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Are these new semiconductor tariffs a sign of the Chinese market opening back up for Nvidia and AMD?

In today's video, I discuss recent updates affecting Nvidia (NVDA +2.13%), Advanced Micro Devices (AMD +1.93%), and other AI stocks. To learn more, check out the short video, consider subscribing, and click the special offer link below.

*Stock prices used were the after-market prices of Jan. 14, 2026. The video was published on Jan. 14, 2026.

Jose Najarro has positions in Advanced Micro Devices, CoreWeave, Nvidia, and WhiteFiber. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Advanced Micro Devices, Nvidia, and Qualcomm. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Jose Najarro is an affiliate of The Motley Fool and may be compensated for promoting its services. If you choose to subscribe through their link they will earn some extra money that supports their channel. Their opinions remain their own and are unaffected by The Motley Fool.

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Will strengthen provision of FA total solutions in China and accelerate FA system business growth

TOKYO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Mitsubishi Electric Corporation (TOKYO: 6503) announced today that its wholly owned subsidiary, Mitsubishi Electric Intelligent Manufacturing Technology (China) Group Co., Ltd. in Suzhou, China, acquired a stake in ADT Technology Service (Suzhou) Co., Ltd., a Suzhou-based software developer with which the subsidiary had signed a collaboration agreement. By collaborating with ADTTech, which develops software for production planning, manufacturing management, quality control and equipment management, Mitsubishi Electric plans to enhance its provision of factory automation (FA) total solutions and thereby contribute to smarter and increasingly automated factories in China’s expanding manufacturing sector.

ADTTech develops and markets manufacturing management software, leveraging production technology it cultivated as the former manufacturing division of liquid crystal display (LCD) manufacturer AUO Corporation. Mitsubishi Electric will combine its FA equipment and monitoring/control software with ADTTech’s services in comprehensive total solutions supporting the utilization, analysis and operation of production site data. Through this investment, Mitsubishi Electric expects to strengthen its ability to offer FA total solutions in the Chinese market and accelerate the growth of its FA system business.

Amid rising labor costs, labor shortages and tightening environmental regulations worldwide, manufacturers are investing in smart, green manufacturing incorporating digital technologies such as AI and IoT. They are also increasingly automating their production facilities. China is expected to experience increasing demand for services that effectively utilize and analyze production data, aligning with trends toward digitalization and smart manufacturing.

For the full text, please visit: www.MitsubishiElectric.com/news/

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The Vanguard Total Corporate Bond ETF tracks the Bloomberg U.S. Corporate Bond Index, offering diversified exposure to investment-grade debt.

On January 9, Capital Asset Advisory Services disclosed a buy of 79,178 shares of the Vanguard Total Corporate Bond ETF (VTC 0.09%), an estimated $6.19 million trade based on quarterly average pricing.

What happenedAccording to a recent SEC filing dated January 9, Capital Asset Advisory Services increased its stake in the Vanguard Total Corporate Bond ETF (VTC 0.09%) by 79,178 shares. The estimated value of the new shares purchased was $6.19 million based on the average closing price during the fourth quarter. Meanwhile, the quarter-end value of the position increased by $5.76 million, a figure that includes both trading activity and market price changes.

What else to knowThis buy brings the fund’s VTC stake to 2.52% of reportable assets under management after the quarter.

Top holdings after the filing:

NYSEMKT:VV: $351.60 million (14.13% of AUM)NYSEMKT:AGG: $177.29 million (7.13% of AUM)NYSEMKT:IDEV: $114.45 million (4.60% of AUM)NYSEMKT:SPDW: $90.41 million (3.63% of AUM)NYSEMKT:VO: $77.15 million (3.10% of AUM)As of January 8, shares of VTC were priced at $77.69.

ETF overviewMetricValueAUM$1.51 billionPrice (as of January 8)$77.69Yield4.75%ETF snapshotInvestment strategy: Seeks to track the performance of the Bloomberg U.S. Corporate Bond Index, providing exposure to investment-grade, fixed-rate, taxable U.S. corporate bonds.Portfolio composition: Holds a diversified mix of U.S. dollar-denominated corporate bonds issued by industrial, utility, and financial companies.Fund structure: Structured as a fund of funds ETF, offering a passively managed approach.The Vanguard Total Corporate Bond ETF provides broad exposure to the U.S. investment-grade corporate bond market through an indexing strategy. The fund's diversified holdings and low-cost structure are designed to appeal to institutional investors seeking efficient fixed-income allocation. By tracking a comprehensive benchmark, it aims to deliver consistent income and risk-adjusted returns within the corporate bond segment.

What this transaction means for investorsThis move reinforces a portfolio shift toward stability and income at a moment when equity upside looks less asymmetric than it did a year ago. Increasing exposure to broad investment-grade corporate bonds is not about making a call on market direction. It is about locking in yield while volatility remains an ever-present risk.

The ETF offers exactly that profile. With a 30-day SEC yield around 4.84% and an ultra-low 0.03% expense ratio, it delivers efficient access to high-quality corporate credit without taking on equity-like swings. Its underlying holdings span industrial, utility, and financial issuers, creating diversification that complements rather than competes with stock exposure. Pricing near the high-$70s reflects a bond market that has already repriced meaningfully, but still offers income levels unavailable for much of the past decade.

Meanwhile, Capital Asset Advisory’s largest positions remain equity-heavy, led by broad market and international stock ETFs. Ultimately, adding corporate bonds at just over 2.5% of assets nudges the risk profile toward balance, not retreat.

Jonathan Ponciano has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Vanguard Index Funds - Vanguard Mid-Cap ETF. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Analyst’s Disclosure:I/we have a beneficial long position in the shares of CLMT either through stock ownership, options, or other derivatives. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.

Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.

Analyst’s Disclosure:I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.

Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.

Analyst’s Disclosure:I/we have a beneficial long position in the shares of BTC-USD, ETH-USD, SOL-USD, BSOL either through stock ownership, options, or other derivatives. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.

I'm not an investment advisor.

Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.

