<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?> <rss version="2.0"> <channel> <title>Bitcoin Today - Bitcoin News Curated and Powered by AI</title> <link>https://www.bitcointoday.app</link> <description>Get daily updates on Bitcoin's price, market trends, analysis, and breaking news curated and powered by AI - all digestible in minutes. Make BitcoinToday.app your one-stop shop for staying informed in the fast-paced world of Bitcoin.</description> <lastBuildDate>Sun, 11 Jan 2026 05:32:43 GMT</lastBuildDate> <docs>https://validator.w3.org/feed/docs/rss2.html</docs> <generator>https://github.com/jpmonette/feed</generator> <language>en</language> <image> <title>Bitcoin Today - Bitcoin News Curated and Powered by AI</title> <url>https://www.bitcointoday.app/images/logo-512.png</url> <link>https://www.bitcointoday.app</link> </image> <copyright>All rights reserved 2024, BitcoinToday.app</copyright> <category>Bitcoin News</category> <item> <title><![CDATA[XRP ETFs Shatter Records as Bitcoin and Ether Funds Bleed $750 Million: The Great Crypto Rotation Begins?]]></title> <link>https://www.bitcointoday.app/article/xrp-etfs-shatter-records-as-bitcoin-and-ether-funds-bleed-750-million-the-great-crypto-rotation-begins</link> <guid>xrp-etfs-shatter-records-as-bitcoin-and-ether-funds-bleed-750-million-the-great-crypto-rotation-begins</guid> <pubDate>Sat, 10 Jan 2026 21:01:08 GMT</pubDate> <description><![CDATA[The first full trading week of 2026 has revealed a dramatic divergence in the cryptocurrency ETF landscape. While **U.S. spot Bitcoin and Ether ETFs** faced significant outflows, newer funds tracking **XRP** and **Solana (SOL)** bucked the trend with strong inflows and record-breaking volumes. ## Bitcoin and Ether ETFs Face Heavy Outflows According to data from **SoSoValue**, U.S. spot Bitcoin and Ether exchange-traded funds combined to shed **$749.6 million** during the week ending January 9, 2026. This marked a challenging start to the year for these established products. **Spot Bitcoin ETFs** recorded four consecutive days of outflows from January 6 through January 9, totaling **$681 million** for the week. The outflows came despite a strong start on January 5, when the funds attracted **$697.3 million** - the lone positive day of the week. Thursday's outflows of **$486.1 million** on January 7 marked the largest single-day hemorrhage of the week. **BlackRock's industry-leading IBIT fund** bore the brunt of outflows, with **$252 million** exiting the fund on January 9. Bitwise's BITB also saw modest outflows of **$5.9 million**. Fidelity's FBTC was a notable outlier, pulling in **$7.9 million** on the same day. The 12 spot Bitcoin ETFs now hold **$116.9 billion** in total net assets, representing **6.48%** of Bitcoin's market capitalization, with **$56.4 billion** in cumulative net inflows since launching in January 2024. **Spot Ether ETFs** fared slightly better in percentage terms but still posted weekly net outflows of **$68.6 million**. The funds started the week strong with inflows of **$168.1 million** on January 5 and **$114.7 million** on January 6, but total outflows of **$351.4 million** over the final three trading days erased those gains. BlackRock's ETHA led Ether fund outflows with **$83.8 million** on January 9, followed by Grayscale's ETHE with **$10 million** leaving the fund. The nine spot Ether ETFs now hold **$18.7 billion** in total net assets, or **5.04%** of Ether's market capitalization. ## XRP ETFs Hit Volume Milestone In stark contrast to their Bitcoin and Ether counterparts, the **five spot XRP ETFs** continued attracting capital in their early months of trading. The funds recorded **$38.1 million** in net inflows for the week ending January 9 and notched their **highest weekly trading volume since launch at $219 million**. The volume figure nearly doubled the previous week's **$117.4 million** and exceeded the **$213.9 million** recorded during the week ending December 19, 2025, the second-highest volume week yet. This milestone suggests **growing institutional interest** in the XRP funds despite broader weakness in the crypto ETF market. **Canary Capital's XRPC** leads the pack with **$375.1 million** in net assets under management, followed by **Bitwise's XRP fund** at **$300.3 million** and **Franklin Templeton's XRPZ** at **$279.6 million**. Grayscale's GXRP holds **$271.2 million**, while 21Shares' TOXR rounds out the field with **$246.9 million**. The XRP funds have accumulated **$1.22 billion** in cumulative net inflows since launching in mid-November 2025, with total net assets of **$1.47 billion**, representing **1.16%** of XRP's market capitalization. ## SOL ETFs Also See Positive Inflows Meanwhile, **spot SOL ETFs** also logged net positive inflows on the week, taking in **$41.1 million** throughout 2026's first full trading week. **Bitwise's BSOL fund** continues to be the industry leader in terms of assets under management by a wide margin, with **$648.1 million** in cumulative net inflows compared to runner-up Fidelity's FSOL at just **$131.4 million**.]]