On January 23, 2026, CertiK co-founder Ronghui Gu said the New York-based Web3 cybersecurity firm is working toward an initial public offering with a targeted valuation of $2 billion. Founded in 2018, the company has raised $296 million to date, counts Binance as its largest investor, and is pushing ahead with IPO ambitions while addressing criticism over past audits and security incidents.

The UK Financial Conduct Authority began a final consultation on how Consumer Duty should apply to crypto firms, accepting feedback until March 12, 2026. It plans to open an application gateway in September 2026 ahead of full authorization requirements in October 2027. Bitcoin fell 6.24 percent over the week, underscoring ongoing market volatility.

OpenEden, FalconX and Monarq unveiled PRISM, a tokenized, institutional-grade yield portfolio slated for launch in February 2026. Managed by Monarq and tokenized by OpenEden, it blends cash-and-carry arbitrage, overcollateralized institutional lending, DeFi yield venues, and regulated RWA exposure to target risk-adjusted returns; staking issues xPRISM on Ethereum, with a limited pre-deposit phase offering early access.

At the World Economic Forum in Davos, Circle CEO Jeremy Allaire outlined a scenario in which autonomous AI agents begin using stablecoins for routine payments over the next three to five years. He argued that these agents will require a monetary system that is stable, fast, and programmable, positioning tokenized dollars like stablecoins as a logical fit. Allaire also suggested that billions of AI agents could eventually conduct continuous economic activity on behalf of users, raising new questions for regulators and infrastructure builders.

French authorities opened a preliminary probe into a breach at crypto tax platform Waltio that may have exposed users' personal data. The group known as Shiny Hunters reportedly demanded a ransom and claimed possession of information from about 50,000 users, mostly in France. Officials warned affected users could face attempts to manipulate them into moving digital assets.

On January 23, CertiK stated it is working toward a public listing as it aims to become the first publicly traded Web3 infrastructure firm, supported by a recent investment from Binance that makes the exchange its largest backer. The company is expanding its institutional security products through Skynet Enterprise and advancing formal verification with its Spoq engine, while reporting over $600 billion in secured assets, more than 180,000 detected vulnerabilities, and a valuation above $2 billion.

Crypto investigator ZachXBT linked a crypto wallet holding $23 million to alleged $90 million thefts involving the U.S. government and other victims via public blockchain analysis. The connection emerged after an online chat where the individual known as John (aka Lick) showcased wealth. Industry reactions stress vigilance as no formal statements were issued.

On January 23, 2026, the American Bankers Association named halting yield-bearing stablecoins as a top 2026 priority, citing risks to deposits and community lending. Bank of America's Brian Moynihan warned up to $6 trillion could shift, while Circle's Jeremy Allaire and Binance's CZ defended stablecoin yields at the WEF.