Accelerated overseas strategy as an integral part of brand transformation

HONG KONG, HK AND BANGKOK, TH / ACCESS Newswire / January 15, 2026 / Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group Limited ("Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group", the "Group" or the "Company"; SEHK stock code: 1929), the global Chinese luxury group built on a nearly-century old legacy of trust and innovation, announces the opening of a key strategic store in Bangkok, Thailand, within the iconic Siam Paragon, as well as the appointment of acclaimed Chinese actor Yang Yang as its Global Brand Ambassador. These initiatives mark significant milestones in the Group's brand transformation journey as it redefines global luxury through Chinese craftmanship and artistry.

The Group, which operates over 5,000 stores globally with a market capitalisation of approximately HK$122 billion, equivalent to US$16 billion, (as of 31 December 2025), is strengthening its presence in luxury destinations across international markets as part of its brand transformation. The new store at a Southeast Asian luxury retail landmark showcases Chow Tai Fook Jewellery's blend of modern sophistication with the richness imbued by cultural heritage.

In addition, the appointment of Global Brand Ambassador Yang Yang reflects the commitment to engaging new audiences and deepening emotional resonance with overseas consumers. Yang Yang, a renowned globally recognised Chinese actor, is set to strengthen the brand's presence in key international markets, positioning it as a modern, elegant embodiment of Chinese luxury on the world stage.

A New Expression of Heritage and Modern Luxury

The new Siam Paragon store features the brand's iconic "Chow Tai Fook Timeless Red" throughout. The space celebrates the beauty of Chinese craftsmanship and artistry with the use of refined materials and thoughtful lighting that create a warm, gallery-like ambience. To build connections and emotional resonance, the Group is introducing a selection of Thai-exclusive pieces that honour local culture.

"As we advance our dynamic brand transformation journey, curating exceptional retail experiences in international markets is pivotal in Chow Tai Fook Jewellery's overseas expansion strategy. This expansion is part of our ambition to establish Chow Tai Fook Jewellery as a leading force in global luxury, while reinforcing our legacy of innovation, excellence, and cultural resonance," said Ms Sonia Cheng, Vice-chairman of Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group .

She further remarked: "Another key aspect of our strategic vision is the appointment of Yang Yang as our Global Brand Ambassador. Through this alliance, we will cultivate a refined and contemporary identity for a Chinese luxury brand on the world stage."

Accelerating Global Reach to Redefine Luxury Across Borders

Chow Tai Fook Jewellery's international business expansion is guided by a two-pronged approach: revitalising key existing markets and expanding into high-potential new territories for sustainable growth. With around 60 points of sales across international markets in 1HFY2026 (April to September 2025), the Group's retail sales in Other Markets segment (including China duty-free) grew nearly 17% year-on-year.

The opening of the Siam Paragon store follows the debut of the Group's first newly designed store in Southeast Asia, which opened at Singapore Changi Airport in November 2025. Building on this momentum, Chow Tai Fook Jewellery is set to further expand its international retail network, with plans to open its first store in Australia and an additional store in Canada by the end of June 2026. The Group also intends to expand into the Middle East market within two years.

Redefining Global Luxury Through Chinese Artistry

In celebration of its 95 th anniversary, the Group embarked on a brand transformation journey in 2024 to redefine global luxury. By blending heritage with contemporary iconic designs, the Group showcases the beauty of China to the world through exquisite jewellery that honours tradition while embracing modern elegance.

Chow Tai Fook Jewellery is the first Chinese jewellery brand to appoint a Creative Director with international perspectives and exposure, underscoring its commitment to innovative design and narrative-driven branding. Led by Creative Director of High Jewellery, Nicholas Lieou, the Group introduced its signature collections, including the CTF Rouge and CTF Joie Collections.

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Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group Limited

Since its founding in 1929, CHOW TAI FOOK, the flagship brand of Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group, has been celebrated for its bold designs and meticulous attention to detail. Our commitment to innovation and craftsmanship has made us synonymous with excellence, value, and authenticity.

As the global Chinese luxury group, we blend contemporary designs with traditional techniques to create timeless pieces. Each collection reflects our customers' stories and lives, celebrating their special moments. We aspire to inspire and captivate generations to come, weaving the story of CHOW TAI FOOK into their own.

Our brand portfolio includes the iconic CHOW TAI FOOK flagship brand, HEARTS ON FIRE, ENZO, and MONOLOGUE, offering a wide variety of products that also includes an expanding range of cutting-edge IP collaborations. With over 5,000 stores worldwide, we offer a seamless client journey across all touchpoints that includes a network across China as well as a growing number of global locations.

Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group Limited (SEHK: 1929) has been listed on the Main Board of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange since December 2011. We are committed to delivering sustainable long-term value for our stakeholders by continually enhancing earnings quality and driving higher value growth.

Media Enquiries:

Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group Limited

Haide Ng
Associate Director, Corporate Communications
Tel: (852) 3115 4402
Email: [email protected]

Acky Chan
Senior Manager, Corporate Communications
Tel: (852) 3115 4403
Email: [email protected]

SOURCE: Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group Limited

India's exports to China soared in December while shipments to the U.S. declined as President Donald Trump's steep tariffs prompt New Delhi to focus on alternative markets.

Exports to China surged 67% in December to $2 billion, in contrast to goods shipped to the U.S. — New Delhi's biggest export market — that dropped 1.8% to $6.8 billion.

The U.S. has slapped 50% tariffs on New Delhi, among the highest on any country and even more than on China, upending both the trade and diplomatic relations between the two countries.

During the first nine months of the fiscal year ending March 2026, India's exports to mainland China have risen nearly 37%, while shipments to Hong Kong have jumped more than 25%.

Earlier this week, India's Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met Vice Minister of the International Department of the Communist Party of China Sun Haiyan in New Delhi to discuss the "progress made in stabilizing and rebuilding bilateral ties with priority on business and people-centric engagements."

Relations between the two countries have been thawing since Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping met at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in September sharing a vision of being partners not rivals.

China has emerged as India's largest goods trading partner, doing business worth $110.20 billion between April and December 2025, upstaging the U.S. at $105.31 billion, data from the India's commerce ministry shows.

But India's widening trade deficit with Beijing and border disputes have been a bone of contention between the two. The country's trade balance with China is in sharp contrast with the U.S.

New Delhi runs a trade surplus with Washington, while it's trade deficit with Beijing has been soaring. During April to December, India's trade surplus with the U.S. was more than $26 billion, deficit with China stood at $81.7 billion.

In fiscal year 2025, India traded goods worth $131.84 billion with Washington and $127.71 billion with its Asian neighbor, not accounting for Hong Kong.

