Market Signal Briefing

President Donald Trump declared on Jan. 12 that the US would impose a 25% tariff on any country conducting business with Iran, “effective immediately,” via Truth Social.

Bitcoin (BTC) dipped briefly below $91,000, then recovered above $92,000 within hours. No liquidation cascade materialized. No systemic unwind. The market absorbed what appeared to be a maximalist geopolitical headline and moved on.

As of press time, BTC was trading near $94,000, up 1.5% over the past 24 hours.

Three months earlier, a similar-sounding announcement, as Trump threatened a 100% tariff on China in October 2025, triggered over $19 billion in forced liquidations and sent Bitcoin down more than 14% in a matter of days.

The contrast raises a straightforward question: why did one tariff headline break the market while the other barely registered?

The answer isn't that traders have grown numb to Trump's pronouncements. It's that markets now price policy announcements through a credibility filter. Specifically, the gap between a social media post and an enforceable policy.

Jan. 12 scored low on both credibility and immediacy, while Oct. 10 scored high on both, and it arrived in a market wired to explode.

Credibility gapThe White House posted no corresponding executive order alongside Trump's Truth Social announcement. No Federal Register notice appeared. No Customs and Border Protection guidance emerged defining what “doing business with Iran” would mean in practice or which transactions would trigger the 25% levy.

Reports noted the absence of formal documentation and flagged the unclear legal basis.

That absence matters because the Supreme Court is currently reviewing whether Trump's use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose tariffs exceeds presidential authority.

Lower courts already ruled that IEEPA tariffs went too far, and those rulings were stayed pending the high Court's decision.

Odds at Polymarket rule only 27% chance that the Supreme Court will support the tariffs decision, while odds at Kalshi are slightly higher at 31.9%.

Prediction markets show roughly 27-32% odds that the Supreme Court will rule in favor of Trump's tariff authority as of January 2026.Traders were already discounting tariff authority before the Iran announcement hit. Without clear enforcement mechanics or legal certainty, the market treated the headline as conditional guidance rather than immediate policy.

That's the credibility discount in action: a tariff threat can sound sweeping on paper, but trade like an option until paperwork and enforcement timelines emerge.

Why October broke and January bentOct. 10 wasn't just a headline. It was a high-credibility macro shock hitting a structurally fragile market. Trump's 100% tariff announcement targeting China came with clear geographic scope, explicit trade-war framing, and immediate cross-asset repricing.

US-China escalation is a globally recognized risk trigger. Iran-linked trade restrictions, by contrast, operate in a fuzzier policy space where existing sanctions already constrain flows.

More important was what sat underneath the headline. In early October, perpetual futures open interest had climbed to near-record levels, funding rates had turned persistent and positive, and leveraged positions were crowded into a narrow range.

When the tariff news hit, it didn't just reprice risk: it forced liquidations. Bitcoin fell as low as $104,782 before stabilizing after over $19 billion in liquidations. That liquidation wave wasn't new information about crypto's fundamentals, but a mechanical unwind driven by forced selling and evaporating liquidity.

By contrast, the Jan. 12 setup looked different. CoinGlass data shows the current open interest sitting at roughly $62 billion. That's an elevated number, but well below the $90 billion seen before the Oct. 10 washout.

Bitcoin perpetual futures open interest peaked near $90 billion in early October 2025 before declining to around $60 billion by January 2026.Additionally, funding rates hovered in a modest 0.0003–0.0008% range per eight-hour period, well below the crowded-long thresholds that amplify drawdowns.

Deribit has recently noted a jump in seven-day at-the-money implied volatility of roughly 10 vol points, consistent with traders buying hedges and repricing tail risk. Yet, spot held.

Bitcoin ETFs pulled in around $150 million in net inflows in January, according to Farside Investors data. This suggests that institutional flows are offsetting any headline-driven selling pressure, even though by a tight margin.

Bitcoin spot ETFs recorded net outflows of $243.2 million on Jan. 6 and $486.1 million on Jan. 7, 2026, marking consecutive days of investor withdrawals despite positive flows.The result was a dip-and-recover pattern rather than a cascade. Markets that hedge faster and maintain deeper liquidity don't transmit geopolitical noise into systemic breaks.

October's liquidation spiral required both a high-credibility shock and a market structure primed to amplify it. January had neither.

Iran's trade footprint and the real transmission channelIf the tariff threat had an immediate, enforceable scope, it would matter: not because of Iran itself, but because of China.

China is Iran's largest trading partner by a wide margin. Reuters reported that China imported $22 billion in Iranian goods in 2022, of which over half was oil.

In 2025, China bought more than 80% of Iran's exported crude, averaging around 1.38 million barrels per day, roughly 13.4% of China's seaborne imports.

That means any serious attempt to penalize “countries doing business with Iran” would functionally become a China story, with Brazil also exposed through agricultural exports to Iran.

The complexity of enforcement is part of why markets discounted the announcement. There's no clean targeting mechanism, no obvious way to isolate Iranian-linked transactions without disrupting broader trade flows, and no precedent for how such a regime would work in practice.

The transmission channel that does matter is oil. Brent crude was trading around $64 per barrel and West Texas Intermediate near $59.70, with analysts estimating a $3 to $4 per barrel geopolitical risk premium tied to tensions over Iran.

If that premium persists and drives sustained upward pressure on inflation expectations, the real damage to crypto would come through the rates channel: higher oil prices, higher inflation expectations, higher real yields, and weaker risk assets.

Crypto's vulnerability to geopolitics isn't direct, but indirect, mediated through macro repricing.
Framework for pricing policy noise

The pattern that emerges from comparing Jan. 12 and Oct. 10 is straightforward: policy headlines move markets when they combine credibility, immediacy, and fragile positioning.

Break down the reaction function into components:

DimensionKey questionEvidence checklist (what to verify)Market/quant proxies (what to measure)Scoring guide (0–5)If the score is high, expect…CredibilityIs this real policy or just rhetoric?Signed executive order published? Federal Register notice? Agency guidance (e.g., CBP) issued? Clear statutory authority cited (and legally durable)?“Docs present” (yes/no); time from headline → formal action; legal clarity (court status / prediction-market odds)0: social post only, no docs/authority. 3: partial docs or credible leaks, authority contested. 5: signed + published + agency implementation + clear authorityRepricing that sticks (not just a wick); vol bid persistsImmediacyCan this hit flows/cashflows soon?Enforcement date specified? Identifiable counterparties named? Covered transactions clearly defined?Days-to-enforcement; scope breadth; compliance feasibility; cross-asset reaction speed0: no date/scope. 3: date or scope exists, still fuzzy. 5: date + scope + counterparties + enforcement mechanismFaster, cleaner risk move; less dip-buyingLeverage fragilityWill structure turn a headline into forced selling?OI-heavy market? Funding persistently positive? Liquidation levels clustered near spot? IV regime complacent or already stressed?OI / market cap; funding (8h) level & persistence; liquidation heatmaps/clusters; IV level + term structure (7D vs 30D)0: low OI ratio, negative/flat funding, dispersed liq, IV already high. 3: elevated but not extreme. 5: extreme OI ratio + hot funding + tight liq clusters + low-vol complacencyHigher odds of cascade; large liquidation prints; liquidity air pocketsOct. 10 scored high on credibility, with clear China-targeting and trade-war escalation rhetoric. It also scored high on immediacy with direct tariff threat with broad market interpretation, and extreme on leverage fragility driven by record open interest, crowded positioning, and low hedging.

Meanwhile, Jan. 12 scored low on credibility due to the lack of formal documentation. It also ranked low on immediacy due to unclear enforcement scope and timing, and moderate on leverage: elevated but not extreme, with active hedging visible in vol markets.

The market's muted response to Jan. 12 wasn't irrational sentiment or desensitization. It was a rational repricing through the lenses of enforceability and positioning.

What could flip the scriptThe current base case is that the Iran tariff threat remains a headline without teeth. It is an optionality that traders monitor but don't need to price aggressively until implementation mechanics appear.

However, several scenarios could change that calculus.

If a formal executive order emerges with clear enforcement scope, naming specific sectors or counterparties and setting definitive start dates, credibility and immediacy both jump.

Markets would need to reprice the tail risk that broad Iran-linked tariffs actually take effect, which would immediately complicate oil flows and diplomatic relations with China.

If the Supreme Court validates Trump's emergency-tariff authority under IEEPA, future tariff announcements regain credibility even without full documentation. Conversely, if the Court strikes down the regime, tariff threats lose their structural bite, though near-term volatility around refund obligations could create cross-asset turbulence.

If oil's geopolitical risk premium persists and inflation expectations rise enough to push real yields higher, crypto faces downside through the rates channel, regardless of whether Iran's tariffs materialize.

The leverage-and-liquidity dynamics that broke October's market can rebuild quickly if positioning turns crowded again and funding rates climb back into elevated territory.

What crypto learnedThe lesson from Jan. 12 isn't that crypto has become immune to geopolitical risk. It's that crypto has become immune to unenforced geopolitics, at least until leverage returns.

Markets that price policy through credibility filters, hedge proactively, and maintain depth can absorb headline volatility without cascading. Markets that don't, can't.

Trump's Iran tariff threat landed in a structure that had adapted. Traders bought volatility instead of selling spot. Open interest stayed elevated but not extreme. Institutional flows offset retail jitters. The result was a dip that recovered within hours rather than a liquidation wave that compounded over days.

The fragility hasn't disappeared. It's conditional. If credibility rises, if immediacy sharpens, if leverage rebuilds to October's extremes, the next tariff headline or the next macro shock could trigger the same cascade.

Until then, crypto will keep treating maximalist announcements as negotiating positions rather than executable policy. The Supreme Court will decide whether that discount is warranted.

Mentioned in this article

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Solana (SOL) might be up for a bullish rally to the $200 price level. According to historical precedence, Solana has every likelihood to surge past the $200 price mark. Cryptorank data reveals a unique pattern that shows that each time SOL closes negatively in December, it picks up the following January.

Solana and historical January surgeNotably, in January, Solana boasts an average growth rate of 52.3%. The asset has one of the highest growth figures in the month, with January 2021 recording an 181.9% increase. In the last six years, Solana has closed positive in four of those years.

