BRICS Currency Plan Closely Monitored by US, Says Indian Expert
The U.S. is closely monitoring BRICS currency talks, an Indian expert says, as the bloc advances efforts to reduce dollar reliance and boost financial sovereignty.
US Monitoring BRICS Currency Talks, Says Indian Expert
The ongoing push within BRICS to explore dedollarization and introduce a potential BRICS currency has garnered significant attention from global powers, particularly the United States. Indian international relations

Brazilian Authorities Suspend Sam Altman's World Rewards
The National Data Protection Authority (ANPD), Brazil’s data watchdog, has barred World, Sam Altman’s digital ID project, from offering rewards to users who enroll in its platform.
Brazilian Authorities Ban World Crypto Rewards Program
Sam Altman’s World, the proof-of-humanity biometric ID project, is embroiled in a battle against Brazilian authorities. The National Data Protection Authority (ANPD), Brazil’s data watchdog, has barred the

Binance CEO: 2025 Set for Bitcoin's All-Time High Amid US Regulatory Overhaul
Binance CEO Richard Teng predicts bitcoin’s all-time high in 2025, citing regulatory shifts under Trump’s leadership, strategic U.S. moves, and pro-crypto momentum.
Binance CEO Says Bitcoin Will Hit All-Time High in 2025, Backed by Trump’s Reforms
Binance CEO Richard Teng shared his optimism last week about bitcoin reaching a new all-time high in 2025, attributing his forecast to what he described as a shifting regula

Bitcoin Price Dips Below $100,000 in Dramatic Market Shift
In a notable financial shift, bitcoin’s valuation underwent a sharp descent, plummeting from a peak of $106,294 to a lower bound of $99,462. This decline signals a significant alteration in the digital currency’s recent path.
Bitcoin’s Sudden Plunge Sparks Market Mayhem
The market capitalization of bitcoin (BTC) currently hovers around $1.98 trillion, mirroring the unexpected fluctuations within the cryptocurrency markets during bull r

Nigeria Approves First Dedicated AI University in Africa
Nigeria is set to launch Africa’s first dedicated artificial intelligence (AI) university, Wini Institution, in Epe, Lagos. This ambitious project aims to equip young Nigerians with cutting-edge AI skills, fostering a thriving tech ecosystem and positioning Nigeria as a global leader in AI innovation. Inspired by a similar institution in Qatar, Wini University has received approval from the Nigerian government and plans to offer programs

‘Things Will Be Different Tomorrow’: Microstrategy's Saylor Teases Next Big Bitcoin Move
According to recent data, Michael Saylor’s Microstrategy holds an impressive 450,000 BTC, with the value of its holdings increasing by 68%. This equates to a $19.055 billion rise in the overall value of the company’s bitcoin reserves.
Michael Saylor’s Bitcoin Empire
Over the past six months, shares of the business intelligence firm Microstrategy (Nasdaq: MSTR) have appreciated by an extraordinary 152% when

Trump Inherits Biden’s Economic Time Bomb: Debt Crisis, Inflation, and Global Tensions Await
With Donald Trump stepping into the role of Commander in Chief on Monday, the newly established Republican administration faces an array of pressing challenges following the profound economic damage wrought under Joe Biden’s tenure.
Can Trump Salvage America’s Economic Future?
On her final day in office, Biden’s Treasury Secretary, Janet Yellen, delivered a dire admonition in a letter, pointing out tha

Bitcoin Technical Analysis: Is a Breakout Above $97K on the Horizon?
Bitcoin is trading at $96,156 with a market cap of $1.90 trillion, a 24-hour trade volume of $64 billion, and an intraday range of $89,164 to $97,328, reflecting mixed signals across technical indicators and timeframes.
Bitcoin
The daily chart shows bitcoin in a downtrend, with the price declining from a peak of $108,364 to a low of $89,164. Recent bullish attempts are weak, as evidenced by moderate buying volumes compared to

Intesa Sanpaolo: Italy’s Largest Bank Makes History With Bitcoin Settlement
Italy’s largest bank, Intesa Sanpaolo, has etched its name in financial history as the first Italian institution to venture into direct bitcoin settlement.
First Bitcoin Deal by Italy’s Largest Financial Institution
On Jan. 13, 2025, the bank executed a proprietary bitcoin transaction valued at one million euros, securing 11 bitcoin (BTC), as disclosed in an internal memo. This pivotal development follows the 2023 ince

