Crypto markets started the week with sharp price swings as traders reacted to new US–EU trade tensions and looming macroeconomic data. Bitcoin briefly dropped below $92,000 and the total crypto market cap slid to about $3.21 trillion, while altcoins saw even steeper declines. Investors now face a packed calendar of US and Asian economic events, along with major corporate earnings and the Davos forum, which could inject further volatility.

On January 19, 2026, Fitch Ratings affirmed the long-term foreign-currency issuer default rating of Saudi Arabia at A+ and maintained a Stable Outlook. The agency cited net foreign assets near 70% of GDP, general government debt projected below 30% versus a 54% A+ peer median, and a 2.3% of GDP fiscal deficit in 2025 amid ongoing reforms.

BTCC processed $5.72 billion in tokenized gold trades in 2025, with fourth-quarter volume at $2.74 billion. From the first to the fourth quarter, activity rose 809%, and Q4 represented 48% of the year alongside a 130% quarter-over-quarter increase. GOLDUSDT, PAXGUSDT, and XAUTUSDT were major drivers, while tokenized gold's market cap climbed 177% to $4.4 billion, according to CEX.IO.

Binance has restored direct bank transfers and PayID deposits and withdrawals for Australian users, roughly two years after being cut off from local banking. As of last Friday, the rollout resumed and began with a small cohort last year, according to a Monday press release. The exchange partnered with Bolt Financial Group to provide the new fiat rails.

On Jan. 12, a draft US crypto market structure bill incorporating Blockchain Regulatory Certainty Act provisions sparked opposition from Senate Judiciary leaders Charles Grassley and Richard Durbin. They urged Senate Banking Committee chair Tim Scott and Elizabeth Warren to remove protections for crypto developers, warning the language would weaken unlicensed money transmitting laws and create an enforcement gap for decentralized platforms. The bill must clear the Banking and Agriculture Committees and secure 60 votes in the Senate, while major industry lobbyist Coinbase has already withdrawn its support over multiple provisions.

On January 19, 2026, South Korea’s won was reported to have fallen about 2.5% against the US dollar, making it Asia’s worst-performing currency as USD/KRW hovered near 1,472.8. Over the same period, Bitcoin traded at a premium of 2.49% on Korean exchanges versus global platforms, signaling stronger local demand and aligning with key price levels around $25,200 and resistance near $28,754.40.

Gold and silver futures opened the week with sharp gains as geopolitical tensions and fresh U.S. tariff threats fueled safe-haven demand. With gold pressing toward $4,700 and silver consolidating near multi-year highs, traders are watching key technical levels that could define the next leg higher.

On January 18, 2026, data indicated that China's primary aluminum output in January–November 2025 reached about 41.17 million tonnes, up roughly 2.5% year on year, with November alone at 3.79 million tonnes. In contrast, crude steel production for 2025 is estimated at around 968 million tonnes, slipping below 1 billion tonnes and declining about 4% from 2024 amid capacity controls and weaker demand.