Author: NBTC

NBTC

NBTC is the editorial account for NBTC News, covering Bitcoin, Ethereum, DeFi, blockchain infrastructure, exchanges, mining, regulation and digital asset markets. The editorial team focuses on clear sourcing, timely updates and practical context for crypto readers.

Wealthy crypto collectors are still driving the market, says Animoca Brands' Yat Siu

The once hyper market for non-fungible tokens (NFTs) looks to be in the doldrums, with token valuations a fraction of 2021/22 highs, not to mention that France’s flagship event for the sector, NFT Paris, was canceled just one month before it was due to open. In the doldrums, but definitely not dead, said Yat Siu, co-founder of Animoca Brands, a Web3 development and venture capital company that has become involved in tokenization of real-world assets. Wealthy collectors are driving a vibrant NFT marketplace, Sui said in an interview at the CfC St. Moritz crypto conference. Some investors will have a…

NFTJan 19

Fitch Ratings flags risk for US banks with high crypto exposure

International credit rating agency Fitch Ratings has warned that it may reassess US banks with “significant” cryptocurrency exposure negatively. In a report posted on Sunday, Fitch Ratings argued that while crypto integrations can boost fees, yields and efficiency, they also pose “reputational, liquidity, operational and compliance” risks for banks. “Stablecoin issuance, deposit tokenization and blockchain technology use give banks opportunities to improve customer service. They also let banks leverage blockchain speed and efficiency in areas such as payments and smart contracts,” Fitch said, adding: “However, we may negatively re-assess the business models or risk profiles of US banks with concentrated…

RegulationJan 19

Crypto Leaders Gets Dividend on Clarity Act Ahead of Thursday’s Markup

Coinbase has backtracked on its support for the Clarity Act due to unfavorable amendments. Ripple Labs and Coin Center have openly supported the crypto bill ahead of the markup. The Clarity Act has attracted significant attention from the traditional banking sector due to the rising crypto influence in global finance. Several crypto leaders have openly disagreed on the amendments listed in the Clarity Act. Ahead of the planned markup on Thursday, January 15, 2026, Coinbase Global Inc. (NASDAQ: COIN) has stated that it cannot support the bill with its amendments. However, Ripple Labs and Coin Center have openly expressed support…

LegalJan 19

LinkLayerAI Joins MoonClash to Merge AI Intelligence with Web3 Gaming on BNB Chain

LinkLayerAI, a renowned Web3-focused AI platform, has partnered with MoonClash, a BNB Chain-based Web3 strategy game. The partnership aims to combine AI, immersive gameplay, and blockchain technology to revolutionize Web3 gaming. As LinkLayerAI mentioned in its official X announcement, the development advances the user interaction with diverse Web3 gaming networks. Hence, both platforms attempt to unlock exclusive engagement models at the intersection of decentralized entertainment and live intelligence. 🤝 Partnership Announcement 🎉We’re excited to collaborate with @MoonClash_, a next-generation tower defense strategy game built on BNB Chain, featuring PVP battles, PVE exploration, NFT trading, mystery boxes, tokenomics, and social gameplay.…

GameFiJan 19

Nexo Hits $30 Billion in Stablecoin Inflows, Signaling Investor Confidence

“$30B in Stablecoin Inflows on Nexo,” a short but telling post from CryptoQuant has rippled through crypto market coverage this week, highlighting a milestone few expected when the lending platform launched in 2018. The figure, cumulative stablecoin deposits into the Nexo ecosystem reaching roughly $30 billion as of January 2026, shows how much liquidity and investor trust the business has pulled in since its early days. Nexo is no ordinary exchange. It has built a full stack of crypto financial services centered on crypto-backed loans, instant credit lines, savings products and a payments arm that together let users tap the…

ExchangesJan 19

DOLO, Polymarket, Valantis Top DeFi TVL Growth Rankings

Throughout the past seven days, the DeFi market has recorded considerable growth when it comes to TVL. Specifically, DOLO, Polymarket, and Polymarket have emerged as the top DeFi projects based on growth in total value locked (TVL). As per the data from Phoenix Group, the other notable DeFi projects of the week include Valantis, Opinion, OGN, RESOLV, BAL, THOR, RAIL, LDO, MORPHO, ONDO, FIS, CORE, and TORN. Hence, this overall growth trajectory shows the growing institutional inflows. TOP PROJECTS BY WEEKLY #TVL GROWTH$DOLO #Polymarket #Valantis #Opinion $OGN $RESOLV $BAL $THOR $RAIL $LDO $MORPHO $ONDO $FIS $CORE $TORN pic.twitter.com/X5zWbK3fAc — PHOENIX…

DeFiJan 19

HashKey Files for Hong Kong IPO, Aims to Be City’s First Listed Crypto Exchange

HashKey Holdings Limited is set to become Hong Kong’s first publicly-listed crypto exchange after filing its initial public offering on Monday, outlining the scale of its trading, custody, and tokenization businesses in the city, which has emerged as one of Asia’s most active regulated hubs for digital assets. The IPO sets out 240.57 million shares in the global offering, including 24.06 million for Hong Kong investors and 216.51 million for international buyers, with a maximum price of HK$6.95 per share, according to a prospectus. HashKey is creating “a digital asset ecosystem” that delivers products and services “tailored to meet distinct…

RegulationJan 19

US government confirms no plan to remove Fed Chair Powell despite ongoing investigation

Key Takeaways President Trump has no immediate plans to remove Fed Chair Jerome Powell despite an ongoing DOJ investigation. The investigation is about cost overruns for a project at the Fed headquarters, which Powell claims is a pressure tactic. US President Donald Trump stated he does not plan to dismiss Fed Chair Jerome Powell after the Justice Department initiated a criminal investigation tied to a $2.5 billion Fed renovation project, Reuters reported Wednesday. Powell has accused the administration of using the probe to influence the central bank’s policy decisions and has denied any wrongdoing. Trump said it was too soon…

LegalJan 19

Japan Investors Exit Crypto Not Because of Volatility, But Because of This

A recent survey reveals that Japanese investors are stepping back from the crypto market, not due to price volatility but because of complex tax requirements. Japanese financial planning platform 400F surveyed 894 participants nationwide in November about their cryptocurrency habits. Among former crypto holders, 22.2% cited difficulties with the tax system as their primary reason for leaving. This surpassed price swings, with 19.4% of ex-investors naming volatility as their main reason for exiting the crypto space. Administrative Demands Eclipse Market Fluctuations Current digital asset holders report both volatility (61.4%) and tax complexity (60%) as nearly equal challenges. In Japan, crypto…

RegulationJan 19

Blockchain groups lobby ahead of CLARITY Act key hearing in Senate

DeFi advocacy group DeFi Education Fund has highlighted some of the proposed amendments that have been submitted by some U.S. senators regarding the proposed crypto legislation known as the CLARITY Act, warning that those amendments are anti-DeFi. DeFi Education Fund found eight amendments whose descriptions, it says, would “seriously harm DeFi technology and/or make market structure legislation worse for software developers.” It called on senators to oppose measures submitted by Senators Jack Reed, Andy Kim, Catherine Cortez Masto, and Elizabeth Warren ahead of the committee’s consideration of the CLARITY Act. The latest pushback is one of many that have been…

LegalJan 19