Odaily Planet Daily reports that crypto exchange Kraken, ahead of its upcoming US IPO, has reassigned its Chief Financial Officer, Stephanie Lemmerman, to a strategic advisor role. Lemmerman joined Kraken as CFO in November 2024, serving for approximately 16 months. Her responsibilities have been taken over by former Vice President of Business Development, Robert Moore, who is listed as Deputy CFO on the parent company Payward Inc.'s website. This change comes shortly after Kraken filed confidential documents with US regulators in November 2025, following its $800 million funding round, valuing the company at $20 billion, including a $200 million investment from Citadel Securities. Kraken has also recently made several executive promotions, including Curtis Ting as COO and Kamo Asatryan as Chief Data Officer. Kraken stated that the finance function will shift more towards product-oriented roles rather than traditional logistical support. The company has not yet commented on this change. (CoinDesk)

In the past hour, total liquidations across the network reached $15.72 million, with $3.43 million from long positions, with $12.29 million from short positions. BTC liquidation $12.44 million, ETH liquidation $4.12 million.

Odaily Planet Daily reports that U.S. Commerce Secretary Josh Lutnick attempted to distance himself from Jeffrey Epstein on Tuesday, claiming he had "virtually nothing" to do with the convicted sex offender. This followed new revelations about their relationship that sparked calls for his resignation. In January, the U.S. Department of Justice released millions of new documents related to Epstein, including emails showing Lutnick apparently visiting Epstein's private island for lunch several years after he claimed to have severed ties with him. Lutnick refuted these claims at a Senate hearing, stating that the two exchanged only about 10 emails over 14 years, and that the lunch was simply because his boat was near Epstein's island at the time, adding that his family was also present. "I have nothing to do with him. I have almost nothing to do with that guy," he told a Senate committee during questioning by Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen. (Jin Shi)

Odaily Planet Daily reports that U.S. Treasury Secretary Bessenter stated that under the leadership of Kevin Warsh, Trump's nominee for Federal Reserve Chair, the Fed will closely monitor the situation to ensure that there is no "time mismatch" between employment and productivity amid the rapid development of artificial intelligence. Speaking via video at an event hosted by Brazilian investment bank BTGPactual, Bessenter said the U.S. economy will grow at an average rate of 4.1% in the last three quarters of 2025, and predicts that nominal GDP growth (excluding inflation) this year could reach 6%. Bessenter noted that historically, productivity booms have often been accompanied by employment booms, and the Fed will closely monitor this "to ensure there is no time mismatch." (Jinshi)

Odaily Planet Daily reports that YZi Labs issued a letter to the board of directors of CEA Industries, stating that CEA Industries' claim of a "secret agreement" with YZi Labs is completely untrue. The letter points out that the law firm Winston & Strawn has advised on the relevant agreement, and board members Alexander Monie, Hans Thomas, and then-10X Capital CEO Namdar were involved throughout the process. The so-called "secret" claim is merely misleading. CEA's request to terminate the Strategic Services Agreement (SSA) is equally absurd. YZi Labs terminated the agreement on December 11, 2025, and notified the board in writing on December 13. The SSA did not generate any payments and did not affect negotiations for the 10X asset management agreement. YZi Labs urges the board to immediately clarify the misleading statements, fully disclose related-party transactions involving Hans Thomas, and genuinely protect shareholder interests.