></description> <author>contact@bitcointoday.app (BitcoinToday.app)</author> <category>xrp</category> <category>bitcoinetf</category> <category>ethereumetf</category> <category>marketflows</category> <category>cryptocurrency</category> <enclosure url="https://www.tbstat.com/wp/uploads/2025/03/20250303_XRP_News_4-1200x675.jpg" length="0" type="image/jpg"/> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[Betterment's Crypto Scam Alert: Users Targeted with $10,000 'Triple Your Crypto' Fraud]]></title> <link>https://www.bitcointoday.app/article/betterments-crypto-scam-alert-users-targeted-with-10-000-triple-your-crypto-fraud</link> <guid>betterments-crypto-scam-alert-users-targeted-with-10-000-triple-your-crypto-fraud</guid> <pubDate>Sat, 10 Jan 2026 08:01:08 GMT</pubDate> <description><, where users shared screenshots and expressed concerns about the legitimacy of the offer. According to Betterment's official account on X, this was an **'unauthorized message'** sent via a **'third-party system'** used for marketing and customer communications. The company has since clarified that this is **not a real offer** and should be disregarded, apologizing for any confusion caused. ### The Scam Notification Details The notification, as captured in a screenshot from the Reddit thread, read: > **We’ll triple your crypto! (Limited Time)** > > Bryan: Betterment is giving back! > > We’re celebrating our best-performing year yet by tripling Bitcoin and Ethereum deposits for the next three hours. > > For example, if you send $10,000 in Bitcoin or Ethereum, we’ll send you right back $30,000 to your sending Bitcoin or Ethereum address. > > Send deposits to these addresses:  Some users also reported receiving **similar notifications via email**, highlighting the widespread nature of this scam attempt. Betterment's response on X emphasized the importance of vigilance: > Earlier this evening you may have received a message referencing a crypto-related Betterment promotion. This was an unauthorized message sent via a third-party system we use for marketing and other customer communications. > > Please note that this is not a real offer and should be disregarded. We apologize for any confusion. This incident underscores the **growing risks of crypto scams** targeting users through legitimate platforms. It serves as a critical reminder for investors to **always verify offers** and be cautious of unsolicited messages promising high returns.]]></description> <author>contact@bitcointoday.app (BitcoinToday.app)</author> <category>cryptoscam</category> <category>betterment</category> <category>bitcoin</category> <category>ethereum</category> <category>security</category> <enclosure url="https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/chorus/uploads/chorus_asset/file/23318438/akrales_220309_4977_0305.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C10.732984293194%2C100%2C78.534031413613&w=1200" length="0" type="image/jpg"/> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[Cathie Wood Predicts US Government Could Start Buying Bitcoin for National Reserve]]></title> <link>https://www.bitcointoday.app/article/cathie-wood-predicts-us-government-could-start-buying-bitcoin-for-national-reserve</link> <guid>cathie-wood-predicts-us-government-could-start-buying-bitcoin-for-national-reserve</guid> <pubDate>Fri, 09 Jan 2026 08:01:07 GMT</pubDate> <description><![CDATA[ARK Invest founder Cathie Wood has made a bold prediction that the US government might soon begin purchasing **Bitcoin** to add to the national strategic reserve. In a recent episode of the "Bitcoin Brainstorm" podcast, Wood argued that crypto remains a politically salient issue for President Trump as he faces midterm elections, which could impact his presidency. Wood noted that the federal government has so far only held **confiscated bitcoins** from forfeitures, but the original intent was to own **1 million bitcoins**. She believes this could change, stating, "I actually think they will start buying." This move would align with Trump's executive order to establish a strategic Bitcoin reserve, similar to gold held at Fort Knox, though no purchases have been made yet. According to Wood, Trump's support for crypto is driven by several factors, including his family's growing stake in the industry and the influence of the **crypto community**, which she claims was "part of the reason he won the presidency." She emphasized, "He doesn’t want to be a lame duck. He wants to have another one or two productive years, and