Deficit, tariffs and diversificationIndia's merchandise trade deficit for December rose 21.4% year on year to $25 billion. The country's merchandise exports in December rose 1.9% while imports grew 8.8% compared to a year ago.

However, the deficit was lower than a Reuters poll estimate of $27 billion.

Exports had registered a surprise growth of 19.4% in November, with shipments to the U.S. rising 22.6% amid hopes a possible deal.

India's trade secretary Rajesh Agrawal on Thursday said that New Delhi was "very near" to finalizing a deal with Washington but refused to put a deadline to it, according to domestic media reports.

Despite the two sides being engaged in negotiations for months, a deal has been elusive. U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick on a podcast last week said the India–U.S. trade deal fell through because Prime Minister Modi did not call President Trump.

"I set the deal up. But Modi had to call President Trump. They were uncomfortable with it, so Modi didn't call," Lutnick said.

The Indian side has called these comments "inaccurate."

U.S. Ambassador to India, Sergio Gor, who took charge last week, has said that finalizing a trade deal with a large nation like India is "not an easy task to get this across the finish line, but we are determined to get there."

India, which has ambitions to become an export powerhouse, has been looking to diversify its exports to make up for the impact of U.S. tariffs.

Agrawal said that the country was close to signing a much-awaited trade deal with the European Union this month, according to a report by Reuters.

Since U.S. tariffs were announced, India has entered into trade pacts with the UK, Oman as well with New Zealand which will be signed in the first half of 2026.

India has a "well-diversified and resilient export footprint," said S. C. Ralhan, president, Federation of Indian Export Organisations, highlighting UAE, China, Netherlands, UK and Germany as India's top export destinations in addition to the U.S.

"This diversification is particularly critical at a time when global trade routes are being reshaped due to geo-political conflicts, sanctions, shipping disruptions and strategic realignments, he said in a statement.

Infosys rose as much as 4% on Friday after unexpectedly raising its fiscal 2026 revenue forecast, as analysts said it's well-positioned to win market share through stronger AI partnerships and deeper client engagement.

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Bridging the AI security gap: Okta’s local investment addresses identity governance for India’s AI-driven enterprises

BENGALURU, India--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Okta, Inc., the leading independent identity company, is reinforcing its commitment to the Indian market with the launch of in-country Okta Platform tenants, delivering data residency and enhanced disaster recovery. It also helps enable highly regulated sectors—such as banking, financial services, insurance, and healthcare—to securely adopt AI and strengthen their defenses against advanced cyber threats.

As enterprises in India accelerate their AI ambitions, security and governance are struggling to keep pace. Okta research shows that 91% of organisations are already using AI agents, but only 10% have a well-developed strategy or roadmap for managing non-human identities. This gap underscores the growing need for identity governance in the AI era. Okta’s identity security fabric helps bridge this divide by providing a central control plane to manage every identity—from humans to AI agents—across all apps, use-cases, and resources.

“As AI agents enter the workforce, traditional perimeter-based security approaches can’t keep up,” said Stephanie Barnett, VP Presales and Interim GM, Okta APJ. “Okta is addressing this head-on with a unified identity security fabric that helps protect every identity—human or AI—with equal rigor. Our investment in India empowers innovators to embrace AI with confidence, compliance, and trust as they scale.”

Key Benefits for Indian Customers

Local Okta Platform tenants, hosted on AWS, will help Okta customers address India’s evolving data, security, and compliance challenges by offering:

Data Residency and Compliance Support: Indian organisations can now store identity data within India. This capability is designed to support customers who prefer or require local storage based on their internal policies or applicable regulations. This foundational investment in trust helps customers meet their governance and compliance requirements, including those guided by the Digital Personal Data Protection Act (DPDP Act) and sector-specific expectations from regulators. Secure the AI Frontier: In-country tenants help enable businesses to utilize Okta’s identity security fabric and extend protection to both human and machine identities. This provides the necessary control to defend against emerging AI-powered cyber threats. Enhanced Disaster Recovery: Okta’s advanced business continuity service leading resilience to keep customers secure and operational during regional infrastructure outages. New and existing Okta customers will be able to deploy in the India region in early 2026.

“AI agents are transforming how work gets done, but they also introduce new identity and security challenges. As Indian enterprises accelerate their digital transformation, securing every identity, human or AI has become mission-critical. Okta provides the identity security fabric that enables this trust, helping organisations in regulated sectors like Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance (BFSI) and healthcare protect sensitive data and identities within India’s borders,” said Shakeel Khan, RVP and Country Manager, Okta India.

About Okta:

Okta, Inc. is The World’s Identity Company™. We secure Identity, so everyone is free to safely use any technology. Our customer and workforce solutions empower businesses and developers to use the power of Identity to drive security, efficiencies, and success — all while protecting their users, employees, and partners. Learn why the world’s leading brands trust Okta for authentication, authorization, and more at okta.com.

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Analyst’s Disclosure:I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.

Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.

Bitcoin's next major move may hinge less on sentiment and more on U.S. dollar flows, as shifting Federal Reserve liquidity conditions set the stage for a potential crypto rebound driven by macro forces.

DeadLock, a ransomware group that first emerged in July 2025, has made news again, and this time it is for abusing Polygon blockchain smart contracts to manage and rotate proxy server addresses, according to research published by cybersecurity firm Group-IB. 

The ransomware operation uses blockchain-based smart contracts to store the group’s proxy server URL, allowing frequent rotation that makes it difficult for defenders to permanently block infrastructure.

After encrypting a victim’s systems, DeadLock drops an HTML file that acts as a wrapper for the decentralized messaging platform, Session.

How does the DeadLock ransomware work on Polygon? Embedded JavaScript code within the file queries a specific Polygon smart contract to obtain the current proxy URL, which then relays encrypted messages between the victim and the attacker’s Session ID.

These read-only blockchain calls generate no transactions or fees, making them cost-free for the attackers to maintain.

Group-IB researchers noted that the exploit of smart contracts to deliver proxy addresses is an interesting method where attackers can apply infinite variants of this technique, with imagination being the only limit.

The technique is not well documented and under-reported but its usage is gradually gaining traction in the wild, according to security researchers.

