The NYC Token, which had a pretty rocky start, has been created to fight antisemitism, according to former New York City Mayor Eric Adams.
SK Hynix, one of the leading South Korean suppliers of high-bandwidth memory, plans to invest approximately 19 trillion won, roughly $12.9 billion, in building a chip packaging plant in Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province (Chungbuk). According to the company, the new plant will help meet surging demand for AI memory and support the government’s economic balancing plans. It explained, “With the compound annual growth rate of High Bandwidth Memory (HBM) between 2025 and 2030 projected at 33%, the importance of preemptively responding to rising HBM demand has increased significantly. We decided on this new investment to ensure a stable response to AI memory demand.” The company also mentioned that ongoing discussions about regional investment had factored into its decision, making clear that it had a point in deciding to spread growth outside of big cities. The project is scheduled to commence in April and is anticipated to be completed by the end of 2027. The investment plans follow SK Hynix’s announcement of the opening of a customer exhibition booth at the Venetian Expo, where it showcased its next-generation AI memory solutions at CES 2026 in Las Vegas. The company said, “Under the theme ‘Innovative AI, Sustainable tomorrow,’ we plan to showcase a wide range of next-generation memory solutions optimized for AI and will work closely with customers to create new value in the AI era.” The semiconductor company has previously operated both a SK Group joint exhibition and a customer exhibition booth at CES. This year, the company will focus on the customer exhibition booth to expand touchpoints with key customers to discuss potential collaboration. SK Hynix says the new plant will work together with the other facilities in Cheongju The SK Hynix new facility will play a central role in packaging HBM and other AI memory products. Once the project ends, the firm will have three major advanced packaging centers in Icheon, Cheongju, and West Lafayette. The company’s Cheongju Campus already hosts several major sites, including the M11 and M12 fabs, the M15 semiconductor fabrication plant, and the P&T3 packaging and testing facility. So far, the firm expects strong operational synergy between the M15X fab, which is scheduled to start mass wafer loading in February, and the soon-to-be-established P&T7 packaging facility. It explained that Cheongju will support full production stages for NAND flash, DRAM, and HBM after the P&T7 facility comes online. Speaking on the project, SK Hynix also noted, “Through the investment in Cheongju P&T7, we aim to go beyond short-term efficiency or gains and, in the mid- to long term, strengthen the nation’s industrial base and help build a structure in which the capital region and local areas grow together.” Samsung is also expanding its HBM production capacity SK Hynix’s rival, Samsung , is also planning to improve its HBM production capacity. The firm said it is gearing up to boost its HBM output, with plans to increase capacity by approximately 50% in 2026 to meet the growing demand of its top client, Nvidia. During its earnings call last October, the Suwon chipmaker outlined its plans for expanded production, intending to build new manufacturing sites. “We are internally reviewing the possibility of expanding HBM production,” Kim Jae-june, Samsung Electronics vice president of memory business, said at the time. Moreover, following a high-level meeting in November, the South Korean chipmaker announced plans to invest $41.5 billion in the P5 facility in Pyeongtaek, with operations set to commence in 2028. This planned expenditure is roughly twice as big as what Samsung spent on its previous factories in Pyeongtaek Notably, Samsung also mentioned that it was receiving active administrative support to speed up the P5 construction process. Back then, there were also reports that the firm was moving forward with the Pyeongtaek cluster, P6’s development. Currently, KB Securities projects that the firm will increase its DRAM capacity at P4 by around 60,000 wafers per month through the second quarter of 2026. More reports indicate that it also topped Nvidia’s internal tests for sixth-generation HBM (HBM4), surpassing SK Hynix and Micron for use in Rubin processors. The chipmaker’s HBM4 outperformed expectations with 11 Gbps per pin, above Nvidia’s 10 Gbps standard. Don’t just read crypto news. Understand it. Subscribe to our newsletter. It's free .
