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Solana’s new phase is ‘much more about finance’ says Backpack CEO Ferrante

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Solana’s new phase is ‘much more about finance’ says Backpack CEO Ferrante

Solana’s latest phase looks a lot less flashy than its memecoin-fueled highs, and that may be the goal.

Armani Ferrante, CEO of crypto exchange Backpack, told CoinDesk in an interview the Solana ecosystem has spent the past year doubling down on a more sober focus: financial infrastructure. After years of experimentation as the wider crypto industry focused on NFTs, games and social tokens, attention is now shifting back toward decentralized finance, trading and payments.

“People are really starting to think about blockchains as a new kind of financial infrastructure,” Ferrante, who will be speaking at CoinDesk’s Consensus Hong Kong conference next month, said. “It’s less about NFTs, less about random moonshot-like games, and much more about finance.”

That shift has made Solana feel dull to some outside observers, but Ferrante framed it as a sign of maturity. The network is increasingly positioning itself around high-throughput onchain trading, market structure and settlement, what some have dubbed as “internet capital markets.”

The pivot comes amid a stark divide between crypto sentiment and traditional finance. While crypto prices remain subdued and crypto-native investors remain cautious, Ferrante said institutional interest has rarely been stronger.

“If you ask anyone on Wall Street, they’ve never been more bullish,” he said, pointing to growing momentum around tokenization, stablecoins and onchain settlement.

Ferrante argued that the long-term case for Solana, and blockchains more broadly, rests on their role as neutral settlement layers. In that future, assets like stocks and derivatives move seamlessly across platforms as standardized tokens rather than sitting in siloed databases.

“A token is just a canonical, agreed-upon ledger entry for who owns something,” Ferrante said. “That concept applies everywhere.”

Crucially, Ferrante emphasized that real-world adoption will require deeper integration with regulatory frameworks, not an escape from them. As crypto moves from speculative experimentation toward embedded financial infrastructure, compliance and legal clarity become prerequisites rather than obstacles.

“What maturity actually means is the real world,” he said. “And the real world isn’t a free-for-all.”

In Ferrante’s view, Solana’s bet is that building for that reality, even at the cost of hype, will pay off as more of global finance moves on-chain.

Read more: Ethereum and Solana set the stage for 2026’s DeFi reboot

XRP Sinks as Breakdown From Range Signals Sustained Bearish Momentum

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XRP Sinks as Breakdown From Range Signals Sustained Bearish Momentum

XRP sank to session lows as intensifying macro uncertainty and rising trade tensions crushed risk appetite, driving a decisive breakdown from consolidation and reinforcing a bearish trend across crypto markets. XRP Slides to Session Lows as Macro Uncertainty Crushes Risk Appetite At 1:21 p.m., XRP is trading at $1.8452, extending a sharp downside move after […]

Infusion Marketing Group, QwickRate and IntelliCredit Combine to Form OptimaFI

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Infusion Marketing Group, QwickRate and IntelliCredit Combine to Form OptimaFI

Memphis, TN — January 20, 2026 —Three industry-leading firms with a legacy of serving community financial institutions for nearly four decades have combined to form OptimaFI, currently serving more than 2,500 clients. OptimaFI leverages a dynamic combination of data sets to bring clients affordable, quick to market solutions supported by expert advice across marketing, credit risk, and liquidity management functions. The combination brings together Infusion Marketing Group with two companies it acquired in 2025, QwickRate and IntelliCredit, under a unified brand with a mission to help community banks and credit unions make more informed decisions about growth, risk, and profitability.

OptimaFI addresses a critical challenge facing community financial institutions: leadership teams generate more data than ever, yet growth strategies, credit decisions, and balance sheet management functions remain largely disconnected. By integrating data, insight and execution across these key functions, OptimaFI helps executives take actions that drive sustainable profitability growth.

The organization serves institutions across three core areas: growth strategy and relationship expansion; credit risk oversight and portfolio management; and balance sheet strategy, including funding, liquidity, and financial analytics. OptimaFI combines proprietary data assets, analytical tools, advisory services, and implementation support to deliver actionable insights with impacts that are measurable, material and attributable.