Investigation by Cisco Talos revealed that DeadLock gains initial access by exploiting CVE-2024-51324, a Baidu Antivirus vulnerability, using a technique known as “bringing your own vulnerable driver” to terminate endpoint detection and response processes.

DeadLock comes up with new extortion tactics DeadLock is different from most ransomware operations because it abandons the usual double extortion approach and does not have a data leak site where it could publicize attacks.

Instead, the group threatens to sell stolen data on underground markets while offering victims security reports and promises not to re-target them if ransom is paid.

Group-IB’s infrastructure tracking has not drawn any threads between DeadLock and any known ransomware affiliate programs. In fact, the group maintains a relatively low profile. However, they found smart contract copies that were first created and updated in August 2025 and later updated in November 2025.

Group-IB stated that it successfully “tracked its infrastructure through blockchain transactions, revealing funding patterns and active servers.”

Nation-state actors adopt similar techniques Google Threat Intelligence Group observed North Korean threat actor UNC5342 using a related technique called EtherHiding to deliver malware and facilitate cryptocurrency theft since February 2025.

According to Google, “EtherHiding involves embedding malicious code, often in the form of JavaScript payloads, within a smart contract on a public blockchain like BNB Smart Chain or Ethereum.”

Polygon happens to be a layer-2 blockchain that’s built on Ethereum’s layer-1 infrastructure.

While DeadLock remains low volume and low impact, security researchers warn that it applies innovative methods showcasing a skill set that might become dangerous if organizations do not take the threat it poses seriously.

Apart from calling on businesses to be proactive in detecting malware, Group-IB recommended that they should add more layers of security, such as multifactor authentication and credential-based solutions.

The cybersecurity firm also stated that businesses should have a data backup, train their employees, patch up vulnerabilities, and, very importantly, “never pay the ransom” but contact incident response experts as quickly as possible if they ever get attacked.

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Interactive Brokers, a large, global electronic brokerage firm widely cited for its strong drive to become the number one stablecoin trading firm, integrated a new 24/7 trading feature into its system, enabling users to expand their stablecoin holdings in their accounts whenever they need.

This announcement was made public on Thursday, January 15. At this time, the brokerage firm noted some advantages of using stablecoins in trading, asserting that stablecoins are a swift, affordable, and globally available option compared to other methods, such as wire transfers, which are perceived as regular funding methods. 

To further elaborate on its unique features, Interactive Brokers noted that stablecoins can extend trading hours, unlike traditional wire transfers.

Interactive Brokers embraces a major move aimed at increasing USDC adoption globally  Following these assertions from the company, Milan Galik, CEO of Interactive Brokers, argued that, “Using stablecoin funding gives international investors the speed and flexibility they need in today’s markets. Clients can move funds and start trading within minutes while lowering transaction costs.”

Immediately after his remarks, sources close to the matter, who wished to remain anonymous due to the confidential nature of the situation, clarified that Zerohash, a B2B crypto infrastructure provider, is the primary factor behind this incorporation’s success. Before initiating this upgrade, Interactive Brokers encouraged its retail investors in December to deposit several USDC in their individual brokerage accounts.

Notably, for the stablecoin to be effectively included in the client’s brokerage account, users were advised to transfer the cryptocurrency from their personal crypto wallets to a Zerohash wallet on a major network such as Ethereum, Solana, or Base that has current backing, thereby positioning this wallet as the most secure. Upon receipt of USDC, the digital asset is automatically converted to US dollars and added to the brokerage account.

Considering the increased adoption of stablecoins worldwide and their reshaping of global finance, Edward Woodford, the Founder and CEO of Zerohash, mentioned that the crypto infrastructure platform will charge a conversion fee as low as 0.30% per deposit, bringing the minimum charge to $1.

Apart from this fee, reports highlighted that users will also be required to pay the usual blockchain transaction charges. At this moment, sources highlighted that Mastercard proposed purchasing Zerohash for up to $2 billion. Acquisition talks proceeded; however, the current status of this discussion remains unclear.

Interactive Brokers positions itself as a leader in the crypto industry  Interactive Brokers’ move to integrate 24/7 trading with USDC stablecoin funding comes as the firm seeks to launch more trading alternatives linked to stablecoins, potentially as early as next week. These options include RLUSD, a fiat-backed stablecoin issued by Ripple, and  PYUSD, a stablecoin from PayPal, pegged 1:1 to the US dollar.

Following this funding, reports from reliable sources indicated that the brokerage company publicly announced its intention to introduce its own stablecoin last year.

Meanwhile, it is worth noting that Interactive Brokers, founded in 1977, is widely known for its low fees in the crypto industry.

It began operations in late 2021, offering crypto trading and custody services for four major assets, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, and Bitcoin Cash. This operation took place in partnership with Paxos, a regulated blockchain infrastructure company. 

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In a statement on X, a crypto expert declared unwavering confidence that XRP will join the ranks of the world’s 10 largest assets by market capitalization within the next two years. Bird’s bold comment comes during a notable change in asset rankings, where silver recently overtook Nvidia in market cap. 

At the time of writing, XRP’s market cap is around $127 billion, a fraction of the threshold needed to break into the top 10, where it needs to reach at least $2 trillion in market cap.

Analyst Says XRP Can Join The World’s Top 10 Assets The prediction was shared by crypto analyst Bird, who stated that he is 100% confident that XRP will appear on the leaderboard of the top 10 global assets by market capitalization within the next 24 months. This comment was made in response to when silver, with a current market cap of $5.036 trillion, overtook NVIDIA, which has a current market cap of $4.458 trillion, as the second largest asset behind Bitcoin.

This statement of XRP becoming a top 10 asset by market cap comes with an ultra-bullish expectation where XRP provides more value than most top global assets and companies.

At the time of writing, XRP’s market capitalization is around $127 billion, which places it well outside the top 100 global assets by market cap. In fact, only Bitcoin and Ethereum currently occupy spots inside the top 100, with Bitcoin ranking eighth globally at around $1.929 trillion and Ethereum at rank 35 with a market cap of $402.09 billion. 

Source: Chart from CompaniesMarketCap What Would It Take For XRP to Reach Top-Ten Status? The tenth-largest asset on the list of top assets is Broadcom, which currently has a market cap of approximately $1.611 trillion. In order for XRP to realistically become one of the world’s ten most valuable assets by market cap, the cryptocurrency would need to see extraordinary growth in price, which would not be possible without a corresponding growth in utility. 