I think he sees crypto as a path to the future." ### Crypto Influence in Politics Crypto industry participants have become a notable political force, with high-profile executives endorsing Trump and donating to his reelection. Outside groups like **Stand With Crypto** and companies such as Coinbase, Tether, and Ripple are funding initiatives, including a new White House ballroom. The Trump administration has also hosted crypto-related events and pushed for legislation like the **GENIUS Act** to formalize stablecoin rules. A working group chaired by Special Advisor for AI and Crypto, David Sacks, published a report in July recommending policies such as granting the **Commodity Futures Trading Commission** authority to regulate spot markets in non-security digital assets. The report stated that the Bitcoin reserve and crypto stockpile would be administered by the Treasury Department and capitalized only by forfeited assets. In addition to the strategic reserve, Wood predicted the administration will pursue a **de minimis tax exemption**, eliminating capital gains taxes on small cryptocurrency transactions. Several US states, including Florida and Texas, are also working on similar crypto stockpile legislation. Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and not intended as financial advice.]]></description> <author>contact@bitcointoday.app (BitcoinToday.app)</author> <category>bitcoin</category> <category>crypto</category> <category>arkinvest</category> <category>government</category> <category>reserve</category> <enclosure url="https://www.tbstat.com/wp/uploads/2024/03/20240313_Trump_News_2-1200x675.jpg" length="0" type="image/jpg"/> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[XRP vs Bitcoin: Can Ripple's Token Really Become the Next Crypto Giant?]]></title> <link>https://www.bitcointoday.app/article/xrp-vs-bitcoin-can-ripples-token-really-become-the-next-crypto-giant</link> <guid>xrp-vs-bitcoin-can-ripples-token-really-become-the-next-crypto-giant</guid> <pubDate>Thu, 08 Jan 2026 15:01:08 GMT</pubDate> <description>< Unsurprisingly, investors are now scouring to find the next Bitcoin. One cryptocurrency that has risen in popularity in recent years is **XRP** -- a coin distributed by financial services firm, Ripple. With a price of about $2, could XRP some day reach a six-figure price point as Bitcoin has? Let's assess the differences between XRP and Bitcoin and explore if the token could emerge as the next breakout candidate in the cryptocurrency landscape. ## Will XRP Rally in 2026? There are both macro-oriented and token-specific tailwinds that could fuel XRP's price throughout 2026. While the Federal Reserve has begun cutting interest rates, **Moody's Analytics Chief Economist Mark Zandi** thinks further easing of monetary policy is on the horizon. Zandi cites "fragile" economic growth. He forecasts 2% gross domestic product (GDP) as well as a weak job market that could inspire the Fed to cut rates at least twice this year. Broadly speaking, a lower interest rate environment can influence investors to at least consider allocating some of their capital toward more speculative assets such as cryptocurrency. Under these conditions, inflows directed toward smaller tokens like XRP could be in store. Another tailwind for XRP could be rising adoption of **spot exchange-traded funds (ETFs)**. These are passive funds that track the price of XRP without requiring investors to own the coin outright, bypassing much of the administrative nuances of buying cryptocurrency on exchanges and storing them in a crypto wallet. Some of the more popular spot XRP ETFs include the **Grayscale XRP Trust ETF**, **Franklin XRP ETF**, and **Canary XRP ETF**. Another potential tailwind for XRP revolves around its primary use case as a **bridge currency**. Ripple's payments infrastructure is both faster and more cost efficient than incumbent protocols -- namely, the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication (SWIFT) system. Businesses that rely on Ripple have the option to denominate their transactions in XRP as opposed to fiat currency, providing a clever way to bypass foreign exchange fees in cross-border payments. If Ripple acquires more market share in the cross-border payments industry, it could lead to wider adoption of XRP in the long run. Lastly, Ripple has outlined a robust plan to expand beyond payments applications. Specifically, the company's ecosystem is beginning to explore additional **decentralized finance (DeFi)** utilities across lending, stablecoins, compliance, and real world asset tokenization in which ownership of assets such as stocks and bonds is converted into tradeable crypto. While Ripple's ambitions to disrupt the payments industry will take years to bear fruit, XRP could witness renewed