Solana Historical Outlook | Source: CryptorankAs of press time, Solana exchanges hands at $144.52, which represents a 1.87% increase in the last 24 hours. The coin jumped from a low of $141.30 to peak at $147.31 before it settled at the current market price.

If history repeats itself and Solana reaches its historic monthly average of 52.3%, then the asset could surge to $219. The coin is likely to add much more moving forward given increased interest from market participants.

Over the weekend, Solana exploded by $8 billion in open interest as traders positioned for active trading ahead of what might be a bullish week. 

Activity around the asset suggests that despite the technical challenges, with the spike in open interest, SOL could rise to higher levels.

Institutional momentum adds supportIn the broader cryptocurrency space, institutional interest is adding to the bullish potential of Solana. The Solana exchange-traded fund (ETF) outperformed both Ethereum and Bitcoin as institutional exposure shifted away from the top two leaders in the industry.

In a related development, a Solana whale recently rose from dormancy by withdrawing 80,000 SOL from Binance exchange into a private wallet. 

The move is considered a bullish bet on the asset. The holder is likely expecting the value of the coin to hit its monthly January average of over 52%, which could yield massive profit.

Meanwhile, CEO of Solana Mert Mumtaz infrastructure service Helius opines that the blockchain’s program model is much safer for artificial intelligence (AI) interactions. Mumtaz compared Solana to Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) and noted that Solana dApp developers have more opportunities to reuse codes.

Bitcoin

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November PPI data shows producer price inflation surging to 3.0% year-over-year, significantly above the 2.7% forecast and marking the highest reading since July 2025.

Bitcoin is holding around $95,000 as the upside surprise reinforces concerns about sticky inflation pressuring the Fed’s ability to cut rates aggressively in 2026.

Monthly PPI came in at 0.2% as expected, but the annual acceleration to 3.0% signals producer-level price pressures remain elevated and could eventually pass through to consumer prices.

The PPI surprise matters because producer prices are a leading indicator for consumer inflation—higher wholesale costs typically flow through to retail prices with a lag.

With yesterday’s December CPI already showing headline inflation stuck at 2.7% and core at 2.6%, both well above the Fed’s 2% target, today’s hot PPI reading suggests the inflation pipeline remains clogged.

The combination of elevated producer prices and stubborn consumer inflation creates the exact “higher for longer” scenario Powell warned about, where the Fed keeps rates at 3.50%-3.75% through at least Q1 2026 rather than delivering the aggressive easing crypto markets priced in earlier.

Bitcoin’s technical setup remains under pressure with support at $88,000-$90,000 and resistance at $92,000. As it stands now, traders digest whether the PPI shock forces the Fed to reconsider even its reduced two-cut guidance for 2026.

Source: TradingViewAny break below $90,000 support again could trigger another leg down toward November’s $88,500 low, while a sustained hold above $95,000 suggests the market has fully priced in the Fed’s cautious stance.

PPI Shock: Producer Prices Hit 7-Month High – Bitcoin to Rally Next?

Billy Markus, co-creator of Dogecoin, expresses skepticism about crypto reaching new all-time highs soon. Bitcoin trades at around $95,000, 25% below its October peak of $ 126,000.

Newton Gitonga2 min read

14 January 2026, 01:46 PM

Billy Markus, the co-creator of Dogecoin, has once again taken to social media to share his perspective on the current state of cryptocurrency markets. The developer, who launched the meme coin alongside Jackson Palmer in 2013, expressed skepticism about the prospect of new all-time highs in the immediate future.

Markus posted his thoughts on X, stating that while the cryptocurrency sector appears healthy, he remains unconvinced about imminent record-breaking price levels. His comments come at a time when major digital assets continue to trade well below their previous peaks.

The Dogecoin co-founder wrote that he would rather wait for concrete evidence of new all-time highs before getting excited about current market conditions. His tweet suggested a measured approach to evaluating crypto performance, despite generally positive market sentiment.

Selective Endorsement of Digital AssetsMarkus has been vocal about his preferences within the cryptocurrency space. Based on his public statements, he reserves respect for a limited number of projects. Bitcoin and Ethereum top his list, followed by Dogecoin and a handful of other alternative coins.

This selective stance sets him apart from many crypto enthusiasts who embrace a broader range of digital assets. Markus maintains clear boundaries about which projects he considers legitimate or worthy of attention.

His skepticism extends beyond individual coins to entire categories of crypto activity. The developer has repeatedly compared cryptocurrency trading to gambling. He has even suggested it resembles a compulsive behavior rather than a rational investment strategy.

Markus holds similarly negative views about non-fungible tokens. He has criticized both the NFT market and those who participate in collecting or trading these digital collectibles. His position reflects a cautious approach to newer developments in the blockchain space.

Bitcoin's Recent Price MovementsBitcoin reached its most recent all-time high on October 6, when the cryptocurrency touched $126,198. The milestone marked a significant achievement for the digital asset market.

Since that peak, Bitcoin has experienced substantial volatility. The cryptocurrency currently trades around $95,234, representing a decline of approximately 25% from its record level.

SHIB’s price action over the past 24 hours (Source:CoinCodex)

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Newton Gitonga covers cryptocurrencies, blockchain, and digital finance. He specializes in breaking down complex trends with clear, data-driven reporting. His work focuses on market analysis, technical insights, and the evolving role of altcoins in shaping global markets.

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BitcoinDogecoin (DOGE) News

A growing number of investors think Bitcoin might end the year above the $200,000 price level.

For crypto investors, the good news is that Bitcoin (BTC +3.30%) has managed to scratch out a 5% gain to start off 2026, and is now trading above the $90,000 price level. The bad news is that Bitcoin is still down 27% from its all-time high of $126,000 in October.

Bitcoin might be struggling, but there are plenty of analysts and investors -- myself included -- who think that it could be ready to break out this year.

Bitcoin to $250,000? According to CNBC's annual roundup of Bitcoin predictions, the world's most popular cryptocurrency could end the year at a price of anywhere from $75,000 to $225,000 in 2026. That's a huge range, and indicative of just how much fear, uncertainty, and doubt (FUD) there is around Bitcoin right now.

Image source: Getty Images.

Digital asset investment firm CoinShares, for example, thinks Bitcoin could hit a price of anywhere from $120,000 to $170,000. Taking a more optimistic note, Nexo, a wealth platform for digital assets, thinks Bitcoin could hit a price of anywhere from $150,000 to $200,000 this year. Even better, Bit Mining thinks Bitcoin might actually top out around $225,000 this year.

And don't forget about Tom Lee of Fundstrat. At the end of 2025, this high-profile Wall Street strategist predicted that Bitcoin would soar to a price of $250,000 this year.

If you believe in the Bitcoin supercycle, then Bitcoin has the potential to soar in price over the next few years. According to this investment thesis, Bitcoin has snapped out of its four-year cycle of boom and bust, and is poised to head ever higher during a Trump presidency as institutional investors relentlessly pour new money into Bitcoin.

Potential catalysts for 2026 Many of these price targets are not grounded in anything particularly fundamental about what's happening with the Bitcoin blockchain ecosystem, and that's what concerns me. In other words, nothing has really changed with Bitcoin.

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If that's the case, then the future of Bitcoin depends on the broader macroeconomic environment. This suggests that Bitcoin might be a lot more correlated with equities -- and especially tech equities -- than many people would like to think.

Many optimistic price predictions about Bitcoin are based on hopeful thinking about where the U.S. economy could be headed this year. In addition, these predictions assume that groundbreaking new crypto legislation will once again juice the crypto market in 2026, much as it did last year with the Genius Act.

It's up to you to decide if lower interest rates or new crypto legislation are enough to send Bitcoin skyrocketing in price. From my perspective, it will take an even bigger catalyst.

The one that I'm keeping a close eye on is a potential move by the U.S. Treasury to boost its Bitcoin holdings via the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve. According to Cathie Wood of Ark Invest, that's a distinct possibility in 2026, especially if the crypto market (and the price of Bitcoin) is still sagging as we head into the U.S. midterm elections.

The only thing that's certain about Bitcoin in 2026 is plenty of volatility ahead. However, if all goes according to plan, Bitcoin might once again double in value, just as it did in 2023 and 2024, in order to end the year near the $200,000 price level.

In an X post on Wednesday, MANTRA CEO John Patrick Mullin announced a company restructuring that includes an unspecified number of staff layoffs.

Mullin stated the “incredibly unfortunate and frankly unfair events of April 2025,” combined with a prolonged market downturn and increased competition, rendered the company’s cost structure “unsustainable.”

The decision impacts teams across the organization, with functions like business development, marketing, and HR affected more than others, according to the post.

The announcement follows a period of stark contraction for the real-world asset-focused Layer 1 blockchain. The total value locked in its DeFi ecosystem is now $864,857, according to DefiLlama data, representing an 81% decline from a peak of $4.51 million.

MANTRA’s OM token, with a market capitalization of approximately $92.4 million according to The Block’s MANTRA price page, continues to trade roughly 90% below its value prior to the April 2025 selloff. Overall, the token remains about 99% below its all-time high of $8.99, recorded in February 2025.

Pivot toward RWA ecosystem sustainability In his statement, Mullin framed the cuts as a necessary shift toward capital efficiency. “To thrive in this environment and take back our market-leading position, we must become more capital-efficient and laser-focused,” he wrote.

The CEO indicated that detailed priorities and a new operating rhythm would be disclosed in the coming weeks. He expressed continued belief in the MANTRA Chain and its RWA ecosystem, asserting that with focused execution, the project would emerge stronger.

The move follows other recent platform developments. Last week, MANTRA launched mantraUSD, a stablecoin it says is backed by short-term U.S. Treasury bills and redeemable 1:1. According to its website, the stablecoin is designed as the required onchain currency for accessing a suite of RWA products within MANTRA’s DeFi ecosystem.

Concurrently, the project has reminded users of the impending deprecation of the ERC-20 version of its OM token. Holders must migrate to the native OM token on the MANTRA Chain before Jan. 15, 2026.

Disclaimer: The Block is an independent media outlet that delivers news, research, and data. As of November 2023, Foresight Ventures is a majority investor of The Block. Foresight Ventures invests in other companies in the crypto space. Crypto exchange Bitget is an anchor LP for Foresight Ventures. The Block continues to operate independently to deliver objective, impactful, and timely information about the crypto industry. Here are our current financial disclosures.

