Ouro Medicines raised $120M in Series A Funding. Ouro Medicines is dedicated to developing immune reset therapeutics for people living with chronic immune-mediated diseases.

Numab Therapeutics AG secured $54.5M in Series C Funding. Numab is developing multi-specific antibody-based immunotherapies to treat inflammation and cancer related illnesses.

nsave acquired $18M in Series A Funding. nsave provides trusted accounts to people in countries with high inflation and stringent banking regulations. The nsave team has worked for Morgan Stanley, Revolut, BNY Melon, Robinhood, and Microsoft.

Windward Bio secured $200M in Series A Funding. Windward Bio is a clinical-stage, drug development company committed to improving outcomes for people living with advanced immunological diseases with an initial focus on severe respiratory conditions.

Nephron Pharmaceuticals obtained $350M in Debt Financing Funding. Nephron Pharmaceuticals provides patients reliable access to affordable, high-quality medications through their innovative approach to sterile manufacturing.

DDN raised $300M in Private Equity Funding. DDN is the leading data intelligence platform in the world that reliably accelerates massive data sets across AI and HPC workloads. 

Compass Pathways acquired $150M in Post-IPO Equity Funding. Compass Pathways is a biotechnology company dedicated to accelerating patient access to evidence-based innovation in mental health.

Innovaccer secured $275M in Series F Funding. Innovaccer works with healthcare organizations to supercharge their existing software with true intelligence.

Oxford Cancer Analytics raised $11M in Series A Funding. Oxford Cancer Analytics Ltd (OXcan) is on a mission to enable curative cancer treatments through early detection. Its machine learning platform enables minimally invasive and inexpensive cancer screening in high risk populations through analyzing cancer materials shed into the blood.

Grand Games obtained $30M in Series A Funding. Based in Istanbul, Grand Games is dedicated to shaping the future of gaming by creating genre defining games played by millions worldwide.

Bitcoin (BTC) experienced a turbulent end to the week, with its price initially dipping to around $91,000, followed by a sharp rise to $96,000 before stabilizing closer to the middle of that range. Meanwhile, altcoins continue to face challenges, with SOL, ADA, and AVAX all posting declines of around 4% on the day.

Maintaining Momentum
It was an eventful week for Bitcoin, marked by significant price fluctuations. The week began on a high note, as the recent MicroStrategy purchase propelled the flagship cryptocurrency above $100,000 for the first time this year, and it even surpassed $102,000 by Tuesday morning.

However, the momentum shifted, and BTC saw a steep drop later that day. By Wednesday, the price had fallen to $96,000, followed by a further decline on Thursday to $91,200, marking its lowest point in over a month.

At this juncture, the bulls stepped in and began pushing the price back up. Although volatility remained high with several ups and downs, BTC ultimately regained some ground, reaching $96,000 again. However, it struggled to maintain this level and has since dropped slightly, now trading at around $94,000.

Altcoins Struggle
The total market cap for Bitcoin has risen to just below $1.87 trillion according to CoinGecko, with its dominance over altcoins climbing to 54.5%. Altcoins are also facing downward pressure. Ethereum dropped below $3,200 on Thursday, and despite a brief recovery, it is now hovering near that level again after a 2.3% daily loss. XRP is one of the few altcoins showing small gains today.

However, the majority of altcoins are struggling, with SOL, ADA, SUI, AVAX, and LINK all experiencing losses of up to 4%. SOL has fallen below $190, and ADA is now priced just above $0.90. Additional losses are seen in OM, ICP, and RNDR among the larger-cap altcoins.

The overall cryptocurrency market cap has also weakened, dropping to $3.43 trillion on CoinGecko.

Other Markets

The first trading day of 2025 at the NYSE and NASDAQ saw the U.S. stock market facing several challenges as earnings season began. Gary Gensler warned against weakening safeguards for retail traders, while Chinese stocks struggled with their worst start to the year since 2016. Growing concerns over Payment-in-Kind debt attracted additional regulatory scrutiny.

