operational decisions directly influence liquidity and access for a large investor base. The exchange’s commitment to supporting ecosystem upgrades like Protocol 21 also strengthens its relationships with blockchain projects, potentially influencing future listing decisions and collaborative developments. This symbiotic relationship between exchanges and blockchain networks is a cornerstone of the industry’s infrastructure layer. Conclusion Bithumb’s temporary suspension of XLM and AQUA deposits and withdrawals is a standard, security-focused procedure enabling a critical upgrade to the Stellar network. This action underscores the complex interdependence between cryptocurrency exchanges and the underlying blockchain protocols they support. For users, it represents a brief operational pause that safeguards assets. For the Stellar ecosystem, it facilitates the successful deployment of Protocol 21 and the Soroban smart contracts platform, marking a significant step in its technological roadmap. As the January 22 deadline approaches, users should plan accordingly, while the broader market watches for the successful activation of new functionality on one of the industry’s established payment networks. FAQs Q1: Can I still trade XLM and AQUA on Bithumb during the suspension? A1: Yes. The suspension applies only to depositing to and withdrawing from the exchange. Spot trading for both XLM and AQUA against the Korean Won (KRW) will continue uninterrupted using existing balances on the platform. Q2: How long will the deposit and withdrawal suspension last? A2: Bithumb has not announced a specific end time. The suspension begins at 8:00 a.m. UTC on January 22 and will remain in effect until the exchange confirms the Stellar network upgrade (Protocol 21) is stable and its systems are fully synchronized. Similar past upgrades have resulted in suspensions lasting between 2 to 12 hours. Q3: Why is AQUA included in the suspension if it’s a separate token? A3: AQUA is a token issued on the Stellar network. Its creation, movement, and smart contract interactions are governed by the Stellar protocol. Any upgrade to the core Stellar blockchain directly affects all assets built upon it, necessitating a precautionary pause for AQUA transactions as well. Q4: Will my XLM or AQUA holdings on Bithumb be safe during this time? A4: Yes. The suspension is a preventive control measure. User assets remain securely held in Bithumb’s custody. The action is taken precisely to ensure safety by preventing transactions during a potential period of network instability. Q5: What should I do if I have a pending withdrawal when the suspension starts? A5: Bithumb advises completing all external transfers before the 8:00 a.m. UTC deadline. Any withdrawal request initiated but not fully processed by the network by that time will likely be canceled or fail. You should check your transaction status and resubmit after the exchange announces the full resumption of services. This post Bithumb XLM Suspension: Essential Network Upgrade Halts Stellar and AQUA Transactions first appeared on BitcoinWorld .
21 Jan 2026, 08:23
$766,000,000 Lost in XRP, Bitcoin and Solana ETFs: Biggest Outflow This Year
ETF market hit with enormous outflow that might signal the end of the institutional accumulation period for the crypto market.
21 Jan 2026, 08:21
Nansen launches AI crypto trading tools on Base and Solana
The new AI-powered crypto trading platforms aim to replace traditional trading charts and order books with trading execution offered through natural language processing.
