Market Signal Briefing

Bitcoin rose alongside US equities on Wednesday after President Donald Trump said he hopes to sign market structure legislation for digital assets “very soon” during a World Economic Forum speech in Davos.

The remarks helped lift sentiment across risk assets. Data from TradingView showed daily Bitcoin gains of about 1.7% around the time of the address, while the S&P 500 was up 0.5%.

Trump signals near-term crypto legislation Copy link to section

In Davos, Trump said he is working to “ensure America remains the crypto capital of the world,” adding that he had signed the “landmark Genius Act” into law.

“Now, Congress is working very hard on crypto market structure legislation — Bitcoin, all of them — which I hope to sign very soon, unlocking new pathways for Americans to reach financial freedom,” he said, according to the World Economic Forum’s broadcast of the address.

Trump also told attendees he would not use force to take over Greenland and predicted that “the stock market is going to be doubled.”

He said the Dow Jones Industrial Average would “hit 50,000” and that the move would come “in a relatively short period of time.”

Market reaction and price context Copy link to section

Bitcoin attempted to extend a relief bounce around the Wall Street open as traders weighed the policy comments.

Earlier in January, Cointelegraph reported a roundtrip in price action that took Bitcoin back near its 2026 starting level, closing a gap in CME Group’s Bitcoin futures market and leaving gaps above the price.

Some market participants pointed to visible buy interest.

Trader CW said “$BTC has a solid buying wall,” describing the support line as strong.

Japanese bonds add a macro headwind Copy link to section

Elsewhere, stress in Japan’s government bond market remained a global talking point.

QCP Capital noted that after decades of near-zero rates, 10-year Japanese yields have risen to around 2.29%, the highest since 1999.

The firm highlighted structural strains, including government debt exceeding about 240% of GDP and debt servicing projected to absorb roughly a quarter of fiscal spending in 2026.

Trading resource The Kobeissi Letter said demand for Japanese government bonds was “crashing,” warning that the situation was deepening.

QCP Capital cautioned that the spillover to global bonds positions Japan as a key volatility catalyst.

What traders are watching next Copy link to section

Analysts are focused on whether Bitcoin can hold recent local lows and build on the bounce.

Daan Crypto Trades said it would be “good to have a bit of a wick below the yearly open” so that the level is taken out, after which traders can reassess.

For now, the policy outlook and macro backdrop appear to be pulling in opposite directions.

Signs of progress on US digital-asset rules offered a short-term lift, while rising Japanese yields and bond-market fragility kept broader risk sentiment in check.

The next phase likely hinges on follow-through in Washington and whether macro pressures ease.

If legislative momentum persists and global rate volatility stabilizes, traders say the backdrop for a more durable recovery could improve.

Why Trust CoinGape

CoinGape has covered the cryptocurrency industry since 2017, aiming to provide informative insights to our readers. Our journal analysts bring years of experience in market analysis and blockchain technology to ensure factual accuracy and balanced reporting. By following our Editorial Policy, our writers verify every source, fact-check each story, rely on reputable sources, and attribute quotes and media correctly. We also follow a rigorous Review Methodology when evaluating exchanges and tools. From emerging blockchain projects and coin launches to industry events and technical developments, we cover all facets of the digital asset space with unwavering commitment to timely, relevant information.

Ethereum remains under medium-term pressure after a sustained decline, with the price now stabilizing rather than extending lower. The last sessions reflect controlled consolidation after a breakdown in the middle of this month. This has been accompanied by an emerging regulatory impetus relating to U.S. crypto laws. As uncertainty compresses, the market now assesses whether Ethereum price would transition from stabilization into continuation under improving structural conditions.

Crypto Market Bill Context Reframes Price Conditions Recent remarks from Donald Trump placed the Crypto Market Bill into an active approval window rather than a distant policy discussion. The bill will bring about a better market structure and regulation, which has a direct impact on large-cap crypto assets capital behavior. This context emerged while ETH price was already declining, not during a neutral phase.

Before the remarks, Ethereum price had broken below $3,000 and continued to trade heavy. The selling pressure was still strong and it indicated limited participation and high levels of regulatory uncertainty. The policy signal, therefore, minimized uncertainty that had intensified downside momentum and changed behavior without compelling it to change direction immediately.

As a result, ETH price reclaimed the $3,000 level in a controlled manner. Buyers defended spot exposure without aggressive leverage, while sellers failed to force continuation lower. This reaction reflects repositioning as opposed to speculation, which is in line with the decreasing urgency on the sell side.

Looking ahead, the incoming approval would have wider implications than the initial response. Clearer regulatory structure would increase tolerance for holding ETH price through volatility. In turn, Ethereum price would benefit from reduced downside fragility, allowing upside attempts to develop under more stable participation conditions.

