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21 Jan 2026, 11:50

Vietnam starts five-year pilot licensing regime for crypto exchanges

Vietnam, in Southeast Asia, has launched a pilot licensing regime for crypto asset exchanges as its first formal step towards regulating a sector operating without clear legal oversight for years. Vietnam’s Ministry of Finance said it began accepting applications on Tuesday from businesses interested in offering crypto asset trading services. The applications fall under procedures outlined in Decision No. 96/QD-BTC, issued the same day. It also introduced three new administrative procedures governing how VASPs’ licenses are issued, modified, or revoked. 5-year regulatory pilot opens door to formal oversight Last year, the Vietnamese government unveiled a 5-year pilot program to test crypto trades, culminating in Government Resolution No. 05/2025/NQ-CP, issued in September. During this period, only licensed service providers in the finance ministry registry will be permitted to operate trading systems. Companies that want to run crypto trading services would only be allowed to do so through these providers and must be incorporated as limited liability companies or joint stock companies. Each entity must have a minimum charter capital of VND 10,000 billion, contributed entirely in Vietnamese dong. At least 65% of the ownership must be held by institutions, with a minimum of 35% held by at least two qualifying organizations. These qualifying institutions include banks, securities firms, fund managers, insurance companies, or technology businesses. Service providers must have appropriate premises, information technology systems that meet Level 4 standards as appraised by the Ministry of Public Security, and qualified personnel. The management requirements include a general director with at least 2 years of experience at a financial institution and a CTO with at least 5 years of IT experience at a financial institution or technology company. Moreover, staffing rules further require at least 10 employees certified in cybersecurity and at least 10 staff holding securities practicing certificates. Vietnam’s crypto market scale led to regulatory interest According to blockchain analytics firm Chainalysis, the value of cryptocurrency transactions in Vietnam was estimated at between $220 billion and $230 billion from July 2024 to June 2025, an average of more than $600 million in transactions per day. The country is among the three largest crypto markets in APAC, with 10% of the total transaction value in the region, trailing only India and South Korea. Per the Vietnam government portal, around 10 securities firms and banks have already announced plans to offer crypto asset exchange services once they receive licenses from regulators. The licensing regime also introduces detailed rules governing investor participation and cash flows. All investors, including foreign investors and domestic investors who already hold crypto assets, must open trading accounts with licensed service providers in order to trade. Each foreign investor must open a single VND-denominated cash account at a local bank licensed to provide foreign exchange services. This account will be used for all payments and remittances related to crypto asset trading. Permitted inflows into these accounts include proceeds from selling foreign currency to licensed banks, transfers from the investor’s VND payment accounts, proceeds from crypto asset sales under the pilot program, balance transfers when switching banks, and interest earned on account balances. Outflows include payments for purchasing crypto assets, transfers to other VND payment accounts, purchases of foreign currency for lawful remittances abroad, balance transfers when switching banks, and service fees. Banks holding these accounts are responsible for verifying transactions and retaining records to ensure compliance with foreign exchange laws and proper use of accounts. In August, the Military Bank signed a memorandum of understanding with South Korea’s Dunamu. Dunamu operates Upbit, the world’s third-largest centralized crypto exchange and 80% of the market in South Korea, with transaction volumes exceeding $1.1 trillion in 2025. Military Bank is Vietnam’s fifth-largest lender , with total assets of VND 1.29 trillion as of the end of 2025’s second quarter. In the first six months of the year, the bank reported pre-tax profit of VND 15,889 billion, up 18% from the same period last year. According to a draft resolution on the digital asset market expected to be submitted to the government, exchange operators will face capital and ownership requirements consistent with those outlined in the pilot program. Claim your free seat in an exclusive crypto trading community - limited to 1,000 members.

21 Jan 2026, 11:47

BitMine Gobbles Up $110M Ethereum in Massive Dip Buy — Is the “Alchemy of 5%” Imminent?

