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bitcoin

Michael Saylor says Strategy (MSTR) has reached its "iPhone moment" with the rollout of Stretch (STRC) — perpetual preferred shares.

Why it matters:

It allows the company to raise billions for BTC purchases WITHOUT a maturity date.

No dilution for common shareholders.

Potential to unlock up to $200B in leverage.

Saylor is basically engineering a way to turn traditional equity markets into a massive funnel for Bitcoin accumulation.

Saylor’s STRC: The "iPhone Moment" for Bitcoin Treasuries

Look at these numbers from Tehran today. The Iranian Rial hasn't just dropped; it has effectively hit ZERO.
The grim reality on the ground:
• 1 USD = 1,470,000 Rials. The currency is melting faster than people can spend it.
• 1 BTC = Over 100,000,000,000 Rials. Yes, that's 100 BILLION.
When hyperinflation hits 50%+, Bitcoin stops being a "speculative asset" and becomes a life raft. People are trading their belongings for sats just to make sure they can buy food tomorrow.
This is the ultimate Proof of Work for Bitcoin's utility. While the state-controlled money fails, the decentralized protocol stands strong.


![](https://m.stacker.news/125925)

![](https://m.stacker.news/125926)

1 BTC = 100 Billion Rials. Fiat is officially 0 in Iran.

news

MSTR buys $1.2B BTC | ETH in 2026 | Fed News

Darth, I'm literally drinking coconut on the beach. If that's what you call "being milked," then please continue!

It’s a busy Tuesday in the markets. Here is your quick round-up of the most impactful news today:
1. The Big Players 🐳
• MicroStrategy doesn't stop: Bought another 13,627 BTC ($1.25B).
• Bitmine is pivoting hard: Added 24,266 ETH to their reserves (now totaling $14B).
• Standard Chartered prediction: They claim 2026 will be the "Year of Ethereum."
2. Macro & Regulation 🏛️
• Fed Chair Race: BlackRock’s Rick Rieder is calling for 3% rates. With his interview with Trump coming up this Thursday, the "Powell probe" is making markets nervous.
• Polymarket: Blocked in Ukraine. A sign of tightening global crypto-fencing?
3. Real World Assets (RWA) & Tech ⛏️
• Indonesia: A massive $28B project by Chintai to tokenize natural resources in the Maluku Archipelago. This is one of the biggest RWA moves in SE Asia to date.
• Walmart x AI: Integrating purchases directly into Google’s Gemini. AI agents are becoming our new shoppers.
4. On-chain Signals 📈
• CryptoQuant: Noted a potential reversal. Selling pressure from long-term holders is weakening.
• Mining: Riot sold record BTC in December as profitability took a hit.
My Take: The "institutionalization" of 2026 is moving fast. From MicroStrategy’s endless bid to massive RWA projects in Indonesia, the gap between "crypto" and "global finance" is disappearing.
Which of these moves do you think

Photography

perfect evening 🌴

![](https://m.stacker.news/125915)

Chairman Tim Scott just announced that the Senate will move forward with the "Digital Asset Market Clarity Act" (CLARITY Act) this Thursday. This is a pivotal moment for US crypto regulation in 2026.
Key takeaways from the draft:
• Anti-CBDC: Explicitly prohibits the Fed from offering digital currency products directly to individuals.
• CFTC Over SEC: It creates a framework to classify many digital assets as "digital commodities" rather than securities.
• Market Structure: Establishes clear rules for exchanges, brokers, and custodians.
Chairman Scott says the goal is to make America the "crypto capital of the world".

US Senate Banking Committee to Mark Up CLARITY Act (H.R. 3633) on Jan 15

Golden hour vibes. Taking a break from the charts and news to appreciate the view. Hope everyone is having a peaceful evening!


![](https://m.stacker.news/125911)

The Caracas Stock Index (IBVC) skyrocketed by over 130% following the recent ouster and capture of Nicolas Maduro. Global markets are betting on a massive economic turnaround as sanctions relief and US-led oil industry reconstruction (Operation Absolute Resolve) loom.
Why this is huge for the Bitcoin ecosystem:
• Escape from Hyperinflation: Venezuelans have long used BTC and stablecoins to survive 100%+ annual inflation. If the economy stabilizes, will we see more institutional BTC adoption or a shift back to a new fiat currency?
• Oil for Sats? With the US floating plans to manage Venezuelan oil "indefinitely," there’s speculation about how payments will be settled. Could we see Lightning Network used for micro-settlements in energy infrastructure?
• Sovereign Reserves: Rumors are circulating about a "seized" state BTC stockpile. If a new government embraces Bitcoin as a reserve asset, it would be the biggest "Game Theory" move since El Salvador.
The stock market surge is just the beginning. The real story is how the world's most "crypto-native" population reacts to a regime change.

