Pudgy Penguins to Launch PENGU Token on Solana

BitMEX received a $100 million fine from Manhattan federal judge John G. Koeltl for money-laundering violations in the U.S. The exchange's attorneys argued that previous fines and guilty pleas were sufficient, but Koeltl disagreed.

MicroStrategy, a bitcoin treasury company since August 2020, has used cash, ATM offerings, and convertible bonds to acquire BTC. They plan to raise $2 billion through perpetual preferred stock, offering fixed dividends without voting rights. The company aims to benefit from the extended duration of this capital structure.

The potential US ban on TikTok has led to the rise of a Chinese meme coin called MOMO on the Solana blockchain, which has surged 160x in the past three days. This meme coin, with a market cap under $5 million, gained significant value with minimal trading volume.

Despite upcoming changes in SEC leadership, the regulator remains steadfast in pursuing enforcement cases, including the appeal against Ripple. Ripple's XRP price has surged, despite legal battles and criticisms of SEC's use of taxpayer dollars.

Thailand is considering allowing the listing of local Bitcoin spot ETFs to provide more options for investors. The country's SEC Secretary-General emphasized the need to adapt to global cryptocurrency adoption and ensure investor protection. Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra suggested issuing stablecoins backed by government bonds and allowing companies to issue stablecoins backed by corporate bonds.

Eliza Wakes Up introduces a humanoid AI companion designed for deep connections and task execution, not for sexual purposes. The robot, priced at $420,000, aims to be a productivity partner for individuals and businesses, offering emotional intelligence and physical abilities.

Polymarket faces proposed bans in Thailand and Singapore due to allegations of facilitating illegal online gambling through cryptocurrency. The platform has also been scrutinized in Taiwan, France, and the United States for similar reasons.

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 2.9% in December, potentially putting Federal Reserve rate cuts back on the table. Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana prices were bolstered by the fresh inflation figures, with Bitcoin jumping 1.5% to $98,500 in 15 minutes and then continuing on past $99,000.

The NFT market faced challenges in 2024, with trading volumes and sales counts dropping significantly compared to the previous year. Despite a surge in crypto market activity, NFTs struggled with inflated valuations, leading to historic lows for popular collections like Bored Ape Yacht Club and Mutant Ape Yacht Club.

Rep. Tom Emmer has been appointed vice chairman of the House Subcommittee on Digital Assets, Financial Technology, and Artificial Intelligence, signaling a focus on digital assets regulation and innovation. The committee oversees the development of cryptos, financial technologies, and AI in financial services.