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17 Jan 2026, 09:28
Former lawmaker says UK laws fall short in curbing Grok harms
A former UK lawmaker has revealed that the approach of the United Kingdom in terms of its laws will not reduce the harm caused by Grok. This is coming after UK ministers responded to the backlash faced by Grok, Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence chatbot, by fast-tracking legislation to ban the generation of non-consensual intimate images. According to the former UK lawmaker, the country is following a “what-a-mole” approach to regulating big technology companies. While there has been increased support for the law, experts have also warned that the changes may not go far to limit the harms posed by generative AI chatbots. “It looks like we are behind the curve, because we are,” says Harriet Harman, a former deputy Labour leader. “And it looks like we’re running to catch up, because we are. And it looks like we’ve got a scattergun approach, because we have.” Former lawmaker says the UK is behind in AI regulation According to the former UK lawmaker, this includes the country failing to clarify what the law should classify as “intimate” imagery. Although in the US, lawmakers have described it as depicting nudity or underwear, backbenchers and ministers have argued that the creation of non-consensual images of women and children in bikinis and wet T-shirts using Grok shows a significant weakness in the approach. Technology secretary Liz Kendall has also noted that the law is being aimed at nudification applications and may not even apply to Grok. According to Clare McGlynn, a professor of law at Durham University, the nudification ban is not a solution that will tackle the generation of sexual images with Grok, noting that it won’t even apply to the chatbot. The offense is designed to apply only to applications developed for the creation of non-consensual intimate imagery. On the other hand, Grok is seen as a general-purpose artificial intelligence model capable of predicting images, text, and code, and would most likely be outside the scope of the law. In a letter to Labour MP Chi Onwurah, Kendall mentioned that Grok might not be covered under the proposals. She mentioned that during the analysis, they identified that not all chatbots were covered under the scope of the law. However, she noted that officials have been commissioned to look into it so as to address the gap. Experts warn about the risks of AI chatbots Last Wednesday, X released a statement, noting that it would geoblock the ability for users to generate images of real people in skimpy outfits, like bikinis, underwear, and similar attire, in areas where it is currently illegal. It remains to be seen if similar images can still be generated using the standalone Grok application or the website. xAI , Grok’s parent company, did not disclose if that would be the case or if the enforcement would cover these parts. The debate is unfolding against rising concerns about violence against women and girls (VAWG) carried out using technologies. Reports claim that around one in 10 recorded offenses involving VAWG already has a digital element, something that experts believe significantly underestimates the true scale. Younger people are prone to more risks as they spend more time online. According to campaigners, artificial intelligence can be a harm accelerant. The group also mentioned that AI allows abuse to be generated and shared on a larger scale. Meanwhile, experts have warned that other AI-chatbot controversies are likely to emerge in the future. Michael Birtwistle, associate director at the Ada Lovelace Institute, an AI research body, mentioned that future flashpoints could include children being targeted with sexual interactions from chatbots or AI assistants dispensing questionable health or financial advice to their users. The smartest crypto minds already read our newsletter. Want in? Join them .
17 Jan 2026, 09:19
Trading expert sets date when Bitcoin will crash to $60,000
As Bitcoin ( BTC ) sets its sights on reclaiming the $100,000 mark, a trading expert has warned that the cryptocurrency is likely to face further correction later in the year and could potentially crash to $60,000. In this context, a TradingView analysis shared on January 16 by TradingShot was based on a long-term cycle model that combines halving timelines, moving averages, and Fibonacci time extensions. The analysis suggested that Bitcoin is approaching a key technical test at the daily 200-day moving average ( MA ), a level that has historically triggered the second phase of bear cycles. Past behavior indicates that such rejections often lead to extended downside pressure rather than short-lived pullbacks, signaling a shift from a distribution phase into a deeper retracement. Bitcoin price analysis chart. Source: TradingView At the same time, the rainbow cycle chart supports this view by aligning price action with halving events and Fibonacci time extensions . The