BitMine Immersion Technologies has once again pushed itself to the center of the crypto market after revealing a fresh wave of Ethereum accumulation that reflects how far the company has come in just six months. The New York–listed firm disclosed on January 20 that it now holds 4,203,036 ETH, valued at roughly $13.5 billion at recent prices, following weeks of steady purchases made during market weakness.  BitMine provided its latest holdings update for January 20th, 2026: $14.5 billion in total crypto + "moonshots": – 4,203,036 ETH at $3,211 ( @coinbase ) – 193 Bitcoin (BTC) – $22 million stake in Eightco Holdings (NASDAQ: $ORBS ) (“moonshots”) and – total cash of $979… — Bitmine (NYSE-BMNR) $ETH (@BitMNR) January 20, 2026 Ethereum has declined by 10.8% over the past seven days and is down 4.5% in the last 24 hours, currently trading at $2,966.44. The update immediately reignited debate around BitMine’s stated goal of acquiring 5% of Ethereum’s total circulating supply, a target the company calls the “alchemy of 5%.” Weekly ETH Buys Push BitMine Toward 5% Supply Mark The numbers show how close BitMine already is; with Ethereum’s circulating supply estimated at about 120.7 million ETH, a 5% stake would amount to roughly 6.03 million ETH. BitMine’s current holdings represent about 3.48% of supply, leaving the company needing approximately 1.8 million additional ETH to reach its stated threshold. Source: CoinGecko At prevailing prices near $3,000 per token, that remaining gap translates into several billion dollars of capital, even before accounting for market impact. Company disclosures show that BitMine has been buying ETH nearly every week since late October, including more than 35,000 ETH in the week ending January 20. These purchases have taken place alongside broader volatility in crypto markets, reinforcing the firm’s message that it is using price weakness to build a long-term position rather than trading short-term moves. Chairman Tom Lee has repeatedly framed the strategy as accretive to net asset value, emphasizing that the company does not intend to issue shares below its internal estimate of mNAV. That approach appears to have won shareholder backing, so that even at BitMine’s January 15 stockholder meeting in Las Vegas, investors approved all four proposals put forward by management . Tom Lee @fundstrat wants BitMine to raise its authorized share limit to 50 billion to enable future stock splits as its valuation tracks Ethereum. #Ethereum #BitMine https://t.co/C76OxSDEOP — Cryptonews.com (@cryptonews) January 3, 2026 About 81% of votes cast supported the change, representing more than half of all outstanding shares. Lee described the result as a clear show that shareholders understand and support the ETH accumulation strategy, even as concerns around dilution continue to surface in market discussions. BitMine Ramps Up Ethereum Staking as Treasury Swells Beyond simply holding Ether, BitMine is also moving aggressively to stake its position. As of January 19, the company had staked 1,838,003 ETH, worth close to $5.9 billion, up sharply from just over 650,000 ETH earlier this month. The staking effort currently relies on third-party providers, but BitMine is preparing to launch its own infrastructure , the Made in America Validator Network, or MAVAN, in early 2026. BitMine @BitMNR plans an early-2026 launch of its MAVAN validator network, aiming to turn a $12B Ether treasury into staking yield at scale. #BitMine #Staking https://t.co/YOlkeNouQu — Cryptonews.com (@cryptonews) December 30, 2025 Using the current composite Ethereum staking rate of about 2.81%, the company estimates that a fully deployed staking operation could generate roughly $374 million in annual fees, or more than $1 million per day, assuming performance and network conditions remain stable. The scale of BitMine’s balance sheet now places it in rare territory among public companies. Its crypto, cash, and “moonshot” holdings total about $14.5 billion, including nearly $1 billion in cash, a smaller Bitcoin position of 193 BTC, and equity stakes such as a recently announced $200 million investment into Beast Industries . @BitMNR has further cemented its position as the largest corporate holder of Ether after adding more than 24,000 ETH to its balance sheet. #Bitmine #Ether https://t.co/vphtiEXCXb — Cryptonews.com (@cryptonews) January 13, 2026 While that investment is not directly tied to the Ethereum strategy, it reflects BitMine’s broader effort to diversify alongside its core crypto treasury. Source: Google Finance Following the news, Bitmine stock is trading slightly above $28, far below its mid-2025 peak, yet it remains one of the most actively traded stocks in the United States, with average daily dollar volume around $1.5 billion. The post BitMine Gobbles Up $110M Ethereum in Massive Dip Buy — Is the “Alchemy of 5%” Imminent? appeared first on Cryptonews .