“Community financial institutions have access to varying degrees of data and analytics, yet many critical decisions are still made without sufficient context,” said Tim Keith, CEO of OptimaFI. “We formed OptimaFI to help executives see the full picture of how marketing investment affects deposit costs, how portfolio concentrations impact liquidity needs, and how pricing strategies influence both growth and margins. Our clients can now access integrated expertise that was previously available only through multiple vendors or internal teams working in isolation.”

The three founding organizations bring decades of specialized experience to OptimaFI. Infusion Marketing Group has helped community financial institutions develop growth strategies and marketing programs since 2007, generating more than $27 billion in new deposit and loan account balances. QwickRate provides credit risk analytics and portfolio management tools dating back to 1986, with more than $250 billion in non-brokered deposit funding enabled in the last 20 years.  IntelliCredit delivers credit risk management and portfolio services, having helped hundreds of institutions with these critical functions.

Existing client relationships and service delivery models remain unchanged. Clients will continue working with the same teams and contacts, with uninterrupted access to current services and solutions.

“Our clients value continuity, credibility, and results,” Keith added. “OptimaFI strengthens our ability to deliver meaningful outcomes while preserving the relationships and workflows our clients depend on. This isn’t about creating complexity—it’s about making connections that drive better decisions.”

OptimaFI will introduce the new organization at Bank Director’s Acquire or Be Acquired Conference, February 1–3, in Phoenix. On Sunday, CEO Tim Keith will participate in a session: “Leveraging Data for Growth”. David Ruffin, President of Credit Risk Solutions at OptimaFI, will co-host a breakout session on Tuesday: “Strengthening Credit Resilience: Processes, Contingencies and Culture”.Conference attendees are invited to meet OptimaFI’s leadership team and experts at their booth. To schedule a meeting during the conference, visit https://www.optimafi.com/events/bank-directors-acquire-or-be-acquired-conference/.

About OptimaFI

OpitmaFI partners with more than 2,500 banks and credit unions to boost profits, strengthen customer relationships, and identify growth opportunities through data-driven insights. Leveraging its proprietary Peer to Peer Normative datasets, the firm benchmarks institutions against peers and delivers targeted, product-specific strategies to optimize profitability. OptimaFI brings nearly four decades of experience serving community institutions with banking, analytics, and marketing expertise. Its pay-for-results marketing program ensures clients only pay for booked accounts, with all campaign costs covered. OptimaFI maintains rigorous data security standards and undergoes annual audits to protect sensitive financial information. Learn more at https://OptimaFI.com.

BTC under $88,000 ahead of Fed week and Big Tech earnings

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BTC under $88,000 ahead of Fed week and Big Tech earnings

Bitcoin slipped below the $88,000 level on Sunday as crypto markets weakened in thin weekend trading, extending a pullback that has weighed on the crypto market over the past week.

BTC traded around $87,800 in U.S. afternoon hours, down roughly 2% over 24 hours, according to CoinDesk data. Ether fell toward $2,880, while solana, XRP and cardano each posted losses of between 3% and 5% on the day. Most major tokens have remained sharply down over the past seven days, reflecting the fragile sentiment across the market.

Bitcoin price action (CoinDesk)

The move caused $224 million in liquidations on bullish bets in the last 24 hours, led by $68 million on bitcoin-tracked futures and $45 million on ether-based futures, according to CoinGlass data.

Weekend moves are often driven less by fresh information and more by positioning adjustments, particularly after periods of heightened volatility earlier in the week.

Traders are entering the new week on heightened alert for possible intervention in the Japanese yen after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi warned against “abnormal” market moves, comments that followed a sudden reversal in the yen late Friday.

The currency’s sharp rally raised caution across Asian trading desks, even as officials stopped short of confirming any action, per Bloomberg.

The shutdown trade

Elsewhere, political risk in the U.S. added to an already unsettled backdrop.

Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said his party would block a major spending package unless funding for the Department of Homeland Security is removed, increasing the risk of a partial government shutdown.