21 Jan 2026, 08:21
Steak ‘n Shake to Pay Hourly Workers in Bitcoin Starting March
Steak ‘n Shake will begin paying all hourly employees at company-operated restaurants a Bitcoin bonus of $0.21 for every hour worked starting March 1, with funds accessible after a two-year vesting period. The 91-year-old burger chain announced the program through a partnership with Bitcoin rewards app Fold, marking another step in its year-long transformation into what CEO Will Reeves called “ a real bitcoin company, putting sound money into the hands of working Americans. “ A full-time minimum wage employee working 40 hours weekly for 30 years could retire with over $3 million if Bitcoin maintains just a 20% annual growth rate, according to Adam Simecka , founder of self-custody wallet Manna. Under that scenario, workers could start at 16 and retire at 46 without receiving raises or making additional investments beyond the hourly Bitcoin bonus. Starting March 1, Steak n Shake will give all hourly employees at its company-operated restaurants a Bitcoin bonus of $0.21 for every hour worked. Employees will be able to collect their Bitcoin pay after a two-year vesting period. Thank you, @Fold_app , for the assist. We… — Steak 'n Shake (@SteaknShake) January 20, 2026 Bitcoin Treasury Strategy Drives Double-Digit Sales Growth The hourly bonus builds on Steak ‘n Shake’s $10 million Bitcoin treasury purchase announced January 18, when the company acquired roughly 105 BTC as its first direct allocation since accepting crypto payments in May 2025. The chain formalized a “ Strategic Bitcoin Reserve ” system that channels all customer Bitcoin payments directly into treasury holdings rather than converting them to cash, creating, as executives described, a self-sustaining model tying same-store sales increases to long-term reserve accumulation. Lightning Network payments enabled across all US locations in mid-May brought transaction fee savings of nearly 50% compared with credit cards, alongside a roughly 15% increase in same-store sales in the months following the launch. The rollout received public backing from Jack Dorsey, who had enthusiastically endorsed the chain’s Bitcoin adoption plans earlier in the year when the company first polled followers about accepting cryptocurrency. i grew up in st. louis with steak ‘n shake https://t.co/w9NTC7sDoV — jack (@jack) May 18, 2025 The company reported $69.3 million in Q2 2025 revenue, a 12% year-over-year increase, with executives crediting Bitcoin users for helping drive a 10.7% quarter-over-quarter rise in same-store performance. That momentum accelerated into Q3 with 15% growth in same-store sales, outpacing major competitors including McDonald’s, Burger King, Taco Bell, and Starbucks to mark one of the most impressive runs in the fast-food sector. Community Rewards Program Links Bitcoin to Everyday Spending Through its partnership with Fold Holdings , launched October 31, Steak ‘n Shake offered customers $5 worth of Bitcoin when purchasing branded items, including the “ Bitcoin Burger, ” redeemable through the Fold app. The company pledged to donate 210 satoshis for every “ Bitcoin Meal ” sold to OpenSats, supporting Bitcoin Core and open-source development, while the limited-time promotion across 400 US locations introduced Bitcoin ownership to everyday consumers through ordinary transactions like grabbing a burger. “ Bitcoin goes mainstream when it starts showing up in everyday life, ” Reeves said. “ For many people, this will be the first time they ever own Bitcoin – and it will come from something as ordinary as grabbing a burger. “ $0.21/hr in Bitcoin. Every hour. Every employee. Steak ’n Shake is a real bitcoin company, putting sound money into the hands of working Americans. Proud @Fold_app is helping make it real. https://t.co/7o5jbl2SYf — WILL REEVES (@willreeves) January 20, 2026 The treasury strategy tied consumer incentives directly to crypto adoption rather than speculative investment, embedding Bitcoin into the daily habits of American consumers. Steak ‘n Shake is owned by Biglari Holdings, led by Sardar Biglari, though the parent company has not disclosed whether Bitcoin will play a role in its broader balance-sheet strategy beyond the restaurant operations. International Expansion and Renewed Bitcoin-Only Commitment The chain expanded into El Salvador in November after participating in the Bitcoin Histórico event in San Salvador, entering the first country to adopt Bitcoin as legal tender and signaling deeper engagement with the nation’s crypto-centered economy. The symbolic move followed months of strong financial performance tied to Bitcoin adoption across existing markets in the US, France, Monaco, and Spain. However, the company briefly faced backlash in October after polling followers about accepting Ether payments, with 53% of nearly 49,000 votes favoring the expansion. Just four hours later, Steak ‘n Shake abruptly suspended the poll and declared loyalty to Bitcoiners. “ Poll suspended. Our allegiance is with Bitcoiners. You have spoken, ” the company posted, reaffirming its commitment to Bitcoin-only payments. The quick reversal came after prominent Bitcoin advocates, including Simecka, vowed never to dine at the restaurant again if it accepted Ether. Bitcoin slid 4% to $88,000 after a leverage wipeout, while investors rotated into gold and silver during a broad “Sell America” risk-off move. #CryptoMarketUpdate #AsiaMarketOpen https://t.co/u1Hx1SGZMA — Cryptonews.com (@cryptonews) January 21, 2026 The announcement comes as Bitcoin slid 4% to about $88,000 on Wednesday amid a sharp leverage unwind that ripped through crypto markets, with liquidation data from CoinGlass showing 181,570 traders wiped out over 24 hours and total liquidations reaching $1.07 billion. Long positions absorbed $998.33 million in liquidations versus $71.39 million in shorts, while Bitcoin and Ether accounted for the bulk of forced selling at $440.19 million and $392.38 million, respectively, as trade tensions and tariff threats revived fears of a wider economic conflict pressuring risk assets globally. The post Steak ‘n Shake to Pay Hourly Workers in Bitcoin Starting March appeared first on Cryptonews .
