Dear PointPay Family,

A fresh roundup of this week's most important and interesting news is waiting for you! Dive into the top 5 key events and stay in sync with the crypto world.

US-Iran agreement boosts global markets while crypto remains cautious

Global financial markets moved higher after the United States and Iran reached a peace agreement, paving the way for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and easing concerns over energy supply disruptions. The improved geopolitical outlook pushed equities higher and weighed on oil prices, reflecting renewed investor confidence across traditional markets.

Cryptocurrencies, however, reacted more cautiously. While bitcoin and other major digital assets posted modest gains, traders appeared hesitant to fully embrace the rally amid uncertainty over the long-term stability of the agreement. At the same time, decentralized AI-related tokens attracted strong demand after concerns about centralized model restrictions fueled interest in censorship-resistant alternatives.

EU moves closer to removing USDT from regulated crypto markets

The European Union is expected to intensify restrictions on Tether's USDT as regulators continue enforcing the Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) framework. Reports suggest that products linked to USDT worth roughly $17.5 billion could be removed from supported exchange offerings by July, reflecting the growing pressure on issuers that have not aligned with the new regulatory standards.

Tether has declined to comply with several MiCA requirements, particularly those related to reserve management and regulatory oversight. As a result, major exchanges including Binance, OKX, Crypto.com, and Kraken have already begun phasing out USDT-related services within the region. Under MiCA, stablecoin issuers must secure an electronic money license from an EU member state, a requirement that USDT currently does not meet.

Hyperliquid handles $1.4 billion in SpaceX trading as rivals pull products

Hyperliquid emerged as one of the biggest beneficiaries of the highly anticipated SpaceX IPO, processing $1.4 billion in trading volume through its SPCX perpetual contracts while several major exchanges suspended competing products. Binance, Bybit, and Bitget halted their tokenized SpaceX offerings after facing difficulties linked to share allocation and settlement requirements.

Unlike tokenized stock products that depend on access to underlying shares, Hyperliquid's synthetic perpetual contracts track price movements without requiring direct ownership of the stock. This structure allowed the platform to avoid allocation shortages and lockup restrictions that affected competitors. The strong demand helped drive significant trading activity across the HIP-3 ecosystem and contributed to a sharp rise in Hyperliquid's native HYPE token.

Binance faces potential setback as EU license approval hangs in the balance

Binance could soon lose its ability to legally serve customers across the European Union after reports indicated that its MiCA license application may be rejected. The exchange reportedly sought approval through Greece's financial regulator, but sources suggest the application is unlikely to receive the green light ahead of the EU's regulatory deadline.

The decision would represent a major challenge for the world's largest crypto exchange as MiCA rules require firms to secure authorization from a member state to operate throughout the bloc. If the application is denied, Binance's future presence in the EU could become uncertain, raising questions about how the platform will continue serving its European customer base.

Major US banks prepare blockchain-based deposit network

Several of America's largest financial institutions are reportedly working together to launch a tokenized deposit network by 2027, marking a significant step toward integrating traditional banking infrastructure with blockchain technology. The initiative is said to involve JPMorgan, Citi, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and other banking giants through The Clearing House payment network.

Unlike stablecoins issued by private companies, tokenized deposits represent actual bank deposits transferred on blockchain rails while remaining within the regulated banking system. Supporters believe the model could offer round-the-clock settlement, enhanced programmability, and regulatory compliance, positioning banks to compete more directly with the growing influence of stablecoins in global payments.


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