The last week of January saw an interesting mix of events in the crypto and blockchain space, namely multiple efforts across US states like Illinois, Texas, and Indiana to establish state-managed Bitcoin reserves. Let’s dig deeper. Bitcoin Europe is continuing to follow the path towards Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) despite the recent sea change in the United States, sparked by President Trump’s new administration. Illinois has introduced a bill to establish a state-managed Bitcoin reserve , joining Texas, Indiana, and other states in exploring Bitcoin-related legislation as part of a broader trend toward state-level digital asset adoption. DeFi The sheer pace of DeFi innovations has dwindled into the territory of diminishing returns. The fresh approach from Sonex which is positioning itself as an all-in-one DeFi solution, with the boost of a legacy brand association, could help to reverse the trend and create a smoother and more engaging experience for users. Altcoins The crypto landscape in 2025 is shaping up to be a battle between two explosive sectors - meme coins and AI-powered blockchain projects like Lightchain AI . Lightchain AI is making waves in the crypto world, achieving an impressive $14 million milestone in its presale. Now, a top analyst has predicted this innovative project could 50x in value, fueling excitement among investors. Elon Musk’s father Errol Musk has become the latest figure to hop on the meme coin bandwagon, announcing his involvement with a meme coin project called “Musk It.” The cryptocurrency expert Trader Tardigrade predicts Dogecoin (DOGE) value will increase to $3.5 using historical patterns from 2021. Meanwhile, DTX Exchange (DTX) represents a new coin that traces Ripple's (XRP) price activity throughout November and December. Business The parents of FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried are exploring avenues to secure a presidential pardon for their son from President Donald Trump. Elon Musk’s Tesla has taken advantage of a new accounting rule that lets companies adjust the value of their digital asset holdings at market prices each quarter and reported a $600M paper gain in the fourth quarter of the year. Crypto asset manager Bitwise has submitted a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to launch a Dogecoin (DOGE) exchange-traded fund (ETF). KuCoin has pleaded guilty to operating an unlicensed money-transmitting business and agreed to pay a $300 million settlement. Regulation Grayscale Investments has filed an application with the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) to convert its existing XRP Trust into a spot XRP exchange-traded fund (ETF). Coinbase has expanded its Latin American footprint by securing regulatory approval in Argentina, aiming to tap into the country’s growing crypto adoption with a focus on security, education, and financial inclusion. In a rare moment of bipartisan support, the US Senate has confirmed Donald Trump’s pick and pro-crypto billionaire Scott Bessent for US Treasury secretary. Disclaimer: This article is provided for informational purposes only. It is not offered or intended to be used as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice.