While such standoffs are familiar, they can tighten near-term liquidity conditions and weigh on sentiment across risk assets, particularly during periods of elevated positioning.

Previously, heading into a potential government shutdown, bitcoin has historically seen selling pressure, followed by a rally.

Polymarket odds on U.S. government shutdown (Polymarket)

Polymarket odds on U.S. government shutdown (Polymarket)

Currently, Polymarket traders are putting a 76% chance on a U.S. government shutdown by the end of this month.

Read more: Previous U.S. Government Shutdown Aligned With Bitcoin’s Bear Market Bottom

Big Tech earnings

Attention now turns to the week ahead, with investors also looking to a heavy earnings week that includes results from several megacap technology firms, including Microsoft, Meta Platforms, Tesla, and Apple, among the “Magnificent 7” tech giants.

Traders will be watching for any clues on how these companies’ earnings trends are shaping artificial intelligence (AI)-related results. And market will likely move based on their comments for the AI industry outlook. Bitcoin, which is now trading like a risk asset, may also move with these results and comments.

Meanwhile, the Federal Reserve’s first rate decision of this year will also be widely watched by the traders. While the Fed is expected to hold rates steady at its upcoming meeting, the market will be closely watching what Chairman Jerome Powell says during his post-meeting press conference, which could move bitcoin and other asset classes.

Read more: Here’s what Fed’s highly anticipated rate decision this week means for bitcoin and the dollar

UPDATE (Jan. 25, 6:13 PM UTC): Updates throughout with data and additional context.

Ripple linked token drops 4%, will $1.88 support hold

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Ripple linked token drops 4%, will $1.88 support hold

XRP sank nearly 4% as bitcoin dropped under the $88,000 mark on Sunday, ahead of a busy week with the Federal Reserve’s two-day FOMC meeting starting on Wednesday and major technology players announcing earnings.

News background

  • The consolidation came as spot XRP ETFs recorded their first meaningful weekly outflows since launch, totaling roughly $40.6 million, signaling near-term institutional profit-taking rather than fresh risk-on positioning.
  • There were no negative developments around Ripple or the XRP Ledger during the period.
  • Ripple’s regulatory standing and payments use case remain intact, leaving price action driven primarily by market structure, positioning, and reduced participation rather than fundamentals.

Price action summary

  • XRP edged lower from about $1.92 to $1.90 over the 24-hour period ending Jan. 25, trading within a tight 1.8% range. Price repeatedly tested support near $1.88–$1.89, a level that has now held multiple times since XRP slipped back below $2.00 earlier in the week.
  • The session’s most notable move occurred around 09:00 UTC, when volume briefly surged to 34.5 million tokens as XRP dipped toward $1.89 before bouncing back above $1.90.
  • That move marked a failed breakdown attempt rather than the start of a trend. After the bounce, trading activity faded sharply, with volume collapsing into the close — a sign that both buyers and sellers stepped back.
  • On an intraday basis, XRP attempted a modest rebound toward $1.92 but was rejected quickly, sending price back toward $1.90. The inability to reclaim higher levels reinforced the broader sideways structure.

Technical analysis

From a technical standpoint, XRP remains stuck in consolidation rather than trending. The market has carved out a clear base near $1.88, forming what technicians would describe as a triple-bottom support zone. Each test has attracted buyers, but rebounds have been shallow.

Resistance remains layered above price. Near-term selling pressure sits around $1.93–$1.95, while a more significant descending trendline comes in closer to $2.10. As long as XRP stays below these levels, upside attempts are likely to be faded.

Volume behavior supports the consolidation view. Participation spikes have coincided with reversals rather than breakouts, and the sharp drop-off in volume into the close suggests indecision, not aggressive accumulation or distribution.

What traders should know

The key takeaway is that XRP is compressing, not breaking down.

  • Support near $1.88 is holding, indicating sellers are losing momentum rather than accelerating.
  • Volume is drying up, which often precedes a larger move once direction is resolved.
  • ETF outflows reflect rotation and profit-taking, not a loss of confidence in the asset.