© 2026 The Block. All Rights Reserved. This article is provided for informational purposes only. It is not offered or intended to be used as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice.

The blockchain nonprofit is moving its base of operations back to the United States and has appointed a new board to oversee its next phase of growth.

Chief investment officer at Maelstrom Arthur Hayes, who also serves as a founding advisor to Ethena since 2023, responded with excitement to South Korea’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, Upbit’s announcement of new trading support for Ethena’s synthetic stablecoin, USDe. The executive made a bullish call of Ethena’s ENA racing to $1 in an expletive-enhanced post.

The development comes as Dubai’s financial regulator excluded USDe from its approved stablecoin framework.

Hayes, who serves as chief investment officer of his family office Maelstrom and has been a founding advisor to Ethena since 2023, responded to the Upbit announcement on social media platform X, writing, “Giddy up b*tches! it’s time for $ENA = $1.” 

The token went up by over 8.3% following the announcement and is currently priced at $0.238.

The listing, which went live at 6 pm Korean Standard Time on January 14, 2026, offers trading pairs against the Korean won, Bitcoin, and Tether’s USDT across the Ethereum network.

How does Ethena’s USDe work on Upbit? It has long been established that USDe is not a regular stablecoin, as it separates itself from traditional fiat-backed stablecoins like USDT and USDC through its delta-neutral structure, which combines spot cryptocurrency collateral with offsetting short positions in perpetual futures contracts. 

The stablecoin is the third largest by market capitalization, coming behind USDT and USDC, respectively. Last year, an internal glitch in Binance’s platform caused the token to briefly depeg.

According to Upbit’s statement, “USDe maintains a short position in a derivatives product of the same nominal value while holding cryptocurrency collateral, thereby maintaining stability close to the value of $1.”

Upbit shared the USDe address that it supports, informing users to check the contract address when depositing or withdrawing USDe.

Hayes, a long-term believer in the Ethena project, has shown his conviction through sustained accumulation of ENA over the years. Most recently, on-chain analytics show he purchased 1.22 million ENA tokens worth approximately $257,500 in late December 2025.

Dubai says no to USDe The Upbit listing occurred just a few days after the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) updated its Crypto Token Regulatory Framework, which took effect on January 12. The latest update reserves the “fiat crypto tokens” designation exclusively for stablecoins backed by fiat currency reserves held in segregated accounts with regulated custodians.

Elizabeth Wallace, associate director for policy and legal at the DFSA, reportedly stated, “Things like algorithmic stablecoins, it’s a little less transparent about how they operate and being able to redeem them.” 

As Cryptopolitan reported, Wallace made it known that stablecoins like USDe would not meet the Dubai International Financial Centre’s definition of a stablecoin, but stopped short of outrightly banning it. 

“The token would be considered a crypto token,” she said. The DFSA’s approved list includes only Circle’s USDC and EURC, along with Ripple’s RLUSD. 

To qualify, stablecoins must maintain reserves at least equal to outstanding tokens, denominated in the reference currency, held in highly liquid assets that carry minimal credit risk. The regulator also mandated that the accepted stablecoins publish their reserve information, which is independently verified monthly.

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Bitcoin’s price has shown strength over the past 48 hours and is now trading in the mid-$90,000s after days of consolidating around $90,000. Technical analyst Jackis presented a fair assessment of potential paths for Bitcoin’s next significant rise in the context of near-term consolidation and attempted breakouts above $95,000, outlining distinct scenarios for both bulls and bears.

Both Outlooks Have A Case, But Price Has To Confirm Bitcoin is now back to trading above $95,000 after a 3.1% increase in the past 24 hours. Price action in the past 24 hours alone shows that the outlook might be bullish. However, as it stands, Bitcoin’s price action has reached a point where traders should let the chart tell them what’s next. 

According to a technical analysis from a crypto analyst known as Jackis on the social media platform X, arguments alone are not enough here because there are both good bullish & bearish arguments out there for Bitcoin. In his words, he has watched similar-looking price action resolve in opposite directions across different cycles. 

Source: Chart from Jackis on X The chart below shows how Bitcoin price action is currently forming an ascending triangle pattern on the 8-hour candlestick timeframe chart. However, examples show how this same formation led to an upward reversal for Bitcoin in the past and then also a bearish continuation for Ethereum in the past.

Based on his read, he currently sees more reasons for downward continuation, and until the market proves otherwise, the active trend is bearish. Both bullish and bearish outlooks have a case, but price action has to confirm.

Bullish And Bearish Scenarios For Bitcoin Once price breaks out in either direction, the follow-through can be fast, which means being stubborn on the wrong side can be costly. 

On the bullish side, Jackis highlighted that a breakout toward $96,000 is the kind of move that would confirm a bullish continuation. He added that a push through $96,000 at this point could open the path to $107,000 or higher.

On the other hand, Jackis’ bearish trigger is tied to the rising support line. Price action can look constructive right up until the trendline snaps, and that’s the point where downside continuation becomes the higher-probability route in this framework.

If Bitcoin were to lose the lower trendline of the ascending trend, then it would likely drift back to the April 24 lows. The April lows refer to how Bitcoin rejected above $106,100 in January 2025 and entered into a multi-month correction that eventually bottomed at a low around $76,000. 

This means that a clean breakdown could change the conversation away from range chop in the mid-$90,000s to a reset.

BTC trading at $95,023 on the 1D chart | Source: BTCUSDT on Tradingview.com Featured image from Pixabay, chart from Tradingview.com

Crypto hardware manufacturer and software developer Ledger is rolling out the first version of a "bitcoin yield" feature in Ledger Wallet, allowing users to explore yield opportunities connected to the foremost cryptocurrency through integrations with Lombard and Figment.

The feature is available via the Discover section of Ledger Wallet, with an initial rollout starting Wednesday, the Paris-based firm confirmed in a statement shared with The Block.

Facilitated through the third-party integrations rather than native wallet infrastructure, the new functionality enables users to access Lombard's LBTC, described as an institutional-grade, BTC-backed, yield-bearing token designed for use across DeFi.

LBTC generates BTC-denominated yield by supporting network validation via Figment on the Babylon Bitcoin Staking Protocol, while aiming to preserve bitcoin exposure. The setup does not involve staking on Bitcoin's base layer, which does not support staking, but instead relies on bitcoin-backed economic security mechanisms tied to other networks.

Jean-Francois Rochet, executive vice president of consumer services at Ledger, said the company's scale positions it to address what he described as a fragmentation gap in the bitcoin ecosystem.

"Previously, BTC holders had limited options for generating returns without selling or moving assets," Rochet said, adding that the product is intended to expand how both long-term holders and active traders interact with DeFi using bitcoin.

Users who deposit BTC with Figment via Ledger Wallet have their bitcoin converted into yield-bearing tokens. For Lombard's implementation, this involves signing two transactions: an Ethereum message to specify the destination account for LBTC, and one bitcoin transfer to a Lombard address.

Unlocking bitcoin's largely dormant onchain supply Jacob Phillips, co-founder of Lombard, said the integration marks a milestone for bringing bitcoin onchain given the substantial number of Ledger users, while Figment product lead Guillaume Galuz said the collaboration extends Figment's yield infrastructure to BTC without, in his view, compromising asset safety.

Both firms framed the launch as an effort to activate bitcoin's largely dormant onchain supply. Ledger said that just 1.5% of total BTC is currently active onchain, despite the asset's approximate $2.1 trillion fully diluted valuation.

Ledger did not disclose details on expected yield rates, risk profiles, fee structures, or jurisdictional availability. When asked by The Block, the company also did not address how it defines self-custody once BTC is converted into LBTC or what protections exist in scenarios involving protocol failures or exploits, leaving several open questions as the feature launches.

Ledger eyes New York IPO amid growing demand Ledger previously signaled it is weighing a New York listing or private fundraising round as demand for its hardware wallets and security products accelerates. CEO Pascal Gauthier told the Financial Times in November that the French firm is expanding its New York presence as U.S. investor interest in crypto infrastructure rebounds.

The potential capital raise follows what Ledger described as its strongest financial year to date, driven by rising demand for self-custody solutions amid persistent security breaches across the crypto sector. The company was last valued at $1.5 billion in 2023 and said revenues had reached triple-digit millions in 2025, according to the FT.

Ledger has also been broadening its product scope, recently unveiling a next-generation Nano device, the rebranded Ledger Wallet app (formerly Ledger Live), and new enterprise-focused security tools — a strategy that could underpin its longer-term public market ambitions.

Disclaimer: The Block is an independent media outlet that delivers news, research, and data. As of November 2023, Foresight Ventures is a majority investor of The Block. Foresight Ventures invests in other companies in the crypto space. Crypto exchange Bitget is an anchor LP for Foresight Ventures. The Block continues to operate independently to deliver objective, impactful, and timely information about the crypto industry. Here are our current financial disclosures.

© 2026 The Block. All Rights Reserved. This article is provided for informational purposes only. It is not offered or intended to be used as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice.

Chainlink (CRYPTO: LINK) is up 4% over the past 24 hours, and two fresh catalysts dropped this week that could push it higher: Bitwise’s spot Chainlink ETF launching on NYSE Arca under ticker CLNK, and a Senate Banking Committee draft bill Tuesday granting LINK the same commodity status as Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC).

Bitwise Chainlink ETF Launches With Zero Fees For 3 MonthsBitwise received approval to list its spot Chainlink ETF on NYSE Arca, with trading expected to begin this week. 

The ETF offers a full fee waiver for the first three months covering up to $500 million in assets, dropping to a 0.34% management fee afterward.

The fund launched with $2.5 million in seed capital, equal to 100,000 shares priced at $25 each. 

Coinbase Custody will safeguard the LINK holdings, while BNY Mellon handles cash custody.

Although LINK staking is listed as a secondary objective, no timeline has been confirmed. If staking gets introduced later, Attestant Ltd. has been named as the preferred provider.

Daily trading volume spiked nearly 45% following the announcement, while futures open interest climbed to $665 million, suggesting new positions rather than short-term trades.

Senate Bill Grants LINK Bitcoin-Like Commodity StatusThe Senate Banking Committee released a draft bill Tuesday that treats Chainlink the same way regulators treat Bitcoin—as a commodity under CFTC oversight, not a security under SEC rules.

