Bitcoin, Binance, Ethereum, Solana, and Ripple: This Week's Biggest Crypto News

Amid revolutionary announcements, technological advancements, and regulatory turbulence, the crypto ecosystem continues to prove that it is both a territory of limitless innovations and a battlefield of regulatory and economic struggles. Here is a summary of the most significant news from the past week regarding Bitcoin, Ethereum, Binance, Solana, and Ripple.

Bitcoin surpasses $109,000: A new historical record

On January 20, 2025, Bitcoin reached a historical peak of $109,036, marking a staggering rise of 6% in just a few minutes before falling and stabilizing around $104,000. This feat, though short-lived, coincided with Donald Trump’s inauguration for his second term. Trump’s visible support for Bitcoin and his many promises, such as his plan to create a national strategic reserve of BTC, have bolstered investor optimism. This new ATH illustrates the growing interest in Bitcoin, which transcends its role as a store of value to become an indicator of global economic and political trends, symbolizing a decisive step in the global adoption of Bitcoin and consolidating its status as an indispensable asset.

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Tensions at Ethereum: Departure of a key developer

The departure of Eric Conner, lead developer of Ethereum, marks a turning point for the project. Tired of vision divergences with Vitalik Buterin, he criticizes the centralized governance and the lack of power sharing within the Ethereum Foundation. This departure comes as Buterin reaffirms his total control until a new board is set up, raising doubts about Ethereum’s alignment with decentralization principles. Conner, a pivot of the project for over ten years, is now directing his efforts towards artificial intelligence, which he believes to be more promising. In the meantime, Ethereum faces crucial challenges: improving its governance and restoring community trust, divided between Buterin supporters and critics of a potential authoritarian drift. Conner’s departure could serve as a catalyst for a structural overhaul, but the path remains fraught with uncertainties.

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Trump grants presidential pardon to the founder of Silk Road

Donald Trump has pardoned Ross Ulbricht, the founder of the Silk Road site, after more than 11 years of incarceration. This underground marketplace on the dark web allowed the sale of drugs and weapons via Bitcoin before its closure by authorities in 2013. Sentenced to two life terms, Ulbricht was seen by his supporters as a victim of disproportionate sanctions, while others condemned his role in online crime. Trump’s decision, influenced by libertarian figures and members of the crypto community, underscores the controversy over the balance between individual freedoms and criminal justice. While some view Ulbricht as an unjustly punished pioneer, others believe this pardon could encourage illicit uses of crypto.

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XRP and Solana arrive on the CME

The Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) will launch futures contracts for XRP and Solana in February. These contracts will be available in standard and micro versions. Each standard contract will represent 500 SOL or 50,000 XRP, while the micro contracts will concern 25 SOL or 2,500 XRP, with cash settlements in dollars to ensure stability. The reelection of Donald Trump and a regulatory environment perceived as more favorable, particularly after Gary Gensler’s departure from the SEC, have heightened interest in these derivative products. These futures will allow investors to diversify their portfolios and speculate on future prices while attracting financial institutions. Players such as ProShares and WisdomTree have already anticipated this dynamic by submitting ETF applications focused on these assets, boosting optimism around XRP and Solana.

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Tornado Cash: Sanctions annulled by the American justice

A federal court in Texas has annulled the sanctions imposed by the OFAC (Office of Foreign Assets Control) against Tornado Cash, a crypto mixing protocol accused of facilitating money laundering. The court ruled that autonomous smart contracts cannot be considered as sanctionable entities or properties. These sanctions, in place since 2022, targeted Tornado Cash for its alleged role in laundering $455 million, particularly by North Korean hackers. This decision represents a major turning point for the regulation of decentralized technologies and redefines the legal approach towards privacy protocols. In the aftermath, the value of the TORN token surged by 120%. However, tensions persist: Alexey Pertsev, the protocol’s developer, remains imprisoned in the Netherlands. This victory marks a significant step for the future of cryptocurrencies, promising a regulatory framework more adapted to technological innovation.

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Here are the main points to remember for this week. But if you would like a more detailed recap and in-depth analyses directly in your inbox, feel free to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.