On January 31 2026, the UK Financial Conduct Authority released Consultation Paper CP26/4 setting out how its handbook will apply to newly regulated cryptoasset activities, including Consumer Duty, safeguarding, and complaints handling. The proposals would bring issuers, trading platforms, lenders, custodians, and international firms serving UK clients under stricter governance and client asset rules, with most global firms expected to use a UK legal entity. The consultation runs until 12 March 2026, with final rules expected later in 2026 and the regime due to take effect in October 2027 after an authorization gateway planned for September 2026.

Over the last 24 hours, the crypto market's total capitalisation has dropped by 6%, with Bitcoin and Ethereum falling to two‑month lows and pressure spreading to related equities. Strategy shares closed at $143.19, down 9.63% and at their weakest level since September 2024, while BitMine ended the session at $26.70, losing 9.89% and touching its lowest point since November 2025. Both companies, which hold large Bitcoin and Ethereum reserves, now face mounting scrutiny over treasury strategies that are highly sensitive to market volatility.

On January 31, 2026, a partial U.S. government shutdown extending into the weekend raised questions about how prediction platforms Polymarket and Kalshi define such events. Contracts tied to shutdown outcomes showed high implied probabilities, yet their resolution rules hinge on specific U.S. Office of Personnel Management notices. Traders flagged ambiguous wording around what counts as a shutdown and how many days it would last, especially with different time-based conditions.

On January 30, 2026, at CFTC headquarters, SEC Chair Paul S. Atkins and CFTC Chair Michael Selig announced Project Crypto, a joint initiative to harmonize U.S. cryptocurrency regulation. The project seeks to create a unified framework for trading, custody, and clearing, aiming to reduce investor confusion and improve market efficiency. Analysts expect clearer oversight and codified token classifications to strengthen U.S. competitiveness in global digital asset markets.

On 31 January 2026, U.S. crypto leaders highlighted that tokenized equities are nearing broader issuance and trading as regulatory attitudes evolve. Executives pointed to recent SEC actions and a tokenized securities market cap of about $1.74 billion as evidence that on-chain representations of real-world assets are gaining traction. They suggested the United States could strengthen its role as a central venue for compliant tokenized finance if current trends continue.

On January 30, 2026, SEC Chair Paul S. Atkins and CFTC Chair Michael Selig launched Project Crypto at CFTC headquarters to harmonize cryptocurrency regulation. The initiative seeks to align rules on trading, custody, clearing, and risk management while reducing investor confusion and compliance burdens. Analysts also note the move comes as Bitcoin trades at $83,365.96 with a 24.75% price decline over the past 90 days and a market cap of $1.67 trillion.

On January 30, 2026, Tether published its Q4 2025 attestation, reporting more than $10 billion in net profit for 2025. The BDO Italy–signed report showed $6.3 billion in excess reserves against $186.5 billion in liabilities, as USDT supply climbed by roughly $50 billion to over $186 billion.

Tether reported more than $10 billion in net profit for 2025, about $3 billion below the $13 billion it booked in 2024, with figures verified in a BDO-prepared report. The company said direct exposure to U.S. Treasuries surpassed $122 billion, total assets rose by $49.17 billion year over year, and roughly $50 billion in new USDt was issued over the past twelve months.