Ripple Expands Singapore Payment License for Full Service Operations

**Strategy's Latest Bitcoin Purchase** Strategy acquired **2,932 Bitcoin** for $264.1 million at an average price of $90,061 per coin on January 26, 2026. **Recent Buying Pattern** - This follows a larger purchase just days earlier on January 22, when Strategy bought 22,305 Bitcoin for $2.13 billion - The company continues its aggressive Bitcoin accumulation strategy - Average purchase price shows Bitcoin trading around the $90,000 level **Market Context** The purchases come amid broader institutional interest in Bitcoin, with notable figures like Robert Kiyosaki recently announcing a complete exit from silver to rotate into Bitcoin during February-March 2025. Strategy's consistent buying activity demonstrates ongoing institutional confidence in Bitcoin as a treasury asset, despite price volatility in the $90,000 range.

Thailand's TFEX exchange has **suspended silver futures trading** after prices reached an unprecedented **$110 per ounce**, following silver's breakthrough of the $100 milestone. **Key developments:** - Silver hit all-time high of $100/oz before surging to $110 - Thai futures exchange halted trading in response to extreme volatility - Represents significant market disruption in precious metals trading The suspension marks a rare intervention by the exchange as silver prices continue their historic rally, raising questions about market stability and trading resumption timelines.

**ARK Invest has made its first crypto-related trades of 2026**, purchasing shares in three companies: - **Coinbase ($COIN)** - the leading U.S. cryptocurrency exchange - **Circle ($CRCL)** - stablecoin issuer behind USDC - **Block ($BLSH)** - formerly Square, Jack Dorsey's payments company This marks ARK's return to crypto equity investments after previously buying $31M in Block stock in October 2025. The move signals continued institutional interest in crypto infrastructure companies despite market volatility. *The specific dollar amounts of these purchases have not yet been disclosed.*

China's Commerce Ministry is pushing to replace the current unpredictable U.S.-China tariff system with a more stable trade framework. **Key Context:** - This follows Trump's recent delay of February 1 tariffs amid Greenland negotiations - The U.S. dollar's share of global reserves has fallen to century lows - Gold recently surpassed the dollar as the world's largest reserve asset - Goldman Sachs raised its 2026 gold forecast to $5,400 **Broader Trade Tensions:** - Canada ruled out a free trade deal with China - Trump threatened retaliation if Europe sells U.S. assets - Europe holds $10T in U.S. Treasuries and equities China and the U.S. previously reached consensus on trade issues in October 2025, covering tariffs and export controls.

The US Air Force is initiating a multi-day readiness exercise in the Middle East, demonstrating combat airpower deployment capabilities. This exercise follows the recent arrival of a US aircraft carrier strike group in the region near Iran. **Key developments:** - Multi-day military exercise showcasing combat airpower - Comes after carrier strike group deployment to Middle East - Part of ongoing US military presence adjustments in the region - Follows October shift of additional fighter jets and support aircraft The exercise represents a continuation of increased US military activity in the Middle East, with forces being repositioned and readiness operations conducted amid regional tensions.