The chair of the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has launched a "Future-Proof" initiative to adapt regulation for digital asset markets, according to Cointelegraph. The initiative is intended to update the agency’s regulatory approach to evolving cryptocurrency and digital asset markets and to provide clearer oversight for market participants, the report said.

Portugal's gambling regulator SRIJ ordered crypto prediction platform Polymarket to cease operations in the country within 48 hours, ruling its activity illegal and warning that internet service providers will block access if the platform fails to comply, local media reported on Jan. 20. The authority said Polymarket lacks authorization to offer online gambling in Portugal and noted that national law prohibits betting on domestic or international political events. During the 2026 Portuguese presidential election, Polymarket markets saw unusual trading activity, with more than €4 million flowing in just hours before the official result was announced, prompting questions about possible early leaks of exit poll data. Data show cumulative volume on the main Portuguese presidential election prediction market reached $120 million, while the regulator added it only supervises licensed platforms and cannot ensure users will recover funds once access is blocked.

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell will attend U.S. Supreme Court arguments in a case concerning former President Donald Trump’s attempt to remove Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook, Cointelegraph reported. The case involves a challenge related to the dismissal of a sitting member of the Federal Reserve Board of Governors, according to the outlet.

Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong said on January 18 that the White House asked Coinbase to pursue a bank yield agreement, disputing reports of White House anger, BlockBeats reports. Reporter Eleanor Terrett said her reporting is accurate and that support for the CLARITY Act may depend on the deal's outcome.

Stablecoins are gaining ground in cross-border payments, targeting the roughly $900 billion global remittance market, BlockBeats reports. World Bank data show average remittance fees remain above 6%, and industry participants say blockchain-based stablecoins can cut costs and time versus providers such as Western Union. In July, U.S. President Trump signed the GENIUS Act to establish a federal framework for stablecoins, prompting firms including Western Union and PayPal to explore related products. Analysts noted incumbents have compliance scale while crypto-native firms like Coinbase and Kraken are more agile; if regulatory details progress, penetration in remittances could increase this year, market participants said.