LINK qualifies as a “non-ancillary asset” because a Chainlink ETF was already trading on major exchanges before January 1.

This grants LINK Bitcoin-like status, eliminating SEC disclosure requirements and regulatory uncertainty.

Grayscale ETF Shows Strong Institutional DemandAdditionally, Grayscale’s Chainlink ETF has reported steady inflows surpassing $62 million so far. With Bitwise’s spot ETF entering the market this week, institutional exposure to LINK is increasing, which could support continued demand.

Bitwise manages around $15 billion in crypto assets under management and continues expanding its presence in regulated altcoin ETFs. 

The firm’s track record with Bitcoin and Ethereum (CRYPTO: ETH) ETFs gives the Chainlink product credibility with institutional investors.

LINK Tests Breakout After 14 Months Of Compression

LINK is attempting to break out of a massive triangle pattern that’s been squeezing price since November 2024’s $31 peak. 

The triangle has spent over a year compressing price between converging trendlines.

The token sits just below critical resistance at $14-$15. 

Multiple technical indicators cluster in this zone, and breaking above $15 would be the first real sign that LINK is ready to make a serious move higher.

Path To $30 Opens Above $18LINK needs to break above $18 to escape the triangle’s grip and target the $24-$32 zone where major supply sits from the previous rally. 

The setup is straightforward: breaking $15 opens $16, then $18. Clearing $18 targets $20-$22, with the ultimate goal being $24-$30.

However, support sits at $12.90-$13.00. Breaking $12 invalidates the triangle pattern and targets $10-$11 or lower to $8-$9.

The 14-month compression pattern typically precedes explosive breakouts, and the dual catalysts provide fundamental reasons for institutional money to enter.

Image: Shutterstock

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

TL;DR (70 words total)

Crypto market cap added over $110B as bitcoin hit about $96,500 and hovered near $95,000, with ETH above $3,300 and IP up 28%. Softer U.S. inflation data showed core CPI up 0.2% in December and 2.6% year over year, easing Fed pressure and supporting a risk-on tone. ETF inflows and liquidations amplified the move: Bitcoin ETFs drew $753.73M, Ether ETFs $129.99M, and short liquidations exceeded $593.7M out of $686.58M total. Crypto markets swung higher in a fast risk-on burst as bitcoin sprinted to around $96,500 before cooling near $95,000. Its market cap climbed to just under $1.9 trillion and dominance held at 56.9%. Majors joined in: Ether rose above $3,300, Cardano gained over 8%, and Stellar added 9%. The hotter end of the tape was louder, with IP up 28% and PEPE up 14%, alongside ICP up 14%, PUMP up 12%, ENA up 11%, and ARB up 10%. Cumulative market cap added over $110 billion. The whole complex moved like a coordinated repricing of risk.

CPI, ETF flows, and forced buying sharpened the move Another strand of the rally ran through macro data. Bitcoin pushed past $95,000 on Wednesday after U.S. inflation came in softer than expected, easing pressure on the Federal Reserve as it weighs its next rate move. Core CPI rose 0.2% in December and 2.6% year over year, with headline inflation showing the same increase and also undershooting forecasts. Ether traded above $3,300 as total crypto market cap was cited at $3.27 trillion. Dash and Story gained 30% or more in the surge. Lower inflation prints gave traders room to lean into risk without feeling reckless.

Institutional flow data added a second engine. U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded $753.73 million in daily net inflows on Tuesday, one of the biggest single-day tallies since Oct. 7, just before a historic sell-off and more than $19 billion in liquidations. Spot Ether ETFs also flipped back to inflows after three straight days of outflows, posting $129.99 million. The shift reversed the recent redemption trend and lifted cumulative ETF assets. Inflow burst signaled institutional confidence as easing inflation revived hopes of rate cuts. When ETFs turn from drag to tailwind, spot traders tend to follow.

Leverage then did the rest. In the past 24 hours, more than $593.7 million in short positions were liquidated, helping push prices higher as traders were forced to buy back exposure. Total liquidations reached $686.58 million, with shorts making up over 86%, while long liquidations were $92.86 million. Bitcoin shorts accounted for $294.69 million and Ether shorts for $214.32 million. The squeeze was fairly evenly split between them. When short-covering becomes the flow, rallies can look orderly even while risk is rising underneath. With bitcoin near $95,000, the next sessions will test whether demand stays.

Thunder Bay Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - January 14, 2026) - Metals Creek Resources Corp. (TSXV: MEK) (FSE: M1C1) (the "Company" or Metals Creek) is pleased to announce that the Company has been advised of assay results by its option partner Lomiko Metals Inc., (Lomiko or TSX-V: LMR) regarding results from additional REE analysis from the recently completed Phase II soil sampling and prospecting program (See News Release September 23, 2025) on the Yellow Fox Antimony property. Lomiko acquired Yellow Fox from Metals Creek as per news release issued on January 21st, 2025. (See MEK news release dated January 21 2025).

Highlights:

7 soil samples were re-ran for the Rare Earth Elements ("REE") specific test package for assays outlining the cerium anomaly and to check for other REE elements, including neodymium, praseodymium, gallium etc.Soil samples assaying from 1697ppm to 5176 ppm or (0.52%) REEs.NEW potential rare earth discovery.Highly anomalous LREEs Neodymium (Nd) from 186 to 890ppm and Praseodymium (Pr) at 46-192ppm, which are instrumental in the manufacturing of magnets. Elevated dysprosium (Dy) at 36 - 191ppm is also present.Identification of multiple highly anomalous REE soil anomalies (See Figure 1).REEs hosted within Mount Peyton monzogranite.REE anomalies roughly parallel to previously outlined Sb-Zn-Pb-Ag critical metal anomalies.A two-phase soil sampling program in 2025, initially targeting the Mount Peyton monzogranite, prospective for critical metals (Sb, Pb, Zn, Au, Ag), resulted in the identification of several highly prospective critical metal soil anomalies with associated pathfinder elements, which exhibited a strong correlation to the Yellow-Fox showing. In addition, two REE's (Rare Earth Elements), Lanthanum (La) and Cerium (Ce) were also a part of the ICP package with assays indicating several highly prospective anomalies with Ce values up to 2,510 (See Table 1) parts per million (ppm) and La values up to 414 ppm. The largest anomaly (Anomaly#1) is approximately 500m in width and a minimum of 1300m in length (See Figure 1). The second anomaly (Anomaly#2), which is located immediately east of Anomaly #1, is approximately 175m in width and a minimum of 1000m in length. These new anomalies are trending roughly north (N)-northeast (NE), similar to that of the highly prospective regional structures, which also trend N-NE. Outcrops are sparse, especially on the eastern portion of the project. Many boulder trains are present, illustrating variable grain sizes and degrees of alteration, a further indication of a potential host rock for both REE and critical metals mineralized systems.

Based on the promising REE results from the original ICP assays, seven samples were selected to have additional analysis performed to determine if additional REEs are present. A specific REE assay package was utilized.

Assay results for these seven soil samples indicated highly anomalous assays for both light rare earth elements (LREE) and heavy rare earth elements (HREE) (See Table 1). These new soil results indicate a strong potentially geologically significant REE soil anomaly, highlighting a fertile monzogranite. This anomaly exhibits strong LREE enrichment (La-Ce-Pr-Nd-Eu) accompanied by highly elevated HREE (Dy-Tb-Y), potentially indicating a mixed LREE and HREE mineralized system. TREE (Total Rare Earth Element) values range from 1,683 ppm to 5,176 ppm. Initial soil samples in this range for TREE are highly promising and warrant follow-up exploration work. Of particular interest in these results is the highly anomalous LREEs Neodymium (Nd) and Praseodymium (Pr), which are instrumental in the manufacturing of magnets. Elevated dysprosium (Dy) is also present, which is a HREE and enables magnets to perform at high temperatures. Thorium, which is often seen as a pathfinder for REE, is also present in elevated numbers.

Table 1 -Re-Run Soil Samples with Rare Earth Assay Package

Strategic growth in the green technology and defense sectors will contribute to increased demand for REE's. Primary drivers for the increased use of REE's include wind turbines, electric vehicles, defence and aerospace as well as advanced electronics.

Management is highly encouraged with the results to date for the yellow fox project. Last summer saw the identification of several expansive untested critical metal soil anomalies (Sb-Pb-Zn-Ag-Au) up to 1200m in length which also included the discovery of highly anomalous REE values (La, Ce). These REE results in conjunction with the 7 samples discussed in this release further indicate a second type of highly prospective untested targets with highly anomalous LREE and HREE assays on top of the more common Ce and La.

Figure 1 - Yellow Fox REE Anomalies

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/943/280290_79d55a5784d9c9e1_003full.jpg

Last summer saw the identification of several expansive, untested critical metal soil anomalies (Sb-Pb-Zn-Ag-Au) up to 1,200m in length, which also included the discovery of highly anomalous REE values (La, Ce). These REE results, in conjunction with the seven samples discussed in this release, further indicate a second type of highly prospective, untested targets with highly anomalous LREE and HREE assays on top of the more common Ce and La.

Phase I & II soil sampling has proven to be highly successful in locating and delineating potential mineralized structures on the Yellow Fox project especially given the lack of outcrop. The next stages will include line cutting and ground geophysics to better define the orientation and location of high-priority targets, followed by surface trenching and geological mapping.

Gordana Slepcev, CEO, President, and Director, stated: "We were very pleased to see very high values in REEs Cerium and Lanthanum coming out from the soil sampling program that we completed in June and September, but even more encouraged with the results from the seven samples we decided to test for the full suite of testing in REEs. The results from Yellow Fox's expanded REEs test suite came extremely high for Dysprosium (Dy), Neodymium (Nd) and Praseodymium (Pr), with samples approaching the assay results found in the rock samples and assaying from 1,697 ppm to 5,176 ppm or (0.52%) REEs. Encouraged by the presence of the suite of other REEs in those initial re-assay samples, we plan to re-run more samples with the REEs test suite to determine if the entire zone exhibits the high values in all REEs, in addition to Cerium and Lanthanum we obtained from the original samples. So far, we determined that the eastern zone is approximately 175 meters wide and 1,000 meters long, and the western zone is about 400-500 meters wide and about 1,300 meters long, totaling around 2,300 meters."