Bitcoin treasury company Strategy has continued its accumulation of the cryptocurrency, taking its holdings to 687,410 BTC with the latest purchase. Strategy Has Acquired Another 13,627 Bitcoin As announced in an X post by Strategy co-founder and chairman Michael Saylor, the company has completed a new Bitcoin acquisition involving 13,627 BTC, spending an average of $91,519 per token or a total of about $1.25 billion. This purchase is rather large; in fact, it’s the biggest buy that the firm has made since July of last year. In his usual Sunday foreshadowing post, Saylor hinted that the acquisition would be significant, using the caption: “₿ig Orange.” In a reply to the post, the Strategy chairman reflected on the company’s accumulation journey, saying, “Ironic that our $60.25 billion Bitcoin position started with a $0.25 billion purchase in August 2020.” Following the purchase announcement, Strategy’s stack has officially grown to 687,410 BTC and total investment to $51.80 billion. At present, these holdings are valued at $63.28 billion, meaning that the treasury company is in a profit of more than 22%. According to the filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission, the new acquisition took place in the week between January 5th and 11th, funded using proceeds from the company’s MSTR and STRC at-the-market (ATM) stock offerings. Last Monday, Strategy announced expansions for both its Bitcoin treasury and US Dollar reserve, but the focus this week appears to have been on the cryptocurrency alone. The USD reserve, which was created by the company at the start of December, has seen two additions so far, and the latest one took its value to $2.25 billion. In another X post , Saylor has also shared a chart that compares annualized returns for the best-performing assets in the “Bitcoin Standard Era,” referring to the period since August 2020 when the firm made its first purchase of the cryptocurrency. As displayed in the graph, MSTR has produced the second-most annualized returns in this timespan, with its profits of 60% surpassing even BTC’s, which has managed a return of 45%. The number one performing asset in the period has been Nvidia (NVDA) , posting annual returns of 68%. The strength behind the company’s stock was initially driven by the Ethereum mining boom and more recently, by the rise of AI datacenters . “The best-performing assets of this decade are Digital Intelligence $NVDA, Digital Credit $MSTR, and Digital Capital $BTC,” Saylor wrote, framing each asset under a distinct role. BTC Price Bitcoin kicked off 2026 with a recovery surge, but bullish momentum has faded for the asset as its price is still trading around $91,400.
As the January 15 markup of the crypto market structure bill—known as the CLARITY Act—draws closer, reports indicate that Coinbase (COIN) is reconsidering its support for the legislation. A Monday report from Bloomberg suggests this shift in position is contingent on whether the anticipated bill includes provisions beyond enhanced disclosure requirements tied to stablecoin rewards. High Stakes For Coinbase The CLARITY Act is expected to be marked up in at least one Senate committee this Thursday, and Coinbase’s potential withdrawal could have significant implications for the bill. A source familiar with Coinbase’s stance told Bloomberg that the exchange would re-evaluate its support if the legislation veers too far from its interests, particularly regarding stablecoin incentives. Some insiders suggest the bill might restrict the ability to provide rewards to regulated financial institutions, a move that aligns with the banking sector’s concerns about losing deposits to crypto platforms. Related Reading: Dogecoin Breaks Its ‘Lower-Band Prison’ As Daily Trend Flips Coinbase currently holds applications for a national trust charter that could permit it to offer those kinds of rewards under regulatory rules. However, many crypto-native firms are pushing back against potential restrictions, arguing that such measures could disrupt competition in the market. The stakes for Coinbase are high, as rewards programs play a crucial role in its business model. The exchange allows users to earn 3.5% rewards on Circle’s USDC holdings. Should the market-structure bill include bans on these incentives, fewer users might choose to hold stablecoins on the platform. This could jeopardize an anticipated revenue stream projected at $1.3 billion in 2025, according to Bloomberg. Banking Vs. Crypto The GENIUS Act, passed into law in July of last year, prohibits stablecoin issuers from offering interest on token holdings, and does not prevent third-party partners like Coinbase from providing rewards tied to customer balances. The banking industry, however, argues that allowing exchanges to pay such rewards could negatively impact bank deposits and, consequently, community lending. As reported by Bitcoinist over the past month, the American Bankers Association (ABA) has voiced concerns that this situation could displace “billions” from local lending, allegedly harming small businesses and households. In contrast, Faryar Shirzad, Coinbase’s chief policy officer, has argued that maintaining rewards tied to stablecoins is crucial for preserving the dollar’s dominance, especially in light of China’s announcement to start offering interest on its digital yuan. Banking Lobby Fights Back A potential compromise being discussed would permit only licensed banking entities or financial institutions to provide rewards on stablecoin balances. Related Reading: Why The $2.9 Billion Bitcoin Whale Buy Could Spell Doom For The Market Recently, five crypto firms, including Ripple, Circle, and Paxos, received conditional approvals from the US Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) to become national trust banks, a move met with opposition from the banking lobby. If restrictions are indeed imposed, the report suggests that this could lead to creative workarounds as crypto firms seek alternative ways to reward customers. Featured image from DALL-E, chart from TradingView.com
