Dubai Roundtable Focuses on Post-Quantum Crypto and RWA Adoption

BNB Chain has introduced the ERC-8004 standard, establishing on-chain digital identities for AI agents. This development addresses the limitation of AI tools that previously operated in isolation without persistent memory or identity. **Key features of ERC-8004:** - Persistent on-chain "passports" that maintain AI agent identity across sessions - Portable reputation and interaction history that follows agents throughout the ecosystem - Utilizes BNB Chain's low transaction fees to support high-frequency automated interactions The standard enables AI agents to build verifiable reputation through on-chain validations and community feedback. All agent performance data remains transparent and discoverable across the network, eliminating the need for centralized platforms to verify trustworthiness. This infrastructure creates the foundation for an autonomous agent economy where AI can operate independently with established identity and reputation. Users can explore and interact with AI agents through [8004scan.io](http://8004scan.io).

**Severe winter storms in the U.S. caused Bitcoin's hashrate to plummet 40-60%** as industrial miners powered down operations to help stabilize the energy grid during peak demand. **Key developments:** - Over 182,000 traders faced forced liquidations, erasing $1.08 billion in 24 hours - Kevin Warsh's nomination as Fed Chair strengthened the USD and pressured digital assets lower - Bitcoin dropped to $75,000 before recovering to high-70k range - ETH fell below $2,900 support level - Fear & Greed Index hit 24 (Extreme Fear), matching FTX collapse levels **Market context:** - U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded $1.72B in net outflows over 5 days - Institutional capital rotating to gold, which reached record highs above $5,000 - Total crypto market cap declined roughly 67% by late January The combination of infrastructure stress, macro headwinds, and energy grid constraints created a perfect storm for crypto markets. Despite extreme fear readings, historical patterns suggest such conditions often precede strong rebounds.

**Regulatory developments moved on two fronts this week:** - The SEC released guidance on January 28 establishing a framework for recording financial instruments on-chain, marking a significant step for tokenized securities - OFAC designated Iranian-linked crypto exchanges for the first time, expanding sanctions enforcement into digital assets - Asian money laundering networks were identified as responsible for 20% of illicit crypto activity These actions represent a dual approach: creating pathways for legitimate tokenized finance while simultaneously targeting illicit actors in the crypto ecosystem.

**Bitcoin faces sustained bearish pressure** as institutional capital shifts away from crypto: - **$1.72B ETF outflows** over 5 days signal major institutional retreat - **Gold surges past $5,000** record high as geopolitical tensions drive safe-haven rotation - **$86k-$87k support level** holding firm despite risk-off sentiment This follows earlier warning signs including $395M ETF outflows on Jan 16 and $800M in liquidations. Bitcoin remains range-bound between $91k-$102k for 75+ days, with strong correlation to S&P 500 while weakening against gold. *Market watching closely whether BTC can maintain its digital gold narrative or continues behaving as a risk asset.*