buying activity if a rising number of investors begin to collectively buy into the idea that the coin will play a central role in Ripple's long-term adoption. ## Despite the Potential Upside, XRP Is Fundamentally Different from Bitcoin Given the details above, XRP's upside trajectory looks compelling. The question is: Could XRP experience a rally similar to that of Bitcoin? In order to answer this, investors must understand what fueled Bitcoin's rise to begin with. After all, it's not like Bitcoin has overtaken fiat currency as a means of payment at global scale. All things considered, Bitcoin's utility is still relatively niche. Right now, nearly 20 million Bitcoins have been mined and are in circulation. Interestingly, Bitcoin boasts a total supply base of **21 million coins**. At its core, Bitcoin is viewed in a similar fashion to alternative assets like gold, artwork, or rare collectibles. In other words, there is an inherent **scarcity mindset** when it comes to investing in Bitcoin; it's capped supply makes it desirable despite the speculation that comes with owning it. XRP, despite its current utility and potential to evolve into a more multifaceted player in the payments world, is structurally different from Bitcoin. I like to think of XRP as more of a business -- or at least an extension of a business (Ripple) -- whereas Bitcoin is more of a **store of value**. Against this backdrop, owning XRP versus Bitcoin requires two totally different investment theses.  ## Should You Buy XRP Right Now? Choosing to invest in XRP boils down to your appetite for risk. If you're only interested in XRP because you're hoping it will experience an explosive rise akin to Bitcoin, then you're likely to be disappointed. On the other hand, if you are seeking some exposure to cryptocurrency and are willing to sit through periods of outsized momentum, then XRP could potentially become a multibagger in the long run. Still, I would only encourage investing in XRP if you can stomach a high degree of speculation. There is no guarantee that Ripple -- and by extension XRP -- will be widely adopted by banks and corporations in the long run.]]></description> <author>contact@bitcointoday.app (BitcoinToday.app)</author> <category>xrp</category> <category>bitcoin</category> <category>ripple</category> <category>cryptocurrency</category> <category>investing</category> <enclosure url="https://g.foolcdn.com/image/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fg.foolcdn.com%2Feditorial%2Fimages%2F849546%2Fgettyimages-1320779972-1.jpg&w=1200&op=resize" length="0" type="image//image/"/> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[BitFuFu: The $3 Bitcoin Mining Stock That Could Make You a Millionaire]]></title> <link>https://www.bitcointoday.app/article/bitfufu-the-3-bitcoin-mining-stock-that-could-make-you-a-millionaire</link> <guid>bitfufu-the-3-bitcoin-mining-stock-that-could-make-you-a-millionaire</guid> <pubDate>Thu, 08 Jan 2026 21:01:07 GMT</pubDate> <description>< *Image source: Getty Images.* While price is not value, it's enticing that for about half the price of a Big Mac, investors can grab one share of **BitFuFu**, positioning them to benefit from a 2026 Bitcoin rebound. It would take many more shares and a lot of upside for this stock to produce millionaires, but it doesn't lack potential. ## BitFuFu is worth a flier Cryptocurrency investors know that this asset class, particularly in the **altcoin** realm, can be prone to hysteria. Conversely, rewards can accrue to those employing conservative, deliberate approaches, which is precisely what **BitFuFu** is doing. When the company delivered its November operational update, Chairman and CEO Leo Lu told investors that **BitFuFu** is exercising restraint when it comes to third-party hashrate buys at a time when Bitcoin prices are sagging. Hashrate is the speed at which computers and networks generate hashes, and it's a pricey technology. Put simply, **BitFuFu** doesn't want to bite off more than it can chew, financially speaking, while Bitcoin prices are well off highs. In fact, the company displayed prudence by selling nearly 205 Bitcoin in November at an average price of $107,000, mitigating exposure to ensuing volatility. As Lu points out, **BitFuFu's priority is to be profitable**, regardless of whether Bitcoin is in a bull or **bear market**. Prudence may not mint millionaires, but profitable companies can. Regarding **BitFuFu's bottom line**, from 2021 through 2024, it was one of only five publicly traded Bitcoin miners that reported net income every year. During that period, the company's adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (**EBITDA**) grew at a compound annual rate of 173%. So this company is worth a look.]]