ETH Breaks Records as BTC Makes Heartbreaking Moves
ETH is processing blocks like there's no tomorrow while gas fees stay shockingly low, and the staking exit queue? Gone. Vanished. Zero. Validators are staying locked in.
Meanwhile, over in South Korea, if you're not KYC'd and registered with local authorities, you're getting kicked out of the Google Play Store courtesy of Google and government collaboration.
And just when we thought Bitcoin was immune to everything, Trump's tariff talk seems to have made the king of coins lose its digital gold shine, with gold taking the opportunity to hit its own shine.
So, is crypto losing its "digital gold" narrative, or are we just shaking out weak hands before the next pump? We’ll find out soon enough.
Here are the Highlights:
- Ethereum transactions hit record as staking exit queue drops to zero
- Crypto exchanges face ban in South Korea as Google Play updates rules
- Gold Hits Record High as Bitcoin Falls on Escalating US–EU Tariff Tensions
- South Korea Tightens Crypto Access as Google Play Blocks Unregistered Exchanges
Ethereum transactions hit record as staking exit queue drops to zero
Ethereum is processing more transactions than at any point in its history, with daily activity pushing to new records last week. The network processed a record 2,885,524 transactions on Friday, the highest daily count in its history. The surge caps a sharp pickup in on-chain activity this month, with transaction volumes pushing to new highs into early 2026. Activity has accelerated since mid-December, reversing a gradual slowdown that persisted through much of 2025. At the same time, average fees remain near recent lows, even with the pickup in usage.
Crypto exchanges face ban in South Korea as Google Play updates rules
Google is rolling out updated crypto app requirements in South Korea, a move that may significantly restrict access to offshore crypto exchanges by tying app availability to local regulatory clearance. According to South Korean media outlet News1, starting Jan. 28, crypto exchange and wallet apps listed on Google Play in South Korea must upload documentation proving that their Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) registration with the country's Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) has been accepted.
Gold Hits Record High as Bitcoin Falls on Escalating US–EU Tariff Tensions
Bitcoin (BTC) and gold moved in opposite directions as tensions over tariffs escalated between US President Donald Trump and the European Union. While the precious metal rallied to fresh record highs amid rising geopolitical uncertainty, the leading digital cryptocurrency slipped. This contrasting move mirrors past patterns observed in October and has reignited debate over what could come next for both assets. On January 17, 2026, President Trump announced a 10% tariff on Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Finland, effective February 1.
South Korea Tightens Crypto Access as Google Play Blocks Unregistered Exchanges
South Korea is tightening its grip on how crypto platforms reach users, using app stores as an enforcement lever as regulators sharpen the boundary between compliant digital finance and unregistered crypto activity. The country has advanced legislation establishing a legal framework for security token offerings, creating a regulated pathway for blockchain-based issuance and trading of tokenized securities. The National Assembly passed amendments to the Capital Markets Act and the Electronic Securities Act on Thursday, institutionalizing tokenized securities across debt, equity, and investment contract products.
Other Highlights Worth Mentioning
Binance Restores Real-Time Bank Transfers for Australian Users - Decrypt
Senate Banking Committee cancels crypto market structure markup - Coindesk
Victim Loses $282M in Bitcoin and Litecoin to Hardware Wallet Scam - Yahoo Finance
DOJ Charges Venezuelan National in $1 Billion Crypto Laundering Scheme - Be in Crypto
COINIGY FACT OF THE DAY
On this day in 2023, Coinbase Suspends Operations in Japan & FTX US Reports Unauthorized Transfers
On January 19, 2023, several major crypto industry developments made headlines: Coinbase announced it would halt certain operations in Japan, while FTX US disclosed that approximately $90 million in unauthorized transfers had occurred on its platform—underscoring ongoing regulatory and security challenges within the ecosystem.
COINIGY MEME OF THE WEEK
