Latest FinTech & Blockchain News
CLARITY Act Resolves SEC-CFTC Jurisdiction for Crypto Assets
The CLARITY Act, finalizing in January 2026, classifies Bitcoin and Ethereum as commodities under CFTC oversight while reserving SEC jurisdiction for securities-like tokens, eliminating regulatory ambiguity. This enables institutional adoption by banks like JPMorgan and Citigroup exploring token projects.
Investors should target compliance platforms positioned for this shift.
GENIUS Act Mandates 1:1 Stablecoin Reserve Backing
The GENIUS Act requires stablecoins to maintain 1:1 reserve backing, standardizing them as trusted infrastructure for payments and tokenization. This bipartisan reform fosters institutional onboarding and programmable money solutions.
It transforms stablecoins into reliable financial tools amid regulatory clarity.
Ethena (ENA) Faces Major Token Unlocks in Early January 2026
Ethena's next unlocks occur on January 2 for core contributors and January 5 for the Foundation, with 45.4% of supply already unlocked by November 2025. These phased releases aim for ecosystem stability but may cause short-term volatility and liquidity pressure.
Investors should watch for potential sell-off entry points.
Jito (JTO) Schedules 2.5% Token Unlock on January 7
Jito's linear vesting releases 4.05 million tokens on January 7, 2026, mitigating supply shocks. DAO initiatives like JIP-24 enhance token utility by redirecting fees to the treasury.
This supports scarcity and institutional privacy features.
Ethereum Plans Glamsterdam and Hegota Upgrades in 2026
Ethereum's Q1 Glamsterdam upgrade focuses on execution-layer improvements like proposer-builder separation, with Q3 Hegota introducing Verkle Trees for scalability. These enhance institutional adoption and L2 support, projecting ETH at $8,000–$12,000.
No explicit token unlocks are scheduled.
Visa Launches USDC Stablecoin Settlement in the US
Visa enables US issuer and acquirer partners to settle with Circle’s USDC over Solana, offering faster funds and 7-day availability. Initial banks include Cross River and Lead Bank, with broader rollout through 2026.
This expands Visa’s pilot and partners with Circle on Arc blockchain.
Coinbase Expands to Stock Trading and Prediction Markets
Coinbase introduces 24/5 zero-commission stock trading, prediction markets, simplified futures, and Coinbase Business for US users. It launches AI-powered Coinbase Advisor and global Base App in 140+ countries.
This integrates onchain trading, social features, and payments.
PBOC Proposes Interest on Digital Yuan Deposits from January 2026
China’s PBOC allows banks to pay interest on e-CNY deposits starting January 1, 2026, to expand CBDC participation despite low rates of 0.05%. The digital yuan pilots in over half of provinces but competes with WeChat Pay and Alipay.
Challenges persist in adoption.
Bitcoin and Ether ETFs See $646M Inflows to Start 2026
US spot Bitcoin and Ether ETFs recorded $646M inflows at the start of 2026, rebounding sharply despite broader crypto market fear. This signals strong investor interest amid regulatory progress.
Inflows counter sentiment challenges.
Top Fintech Stocks to Watch: Rocket Companies Leads
MarketBeat highlights Rocket Companies (RKT), UP Fintech (TIGR), Kaspi.kz (KSPI), and others for high trading volume on January 4, 2026. These firms offer digital lending, brokerage, and blockchain services with growth potential.
Volatility ties to regulation and rates.
Russian Ministry Approves Digital Ruble for Budget Payments
Russia’s Ministry of Finance greenlights some government budget expenditures via digital ruble. This advances CBDC integration in public finance.
Details on scope remain emerging.
UK Fraud Regulations Drive AI-Powered Prevention Shift
New UK APP fraud rules from October 2024 require reimbursements, pushing firms to smarter AI fraud detection amid ÂŁ1.1bn losses. Legacy systems cause false positives; real-time rule optimization ensures compliance.
This reduces costs and enhances resilience.