></description> <author>contact@bitcointoday.app (BitcoinToday.app)</author> <category>bitfufu</category> <category>bitcoin</category> <category>mining</category> <category>stocks</category> <category>investing</category> <enclosure url="https://g.foolcdn.com/image/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fg.foolcdn.com%2Feditorial%2Fimages%2F847909%2Fbitcoin-getty.jpg&w=1200&op=resize" length="0" type="image//image/"/> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[IBIT ETF's Rollercoaster Ride: Weak Wednesday But Strong Gains Ahead?]]></title> <link>https://www.bitcointoday.app/article/ibit-etfs-rollercoaster-ride-weak-wednesday-but-strong-gains-ahead</link> <guid>ibit-etfs-rollercoaster-ride-weak-wednesday-but-strong-gains-ahead</guid> <pubDate>Wed, 07 Jan 2026 21:01:07 GMT</pubDate> <description><![CDATA[The iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF ($IBIT) experienced a challenging Wednesday, showing signs of weakness in its performance. Despite this setback, the ETF has demonstrated resilience with notable gains over broader timeframes. **Key Performance Metrics:** - Over the last 5 days, IBIT is up **3.77%**, indicating a positive short-term trend. - Year-to-date, it has climbed **5.64%**, showcasing strong growth in 2026 so far. According to technical analysis, the recent dip may be a temporary correction rather than a long-term bearish signal. Investors are closely watching for potential rebounds as the ETF navigates market volatility. **Why This Matters:** - **IBIT** is a major player in the Bitcoin ETF space, often seen as a barometer for institutional interest in cryptocurrency. - Fluctuations in its performance can influence broader market sentiment and Bitcoin prices. Stay tuned for updates as we monitor how IBIT responds to current market conditions and whether it can maintain its upward trajectory.]]></description> <author>contact@bitcointoday.app (BitcoinToday.app)</author> <category>ibit</category> <category>bitcoinetf</category> <category>cryptocurrency</category> <category>marketanalysis</category> <category>investing</category> <enclosure url="https://blog.tipranks.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/shutterstock_1268504104-1-1-750x406.jpg" length="0" type="image/jpg"/> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[Bitcoin Stock Strategy Soars as MSCI Index Rule Change Sparks Market Frenzy]]></title> <link>https://www.bitcointoday.app/article/bitcoin-stock-strategy-soars-as-msci-index-rule-change-sparks-market-frenzy</link> <guid>bitcoin-stock-strategy-soars-as-msci-index-rule-change-sparks-market-frenzy</guid> <pubDate>Wed, 07 Jan 2026 15:01:25 GMT</pubDate> <description><![CDATA[The stock market saw a mixed but cautiously optimistic start on Wednesday, with the **Dow Jones Industrial Average** rising 0.1% in morning trading. This uptick followed weaker-than-expected jobs data, which indicated a slowdown in private payroll growth. The **S&P 500** edged higher, while the **Nasdaq composite** reversed early losses to gain 0.2% after the opening bell. In the cryptocurrency space, **Bitcoin** dropped to around $91,600, reflecting ongoing volatility. However, the spotlight was on **Strategy (MSTR)**, formerly known as MicroStrategy, which jumped more than 4% premarket. This surge came after **MSCI**, a leading financial index operator, announced a new rule that does not exclude digital asset treasury firms from its indexes. While this move is seen as a positive development for Strategy, MSCI has indicated that it plans to keep crypto index weightings from growing as companies issue more shares to buy Bitcoin. Additionally, the exclusion of Strategy and similar firms remains a possibility, as MSCI needs more time to determine criteria for companies that are primarily "investment-oriented." Key market indicators showed the **10-year Treasury yield** ticking lower to 4.14%, and **oil prices** falling near $56.65 a barrel. Among exchange-traded funds, the **Invesco QQQ Trust (QQQ)** dipped slightly, while the **SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)** edged higher. ### Nasdaq 100 Highlights In the **Nasdaq 100**, **CrowdStrike (CRWD)** and **Intel (INTC)** rallied more than 3% each, making them top performers early in the trading session. On the downside, **Western Digital (WDC)** and **Seagate Technology (STX)** sold off around 5% apiece. ### Dow Jones Movers Within the **Dow Jones Industrial Average**, **Chevron (CVX)** and **McDonald's (MCD)** rallied 1.5% and 0.8%, respectively. In contrast, **Apple (AAPL)** and **Amazon (AMZN)** edged lower in premarket action, with Apple threatening to fall further below its 50-day moving average. ### Economic Data Insights The **ADP employment report** for December revealed private payroll growth of 41,000, below the estimated 47,000. This data, released at 8:15 a.m. ET, contributed to the market's cautious sentiment. Later in the day, the **Institute of Supply Management's services index** and the **JOLTS report** were anticipated, with economists expecting slight dips in both metrics. Overall, the market's response to the jobs data and MSCI's rule change highlights the interconnectedness of traditional finance and the evolving cryptocurrency landscape, with Strategy's performance serving as a key indicator of investor sentiment toward Bitcoin-related stocks.]]