MEXC has listed Hyperlane (HYPER) for pre-market trading

January 19 — Per Coinglass data, the crypto market has pulled back in recent days, briefly dipping below $92,000 this morning. Currently, funding rates across major centralized (CEX) and decentralized (DEX) exchanges show the market has fully shifted to bearish sentiment: Bitcoin and Ethereum are trading at negative funding rates, while bearishness toward altcoins is even stronger. Specific funding rates for leading currencies are available in the attached image. **BlockBeats Note**: Funding rates are set by crypto exchanges to keep contract prices aligned with the underlying asset’s price (typically for perpetual contracts). It’s a fund transfer mechanism between long and short traders—exchanges do not charge this fee. Its purpose is to adjust the cost or profit of traders holding contracts, ensuring contract prices stay close to the underlying asset’s value. **Funding Rate Benchmarks**: - 0.01% = baseline rate - >0.01% = generally bullish market - <0.005% = generally b

Reuters reported Monday, January 19, that India’s central bank—the Reserve Bank of India (RBI)—has proposed linking central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) across BRICS nations to streamline cross-border trade and tourism payments. Two anonymous sources told the outlet the proposal will add CBDC interoperability to the agenda for the 2026 BRICS Summit, which India is set to host. If approved by the Indian government and BRICS partners (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa), this would mark the group’s first formal discussion of CBDC interoperability. While the initiative aims to cut friction and costs in cross-border payments, sources emphasized talks are still in early stages—requiring alignment on technology, governance, and settlement frameworks.

January 19 – Nasdaq-listed fintech group Aether Holdings has acquired Coinstack, an institutional-grade cryptocurrency communications and media platform under Alpha Edge Media. The deal aims to expand Aether’s financial content and data business. Coinstack currently boasts over 340,000 subscribers. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Coinstack will continue operating independently under its original brand, while receiving support from Aether’s technological infrastructure, analytical tools, and distribution channels. Founded in December 2020, Coinstack serves a global audience of professional investors—including hedge funds, venture capital firms, family offices, and digital asset market participants—with curated insights on Bitcoin, Ethereum, decentralized finance (DeFi), and broader blockchain market trends. Aether framed the acquisition as adding a highly interactive, institution-focused communication channel to strengthen its growing media and data ec

January 19 – Per official sources, YZi Labs has launched EASY Residency Season 3. Season 3 marks a shift from a single fixed-batch model to year-round rolling admissions, letting founders apply and interview at any time. Long-term bases will launch in New York City and the San Francisco Bay Area, where YZi Labs’ investment team will be stationed year-round. In 2026, EASY Residency will host three global demo days: April (tied to TOKEN2049 Dubai), August, and December. These events will connect founders with top investors worldwide.

On January 19, Onchain Lens monitoring shows whale address 0x81D borrowed an additional 155 million USDT and purchased 65,700 stETH in the past 4 hours. Currently, the whale holds a total of 142,777 ETH across two wallets, valued at approximately $460.11 million.

Jan. 19: NYSE to launch 24/7 U.S. stock trading, per market sources.