Ethereum Price Structure Builds Toward $4,000 Continuation Ethereum price remains confined within a broad descending channel that has guided ETH price since the late-2024 peak. This structure continues to control the medium-term behavior. Within this framework, ETH price has established a clearly respected consolidation range between $2,800 and $3,400, reflecting balance rather than exhaustion.

This disciplined range behavior is tested by repeated reactions at both boundaries. After reclaiming $3,000, Ethereum price rotated into the upper half of this range rather than stalling near the midpoint. At the time of press, Ethereum value sits at approximately $3,054, positioning price closer to range resistance while remaining constrained by the broader channel structure.

Additionally,  the RSI has bounced from the 37 zone to around 43, which is consistent with price reclaiming mid-range support and not an indication of the reversal of the trend. This configuration support further exploration of the range rather than a resurgence of downside pressure, as long as selling urgency is contained at the present levels. 

Incase Ethereum price breaks above the $3,400 level, the descending channel would weaken materially. As a result, the future Ethereum price prediction would shift toward continuation, opening a measured path toward $4,000. However, inability to overcome this resistance level would maintain the range of ETH price, postponing directional follow-through.

ETH/USD 1D Chart (Source: TradingView) To sum up, Ethereum price no longer reflects accelerating decline, but stabilization under improving structural conditions. As long as ETH price holds above $3,000, upside pressure toward $3,400 would remain dominant. A successful breakout would weaken the broader channel and support a shift towards $4,000 with the improvement of regulatory clarity.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) The bill would clarify regulatory oversight, reducing uncertainty that affects how capital allocates to assets like Ethereum.

It defines the prevailing medium-term trend, setting clear boundaries for both upside attempts and downside risk.

No, it would improve structural conditions, but price response would still depend on participation and technical confirmation.

Journalist

Posted: January 22, 2026

Markets are shaky, and conviction is being tested.

With macro FUD building, capital continues to rotate out, pushing risk assets broadly into the red. In this environment, holding key support levels is critical. Lose them, and downside capitulation becomes far more likely.

Notably, for Solana [SOL] and Ethereum [ETH], fundamentals are starting to show up. According to Token Terminal, Solana’s staking ratio has reached an all-time high of 70%, locking up roughly $60 billion in SOL.

Source: Token Terminal

Meanwhile, Ethereum isn’t far behind. BitMine (BMNR) continues to add to its staking position, with another 86k ETH staked, pushing Ethereum’s staking ratio to an all-time high of 30%, or about $120 billion locked up.

Together, these trends reinforce AMBCrypto’s thesis: Even amid volatility, L1s fundamentals are quietly strengthening, with staking acting as a solid signal of long-term conviction. But there’s a key divergence worth noting.

Around 70% of all SOL is staked, versus “only” 30% of ETH. While both L1s hit major staking milestones, the economic impact is very different. Could this mean that SOL is becoming “economically” stronger than ETH?

Solana’s staking edge: A sign of long-term conviction? Solana’s staking edge shows why its supply dynamics are tighter.

In economic terms, a breakout needs a supply-demand imbalance, where demand gradually outweighs supply. With 567 million SOL in circulation, 70% staked means nearly 400 million tokens are effectively locked.

By comparison, Ethereum only has about 37 million ETH staked. That means Solana’s staked supply is more than 10x larger than Ethereum’s, highlighting its much stronger supply squeeze.

Source: TradingView (SOL/ETH)

From a long-term perspective, this divergence matters. 

A larger proportion of locked tokens reduces circulating supply, which can amplify price moves in the long-term. For instance, despite the ongoing volatility, SOL continues to outperform ETH, with the ratio up 2.13%.

Adding to this, Solana has pulled in over 50% of bridged capital from Ethereum, totaling $50 million in the past seven days alone, a clear signal that its on-chain demand and network activity are gaining momentum.

In short, Solana’s strong staking economics aren’t just theoretical. Instead, they’re now showing up as real technical strength and on-chain growth, highlighting SOL’s resilience and its relatively stronger long-term potential.

Final Thoughts 70% of SOL is staked, over 10x Ethereum’s staked supply, creating tighter supply dynamics and long-term economic strength. Strong staking, continued capital inflows, and a rising SOL/ETH ratio show Solana’s technical strength and growing network momentum.

Ritika Gupta is a Financial Journalist and Geopolitical Analyst at AMBCrypto, specializing in the critical intersection of world politics, economic policy, and the cryptocurrency markets. Her analysis is informed by her distinguished background, which includes professional experience at major news network. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Political Science and Psychology from Gargi College, University of Delhi. This academic training provides her with a sophisticated framework for dissecting complex issues such as international regulations, government fiscal policies, and the geopolitical forces that directly influence asset valuations. At AMBCrypto, Ritika applies this expert lens to synthesize macroeconomic data and political developments, offering readers a deeper context for market movements. She excels at explaining not just what is happening in the market, but why it is happening. Her work is dedicated to providing strategic insights that empower readers to understand the complex relationship between global events and their digital assets.

