Wallet

On 17 January 2026 at 14:20, a single self-custody wallet was drained of more than $282 million after the owner disclosed a hardware recovery phrase. According to blockchain investigator ZachXBT, no technical exploit was involved. Cybersecurity firm ZeroShadow said about $700,000 was flagged and frozen as the thief moved funds across chains and into Monero.

On January 17, 2026, on-chain analytics indicated the top 10 XRP wallets hold 18.56% of circulating coins, addresses ranked 10–50 account for 24.85%, and 56.59% is dispersed among millions of smaller holders. Ripple’s escrow manages 45% of total supply, while operational wallets hold nearly 1%. Major exchanges like Binance and Bithumb each hold about 1.8 billion XRP, and the price stands at $2.06 after a 0.17% dip.

On January 17, 2026, Rokas Baltrusaitis outlined how fatigue undermines crypto security, leading to rushed approvals, skipped checks, and subtle risk judgment errors. The article argues that 24/7 markets and convenience tools intensify decision overload, making attention management a primary defense. It recommends adding review friction, segmenting wallets, and routinely revoking stale permissions.

On January 10, 2026, an on-chain investigator reported that a hardware wallet social engineering scam led to more than $282 million in BTC and LTC being stolen and routed into Monero via multiple instant exchanges. The attacker also bridged a substantial share of the BTC to Ethereum, Ripple, and Litecoin using THORChain, while Monero's price surged from around $450 to near $800 before later pulling back below $630.

On January 17, 2026, U.S. officials said Bitcoin seized in the Samourai Wallet case remains unsold and under federal custody, following DOJ confirmation and an executive order permitting retention. The assets will be placed in the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, with Bitcoin trading around $94,960 and market cap near $1.9 trillion at the time.

On January 16, 2026, the U.S. Department of Justice confirmed that the roughly 58 BTC forfeited by Samourai Wallet developers will be held on the federal balance sheet within the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve under Executive Order 14233. Earlier reports had suggested a possible sale via SDNY and the U.S. Marshals Service.

On Wednesday evening, bitcoin peaked at $98,000 before sliding in the past 24 hours to just under $94,500 after a rejection near $97,000. XMR jumped more than 50% toward new highs, and the Senate Banking Committee postponed the crypto market structure bill on Thursday as broader market metrics shifted.

Amid sanctions, high inflation, and a weakening rial, Iranians turned to crypto for savings and transfers in 2025. According to Chainalysis, activity totaled an estimated $7.78 billion, and IRGC-linked wallets comprised more than half of value in Q4 2025, receiving over $3 billion versus around $2 billion in 2024. Usage spiked during late December 2025 protests and internet restrictions.

Chainalysis reports Iran's crypto ecosystem reaching $7.78 billion by 2025 as inflation, protests and internet shutdowns drive adoption. On-chain volumes increased and funds moved to self-custody, with withdrawal growth across several brackets. The report also notes IRGC-linked wallets received over $3 billion in 2025, highlighting dual use by citizens and the state.

Starting January 28, Google Play will require crypto exchanges and wallet apps serving South Korea to provide proof of FIU VASP registration, with noncompliant titles removed and new installs blocked. The policy compels uploading a Report Receipt Complete document via the Developer Console and could affect overseas platforms lacking domestic corporate status and ISMS certification.