Yellow Fox antimony and REE prospect exploration - future steps

Next work phase will include additional resampling of previously collected soil samples for REE's as well as infill sampling between lines to better define true extent and orientation of these REE anomaliesGround geophysics followed by surface trenchingLine cutting, drilling, ground geophysics and surface trenching permits have been received.Surface stripping will be followed by channel sampling and geological mappingLocation Details

The Yellow Fox Property is located approximately 10 km southwest of the Town of Glenwood NL, and south of the Trans-Canada Highway. The Property occurs within NTS map sheets 02D/14 and 15 with excellent access along several logging and skidder roads originating from Glenwood. The main Yellow Fox showing is located in the central part of License 027536M, 5km from the western end of Gander Lake. The property is centered at approximately UTM (NAD 27) grid coordinates 5,419,400m North and 645,300m East.

Geologically, Yellow Fox exhibits similar traits to those of Beaver Brook with cross-cutting structural zones that show intense carbonate alteration with sulphide-bearing stringers to veins of stibnite and arsenopyrite with similar high-grade tenors of antimony, gold, lead, zinc, and silver. Arsenopyrite is also present in both locations. Two prominent fracture vein sets are present, one being the muscovite-pyrite-rutile veins trending 356 degrees and the second stibnite-quartz-arsenopyrite being the most abundant and trending 025 degrees. Both these vein sets are similar to that of the past producing Beaver Brook antimony Mine, and both vein sets trend in N to NE direction, which is the same as the prospective regional structures. Yellow Fox has never been explored for REE's. Importantly, the project is underlain by the mount peyton intrusion which potentially appears to be a fertile environment for the emplacement of REE's. Initial interpretation indicates REE's are located near the intrusive contact with neighboring volcanics and sediments.

Yellow Fox is an early-stage exploration property prospective in antimony, Zinc, Lead, gold, silver and more recently REE's. Historic work has returned samples anomalous in gold (Au), antimony (Sb), lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), gold (Au), and silver (Ag) which included trenching which exposed bedrock. Results included grab samples up to 59.43g/t Au, 11.10% Sb, 7.00% Zn, 72.90g/t Ag, and 5.50% Pb in arsenopyrite-stibnite veins within altered monzogranite. (See Metals Creek assessment report https://gis.geosurv.gov.nl.ca/geofilePDFS/Batch2016/002D_0779.pdf

The surface grab samples described in this news release are selective by nature and are unlikely to represent average grades on the property.

Please note that the results on an adjacent or nearby property (Beaver Brook) are not necessarily what can be expected on the Yellow Fox project and that the results of surface or grab samples, by their nature, this type of sample is selective and that the assay results may not be indicative of underlying mineralization.

Qualified Person

The technical content presented in this press release was reviewed and approved by Gordana Slepcev, P.Eng., who is the CEO & President of Lomiko Metals and acts as the "Qualified Person" as that term is defined under National Instrument 43-101, Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. Also, Wayne Reid, P.Geo and director for the Corporation (MEK) and a qualified person as defined in National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved of the disclosure of the exploration information in this news release.

All 851 initial soil samples from this past summers programs were dried and then sent to Eastern Analytical Ltd. located in Springdale Newfoundland, Canada. Samples are analyzed by ICP34 method that delivers a 34-element package and analyzed by ICP-OES analytical technique with blanks and standards inserted every 20-25 samples. The 7 samples in this press release was sent to Bureau Veritas, located in Vancouver, British Colombia, Canada. Samples are analyzed by ICP-OES utilizing multi acid digestion analytical technique. No standards or blanks were added to this batch of 7 samples.

About Metals Creek Resources Corp.

Metals Creek Resources Corp. is a junior exploration company incorporated under the laws of the Province of Ontario, is a reporting issuer in Alberta, British Columbia and Ontario, and has its common shares listed for trading on the Exchange under the symbol "MEK". Metals Creek has earned a 50% interest in the Ogden Gold Property from Newmont Corporation, including the former Naybob Gold mine, located 6 km south of Timmins, Ontario and has an 8 km strike length of the prolific Porcupine-Destor Fault (P-DF).

Metals Creek also has multiple quality projects available for option which can be viewed on the Company's website. Parties interested in seeking more information about properties available for option can contact the Company at the number below.

Additional information concerning the Company is contained in documents filed by the Company with securities regulators, available under its profile at www.sedarplus.ca.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/280290

Source: Metals Creek Resources Corp.

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SWINDON, United Kingdom--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sensata Technologies (NYSE: ST) today announced the launch of its STEV high-voltage contactor series, engineered for high efficiency and robust protection to meet the evolving demands of electric vehicles. Sensata’s STEV contactors address key challenges in electrified mobility by combining performance, safety and integration capabilities required across modern battery electric vehicles (BEV) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) platforms. They deliver safer, more efficient operation and reliable performance for electric and hybrid vehicles, supporting OEMs in meeting the highest standards for reliability and safety in electrified mobility.

“We don’t just manufacture components. We engineer solutions with our customers, adapting our STEV contactors to the unique demands of leading OEM’s applications.”

Share Contactors are high voltage switches that safely open and close the electrical circuit thousands of times throughout a vehicle’s life. In electric vehicles, they serve as a key component, allowing safe power flow between the battery and critical systems like the inverter and charger. Their performance directly impacts vehicle safety, efficiency and reliability, making them critical to the protective architecture of modern EVs.

Scalable across vehicle platforms

The STEV series is designed to scale across a wide range of vehicle platforms, from plug-in hybrid passenger cars to battery electric pickup trucks and Class 8 heavy-duty trucks. This scalability enables OEMs to standardize switching technology across multiple vehicle lines, simplifying integration and reducing development time.

Flexible by design

Sensata’s STEV contactors are customizable to meet specific mission requirements, leveraging core switching technology that has been refined over years of development. STEV contactors are engineered to meet stringent automotive safety and quality standards, including compliance with Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) processes and other OEM certification requirements, ensuring readiness for integration into global vehicle platforms.

“We don’t just manufacture components. We engineer solutions with our customers, adapting our STEV contactors to the unique demands of leading OEM’s applications,” said Markus Schwabe, EVP, Automotive and Aftermarket at Sensata Technologies.

Proven performance

Sensata’s contactor technology is used by leading OEMs in millions of vehicles worldwide and continues to expand into new vehicle architectures as requirements evolve. STEV contactors provide reliable high voltage switching with low contact resistance and minimized heat generation. Hermetic sealing and modular designs enable continuous current carry ratings from 150 A to 600 A with high short-circuit withstand capability greater than 20 kA, ensuring safe and efficient operation as well as seamless integration in BEV and PHEV platforms.

Key features and benefits of Sensata’s STEV series contactors include:

Single or dual assembly options: Flexible configurations allow integration into diverse power distribution architectures and help save space. Bidirectional current capability: Select models feature non-polarity main contacts, supporting advanced EV power system designs. Hermetic ceramic sealing: Arc containment and environmental protection, with IP67 ingress protection available on specific variants. High electrical isolation: Coil-to-contact dielectric strength up to 3.0 kV and insulation resistance of 1000 MΩ at 1000 VDC for safety-critical applications. To support OEM regionalization and supply‑chain resilience, Sensata delivers high‑voltage solutions through a global network of engineering and manufacturing sites close to customers across North America, Europe and Asia. This footprint enables in‑region production and rapid localization while reducing supply‑chain risk.

The STEV series broadens Sensata’s electrification portfolio, delivering advanced solutions that enable cleaner, more efficient, and electrified transportation worldwide.

For more information on Sensata’s STEV series of contactors, visit www2.sensata.com/STEV.

About Sensata Technologies
Sensata Technologies is a global industrial technology company striving to create a safer, cleaner, more efficient and electrified world. Through its broad portfolio of mission-critical sensors, electrical protection components and sensor-rich solutions, Sensata helps its customers address increasingly complex engineering and operating performance requirements. With more than 18,000 employees and global operations in 13 countries, Sensata serves customers in the automotive, heavy vehicle & off-road, industrial, and aerospace markets. Learn more at sensata.com and follow Sensata on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and X.

Airbnb has tapped Ahmad Al-Dahle, former head of generative artificial intelligence at Meta Platforms, as its news technology chief, CEO Brian Chesky announced on Wednesday.

"He connects big ideas with technical depth, highly values design, and believes engineering should be a true strategic partner in everything we do," Chesky wrote in a blog post.

Al-Dahle previously ran Meta's older GenAI unit and was later appointed co-head of AI products when the social media company divided the unit after developers poorly received its Llama 4 model. Meta later hired Scale AI CEO Alexandr Wang as part of a $14.3 billion deal to bolster its AI strategy.

Former tech chief Ari Balogh stepped down in December after more than seven years at the company. He joined Airbnb in 2018 from Google.

Airbnb is in the midst of a major transformation as it attempts to push beyond its reputation as a short-term rental platform.

Read more CNBC tech newsAlphabet hits $4 trillion market capitalizationMalaysia and Indonesia block Elon Musk's Grok due to nonconsensual sexual contentGoogle bolsters bet on AI-powered commerce with new platform for shopping agentsAre we in an AI bubble? What 40 tech leaders and analysts are saying, in one chartIn May, the company overhauled its app, bringing services like catering and personal training to the platform. The company later added direct messaging and updated its AI chatbot.

Chesky, who is a close friend of OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, has also shared aspirations to integrate ChatGPT into the platform. However, he told CNBC in October that the chatbot is "not quite robust enough."

Al-Dahle fits into the company's mission to use its technology and AI to foster human connection, Chesky wrote in his post.

He "shares our belief that technology should serve people—not the other way around—and that its highest purpose is to bring us closer together," he said.

Al-Dahle previously spent 16 years at Apple, working across its special projects and imaging and sensing technology groups. He graduated from the University of Waterloo in Canada.

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CNBC's Jacqueline Corba contributed to this story.

U.S. Naloxone Market: ~$154 million in annual sales and 9.3 million units annually

COMMACK, NY, Jan. 14, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SCIENTURE HOLDINGS, INC. (NASDAQ: SCNX), a holding company for existing and planned pharmaceutical operating companies focused on providing enhanced value to patients, physicians and caregivers through the development, commercialization, and distribution of novel specialty products that address unmet market needs, today announced that the United States Patent and Trademark Office has issued U.S. Patent No. 12,514,854 B2, an Orange Book-listable patent covering REZENOPY™ (naloxone HCl) Nasal Spray 10 mg, effective January 6, 2026, with an expiry date of February 5, 2041.

