The US Division of Justice, on the course of President Donald Trump, has opened a prison investigation into Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell.
The DOJ alleges that the chair has misallocated funds in the middle of renovations of Federal Reserve workplace buildings, a declare that Powell has denied.
The Fed chair stated that the fees have been politically motivated and “a consequence of the Federal Reserve setting rates of interest based mostly on our greatest evaluation of what’s going to serve the general public, moderately than following the preferences of the President.”
Trump had beforehand toured the workplace buildings that have been below renovation, alleging that the Fed, at Powell’s course, was supposedly over funds.
Trump has lengthy sought to exert extra management over the Federal Reserve and has expressed frustration over what he sees as insufficiently low rates of interest.
Video message from Federal Reserve Chair Jerome H. Powell: https://t.co/5dfrkByGyX pic.twitter.com/O4ecNaYaGH
— Federal Reserve (@federalreserve) January 12, 2026
Coinbase pauses fiat companies for Argentinians
Main US crypto trade Coinbase has halted fiat operations in Argentina only one 12 months after coming into the nation’s market.
The trade reportedly halted Argentine peso-based companies following a overview of its operations. It stated that the “deliberate pause” will give it time to evaluate the sustainability of its product choices within the area.
Argentine customers gained’t be capable to purchase or promote USDC (USDC) with pesos or withdraw funds to native financial institution accounts by the top of January.
Ana Gabriela Ojeda, a LATAM crypto business observer, stated such pauses usually come when working within the native forex is just too advanced. “It isn’t a sign in opposition to crypto or in opposition to stablecoins however moderately an indication of the structural challenges of integrating native monetary methods in risky markets.”
NFT Paris cancelled after market crash
Organizers of NFT Paris, an occasion targeted on non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and real-world belongings, have cancelled the convention, citing market circumstances.
NFT Paris was initially scheduled for February, however organizers said that “the market collapse hit us onerous. Regardless of drastic price cuts and months of making an attempt to make it work, we couldn’t pull it off this 12 months.”
After hitting a large excessive in 2022, NFTs have struggled to make a significant comeback. In accordance with knowledge from CoinGecko, complete NFT market capitalization is barely above $3 billion as of publishing time, with a 24-hour buying and selling quantity of simply $4 million.
NFT Paris attendees can have their tickets refunded. They didn’t touch upon whether or not the occasion can be rescheduled or whether or not they would host future occasions.
US state of Wyoming launches its personal stablecoin
Wyoming’s Frontier Secure Token (FRNT) is now obtainable to most people. State legislators framed the asset as a step ahead for monetary innovation within the state, which has boasted lax laws for the digital asset business.
The token, which is now reside on the Solana blockchain, could be purchased on Kraken and bridged to Arbitrum, Avalanche, Base, Ethereum, Optimism and Polygon.
Different states within the US have proven curiosity in launching stablecoins. In October 2025, the Financial institution of North Dakota introduced plans to launch a “Roughrider” coin.
Proponents of state stablecoins have cited their stability — backing is often secured by greenback reserves and US Treasurys — and decrease charges for transfers in contrast with conventional bank cards.
Monetary “influencers” get warning from Italian regulators
The Commissione Nazionale per le Società e la Borsa (CONSOB), Italy’s prime securities regulator, has warned influencers of their duties in selling monetary merchandise.
Citing steering from EU regulation, CONSOB warned “fin-fluencers” that “selling a monetary services or products isn’t like selling footwear or watches.”
Selling risky belongings like cryptocurrencies, whereby traders can lose all of their capital, can go away influencers legally chargeable for what they submit, stated CONSOB.
In accordance with steering from the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA), even disclaimers like “this isn’t monetary recommendation” don’t excuse influencers from authorized obligations.
Moldova to align crypto guidelines with EU’s MiCA
On Jan. 16, Moldovan Finance Minister Andrian Gavrilita introduced that his nation would align its legal guidelines for crypto with the European Union’s Markets in Crypto-Belongings Regulation (MiCA) framework.
In an interview with native media, he stated that his ministry is participating with EU regulators to develop a authorized framework that might enable residents to carry and commerce crypto. The brand new legal guidelines will reportedly be a joint effort between the Finance Ministry and the Nationwide Financial institution of Moldova, in addition to the Anti-Cash Laundering and securities authorities.
Crucially, the brand new regulation wouldn’t acknowledge crypto as a method of cost. Moldova’s central financial institution has warned concerning the dangers related to crypto on a number of events, and Gavrilita himself has known as crypto a speculative instrument.
“I see [crypto] extra as a speculative area, however residents have the suitable to function them both approach, and this 12 months we’ll have the laws.”
Journal: Right here’s why crypto is shifting to Dubai and Abu Dhabi
Cointelegraph Options and Cointelegraph Journal publish long-form journalism, evaluation and narrative reporting produced by Cointelegraph’s in-house editorial workforce and chosen exterior contributors with subject-matter experience. All articles are edited and reviewed by Cointelegraph editors in keeping with our editorial requirements. Contributions from exterior writers are commissioned for his or her expertise, analysis or perspective and don’t replicate the views of Cointelegraph as an organization except explicitly said. Content material revealed in Options and Journal doesn’t represent monetary, authorized or funding recommendation. Readers ought to conduct their very own analysis and seek the advice of certified professionals the place acceptable. Cointelegraph maintains full editorial independence. The choice, commissioning and publication of Options and Journal content material will not be influenced by advertisers, companions or industrial relationships.
