2026-01-16 10:28:59

There have been many stories in the crypto market this week. First, regarding market sentiment—the Fear and Greed Index dropped to 49, returning from greed to neutral, indicating that investors are starting to calm down and reflect.

There have been significant movements in policy and regulation. Goldman Sachs CEO expressed optimism about the market forecast and is gearing up to enter; meanwhile, the CEO of a compliant platform is busy lobbying lawmakers on Capitol Hill to protect the crypto reward system. Regulatory battles in Washington are also intensifying in the banking sector—banking groups protested high-yield token products, suggesting that this topic is far from settled.

Interesting data on real-world use cases: the monthly transaction volume of crypto card payments has surpassed the scale of P2P stablecoin transfers, with Visa accounting for over 80%, indicating that mainstream payment channels are deepening their penetration into crypto. Belgium’s second-largest bank, KBC, has become the first bank in the country to offer crypto trading to retail customers, another sign of traditional finance embracing crypto.

Geopolitical developments are also impacting the market. During protests in Iran, many people withdrew Bitcoin, boosting demand for safe-haven assets; the plunge of the rial further accelerated this trend. In contrast, Ethereum has attracted a large number of new users on-chain, with a noticeable increase in first-time interaction addresses, and the ecosystem is gradually expanding.

On the macroeconomic front, economists predict that inflation this year could far exceed expectations. The Federal Reserve’s rate cut prospects have changed, and the Bank of Japan has the highest probability of raising interest rates in July. A new Fed voting member stated there is no rush to cut rates, with employment risks outweighing inflation risks. Some analysts point out that the influence of Bitcoin’s four-year cycle is weakening, and policy forces are reshaping trading logic.

Additionally, a certain asset management platform was fined $500,000 by California for unlicensed lending, indicating that regulatory scrutiny of projects remains strict.

BTC-0,23%

ETH-0,21%

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RugpullAlertOfficer

· 11h ago

Fear Index returns to 49? Are investors calming down or really out of money... --- Even Goldman Sachs is getting involved, while Washington is still bickering—what a stark contrast --- Visa accounts for 80%? Mainstream payment methods are really penetrating; this area is a bit different --- I can understand Iran withdrawing Bitcoin, but the Rial plummeting... The crypto market's safe-haven properties are becoming stronger --- The Federal Reserve is pretending not to be in a hurry again—saying employment risks outweigh inflation? That's laughable; who are they trying to fool with this logic? --- KBC opens retail trading; traditional finance really can't hold on anymore... --- Is the influence of the four-year cycle weakening? Then policy power has taken over—are they just switching modes to harvest again? --- On-chain new user growth and ecosystem expansion sound good, but what about the actual conversion rate? --- Unlicensed lending fined 500,000 yuan; this kind of case still needs further investigation --- Prediction markets and high-yield tokens—one is about to enter, the other faces protests. Washington is truly torn apart

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AirdropGrandpa

· 01-16 10:58

Goldman Sachs is entering the market, banks are banding together, and Iranians are buying BTC like crazy... Is traditional finance really about to jump on board?

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MissedTheBoat

· 01-16 10:56

VIX index at 49, is this the rhythm of a rebound? --- Goldman Sachs predicts market entry, Washington is about to argue again --- Crypto cards have already surpassed P2P? Why am I still using transfers… --- Bitcoin withdrawals are larger on the Iranian side, now that's real demand --- Ethereum new addresses are rising, finally showing some momentum --- The Federal Reserve not cutting interest rates, does this mean the four-year Bitcoin cycle is invalid? Policy has changed --- KBC Bank opens retail trading, traditional finance is really starting to loosen up --- A fine of 500,000, regulators are not playing around, don’t even think about messing around --- Visa accounts for 80%, is deeper mainstream payment penetration a good thing or… worried about being cut off --- Inflation exceeds expectations, high employment risks, macro is so complex, how can the crypto circle still play

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FloorPriceNightmare

· 01-16 10:52

The panic index drops to 49? That means the expectations for rate cuts are changing again. The Fed's recent actions really leave people scratching their heads. I think the significance of KBC entering the market is greater than what the Goldman Sachs CEO said. Traditional finance is gradually seeping in this way. With Iran withdrawing BTC, it shows that the need for hedging is always present. Stablecoins also find it hard to fully replace this function. Regulatory fines are never in short supply, but as long as they keep acting in the past two years, it clearly means someone has been making money. Has the four-year cycle of Bitcoin become invalid, or is the policy cycle shorter now? That’s the key question. Goldman Sachs’ market predictions always seem to be just a hype created by capital... Cryptocurrency payments with over 80% share by Visa—this number sounds outrageous. Are people really using it? Ethereum’s new user numbers are so high. It’s unclear whether it’s genuine growth or just airdrops and free tokens.

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MEVEye

· 01-16 10:52

The number 49 for the panic index... Hold on, why does it always feel like the bottom signals aren't that simple? That group in Washington is back to their name-calling, Goldman Sachs just wants a piece of the pie. Visa accounting for 80%? Traditional finance is really starting to waver and accept us. Iranian people are using Bitcoin to escape again. Every time I see this real scene, I feel this thing truly has value. Inflation expectations soaring... The Federal Reserve is starting to play psychological warfare again, policy reshaping trading logic? Been seen through long ago. A $500,000 fine in California is just the appetizer; the regulatory storm ahead is the real threat. --- Indices are returning to neutral, are investors finally waking up? Or is another round of retail harvesting coming? --- I believe what the CEO of Goldman Sachs said, but what’s the use of believing? It still depends on policy cues. --- That 80% share of Visa is really outrageous. Who said traditional finance isn’t embracing us? --- Ethereum new user numbers are rising, but how many are genuine demand? Curious. --- The claim that Bitcoin’s four-year cycle is invalid... is just too absolute, isn’t it?

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ConfusedWhale

· 01-16 10:41

Goldman Sachs predicts market entry? Haha, another sign that an institution is here to harvest the little guys That group in Washington is bickering every day, but our coins still keep rising This week, the greed index dropped back to 49? It shows everyone has lost confidence Visa card transactions surpass P2P stablecoins, but this data feels so unsettling... Is mainstream payment really this deeply penetrated? Iranians are frantically withdrawing Bitcoin, with risk aversion at its peak—this is the real application scenario Bitcoin's four-year cycle invalidated? Policy reshaping trading logic? Then what are we retail investors even playing for? KBC Bank embracing crypto—traditional finance finally understands, just a bit late A $500,000 fine in California and it's over? That’s a bit too light-handed Inflation might skyrocket, and the Fed is still hesitating... How will this game be broken? New users are interacting wildly on the Ethereum chain; the ecosystem is really moving

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