Data: Web3 social application Towns has over 400,000 total users, with over 200,000 token holders

On January 12, the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) officially rolled out a major update to its cryptocurrency token regulatory framework—shifting responsibility for token applicability assessments from the regulator to licensed firms operating in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). The revised rules, which took effect this Monday, require financial services firms handling crypto tokens to self-assess whether the tokens they deal in meet the DFSA’s applicability criteria. The DFSA will also stop maintaining or publishing a list of recognized crypto tokens as part of the changes. The update comes after a consultation launched in October 2025, marking a shift in regulatory approach from when crypto token rules were first introduced in 2022. The DFSA noted it has closely tracked market developments and engaged with stakeholders to align with global standards over this period. The DFSA’s updated framework does not explicitly ban any specific category of digit

**January 12th** Sharps Technology, Inc. (Nasdaq: STSS) — a U.S.-listed SOL Treasury firm — announced today it’s launching an institutional-grade validation node on the Solana network in partnership with Coinbase Institutional, deepening their existing collaboration. Under the expanded partnership framework, STSS will delegate a portion of its SOL holdings (currently over 2 million SOL) to a newly established validation node operated by Coinbase. This collaboration integrates Coinbase’s institutional-grade infrastructure, security standards, and proven validation node operations capabilities to deliver high availability, strict operational protocols, and long-term reliability.

On January 12, QCP Capital shared on its official channel that Bitcoin, gold, and silver rallied in tandem during early Asian trading as the U.S. dollar tumbled sharply. The moves came on the heels of comments from Powell, who noted a DOJ subpoena to the Federal Reserve and potential criminal charges (framed as retaliation for the Fed’s refusal to align with former President Trump’s preferred interest rate path) rather than tied to Powell’s June congressional testimony. While initial volatility might have suggested markets were again positioning Bitcoin as a hedge against fiat system or institutional risks, the subsequent trend revealed notable weakness. Bitcoin failed to hold above $92,000 on a sustained basis and tumbled sharply once European markets opened—echoing a pattern seen multiple times in Q4 2024. This failure to build on the so-called bullish narrative underscores the structural resistance Bitcoin has faced since October 10, as optimism for a Q1 breakout rally faded.

January 12 — Standard Chartered Bank is planning to launch a crypto trading-focused prime brokerage business, per Bloomberg, a sign global banks are ramping up efforts to compete in digital assets. Anonymous sources say the London-based lender will house the new unit within its wholly owned venture capital arm, SC Ventures. Talks are still in early stages, and a specific launch timeline remains unclear. Standard Chartered has been among the more active global banks in digital assets, with investments in projects including crypto custody firm Zodia Custody and institutional trading platform Zodia Markets. Last July, the bank announced it became the first global systemically important bank (G-SIB) to offer spot crypto trading to institutional clients. An SC Ventures spokesperson declined to comment. In December, SC Ventures shared on LinkedIn that it was developing a digital assets joint venture called “Project37C,” describing it as a “lightweight financing and market platform.”

**Coinshares: Digital Asset Investment Products See Record $454M Weekly Outflow** January 12 — According to Coinshares data, digital asset investment products recorded a **record $454 million outflow** last week. Over the past four days, total outflows hit $1.3 billion, nearly wiping out the $1.5 billion in inflows from the first two days of this year. Market sentiment has shifted primarily due to investor concerns: recent macroeconomic data has lowered the odds of a Federal Reserve rate cut in March. ### Regional Trends The U.S. was the only market with negative sentiment, posting outflows of $569 million. By contrast, other markets saw inflows: - Germany led with $58.9 million - Canada: $24.5 million - Switzerland: $21 million ### Asset-Specific Details - **Bitcoin**: The primary target of negative sentiment, with $405 million in outflows. Bitcoin short products also saw $9.2 million in outflows (signaling divergence in market sentiment toward the asset). - **