XRP’s current valuation is around $2.10 per token, and its market cap falls far short of the $1.7 trillion that it needs to overtake Broadcom. Based on the current circulating supply of XRP, achieving a market cap of $1.7 trillion would require the cryptocurrency to trade at a price around $28 per XRP. This translates to an increase of about 1,220% from the current price level.

Interestingly, many bullish XRP enthusiasts and analysts put XRP trading at this price target one day, but these predictions are based on adoption in cross-border transfers and strong demand in both retail and institutional markets for XRP. However, whether XRP can realistically reach the $28 mark within the next two years is still an open question.

XRP trading at $2.11 on the 1D chart | Source: XRPUSDT on Tradingview.com Featured image from Freepik, chart from Tradingview.com

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Scott Matherson is a leading crypto writer at Bitcoinist, who possesses a sharp analytical mind and a deep understanding of the digital currency landscape. Scott has earned a reputation for delivering thought-provoking and well-researched articles that resonate with both newcomers and seasoned crypto enthusiasts. Outside of his writing, Scott is passionate about promoting crypto literacy and often works to educate the public on the potential of blockchain.

Bitcoin has pushed above the $97,000 level, extending a recovery that has brought short-term relief to a market weighed down by weeks of uncertainty. While the move has reignited optimism among some investors, a large share of analysts remains cautious, arguing that the rally could still be a counter-trend bounce within a broader bearish setup for 2026.

Price strength alone, however, does not fully explain the current move. According to a CryptoQuant analyst, Bitcoin has shown notable resilience after decisively breaking the $94,200 resistance zone and accelerating toward the $97,500 area, with on-chain data offering important context behind the advance.

One of the key indicators supporting this move is Value Days Destroyed (VDD), a metric that sheds light on long-term holder behavior. VDD measures how long coins remained inactive before being spent, weighted by transaction size. In simple terms, it helps distinguish whether price movements are driven by experienced holders distributing old coins or by newer coins changing hands.

As of January 2026, VDD is hovering around 0.53, a historically low reading. This implies that the coins currently moving on the network are relatively young, while older holdings remain largely dormant. Such behavior suggests that long-term holders are not rushing to sell into strength, lending structural support to the recent breakout—even as the broader market debates whether this surge marks renewed strength or merely a temporary reprieve.

Long-Term Holders Reinforce Bitcoin’s Breakout Quality The report by Carmelo Alemán, Verified On-Chain Analyst at CryptoQuant, highlights an important dynamic behind Bitcoin’s recent move above key resistance levels. Despite the sharp price appreciation, long-term holders remain largely inactive. In practical terms, this means that investors who have held Bitcoin through multiple cycles are not using the current strength as an opportunity to exit positions. Their restraint significantly improves the quality of the rally.

Bitcoin Value Days Destroyed | Source: CryptoQuant Historically, this behavior has mattered. When Bitcoin advances while Value Days Destroyed (VDD) stays low, it signals that older coins are not entering circulation. Demand is being met primarily by younger supply, allowing price to rise without triggering structural selling pressure from the most experienced market participants. These phases have often aligned with healthier expansion periods rather than short-lived speculative spikes.

The current breakout fits that historical pattern. Bitcoin’s move through resistance has not been accompanied by a surge in long-dormant coins being spent. Instead, long-term capital appears comfortable holding through higher prices, suggesting confidence in the broader market structure rather than urgency to lock in gains.

This supportive backdrop remains conditional. As long as VDD stays suppressed, the rally retains a strong foundation. However, a sustained increase in the indicator would change the narrative, signaling that long-term holders are beginning to distribute and potentially marking a shift toward heavier selling pressure.

Bitcoin price is trying to stabilize after a sharp rebound from the December lows, with the chart showing BTC reclaiming the $96,000–$97,000 zone. This level coincides with a confluence of technical factors, making it a critical area for short-term direction. The recent recovery followed a strong sell-off from the November highs. Where the price broke below the 50-day and 100-day moving averages and briefly capitulated toward the low $80,000s.

BTC testing key Moving Average | Source: BTCUSDT chart on TradingView From a structure perspective, BTC is now printing higher lows on the daily timeframe, signaling a potential short-term trend reversal. Price has also reclaimed the 50-day moving average, which often acts as dynamic resistance during downtrends. Holding above this level would be constructive, as it suggests buyers are regaining control after weeks of distribution and volatility.

However, overhead resistance remains significant. The 100-day and 200-day moving averages, currently clustered between $100,000 and $108,000, represent a heavy supply zone where previous breakdowns occurred. A failure to push higher could lead to renewed consolidation or a pullback toward the $92,000–$94,000 support range.

Volume has increased during the rebound, showing genuine participation rather than a low-liquidity bounce. Still, the broader trend remains unclear. For bullish momentum, Bitcoin needs acceptance above $97,000 and a clear attempt toward the $100,000 psychological level. Otherwise, the move risks being a technical rebound within a larger corrective phase.

Featured image from ChatGPT, chart from TradingView.com 

Crypto-related regulatory developments on Capitol Hill overshadowed XRP-spot ETF inflows and Ripple’s latest moves on Main Street.

Despite the delay in legislation, the short-term outlook remains cautiously bullish and constructive for the medium-term.

Below, I will explore the key drivers behind recent price trends, the medium-term (4-8 weeks) outlook, and the key technical levels traders should watch.

US Senate Delays Market Structure Bill The US Senate Banking Committee cancelled the scheduled Market Structure Bill markup vote, potentially delaying much-needed crypto legislation until the summer.

Chairman of the Banking Committee and Senator Tim Scott made the announcement, stating:

“I’ve spoken with leaders across the crypto industry, the financial sector, and my Democratic and Republican colleagues, and everyone remains at the table working in good faith. As we take a brief pause before moving to a markup, this market structure bill reflects months of serious bipartisan negotiations and real input from innovators, investors, and law enforcement. The goal is to deliver clear rules of the road that protect consumers, strengthen our national security, and ensure the future of finance is built in the United States.”

XRPUSD – Weekly Chart – 160126 – Market Structure Bill Price Action While this week’s developments weighed on XRP, a positive takeaway was the swift action of US lawmakers in response to Coinbase’s criticisms and support withdrawal.