next major time target is the 4.618 Fibonacci extension in the final week of September 2026, a zone that has previously marked cycle lows. At that point, the model projects Bitcoin trading around $60,000, a sharp decline from cycle highs but still consistent with its long-term uptrend. Notably, the outlook added that this projected bottom would occur well ahead of the next halving, estimated for April 2028, meaning the market would remain far from the next profit-taking phase. Bitcoin’s failure to hit $150,000 Additionally, Bitcoin’s failure to reach the upper orange rainbow band in the latest bull cycle above $150,000 reinforces the idea of diminishing returns, with each cycle delivering smaller percentage gains. This bearish outlook comes at a time when Bitcoin has attempted to target the $100,000 level before slightly retreating. The asset briefly reignited bullish optimism earlier this week, mainly driven by institutional inflows after breaking out of a prolonged consolidation near $90,000 and rallying to nearly $98,000. The move raised expectations that traders positioned for sideways or lower prices would be forced to unwind, potentially pushing the cryptocurrency back above the $100,000 mark. However, the momentum has faded just as quickly. Instead of extending the rally, Bitcoin has reversed course and is now showing signs of weakness, increasing the likelihood of a pullback toward the low-$90,000 range. Bitcoin price analysis By press time, Bitcoin was trading at $95,123, down about 0.4% in the past 24 hours, while on the weekly timeframe, the leading digital asset was up more than 5%. Bitcoin seven-day price chart. Source: Finbold From a moving average perspective, the 50-day SMA at $90,095 remains below the current price, signaling short-term bullish momentum as Bitcoin trades above this level, potentially indicating near-term upward pressure. In contrast, the 200-day SMA at $105,657 remains above the current price, suggesting longer-term bearish undertones or an ongoing correction from prior highs. Meanwhile, Bitcoin’s 14-day RSI of 63.30 remains neutral, avoiding overbought territory and implying room for further gains without immediate reversal risks, although it warrants monitoring for shifts in buying strength. The post Trading expert sets date when Bitcoin will crash to $60,000 appeared first on Finbold .
17 Jan 2026, 09:15
“10x for Bitcoin is Conservative,” Says Samson Mow
Samson Mow continues to express strong conviction in Bitcoin's long-term performance, this time he said a 10x prediction for Bitcoin is not bold enough.
17 Jan 2026, 09:10
Solayer LAYER Deposit: Strategic $3M Binance Move Sparks Intense Market Scrutiny
BitcoinWorld Solayer LAYER Deposit: Strategic $3M Binance Move Sparks Intense Market Scrutiny In a significant on-chain transaction reported by Onchainlens, a cryptocurrency wallet presumed to be controlled by the Solayer development team executed a major deposit of LAYER tokens to the global exchange Binance, immediately drawing intense scrutiny from market analysts and investors focused on Solayer LAYER deposit activity. The movement, involving 18.32 million LAYER valued at approximately $3 million, occurred just 26 minutes prior to the report’s publication, highlighting the real-time nature of blockchain transparency. Consequently, this event provides a critical case study in project treasury management and market signaling. Analyzing the Solayer LAYER Deposit to Binance The core transaction data reveals precise figures. According to the on-chain intelligence platform Onchainlens, the specific wallet address transferred exactly 18,320,000 LAYER tokens. Based on prevailing market prices at the time, this equated to a substantial $3 million valuation. Following this Binance crypto deposit, the same wallet retains a significant balance of 16.56 million LAYER, worth an estimated $2.7 million. This residual holding indicates the move was not a full liquidation but a strategic partial transfer. Blockchain analysts routinely monitor such wallets associated with project teams, as their actions can signal various operational needs, from treasury diversification to preparing for exchange liquidity provisions. Contextualizing Team Wallet Activity in Crypto Transactions from wallets linked to core development teams are never viewed in isolation. Instead, they form part of a broader narrative concerning project health and insider confidence. Typically, team token movements fall into several predictable categories: funding operational expenses, providing liquidity on decentralized or centralized exchanges, or executing planned vesting schedules. For instance, a large, unexpected deposit to a major exchange like Binance can sometimes precede increased selling pressure, potentially affecting the LAYER token’s market price. However, it may also simply facilitate necessary financial operations. The table below outlines common reasons for team-controlled wallet movements: Reason for Movement Typical Market Interpretation Vesting