21 Jan 2026, 08:15
The Truth About XRP and Why Banks Aren’t Yet Using It
Crypto influencer Ledger Man recently shared content addressing a recurring question in the digital asset space: why major banks and financial institutions are not yet using XRP on a global scale for transaction settlement. His post directs attention to a video explanation that challenges the assumption that the absence of widespread XRP usage reflects a lack of institutional interest or technological readiness. Instead, the material emphasizes sequencing, infrastructure, and trust as central factors shaping adoption timelines. The message presented alongside the video acknowledges that critics often dismiss the idea that the XRP Ledger , Ripple, and XRP were designed to play a significant role in global finance. Ledger Man’s contribution, however, centers on clarifying why current conditions do not yet reflect the end goal many observers expect. The truth about #XRP and why banks aren't yet using it. This video explains it clearly, and critics may disagree with the idea that the XRP Ledger, Ripple, and XRP are built to play a major role in global finance. pic.twitter.com/3q2DWW0W2j — Ledger Man (@strivex_) January 19, 2026 Infrastructure as the First Priority According to the speaker in the attached video, the initial phase of Ripple’s strategy focused on building foundational infrastructure rather than driving immediate XRP usage among banking partners. The explanation stresses that large-scale financial innovation does not begin with instant deployment across global institutions. Instead, it started with constructing settlement rails capable of handling institutional volumes securely and efficiently. The XRP Ledger is described as having been engineered to support the movement of large sums of value at high speed, with low cost and operational reliability. While retail activity and market liquidity exist on the network, the speaker argues these were not the primary design objectives. The core focus was creating a system capable of operating at an institutional scale and meeting the operational expectations of banks, payment providers, and central financial authorities. Establishing Trust Through Integration The video further explains that once the infrastructure was in place, the next phase involved integration with existing financial systems. This stage emphasized building trust with institutions that oversee and manage monetary activity rather than compelling them to use XRP immediately. The partnerships formed during this period are characterized as strategic integrations rather than direct endorsements of instant settlement via digital assets. We are on X, follow us to connect with us :- @TimesTabloid1 — TimesTabloid (@TimesTabloid1) June 15, 2025 By embedding its technology into established financial plumbing, Ripple aimed to demonstrate reliability over time. The speaker argues that financial institutions cannot be expected to transact on new systems without a proven operational record, particularly when those systems are expected to support critical payment flows. Why Immediate XRP Usage Was Not the Objective Ledger Man’s shared content reinforces the idea that XRP adoption was never intended to precede infrastructure readiness and institutional confidence. The video asserts that introducing a new financial standard requires gradual alignment with regulatory, technical, and operational requirements already governing global finance. From this perspective, the current lack of universal XRP usage by banks is presented not as a failure, but as a reflection of a deliberate strategy. The underlying argument is that infrastructure development and trust-building must come first, with broader utilization following only after those foundations are firmly established. Disclaimer : This content is meant to inform and should not be considered financial advice. The views expressed in this article may include the author’s personal opinions and do not represent Times Tabloid’s opinion. Readers are advised to conduct thorough research before making any investment decisions. Any action taken by the reader is strictly at their own risk. Times Tabloid is not responsible for any financial losses. Follow us on X , Facebook , Telegram , and Google News The post The Truth About XRP and Why Banks Aren’t Yet Using It appeared first on Times Tabloid .
21 Jan 2026, 08:15
XRP Holders Face Rising Selling Pressure in Changing Market Dynamics
Recent Blockchain data shows XRP's market scenario akin to early 2022's weakness. Short-term XRP investors gain profit; seasoned buyers face loss pressures. $2 has become a key level influencing investor behavior and market dynamics. Continue Reading: XRP Holders Face Rising Selling Pressure in Changing Market Dynamics The post XRP Holders Face Rising Selling Pressure in Changing Market Dynamics appeared first on COINTURK NEWS .