BitcoinWorld CLARITY Act Leak Reveals Critical Omission: Senate Bill Draft Excludes Stablecoin Revenue Provision WASHINGTON, D.C. — A significant development emerged in cryptocurrency regulation this week when an unfinished draft of the U.S. Senate Banking Committee’s comprehensive crypto market structure legislation leaked ahead of its official release. The document reveals a critical omission that could reshape the regulatory landscape for digital assets in 2025. According to journalist Eleanor Terrett’s exclusive report, the CLARITY Act draft excludes a previously anticipated provision related to stablecoin revenue, signaling a major compromise between competing financial sectors. CLARITY Act Draft Leak Details and Immediate Context The leaked document represents the U.S. Senate Banking Committee’s working draft of the Crypto-Asset Regulatory Innovation and Technology Act, commonly called the CLARITY Act. This legislation aims to establish comprehensive federal oversight for cryptocurrency markets. The draft surfaced on social media platform X through Crypto in America host Eleanor Terrett, who obtained the document from industry sources familiar with the committee’s deliberations. Notably, the exclusion of stablecoin revenue provisions marks a departure from earlier legislative discussions. Stablecoins—digital assets pegged to traditional currencies like the U.S. dollar—represent a $160 billion market segment. Their regulation has become a contentious point between progressive lawmakers seeking revenue generation and industry advocates prioritizing innovation. The current draft instead incorporates two ethics regulations under the committee’s jurisdiction, reflecting a strategic pivot in legislative priorities. Key Provisions and Regulatory Compromises The leaked text contains several notable sections that reveal the committee’s balancing act between traditional finance and decentralized finance interests. Section 601 specifically addresses protections for software developers, a provision that industry analysts interpret as a concession to the DeFi sector. This section potentially shields developers from liability for how others use their open-source code, addressing a longstanding concern in the cryptocurrency community. Additionally, the draft includes strengthened provisions concerning felonies and insider trading in digital asset markets. These measures align with traditional securities regulation principles while adapting them to blockchain technology contexts. The inclusion of these ethics regulations suggests lawmakers are prioritizing market integrity over revenue generation in this iteration of the legislation. Legislative Process and Industry Response According to Terrett’s sources, committee members reached an agreement on the draft’s current form following a closed-door meeting last week. This timeline indicates accelerated negotiations as lawmakers face increasing pressure to establish clear cryptocurrency regulations before the 2025 legislative calendar becomes crowded with election-year priorities. Industry representatives from both traditional finance institutions and cryptocurrency firms have reportedly engaged in extensive lobbying efforts throughout the drafting process. The table below illustrates key differences between earlier legislative proposals and the current leaked draft: Proposed Element Previous Versions Leaked Draft Stablecoin Revenue Included taxation mechanism Excluded entirely Developer Protections Limited or absent Explicit in Section 601 Insider Trading Rules Basic adaptation Comprehensive framework Ethics Regulations Minimal inclusion Two dedicated sections Stablecoin Regulation: The Missing Piece The exclusion of stablecoin revenue provisions represents perhaps the most significant revelation from the leaked document. Stablecoins have become essential infrastructure for cryptocurrency trading, decentralized finance applications, and cross-border payments. Their regulation involves complex considerations including: Reserve requirements for issuers backing stablecoins with traditional assets Consumer protection mechanisms for stablecoin holders Interoperability standards between different stablecoin systems Oversight authority designation between federal agencies Previous legislative proposals had suggested creating a revenue stream from stablecoin issuance or transactions, potentially through licensing fees or transaction taxes. The absence of these provisions in the current draft suggests lawmakers may be prioritizing regulatory clarity over immediate revenue generation, possibly to encourage innovation and maintain U.S. competitiveness in digital finance. Historical Context and Legislative