On January 14, Korea's KMCC demanded stronger youth protections from X and set a two‑week deadline with a possible fine of up to 10 million won. Electronic Times reported the PIPC has opened a preliminary fact‑finding review into xAI's Grok over deepfake allegations. The Center for Countering Digital Hate estimates Grok produced more than three million explicit images, including 23,000 involving minors, between December 29, 2025 and January 8, 2026.

Indian police reported the arrest of four suspects linked to a fraudulent crypto investment scheme that allegedly defrauded a resident of Rs. 16.30 lakh, using WhatsApp and a fake trading app. The case was registered in November 2025 after the victim made multiple transfers to several bank accounts, believing he would earn high returns from crypto trading. Police made the first arrest on January 20 and detained three additional suspects on January 22, while also warning the public against engaging in online investment discussions with strangers.

South Korean cryptocurrency exchanges are expanding trading and marketing activities around U.S. dollar-pegged stablecoins as the won-dollar exchange rate climbs. Platforms including Korbit, Coinone, Upbit, and Bithumb are waiving fees, listing new stablecoins, and running reward campaigns distributing USDC and USDe to boost volumes. Trading in Tether against the won has also jumped significantly while lawmakers advance a bill to bring stablecoins under the Foreign Exchange Transactions Act for anti–money laundering and tax compliance.

Nigeria's efforts to regulate its crypto and P2P trading market under the SEC's Accelerated Regulatory Incubation Program have been hit after Quidax suspended its P2P services five months after launch. The exchange, which holds a provisional license, cited user preferences while keeping instant swaps and order book trading active, as broader licensing progress and higher capital requirements challenge local platforms.

North Korean hacking group Konni is deploying AI-generated PowerShell malware to attack blockchain developers and engineers, with activity observed in the Asia-Pacific region. The campaign uses Discord-delivered ZIP files carrying a PDF lure and malicious shortcuts to install a PowerShell backdoor that can access sensitive infrastructure, API keys, wallets, and digital assets. Researchers have linked this malware to previous Konni operations and note clear signs of AI-assisted code generation in its documentation and structure.

On January 22, 2026, the UK Crown Prosecution Service said it obtained a confiscation order directing Malaysian national Sen Hok Ling to return $7.6 million, warning of further prison time if unpaid. CPS said Ling received 83.7 BTC from Zhimin Qian between February and April 2024 and was sentenced in November to four years and 11 months.

Oklahoma lawmakers have introduced Senate Bill 2064 to let state employees, vendors, businesses, and residents choose Bitcoin as a payment option alongside US dollars. If enacted, the framework would recognize Bitcoin as a financial instrument for salaries, contracts, and private transactions, with implementation targeted for November 2026 and tax guidance scheduled to begin in January 2027.

On January 18, 2026, Samsung Electronics said it will distribute record performance bonuses as AI-fueled demand lifts profits. Its Device Solutions unit will pay up to 47% of base annual salary this month, while the MX division's OPI reaches 50%. SK Hynix plans to allocate 10% of operating profits to bonuses and pay 80% upfront.

Vietnam police reported arresting several suspects in Da Nang over an alleged cryptocurrency scam that mimicked a Nasdaq investment platform and caused losses of more than VND14 billion ($532,800). Authorities said the group operated from Cambodia, used social media and messaging apps to lure victims with promises of high returns, and converted misappropriated funds into crypto while the investigation remains ongoing.