21 Jan 2026, 11:45

Strategy Buys $2.13B in Bitcoin as BTC Holds the Line and Eyes $100K

Strategy added 22,305 bitcoin in a $2.13 billion buy, lifting its total holdings to 709,715 BTC as it kept piling into the asset. Meanwhile, Bitcoin defended a low-$90,000 support zone, and chart watchers pointed to $100,000 as the next level in focus. Strategy lifts bitcoin holdings to 709,715 BTC Strategy Inc. said it bought 22,305 bitcoin for about $2.13 billion, paying an average of about $95,284 per coin, according to a Form 8-K dated Jan. 20, 2026. The company reported the purchases occurred from Jan. 12, 2026, through Jan. 19, 2026, and said it used net proceeds from sales under its at the market offering programs to fund the buys. As of Jan. 19, 2026, Strategy said it held 709,715 bitcoin acquired for about $53.92 billion at an average price of about $75,979 per coin, including fees and expenses. In the same filing, Strategy listed sales during the period across multiple securities tied to its at the market offerings, including its Class A common stock (MSTR) and preferred stock series that trade under STRC and STRK. Bitcoin defends support as higher-low structure takes shape Meanwhile, Bitcoin held a key support zone on a higher time frame chart, keeping a recent rebound intact and putting the $100,000 level back into focus, according to technical analysis shared on X by il Capo Of Crypto on Jan. 20. On the two-day BTC/USD chart, price stabilized above a blue-marked support band near the low-$90,000 area after a sharp sell-off in November and early December. That zone previously acted as a base during consolidation earlier in the cycle, and recent candles showed buyers stepping in again after a brief downside sweep. After reclaiming the support range, Bitcoin printed higher lows and pushed back toward mid-$90,000 levels. The structure suggested a potential shift from corrective price action to stabilization, as downside momentum slowed and volatility compressed near support. The chart also highlighted a broader resistance zone between roughly $100,000 and $108,000, labeled as a key area tied to prior highs. A sustained hold above current support keeps that zone in play as the next technical target, based on previous reactions at those levels. Il Capo Of Crypto said the current setup could mark an important higher low for the broader crypto market. The analyst noted that maintaining this support would preserve the larger bullish structure, setting conditions for continuation if follow-through buying emerges in coming sessions.

21 Jan 2026, 11:41

Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin to abandon centralized social media in 2026

Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has announced plans to make a full comeback to decentralized social in 2026, adding that a better society needs better mass communication tools. Buterin emphasized that the mass communication tools needed should serve the users’ long-term interest, not maximize short-term engagement. According to Buterin, there is no simple trick that solves these problems, but more competition is one important place to start. He noted that decentralization is the way to enable this, because a shared data layer allows anyone to build their own client on top of it. Meanwhile, the Ethereum co-founder claimed that he has been back to decentralized social since the beginning of the year. Buterin disclosed that every post he made or read this year was on firefly.social. The multi-client platform covers reading and posting to X, Bluesky, Farcaster , and Lens. However, Buterin pointed out that his activities on Bluesky are limited because the platform has a 300-character cap, which is not suitable for his long rants. Buterin plans to post more on Lens this year In 2026, I plan to be fully back to decentralized social. If we want a better society, we need better mass communication tools. We need mass communication tools that surface the best information and arguments and help people find points of agreement. We need mass communication… https://t.co/ye249HsojJ — vitalik.eth (@VitalikButerin) January 21, 2026 The Ethereum co-founder unveiled plans to post more on Lens this year, urging everyone to spend more time on Lens, Farcaster, and the broader decentralized social world. According to Buterin, the crypto industry needs to move beyond everyone constantly tweeting inside a single global information war zone. He believes that Lens is a reopened frontier, where new and better forms of interactions become possible. Buterin also noted that the Aave team has been doing a great job of stewarding Lens to this point. He also mentioned that he is curious to see what will happen to Lens over the next year. The Ethereum executive believes that the incoming Aave team comprises people who are actually interested in the “social”. He noted that the team was trying to figure out how to post encrypted tweets way before the decentralized social space even existed. Buterin also emphasizes that decentralized social networks should be run by people who strongly believe in the social aspect and are first and foremost motivated to solve the social problem. He says that it is not “Hayekian info-utopia,” but “corposlop.” Buterin explains corposlop and building a sovereign web Earlier this month, Buterin explained that corposlop involves social media that maximizes outrage, dopamine, and other short-term engagement tactics at the expense of long-term value and fulfillment. He also noted that corposlop involves unnecessary mass data collection from users, often followed by careless or even casual management, or even its sale to third parties. Essentially, corposlop is a soulless, trend-following homogeneity that is both lame and evil. Meanwhile, corposlop combines corporate optimization power and an aura of company respectability that comes with polished branding. It also includes the exact opposite of respectable behavior because that is what is needed to maximize profit. Buterin agrees with around 60% of these claims, but feels that a distinction between the Sovereign Web and the open web is essential. “Be sovereign. Reject corposlop. Believe in somETHing.” – Vitalik Buterin , Co-founder of Ethereum According to Buterin, Bitcoin maximalists understood this early and resisted ICOs, tokens beyond Bitcoin, and arbitrary financial applications to keep the network sovereign. Their fear of corposlop was real, but their methods sometimes restricted users. On the other hand, Buterin claimed that the Sovereign Web includes privacy-preserving, local-first apps. He noted that social media should give users control over content, and financial tools should help grow wealth responsibly. Currently, the concept of sovereignty encompasses fighting against corporate mind control and digital privacy. A sovereign web is also concerned with the long-term desires of humans rather than short-term or immediate profits. Meanwhile, digital sovereignty came to mean acting based on values, guarding privacy, and avoiding manipulation. Join a premium crypto trading community free for 30 days - normally $100/mo.

21 Jan 2026, 11:40

Binance Perpetual Futures Expansion: Strategic Listings of ACU and 我踏马来了 Contracts with Varied Leverage