Precedents The CLARITY Act represents the latest chapter in a decade-long struggle to establish coherent cryptocurrency regulation in the United States. Since the emergence of Bitcoin in 2009, regulatory approaches have evolved through several distinct phases: Initially, regulators treated cryptocurrencies as commodities or property for tax purposes. The Securities and Exchange Commission later asserted jurisdiction over certain digital assets through enforcement actions rather than comprehensive legislation. More recently, multiple legislative proposals have attempted to create unified frameworks, with the CLARITY Act being the most ambitious effort to date from the Senate Banking Committee. This legislative history explains why the current draft reflects compromises between competing interests. The software developer protections in Section 601, for instance, address concerns raised during previous congressional hearings where developers testified about potential liability for decentralized applications. Similarly, the ethics regulations respond to high-profile cryptocurrency fraud cases that have prompted calls for stronger investor protections. Comparative Analysis with International Approaches The leaked draft’s provisions place the United States within a global context of cryptocurrency regulation. The European Union’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation, implemented in 2024, takes a more comprehensive approach to stablecoin oversight. Meanwhile, jurisdictions like Singapore and Switzerland have adopted innovation-friendly frameworks that the CLARITY Act appears to reference in its developer protection provisions. This international dimension adds urgency to the U.S. legislative process, as cryptocurrency businesses increasingly consider regulatory environments when choosing operational locations. The exclusion of stablecoin revenue provisions might make the U.S. framework more attractive to issuers compared to jurisdictions with heavier taxation regimes, potentially influencing global capital flows in the digital asset sector. Potential Market Impacts and Industry Implications The leaked draft’s provisions could significantly affect cryptocurrency markets and business operations in several ways: Regulatory certainty for software developers might encourage more innovation in decentralized applications Clearer insider trading rules could reduce market manipulation risks in digital asset trading Absence of stablecoin revenue requirements might lower barriers to entry for new issuers Ethics regulations could increase compliance costs but improve market integrity Market analysts will closely monitor how the final legislation addresses the relationship between decentralized protocols and centralized intermediaries. The current draft’s compromise language suggests lawmakers recognize both models will coexist, requiring regulatory approaches that accommodate technological diversity while maintaining consistent consumer protections. Conclusion The leaked CLARITY Act draft reveals significant developments in U.S. cryptocurrency regulation, most notably through its exclusion of stablecoin revenue provisions. This legislative document represents a carefully negotiated compromise between traditional finance interests and decentralized finance innovators, with software developer protections and ethics regulations taking priority over revenue generation. As the Senate Banking Committee prepares the official release, market participants should monitor how these provisions evolve through the legislative process. The final CLARITY Act will likely establish foundational rules for cryptocurrency markets through 2025 and beyond, making this leaked draft a crucial indicator of regulatory direction. FAQs Q1: What is the CLARITY Act? The Crypto-Asset Regulatory Innovation and Technology Act (CLARITY Act) is proposed U.S. Senate legislation that would establish comprehensive federal regulation for cryptocurrency markets, addressing issues from stablecoins to decentralized finance. Q2: Why is the exclusion of stablecoin revenue provisions significant? This exclusion suggests lawmakers may prioritize regulatory clarity and innovation over immediate revenue generation, potentially making the U.S. more competitive in global digital finance while leaving future revenue options open. Q3: What protections does Section 601 provide? Section 601 appears to shield software developers from liability for how others use their open-source code, addressing a major concern in decentralized application development while maintaining accountability for intentional misconduct. Q4: How does this draft compare to international cryptocurrency regulations? The draft takes a more modular approach than the EU’s comprehensive MiCA regulation, with stronger developer protections than some jurisdictions but potentially lighter stablecoin oversight than others, reflecting U.S. legislative compromises. Q5: What happens next with this legislation? The Senate Banking Committee will revise the draft based on feedback, schedule hearings, potentially incorporate amendments, and eventually vote on whether to advance the legislation to the full Senate, a process that typically takes several months. This post CLARITY Act Leak Reveals Critical Omission: Senate Bill Draft Excludes Stablecoin Revenue Provision first appeared on BitcoinWorld .
