Capital, Control, and Competition: Where Crypto Is Headed

The crypto world kicked off 2026 with major moves from institutional players, regulatory developments, and a few security incidents that reminded everyone why caution still matters. Ripple made headlines by shutting down IPO rumors, Solana cemented its position as the most-used blockchain, and traditional finance giants like Morgan Stanley and BlackRock doubled down on digital assets. Here’s everything you need to know about the week that was.

Bitcoin Whales Accumulate $40 Billion in BTC

Major Bitcoin holders accumulated $40 billion worth of BTC throughout 2025, signaling strong confidence from large players. Whale accumulation often indicates long-term bullish sentiment, as these entities typically have access to better information and resources.

The buying spree suggests that institutional and high-net-worth investors continue to view Bitcoin as a long-term store of value, despite price volatility.

Prediction Markets Hit $19.1 Billion in December

Prediction markets recorded cumulative trading volume of $19.1 billion in December 2025, setting a new all-time high. Platforms like Polymarket and Kalshi have exploded in popularity, driven by political events, sports, and global news.

The growth has attracted attention from regulators, who are now considering how to classify and regulate these platforms. As prediction markets continue to grow, expect more scrutiny from lawmakers.

Tether Issues Another $1 Billion USDT

Tether minted $1 billion in new USDT tokens, continuing its pattern of regular issuance to meet demand. The stablecoin remains the most widely used in crypto, serving as a bridge between fiat and digital assets across exchanges and DeFi platforms.

Tether’s ongoing issuance reflects steady demand for stablecoins, especially as more users and institutions enter the crypto market.

Ethereum Stablecoin Transfers Surpass $8 Trillion

Stablecoin transfer volume on Ethereum surpassed $8 trillion in Q4 2025, hitting an all-time high. The network remains the dominant platform for stablecoin activity, despite competition from faster and cheaper blockchains.

The record volume reflects Ethereum’s entrenched position in DeFi and stablecoin infrastructure, even as other networks try to capture market share.

Ripple Officially Rules Out IPO Plans

Ripple put an end to speculation by confirming it will not pursue an initial public offering. The company cited strong financial health and steady revenue as reasons to stay private. CEO Brad Garlinghouse has long suggested that going public isn’t a priority, and this announcement makes it official.

Ripple’s decision contrasts with other crypto companies that have explored public listings. For now, the company seems content operating outside traditional stock markets while continuing to expand its payment network.

Solana Becomes Most-Used Blockchain by Active Users

Solana officially ranked first in monthly active users for 2025, making it the most widely used blockchain in the world. The network’s combination of low fees and fast transaction speeds has attracted developers and users in droves, especially in DeFi and NFTs.

This milestone shows how quickly Solana has grown since recovering from the FTX collapse. Its dominance in active usage puts it ahead of Ethereum and other Layer 1 competitors, at least for now.

Zcash Leadership Split Shakes Up Governance

A significant management split rocked the Zcash ecosystem. The Electric Coin Company (ECC) team decided to leave the control structure to ensure greater independence for the project. The move aims to decentralize governance and reduce concerns about centralized influence over the privacy-focused cryptocurrency.

The split has sparked debate within the Zcash community. Some see it as a necessary step toward true decentralization, while others worry about coordination challenges going forward.

Morgan Stanley Files for Bitcoin and Solana Trusts

Investment banking giant Morgan Stanley filed with the SEC to register a Bitcoin Trust and also signaled plans to launch a spot Solana Trust. The filings show how traditional finance continues to expand its exposure to digital assets, even after years of hesitation.

If approved, these trusts would give institutional and high-net-worth clients easier access to Bitcoin and Solana without needing to directly hold the assets. It’s another sign that major financial institutions are taking crypto seriously.

PwC Shifts Strategy Toward Crypto Services

Global consulting firm PwC announced a strategic shift toward the crypto market, focusing on digital asset audit and consulting services. The move reflects growing demand from companies looking for professional guidance as they navigate crypto adoption and regulatory compliance.

PwC’s entry into crypto services adds legitimacy to the industry and signals that even traditional professional service firms see long-term potential in digital assets.