Steak ’n Shake is taking its crypto experiment to the pay window, announcing it will begin paying hourly workers a small Bitcoin bonus tied to hours worked—a move that quickly drew skepticism and ridicule online.

Summary

Critics mocked the incentive as a substitute for real wage increases. The small payout and long vesting period is made worse considering fast-food turnover The company has added $10 million of Bitcoin to its balance sheet and accepts Bitcoin payments via the Lightning Network. Starting March 1, the burger chain will award employees at company-operated restaurants $0.21 worth of Bitcoin for every hour worked, with payouts vesting after two years.

The company pitched the incentive as a way to reward staff loyalty, saying on X that “we take care of our employees; they, in turn, take care of customers; and the results take care of themselves.”

Starting March 1, Steak n Shake will give all hourly employees at its company-operated restaurants a Bitcoin bonus of $0.21 for every hour worked.

 Employees will be able to collect their Bitcoin pay after a two-year vesting period. Thank you, @Fold_app, for the assist.

 We…

— Steak 'n Shake (@SteaknShake) January 20, 2026 The announcement, however, was met with swift backlash on social media, where critics derided the bonus as a crypto-flavored substitute for a real raise.

Commentators pointed out that the two-year vesting period could limit who ever sees the money, given high turnover in fast food, and mocked the modest payout, which would amount to less than $900 over two years for a full-time worker.

“Big L,” one commentator wrote. “Woulda been better to just give them a packet of ramen for every hour.”

The bonus program is part of Steak ’n Shake’s broader embrace of Bitcoin. The chain has partnered with Fold, a Bitcoin-focused personal finance app, to administer the incentive and has already added $10 million of Bitcoin to its balance sheet.

In 2025, it began accepting Bitcoin payments globally via the Lightning Network, a move it says cut transaction fees by nearly 50% compared with credit cards. The company has also pledged to funnel all Bitcoin sales into a “Strategic Bitcoin Reserve,” underscoring a bet that digital assets can boost margins—even if the latest perk leaves employees and critics unconvinced.

New executives to drive trading-first applications and integrate Cronos blockchain with Crypto.com's ecosystem.

Solana price rose by more than 4% on January 21 as the crypto market staged a cautious recovery after the recent dive.

Summary

Solana price could be on the verge of a strong rebound after forming a cup-and-handle pattern. Circle launched its Gateway platform on Solana. Ondo launched its tokenized stocks and ETF trading platforms on Solana. Solana (SOL) token rose to $131, up from this week’s low of $124.90. It remains in a correction after falling by 12.7% from its highest level this month.

Solana’s network continued to grow this week, a trend that may accelerate after developers launch the Alpenglow upgrade later this quarter. Alpenglow aims to boost network throughput to over 100,000 transactions per second by overhauling its architecture.

Circle, the creator of USDC launched the Circle Gateway on Solana. This feature now allows developers to enable chain-abstracted USDC that is instantly when and where it is needed for decentralized finance, payments, and treasury rebalancing.

Circle Gateway is now available on @solana!

Developers can enable chain-abstracted USDC that’s instantly available when and where it’s needed for DeFi, payments, treasury rebalancing, and more.

→ Non-custodial, chain-abstracted @USDC
→ Frictionless, instant crosschain UX
→… pic.twitter.com/4TywDwciv6

— Circle (@circle) January 21, 2026 Solana has become one of the most popular chains for the USDC stablecoin as it handled transactions worth over $1 trillion last year.

Meanwhile, Ondo Finance, one of the biggest players in the tokenization industry, launched Ondo Global Markets on Solana. Launched in September last year, the product has become one of the fastest-growing platforms for tokenized stocks trading. 

Data compiled by DeFi Llama shows that the network has a total value locked of over $521 million, up from zero in September. It has already activated over 200 tokenized stocks and exchange-traded funds. Data compiled by TokenTerminal shows that Solana holds over $1.5 billion in tokenized stocks.

Solana has become one of the most important network in the crypto industry. Data compiled by Nansen shows that the network handled over $1.9 billion in transactions in the last 30 days, while the number of active addresses jumped by 25% to over 75 million. 

Solana price technical analysis  SOL price chart | Source: crypto.news  The 12-hour chart shows that the SOL token price has pulled back over the past few days, moving from a high of $150 to its current price of $131.

This retreat is a sign that the coin is forming the handle section of the cup-and-handle pattern, a common bullish continuation sign in technical analysis.

Therefore, the most likely scenario is where the stock token rebounds and hits the key resistance level at $150. A move above that level will point to more gains, potentially to the 50% retracement level at $185.

Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss have quietly written another check for privacy tech, sending 3,221 ZEC—worth about $1.2 million—to bolster independent development of the Zcash protocol.