Elsewhere, Mali will receive $1.2 billion through miners, while Enbridge plans a pipeline expansion amid a drilling boom. Gazprom continues oil operations in Serbia, and Denmark has a new thriving shipping terminal.

Dogecoin (DOGE) recently attempted a price recovery but hit a major obstacle, struggling to break above the 4-hour Simple Moving Average (SMA), which has acted as a strong resistance.

Despite initial signs of a rebound, DOGE failed to surpass this level, pointing to fragile bullish momentum and increasing bearish pressure, making the meme coin vulnerable.

Price Action And RSI Analysis

A move above the 4-hour SMA could signal a shift toward positive sentiment and higher resistance levels. However, continued rejection may intensify selling, pushing DOGE toward lower support.

The price movement for DOGE shows difficulty breaking through the 4-hour SMA, suggesting weakening upward momentum. The RSI remains below 50%, confirming bearish pressure. As long as the RSI stays under 50%, downward momentum may continue.

Support And Resistance Levels

DOGE is testing the $0.3066 support level. A drop below this could push the price toward $0.2677. On the upside, breaking the 4-hour SMA could lead to resistance at $0.3563, with further gains targeting the $0.40 zone.

As of the time of this writing, DOGE is trading around $0.34, according to CoinGecko.

The Trump administration is set to create the first-ever Senate crypto subcommittee, led by pro-crypto Senator Cynthia Lummis. The U.S. Senate Banking Committee, chaired by Senator Tim Scott, will establish this subcommittee, modeled after the House Financial Services Committee.

A Sensible Choice

Lummis, known for her support of cryptocurrency, is expected to chair, with members chosen soon. This move is a significant step in shaping U.S. crypto regulation, as the subcommittee aims to create clear regulations focusing on consumer protection and innovation.

Often praised for her expertise, Lummis is seen as the right leader for the job. Many crypto companies are backing the incoming administration, with firms like Circle and Ripple contributing millions to Trump and his new administration which also consists of notable names like Elon Musk.

Supporting Trump

Lummis has advocated for several pro-crypto policies, including the establishment of a strategic Bitcoin (BTC) reserve. Her support is critical to Trump and what he aspires to accomplish during his second term in office.

With key appointments, including David Sacks as White House Crypto Czar, and potential changes at the U.S. SEC, the creation of the Senate subcommittee signals a promising future for the U.S. crypto landscape in 2025.

Cardano (ADA) and FC Barcelona have officially teamed up. This collaboration has been gaining considerable attention, particularly as ADA, which had been facing a decline, began to show signs of recovery in its value.

Transforming Fan Engagement

The main objective of the partnership is to transform fan engagement by offering fresh and innovative opportunities for Barcelona fans. Through this alliance, the club aims to utilize blockchain technology not only to educate its supporters but also to offer tangible rewards.

These rewards will reportedly include both non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and ADA tokens, providing young fans with various career opportunities while simultaneously enhancing their connection to the club.

Mutual Benefit

Frederik Gregaard highlighted the community-driven ethos shared by both the club and Cardano, with Barcelona boasting over 150,000 members and more than 1,200 fan clubs around the world. A crucial aspect of the agreement is the creation of Barça Vision, a platform designed to improve fan engagement by merging Web3 and AI technologies.

Additionally, the establishment of BarçaVerse will reportedly bring together supporters all over the world, regardless of location, through a digital format. The core principles behind this metaverse will be upheld by both FC Barcelona and Cardano.

The Machines Arena is officially set to launch on Steam on January 14th, with plans to launch on the PS5 later on in 2025.

Gameplay Rewards

The Machines Arena is a top-down hero shooter where players clash in adrenaline-fueled combat. By playing the Ethereum-powered game, users can be rewarded with digital collectibles in both PvP and PvE modes.

