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From Coinbase to JPMorgan, from Trump to CZ, here are the news you may have missed this week:
Coinbase Pauses Peso-Based Services in Argentina
Coinbase plans to suspend peso-to-USDC trading and local bank withdrawals in Argentina on January 31, 2026, just one year after the exchange secured regulatory approval to operate in the country.
- The company notified users that they must complete any peso-based transactions before the end of the month, although crypto-to-crypto trading will remain functional and funds remain safe.
- A spokesperson described the move as a “deliberate pause” intended to allow the firm to reassess its strategy and eventually return with a stronger product offering.
The company maintains that Latin America remains a central focus for its expansion efforts.
Trump Media and Technology Group plans to issue a new digital token to its shareholders through a partnership with Crypto.com.
- The parent company of Truth Social intends to distribute one token for every whole share of DJT stock that investors hold once the program formally launches.
- These assets will reside on the Cronos blockchain and may offer holders periodic rewards, such as discounts on services like Truth Social, Truth Predict, and the Truth+ streaming platform.
- Company executives expect to release further specific details regarding the distribution mechanics early in the new year.
Markets responded positively to the announcement, with DJT shares rising more than 3% in pre-market trading and Crypto.com’s native CRO coin experiencing a brief spike before leveling off.
49 Cryptocurrency Exchanges Registered in India
India’s Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU-IND) confirmed that 49 cryptocurrency exchanges have formally registered as reporting entities for the 2024-25 fiscal year.
- This group consists of 45 domestic platforms and four offshore companies that successfully integrated into the nation’s anti-money laundering framework under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.
- The government implemented this mandatory registration to establish granular oversight of the sector, a move that requires all service providers to actively monitor financial flows and report suspicious activity to federal authorities.
Authorities emphasized the need for strict surveillance to combat criminal exploitation, such as illegal gambling, hawala transactions, and fraudulent schemes.
JPMorgan To Issue JPM Token on Canton Network
J.P. Morgan’s blockchain unit, Kinexys, plans to issue its JPM Coin natively on the Canton Network through a new partnership with Digital Asset.
- The initiative aims to provide institutional clients with a regulated, interoperable digital currency that can settle transactions alongside tokenized assets on a privacy-enabled blockchain.
- Implementation will occur in phases throughout 2026, starting with the technical frameworks necessary to support the issuance, transfer, and near-instant redemption of the U.S. dollar-backed tokens.
This collaboration seeks to bridge traditional banking infrastructure with digital ledger technology while maintaining strict compliance standards. Digital Asset CEO Yuval Rooz stated that the project delivers digital cash capable of moving at the speed of markets, and Kinexys leadership highlighted the potential to unlock liquidity through real-time settlements.
Alleged Crypto Scam Kingpin Arrested in Cambodia
Chen Zhi, the founder of Prince Holding Group, faces charges of wire fraud and money laundering after Cambodian authorities arrested him and extradited him to China on Tuesday.
- The U.S. Department of Justice accuses Zhi of orchestrating a massive “pig butchering” scheme that defrauded victims worldwide.
- This enforcement action follows a historic seizure of more than 127,000 Bitcoin, valued at roughly $11.6 billion, which officials claim constitutes the proceeds of his criminal enterprise.
The indictment alleges that Zhi managed compounds where human traffickers held workers against their will and forced them to execute the scams. U.S. officials recently designated his company as a transnational criminal organization and sanctioned several associates who allegedly used the stolen funds for extravagant purchases, including high-end art.
Trump Says He Will Not Pardon SBF
President Donald Trump confirmed he will not pardon former FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried, extinguishing hopes for clemency similar to that received by Binance founder Changpeng Zhao last year.
- In an interview with The New York Times, Trump listed Bankman-Fried among several high-profile individuals denied relief, a group that includes music executive Sean “P Diddy” Combs, former New Jersey Senator Robert Menendez, and Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro.
- The refusal ensures Bankman-Fried will remain in prison for the fraud convictions stemming from the 2022 collapse of his exchange.
Bankman-Fried’s case remains the most prominent in the financial sector, where his misuse of customer funds at FTX caused billions in losses and became a global symbol of corporate malfeasance.
CZ to Self-Publish His Memoir
Changpeng “CZ” Zhao announced plans to release a self-published memoir in both English and Chinese within the next four to six weeks.
- The former Binance CEO revealed he is considering “币安人生” as the title for the Chinese edition, though he noted the English title remains undecided.
- He decided to disclose these details publicly to preempt leaks and correct recent speculation regarding his activities, noting that while some rumors touched on the truth, the reasoning behind them was often flawed.
Zhao issued a strict disclaimer regarding the proposed title to distance himself from market speculation.
- He clarified that the name is not related to any meme tokens or exchange listings and confirmed he holds no financial interest in coins using that specific branding.
- While he expressed an appreciation for meme culture, he reserved the right to change the title before publication.
- He also pledged to donate all proceeds from the book to charity, citing the slow pace of traditional publishing as his reason for handling the distribution himself.
Stablecoin Volume Hits $33 Billion
Stablecoin transaction volumes surged 72% in 2025 to reach a record $33 trillion, cementing the asset class as a critical component of global digital finance.
- Data from Artemis Analytics indicates that USDC led the sector with $18.3 trillion in processed transactions, while Tether accounted for $13.3 trillion.
- This expansion followed the passage of the “Genius Act” by the Trump administration in July, which provided the regulatory clarity needed for major corporations like Walmart, Amazon, and Standard Chartered to explore issuing their own tokens.
Usage patterns are shifting away from purely decentralized trading platforms toward real-world utility.
Although USDC generates higher transaction volume due to high-frequency DeFi trading, Tether retains the top spot for market capitalization at $187 billion because users often hold it for payments or savings.
Experts believe inflation and geopolitical instability are driving this demand for digital U.S. dollars, and Bloomberg Intelligence projects that total stablecoin payment flows could climb to $56 trillion by 2030.
This catch up news is published on BitPinas: Coinbase | Trump | CZ: Crypto News Catch Up: Jan. 4 – 10, 2026
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