In brief Steak 'n Shake is giving hourly employees a "Bitcoin bonus" that will vest over the course of two years. The initiative is powered by infrastructure from publicly traded Bitcoin services firm, Fold. Some commenters applauded the move, while others scoffed at the size of the Bitcoin payment. Restaurant franchise Steak ‘n Shake is deepening its embrace of Bitcoin, teaming with publicly traded Bitcoin services firm Fold to offer a BTC bonus to hourly employees.

Using Fold’s infrastructure, the restaurant will pay employees a bonus of $0.21 per hour, paid in BTC, which will vest in full after two years. 

“Starting March 1, Steak n Shake will give all hourly employees at its company-operated restaurants a Bitcoin bonus of $0.21 for every hour worked,” the restaurant brand posted on X. “Employees will be able to collect their Bitcoin pay after a two-year vesting period.”

Based on a 40-hour work week, an hourly employee at the restaurant could stand to gain $436.80 in Bitcoin per year—about 0.005 BTC at today’s prices. 

While some commenters (mostly crypto-natives) lauded the onboarding move, others criticized the firm’s bonus, including comments encouraging the restaurant chain to “give people a raise” instead.

So a $873 bonus for 2 years work at a wage that's barely livable(or possibly not livable at all). And even then it might not be that much depending on the state of Bitcoin. But let's say bitcoin doubles in that 2 years. That means roughly a $1700 bonus for 2 years working a shit…

— The Dread duck Pirate Mark Brooks (@MarkBrooksArt) January 21, 2026

Representatives for Fold and Steak ‘n Shake did not immediately respond to Decrypt’s request for comment. 

The hourly Bitcoin bonus is the latest in a string of Bitcoin-related actions from the restaurant chain in the last eight months. After teasing the acceptance of BTC payments as early as last March, it rolled out the functionality to its Amercian franchises in May last year.

Since that time, it’s fully entrenched itself in the Bitcoin camp, going so far as to scrap the addition of Ethereum payments after pushback from Bitcoiners, while attributing some of its improved sales metrics to the Bitcoin community. 

To commemorate the acceptance of BTC payments, It launched a Bitcoin steakburger complete with an emblazoned BTC logo on the top bun, later partnering with Fold to offer a $5 BTC reward when it was purchased. 

Then, at the end of October, the firm announced it would stash all payments made in BTC in a newly created strategic Bitcoin reserve. 

That reserve got a boost last week when it announced that it had bolstered its Bitcoin exposure with a $10 million notional value increase. However, notional value refers to the value of a financial instrument, and does not indicate that the firm purchased $10 million worth of BTC. 

The top crypto asset by market cap is up 0.7% in the last 24 hours, but down around 7% in the last week, recently changing hands at $90,062. It now sits more than 28% off its October all-time high of $126,080.

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Why Trust CoinGape

CoinGape has covered the cryptocurrency industry since 2017, aiming to provide informative insights to our readers. Our journal analysts bring years of experience in market analysis and blockchain technology to ensure factual accuracy and balanced reporting. By following our Editorial Policy, our writers verify every source, fact-check each story, rely on reputable sources, and attribute quotes and media correctly. We also follow a rigorous Review Methodology when evaluating exchanges and tools. From emerging blockchain projects and coin launches to industry events and technical developments, we cover all facets of the digital asset space with unwavering commitment to timely, relevant information.

Iran’s central bank acquired at least $507 million in Tether’s USDT in April and May 2025, according to Elliptic. The purchases came from Iran, the UAE, and public blockchains, using payments in Emirati dirhams. The activity involved the Central Bank of Iran and aimed to stabilize the Rial while bypassing restricted banking channels.

How Did Iran Accumulate the USDT? According to Elliptic, researchers traced wallets linked to Iran’s Central Bank through transaction patterns and documentation. Payments moved in AED, then settled on TRON, building a sizable stablecoin reserve.

Based on these findings, Elliptic mapped a broader wallet structure tied to Iran’s Central Bank. The identified wallets accumulated at least $507 million in USDT. However, Elliptic stressed that this figure shows only wallets attributed with high confidence.

This growing stockpile formed during the Rial’s weakness. Reports cited the Rial halving in value within eight months. As a result, the central bank appeared to seek faster access to dollar-linked assets outside traditional channels.

Interestingly, this development comes just weeks after CoinGape reported that Iran was accepting crypto payments for weapon sales. The country’s official defense export agency had offered advanced weapons systems in exchange for digital assets.

Move From Local Exchange to Cross-Chain Routes Initially, most USDT flowed to Nobitex, Iran’s largest crypto exchange, as per Elliptic. Nobitex allowed users to hold USDT, trade cryptoassets, or sell tokens for rials. This routing suggested direct injection of dollar liquidity into Iran’s domestic market.

However, the pattern changed in June 2025. USDT transfers moved from the top layer -1 network TRON to Ethereum through a cross-chain bridge. Funds passed through decentralized exchanges, other blockchains, and centralized platforms, extending through late 2025.