The patent was issued to Summit Biosciences Inc. (“Summit”), a subsidiary of Kindeva Drug Delivery L.P. As previously disclosed, Scienture, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Scienture Holdings, Inc., entered into a definitive agreement with Summit in March 2025 for the exclusive U.S. commercialization rights to REZENOPY™. Under the terms of the collaboration, Summit will manufacture and commercially supply REZENOPY™. Pending certain commercial obligations, Scienture will own the new drug application (NDA) for REZENOPY™ in its name and be responsible for the sales, marketing and distribution of the product in the U.S. through Scienture’s commercial operations infrastructure.

REZENOPY™ received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (the “FDA”) on April 19, 2024. The newly issued patent is eligible for listing in the FDA’s Orange Book and, if listed, may provide additional intellectual property protection supporting the product’s U.S. commercialization.

REZENOPY™ is the highest dosage naloxone HCl nasal spray approved by the FDA. The product leverages the proven naloxone hydrochloride molecule and familiar nasal spray form factor, while delivering increased effectiveness against potent opioids. According to IQVIA data (MAT September 2025), total annual U.S. naloxone sales reached approximately $154 million, with unit volume of 9.3 million units, underscoring the significant and growing market opportunity.

“This patent issuance is an important milestone that strengthens the intellectual property supporting REZENOPY™ and reinforces the value of our exclusive commercialization rights,” commented Narasimhan Mani, President and co-CEO of Scienture. “Orange Book-listable patents are a critical component of product lifecycle management, and this development further supports our long-term commercial strategy.”

“REZENOPY™ addresses a critical public health need with a differentiated, high dosage formulation designed to combat today’s more potent opioids,” stated Shankar Hariharan, Executive Chairman and co-CEO of Scienture. “With a sizable and growing naloxone market, strong FDA approval status, and additional IP protection, we believe Scienture is well positioned to drive meaningful impact while building long-term shareholder value.”

Simon Scholte, Vice President & General Manager for the Lexington Site at Kindeva, commented, “This patent issuance reinforces the differentiated nature of REZENOPY™ and the role innovation in drug delivery can play in addressing today’s opioid crisis. With over 50+ years of experience in delivering effective drug delivery solutions, Kindeva is proud to support Scienture in bringing this high dosage naloxone option to market to help address a critical public health need.”

About REZENOPY™

REZENOPY™ (naloxone HCl) Nasal Spray 10mg, is an opioid antagonist indicated for the emergency treatment of known or suspected opioid overdose, as manifested by respiratory and/or central nervous system depression in adult and pediatric patients. It is intended for immediate administration as emergency therapy in settings where opioids may be present.

REZENOPY™ nasal spray is for intranasal use only and is supplied as a carton containing two (2) blister packages each with a single spray device.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

Administration: REZENOPY™ nasal spray is for intranasal use only. Seek emergency medical care immediately after use. Administer a single spray into one nostril. If the patient does not respond within 2 to 3 minutes or responds and then relapses into respiratory depression, an additional dose may be given into the other nostril with a new device. Do not administer more than 2 sprays per day. Additional supportive and/or resuscitative measures may be helpful while awaiting emergency medical assistance.Contraindications: REZENOPY™ nasal spray is contraindicated in patients known to be hypersensitive to naloxone hydrochloride or to any of the other ingredients.Warnings and Precautions: Risk of Recurrent Respiratory and CNS Depression: Due to the duration of action of naloxone relative to the opioid, keep the patient under continued surveillance and administer additional doses as necessary while awaiting emergency medical assistance.Risk of Limited Efficacy with Partial Agonists or Mixed Agonists/Antagonists: Reversal of respiratory depression caused by partial agonists or mixed agonists/antagonists, such as buprenorphine and pentazocine, may be incomplete. Larger or repeat doses may be required.Precipitation of Severe Opioid Withdrawal: Use in patients who are opioid-dependent may precipitate opioid withdrawal. In neonates, opioid withdrawal may be life-threatening if not recognized and properly treated. Monitor for the development of opioid withdrawal.Risk of Cardiovascular Effects: Abrupt postoperative reversal of opioid depression may result in adverse cardiovascular effects. These events have primarily occurred in patients who had pre-existing cardiovascular disorders or received other drugs that may have similar adverse cardiovascular effects. Monitor these patients closely in an appropriate healthcare setting after use of naloxone hydrochloride. Adverse Reactions: The following adverse reactions were observed in a REZENOPY™ nasal spray clinical study: upper abdominal pain, nasopharyngitis, and dysgeusia.Storage and Handling: Store REZENOPY™ nasal spray in the blister and cartons provided. Store between 2°C to 25°C (36°F to 77°F). Excursions permitted up to 40°C (104°F). Do not freeze or expose to excessive heat above 40°C (104°F). Protect from light. REZENOPY™ nasal spray may freeze at cold temperatures. If this happens, the device will not spray. If REZENOPY™ nasal spray is frozen and is needed in an emergency, do NOT wait for it to thaw; get emergency medical help right away. For more detailed information, please refer to the full prescribing information provided by the FDA.

About Scienture Holdings, Inc.

SCIENTURE HOLDINGS, INC. (NASDAQ: “SCNX”), through its wholly owned subsidiary, Scienture, LLC, is a comprehensive pharmaceutical product company focused on providing enhanced value to patients, physicians and caregivers by offering novel specialty products to satisfy unmet market needs. Scienture, LLC is a branded, specialty pharmaceutical company consisting of a highly experienced team of industry professionals who are passionate about developing and bringing to market unique specialty products that provide enhanced value to patients and healthcare systems. The assets in development at Scienture are across therapeutics areas, indications and cater to different market segments and channels. For more information please visit: www.scientureholdings.com and www.scienture.com.

About Kindeva

At Kindeva, we manufacture more tomorrows for patients worldwide. With best-in-class facilities and comprehensive CDMO services, we offer more than manufacturing—we deliver strategic value. Our global network of 10 manufacturing and R&D sites offer exceptional integrated knowledge and capabilities, including Annex 1-compliant state-of-the-art aseptic fill finish capacity and next-generation sustainable inhalation propellant technology. By combining expertise in injectable, pulmonary, nasal and dermal drug delivery, we help meet the demands of today and deliver the possibilities of tomorrow. Find out more at https://www.kindevadd.com/

Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains certain statements that may be deemed to be “forward-looking statements” within the federal securities laws, including the safe harbor provisions under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements that are not historical are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking statements relate to future events or our future performance or future financial condition. These forward-looking statements are not historical facts, but rather are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about our company, our industry, our beliefs and our assumptions. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding our or our management team’s expectations, hopes, beliefs, intentions or strategies regarding the future, including for the products we may launch, such as REZENOPY™, the success those products may have in the marketplace, and our strategies related to those products. In addition, any statements that refer to projections, forecasts or other characterizations of future events or circumstances, including any underlying assumptions, are forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by the following words: “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “ongoing,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” or the negative of these terms or other similar expressions, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties (some of which are beyond our control) that may cause actual results or performance to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. These risks include risks relating to agreements with third parties; our ability to raise funding in the future, as needed, and the terms of such funding, including potential dilution caused thereby; our ability to continue as a going concern; security interests under certain of our credit arrangements; our ability to maintain the listing of our common stock on the Nasdaq Capital Market; claims relating to alleged violations of intellectual property rights of others; the outcome of any current legal proceedings or future legal proceedings that may be instituted against us; unanticipated difficulties or expenditures relating to our business plan; and those risks detailed in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent reports filed with the SEC.

Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Scienture Holdings, Inc. undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise that occur after that date, except as otherwise provided by law.

Contact:

SCIENTURE HOLDINGS, INC.
20 Austin Blvd
Commack, NY 11725
Phone: (866) 468-6535
Email: [email protected]

Caledonia Mining Corporation PLC (AIM:CMCL, NYSE-A:CMCL, VFEX:CMCL) ended FY25 with production broadly in line with its upgraded guidance, highlighted broker Cavendish, despite a softer fourth quarter at Blanket in Zimbabwe.

The stockbroker noted Q25 output was 17,400 ounces of gold, slightly behind its expectations after lower tonnages of higher-grade ore and power interruptions late in the period. Cavendish, in its note, also pointed to FY25 production of 76.20koz, which it said matched the upgraded guidance range of 75.5-79.50koz, although it was below the broker’s forecast.

Nevertheless, the broker increased its gold price assumptions and therefore raised its target price to 3,340p, from 3,000p, and retained a 'Buy' recommendation.

On growth, Cavendish said funding initiatives for Bilboes are “well progressed” and highlighted a sub-one-year payback at spot gold prices.

CHICAGO, Jan. 14, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ModelOp, the leading AI lifecycle management and governance platform for enterprises, announced today that its ModelOp Center platform is now available in AWS Marketplace, a digital catalog with thousands of software listings from independent software vendors that make it easy to find, test, buy, and deploy software that runs on Amazon Web Services (AWS).

Customers can purchase ModelOp Center using AWS Marketplace, helping reduce vendor onboarding and contracting complexity. Charges for ModelOp appear on customers’ AWS bills, supporting centralized financial management. In addition, customers can deploy ModelOp in AWS environments to begin managing and governing AI initiatives more quickly.

ModelOp provides enterprises with a centralized system of record for AI, enabling organizations to inventory, govern, and manage AI models and applications throughout their lifecycle. The platform supports AI lifecycle management and governance for traditional machine learning, generative AI, agentic AI, and third-party AI systems operating within AWS environments and beyond.

Customers use ModelOp to establish visibility into all AI, get AI into production faster with automated workflows, enforce internal policies, and support alignment with emerging regulatory frameworks and internal risk management requirements. ModelOp is designed to operate in enterprise environments—including cloud-based and on-prem—and the platform integrates into existing AI systems and workflows to provide control and insights without disrupting development velocity.

AWS customers will now have access to ModelOp’s AI lifecycle management and governance platform directly within AWS Marketplace. The ModelOp Center platform provides AWS customers with the ability to streamline the purchase and management of ModelOp within their AWS Marketplace account.