Senator Bill Hagerty expressed his confidence in reaching the finish line, stating:

“I am confident we will get to a consensus product in short order.”

Despite the latest regulatory setbacks, the short-term outlook remains cautiously bullish and positive for the medium term. US XRP-spot ETF market inflows and increased real-world utility tilt the supply-demand balance in XRP’s favor.

ETF Flows and Fundamental Support The US XRP-spot ETF market has reported total net inflows of $1.27 billion since launching in November. By contrast, the US SOL-spot ETF market has seen $864.77 million in net inflows since launching in October. Meanwhile, the US BTC-spot ETF market has had $1.26 billion in net outflows since the US XRP-spot ETF market launched.

Strong US XRP-spot ETF inflows underpin investor optimism over crypto legislation and increased utility, key to the bullish medium-term price outlook.

XRP Price Targets The ongoing progress of the Market Structure Bill, robust demand for XRP-spot ETF, and increased XRP utility reinforce the cautiously positive short-term (1-4 weeks) outlook, with a $2.5 price target.

Furthermore, hopes that the Senate will eventually pass crypto-friendly legislation reinforced the bullish longer-term price targets:

Medium-term (4-8 weeks): $3.0. Longer-term (8-12 weeks): $3.66. Key Risks to the Bullish Outlook Several events could unravel the positive outlook. These include:

The Bank of Japan declares a hawkish neutral interest rate (potentially 1.5%-2.5%), signaling multiple rate hikes. A higher neutral rate could trigger a yen carry trade unwind, which would impact the short-term outlook. US economic data and the Fed are dampening bets on an H1 2026 rate cut. US lawmakers roadblock the Market Structure Bill, further delaying crypto legislation. XRP-spot ETFs report outflows. These factors would likely weigh on sentiment, sending XRP below $2, which would indicate a bearish trend reversal.

Technical Analysis: Levels to Watch XRP fell 2.77% on Thursday, January 15, following the previous day’s 1.23% loss, closing at $2.0784. The token came under heavier selling pressure than the broader crypto market cap, which dropped 1.46%.

Despite the pullback, XRP continued trading above its 50-day EMA, while the token remained below the 200-day EMA. The EMAs indicated a bullish near-term but a bearish longer-term bias. However, the bullish fundamentals remain dominant.

Key technical levels to watch include:

Support levels: $2.0, $1.75, and then $1.50. 50-day EMA support: $2.0777. 200-day EMA resistance: $2.3243. Resistance levels: $2.5, $3.0, and $3.66. Viewing the daily chart, a break above $2.2 would open the door to testing the 200-day EMA. A sustained move through the 200-EMA would indicate a bullish trend reversal, bringing the $2.5 resistance level into play.

Importantly, a breakout above the EMAs would reaffirm the bullish medium-term outlook and the longer-term (8-12 weeks) $3.66 price target.

USDT0, the unified liquidity network for Tether’s stablecoin USDT, has announced surpassing $63 billion in total value transacted over its first year of operation, recording $431 million in bridge volume in the latest 24 hours. Launched in January 2025, USDT0 has rapidly scaled, integrating 18 blockchain ecosystems. Co-Founder Lorenzo R. credits the milestone to collaboration within these ecosystems, enhancing stablecoin liquidity movement.

Key achievements include over 487,000 transactions across chains like Ethereum, Polygon, and Optimism. Tether CEO Paolo Ardiono highlights USDT0’s role in reducing friction and unifying liquidity, supporting USDT as a settlement layer across diverse networks. The platform’s advancements include its Legacy Mesh, enabling direct connections with native USDT deployments.

LayerZero’s Arjun Arora points out USDT0’s leverage, allowing decentralized finance (DeFi) systems to manage liquidity across chains. Beyond US dollars, USDT0 has expanded to include assets like tokenized gold (XAUT0) and offshore yuan (CNHT0), according to Conflux CEO Fan Long.

Looking ahead, USDT0 plans to consolidate and deepen its ecosystem engagements, aiming to grow supply and enhance throughput while integrating select new ecosystems. Plasma’s CEO Paul Faecks notes USDT0’s impact on liquidity for Aave markets, while Polygon’s Aishwary Gupta reports the transition to Polygon-native USDT0 has increased transaction activity.

These achievements position USDT0 as a key infrastructure component for cross-chain liquidity, promising further integration in a programmable stablecoin economy. The future involves ongoing consolidation and selective expansion to support a growing range of ecosystems.

Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF) Mechanics

ETFs are investment funds that trade on stock exchanges, holding assets like stocks, commodities, or bonds. The term ‘spot’ refers to the current market price of the asset the ETF aims to track. Issuers file for ETFs to offer investors exposure to these assets without direct ownership. Approval involves regulatory reviews focusing on market stability and investor protection.

Regulatory Focus on Crypto Products

Regulators prioritize custody, market integrity, and investor protection when overseeing crypto products. They require robust surveillance-sharing agreements to prevent market manipulation and demand transparency in operations. Disclosure requirements ensure investors are informed about potential risks.

Institutional Interest in Crypto

Large banks and asset managers explore crypto products due to client demand, potential fee revenue, and alternative investment opportunities. Cryptocurrency provides new access routes for diversified portfolios, appealing to a growing base of institutional clients.

Bitcoin and Solana Context

Bitcoin, the largest cryptocurrency by market value, is widely recognized as a digital store of value and payment system. Solana is known for its smart-contract capabilities, supporting decentralized applications and emphasizing speed and low costs.

Product and Market Risks

Stablecoins and other crypto products face risks like price volatility, liquidity challenges, and regulatory uncertainty. Operational risks include potential system failures, while tracking errors can affect returns. Fees vary, impacting investor costs.

Competitive Landscape

The crypto industry sees multiple issuers filing similar products, leading to competition. Timelines for product development and approval are often uncertain, with frequent amendments expected. Stakeholders watch for regulatory reviews and market reception.

Next Steps for USDT0

As USDT0 enters its second year, stakeholders anticipate continued development and integration. The focus will be on consolidating existing partnerships and expanding into new ecosystems. Market participants await further announcements on network enhancements and new asset integrations.

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Bitcoin price started a fresh increase above $96,000. BTC is correcting some gains and might decline to $94,000 before a fresh increase.

