CZ on Meme Coins and Crypto Policy Developments in 2026

On January 13, Changpeng Zhao (CZ), co-founder of Binance, reiterated his stance on meme coins. He stated he was not against them but warned investors that blindly following meme coin-related tweets could lead to losses. CZ noted that he often tweets jokes and is not actively involved in the meme coin space.

In U.S. crypto policy, Senate efforts to pass the Clarity Act remain ongoing. Pro-crypto Senator Cynthia Lummis has introduced a bipartisan act to protect blockchain developers from money transmitter licenses. The act, known as the Blockchain Regulatory Certainty Act, aims to prevent developers from being treated the same as exchanges or brokers according to reports.

Meanwhile, Ripple submitted a formal letter to the SEC's Crypto Task Force on January 9. The letter addressed digital asset market structure and the need for clear regulatory definitions. Ripple emphasized that securities laws should regulate enforceable promises rather than assets as stated in their letter.

Shiba Inu (SHIB) has experienced significant price volatility in early 2026. The meme coin posted gains followed by losses in the first week of the year. SHIB's price reached $0.00001017 before dropping to $0.00000846. Community members have encouraged holders to remain strong amid the price swings according to market analysis.

Why Did This Happen?

CZ's remarks reflect a broader caution in the crypto space. He noted that many meme coin tweets are not serious and often result in retail investors making uninformed decisions. This sentiment is supported by market behavior, where meme coins can experience sharp price swings without underlying fundamentals as research indicates.

In the U.S., the push for regulatory clarity has gained bipartisan support. The Blockchain Regulatory Certainty Act aims to address the issue of treating developers the same as financial institutions. Proponents argue this approach is not technologically informed and could undermine privacy and free speech rights according to analysis.

Ripple's letter to the SEC highlights the company's long-term engagement with regulators. The company argued that the focus should be on enforceable rights and contractual obligations rather than on the decentralization of assets. This aligns with Ripple's position on XRP, which it describes as not a security as detailed in their letter.

How Did Markets React?

Shiba Inu's price movements reflect the volatile nature of meme coins. After a brief rally, SHIB faced selling pressure, dropping nearly 10 percent in a short period. Despite this, the community has remained optimistic, with developers encouraging holders to stay invested according to community reports.

The broader crypto market has been affected by regulatory uncertainty and liquidity concerns. The lack of clear rules has led to cautious trading behavior. Low liquidity has amplified price swings, making it difficult for investors to find stable entry and exit points as market data shows.

What Are Analysts Watching Next?

The Clarity Act remains a key focus for crypto policy watchers. Delays in the markup process have raised concerns about the timeline for regulatory clarity. Analysts are watching whether the bill will pass in the coming weeks or face further delays according to policy analysis.

Ripple's engagement with the SEC is also under scrutiny. The company's argument that XRP should not be classified as a security could influence future regulatory decisions. If accepted, it could set a precedent for other digital assets as detailed in their letter.

Shiba Inu's price trajectory will depend on market sentiment and whale activity. Large holders have been moving tokens to exchanges, which could indicate selling pressure. However, a sustained rally above key moving averages may signal a trend reversal according to market analysis.

Pi Network has launched a new developer library to enable faster integration of Pi payments. The update aims to boost ecosystem growth and real-world utility. While the price of PI has remained relatively flat, the company is focusing on expanding use cases as reported.

In the biopharma sector, Benitec Biopharma's BB-301 therapy for oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy is advancing in clinical trials. The therapy combines gene replacement and silencing techniques and has shown promising results in early trials according to clinical data.