CLARITY Act May Face Years of Delays

A proposal for the CLARITY Act, which aims to establish clear regulatory guidelines for the US crypto market, may be delayed for several years. The bill has faced pushback from various stakeholders, and political gridlock could push any final decision far into the future.

The delay means the crypto industry will continue operating in a gray area when it comes to US regulation. Companies and investors will need to navigate uncertainty for the foreseeable future.

Telegram’s $500M Bond Buyback Blocked by Sanctions

Telegram’s plan to buy back $500 million in bonds has reportedly been blocked due to sanctions, delaying the company’s financial strategy. The messaging platform has faced increased scrutiny from regulators, and these restrictions add another layer of complexity to its operations.

The delay could affect Telegram’s ability to fund future projects, including its ongoing development of crypto-related features within the app.

BlackRock Says Crypto Is No Longer an Experiment

BlackRock released a report stating that cryptocurrencies are no longer an experimental asset class but an established part of the global financial system. The investment giant pointed to growing institutional adoption, regulatory clarity in some regions, and the maturation of crypto infrastructure.

Coming from the world’s largest asset manager, this statement carries weight. It signals that traditional finance now sees crypto as a permanent fixture rather than a passing trend.

Bitmine Stakes Another 186,336 ETH

Mining company Bitmine staked an additional 186,336 ETH, bringing their total staked amount to 779,488 ETH. The move shows confidence in Ethereum’s proof-of-stake model and highlights how large players are locking up significant amounts of ETH to earn staking rewards.

Bitmine’s continued staking also contributes to Ethereum’s network security, as more staked ETH makes the blockchain harder to attack.

Truebit Loses $26.4 Million in Alleged Hack

DeFi project Truebit allegedly lost around 8,535 ETH, worth approximately $26.4 million, in a hack flagged by CertiK. Security firm CertiK flagged suspicious activity linked to the incident, adding Truebit to the growing list of DeFi exploits in recent years.

The hack serves as another reminder that smart contract vulnerabilities and security gaps continue to plague the industry, despite audits and security measures.

Ethereum Validator Queue Clears for First Time Since July

The Ethereum validator queue completely cleared for the first time since July 2025. This means there’s currently no backlog of validators waiting to join the network, suggesting that staking activity has stabilized after months of high demand.

A cleared queue can indicate that the network has reached a more mature phase of staking adoption, with supply and demand for validator slots in balance.

Binance Launches Futures on Traditional Assets

Binance introduced futures contracts on traditional financial assets, including stocks and indices. The move blurs the line between crypto exchanges and traditional brokerages, giving users the ability to trade both digital and conventional assets in one place.

The launch shows how major crypto platforms are expanding beyond cryptocurrencies to offer a broader range of financial products.

Crypto Fear and Greed Index Returns to Neutral

The crypto market’s fear and greed index returned to neutral territory for the first time since October 2025. The index, which measures market sentiment, had been in extreme greed or fear zones for months, driven by volatility and major events.

A neutral reading suggests the market is stabilizing and that investors are approaching crypto with less emotion than in previous months.

About Paybis

Paybis is a global cryptocurrency exchange platform that provides fast, secure, and user-friendly digital asset transactions. Founded in 2014, the company specializes in fiat-to-crypto and crypto-to-fiat conversions, enabling users to buy, sell, and swap Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other cryptocurrencies using various payment methods, including credit/debit cards, bank transfers, and e-wallets.

With a strong focus on security and compliance, Paybis is registered with regulatory authorities and implements industry-leading AML/KYC procedures. The platform is known for its intuitive interface, 24/7 customer support, and competitive exchange rates, making it a preferred choice for both beginners and experienced traders.

Wrapping Up

The first week of 2026 showed that crypto isn’t slowing down. Institutional players are diving deeper, governments are experimenting with blockchain, and security challenges continue to test the industry. As traditional finance and crypto converge, expect more regulatory battles, technological breakthroughs, and the occasional hack that reminds everyone why security still matters most.

Written by

Rem Vasilenko

Rem Vasilenko is a Growth Operations Manager at Paybis. With a keen interest in FinTech, Rem brings a unique perspective to the evolving digital finance landscape. He combines his passion for FinTech with his marketing and business skills to drive innovative strategies. Find him on LinkedIn.