[LIVE] Crypto News – Jan. 15, 2026
Bitcoin Holds Firm Above $96K as Whales Buy, Retail Hesitates
On-chain data shows the big players are positioning for a potential rally, with “smart money” accumulation accelerating. Research firm Santiment reports that wallets holding between 100 and 10,000 BTC have added nearly 32,700 BTC since January 10. Meanwhile, retail-sized holders continue to sell, creating what analysts call an ideal setup for a bull market.
Despite weakness in the AI token sector, Bitcoin remained resilient, rising about 1.4% and briefly topping $97,000. Ethereum traded largely flat, holding above $3,300. Santiment noted that the sustainability of this trend will depend on whether retail investors stay cautious — sentiment remains in an “extremely bullish” zone.
Senate Banking Committee Delays Crypto Bill Markup
The U.S. Senate Banking Committee has postponed its markup of the crypto market structure bill, citing ongoing bipartisan negotiations. Chairman Tim Scott said lawmakers, industry leaders, investors, and law enforcement are engaged in good-faith discussions to deliver clear rules that protect consumers, strengthen national security, and foster innovation.
Ethereum Spot ETFs Keep Growing
Ethereum spot ETFs recorded a net inflow of $175 million on January 14, marking the third straight day of gains. BlackRock’s ETHA ETF led with $81.6 million, followed by Grayscale’s Ethereum Mini Trust ETF at $43.5 million. Total assets across Ethereum spot ETFs now stand at $20.84 billion, with cumulative inflows of $12.74 billion.
Bitcoin ETFs also saw strong demand, adding a combined $840.6 million in inflows on the same day.
Argentina’s Lemon Launches Bitcoin-Backed Visa Card
Argentina’s second-largest crypto exchange, Lemon, has introduced the country’s first Visa credit card backed by Bitcoin collateral. The card allows users to access peso-denominated credit without a bank account or credit history — and without selling their BTC. Lemon hopes the card will make long-term Bitcoin holdings usable for everyday payments in Argentina’s inflation-prone economy.
Coinbase CEO Warns Against Current Crypto Bill Draft
Brian Armstrong, CEO of Coinbase, said the exchange cannot support the Senate Banking Committee’s draft crypto bill. He called it “materially worse than the status quo”, citing a de facto ban on tokenized equities, restrictions on DeFi that could undermine privacy, erosion of the CFTC’s authority in favor of the SEC, and proposed changes that could eliminate stablecoin rewards.
Armstrong emphasized that while bipartisan efforts are appreciated, Coinbase would rather have no legislation than a bill that stifles innovation.
Eric Adams Denies NYC Token Rug Pull Claims
Former New York City Mayor Eric Adams has rejected allegations that his memecoin, NYC Token, was part of a rug pull. Adams says he never touched investor funds or profited from the launch.
The denial comes amid blockchain data suggesting large liquidity withdrawals shortly after the token’s debut, which Adams’ spokesperson attributes to normal early-stage volatility, not wrongdoing.