Bitcoin started a decent increase above $95,000 and $96,000. The price is trading above $95,000 and the 100 hourly Simple moving average. There is a declining channel or a possible bullish flag forming with resistance at $96,200 on the hourly chart of the BTC/USD pair (data feed from Kraken). The pair might continue to move up if it stays above the $95,000 zone. Bitcoin Price Dips and Corrects Some Gains Bitcoin price managed to stay above the $93,500 support and started a fresh increase. BTC was able to settle above $95,000 and $95,500.

The bulls were able to push the price above $96,000. Finally, the price spiked above $97,500. A high was formed at $97,898, and the price is now correcting some gains. There was a move below the 23.6% Fib retracement level of the recent wave from the $89,995 swing low to the $97,898 high.

Bitcoin is now trading above $95,000 and the 100 hourly Simple moving average. If the price remains stable above $95,000, it could attempt a fresh increase. Immediate resistance is near the $96,000 level. The first key resistance is near the $96,200 level. There is also a declining channel or a possible bullish flag forming with resistance at $96,200 on the hourly chart of the BTC/USD pair.

Source: BTCUSD on TradingView.com The next resistance could be $97,000. A close above the $97,000 resistance might send the price further higher. In the stated case, the price could rise and test the $97,800 resistance. Any more gains might send the price toward the $98,800 level. The next barrier for the bulls could be $99,200 and $100,000.

Downside Continuation In BTC? If Bitcoin fails to rise above the $96,200 resistance zone, it could start another decline. Immediate support is near the $95,000 level. The first major support is near the $94,000 level and the 50% Fib retracement level of the recent wave from the $89,995 swing low to the $97,898 high.

The next support is now near the $93,000 zone. Any more losses might send the price toward the $91,850 support in the near term. The main support sits at $91,500, below which BTC might accelerate lower in the near term.

Technical indicators:

Hourly MACD – The MACD is now losing pace in the bullish zone.

Hourly RSI (Relative Strength Index) – The RSI for BTC/USD is now below the 50 level.

Major Support Levels – $95,000, followed by $94,000.

Major Resistance Levels – $96,200 and $97,000.

Economist Peter Schiff said in an interview aired Thursday that he’d prefer a gold-backed cryptocurrency over Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) during a crisis like the one in Iran.

Schiff Choses Gold AgainAppearing on the Randi Hipper show, Schiff said that if he were to transact anonymously through an app in Iran, given the currency crisis and internet ban, he would choose tokenized gold over Bitcoin.

“I’d rather have a cryptocurrency backed up by real money,” Schiff stated, adding that Bitcoin is backed by nothing.

According to the Bitcoin critic, the best option in Iran would be to use a stablecoin. “There are plenty of those that you could get into. And in fact, the best stable coin, believe, would be a tokenized gold,” he said.

Inflation Crisis Fueling Bitcoin’s Rise In Iran?The Iranian Rial has become nearly worthless against the dollar, pushing people toward cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, as a hedge.

While internet shutdowns expose a vulnerability, there have been claims that Iranians are using Bitchat, a decentralized messaging app developed by Jack Dorsey’s Block Inc., and its clones, to send BTC via Bluetooth.

The Real ‘Digital Gold’It’s worth highlighting that Bitcoin failed to live up to its oft-repeated "digital gold" reputation in 2025, while precious metals-backed cryptocurrencies proved far more reliable.

Tether Gold (CRYPTO: XAUT) and PAX Gold (CRYPTO: PAXG) are both up over 70% over the past year, while the apex cryptocurrency is down 4%.

Asset1-Year Gains +/-Price (Recorded at 9:45 a.m. ET)Bitcoin -4.17%$95,430.78Tether Gold
               +71.66%$4,591PAX Gold               +70.96%$4,608.10
Photo: Shutterstock/GraphixTreasure
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of Benzinga Neuro and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

Market News and Data brought to you by Benzinga APIs

© 2026 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.

A recently-discovered ransomware dubbed “DeadLock” is stealthily exploiting Polygon smart contracts to rotate and distribute proxy addresses, say researchers at cybersecurity firm Group-IB.

The company reported on Thursday that the DeadLock ransomware, first discovered in July, has seen “low exposure” as it isn’t tied to any known data leak site or affiliate programs and has a “limited number of reported victims.”

However, Group-IB warned that even though the ransomware is “low profile,” it uses “innovative methods” that could be dangerous to organizations that don’t take the malware seriously, “especially since the abuse of this specific blockchain for malicious purposes has not been widely reported.”

DeadLock leverages Polygon smart contracts to store and rotate proxy server addresses used to communicate with victims. Code embedded in the ransomware interacts with a specific smart contract address and uses a function to dynamically update command-and-control infrastructure.

Once victims have been infected with the malware and encryption has occurred, DeadLock threatens them with a ransom note and the selling of stolen data if their demands are not met.

Infinite variants of the technique can be appliedBy storing proxy addresses on-chain, Group-IB said DeadLock creates infrastructure that is extremely difficult to disrupt, as there is no central server to take down, and blockchain data persists indefinitely across distributed nodes worldwide.

“This exploit of smart contracts to deliver proxy addresses is an interesting method where attackers can literally apply infinite variants of this technique; imagination is the limit,” it added.

HTML file with an embedded Session private messenger to contact the threat actor. Source: Group-IBNorth Korean threat actors found “EtherHiding” Weaponizing smart contracts for malware dissemination is not new, with Group-IB noting a tactic called “EtherHiding” that Google reported in October. 

A North Korean threat actor dubbed “UNC5342” used this technique, “which consists of leveraging transactions on public blockchains to store and retrieve malicious payloads,” it said. 

EtherHiding involves embedding malicious code, often in the form of JavaScript payloads, within a smart contract on a public blockchain, explained Google at the time. 

“This approach essentially turns the blockchain into a decentralized and highly resilient command-and-control (C2) server.”Magazine: Trump rules out SBF pardon, Bitcoin in ‘boring sideways’: Hodler’s Digest

Cointelegraph is committed to independent, transparent journalism. This news article is produced in accordance with Cointelegraph’s Editorial Policy and aims to provide accurate and timely information. Readers are encouraged to verify information independently. Read our Editorial Policy https://cointelegraph.com/editorial-policy

Ethereum price started a major increase above the $3,350 resistance. ETH is now consolidating gains and holding the key support at $3,280.