Tether Relocating to El Salvador After Receiving Stablecoin Issuer License
Tether, the company behind USDT, has announced its imminent relocation to El Salvador after receiving a stablecoin issuer license. Paolo Ardoino, CEO of Tether, described this move as a natural progression that will allow the company to strengthen its focus on emerging markets.
Tether Moves to El Salvador to Focus on Emerging Markets
Tether, one of the largest companies in the crypto industry, has revealed it is in the f

$2.2M in Crypto Frozen by AG Letitia James, Securing Funds for Victims
A $2.2 million cryptocurrency scam targeting job seekers was halted as the NY Attorney General froze funds, uncovering fake fees and untraceable transfers.
AG James’ Bold Move Freezes $2.2M Crypto Loot From Fake Job Scammers
The Office of New York Attorney General Letitia James announced last week that James has filed a lawsuit to recover $2.2 million in cryptocurrency stolen through a sophisticated text message scam target

Crypto ATM Numbers Approach Record High: A Steady Recovery After Industry Shocks
After a turbulent 2023 followed by a recovery in 2024, the global count of crypto-automated teller machines (ATMs) is inching closer to its former high of 39,958, achieved on Dec. 1, 2022.
Crypto ATMs Prove Resilient in Post-Terra and FTX Era, Near Record Numbers
The trajectory of crypto ATMs saw dramatic shifts following the Terra stablecoin crisis and the FTX collapse in Nov. 2022. According to coinatmradar.com,

El Salvador Aims to Purchase DOJ’s Seized Bitcoin at a Discount
Nayib Bukele, the President of El Salvador, who has continued to push forward with bitcoin policies in his country, announced that he aims to profit from the potential DOJ sales of bitcoin seized as part of the Silk Road market takedown.
El Salvador Hints at Purchasing Silk Road-Seized Bitcoin, Presses Ahead With New BTC Acquisitions
Market participants, including nation-states like El Salvador, are awaiting the next steps the U.S

*Hello Treasure Island Crew! 🚢*

We hope you’re having a fantastic week! Thank you to everyone who joined us for Tuesday’s update call.

For those who missed it, here’s a quick recap of the key points we covered:

*📌 Key Updates:*

1️⃣ 2024 Goal Update:

Unfortunately, we didn’t hit our $1M target by the end of 2024.

2️⃣ Why We Missed the Goal:
The Crowdfund model isn’t performing as expected. Despite a lucrative compensation plan, we’ve seen limited new participants.
We’re working with 4

Santander: El Salvador's Bitcoin Adoption Fuels Tourism Boom
El Salvador’s tourism soared in 2024, with bitcoin adoption and safety reforms transforming the nation into a global powerhouse, driving unprecedented economic and tourism growth.
Bitcoin-Led Tourism Boom Positions El Salvador as a Global Model
Santander US Capital Markets LLC, a division of the global financial giant Banco Santander, published a report on Jan. 10 highlighting El Salvador’s remarkable tourism growth, which has been cl

Russia Begins Liquidating Seized Bitcoins From Bribery-Convicted Official
The Russian government has started selling part of the 1,032 bitcoins seized from former investigator Marat Tambiev, convicted of taking bribes.
Russian Authorities Seize Real Estate Belonging to Bribery-Convicted Official
The Russian government has reportedly begun selling a portion of over 1,032 bitcoins (BTC) seized from a former investigator, Marat Tambiev, who was convicted of taking bribes. The bitcoins were confisc

DOJ Indicts 3 Russians for Operating Crypto Mixers Linked to Cybercrime
Russian nationals face charges for allegedly using cryptocurrency mixers to launder proceeds from ransomware, wire fraud, and theft, obscuring illicit funds’ origins, the DOJ says.
Russian Nationals Face DOJ Charges for Laundering Cryptocurrency Theft Proceeds
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced on Jan. 10 the indictment of three Russian nationals for operating cryptocurrency mixers used in laundering criminal pr

US Senator Vows to Reverse Harm SEC's Gary Gensler Inflicted on Crypto
A U.S. senator vowed to undo SEC Chair Gary Gensler’s crypto policies, backing a nominee expected to champion innovation and create a friendlier regulatory environment.
US Lawmaker Pledges Swift Action to Undo Gensler’s Crypto Disruption
U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) voiced his support for Paul Atkins’ nomination to a prominent financial regulatory role in a statement on social media platform X on Jan. 7. Criticizing Secur