Schedule Unlock Planned, predictable, often neutral Liquidity Provision Generally positive for ecosystem growth Operational Funding Neutral, seen as standard business practice Large, Unplanned Exchange Deposit Can signal caution, leading to short-term volatility Therefore, understanding the context behind this Solayer team wallet activity is crucial for accurate assessment. The Solana ecosystem, which hosts the Solayer project, has established itself as a hub for high-throughput decentralized applications. Projects within it are often held to high standards of transparency regarding token allocation and team holdings. Expert Perspective on Treasury Management Signals Industry observers emphasize the importance of communication following such events. “A transparent project often pre-announces large treasury movements or provides a clear rationale shortly after they occur on-chain,” notes a veteran crypto-economist who specializes in tokenomics. This approach builds trust within the community. The lack of immediate public commentary from the Solayer team, while not unusual in the immediate aftermath, will likely prompt questions. Analysts will now monitor for follow-up transactions, official statements, or changes in exchange order book depth for LAYER. Furthermore, they will compare this action to the project’s original token distribution plan outlined in its documentation. Key metrics for watch include: Remaining Treasury Balance: The $2.7 million still held suggests ongoing runway or future planned use. Exchange Inflow Metrics: Aggregators will track if this deposit correlates with a spike in overall LAYER exchange inflows. Price Action Correlation: Analysts will study any immediate or lagged effect on the LAYER/USD trading pair. This event underscores a fundamental principle of decentralized finance: blockchain data is public, but interpretation requires nuance. A single transaction does not define a project’s trajectory but serves as one data point in a complex financial landscape. The Broader Impact on Solayer and Market Perception The immediate impact of this $3 million deposit extends beyond the transaction itself. Market participants use tools like Etherscan for Ethereum or Solscan for Solana to track these flows in real-time. Consequently, the speed at which Onchainlens reported the activity demonstrates the mature infrastructure for blockchain surveillance. For the Solayer project, this event tests its relationship with its holder community. Proactive communication can mitigate potential fears of a sudden sell-off. Historically, projects that maintain open dialogues about treasury management, even for routine operations, foster stronger, more resilient communities. Moreover, this incident highlights the evolving expectations for project teams in 2025, where sophisticated on-chain analytics are accessible to all market participants. Conclusion The reported deposit of $3 million in LAYER tokens from a Solayer team-linked wallet to Binance represents a significant on-chain event worthy of analysis. While the exact motive remains unconfirmed by official sources, the transaction provides a clear window into the continuous and transparent nature of blockchain-based asset movement. Monitoring the Solayer LAYER deposit and the team’s subsequent communication will be essential for understanding its strategic implications. Ultimately, this event reinforces the critical importance of transparency and well-communicated tokenomics in building sustainable cryptocurrency projects within the modern digital asset landscape. FAQs Q1: What exactly happened with the Solayer team wallet? A wallet identified by on-chain analysts as belonging to the Solayer team transferred 18.32 million LAYER tokens (worth $3M) to the Binance exchange. The wallet still holds an additional 16.56 million LAYER. Q2: Why do people monitor team wallets? Team wallet activity can provide insights into a project’s financial strategy, signal potential future selling pressure, or indicate routine operational moves like vesting or liquidity provisioning. Q3: Does this mean the Solayer team is selling their tokens? A deposit to an exchange like Binance often, but not always, precedes a sale. It could also be for other purposes like providing liquidity or converting tokens for operational expenses. The intent is not confirmed solely by the deposit. Q4: How was this transaction discovered so quickly? Blockchain intelligence firms like Onchainlens use automated systems to track large transactions from known wallets, especially those linked to project founders or treasuries, and report them in real-time. Q5: What should LAYER token holders do in response to this news? Holders should seek official communication from the Solayer team for context, monitor credible market analysis for interpretation, and avoid making impulsive financial decisions based on a single data point. This post Solayer LAYER Deposit: Strategic $3M Binance Move Sparks Intense Market Scrutiny first appeared on BitcoinWorld .
