Top Crypto Headlines Today (Jan 23, 2026)
Breaking: Nasdaq Files with US SEC to Remove Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs Restrictions
XRP News Today: XRP Weakens on Senate Delays Despite ETF Tailwinds
Bitcoin, ether ETFs report combined $713 million in outflows amid market turmoil
Bitcoin Hovers At US$90,000 As Ethereum Retreats
🇺🇸 U.S. Crypto Markets & Regulation: Nasdaq Pushes ETF Options Reform Amid Mixed Price Moves
January 23, 2026 — New York / Washington, D.C.
The cryptocurrency world continues to evolve rapidly as major market infrastructure changes and price volatility shape investor sentiment across the U.S. and global markets.
🏛️ Nasdaq Files to Remove Options Limits on Bitcoin & Ethereum ETFs
In a significant regulatory shift, **Nasdaq has filed a formal amendment with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to eliminate long-standing position limits on options tied to Bitcoin and Ethereum exchange-traded funds (ETFs).
Under existing rules, options on these crypto ETFs were capped at 25,000 contracts per position, a restriction that market participants argued unfairly limited trading activity compared with traditional commodity ETF options. Nasdaq’s filing removes those limits and allows the exchange to treat crypto ETF options like any other listed options product, potentially boosting liquidity and derivatives market efficiency.
The SEC waived the usual 30-day waiting period, allowing the rule change to take effect immediately. However, regulators still have authority to review or pause the amendment within the next 60 days.
📊 What this means for traders:
- Higher permitted exposure for institutional and professional options traders
- Improved hedging and speculative tools for Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) ETF investors
- Potentially more robust price discovery and narrower spreads as derivatives depth increases
This move signals a broader trend toward mainstream financial integration of cryptocurrency products in U.S. markets, echoing similar efforts in equities and commodities.
📉 Market Reaction: XRP & Broader Crypto Sentiment
The crypto price landscape remains mixed, reflecting both regulatory optimism and ongoing market caution:
- XRP prices weakened as delays in U.S. crypto legislation — including stalled Senate action on a comprehensive digital asset framework — have weighed on sentiment.
- Meanwhile, Bitcoin has traded near the $90,000 level, showing price consolidation after recent volatility.
- Among institutional players, outflows totaling approximately $713 million from Bitcoin and Ether ETFs have been reported amid recent market turbulence, indicating some risk-off behavior from large investors.
Analysts say these patterns aren’t purely negative; rather, they reflect a market in transition as macroeconomic factors and regulatory developments intersect with crypto trading dynamics.
📈 What Institutions & Regulators Are Watching
Nasdaq’s options rule change could incentivize deeper participation by traditional financial firms in crypto derivatives markets — at a time when legislative timing remains uncertain and ETF flows fluctuate.
Regulators continue to balance:
- Market integrity and investor protection
- Growth of crypto derivatives and institutional access
- Volatility management and systemic risk safeguards
The SEC’s open comment period on Nasdaq’s rule tweak and the broader debate around a national crypto market structure bill suggest that U.S. policy on digital assets is entering a crucial phase.
📌 Key Takeaways for Investors Today
| Topic | Latest Status |
|---|---|
| Nasdaq ETF Options Rule Change | Position limits eliminated; SEC fast-tracked approval |
| Bitcoin Price | Trading near ~$90,000 amid consolidation |
| Ethereum & Altcoins | Mixed price signals; broader market sentiment cautious |
| Institutional ETF Flows | Significant recent outflows, but renewed interest possible |
| U.S. Regulation | Policy delays affecting sentiment (Senate crypto bill) |
This article captures today’s most relevant crypto market developments — from trading infrastructure changes to price reactions and regulatory context.