Due to platform restrictions, the game will not feature blockchain elements on either Steam or PS5. Through the Epic Games Store and on Android, however, players will be able to earn TMA tokens and trade NFT skins on Ronin, features that will not be available in the Steam version.

Sony Remains Hesitant

David Gracia of Directive Games highlighted the aim of broadening the player base while adhering to platform policies. Ongoing discussions with Sony are exploring the possibility of incorporating blockchain features into the PS5 version, although the inclusion of these elements remains uncertain as of this time.

Tether (USDT) is considering implementing AI-based strategies and technologies into its infrastructure, with a key focus on filmmaking.

AI And Filmmaking

CEO Paolo Ardoino noted that AI roles, particularly in filmmaking, align with what the company wants to achieve in terms of innovation and efficiency. The firm has also ventured into commodity lending and invested $775 million in the video platform Rumble. 

Additionally, Tether is building an AI-driven filmmaking platform and has added 30 specialists in recent months. It plans to hire more, targeting filmmakers in regions like Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America, with plans to increase its workforce to 200 by mid-2025.

A Mixed Bag

Tether is a dominant force in the stablecoin market, with its USDT stablecoin accounting for 67% of the market and $138 billion in circulation. This expansion comes after Tether acquired a stake in the AI and cloud computing firm Northern Data.

Despite its success, Tether has faced many controversies, including links to criminal activities and regulatory scrutiny in Europe. The company previously cooperated with authorities to freeze tokens involved in illegal activities.

The Crypto Fear and Greed Index, which tracks Bitcoin (BTC) as well as broader crypto market sentiment, dropped 19 points in a day to 50, its lowest since October 14th, 2024. This shift brings the index into the Neutral zone after months in the Extreme Greed and Greed zones.

Key Factors

Bitcoin fell below $92,000 on January 9th, influenced by reports that the U.S. Department of Justice could sell $6.5 billion worth of Bitcoin seized via the Silk Road darknet marketplace, although no Bitcoin has been sold yet.

Analysts also point to expectations that the U.S. Federal Reserve may tighten monetary policy in 2025, which could further affect the crypto market. As of this writing, BTC is trading at just above $94.1K.

Further Retracement Possible

Rising treasury yields and a stronger U.S. dollar have also kept Bitcoin below $100,000 in recent weeks. Additionally, U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs saw nearly $570 million in outflows on January 8th, suggesting further retracement for Bitcoin.

The Fear and Greed Index is based on market volatility (25%), trading volume (25%), social media sentiment (15%), the dominance of BTC (10%), and other trends (10%). It reached a 2024 high of 94 on November 22nd, boosted by optimism around Donald Trump fueling speculation about a U.S. Bitcoin reserve.

Russian bailiffs have begun transferring over 1 billion rubles worth of Bitcoin (BTC) via former Investigative Committee official Marat Tambiev into state revenue. Tambiev, convicted for accepting a record-breaking bribe, had over 1,000 BTC seized during an investigation into his ties with a hacker group.

Interestingly, a similar development occurred when the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) also recently received approval to sell 69,370 BTC seized via the Silk Road darknet marketplace, leading many investors to believe a potential market crash could happen soon.

Over 1.3K BTC Seized

In 2023, the Nikulinsky Court ordered the confiscation of 1,032.1 BTC, deemed to have been obtained through illicit means. The Bitcoin is now being converted into rubles, with the first phase of the process underway.

The investigation revealed that Tambiev used his position to manipulate police investigations and assist hackers in hiding illegal funds. Despite his conviction, Tambiev denied all charges during the trial and refused to cooperate with authorities, even defending his associate, Lyakhovenko, as a child and a victim.

Challenges In Liquidating Assets

The process has faced several challenges, as Tambiev divided the Bitcoin into smaller amounts, requiring multiple court petitions to access and sell it. It is common practice for BTC holders to sell their assets in this way.

His other assets, including real estate and a motorcycle, are also under review for liquidation. Despite these hurdles, the government is focused on recovering the stolen assets and channeling them into state revenue.

