[Russia's Largest Bank Sberbank Issues First Crypto-Backed Loan] Russia's largest bank, Sberbank, has issued its first loan backed by crypto assets to Bitcoin mining company Intelion Data. The loan is secured by digital currencies mined by Intelion Data. The scale, amount of collateral, and loan term have not been disclosed, and the transaction is defined as a 'pilot' project. Sberbank utilized its proprietary crypto asset custody solution, Rutoken, to ensure the security of the collateral. Deputy Chairman Anatoly Popov expressed willingness to cooperate with the central bank to improve digital asset regulatory rules. Intelion Data CEO Timofey Semenov stated that this transaction is an important practical case for the development of the industry.

[Animoca Brands Co-Founder Says 2026 Will Be the Year of Utility Tokens] Animoca Brands co-founder Yat Siu stated that the crypto market in 2025 may experience pricing errors due to overbetting on Trump policies, with Bitcoin potentially seeing its fourth annual decline in history. Trump's policy focuses, such as tariffs and trade wars, pose challenges to risk assets, while cryptocurrencies are not his core focus. Yat Siu revealed that Animoca Brands plans to go public through a reverse merger with Nasdaq-listed fintech company Currenc Group. After the merger, Animoca Brands will hold a 95% stake. The company positions itself as a proxy tool for altcoins in the public market, offering investors diversified exposure to altcoins and Web3 assets. Currently, Animoca Brands' portfolio covers over 620 companies, with around 100 new projects added last year. Its unaudited bookings for the 2024 fiscal year amount to $314 million, and it has achieved EBITDA profitability for four consecutive years. He pointed out that with U.S. legislation such as the 'Clarity Act' and the 'Innovation Act' establishing clear regulatory frameworks, the industry will focus on compliance and practical application scenarios in 2026. The token market will shift toward products that address real-world problems, with each token having a clear use case.

[Bubblemaps Claims ATLAS Project Suspected of Insider Trading, 68 Wallets Hold 47% of Token Supply] On-chain transaction analysis platform Bubblemaps posted on the X platform, pointing out that the Meme coin project ATLAS, inspired by U.S. Vice President JD Vance's pet dog, has received promotion from certain social media KOLs. However, monitoring shows that 68 wallets, which previously had no on-chain activity, obtained funds through ChangeNow and pre-purchased ATLAS tokens before the project launch. These wallets now hold 47% of the token supply, valued at approximately $1 million, raising suspicions of insider trading.

[Animoca Co-founder Yat Siu: 2026 Could Be a Turning Point for Utility Tokens] Animoca Brands co-founder Yat Siu stated that in 2025, the market may face pressure on risk assets due to excessive bets on political expectations, with crypto trades surrounding Trump failing to materialize as anticipated. Siu believes that by 2026, the crypto industry will shift towards compliance and real-world application scenarios, with a focus on utility tokens and institutional development. He revealed that Animoca plans to go public through a reverse merger with Nasdaq-listed company Currenc Group, providing investors with broader exposure to Web3 and altcoin portfolios. He also pointed out that the tokenization of real-world assets and security tokens will bridge traditional finance and the on-chain economy.

[Gold and Silver Reach New Highs, Bitcoin's Year-to-Date Decline Expands to 6.25%] Gold and silver prices have once again broken historical records this week, showcasing strong performance in the precious metals market. Meanwhile, Bitcoin's year-to-date price has fallen by 6.25%, and Ethereum has dropped by 12%, reflecting bearish sentiment in the cryptocurrency market. The stock prices of related asset management companies have also experienced significant declines. Louis Navellier, founder of investment advisory firm Navellier & Associates, stated that gold prices have risen nearly 70% by 2025. In contrast, cryptocurrencies continue to decline, and he recommends investors shift to gold due to its advantages, including central bank purchases, lower volatility, and improved liquidity. Renowned investor Peter Schiff posted on the X platform, noting that Bitcoin has failed to rise alongside tech stocks and precious metals, suggesting it may never achieve an upward trend.