BitcoinWorld Binance Perpetual Futures Expansion: Strategic Listings of ACU and 我踏马来了 Contracts with Varied Leverage Global cryptocurrency exchange Binance has strategically expanded its derivatives offerings today by listing two new perpetual futures contracts, marking another significant development in the evolving crypto derivatives market that continues to attract institutional and retail traders worldwide. Binance Perpetual Futures Market Expansion Strategy Binance continues to dominate cryptocurrency derivatives trading with its latest strategic move. The exchange announced today that it will list ACU/USDT and 我踏马来了/USDT perpetual futures contracts. Consequently, this expansion provides traders with additional instruments for speculation and hedging. The ACU contract launches at 12:45 p.m. UTC with maximum 10x leverage. Meanwhile, the 我踏马来了 contract follows at 2:30 p.m. UTC with up to 20x leverage. These listings demonstrate Binance’s ongoing commitment to diversifying its product portfolio. Furthermore, they respond to growing trader demand for specialized derivatives products. Perpetual futures represent innovative financial instruments in cryptocurrency markets. Unlike traditional futures, they lack expiration dates. Traders can maintain positions indefinitely while paying funding rates periodically. This structure has gained tremendous popularity since its introduction. Major exchanges now compete aggressively in this sector. Binance’s market share in crypto derivatives remains substantial. The exchange consistently introduces new contracts to maintain competitive advantage. Technical Specifications and Trading Parameters The newly listed contracts feature distinct technical specifications. Understanding these parameters proves essential for informed trading decisions. Below is a comparative analysis of the two contracts: Contract Launch Time (UTC) Maximum Leverage Trading Pair Contract Type ACU/USDT 12:45 p.m. 10x ACU to USDT Perpetual Futures 我踏马来了/USDT 2:30 p.m. 20x 我踏马来了 to USDT Perpetual Futures Leverage differences between contracts reflect varying risk assessments. Typically, exchanges assign lower leverage to newer or more volatile assets. Higher leverage contracts often accompany established trading pairs. This risk management approach helps protect both traders and exchange platforms. Margin requirements will vary accordingly. Traders must maintain adequate collateral to avoid liquidation. Market Context and Historical Precedents Binance’s listing decisions follow careful market analysis. The exchange evaluates multiple factors before introducing new derivatives. Trading volume potential represents a primary consideration. Market capitalization and community interest also influence decisions. Historical data shows successful listings typically share common characteristics. These include existing spot market liquidity and developer activity. Previous Binance futures listings have generated significant trading volume. Many contracts achieve billions in daily turnover within weeks. The cryptocurrency derivatives market has experienced exponential growth. Total open interest across all platforms now exceeds $50 billion. Perpetual contracts dominate this landscape. They offer flexibility traditional futures cannot match. Regulatory developments continue shaping this sector. Major jurisdictions implement clearer frameworks for crypto derivatives. Consequently, institutional participation increases steadily. This trend validates the product’s legitimacy and utility. Risk Management Considerations for Traders Leveraged trading introduces substantial financial risks. Novice traders often underestimate these dangers. Professional traders employ sophisticated risk management strategies. They understand that higher leverage amplifies both profits and losses. Several key practices help mitigate trading risks: Position sizing : Never risk more than 1-2% of capital on single trades Stop-loss orders : Automatically exit positions at predetermined loss levels Leverage moderation : Use lower leverage than maximum available Portfolio diversification : Spread exposure across multiple assets Continuous education : Stay informed about market developments and strategies Market volatility remains elevated in cryptocurrency markets. Prices can fluctuate dramatically within minutes. Liquidation events occur frequently during extreme movements. Traders should monitor positions actively. They must understand funding rate mechanics thoroughly. These periodic payments between long and short positions affect profitability. Experienced traders often incorporate funding rates into their strategies. Industry Impact and Competitive Landscape Binance’s latest listings influence the broader cryptocurrency ecosystem. Competing exchanges monitor these developments closely. They may respond with similar or complementary offerings. The perpetual futures market has become increasingly competitive. Several platforms now offer innovative derivatives products. However, Binance maintains several structural advantages. These include superior liquidity and advanced trading features. The exchange’s global reach provides unmatched market access. Institutional adoption of crypto derivatives continues accelerating. Traditional financial firms now participate actively. They utilize these instruments for various purposes. Hedging spot positions represents a common application. Speculative trading also attracts professional managers. The growing sophistication of derivatives products facilitates this trend. Regulatory clarity in major jurisdictions provides additional confidence. This institutional participation enhances overall market stability. Technological Infrastructure and Platform Capabilities Supporting perpetual futures requires robust technological infrastructure. Binance has invested heavily in trading system development. The platform handles enormous transaction volumes efficiently. System reliability proves crucial during market volatility. Downtime during extreme movements can cause significant losses. Binance’s engineering team maintains multiple redundancy systems. They conduct regular stress testing and optimization. This technical excellence supports the exchange’s market leadership. User interface design significantly impacts trading experience. Binance offers both basic and advanced trading interfaces. The platform provides comprehensive charting tools and indicators. Real-time data feeds ensure informed decision-making. Mobile applications extend trading accessibility. These features collectively enhance user engagement and retention. Continuous platform improvements maintain competitive advantage. User feedback often drives feature development priorities. Regulatory Environment and Compliance Framework Cryptocurrency derivatives face evolving regulatory scrutiny. Different jurisdictions apply varying approaches. Some countries embrace these products enthusiastically. Others impose restrictions or outright bans. Binance navigates this complex landscape strategically. The exchange implements sophisticated compliance systems. It adapts offerings to local regulatory requirements. This approach facilitates sustainable global operations. Regulatory developments significantly impact market structure. Clear frameworks typically encourage institutional participation. Uncertainty often suppresses trading activity. The industry advocates for balanced regulation. Effective oversight should protect consumers without stifling innovation. Recent progress in several jurisdictions suggests growing regulatory maturity. This trend bodes well for long-term market development. Conclusion Binance’s listing of ACU and 我踏马来了 perpetual futures contracts represents another strategic expansion in cryptocurrency derivatives. These new instruments provide traders with additional tools for market participation. The varying leverage levels reflect careful risk assessment by exchange professionals. As the crypto derivatives market continues maturing, such developments demonstrate the sector’s ongoing innovation and growing sophistication. Traders should approach these new instruments with appropriate caution and thorough understanding of associated risks and mechanics. FAQs Q1: What are perpetual futures contracts? Perpetual futures are derivative contracts without expiration dates that track underlying asset prices, using funding rate mechanisms to maintain price alignment with spot markets. Q2: How does leverage work in cryptocurrency futures trading? Leverage allows traders to control larger positions with less capital, amplifying both potential profits and losses according to the leverage multiplier applied. Q3: What factors determine maximum leverage levels for different contracts? Exchanges consider asset volatility, liquidity, market capitalization, and historical price stability when determining appropriate maximum leverage for each trading pair. Q4: How do funding rates affect perpetual futures positions? Funding rates represent periodic payments between long and short position holders that help maintain contract prices near underlying spot market values. Q5: What risk management strategies should futures traders employ? Effective strategies include proper position sizing, stop-loss orders, leverage moderation, portfolio diversification, and continuous market education. This post Binance Perpetual Futures Expansion: Strategic Listings of ACU and 我踏马来了 Contracts with Varied Leverage first appeared on BitcoinWorld .