Source: Elliptic

This shift followed a major Nobitex security breach. On June 18, 2025, hackers stole $90 million in cryptoassets. The pro-Israel group Gonjeshke Darande claimed responsibility and destroyed the assets by sending them to inaccessible wallets.

Sanctions, Transparency, and Wallet Freezes Elliptic reported that Iran’s USDT use aimed to address two constraints: currency collapse and trade settlement barriers. Routing USDT to Nobitex aligned with efforts to support the Rial through market operations. Meanwhile, later cross-chain activity suggested attempts to manage funds beyond local exposure.

Despite these efforts, blockchain transparency kept transactions visible. Public ledgers on TRON and Ethereum allowed investigators to trace flows. As a result, enforcement actions followed at key control points.

Tether blacklisted several wallets linked to Iran’s Central Bank on June 15, 2025. That action froze about 37 million USDT. Separately, on January 11, 2026, TRM Labs reported Iran’s IRGC moved nearly $1 billion in crypto between 2023 and 2025.

Meanwhile, Iran’s central bank built a large USDT reserve through identifiable wallets, cross-chain transfers, and exchange routing. Elliptic traced the accumulation, movement, and later disruption of these funds through blockchain data. Enforcement actions, including wallet blacklisting and freezes, later exposed and constrained parts of this structure.

The cryptocurrency market is facing a brutal wave of selling pressure this week, and XRP has found itself in the eye of the storm. After failing to sustain its momentum above the critical $2.00 mark, Ripple’s native token has seen its price crash by 10% over the last seven days, currently trading near $1.89.

This downturn is largely attributed to the "geopolitical earthquake" triggered by President Donald Trump at the World Economic Forum in Davos. His aggressive push for Greenland negotiations and the immediate threat of 10% to 25% tariffs on European allies have sent investors fleeing from risk-on assets toward the safety of gold and cash.

XRP Chart Analysis: Breaking the $2.00 FloorThe technical outlook for XRP has shifted from bullish to defensive. According to the latest market data, XRP has logged seven consecutive red sessions, a streak not seen since late 2025. The chart shows a clear "failed breakout" at the $2.14 resistance level, which quickly turned into a sharp reversal as geopolitical tensions escalated.

XRP/USD 2H - TradingView

Key Support Levels: Analysts are keeping a close eye on the $1.80 "Triple-Tap" zone. This level is considered the final line of defense for the current market structure. A break below $1.80 could open the doors for a deeper correction toward $1.61.Bearish Indicators: The Relative Strength Index (RSI) has dipped into the low 40s, while the MACD has printed a "death cross" on the daily timeframe, suggesting that the path of least resistance remains to the downside.Liquidation Heatmap: Over $40 million in XRP long positions were liquidated in a single 24-hour window following Trump's Davos address, compounding the downward pressure.Trump’s Davos "Bazooka" and the Crypto ImpactThe instability stems from Trump’s Davos speech on January 21, 2026, where he demanded "immediate negotiations" for Greenland. Major outlets like The Guardian report that the accompanying tariff threats against eight European nations have sparked fears of a fractured NATO and a global trade war.

While $Bitcoin and $Ethereum have also corrected, XRP’s sensitivity to regulatory and macroeconomic shifts has made it particularly vulnerable. As traditional markets like the S&P 500 tumble, institutional capital is being pulled from the crypto news sector to cover margin calls in equities.

What's Next for Ripple (XRP)?The XRP price is currently "stuck" between a short-term bearish structure and long-term consolidation. For a bullish reversal to occur, XRP must reclaim the $2.05 level on high volume. Until then, the "Trump factor" and the developing situation in Davos will continue to dictate the trend. Stay updated with the latest price movements on our token price page.

Journalist

Posted: January 22, 2026

Amid a broader market downturn, Hyperliquid [HYPE] has faced strong downward pressure, reaching levels last seen in May 2025. 

Hyperliquid dropped to a low of $20.8 before slightly rebounding. At press time, HYPE traded at $21.02, down 9.21% on the daily charts, indicating strong bearish pressure.

9 wallets offload $9.8 million worth of HYPE While HYPE has been declining, the recently distributed tokens have added further downside pressure, as they ended on the sell side.

Qwantifyio reported that nine team wallets had distributed their HYPE to Flowdesk. These Hyperliquid-linked wallets sold 450K HYPE, valued at $9.8 million.

Source: Qwantifyio on X

In fact, out of the 1,125,766 HYPE distributed for January, 62.4% was sold via OTC while 33.14% was staked. After these transactions, the spot address was left holding only 50k HYPE worth approximately $1 million. 

This suggests that Hyperliquid has been selling most of the unstaked and unlocked coins. Based on the team’s previous behavior, they could likely sell future unlocks. 

The team’s approach has deepened bearish pressure by increasing circulating supply, especially amid bear dominance. 

Hyperliquid whales flip bearish Unsurprisingly, with Hyperliquid on a prolonged downtrend, investors, especially whales, have turned bearish and are now shorting the market.

