Ethereum is now processing a record volume of transactions while average gas fees have fallen to about $0.15, the lowest level in the network's modern history. Recent protocol upgrades, a higher block gas limit and growing layer-2 usage have expanded effective capacity, while stablecoin transfers and increased staking activity indicate renewed confidence in Ethereum.

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.

Vitalik Buterin's "walkaway test" frames Ethereum's long-term credibility as its ability to remain secure and useful even if protocol upgrades largely stop. Within this vision, the network must be able to "ossify if we want to" while still handling quantum-era cryptographic threats through account abstraction and flexible signature schemes. The roadmap aims at full quantum resistance, higher scalability, durable state architecture and resilient proof-of-stake economics so Ethereum can adjust its security assumptions without relying on emergency coordination.

Bitcoin traded around $95,000 at press time, according to TradingView, after rebounding from the $91,000–$92,000 demand zone. Liquidity gauges highlighted on X show the Global Liquidity Index at a new cycle high, while CryptoQuant's UTXO age bands indicate short‑term holders are in profit and risk is being redistributed toward mid‑term cohorts. Immediate resistance lies at $97,000–$98,000.

Bitcoin’s computing power fell below 1,000 exahash per second for the first time since mid-September, with the seven-day average around 993 EH/s, according to Hashrate Index. The level is roughly 15% under the mid-October peak of about 1,157 EH/s as miners redirect capacity toward AI workloads that promise steadier margins.

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.

Indian security officials said on Sunday that a sophisticated "crypto hawala" network is allegedly channeling funds to support terrorist activities in Jammu and Kashmir. The operation reportedly uses mule bank accounts, private crypto wallets and unregulated P2P traders, while foreign handlers from multiple countries rely on VPNs and avoid KYC checks. Authorities warn the scheme bypasses India's FIU registration rules for Virtual Digital Asset Service Providers and could strengthen separatist elements in the region.

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.