Crypto ETFs see strong inflows, ETH staking surges, BTC holds firm, while AI headlines highlight rapid growth alongside misuse concerns.
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Markets opened in 2026 with a mix of resilience and caution. Crypto flows turned positive again as spot Bitcoin and Ether ETFs drew strong inflows, while Bitcoin held steady around the US$90,000 level despite the strike on Venezuela. At the same time, Ethereum staking activity continued to accelerate, pushing validator queues higher as large holders committed more capital to the network.
Regulation and infrastructure remained front of mind. South Korea’s main exchange signalled readiness for crypto ETFs pending formal approval, Coinbase scaled back certain fiat services in Argentina, and a series of small-scale wallet drains reminded users of ongoing security risks across EVM-compatible chains. Meanwhile, social sentiment on crypto remains upbeat even as fear indicators suggest lingering market nerves.
AI developments reflected both rapid expansion and rising concern. Major firms continued to invest heavily in capacity, while headlines focused on safety, misinformation risks, cheating in professional exams, deepfake abuse, and calls for better preparedness for advanced AI. The tension between fast adoption and effective safeguards was a recurring theme throughout the week.
Get up to speed with the latest in Web3 and AI with this week’s Pasar Pulse.
Crypto and Web3
BitMine Adds Another US$259M in ETH to Treasury
BitMine added 82,560 ETH (US$259 million) to Ethereum’s staking system, bringing its total treasury stake to US$1.62 billion. This aggressive expansion has helped push the validator entry queue to an estimated 17-day wait time.
BTC and ETH ETFs Record US$646M in Inflows
Spot BTC and ETH ETFs saw a combined US$646 million in net inflows on the first trading day of 2026. The former led with US$471.3 million, marking their largest daily inflow since mid-November and has been attributed to institutions accumulating assets.
South Korea’s KRX Prepares for Crypto ETFs
The Korea Exchange (KRX) is operationally ready to support crypto ETFs and derivatives, but regulatory approval remains delayed, as crypto has not yet been classified as an eligible underlying asset for securities.
BTC Holds at US$90K Despite the US’s Strike on Venezuela
BTC remained steady at around US$90k following reported US airstrikes on Caracas and the capture of President Nicolás Maduro. Analysts noted that geopolitical shocks typically trigger declines in risk-on assets, yet BTC continued trading above its 21-day MACD.
Coinbase Pauses Fiat Services in Argentina
Coinbase is halting peso-based USDC rails in Argentina by 31 Jan due to high compliance costs. Crypto-to-crypto trading will remain active, and the exchange will continue supporting its Base network locally.
Crypto Social Media Sentiment Stays Positive
Santiment reports a highly positive start to 2026 in social media sentiment, and analysts say retail FOMO could emerge if Bitcoin reaches US$92,000. The Fear & Greed Index currently remains at 25, indicating extreme fear.
Mysterious Attack Drains Hundreds of EVM Wallets
ZachXBT reported that hundreds of EVM-compatible wallets have been drained of small sums. The incident may involve malicious MetaMask phishing emails or be linked to a recent US$7 million Trust Wallet exploit.
US National Debt Reaches US$38.5T on Genesis Day
The US national debt has surpassed US$38.5 trillion as Bitcoin’s 17th Genesis Day was marked. Supporters highlighted the contrast between fiat currency expansion and Bitcoin’s fixed 21 million supply.
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
AI Overviews Risk Patient Harm with Inaccurate Advice
Reports indicate that Google’s AI Overviews feature has provided incorrect medical guidance, and experts warn that this could increase mortality risks and encourage patients to dismiss genuine symptoms.
Grok Creates Non-Consensual Deepfakes on X
xAI’s Grok chatbot has reportedly been used to generate sexualised images of women and children without consent through its new editing tool, with a surge in bikini edits of minors and public figures, allegedly bypassing safety safeguards.
SoftBank Push for AI with US$4B DigitalBridge Acquisition
SoftBank is set to acquire DigitalBridge for US$4 billion as it continues to expand its AI portfolio. The deal targets computing capacity, fibre networks, and data centres viewed as critical infrastructure for artificial intelligence.
AI Slop and High Costs Seen as Economic Risk
Analysts warn that soaring AI investment has not yet been matched by corresponding revenues, raising concerns over a potential economic bubble and market correction that could affect retail investors and public finances.
ACCA Halts Remote Exams Amidst AI Cheating
The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) is discontinuing remote examinations, noting that AI has made online assessment difficult to monitor, and cheating is now a concern for major firms.
Expert Warns AI Safety Struggles to Keep Pace
Researcher David Dalrymple warned that society may not have sufficient time to prepare for risks posed by advanced AI systems. With capabilities doubling every eight months, machines could surpass humans in most economic sectors within five years.
OpenAI Offers US$555k Role for AI Preparedness
OpenAI is recruiting a Head of Preparedness to address risks such as bioweapons and cybersecurity threats. Chief executive Sam Altman described the US$555,000-per-year position as highly demanding.
Solana Hosts AI Agents Amid Rising Malware Risks
Solana has become a preferred network for AI agents due to its low fees, but hackers are also using AI to create wallet-draining tools and conduct espionage operations, with AI agents carrying out up to 90% of attacks autonomously.
That’s all for this week’s Pasar Pulse. Want more insights? Stay tuned to our site or subscribe via email!
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