 According to Onchain Lens, a whale placed a short position for 928,898 HYPE worth $19.89 million. 

Source: Onchain Lens

Typically, when whales decide to take short positions, it suggests they expect the downtrend to continue. However, this bearishness in Futures is not isolated to whales; most participants feel the same. 

According to CoinGlass data, Hyperliquid’s Derivatives Volume climbed 79.8% to $1.46 billion while Open Interest rose 1.17% to $1.2 billion. 

Source: CoinGlass

When OI and Volume rise in tandem, it signals increased participation with traders taking either short or long positions. 

In this case, these traders have been taking short positions since the altcoin’s Long Short Ratio held below 1. With this metric at 0.89, it suggests most participants were bearish and expected prices to drop further.

Hyperliquid dipped to an 8-month low amid increasing selling pressure, accelerating the downward momentum.

As a result, the altcoin’s MACD crossed below its signal line, dropping to a low of -1.1. A bearish move here suggested that sellers were in overwhelming control of the market.

Source: TradingView

At the same time, its Directional Movement Index (DMI) dropped to 13, further into the bearish zone, reflecting weaker structure.

These two bearish moves, combined, signal potential trend continuation. Thus, if selling pressure continues to dominate, HYPE risks breaching $20 support and dipping to $18.7.

Final Thoughts A Hyperliquid team-linked wallet dumped 450K HYPE, valued at $9.8 million.  Whales short the market as HYPE tests a key support level around $20. 

Dogecoin price suffers a sharp decline as traders face $1.2M in liquidations amid crypto market meltdown. DOGE drops 14.7% weekly with analysts warning of further downside to $0.073.

Newton Gitonga2 min read

21 January 2026, 08:05 PM

Dogecoin has experienced a severe liquidation event, with traders facing losses exceeding $1.2 million in just four hours. The meme cryptocurrency recorded a 2,563% liquidation imbalance as the broader digital asset market entered a sharp downturn.

Data from CoinGlass reveals that long-position traders bore the brunt of the losses. The cryptocurrency fell from a daily peak of $0.1263 to $0.1216 within hours. Growing geopolitical tensions prompted investors to move capital away from digital assets toward traditional safe havens such as gold. 

Dogecoin currently trades at $0.1260, marking a 2,02% increase in the last 24 hours. Trading volume has increased 23.04% to reach $1.3 billion, suggesting sustained market interest despite the price decline.

Technical Indicators Point to Oversold TerritoryThe Relative Strength Index for Dogecoin sits at 23.7, indicating extreme oversold conditions. Under typical market circumstances, such readings often precede price recoveries. However, the ongoing market-wide selloff has prevented any meaningful upward movement.

Technical analyst Ali Martinez has identified potential downside risks for the meme coin. His analysis suggests Dogecoin could face further declines, with $0.073 representing the next significant support level. Such a move would add another zero to the cryptocurrency's price, marking a substantial decrease from current levels.

The meme coin started 2026 with momentum but now faces correction pressures. The combination of market-wide weakness and internal technical challenges has created a difficult environment for price recovery.

Short-position traders also recorded losses, though considerably smaller. Bears who bet against Dogecoin lost $45,070 during the same four-hour period. This indicates the liquidation event affected traders on both sides of the market.

Market Participants React to LossesBilly Markus, co-founder of Dogecoin, recently responded to news of $150 billion in crypto market losses with characteristic sarcasm. His brief "oh" comment reflected his typical indifferent stance toward market volatility. Markus has maintained this approach throughout various market cycles.

Not all market participants share his detached perspective. As previously reported, a Bitcoin whale recently made a bold move in Dogecoin amid turbulent conditions. The trader purchased 15.6 million DOGE tokens valued at over $2.1 million using 10x leverage.

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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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Dogecoin (DOGE) News

XRP’s (XRP) onchain market structure resembles a setup that led to significant losses in 2022 after the price lost a key support level.

Key takeaways:

XRP's onchain structure mirrors the February 2022 setup that led to a 68% price drop. 

XRP bulls must reclaim $2 to avoid a deeper correction toward $1.10.

XRP spot ETFs recorded a net outflow of $53.32 million, their second-ever day of outflows and the largest since launch.

Previous signal preceded 68% XRP price dropData from Glassnode warned that XRP’s current market structure “closely resembles that of February 2022,” an occurrence that ultimately preceded months of weakness. 

“XRP investors active over the 1W–1M window are now accumulating below the cost basis of the 6M–12M cohort,” the market intelligence firm said in a recent post on X.

This creates a scenario where newer buyers are in profit, while mid-term holders sit on losses. This gap creates overhead pressure over time if key support levels are not reclaimed. 

Glassnode added:

“As this structure persists, psychological pressure on top buyers continues to build over time.”  XRP realized price. Source: Glassnode
A similar pattern was seen in February 2022 when XRP was trading at $0.78, which led to a 68% drawdown to $0.30 by June 2022. 

