BOOMING BUSINESS: A lukewarm U.S. economy is slowing loan growth for big banks, but not crypto lenders like Genesis. The New York-based trading firm said Thursday that loans increased by 21 percent during the fourth quarter to $545 million. Full story
ETHER ‘FLIP’: A greater share of value is being transferred via stablecoins over the ethereum network than its own native cryptocurrency ether, according to research conducted by crypto data aggregate Messari. Ryan Watkins, a research analyst at Messari, tweeted that stablecoin transfer value had “flipped” ether. Full story
GOOGLE’S GAMES: Google recently suspended bitcoin rewards game “Bitcoin Blast” from its app store for allegedly deceiving users, but will not explain the problem to the developers. “If we don’t know what [Google] thinks is deceptive about the game, how can we possibly stop being deceptive?” said CEO Amy Wan. Full story
US ‘HODGEPODGE’: Andrew Yang has said the U.S. needs a consistent legal framework for cryptocurrencies if it is to be a market leader. Speaking to Bloomberg, Yang said the current “hodgepodge of state-by-state treatments” is “bad for everybody. It's bad for innovators who want to invest in the space." Full story
NO INTEREST: Trading volumes in bitcoin options listed on Intercontinental Exchange's Bakkt platform have slowed. As per the firm’s own data, not a single bitcoin options contract was traded last week on Bakkt, with activity last registered on Jan. 17, when 20 lots changed hands. Full story
DEFENDING GAINS: Bitcoin remains on the offensive, having defended the former resistance-turned-support of $9,188 during the Asian trading hours. The current price consolidation is likely to make way for the next leg up toward resistance at $8,600. Should the range play end with a downside move, a retest of the 200-day average at $8,900 may be seen. Full story
FO-MO-BILE: CoinDesk's Adam B Levine and John Biggs discuss the one stock poised to spread FOMO among coiners, in the latest Markets Daily podcast. Electronic car manufacturer Telsa announced it will ship Model Y cars beginning this quarter, causing a 12 percent rally in the TSLA stock that has recorded 109 percent gains in the trailing 12 months. Listen in
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