“Organizations are under growing pressure to deploy AI faster while maintaining visibility and control,” said Alex Rice, Director of Partnerships at ModelOp. “Making ModelOp available on AWS Marketplace enables customers to quickly access AI lifecycle management and governance using familiar AWS procurement processes and existing cloud budgets.”

ModelOp is now generally available in AWS Marketplace. For more information on ModelOp and its solutions, please visit https://www.modelop.com/.

About ModelOp
ModelOp is the leading AI lifecycle management and platform, purpose-built for enterprises. ModelOp’s platform provides a centralized AI system of record, automation from intake to retirement, and enforceable policies—helping enterprises bring ML, GenAI, Agentic AI, and vendor AI solutions into production 10X faster. ModelOp is used by the most complex and regulated institutions in the world—including major banks, insurers, regulatory bodies, healthcare organizations, and global CPG companies—because it delivers the structure, automation, and oversight necessary to operationalize AI at scale across the entire enterprise. Gartner, Forrester, and IDC recognized ModelOp for its AI governance and end-to-end lifecycle automation platform. In 2025, it was awarded the “Best AI Governance Software Award” from Netty Awards and received Business Intelligence Group's Artificial Intelligence Excellence Award. Follow ModelOp on

LinkedIn.

Media Contact
Ria Romano, Partner
RPR Public Relations, Inc.
Tel. 786-290-6413

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ROCHESTER, NEW YORK, Jan. 14, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Syntec Optics Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: OPTX) (“Syntec Optics” or the “Company”), a leading provider of technology products to defense, biomedical, communications, and consumer end-market leaders, today announced its Chairman and CEO shall speak at the upcoming Optica Industry Summit on Advanced Optics, co-hosted by Optica and Corning Inc.

The summit, taking place March 24–25, 2026, at the Corning Museum of Glass in Corning, New York, brings together global industry leaders to discuss the macro-scale optical products and the emergence of nano-scale compact, scalable solutions defined by wave principles.

Matt Carey, VP of Business Development and Delivery, said, " Syntec Optics will participate in the conversation to shape the future. Our Chairman and CEO shall present during Session 2: "Manufacturing Across Scales," scheduled for Tuesday, March 24, at 11:15 AM.

As nano-engineered wave optics emerge from ray-based designs, manufacturers face a critical challenge: bridging macro-scale production with nano-scale precision. Global experts will gather to explore how established methods—such as molding, replication, and laser processing—can be adapted and integrated with wafer-level production to enable the next generation of optical systems.

"We are at a pivotal moment where the boundaries between macro-optics and nano-optics are blurring," said Joel Lawther, Sr. Program Engineer, Syntec Optics. "For mass adoption of advanced optical systems in consumer electronics, defense, and healthcare, we must master the convergence of these manufacturing worlds. Syntec Optics can share how we are leveraging over two decades of horizontal and vertical integration to provide scalability solutions."

The summit is an exclusive event connecting developers and end users from sectors including space, automotive, and semiconductor lithography. It aims to clarify adoption barriers for novel optical technologies such as diffractive optical elements (DOEs), metamaterials, and micro-structured surfaces. 

Syntec's Chairman and CEO delivered the keynote address in 2024 on the future of optics and photonics to global leaders in Malaga, Spain. He spoke about the emergence of photonics integrated circuits and how optics supports the deployment of many next-generation technologies, including Quantum Computing and Artificial Intelligence. 

About Syntec Optics

Syntec Optics Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: OPTX), headquartered in Rochester, NY, is one of the largest custom and diverse end-market optics and photonics manufacturers in the United States. Operating for over two decades, Syntec Optics runs a state-of-the-art facility with extensive core capabilities of various optics manufacturing processes, both horizontally and vertically integrated, to provide a competitive advantage for mission-critical OEMs. As more products become light-enabled, Syntec Optics continues to add more product lines, including recent Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite optics for communication, lightweight night vision goggle optics for defense, biomedical optics for diagnostics and surgery, and data center optics for Artificial Intelligence. To learn more, visit www.syntecoptics.com.

About Optica

Optica (formerly OSA), Advancing Optics and Photonics Worldwide, is the society dedicated to promoting the generation, application, archiving, and dissemination of knowledge in the field. Founded in 1916, it is the leading organization for scientists, engineers, business professionals, students, and others interested in the science of light.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains certain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including certain financial forecasts and projections. All statements other than statements of historical fact contained in this press release, including statements as to the transactions contemplated by the business combination and related agreements, future results of operations and financial position, revenue and other metrics, planned products and services, business strategy and plans, objectives of management for future operations of Syntec Optics, market size, and growth opportunities, competitive position and technological and market trends, are forward-looking statements. Some of these forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking words, including “may,” “should,” “expect,” “intend,” “will,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “predict,” “plan,” “targets,” “projects,” “could,” “would,” “continue,” “forecast” or the negatives of these terms or variations of them or similar expressions. All forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other factors (some of which are beyond the control of Syntec Optics), which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements are based upon estimates, forecasts and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by Syntec Optics and its management, as the case may be, are inherently uncertain and many factors may cause the actual results to differ materially from current expectations which include, but are not limited to: 1) risk outlined in any prior SEC filings; 2) ability of Syntec Optics to successfully increase market penetration into its target markets; 3) the addressable markets that Syntec Optics intends to target do not grow as expected; 4) the loss of any key executives; 5) the loss of any relationships with key suppliers including suppliers abroad; 6) the loss of any relationships with key customers; 7) the inability to protect Syntec Optics’ patents and other intellectual property; 8) the failure to successfully execute manufacturing of announced products in a timely manner or at all, or to scale to mass production; 9) costs related to any further business combination; 10) changes in applicable laws or regulations; 11) the possibility that Syntec Optics may be adversely affected by other economic, business and/or competitive factors; 12) Syntec Optics’ estimates of its growth and projected financial results for the future and meeting or satisfying the underlying assumptions with respect thereto; 13) the impact of any pandemic, including any mutations or variants thereof and the Russian/Ukrainian or Israeli conflict, and any resulting effect on business and financial conditions; 14) inability to complete any investments or borrowings in connection with any organic or inorganic growth; 15) the potential for events or circumstances that result in Syntec Optics’ failure to timely achieve the anticipated benefits of Syntec Optics’ customer arrangements; and 16) other risks and uncertainties set forth in the sections entitled “Risk Factors” and “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” in prior SEC filings including registration statement on Form S-4 filed with the SEC. These filings identify and address other important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Nothing in this press release should be regarded as a representation by any person that the forward-looking statements set forth herein will be achieved or that any of the contemplated results of such forward-looking statements will be achieved. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made. Syntec Optics does not give any assurance that Syntec Optics will achieve its expected results. Syntec Optics does not undertake any duty to update these forward-looking statements except as otherwise required by law.

For further information, please contact:

Investor Relations

[email protected]

SOURCE: Syntec Optics Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: OPTX)

, /PRNewswire/ -- Air Products (NYSE: APD) will hold a conference call to discuss its fiscal 2026 first quarter financial results on Friday, January 30, 2026 at 8:00 a.m. ET. The teleconference will be open to the public and the media in listen-only mode by telephone and Internet broadcast.

APD Q1FY26 live teleconference: 646-769-9200
Passcode: 2207146

Internet broadcast/slides: Available on the Event Details page on Air Products' Investor Relations website.

Internet replay: Available on the Event Details page on Air Products' Investor Relations website.

About Air Products
Air Products (NYSE: APD) is a world-leading industrial gases company in operation for over 80 years focused on serving energy, environmental, and emerging markets and generating a cleaner future. The Company supplies essential industrial gases, related equipment and applications expertise to customers in dozens of industries, including refining, chemicals, metals, electronics, manufacturing, medical and food. As the leading global supplier of hydrogen, Air Products also develops, engineers, builds, owns and operates some of the world's largest clean hydrogen projects, supporting the transition to low- and zero-carbon energy in the industrial and heavy-duty transportation sectors. Through its sale of equipment businesses, the Company also provides turbomachinery, membrane systems and cryogenic containers globally.

Air Products had fiscal 2025 sales of $12.0 billion from operations in approximately 50 countries. For more information, visit airproducts.com or follow us on LinkedIn, X, Facebook or Instagram.

SOURCE Air Products

LONDON, Jan. 14, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Rackspace Technology® (NASDAQ: RXT), a leading end-to-end hybrid cloud and AI solutions company, today announced its UK Sovereign Services has achieved the VMware Sovereign Cloud certification, reinforcing Rackspace’s ability to store, process, and protect UK organisations’ most sensitive data.

Rackspace Sovereign Services delivers a fully managed, private cloud platform designed specifically for organisations that require strict control over where data is located and how it is processed. Built on proven VMware technologies and operated from UK-based data centres, the service combines high availability, resilient networking, and integrated security controls to reduce operational complexity for customers while accelerating cloud adoption.

“With Rackspace’s digital Sovereign Cloud, organisations can optimise private cloud architecture to ensure mission-critical applications deliver predictable performance, enhanced security, and operational reliability,” said, Rick Martire, general manager of Rackspace Sovereign Services. “This is a major milestone supporting the UK Public Sector and further affirms our commitment to regulated industry clouds,” Martire added.

Rackspace partners with UK public sector organisations, regulated financial services firms, and healthcare providers to deliver end-to-end solutions that combine cloud infrastructure with expert managed services and security operations.

The VMWare Sovereign cloud certification is awarded to VMware Cloud Service Providers (CSPs) that meet strict criteria for providing cloud services with full data sovereignty and jurisdictional control within a specific country or region. It validates a partner's ability to ensure data remains under local control, adheres to national regulations for data privacy and security, and is housed in data centers managed by local entities. 

About Rackspace Technology
Rackspace Technology is a leading end-to-end hybrid cloud and AI solutions company. We can design, build, and operate our customers’ cloud environments across all major technology platforms, irrespective of technology stack or deployment model. We partner with our customers at every stage of their cloud journey, enabling them to modernise applications, build new products, and adopt innovative technologies.