Venezuela Stocks Soar 130% Post-Maduro: Is a Bitcoin Boom Next?

lightning

The narrative around Lightning Network is shifting in 2026. It's no longer just about BTC micro-payments; it's becoming a multi-asset rail.
Why Taproot Assets v0.7 is a game changer:
• Stablecoins on BTC: We can now swap and send USDT/USDC over Lightning with sub-cent fees.
• Institutional Liquidity: Large providers are starting to pool liquidity for assets other than just Bitcoin.
• Network Effect: This directly challenges TRON’s dominance in emerging markets (like here in SE Asia/Philippines) where people need stable value but want lower fees.
The big question: Will "Sats only" purists accept a future where Lightning is filled with stablecoins, or will this be the key to mass adoption for the next billion users?

Is USDT on Lightning the "TRON Killer"? Taproot Assets v0.7 update

Sen. John Boozman (R-Ark.), who chairs the Senate Agriculture Committee, said in a statement Monday that the committee has decided to mark up this legislation during the last week of January.

The delay is to ensure the bill gets the broad support it needs to move forward, according to he statement.

"To finalize the remaining details and ensure the broad support this legislation requires, additional time is needed before moving to markup. The committee will mark up this legislation during the last week of January," Boozman said.

The markup was initially scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 15.

Boozman noted that lawmakers had made “meaningful progress” over the weekend in talks with Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) and his team.

“I remain committed to advancing bipartisan crypto market structure legislation. We have made meaningful progress and had constructive discussions as we work toward this goal. I appreciate the leadership and engagement of Senator Booker and his team as we address these complex policy issues."

Crypto market structure bill markup delayed to last week of January

tech

Vitalik Buterin, a co-founder of Ethereum, laid out what he sees as the technical threshold for the blockchain to become truly self sustaining.

In a post on X dated Jan. 12, Buterin said Ethereum must pass a “walkaway test.” That means the protocol should be able to keep running safely and remain useful even if core developers stop shipping major upgrades.

He said Ethereum does not need to stop evolving. He said it needs to reach a point where it could ossify if it chose to.
Buterin called quantum resistance a top priority. He argued the protocol should aim to be cryptographically safe for decades and should not wait until a crisis forces rushed changes.

Quantum computing is a threat to cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology because it is faster and more powerful than traditional technology, exposing current encryption techniques, which rely on the amount of time it takes to break them for their strength.

Read more: Quantum computing threatens the $2 trillion Bitcoin network. BTQ Technologies says it has a defense.

He also listed several other areas he wants Ethereum to lock in.

One is scalability. The protocol needs an architecture that can reach many thousands of transactions per second, Buterin said. He pointed to ZK EVM validation and data sampling through PeerDAS as the path.

Another is state management that can handle higher throughput without making it harder for nodes to sync or store data. He also wants full account abstraction so Ethereum can move beyond enshrined ECDSA signatures. The elliptic curve digital signature algorithm is used, for example, to authenticate transactions on the blockchain.

Buterin said Ethereum should have a gas, or fees, schedule that is resistant to denial of service risks. He also flagged proof of stake economics and block building as long term pressure points. He said those parts of the system must resist centralization and protect censorship resistance.

His preferred end state is an Ethereum where most improvements come from client performance and parameter adjustments. He said the protocol should tick off at least one of these goals each year.

Vitalik Buterin said the blockchain must pass a "walkaway test"

Meta is making a strategic leadership move as it doubles down on AI infrastructure and global government relations. Dina Powell McCormick, who recently stepped down from Meta’s board, is now joining the executive team in a newly created senior role.
Why this matters:
• Political Bridge: As a former Deputy National Security Advisor to Donald Trump, her appointment is seen as a key move to navigate the current administration's regulatory landscape.
• AI Buildout: She will specifically focus on Meta’s massive multi-billion dollar AI infrastructure projects and strategic capital partnerships.
• Finance Background: With 16 years at Goldman Sachs, she brings deep ties to global sovereign wealth funds and institutional investors.
Mark Zuckerberg noted that she is "uniquely suited" to manage Meta’s next phase of growth in the AI computing era.
Is Meta preparing for a more "pro-business" regulatory environment under the 47th President?

Meta Hires Former Trump Advisor Dina Powell McCormick as President

Bloomberg reports that Standard Chartered is preparing to launch a crypto prime brokerage to meet institutional demand.

The Details:

Entity: The business will be housed under SC Ventures to navigate regulatory capital requirements.

Services: Will offer custody, financing, and market access for institutional clients.

Context: This follows their launch of BTC/ETH custody in Hong Kong this month and their spot trading desk launch last year.