A strict 5% investment cap may shape how aggressively South Korean firms embrace crypto.
Thailand’s government has ordered a broad crackdown on so-called grey money, pushing regulators to tighten oversight of gold trading and digital assets and link financial data across agencies to make money laundering harder to hide. Officials use the term grey money for funds that move through legal-looking channels but often trace back to criminal syndicates, tax evasion, or other illicit activity, especially when traders exploit gaps between old rules for physical assets and newer platforms for digital transactions, a local outlet reported . Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul laid out the push after chairing a high-level session at the Finance Ministry on Friday, with Finance Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas and other agencies tasked to close loopholes in gold trades without physical delivery and in digital asset flows. AML Rules Tighten For Physical Gold Purchases A central part of the plan is a Data Bureau, a shared system that links datasets from relevant agencies via Open API to give authorities a single view of suspicious activity across gold, digital assets, e-wallets, foreign exchange and cash, without creating a new standalone agency. On the gold side, anti-money laundering authorities have been told to cut the mandatory reporting threshold for gold bar purchases from the current 2M baht level to a significantly lower figure, aiming to reduce “smurfing,” where large sums get split into smaller transactions to dodge detection. Regulators also want to bring online gold trading under tighter supervision. The Revenue Department is studying a new specific business tax for platforms that facilitate gold trades without physical delivery, and the government wants stricter accounting, special accounts for providers, and reporting that allows state audits. Thailand Aims To Seal Loopholes Between Gold, Cash And Crypto That gold focus also ties into the currency story. Officials have linked unusually large gold-related flows to the baht’s strength, and Reuters has reported the finance ministry is exploring a tax and possible trading caps after the baht gained about 10.3% in 2025, raising pressure on exporters and tourism-linked businesses. For crypto, the Securities and Exchange Commission has been ordered to strictly enforce the Travel Rule, requiring digital asset providers to identify both the sender and receiver in wallet to wallet transfers, tightening the net around flows that previously relied on anonymity. Anutin framed the push as an update to enforcement that covers old and new channels at the same time. “Today, we are not only addressing modern digital threats but also ‘analogue’ financial crimes,” he said, adding, “We must work as a single, integrated force to protect the public interest and the integrity of our financial system.” For exchanges, brokers and other service providers, the shift means heavier compliance expectations, more identity checks, and tighter reporting on transfers that touch regulated platforms, as Thailand tries to make it harder for illicit funds to jump between gold, cash and crypto without leaving a trail. The post Thailand Moves To Curb ‘Grey Money’ With Tougher Crypto And Gold Regulations appeared first on Cryptonews .