For now:

  • A move above $1.95 would signal the start of structural repair toward $2.03–$2.06.
  • A break below $1.85 would invalidate the base and reopen downside risk.
  • Until then, XRP is likely to remain range-bound, frustrating trend traders but favoring short-term, mean-reversion setups.

In simple terms: XRP isn’t weak enough to break, but not strong enough to run — yet.

Gen Z Prioritises Free Coffees Over Interest Rates, Research Finds

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Gen Z Prioritises Free Coffees Over Interest Rates, Research Finds

New research from Pay.UK, the operator of the Current Account Switch Service, reveals a significant shift in banking preferences among younger adults, with Generation Z largely favoring everyday “little treats” over traditional financial incentives.

The study, which surveyed over 1,000 UK adults aged 16 to 28, found that 51 per cent of Gen Z say perks like free coffees, food discounts, and cashback matter more to them than interest rates.

Redefining the ‘good bank’
John Dentry, product owner at Pay.UK
John Dentry, product owner at Pay.UK

The findings suggest that the definition of a “good bank” is evolving. Nearly three-quarters (72 per cent) of respondents stated they value banks that reward everyday spending, rather than those focused on long-term financial milestones.

This preference appears driven by immediate lifestyle benefits. 64 per cent expect rewards to fit their lifestyle, and 60 per cent associate these small perks with improved wellbeing. For 72 per cent, finding deals on small indulgences is actually a motivator for better money management.

The appeal of these rewards is strong enough to drive customer churn. In Greater London, 53 per cent of Gen Z said they would switch banks specifically for better perks.

John Dentry, product owner at Pay.UK, explained the trend: “Gen Z aren’t looking for complex financial products or rewards to target in the future – they want to see value day to day. For many younger people, the big milestones such as stepping onto the property ladder, getting married or starting a family feel further away than they did for previous generations, especially in the context of cost-of-living pressures”.

Digital-first demands

Convenience remains a non-negotiable factor. Two-thirds (66 per cent) of Gen Z consider it important that rewards are accessible directly through their banking app. Furthermore, 56 per cent prioritise digital-first banking experiences above all other factors.

Dentry warned that providers failing to adapt risk losing this demographic: “Small practical perks that fit naturally into everyday spending make people feel rewarded and supported… banks and building societies that fail to deliver relevant, everyday value risk losing younger customers to those that do”.

Predictive History Host Warns Iran Strike Could Pull Multiple Powers Into a Global War

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Predictive History Host Warns Iran Strike Could Pull Multiple Powers Into a Global War

A potential U.S. military strike on Iran could trigger prolonged regional conflict and significant global economic disruption, according to geopolitical commentary shared in a recent Youtube interview with the host of the Predictive History channel. Xueqin Jiang Argues Iran Conflict Would Ripple Across Global Trade In a recent discussion published on Youtube, Xueqin Jiang, host […]

Open World Launches Saudi Arabia’s First RWA Tokenization Center of Excellence to Advance Vision 2030 Digital Economy Goals

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Open World Launches Saudi Arabia’s First RWA Tokenization Center of Excellence to Advance Vision 2030 Digital Economy Goals

AL KHOBAR, Saudi Arabia, Jan 23, 2026 – (ACN Newswire) – Open World Ltd. (“Open World”), a blockchain infrastructure company with experience supporting large-scale digital asset initiatives, today announced the establishment of Saudi Arabia’s first RWA (Real-World Asset) Tokenization Center of Excellence. The news follows Open World’s announcement on January 5, 2026, regarding its plans to merge with VerifyMe, Inc. (NASDAQ: VRME) (“VerifyMe”), positioning the combined entity for participation in public markets as a leading infrastructure provider in the digital asset and tokenization sector.

The RWA Center of Excellence will operate as a fully licensed and, as regulations are defined, in-Kingdom entity designed to accelerate compliant digital asset innovation for sovereign, enterprise, and institutional clients across Saudi Arabia and the broader Middle East. The initiative will directly support the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 Financial Sector Development Program, which seeks to establish Saudi Arabia as a globally competitive financial and investment hub.