TradFi is no longer just "watching" — they are building the full-service infrastructure to bring the next trillion dollars into the ecosystem.

Standard Chartered to Launch Crypto Prime Brokerage via SC Ventures

The early holiday results are in, and it's a "ho hum" quarter for traditional retail.
Key Takeaways from the CNBC Report:
• Modest Growth: Early data shows only slight year-over-year gains, failing to meet more optimistic forecasts.
• Consumer Fatigue: Inflation and high interest rates seem to be finally cooling down the American consumer.
• Shift in Spending: While big-box stores struggle, some digital sectors are holding up, but the overall "critical quarter" is underwhelming.
In a world of fiat debasement and cooling retail growth, the argument for hard assets only gets stronger.

Retail's Holiday Growth Hits a Wall: Modest Growth in Q4 2025 (CNBC)

Michael Saylor’s conviction remains unmatched. MicroStrategy has just announced its largest Bitcoin acquisition since July 2024.
The Details:
• Amount: 13,627 BTC
• Cost: ~$1.05 billion
• Average Price: ~$77,000 per BTC
• Total Holdings: The company now holds over 345,000 BTC.
With a total cost basis of over $14.5 billion, MicroStrategy continues to lead the way for institutional adoption. Even at these price levels, they are showing zero signs of slowing down.
Is there any other company you think will follow this "Bitcoin Standard" playbook in 2026?

MicroStrategy buys another 13,627 BTC for $1.05 Billion

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BTQ Technologies claims they have a defense against the quantum threat to Bitcoin. While the threat of quantum computers cracking ECDSA has been discussed for years, the conversation is shifting toward active post-quantum solutions.

The $2T Bitcoin network is the primary target.

New cryptographic primitives are being developed to secure the chain.

Is this a real urgent threat, or just another "FUD" to promote new tech?

I'm curious what the stackers think: Will Bitcoin adapt through a soft fork in time, or is the quantum threat overblown?

Quantum Computing vs the $2 Trillion Bitcoin Network: Is the defense ready?

The market is showing some interesting pre-market volatility today. According to CNBC, several heavyweights are making significant moves:
• Walmart (WMT): Always a key indicator of the US consumer's health.
• Affirm (AFRM) & Capital One (COF): Fintech and credit are under the spotlight. In a high-interest-rate environment, these are the sectors Bitcoiners watch closely for signs of a "credit crunch."
• Akamai (AKAM): Tech infrastructure remains volatile.
Why it matters for us: When traditional finance (TradFi) shows strength in retail and credit, it often impacts the liquidity flowing into Bitcoin. Are we seeing a "soft landing" for the consumer, or is the credit bubble about to pop?

Premarket Analysis: Walmart, Capital One, and Fintech (AFRM) on the Move

Samson Mow (CEO of JAN3) has shared more specific details on his $1 million Bitcoin prediction. While previously calling for a "rapid run-up," his latest model points to a firm target between 2031 and 2033.
Key takeaways from his thesis:
• Steady Growth: The model projects an average increase of $150,000 per year.
• The "Omega" Factor: Mow expects years of sideways movement punctuated by "Multi-Omega candles" (massive vertical price spikes).
• 2026 Outlook: He also predicted that BTC could reach $1.33M as early as 2026 if nation-state adoption accelerates or if figures like Elon Musk "go hard" into Bitcoin.
Is Mow's 2031 timeline too conservative, or is the "Omega candle" theory just hopium?

Bitcoin to $1M: Samson Mow Sets 2031-2033 Timeline, Cites "Omega Candles

Politics_And_Law

Things just got real in Washington. The NYT reports that Jerome Powell is officially under criminal investigation. Despite the pressure from the White House, Powell has stated he will not step down or be intimidated.

Why this matters:

We are seeing an unprecedented clash between the Executive branch and the Federal Reserve.

Institutional stability of the USD is being questioned in real-time.

For many, this confirms why a decentralized "Plan B" (Bitcoin) is necessary.

Is this the moment where the independence of the Fed finally collapses?

Fed Chair Powell Under Criminal Probe: "I Won't Bow to Intimidation"

As of January 12, 2026, Dubai (DFSA/VARA) has officially triggered a massive regulatory reset. The new rules effectively end the "privacy era" in the Emirate.

Key Changes:

Privacy Ban: Anonymity-enhanced tokens and mixers (like Tornado Cash) are now strictly prohibited.

Stablecoin Control: Issuers must now maintain 1-to-1 fiat reserves and comply with strict central bank oversight.

Self-Custody Pressure: New federal laws give the Central Bank more power over "technology providers," including wallet developers.

Is this the end of Dubai’s reputation as a "crypto-haven," or is this the necessary cost for institutional mass adoption?