BitcoinWorld Spot Ethereum ETF Sees Stunning Reversal with First Net Inflow in Four Trading Days In a significant shift for digital asset markets, U.S. spot Ethereum exchange-traded funds (ETFs) snapped a concerning outflow trend on January 12, 2025. Data from TraderT reveals these investment vehicles attracted a net inflow of $5.27 million, marking their first positive day after four consecutive trading sessions of net redemptions. This pivotal reversal signals a potential recalibration of investor sentiment toward the second-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization. Spot Ethereum ETF Flow Reversal: A Detailed Breakdown The aggregate net inflow figure, however, masks a dramatic divergence in performance among the major fund issuers. A detailed analysis of the daily flows provides crucial context for understanding market dynamics. For instance, Grayscale’s flagship Ethereum Trust (ETHE) led the charge with a substantial single-day inflow of $50.67 million. Simultaneously, its newer, lower-fee product, Grayscale Mini ETH, pulled in an additional $29.28 million. Conversely, BlackRock’s iShares Ethereum Trust (ETHA) experienced a notable outflow of $79.65 million. Meanwhile, the 21Shares Core Ethereum ETF (CETH) recorded a modest inflow of $4.97 million. This stark contrast highlights a fierce competitive landscape where fee structures, liquidity, and brand perception drive capital allocation. Contextualizing the Cryptocurrency ETF Landscape The launch of U.S. spot Ethereum ETFs in late 2024 represented a landmark regulatory achievement, following the precedent set by Bitcoin ETFs. These funds provide traditional investors with a regulated, accessible conduit to gain exposure to Ethereum’s price without directly holding the asset. Consequently, their daily flow data has become a critical barometer for institutional and retail sentiment. The preceding four-day outflow period, which this January 12 data interrupted, had sparked discussions about profit-taking and short-term volatility. Therefore, this reversal is closely watched by analysts for clues about medium-term directional trends in the crypto market. Expert Analysis on Flow Divergence and Market Structure Market structure experts often point to fee differentials as a primary driver of flow divergence. Grayscale’s Mini ETH product, launched specifically to compete on cost, likely attracted assets from both new investors and those migrating from higher-fee vehicles. The substantial outflow from BlackRock’s ETHA, despite the firm’s dominant position in Bitcoin ETFs, suggests investors are actively shopping for the most efficient exposure. This behavior mirrors early trends in the spot Bitcoin ETF market, where competition rapidly compressed fees and rewarded early movers who adjusted their strategies. Furthermore, the data underscores that net flows are a zero-sum game within the ETF wrapper, where one issuer’s loss can directly fuel another’s gain. The Broader Impact on Ethereum and Digital Asset Markets The resumption of net inflows into spot Ethereum ETFs carries implications beyond the funds themselves. Persistent inflows create a direct, mechanical buying pressure on the underlying Ethereum market, as authorized participants must acquire ETH to back new shares. Although the January 12 figure is modest, a sustained trend could contribute to price support. Moreover, positive flow data often improves overall market sentiment, potentially reducing volatility. It also reinforces the investment thesis for Ethereum as a core, institutional-grade asset alongside Bitcoin. This development occurs within a broader macro context of evolving monetary policy and technological adoption, where Ethereum’s utility in decentralized finance and other applications adds a fundamental layer to its investment case. Conclusion The January 12 net inflow of $5.27 million into U.S. spot Ethereum ETFs represents a meaningful, albeit early, signal of shifting investor appetite. While the headline number ended a four-day outflow streak, the underlying story is one of intense competition among issuers, with Grayscale capturing significant capital as BlackRock saw outflows. This dynamic highlights the maturity of the cryptocurrency ETF market, where investors are making nuanced decisions based on cost and product structure. Moving forward, the sustainability of this spot Ethereum ETF inflow trend will be a key metric for gauging institutional confidence in the evolving digital asset ecosystem. FAQs Q1: What does a “net inflow” mean for a spot Ethereum ETF? A net inflow occurs when the total value of money entering the ETF through new share purchases exceeds the value of money leaving through share redemptions on a given day. This typically requires the ETF issuer to buy more of the underlying asset, Ethereum. Q2: Why did BlackRock’s ETHA have an outflow while Grayscale’s products had inflows? Key factors likely include differences in management fees, investor reallocation strategies, and the specific client bases of each issuer. Investors may be moving capital to lower-cost options like Grayscale Mini ETH. Q3: How do spot Ethereum ETF flows affect the price of ETH? Sustained net inflows force market makers to purchase Ethereum on the open market to create new ETF shares, which can create upward price pressure. Outflows have the opposite effect, as Ethereum is sold to fund redemptions. Q4: What is the significance of this being the first inflow in four trading days? It suggests a potential pause or reversal in a short-term trend of investor withdrawals, which market analysts interpret as a possible stabilization or renewal of confidence in Ethereum’s near-term prospects. Q5: Where does the flow data for these ETFs come from? The data is compiled and published by independent analytics firms like TraderT, which aggregate publicly available information from exchanges and issuers to estimate daily fund flows. This post Spot Ethereum ETF Sees Stunning Reversal with First Net Inflow in Four Trading Days first appeared on BitcoinWorld .