As the Saudi regulatory frameworks continue to mature, the Center of Excellence will enable compliant tokenization of real-world assets, including energy infrastructure, tokenized carbon reduction credits, real estate, sovereign bonds and, over time, regulated stablecoins. These initiatives will be launched on Open World’s sovereign and national-scale tokenization infrastructure introduced in December 2025 through its partnership with Abstract. This will provide Saudi enterprises and government entities new pathways to access global capital markets while maintaining full regulatory compliance with Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) and Capital Market Authority (CMA) requirements.

“Saudi Arabia is leading the global conversation on how digital assets can be deployed in service of national economic priorities,” said Matt Shaw, co-founder and CEO of Open World. “By establishing our Center of Excellence in Al Khobar, we are making a long-term commitment to build alongside Saudi partners, under Saudi regulations, with infrastructure that meets the Kingdom’s sovereign data and security requirements. Our goal is to help transform Saudi Arabia’s tremendous real-world asset base into globally accessible, compliant digital instruments that attract international investment while ensuring value creation remains within the Kingdom.”

Initial focus areas for the Center of Excellence include certain types of energy asset tokenization, real estate development financing, and the on-chain verification and storage of carbon reduction credits. The Center has been structured to meet sovereign-grade delivery standards, with a strong emphasis on data residency, local security controls, and national economic considerations aligned with the Kingdom’s localization objectives.

“Welcoming Open World to Al Khobar represents a significant step in our region’s digital transformation journey,” said Dr. Salman Salem Al Khaldi, member of the Industry and Energy Committee at the Eastern Province Chamber of Commerce and Industry. “The Eastern Province is home to Saudi Aramco, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Dhahran Techno Valley and the Kingdom’s largest concentration of energy assets, making it the ideal location to pioneer real-world asset tokenization. This initiative aligns perfectly with Vision 2030’s goal to develop our financial sector and diversify our economy beyond traditional energy exports.”

The RWA Center of Excellence is expected to commence full operations in 2026, with initial pilot projects targeted for mid-year launch. Open World has established the necessary legal, licensing, commercial, and technological infrastructure required to operate directly within Saudi Arabia’s regulatory environment.

To support growing institutional adoption in Saudi Arabia, Open World said it plans to work with financial institutions, government entities, and regulators to develop frameworks for investor protection, regulatory clarity, and standardized tokenization practices, with strategic partnership announcements expected throughout 2026.

About Open World Ltd.

Open World has been a major driving force behind many of the most iconic projects in blockchain. Given its expertise, Open World is now expanding its offerings to traditional finance (TradFi). Open World has facilitated the inception and growth of more than 20 companies since 2023 and has helped launch over $65 billion in aggregate network value since (at peak FDV). Open World advises founding teams as they navigate the most complex intersections of financial regulatory, tokenomics, public markets, exchange strategy, and governance structuring. The teams Open World advises are partners with leading venture capital firms, including a16z, Multicoin Capital, Dragonfly, and Founders Fund. The firm’s range of services includes token launch advisory, DATs and TradFi strategies, RWA tokenization, stablecoin issuance, policy advocacy, and strategic advisory work. To learn more, visit https://www.openworld.dev.

About VerifyMe, Inc.

VerifyMe provides specialized logistics for time and temperature-sensitive products, as well as brand protection and enhancement solutions. To learn more, visit https://www.verifyme.com/.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The words “become,” “expected,” “plans,” “upon,” “will,” and similar expressions, as they relate to Open World and VerifyMe, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. We have based these forward-looking statements largely on our current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends that we believe may affect our financial condition, results of operations, business strategy and financial needs. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ from those in the forward-looking statements include the uncertainty of whether Open World and VerifyMe will enter into a merger agreement and, if they do enter into a merger agreement, that the merger will close. Additionally, the expected benefits of the merger may not be realized. These risk factors and uncertainties include those more fully described in VerifyMe’s Annual Report and Quarterly Reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), including under the heading entitled “Risk Factors.” Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should any of our underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those currently anticipated. Any forward-looking statement made by us herein speaks only as of the date on which it is made. Factors or events that could cause our actual results to differ may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all of them. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as may be required by law.

