Weekly Crypto News Report: Trump, SEC Shakeups, and Bitcoin’s Big Moves

This week brought plenty of action to the cryptocurrency market, with significant price movements, regulatory updates, and important news. The global crypto market cap rose slightly to $3.61 trillion, while the crypto fear and greed index stayed neutral at 60.

Let’s take a closer look at the biggest stories of the week.

Trump’s Inauguration: No Mention of Crypto, Bitcoin Drops

The week began with Donald Trump taking office as the 47th President of the United States. Known for his pro-crypto views and promises to make the U.S. a crypto hub, many expected him to address cryptocurrencies in his speech.

However, Trump did not mention crypto at all, leading to a drop in Bitcoin’s price to $103,000 and triggering $430 million in liquidations across the market.

SEC Shake-Up: Gensler Out, Uyeda In

In another important development, Gary Gensler stepped down as SEC Chairman right before Trump’s inauguration. Trump quickly appointed Mark Uyeda, a pro-crypto advocate, as interim chairman. This move has raised hopes for a more crypto-friendly approach to U.S. regulations, with many anticipating clearer guidelines and a more stable market.

SEC vs. XRP: Appeal Filed, Legal Experts Weigh In

The SEC also made headlines by filing an appeal against the 2023 ruling on XRP. The SEC argues that XRP sales should be treated the same for both institutional and retail investors. Legal expert John Deaton, however, believes the SEC’s case is weak, suggesting that if the case goes back to Judge Torres, the result will likely be the same as before.

MicroStrategy’s Bitcoin Bet

MicroStrategy, led by Michael Saylor, made another big move by buying 11,000 Bitcoin for $1.1 billion. This brings the company’s total Bitcoin holdings to 461,000 BTC, with an average price of $63,610 per Bitcoin. MicroStrategy’s decision shows its continued confidence in Bitcoin’s long-term value.

Kenya Plans New Crypto Laws

Kenya introduced a new bill, the Virtual Asset Service Providers Bill 2025, which requires crypto companies to set up offices in the country. This move aims to regulate the growing digital asset industry and ensure greater transparency.

Trump Pardons Ross Ulbricht

In a surprising move, President Trump granted a full pardon to Ross Ulbricht, the founder of the Silk Road marketplace. This fulfills one of Trump’s campaign promises and has sparked mixed reactions in the crypto community.

Some see it as a step toward justice, while others are concerned about the broader implications for the industry.

Bank of Japan Hikes Interest Rates

The Bank of Japan raised its interest rates by 25 basis points, its first major hike since 2007. This decision comes as Japan faces rising inflation, with core CPI growing by 3% year-over-year in December. The rate hike could have ripple effects on global markets, including the cryptocurrency space.

Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs See Big Inflows

Bitcoin ETFs saw $1.757 billion in inflows this week, led by major firms like BlackRock, Fidelity, and Ark Investment. Ethereum ETFs also received $154.3 million in new investments, highlighting the growing interest from institutional investors in digital assets.

Top Weekly Gainers:

Onyxcoin (XCN): +265%, now priced at $0.039.

Lido DAO (LDO): +25%, reaching $2.20.

GateToken (GT): +23.7%, trading at $25.4.

Top Weekly Losers:

Official Trump (TRUMP): -56%, priced at $29.43.

Fartcoin (FARTCOIN): -46%, down to $1.32.

ai16z token: -26%, now at $0.83.

This week’s news highlights how global events, regulatory changes, and market trends continue to shape the crypto world.