21 Jan 2026, 11:36

ETH Whales Buy the Dip as Charts Flash $2,250 Next

Ethereum slid hard as large buyers stepped in, with Lookonchain tracking fresh ETH accumulation during the selloff. Meanwhile, More Crypto Online said the drop supports a downside path toward the $2,250 to $2,260 zone. Ethereum Whales Accumulate as Market Slides Large holders and institutions increased Ethereum exposure during the market downturn, according to on-chain data shared by Lookonchain. The activity showed sizable borrowing and over-the-counter purchases despite broader price pressure. Trend Research borrowed 70 million USDT from Aave and used the funds to buy 24,555 ETH, valued at about $75.5 million at the time of the transaction. Following the purchase, the firm’s total Ethereum holdings reached 651,310 ETH, worth roughly $1.92 billion based on prevailing market prices. At the same time, an identified OTC whale wallet, labeled 0xFB7, acquired 20,000 ETH valued at about $58.8 million. The transaction moved through institutional trading desks FalconX and Wintermute, signaling continued demand from large buyers using off-exchange liquidity channels. More Crypto Online Points to $2,250–$2,260 Zone After Sharp ETH Selloff Ethereum’s decline on the daily chart strengthened a downside forecast that targets the $2,250 to $2,260 area, according to a post from More Crypto Online. The analyst said the latest drop added weight to the view that price action has started a move toward that lower zone after Ethereum failed to sustain a recent rebound. Ethereum U.S. Dollar Daily Chart. Source: More Crypto Online On the chart, ETH traded near $2,941 at the time of the screenshot, after sliding below a rising support line that had guided the bounce from December into early 2026. The move also kept price capped below a highlighted resistance band near $3,350 to $3,548, marked around the 50% to 61.8% retracement region. The same projection mapped several downside levels, with a mid area near $2,626 and a deeper target cluster around $2,258 to $2,260. The chart also showed a lower extension level near $1,820 as a more distant reference if selling pressure extends beyond the $2,250 area.