></description> <author>contact@bitcointoday.app (BitcoinToday.app)</author> <category>bitcoin</category> <category>stockmarket</category> <category>msci</category> <category>strategy</category> <category>investing</category> <enclosure url="https://www.investors.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Stock-wallstreet-multiflag-01-adobe.jpg" length="0" type="image/jpg"/> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[Ripple's Bold Strategy: Why the $40 Billion Crypto Giant Is Rejecting IPO Plans]]></title> <link>https://www.bitcointoday.app/article/ripples-bold-strategy-why-the-40-billion-crypto-giant-is-rejecting-ipo-plans</link> <guid>ripples-bold-strategy-why-the-40-billion-crypto-giant-is-rejecting-ipo-plans</guid> <pubDate>Wed, 07 Jan 2026 08:01:08 GMT</pubDate> <description><![CDATA[## Ripple's Financial Strength Fuels Private Growth Strategy Ripple President Monica Long has made a significant announcement: **the company has no plans to pursue an initial public offering (IPO)**, emphasizing its robust financial position and preference for expanding privately through acquisitions and product development. "Currently, we still plan to remain private," Long said in a Tuesday interview with Bloomberg. "Often the strategy driving an IPO is to get access to the investors and the liquidity of the public markets … We're in a really healthy position to continue to fund and invest in our company's growth without going public." ## Recent Funding Round and Investor Confidence Long's comments come after Ripple raised **$500 million in November 2025 at a $40 billion valuation**. The round drew investors including Fortress Investment Group, Citadel Securities and other crypto-focused funds. When asked about the specific terms of the fundraising — including investor protections such as the right to sell shares back to Ripple at a guaranteed price and return, as well as preferential treatment in events like bankruptcy or a company sale — Long described the deal structure as "very positive, very favorable for Ripple." Long did not, however, elaborate on whether such protections were necessary to secure the participation of major investors or to support the reported valuation. ## Aggressive 2025 Expansion Through Acquisitions Ripple saw significant expansion in 2025, completing **four major acquisitions** — global multi-asset prime broker Hidden Road, stablecoin payments platform Rail, treasury management system provider GTreasury and digital asset wallet and custody firm Palisade. These deals, totaling nearly $4 billion, are part of Ripple's push to position itself as a comprehensive provider of enterprise digital asset infrastructure. As of last November, Ripple Payments had processed over **$95 billion in total volume**. Ripple Prime — built with the Hidden Road acquisition — has recently expanded into collateralized lending and institutional XRP products. Ripple's dollar stablecoin, RLUSD, sits at the core of both businesses. "The whole strategy of our company is to create products," Long said. "So the connective tissue that traditional finance needs to make blockchain and cryptocurrencies and stablecoins, all these tokenized assets, to make them actually useful and applicable in the real world."]]></description> <author>contact@bitcointoday.app (BitcoinToday.app)</author> <category>ripple</category> <category>ipo</category> <category>funding</category> <category>acquisitions</category> <category>blockchain</category> <enclosure url="https://www.tbstat.com/wp/uploads/2025/06/ripple-xrp-1200x675.jpg" length="0" type="image/jpg"/> </item> <item> <title><![CDATA[The Data Center Rebellion: How AI Infrastructure Sparks Political Firestorms Across America]]></title> <link>https://www.bitcointoday.app/article/the-data-center-rebellion-how-ai-infrastructure-sparks-political-firestorms-across-america</link> <guid>the-data-center-rebellion-how-ai-infrastructure-sparks-political-firestorms-across-america</guid> <pubDate>Tue, 06 Jan 2026 21:01:09 GMT</pubDate> <description><![CDATA[## The Data Center Rebellion: How AI Infrastructure Sparks Political Firestorms Across America In Sand Springs, Oklahoma, a **data center** with blinding industrial lights and smoke pouring from its roof towered menacingly over a helpless