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Google Trends data from Jan. 19 shows the keyword “crypto” reached its highest search interest since November 2021 after Trump launched his memecoin token.

United States President Donald Trump’s recent foray into the memecoin market drove Google search interest for the term “crypto” to its highest level since 2021.

On Jan. 18, Trump launched an official memecoin project just days before his inauguration. Following the launch of the Official Trump (TRUMP) token, First Lady Melania Trump also launched a self-titled memecoin, Melania Meme (MELANIA). Both crypto assets performed well during launch but eventually saw sharp declines. 

Google Trends data revealed a surge in search interest for “crypto” following Trump’s memecoin release. The term reached its peak since November 2021, when Bitcoin (BTC) hit an all-time high above $67,000.

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By holding their own keys, Bitcoiners can hedge against centralization risks while reaping the benefits of Bitcoin adoption, Trezor’s Lucien Bourdon said.

Hardware wallet provider Trezor has highlighted the importance of self-custody in safeguarding Bitcoin holders against potential failures of centralized institutions as institutional adoption of the cryptocurrency continues to grow.

Institutional adoption is a great contributor to mainstream recognition of Bitcoin (BTC) and price appreciation, but it still introduces certain risks, Trezor’s Bitcoin analyst Lucien Bourdon told Cointelegraph.

“Institutional involvement introduces centralization, with single entities holding large amounts of Bitcoin,” Bourdon said, adding that institutional adoption is associated with risks like volatility and negative sentiment if institutional investors face significant issues or even collapse.

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OKX and Crypto.com secure full MiCA licenses, enabling regulated crypto services across the EU.

Crypto exchanges OKX and Crypto.com have received full licenses under the European Union’s Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA). 

On Jan. 27, OKX announced that it had received its full MiCA license through its dedicated crypto hub in Malta, while Crypto.com also received its full MiCA license on the same day.

Crypto exchange OKX MiCA license. Source: MFSA

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MicroStrategy acquired 10,107 BTC at a price of approximately $1.1 billion between Jan. 21 and Jan. 26, with an average purchase price of $105,596.

MicroStrategy has acquired an additional 10,107 Bitcoin for around $1.1 billion, its co-founder Michael Saylor announced on Jan. 27.

This brings the world’s largest corporate Bitcoin holder’s balance to 471,107 Bitcoin (BTC).

Saylor’s announcement came during pre-market trading hours on Jan. 27, as Bitcoin fell below the $100,000 mark for the first time since US President Donald Trump took office.

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