Disclaimer

This press release contains forward-looking statements subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially. Rackspace Technology undertakes no obligation to update these statements. Rackspace Technology and Rackspace are trademarks of Rackspace US, Inc. VMware and VMware Sovereign Cloud are trademarks of VMware, Inc. All other marks are property of their respective owners. This press release is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial promotion, investment advice, or an offer to sell securities.

Media Contact:

Cheryl Amerine, [email protected]

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Shares of Nvidia Corp. (NASDAQ: NVDA) have retreated modestly in the past week, even though the company launched its new Rubin platform and debuted its DRIVE AV software for autonomous driving at CES 2026. There were also rumors that Nvidia ordered component makers for its chips for the Chinese market to stop production. Nvidia’s stock is 12.7% higher than six months ago, underperforming the Nasdaq in that time.

Note that the chipmaker’s momentum in 2025’s second half—after the steep drop the stock suffered early in 2025 due to a $5.5 billion charge tied to the H20 chip export restrictions to China—has stalled. While some analysts have raised price targets, others caution about ongoing headwinds due to uncertainty surrounding future U.S.-China trade relations and the potential for stricter regulations. The third-quarter report was stellar on the top and bottom lines due to strong growth in the data center segment.

Despite its challenges, the company’s pivot to U.S. AI infrastructure investments signals resilience. With analysts eyeing robust data center demand, 24/7 Wall St. here explores whether Nvidia can sustain its recovery and drive further growth.

Why Invest in Nvidia?

Nvidia faces significant hurdles as it navigates U.S.-China trade restrictions and intense market expectations. In the first quarter, export controls on its H20 AI chip—which had been designed specifically to circumvent export restrictions on advanced technology to China—led to the substantial write-down noted above. Analysts believed the ban could result in a $9 billion revenue hit. Some $700 million would affect fiscal first-quarter results, with the remaining $8 billion spread across the second and third quarters.

U.S. tariffs and China’s retaliatory measures also threatened supply chain costs, particularly for components sourced globally, while competition from Huawei’s Ascend chips grows. These factors had analysts warning of margin pressure. Yet, Nvidia’s profitability remains robust. The company has reportedly raised prices 10% to 15% on some of its most popular GPUs as a result of the tariffs. Gaming processor prices jumped 5% to 10%, while it hiked high-end AI GPUs as much as 15% to account for surging manufacturing costs and to keep its earnings stable.

Yet investments in U.S. AI infrastructure, supported by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing’s $165 billion Arizona fab expansion, bolster Nvidia’s supply chains and are backed by its $37.6 billion cash reserve.

CEO Huang announced during last year’s trip to South Korea that Nvidia will supply more than 260,000 advanced graphics processing units (GPUs) to South Korean firms, including Samsung and Hyundai Motor. He believes AI has reached a “virtuous cycle” where improvements in the models lead to more investment, which in turn leads to further improvement and investment. He also expressed hope that trade talks between the U.S. and China might lead to a change in policy that allows Nvidia to resume sales of state-of-the-art chips in China. In fact, the U.S. president has now allowed the company to sell its advanced H200 AI chips to China, though China is reportedly reluctant to accept them.

The AI market is projected to grow at a 37% CAGR through 2030, according to Grand View Research. This supports Nvidia’s $170 billion fiscal 2026 revenue forecast, a 30% increase over the $130.5 billion it generated in 2025.

Nvidia as a Company

In its third-quarter earnings report, Nvidia revenue totaled a record $57.01 billion, including $51.2 billion from its data center division. The total was up 66% year over year, largely fueled by the voracious demand for its AI chips.

The chipmaker invested $3.2 billion in capital expenditures in fiscal 2025, expanding Blackwell accelerator production and AI infrastructure. The company’s capex has spiked over 200% this year to more than $3 billion to meet hyperscaler demand.

U.S.-China trade restrictions still pose risks, even with the seeming thaw, tariffs could raise costs, which would explain the price hikes reportedly implemented. A 36% operating expense increase to $5.8 billion for R&D offset Nvidia’s adjusted operating income of $37.8 billion.

Yet, Nvidia’s growth is not solely tied to data centers. The company expanded its automotive segment, with a 32% year-over-year increase to $592 million, driven by partnerships with Toyota and Aurora Innovation for autonomous vehicles. This diversifies Nvidia’s portfolio amid tariff uncertainties.

Nvidia has projected fiscal third-quarter revenue of $65 billion, plus or minus 2%. This outlook exceeded analysts’ consensus projection.

Nvidia as a Stock

For Nvidia shareholders, 2025 was a rollercoaster year. The stock dropped to a 52-week low of $86.62 in April. After an announced pause in U.S.-China tariffs and the first-quarter results, the share price recovered. It hit an all-time high of $212.19 in October, which had the company’s market cap briefly over $5 trillion.

While some insiders have been selling shares, analyst sentiment remains bullish. Of 64 analysts who cover the stock, 59 recommend buying shares, 11 of them with Strong Buy ratings. Their consensus one-year price target has slipped to $252.81, which signals about 36% upside potential from its current price. Targets range from $140 to $352 per share.

BofA, Stifel, Truist, and others recently maintained their Buy-equivalent ratings. Evercore ISI has the street-high target price. It cited accelerating revenue growth, strong demand for Blackwell chips, an improving supply chain, and a significant pipeline. Yet, renowned investor Michael Burry is bearish on Nvidia.

Estimate Price Target Change From Current Price Low $140.00 −24.7% Median $252.81 36.1% High $352.00 89.4% Nvidia’s AI dominance, 93% data center growth, and automotive partnerships with Toyota positioned the company for gains in 2025. However, tariff risks and DeepSeek’s competitive AI models require caution. The AI market’s growth and the chipmaker’s $47 billion second-quarter revenue position Nvidia to achieve its $170 billion full-year revenue target, while its cash buffer and Stargate Project role offer stability. Still, valuation concerns linger. Nvidia is a buy for growth-oriented investors, but others should use caution.

24/7 Wall St.’s 2026 year-end price target for Nvidia is $300.14 per share, which would be a 61.5% gain. That estimate accounts for tariff risks, competition from DeepSeek, and potential Blackwell supply constraints. It also reflects Nvidia’s AI dominance and 2026 revenue guidance.

Why Nvidia Could Have a Terrible Year in 2026, and Why That Might Not Be So Bad

XRP Price Rises As Ripple Clears Another Elite Regulatory Bar in EuropeXRP rises after Ripple secures preliminary EMI approval in Luxembourg, strengthening its regulated European expansion.Luxembourg license could let Ripple passport payment services across the EU under harmonized regulations.UK and EU approvals position Ripple as one of crypto’s most institutionally compliant firms.The XRP price rose after reports that Ripple secured preliminary approval for an Electronic Money Institution (EMI) license in Luxembourg.

This regulatory milestone marks another significant step for the blockchain payments firm as it expands across Europe.

Sponsored

Ripple said Luxembourg’s financial regulator, the Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier (CSSF), has issued an initial “green light” for the EMI license, subject to remaining conditions.

If finalized, the authorization would allow Ripple to offer regulated payment services involving stablecoins and other digital assets across the European Union through passporting, using Luxembourg as its regulatory base.

The development places Luxembourg at the center of Ripple’s European strategy. An EMI license in the country would enable Ripple to operate under harmonized EU rules. This gives it access to multiple member states without seeking separate approvals in each jurisdiction.

For a sector facing increasingly strict oversight, the ability to scale compliantly across borders has become a decisive advantage.

Ripple investors appeared to welcome the news, with the XRP price climbing as traders digested the implications of Ripple’s expanding regulatory footprint in Europe. As of this writing, XRP was trading for $2.14, up by nearly 4% on the news.

XRP Price Performance. Source: BeInCryptoSponsored

While price reactions to regulatory developments have often been uneven, the Luxembourg approval reinforces a growing narrative that Ripple is emerging as one of the most institutionally compliant crypto firms operating in major financial markets.

UK and Luxembourg Licenses Signal Ripple’s Broader European Regulatory StrategyThe Luxembourg progress follows closely on the heels of Ripple’s recent regulatory win in the UK. Last week, the company confirmed that its local subsidiary, Ripple Markets UK, secured both an EMI license and crypto-asset registration from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).

As BeInCrypto reported, clearing FCA scrutiny is a rare achievement in the crypto industry, with the majority of applicants failing to meet the regulator’s standards.

Together, the UK and Luxembourg approvals signal a coordinated effort to integrate Ripple’s payments business into Europe’s regulated financial system.

Sponsored

The company is also pursuing authorization as a Crypto-Asset Service Provider (CASP) under the EU’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) framework. This positions it to align fully with the bloc’s new digital asset rules as they take effect.

Ripple said the European approvals add to a global portfolio of more than 75 regulatory licenses, including US money transmitter licenses and authorizations in jurisdictions such as Singapore and Dubai.

The firm has increasingly emphasized regulation as a competitive moat, particularly as banks and payment providers avoid working with unlicensed crypto counterparties.

“The EU was amongst the first major jurisdictions to introduce comprehensive digital assets regulation, which provides the certainty financial institutions need to move blockchain from pilots to commercial scale,” Ripple President Monica Long said in a statement, describing the Luxembourg approval as part of a broader effort to modernize cross-border payments infrastructure.

Sponsored

Cassie Craddock, Ripple’s Managing Director for the UK and Europe, said Luxembourg’s regulatory approach has made it a hub for financial innovation.

She also noted that the preliminary approval enables Ripple to deliver compliant blockchain infrastructure to clients across the EU.

For XRP, the significance goes beyond headlines. An earlier BeInCrypto analysis highlighted how Ripple’s UK licensing quietly allowed XRP to be used within regulated payment flows, rather than remaining confined to exchange trading.

The Luxembourg EMI license opens the door for that model to be replicated across the EU’s single market. This could embed XRP deeper into institutional payment rails over time.

Sustained XRP demand will ultimately depend on real payment volumes rather than regulatory announcements alone.

Nonetheless, Ripple’s latest approval strengthens its position as one of the few crypto firms capable of operating at scale within Europe’s tightening regulatory perimeter.

Disclaimer

In adherence to the Trust Project guidelines, BeInCrypto is committed to unbiased, transparent reporting. This news article aims to provide accurate, timely information. However, readers are advised to verify facts independently and consult with a professional before making any decisions based on this content. Please note that our Terms and Conditions, Privacy Policy, and Disclaimers have been updated.