If history repeats itself, XRP could fall to as low as $1.40 if the support between $1.80 and $2 does not hold. 

$2 level becomes a key psychological zoneThe $2 level is a key psychological threshold for XRP in the short to medium term. In an earlier analysis, Glassnode found that each retest of $2 since early 2025 triggered $500 million to $1.2 billion in weekly realized losses, suggesting holders chose to exit their positions and cut their losses.

“This underscores how heavily this level influences spending behavior.” XRP realized loss. Source: GlassnodeWhen the price slides below this important $2 level, pressure builds on holders who acquired XRP at higher levels, while newer buyers accumulate at lower levels.

A 2022 fractal reinforces the importance of this level, suggesting the price could see a deeper correction if it is not reclaimed soon.

For example, the $0.55 level was also a key support level in the past. It supported the price between April 2021 and May 2022, with each subsequent retest weakening the support. The support eventually broke in May 2022, leading to a 48% drop to $0.28.

Similarly, losing the support at $2 could trigger a downward spiral, with the price bottoming just below the 200-week moving average at $1.03, just as in 2022.

XRP/USD weekly chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewAs Cointelegraph reported, XRP’s break below the 50-day SMA at $2 indicates that the bears are back in the game, with the downside risk extending to $1.25.

XRP ETFs record their second day of outflowsOn Tuesday, spot XRP ETFs recorded their second day of outflows since launch, totaling  $53 million, according to data from SoSoValue. This was $13 million higher than the only other outflow of $40 million recorded on Jan. 7.

Spot XRP ETF flows chart. Source: SoSoValue These outflows signal caution among institutional investors or profit-taking amid broader crypto market weakness and risk-off sentiment, adding to the sell-side pressure.

This article does not contain investment advice or recommendations. Every investment and trading move involves risk, and readers should conduct their own research when making a decision. While we strive to provide accurate and timely information, Cointelegraph does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information in this article. This article may contain forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Cointelegraph will not be liable for any loss or damage arising from your reliance on this information.

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Key Points:

Ondo Finance introduces tokenized U.S. stocks to Solana, impacting 3.2 million users.Market gains 24/7 access to 200 tokenized assets, including tech stocks.Leaders emphasize liquidity and technology advancements on Solana platform. Ondo Finance expands its operations to Solana, offering over 200 tokenized US stocks and ETFs to 3.2 million users, enhancing the Solana ecosystem’s asset range.

The move potentially strengthens Solana’s position in DeFi, offering users more trading options and 24/7 access to tokenized assets, while tapping into major exchanges for liquidity.

Ondo’s Strategic Expansion Adds 200 Tokenized Stocks to Solana Ondo Global Markets’ strategic expansion to Solana’s ecosystem introduces over 200 tokenized U.S. stocks and ETFs. Ian De Bode, Ondo Finance’s President, underscores the liquidity and accessibility benefits, emphasizing its impact on Solana’s user base. “We’re excited to bring hundreds of onchain securities with Wall Street liquidity to Solana’s thriving ecosystem. For the first time, Solana users can rest assured that they can buy tokenized stocks in size at brokerage prices, giving them peace of mind when trading onchain,” he stated. Nick Ducoff from the Solana Foundation supports this initiative, highlighting the enhancement of financial applications on the blockchain.

Immediate market changes include enhanced asset access for Solana users. With the ability to trade blue-chip stocks, sectoral ETFs, and tech stocks, the platform promises robust liquidity options. This expansion is poised to transform onchain trading with comprehensive asset offerings, responding directly to market demands.

Industry leaders like Ian De Bode note enthusiasm for integrating traditional finance with blockchain capabilities. The expansion enables Solana users to access tokenized stocks at brokerage-level prices, a first of its kind for the ecosystem. There is consensus on its potential to elevate onchain trading standards. The potential impact on market dynamics is drawing attention.

Solana’s Financial Services Evolve with Ondo’s Integration Did you know? The Solana blockchain’s unique expansion comes after Ondo Finance’s earlier integration of tokenized Treasuries on the platform, indicating a trend toward broadening financial services on this high-performance network.

Solana (SOL) currently trades at $130.81, with a market cap of $74 billion and a market dominance of 2.43%, according to CoinMarketCap. Despite recent minor fluctuations, its 24-hour trading volume remains robust at $5.46 billion, underscoring its active trading environment.

Solana(SOL), daily chart, screenshot on CoinMarketCap at 20:08 UTC on January 21, 2026. Source: CoinMarketCap The Coincu research team highlights potential regulatory pursuits that may stem from this expansion, focusing on Solana’s increased exposure to traditional asset markets. Liquidity pooling and technological integration advancements are expected to bolster Solana’s role in the crypto economy. Future regulatory charts are being closely watched.

DISCLAIMER: The information on this website is provided as general market commentary and does not constitute investment advice. We encourage you to do your own research before investing.