Crypto markets edged lower over the past 24 hours, with the real-world asset (RWA) sector leading the decline. According to SoSoValue data, the RWA sector fell 3.51%, dragging on broader market sentiment. Ondo Finance (ONDO) slipped 3.35% and Sky (SKY) dropped 5.04%, though Keeta (KTA) bucked the trend with an 8.43% gain. Bitcoin and Ethereum traded in tight ranges near $91,000 and $3,100, respectively. Elsewhere, CeFi and PayFi sectors posted modest losses, while select tokens such as Monero and Binance Life recorded notable gains despite the market pullback. But what else is happening in crypto news today? Follow our up-to-date live coverage below. The post [LIVE] Crypto News Today: Latest Updates for Jan. 13, 2026 – RWA Tokens Drag Crypto Market Lower as Bitcoin, Ether Trade Flat appeared first on Cryptonews .
Crypto-focused YouTube channels are seeing their weakest audience engagement in more than four years. New data revealed that the overall view counts have continued to slide. While crypto viewership is likely to return to 2021 levels eventually, experts do not expect a recovery this year. Retail Exodus Hits Crypto YouTube As per the latest data shared by analyst Benjamin Cowen, the 30-day moving average of views across dozens of major crypto YouTube channels has fallen to levels last seen in January 2021. The downturn is not limited to a single platform or algorithm change. Instead, it is a continued slide from post-2021 peaks, with recent activity dropping to a multi-year low. YouTuber Tom Crown said the slowdown has extended across social platforms since October 2025, and sentiment is now comparable to prior bear markets. Another creator, Jesus Martinez, said he grew his channel steadily since early 2022, but even his best videos never matched the peaks he saw in 2021. TikTok creator “Cloud9 Markets” weighed in, saying the decline in attention may also be due to repeated scams and pump-and-dump schemes involving “ponzi” altcoins, and added that retail investors are simply “tired of getting rekt.” Additionally, market commentator “MissCrypto” described the current Bitcoin rally as a “Ghost Town Rally,” while noting that the crypto is holding around $92,000 while public attention continues to drop. She said that this gap shows that institutions, rather than retail investors, are driving the market. As a result, much of the conversation among retail investors has now shifted toward alternative assets, including precious metals. Investors Pivot Towards Safe Havens Petr Kozyakov, Co-Founder and CEO at Mercuryo, also confirmed that retail’s growing interest in precious metals is shaping both crypto price action and safe-haven demand. In a statement to CryptoPotato , the exec said, “Bitcoin has surrendered early gains after breaching the $92,000 mark in Asia trading as the biggest cryptocurrency mirrors leading US tech stocks in a risk-off mode retreat. Markets appear to be weighing growing tensions between US Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell and President Donald Trump. Against this backdrop, and amid escalating geopolitical risks, traders are retreating to safe haven assets such as gold and silver. Meanwhile, in the digital token space, the narrative of increasing inflows into privacy coins, which so defined the final months of 2025, is continuing to play out with Monero and Zcash recording gains of 16 per cent and 4 per cent, respectively.” The post Crypto Channels’ Viewership Slumps to Levels Not Seen Since 2021 appeared first on CryptoPotato .