Additional Information About the Proposed Transaction and Where to Find It

This document includes discussion related to a proposed transaction between Open World and VerifyMe. In connection with the proposed transaction, if the parties enter into a merger agreement, VerifyMe intends to file a proxy statement, and, if required by the definitive merger agreement, a registration statement on Form S-4 with the SEC relating to the proposed transaction. After concluding the SEC comment process, and, if applicable, the registration statement is declared effective, VerifyMe will mail a definitive proxy statement, and, if applicable, a prospectus, to its stockholders. VerifyMe will also file other documents regarding the proposed transaction with the SEC.

Investors and securityholders are urged to read the proxy statement and any prospectus, and other relevant documents filed with the SEC carefully when they become available, because they will contain important information about Open World, VerifyMe, and the proposed transaction.

Copies of the proxy statement and any prospectus and all other relevant documents filed or that will be filed with the SEC by VerifyMe will be available free of charge on the SEC’s website at https://www.sec.gov and on VerifyMe’s website at https://vrmeinvestor.com/ or by written request to VerifyMe at VerifyMe, Inc., Attn: Corporate Secretary, 801 International Parkway, Fifth Floor, Lake Mary, Florida 32746.

Participants in the Solicitation

Open World and VerifyMe and their respective directors and executive officers may be deemed under SEC rules to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from VerifyMe’s stockholders in connection with the proposed merger. If the parties enter into a merger agreement, a list of the names of the directors and executive officers of VerifyMe and information regarding their interest in the proposed merger will be contained in the proxy statement and any prospectus when available. Additional information regarding the interests of the persons who may, under SEC rules, be deemed participants in the solicitation of proxies of VerifyMe’s stockholders in connection with the proposed merger, including the names and interests of Open World’s directors and executive officers, will be set forth in the proxy statement and any prospectus for the proposed merger, which is expected to be filed by Open World and VerifyMe with the SEC after the parties enter into a merger agreement.

No Offer or Solicitation

This communication does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation, or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under applicable securities laws.Media Contact

UBS considers allowing some banking clients to invest in Bitcoin and Ethereum

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UBS considers allowing some banking clients to invest in Bitcoin and Ethereum

UBS Group AG, the world’s leading wealth manager, is considering allowing select wealthy clients to invest in crypto assets, starting with Bitcoin and Ethereum, as it evaluates partners for a potential digital asset rollout, Bloomberg reported Friday, citing people familiar with the matter.

UBS may begin offering crypto services in Switzerland, with potential expansion to the Asia-Pacific region and the US. The wealth manager is still selecting partners and has not finalized plans.

The initiative comes amid rising interest in digital assets among wealthy clients and follows similar initiatives by competitors like JPMorgan and Morgan Stanley.

The move would represent an expansion beyond UBS’s existing blockchain initiatives. In November 2024, the bank launched UBS Digital Cash, a private blockchain pilot for multi-currency cross-border payments.

UBS Tokenize, another initiative, enables on-chain issuance of tokenized financial products, including the first tokenized money market fund on Ethereum.

CEO Sergio Ermotti has emphasized blockchain as central to the future of traditional banking, citing its efficiency and scalability. UBS has previously described crypto as a limited segment of digital assets and refrained from direct offerings amid regulatory uncertainty.

Crypto Market Shed $220B This Week as Bitcoin Slips and Select Tokens Defy the Selloff

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Crypto Market Shed $220B This Week as Bitcoin Slips and Select Tokens Defy the Selloff

Over the past seven days, the crypto economy coughed up roughly $220 billion and is now wobbling right around the $3 trillion line. Bitcoin slipped 6.6%, a broad swath of altcoins face-planted, yet a stubborn handful still walked away with gains this week. Bloodied Majors, Breakout Outliers: Crypto’s Winners and Losers in a Brutal Week […]

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