KLEA Crypto Daily: Saturday, January 31, 2026

Published: February 1, 2026 – 00:03 UTC

Here’s a look back at the key stories from January 31, 2026.

Citgo’s Venezuelan Crude Purchase Signals a Turn in US Policy

Reports indicate that the U.S. has sold its first shipment of Venezuelan crude, fetching $500 million, following the capture of President Nicolás Maduro. This move comes as oil prices have climbed nearly 14% since the start of the year amid geopolitical strain and escalating trade wars.

Bitcoin Experiences Significant Price Drop Below $80,000

Bitcoin has fallen below $80,000 following a $1.6 billion monthly ETF outflow, marking the third-worst month on record. This drop has led to over $2.5 billion in liquidations across the crypto market in the past 12 hours.

US Sanctions Crypto Exchanges Linked to Iran in First OFAC Action of Its Kind

The United States Treasury has imposed sanctions on two cryptocurrency exchanges tied to Iran's financial system, marking the first time Washington has directly targeted digital asset platforms under its Iran sanctions framework. This move reflects growing concern that crypto infrastructure is being used to bypass restrictions on Iran's access to global finance.

Solana DeFi Platform Investigating $29 Million Treasury Wallet Compromise

Solana DeFi platform Step Finance is currently investigating a $29 million compromise of its treasury wallet. The incident raises concerns about security within the DeFi space, impacting investor trust and highlighting the need for robust security measures.

US Winter Storm Weighs on Bitcoin Mining Network, Cryptoquant Finds

Bitcoin mining took a direct hit from January’s U.S. winter storm, with sharp declines in hashrate, production, and miner revenue across the network. Several large U.S.-based mining firms curtailed operations due to severe weather disrupting power availability.

Crypto Investor Loses Over $12 Million in Ethereum to ‘Address Poisoning’ Scam

A cryptocurrency investor fell victim to a sophisticated “address poisoning” attack, losing 4,556 Ethereum valued at approximately $12.4 million. The attacker monitored the victim’s transactions for two months before executing the theft through a fake look-alike address.

BRICS Nations Explore CBDC Payment Systems to Reduce Dollar Dependence

BRICS countries, with India at the forefront, are working on central bank digital currency (CBDC)-based payment settlement systems to lessen their dependence on dollar-dominated infrastructures such as SWIFT.

Transnational Money Laundering Case Involving Cryptocurrency "Pig Butchering" Scam Comes to a Close

A Beijing man has been sentenced to 46 months in prison for his role in a cryptocurrency scam that laundered over $36.9 million. The scam involved a transnational fraud and money laundering ring that targeted victims through social media and dating apps, guiding them to fake cryptocurrency trading platforms.

US Government Faces Technical Shutdown as BTC Falls Below $83,000

The US government's technical shutdown has led to market caution and increased volatility in the cryptocurrency market, with Bitcoin dropping below $83,000. Traders are adjusting their positions ahead of a House vote on a temporary funding bill, causing short-term uncertainty in the market.

Circle Reports Significant USDC Circulation Reduction

Circle has reported a notable decrease in the circulation of its USDC stablecoin over the past week, with a net reduction of about 3.4 billion USDC. The total circulation of USDC now stands at 70.2 billion, reflecting changes in the stablecoin market.

Blue Origin Suspends Suborbital Flights to Focus on Lunar Missions

Blue Origin has announced the suspension of its New Shepard suborbital flight missions for at least two years to prioritize the development of its manned lunar flight capabilities. This strategic shift aims to enhance the company's efforts in advancing lunar exploration technologies.

Source: KLEA News