The Czech National Bank added cryptocurrencies to its official reserves in late 2025, becoming the first central bank to do so. The move is being watched as a potential precedent for reserve diversification and broader institutional acceptance.
An open letter from over 60 economists published on Jan. 12, 2026 urges EU lawmakers to implement an effective digital euro, warning that failure to act could cede control of Europe’s money to foreign or private payment systems. The signatories say a well‑designed CBDC is needed to preserve monetary sovereignty and the transmission of policy.
U.S. federal debt reached $38.5 trillion on Jan. 3, 2026, a milestone that coincided with Bitcoin's annual Genesis Day celebration marking the first block mined by Satoshi Nakamoto in 2009. Crypto communities used the date to highlight contrasts between fiat debt growth and Bitcoin's fixed supply.
FOMC minutes show policymakers expect rate cuts only in 2026, triggering renewed selling pressure across Bitcoin and altcoins. Markets enter the New Year with higher-for-longer rates weighing on crypto liquidity and risk appetite.
The head of the Bank of Russia acknowledged crypto mining is among the factors propping up the ruble, reinforcing a recent Kremlin claim. Officials say mining activity is now a visible influence on the currency market.
The Federal Reserve cut interest rates and unveiled a $40 billion T‑bill purchase program, and cryptocurrency markets reacted with a pullback in Bitcoin and Ether as traders reassessed policy signals.
The IMF cautioned on Dec 10, 2025 that USD-pegged stablecoins can drive currency substitution and speed capital outflows in emerging markets, posing risks to monetary stability. The fund urged closer monitoring and policy responses.
Bitwise strategist Juan Leon says Kevin Hassett becoming Fed chair would be "strongly bullish" for cryptocurrencies. A pro-crypto, dovish appointment could shift both monetary and regulatory dynamics that affect crypto markets.
September U.S. jobs topped forecasts while the unemployment rate ticked up, boosting expectations for a Federal Reserve rate cut and sending Bitcoin higher. The mixed labor read highlights how macro data can quickly shift crypto market sentiment.
A senior official at Russia’s monetary authority said the forthcoming digital ruble is unlikely to become a major store of private wealth, benefiting the state and broader economy more than individual savers. The comment suggests limited retail uptake is expected once the CBDC launches.