In crypto news this week, Bitcoin soared past the $90,000 mark, while Ethereum, Dogecoin, and XRP also experienced significant rallies.
Meanwhile, Iran is reportedly using cryptocurrency to trade advanced weapons amid sanctions and economic crisis. In other news, Michael Saylor of Strategy Inc. made headlines with his comments on Bitcoin, and the FBI revealed a surge in Bitcoin ATM scams in 2025. Memecoins also kicked off the new year with strong gains.
Bitcoin Breaks $90,000 Barrier
Bitcoin started the year on a high note, spiking above $90,000. This surge came despite spot Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs recording net outflows this week.
Iran Turns To Cryptocurrency For Weapons Trade
Iran is reportedly using cryptocurrency to circumvent Western financial sanctions, offering to sell advanced weapons systems to foreign governments in exchange for digital currencies. The state-run Ministry of Defence Export Center, or Mindex, is open to negotiating military contracts that allow payment in digital currencies.
See Also: Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP ETFs End The Year Strong With $443M Inflows
Michael Saylor’s Bitcoin Comments Stir Controversy
Michael Saylor, executive chairman of Strategy Inc., stated that Bitcoin makes the company’s stock “interesting.” However, Polymarket traders bet 76% that the company gets booted from MSCI by March 31.
Bitcoin ATM Scams On The Rise
The Federal Bureau of Investigation revealed that scammers defrauded Americans of more than $300 million in 2025 through Bitcoin ATMs. The FBI observed a “clear and constant rise” in fraudulent transactions involving cryptocurrency kiosks.
Memecoins Start 2026 With Strong Gains
Memecoins began 2026 on a strong note, with popular names recording sharp rallies on New Year’s Day. Frog-themed Pepe rose 26% from the previous day, topping the large-cap memecoin gainer list. Solana-based Bonk followed Pepe with a 12% uptick.
Read Next:
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Image via Shutterstock