17 Jan 2026, 09:02
Ireland flags potential misuse of Grok on X
Ireland has expressed concerns over the misuse of the artificial intelligence chatbot Grok on blogging platform X. According to reports, the dissatisfaction was expressed to company executives at a recent meeting held in the country. This puts Ireland on a long list of countries worried about the implications of the actions of the chatbot. Over the last few weeks, countries and their leaders have called out the platform, its owner, Elon Musk, and its chatbot, Grok. This is because some users are now taking advantage of the chatbot to generate sexualized images of women and children. While some countries have threatened legal sanctions, others have called on the platform to take measures to protect children and women from being digitally abused. Ireland wants X to take corrective measures In the meeting, Artificial Intelligence Minister Niamh Smyth hailed the corrective measures that the company said it had taken to curb the menace. This was after the executives told her that Grok had been disabled from removing or reducing clothing on individuals worldwide. The new development came after the platform confirmed that it will ‘geoblock’ the ability of X and Grok users to create images of people in limited outfits. In its statement, the platform mentioned that these requests will be halted only in regions where the actions have been deemed illegal. During the meeting, the Irish AI Minister expressed her concerns that nonconsensual intimate imagery and child sexual abuse materials were being generated and posted on the public platform. She told the company executives that the sophistication of the safeguards needs to match the sophistication of the technology. However, Smyth noted that her concerns remain regarding Grok as a standalone application, noting that the Irish government will need to examine it further. She added that she will continue to monitor the situation closely. Niamh also added that she is scheduled to hold an in-person follow-up meeting with executives from X in the future to ensure that adequate and enduring protections against the technology remain in place. Countries continue to criticize X and its Grok chatbot The renewed criticism comes after the platform allegedly failed to curb the generation of the menace after it pledged to halt and suspend users who generate them. During the period, UK communication watchdog Ofcom noted that it had made urgent contact with X and xAI to understand what they are doing to comply with their legal duties to protect users in the UK. The regulatory body mentioned at the time that it would assess whether an investigation is necessary. After its statement, the government of Indonesia announced that it had taken decisive action concerning the chatbot. The country mentioned that the chatbot will remain temporarily banned, citing the need to protect its women and children from the dangers of AI-generated explicit content. “The government views non-consensual sexual deepfakes as a serious violation of human rights, dignity, and citizens’ security in the digital space,” the country said. The development came after Australian PM Anthony Albanese threw his weight behind countries criticizing the platform, calling on them to do what is right in terms of protecting its vulnerable users. The eSafety Office of Australia mentioned that the number of reports it received was relatively small; it noted that there has been a rise in reports in relation to the incident compared to previous years. The watchdog vowed to use its powers as defined in the Australian Online Safety Act to remove these contents. Don’t just read crypto news. Understand it. Subscribe to our newsletter. It's free .
17 Jan 2026, 09:02
Market Strategist Says This XRP Pattern Changes Everything. Here’s why
Crypto analyst Steph Is Crypto (@Steph_iscrypto) has published a video outlining a comparison that links XRP’s current positioning to a major commodity reversal from recent history. His focus was not on short-term noise. He pointed to a pattern that unfolded when oil markets faced widespread doubt, then moved sharply higher. In the video, Steph compared XRP’s current position to that of oil in 2020. Sentiment leaned heavily against oil before the price accelerated rapidly. Steph presented this parallel as a way to think about XRP’s current price structure and potential upside. This #XRP pattern changes everything! pic.twitter.com/TYnqdaR2Xl — STEPH IS CRYPTO (@Steph_iscrypto) January 14, 2026 Context Around XRP’s Position XRP trades at $2.09 at the time of his analysis. The asset experienced a slight resurgence in early 2026 , but it remains close to the $2 support level. Despite this, XRP remains one of the most liquid digital assets in the market. It also sits at the center of Ripple’s payment-focused infrastructure. Long-term holders continue to track XRP as a macro asset rather than a speculative token. Steph did not dwell on short-term indicators. He treated XRP as an asset that has already endured an extended period of compression . This set the stage for the oil comparison that followed. The Oil Comparison From 2020 Steph highlighted the oil market between 2020 and 2022. During that period, oil prices surged roughly 1,450%. The move followed a phase in which sentiment collapsed, and confidence disappeared. Oil then entered a sustained expansion that caught many observers off guard. We are on X, follow us to connect with us :- @TimesTabloid1 — TimesTabloid (@TimesTabloid1) June 15, 2025 Steph argued that XRP now occupies a comparable psychological and structural position. He noted that when everyone thought it was over for oil, its price exploded. He immediately connected that thought to the present. He believes that XRP is about to explode because many market participants have discarded it and are selling too early . Where is XRP Going? A 1,450% move represents a 14.5x increase from the starting price. Applying that scale to XRP’s current price of $2.09 produces a projected level near $32.4. Steph’s analysis centered on how markets behave after extended disbelief phases, especially when liquidity and visibility already exist, and it shows a strong correlation between both assets. Steph’s thesis places XRP in a longer cycle narrative. He presented oil’s recovery as evidence that deeply discounted assets can reprice aggressively once conditions align. The video positions XRP as an asset that could experience a similar breakout if the cycle he outlined plays out. 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 Market Strategist Says This XRP Pattern Changes Everything. Here’s why appeared first on Times Tabloid .
