Latest FinTech & Blockchain News
Zcash Plunges 14% After Key Developer Team Resigns Over Governance Clash
The Electric Coin Company (ECC), developers behind Zcash, resigned en masse due to a governance dispute with non-profit Bootstrap, causing Zcash to fall 14%. ECC CEO Swihart stated employment terms changed, making duties impossible to perform with integrity.
This setback hit the privacy token's bullish trend.
Morgan Stanley Files for Bitcoin and Solana ETFs with SEC
Morgan Stanley applied to launch ETFs linked to Bitcoin and Solana, becoming the first major US bank to offer such products directly. This follows allowing third-party crypto access for high-net-worth clients.
It signals rising institutional crypto adoption.
JPMorgan Launches JPM Coin on Canton Network
JP Morgan will issue its USD-backed stablecoin JPM Coin on the privacy-focused Canton Network after initial launch on Base. This supports plans for multi-chain issuance of regulated, interoperable digital money.
It advances institutional blockchain use.
World Liberty Financial Applies for OCC Bank Charter
Trump-family linked World Liberty Financial seeks a banking charter from the OCC under the Trump administration. Charters enable asset holding, stablecoin issuance, and Fed access like Fedwire.
This reverses Biden-era restrictions on fintech charters.
Betterment Confirms Data Breach via Social Engineering Attack
Fintech Betterment revealed hackers accessed systems on January 9 via third-party platforms, compromising names, emails, addresses, phones, and DOBs. Attackers sent fake crypto scam notifications promising to triple values.
No accounts or credentials were breached; investigation ongoing.
Strategy Stock Surges 6% After MSCI Retains Crypto Firms
Strategy’s share price rose nearly 6% to 1.08 mNAV premium after MSCI decided against excluding crypto firms. This reflects positive market reaction to inclusion decisions.
It coincides with broader crypto consolidation.
Crypto Markets Enter Consolidation Phase After Gains
Digital assets flattened with large-cap tokens stable post prior week's gains. Markets sensitive to upcoming US CPI data on January 13 and Supreme Court tariff rulings.
Gold and silver rallied to new highs amid stagnation.
Banks and Fintechs Shift to Partnerships Under Trump Policies
Phil Goldfeder of American Fintech Council predicts more bank-fintech collaborations and new charters in 2026. Trump reversed Biden policies, enabling mergers, charters, deposit insurance for fintechs/crypto, and stablecoin laws.
Open banking rules expected soon from CFPB.
BVNK Gains Direct Access to SEPA Payments Infrastructure
BVNK, as Bank of Lithuania's CENTROlink technical partner, secured direct instant SEPA euros and stablecoin payments access. This positions it uniquely in European payments.
It enhances cross-border fintech capabilities.
Rain Raises $250M for Stablecoin Payments OS
New York-based Rain secured $250M Series C led by ICONIQ, with Sapphire Ventures, Dragonfly, others. The funding develops an OS for stablecoin-powered payments.
It highlights venture interest in fintech infrastructure.
Bitcoin Core Devs Warn of Wallet Migration Bug Risks
Bitcoin Core developers raised alarms over fund loss risks from a wallet migration bug. This highlights ongoing network security concerns.
Ethereum addressed a similar issue Bitcoin has not.
Retailers Lose $4T Yearly to Checkout Friction, New Solutions Emerge
ACI Worldwide and Paze reveal retailers lose $4 trillion annually to fixable checkout issues. They propose new payment methods at NRF 2026 to boost conversion.
Session scheduled for January 13 at Expo Stage 3.