Coinbase secured a crucial victory against the U.S. SEC after gaining approval to appeal key legal questions to a higher court. Previously, Coinbase filed a motion against the SEC wherein the exchange compelled the regulator to provide access to private emails linked to Gary Gensler.

On January 7th, District Judge Katherine Polk Failla paused the case, allowing Coinbase to seek clarification by an appellate court on whether certain digital assets on its platform qualify as securities and if these transactions require an investment contract under the Howey test.

A Transitional Period

Coinbase argues that tokens listed on its exchange do not meet the legal definition of securities. Judge Failla acknowledged that this issue could be interpreted differently and that resolving it could streamline the case. Coinbase Chief Legal Officer, Paul Grewal, noted that the case will now move to the Second Circuit. The pause halts further litigation at the district court level until the appeal concludes.

This ruling comes during a transitional period for U.S. crypto regulations. With President-elect Donald Trump set to make some major changes soon, there could be a shift in policy. Under SEC chair Gary Gensler, the agency took a tough stance on crypto platforms like Coinbase, but Paul Atkins, who may lead the SEC under Trump, might deprioritize enforcement actions initiated by Gensler.

Mounting Criticisms

The SEC sued Coinbase in 2023, alleging that at least 13 tokens traded on the platform should have been registered as securities. Some claims were dismissed in 2024, including those related to Coinbase Wallet. Coinbase has criticized the SEC for approving its public listing while later questioning the legality of its operations.

Beyond the courtroom, Coinbase achieved another win by securing a license which enabled it to offer new products to New York residents. The company also raised concerns about federal efforts to restrict banks when it comes to working with crypto businesses, accusing regulators of unfairly targeting the industry.

A 24-year-old law student living in Hengelo, Netherlands, has been arrested for running crypto scams that defrauded around 300 people of over $4.5 million. The arrest followed new evidence provided by a victim advocacy foundation.

Another Ponzi Scheme

The student, who had been hiding since his scheme collapsed last year, initially sought police protection after being harassed by investors. Authorities relocated him to a secure location, but investigators later found that he continued attracting new investors even as his scheme neared failure.

Victims claim he ran a Ponzi scheme, requiring a minimum &euro5,000 investment and taking 50% of the profits. Legal experts are concerned about the scale of the alleged fraud, which is currently under investigation.

Crypto Scams Surge

Crypto-related fraudulent activities hit alarming levels in 2024, with losses totaling $2.3 billion, up 40% compared to 2023. Scammers have taken advantage of the influx of new investors driven by the ongoing bull market.

Recent scams include fraudulent tokens linked to the Squid Game Netflix series, phishing attacks on Ledger users, and hacked social media accounts promoting fake tokens. AI-driven scams are also rising, as seen in Hong Kong, where a deepfake crypto romance scam led to 27 arrests and $46 million in losses.

Bitdeer Technologies, a prominent Nasdaq-listed cryptocurrency mining company, released its latest unaudited mining and operational update on January 9th, providing key insights into its performance and financial activities for December 2024.

A Modest Decline

According to the update, Bitdeer successfully mined a total of 145 BTC during December. This marks a slight reduction compared to the 150 BTC mined in November 2024, highlighting a small decline in mining output.

While the decrease is relatively modest, it reflects the ongoing volatility and various challenges faced by crypto mining companies in terms of network difficulty, energy costs, and other operational factors. Many countries are also actively rethinking their crypto mining strategies due to environmental concerns.

Continued Expansion

In addition to the mining update, Bitdeer also made a significant financial announcement regarding its debt obligations. The company confirmed that it has fully repaid the outstanding principal balance of $10 million in senior secured notes.

These notes were originally issued as part of Bitdeer acquiring two companies, namely TROLL HOUSING AS and TYDAL DATA CENTER AS. This move to clear the outstanding debt could be seen as part of a broader strategy by Bitdeer to strengthen its financial position and focus on expanding its mining operations going forward.