Ethereum started a downside correction after a major rally to $3,400. The price is trading above $3,280 and the 100-hourly Simple Moving Average. There is a bullish trend line forming with support at $3,280 on the hourly chart of ETH/USD (data feed via Kraken). The pair could start a fresh increase if it stays above the $3,280 zone. Ethereum Price Hits Support Ethereum price remained stable above $3,300 and started a fresh increase, like Bitcoin. ETH price rallied above the $3,320 and $3,350 resistance levels.

A high was formed at $3,402, and the price recently started a downside correction. There was a move below $3,320. The price dipped below the 23.6% Fib retracement level of the recent wave from the $3,060 swing low to the $3,402 high.

Ethereum price is now trading above $3,280 and the 100-hourly Simple Moving Average. There is also a bullish trend line forming with support at $3,280 on the hourly chart of ETH/USD.

Source: ETHUSD on TradingView.com If the bulls can protect more losses below $3,280, the price could attempt another increase. Immediate resistance is seen near the $3,320 level. The first key resistance is near the $3,350 level. The next major resistance is near the $3,385 level. A clear move above the $3,385 resistance might send the price toward the $3,450 resistance. An upside break above the $3,450 region might call for more gains in the coming days. In the stated case, Ether could rise toward the $3,500 resistance zone or even $3,550 in the near term.

Downside Break In ETH? If Ethereum fails to clear the $3,320 resistance, it could start a fresh decline. Initial support on the downside is near the $3,280 level and the trend line. The first major support sits near the $3,260 zone and the 100 hourly SMA.

A clear move below the $3,260 support might push the price toward the $3,220 support and the 50% Fib retracement level of the recent wave from the $3,060 swing low to the $3,402 high. Any more losses might send the price toward the $3,150 region.

Technical Indicators

Hourly MACD – The MACD for ETH/USD is losing momentum in the bullish zone.

Hourly RSI – The RSI for ETH/USD is now below the 50 zone.

Major Support Level – $3,280

Major Resistance Level – $3,385

Senators are vowing to go forward on a major crypto bill that would give the industry the rule of the road after a planned committee vote was derailed at the 11th hour.

But the biggest sticking points have been issues for months as Democrats, Republican, the crypto industry and banks have tried to find common ground.

The likelihood that the latest version of the bill, which was released late Monday, would be able to get the approval of the Banking Committee was already tenuous when Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong tweeted on Wednesday afternoon that Coinbase would not be able to support the bill, listing several concerns including a reduced role for the CFTC and limits on the ability for crypto to offer consumers rewards in the bill..

"It was the 1,000th cut in a death by 1000 cuts," Sen. Cynthia Lummis told CNBC of Armstrong's tweet.

A few hours after Armstrong publicly opposed the bill, Banking Chair Tim Scott, R-S.C., formally called off the hearing, postponing it to a yet-to-be-announced date.

Armstrong told CNBC that after a new version of the bill was dropped late Monday night, he was surprised by some of the provisions in it. By the time Coinbase's team identified key areas of concern, it was too late for any changes to be made in a markup.

"We've got a chance to do a new draft and hopefully get back into a markup in a few weeks," Armstrong said.

Lummis, said it could take until February or March to re-hold the vote.

"I feel like I got run over by a Mack truck," said Lummis, one of the biggest crypto proponents on Capitol Hill who has worked on similar legislation for years.

"But we'll get back at it after this break and find some ways to fix the bill."

One of the biggest debates around the bill deals with the rewards that companies can offer stablecoin holders. Under the stablecoin law, crypto exchanges cannot offer customers interest on stablecoin – however they can offer rewards that act like interest.

Banks have said the language could lead to hundreds of billions being moved from deposits to stablecoin – one Fed report suggests there could be a credit squeeze of hundreds of billion to as much as $1.2 trillion if stablecoin can offer interest.

Armstrong said he would like to speak with bank CEOs directly on this, but argued that the bill needed to treat both industries equally.

"Crypto companies should be allowed to compete and offer loans just like banks," he said.

Banks are also preparing to fight for more favorable language. More than 3,000 banks signed a petition lead by the American Bankers Association warning that allowing crypto to offer interest-like rewards "will siphon trillions from local lending, leaving less money available for car loans, agricultural loans, mortgages, and small business borrowing that drive local economies."

Sen. Angela Alsobrooks, D-Md., said she's spoken with representatives from the banking and crypto industries, and she thinks if there is more time to negotiate, an agreement can be reached soon.

"Everyone agrees that there has to be a compromise somewhere in there, and making sure that we are allowing the innovation to grow," she said.

Caleigh Keating contributed to this article.

VANCOUVER, British Columbia--(BUSINESS WIRE)--EverGen Infrastructure Corp. (“EverGen” or “the Company”) (TSXV: EVGN) (OTCQB: EVGIF), is pleased to announce the closing of its previously announced $13.0 million asset-level debt facility with Farm Credit Canada (“FCC”) through its wholly owned subsidiary Fraser Valley Biogas Ltd. (“FVB”), the repayment of the majority of the Company's corporate debt facility, and the closing of the second tranche of its previously announced non-brokered private p.

In Brief

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4:49 PM PST · January 15, 2026

Image Credits:Drew Angerer/Bloomberg / Getty Images Newsrooms have been experimenting with AI for several years now but, for the most part, those efforts have been just that: experiments. A relatively unknown startup, Symbolic.ai, wants to change that, and it just signed a major deal with News Corp, the media conglomerate owned by Rupert Murdoch.

News Corp, the major assets of which include MarketWatch, the New York Post, and the WSJ, is set to begin using Symbolic’s AI platform with its financial news hub Dow Jones Newswires.

Symbolic.ai, which was founded by former eBay CEO Devin Wenig and Ars Technica co-founder Jon Stokes, says its AI platform can “assist in the production of quality journalism and content” and that its tool has even led to “productivity gains of as much as 90% for complex research tasks.” The platform is designed to make editorial workflows more efficient, providing improvements in areas like newsletter creation, audio transcription, fact-checking, “headline optimization,” SEO advice, and others.

In general, News Corp has shown a willingness to integrate AI into its media operations. In 2024, the company signed a multi-year partnership with OpenAI, wherein it would license its material to the AI company. Last November, the media conglomerate signaled that it was considering branching out, and licensing its material to other AI companies.

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