gingerbread house in the annual Christmas parade. This city bordering Tulsa has become a battleground, one of many across the country where companies seeking to build massive data centers to win the **AI race with China** are coming up against the reality of local politics. Sand Springs leaders were besieged with community anger after annexing an 827-acre agricultural property miles outside of town and launching into secret talks with a tech giant looking to use it for a sprawling data center. Hundreds of aggrieved voters showed up at community meetings. Swarms of protest signs are taking root along the rural roads. "It feels like these data center companies have just put a big target on our backs," said Kyle Schmidt, leader of the newly formed Protect Sand Springs Alliance. "We are all asking: Where are the people we elected who promised to protect us from these big corporations trying to steamroll us?" From Archibald, Pennsylvania, to Page, Arizona, tech firms are seeking to plunk down data centers in locations that sometimes are not zoned for such heavy industrial uses, within communities that had not planned for them. These **supersize data centers** can use more energy than entire cities and drain local water supplies. Anger over the perceived trampling of communities by Silicon Valley has entered the national political conversation and could affect voters of all political persuasions. Many of the residents fighting the project in Sand Springs voted for Trump three times and also backed Gov. J. Kevin Stitt (R), who implores tech firms to build in his state. "We know Trump wants data centers and Kevin Stitt wants data centers, but these things don't affect these people," said Brian Ingram, a Trump voter living in the shadow of the planned project. "You know, this affects us." Ingram was standing before a homemade sign he planted on his front lawn that said, "Jesus Was Born on Ag Land." The grassroots blowback comes from deep red states as much as from left-wing groups such as the Democratic Socialists of America, which have helped draw hundreds of residents to hearings in Arizona, Indiana and Maryland. Even Energy Secretary Chris Wright warned data center developers that they are losing control of the narrative. "In rural America right now, where data centers are being built, everyone's already angry because their electricity prices have risen a lot," he told energy executives. "'I don't want them in my state' is a common viewpoint." Some industry groups argue that residents' concerns are misplaced. "Fueled by misinformation, driven by radical environmental policies, communities are missing out on the jobs, security and opportunities this technology is delivering," said an email from Brian O. Walsh, executive director of the AI Infrastructure Coalition. The group says the projects lower electricity prices, a claim that is hotly disputed. The White House frames the data center boom as beneficial, saying in a statement that it will lead to big investments in infrastructure and boost manufacturing. But the administration is also aware some communities oppose them. "Communities know what's best for them, and the Administration is clear that local infrastructure decisions remain with states and localities," the statement said. Many local politicians are yielding to community pressure and rejecting data centers. Between April and June, more projects were blocked or delayed than during the previous two years combined, according to Data Center Watch, a tracking project by the nonpartisan research firm 10a Labs. Some **$98 billion in planned development was derailed** in a single quarter. Last month, a group of Senate Democrats launched an investigation into the role data centers play in increasing electricity prices. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) last month called for a moratorium on data center construction, warning that the tech firms are draining scarce energy and water reserves and pushing the cost onto everyday Americans in pursuit of AI technologies that threaten to displace millions from the workforce. White House AI czar David Sacks replied on X: "He would block new data centers even if states want them & they generate their own power." But advocates say residents' concerns are legitimate. "This data center expansion affects so many issues," said Mitch Jones, managing director of policy and litigation at Food and Water Watch. The group last month organized a letter signed by several national advocacy groups demanding a moratorium. "It takes up farmland in rural communities. It takes up dwindling water sources in communities that need cleaner drinking water. And it is driving up electricity prices for everyone," he said. "It is drawing together people from disparate backgrounds who might not agree on other