Coinpedia - Fintech & Cryptocurreny News Media| Crypto Guide

The Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) will ban privacy tokens, including Zcash and Monero, in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) from January 12, 2026, citing money laundering and sanctions evasion risks linked to anonymized transactions. Regulated firms will be prohibited from trading, holding, promoting, or using mixers and tumblers. Stablecoins will now be restricted to fiat-pegged assets backed by high-quality, liquid reserves able to meet redemption requirements under stress. Firms must self-assess token suitability using updated criteria, replacing previous approved lists to enhance compliance and investor protection.

On January 12, 2009, Satoshi Nakamoto sent 10 BTC to Hal Finney, marking the first peer-to-peer Bitcoin transaction in history. Finney, an early supporter, had downloaded Bitcoin v0.1 shortly after its release and helped test the network. Recorded in block 170, this transaction proved that digital money could operate without banks or intermediaries. Before this, Bitcoin was only mined for rewards. This historic transfer showed that value could move directly between people, laying the foundation for today’s global Bitcoin network.

Binance will list United Stables (U) on January 13, 2026, at 08:00 UTC, opening spot trading for U/USDT and U/USDC. United Stables is a next‑generation stablecoin backed 1:1 by cash and major stablecoins, designed to unify fragmented liquidity across trading, DeFi, payments, and AI‑enabled systems on both BNB Smart Chain and Ethereum. It supports EIP‑3009 gasless transactions and integrates with top wallets and DeFi protocols. Binance will also launch LINK/USD1, PEPE/USD1, and USDC/MXN spot pairs that day.

India’s Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) has rolled out stricter anti‑money‑laundering and KYC rules for cryptocurrency exchanges to strengthen user verification and combat illicit activity. New onboarding requirements include live selfie verification using liveness detection, geolocation tracking (latitude, longitude, IP, timestamp), bank account confirmation via a small test transfer, and multiple government‑issued ID checks. Exchanges must also verify email and mobile numbers. These measures aim to improve transparency and traceability without banning crypto trading, though enhanced verification may slow onboarding.

South Korea’s Financial Services Commission has ended a nine-year ban on corporate crypto investments, originally imposed over money laundering concerns. Around 3,500 listed companies and professional investors can now allocate up to 5% of their equity annually to the top 20 cryptocurrencies on major exchanges like Upbit. Exchanges must apply staggered trades and size limits to reduce volatility. Stablecoin inclusion, such as USDT, remains under review. Critics argue the 5% cap is tighter than rules in the U.S. or Japan, while the move aligns with South Korea’s 2026 growth strategy and spot ETF plans.

Crypto YouTube viewership has plunged sharply over the past three months to its lowest level since January 2021, highlighting weak retail interest amid prolonged bear‑market conditions. Data shared by Benjamin Cowen shows a broad drop in 30‑day average views across channels, while creator Tom Crown says engagement has fallen across platforms since October. Analysts link the decline to retail fatigue from scams and poor returns, with some investors shifting focus to traditional assets as institutions dominate the current cycle.

Coinbase has warned it may withdraw support for the CLARITY Act if the Senate limits stablecoin rewards beyond simple disclosure rules. Passed by the House in July 2025, the bipartisan bill heads to a Senate Banking Committee markup on January 15, 2026, to clarify SEC and CFTC oversight. Coinbase argues stricter rules could stifle competition, threaten $1.3B in USDC revenue, and weaken the U.S. dollar, while banks push restrictions to protect community lenders.

Seventeen years ago, cryptographer Hal Finney posted the first known tweet about Bitcoin, simply saying “Running Bitcoin,” signaling that he had downloaded and run the new software. He was likely the first person outside Satoshi Nakamoto to operate the Bitcoin client. The next day, Satoshi sent him the first transaction of ten BTC, proving the network worked. Despite being diagnosed with ALS in 2009, Finney continued testing the software and reporting bugs until his death in 2014. His early work and dedication are now recognized as foundational to Bitcoin’s growth and success.

Tether, the leading stablecoin provider, has joined forces with the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) to tackle rising cybercrime in Africa’s fast-growing crypto market. With scams and fraud increasing, Interpol recently uncovered $260 million in illicit crypto and fiat. The initiative focuses on strengthening digital asset security and educating the public. By combining Tether’s expertise with UNODC’s global reach, the partnership aims to make crypto safer, promote responsible adoption, and protect users across the continent.

The UK’s Financial Conduct Authority will open a crypto licensing gateway in September 2026, giving firms time to prepare for a new regulatory regime launching on 25 October 2027. All crypto businesses will need fresh FCA approval under the Financial Services and Markets Act, as existing AML or payments registrations will not carry over. Companies that miss the deadline may continue offering current services under a transitional regime, but will be blocked from launching new products. The changes aim to improve oversight, raise standards, and strengthen consumer protection across the UK crypto market.