U.S. and Venezuela Face-off Triggers Bitcoin Bulls 🚀
What's up homies 🖖
We're kicking off 2026 with absolute green candles and bullish vibes… Happy New Year, fam 🎁
Now, who said geopolitical chaos is bad for crypto? Bitcoin just took the elevator, dragging the entire market cap to a whopping $3.2 trillion, with Ether, Solana, and the rest of the gang joining the party with gains across the board.
In other news, Iran is showing everyone that sanctions make you creative, as they go for a full crypto for weapons. In other news, Bitcoin ATMs are getting the side-eye from regulators after a $330M scam epidemic.
Here are the Highlights:
- Bitcoin tops $91,000 with ether, dogecoin higher amid U.S. action on Venezuela
- Iran Now Accepts Crypto Payments for Weapons Exports
- Bitcoin ATMs Face Regulatory Reckoning After $330 Million in US Scam Losses
- Coinbase pauses local fiat rails in Argentina less than a year after its arrival
Bitcoin Tops $91,000 With Ether, Dogecoin Higher Amid U.S. Action on Venezuela
Bitcoin climbed above $91,000 on Sunday as traders extended the early 2026 rebound across major tokens, with ether, solana and cardano posting broad gains as geopolitical headlines out of Venezuela added to risk appetite. Bitcoin traded around $91,300 in Asian morning hours, up about 1.4% on the day and more than 4% over seven days. Ether rose roughly 1% to near $3,150 and is up about 7% on the week, while solana gained about 1.6% and has climbed more than 8% over seven days. XRP hovered just above $2, rising about 0.6% on the day and nearly 10% over the week, while cardano was modestly higher on the day and up about 8% in seven days.
Iran Now Accepts Crypto Payments for Weapons Exports
Iran is now letting foreign buyers pay for advanced weapons using cryptocurrency, alongside barter and local currency. Officials from the Ministry of Defence Export Center, known as Mindex, confirmed that digital assets are being accepted as payment for overseas arms sales. Years of sanctions and isolation from global banking systems appear to have pushed Iran toward these alternatives to keep military exports moving. Mindex has updated its terms to officially include digital currency as a settlement option. The list also allows barter deals and payments in Iranian rials, giving buyers more flexibility in how they pay.
Bitcoin ATMs Face Regulatory Reckoning After $330 Million in US Scam Losses
The US network of Bitcoin ATMs is facing an existential regulatory reckoning as federal data identifies the machines as a primary conduit for financial fraud. Americans reportedly lost more than $333 million in 2025 through scams routed via cryptocurrency kiosks. According to reports, the FBI recorded over 12,000 complaints linked to the machines between January and November 2025. FinCEN’s data points to a worsening trend, with reports of Bitcoin ATM-related fraud nearly doubling from a year earlier. As a result, regulators are now reframing the nation’s footprint of roughly 31,000 kiosks, often located in gas stations and convenience stores.
Coinbase Pauses Local Fiat Rails in Argentina Less Than a Year After its Arrival
Bitcoin has climbed back above $91,000 to the surprise of many who expected a deeper pullback following the US military intervention in Venezuela and Trump’s Saturday address on the situation. The leading crypto asset is trading at $91,346, per CoinGecko, after bouncing back to $90,000 on Friday and holding steady through Saturday despite geopolitical volatility. It is now at its highest level since December 12. Altcoins joined the rally, with Ethereum, XRP, BNB, and Solana all posting gains. In the last 24 hours, the total crypto market cap rose 1% to $3.2 trillion. MYX Finance, TRON, and Dogecoin were standout performers during this stretch.
Other Highlights Worth Mentioning
BitMine Doubles Down on Ethereum Staking With Additional $260 Million Staked - Be In Crypto
XRP breaks $2.12 as shrinking exchange supply lead to price squeeze higher - Coindesk
US national debt crosses $38.5T, as Bitcoiners celebrate ‘Genesis Day’ - Cointelegraph
Controversial trader exploits a New Year glitch on Binance to make $1.5 million in under 24 hours - Cryptoslate
COINIGY FACT OF THE DAY
On this day in 2024, multiple sources reported the possibility of early approval notifications from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for spot Bitcoin ETF applications
January 5th, 2004, marked a pivotal moment in the days leading up to this historic approval, with SEC officials having held multiple meetings with major ETF filers including BlackRock and Grayscale. This period represented the final stretch before traditional finance would gain regulated access to direct Bitcoin exposure, a development that would eventually lead to over $36 billion in net inflows during the ETFs' first year of trading
COINIGY MEME OF THE WEEK