political issues. They are saying this is taking place without any forethought to communities and we must stop it." The NAACP this month convened a two-day "Stop Dirty Data" conference in Washington that focused on the impacts of the AI build-out on minority and low-income communities. It included a bus tour of "Data Center Alley" in Northern Virginia, the world's largest collection of data centers. Even Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) is championing an AI "bill of rights" to enshrine local governments' power to stop data center construction and prohibit utilities from pushing AI infrastructure costs onto residents. The break between Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Georgia) and President Donald Trump was driven in part by her vocal criticism of his AI build-out push. The industry has struggled to quell the concerns. In Chandler, Arizona, former senator Kyrsten Sinema (I), co-founder of the AI Infrastructure Coalition, implored city officials to get on board with a large proposed project or risk the federal government pushing it through without city input. The city council rejected the project unanimously. The vote followed the Tucson City Council's unanimous rejection of a plan that would have required annexing land in the Sonoran Desert that until June had been zoned "rural homestead." Some voters were outraged that local officials had signed a five-year nondisclosure agreement with Amazon, which did not come to light for two years. Frustration with the power company that would have provided the power has fueled a movement to drive it out in favor of a community-led nonprofit. Amazon did not respond to questions about the controversy, saying only, "We do not have any commitments or agreements in place to develop this project." Amazon founder Jeff Bezos owns The Washington Post. "People are understandably asking how they will benefit," said Chris Lehane, chief global affairs officer at OpenAI, which has won initial local approval for some of the country's largest data center projects. He said companies need to listen to communities and make sure they are sharing in the economic gains. "You need to be on the ground, having these conversations. It is a journey." In some places, large tech companies have signed contracts committing to pay for new power grid infrastructure required to bring a data center online, even when the companies are not the only ones that would benefit from it. It's a journey that some local officials are willing to go on because the projects generate construction jobs and boost revenue for schools. "We're trying to work through this," said Mike Carter, the city manager in Sand Springs. "This would probably be one of our major employers. It would almost certainly become the dominant part of our tax base. ... When you can surpass Walmart, which is right now the biggest taxpayer in our community, there is a big incentive to look at this." He has tried to assure residents that they will have all their questions answered — including the name of the tech firm — before the city hearing this month, where officials will consider rezoning the sprawling property from agricultural to industrial. He said the city has signed other nondisclosure agreements during negotiations with large corporations, such as Olive Garden. The project developer, White Rose Partners, said none of the costs involved with providing electricity to the Sand Springs data center would fall on residential ratepayers. The firm says the data center would generate millions of dollars in revenue for local schools and services. It is cold comfort to many residents of the rural community, where the data center would industrialize a landscape now defined by the ranches that drew them there. "I don't care how much chocolate icing you put on a dog turd, it don't make it chocolate cake," said Rick Plummer, who raises elite team-roping horses next to the proposed data center. "They are trying to fluff this data center thing up and say, 'Man, eat this birthday cake.' But it isn't birthday cake." On the other side of Tulsa, a steady stream of pickups pulled off the busy local road to sign petitions fighting a different data center proposed for the rural community of Coweta. One sign takes aim at the nondisclosure agreements, stating "NDAs BETRAY." The petitions demand the firing of a city official who signed one. "We want to see this damn data center go away and go someplace else," said Allen Prather, who was leading the petition drive dressed as Santa. "This town deserves a better centerpiece than a data center. They keep coming to smaller and smaller towns. Leave mine alone." Sherri Crumpacker, a retired law enforcement officer who pulled over to sign, concurred. 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