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Greenland Gambit Sparks Crypto Chaos: Tariff Threats Send Bitcoin Sliding – Analysts Eye $75K

Anas Hassan

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Anas Hassan

Part of the Team Since

Jun 2025

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Anas is a crypto native journalist and SEO writer with over five years of writing experience covering blockchain, crypto, DeFi, and emerging tech.

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17 minutes ago

Markets convulsed after President Donald Trump threatened steep tariffs on eight European nations unless Denmark cedes Greenland, with rhetoric including hints the U.S. might seize the territory by force, triggering a global risk-off move on January 20.

Gold surged to record highs while Bitcoin plunged into the low-$90K range, with some intraday trades dipping as low as $87K.

Source: TradingViewThe crypto market shed nearly $150 billion in market capitalization as leveraged positions unwound violently, exposing Bitcoin’s continued treatment as a speculative asset rather than the safe haven its proponents claim it to be.

Tariff Shock Drives Historic DivergenceTrump’s Saturday announcement targeted Germany, France, the UK, the Netherlands, Finland, Sweden, Norway, and Denmark with 10% tariffs starting February 1, escalating to 25% by June 1, unless a Greenland deal is reached.

ING economists warned that “additional tariffs of 25% would probably shave 0.2 percentage points off European GDP growth,” compounding recession fears already gripping the continent.

The tariff threat effectively reopened the trade war between the EU and the U.S., despite a temporary truce reached in late July, raising the stakes and bringing a far tougher approach.

European officials brought forward the option of activating the so-called anti-coercion instrument, the EU’s trade “bazooka“, allowing the bloc to impose tariffs and investment limits on offending nations.

French President Emmanuel Macron announced he would request the instrument’s activation, while Manfred Weber from the European Parliament’s largest party indicated the July deal was now “on ice.”

EU capitals is considering hitting U.S. with €93 billion worth of tariffs or restricting American companies from bloc’s market in response to President Donald Trump’s threats, per FT. pic.twitter.com/VuAefTw5yt

— Open Source Intel (@Osint613) January 18, 2026 European countries hold approximately $8 trillion in U.S. bonds and stocks, making Europe by far the largest U.S. lender and exposing the deep interdependence that could turn this standoff into a full-blown crisis.

Germany’s export-reliant economy faces particularly acute pressure, with ING economist Carsten Brzeski warning the new tariffs would be “absolute poison” for the fragile recovery underway.

German exports to the United States fell 9.4% from January to November compared with a year earlier, and the trade surplus dropped to its lowest level since 2021.

Meanwhile, gold’s parabolic rally pushed prices past $4,800 per ounce to all-time highs.

TD Securities’ Daniel Ghali told Bloomberg that “gold’s rally is about trust. For now, trust has bent, but hasn’t broken. If it breaks, momentum will persist for longer.“

Crypto Markets Suffer Violent UnwindBitcoin’s collapse alongside traditional risk assets exposed the crypto’s failure to serve as a geopolitical hedge, despite years of positioning as “digital gold.”

CoinGlass liquidation data revealed $998.33 million in long positions wiped out over 24 hours, with Bitcoin accounting for $440.19 million as cascading margin calls accelerated during thin Asian trading hours.

Galaxy Digital’s Alex Thorn noted that “Bitcoin isn’t quite doing the thing that it’s built to do, at least in real time,” while Bitunix analyst Dean Chen observed that “among crypto-native investors, it is increasingly framed as a geopolitical hedge and a non-sovereign store of value.”

“However, for the broader market, Bitcoin is still largely traded as a high-beta risk asset,” he concluded.

Derivatives markets paint an increasingly bearish picture for the months ahead.

Sean Dawson of Derive.xyz warned that “rising geopolitical tensions between the US and Europe—particularly around Greenland—raise the risk of a regime shift back into a higher-volatility environment, a dynamic not currently reflected in spot prices.”

Options data shows strong put open interest concentrated across the $75K-$85K strikes for the June 26 expiry, with Dawson noting that “from an options perspective, the outlook remains mildly bearish through mid-year. Traders are paying a premium for downside protection.“

Bloomberg Intelligence strategist Mike McGlone delivered an even more dire assessment, warning that Bitcoin’s inability to hold long-term averages in 2025 suggests the price could eventually drop as low as $10,000.

Duke University’s Campbell Harvey also claimed in academic research that Bitcoin “is hardly a safe-haven asset,” noting its correlation with gold has broken down completely.

Institutional Demand Offers Potential FloorDespite the bearish technical picture, not all analysts have turned pessimistic.

MEXC data showed that on January 16 alone, Bitcoin ETFs added 1,474 BTC, accounting for $1.48 billion in weekly inflows, while 36,800 BTC left exchanges.

These are signs of strong institutional demand and tightening supply that could limit downside.

In fact, as Cryptonews noted recently, the chance of Trump turning back on the tariff decision is high, with 86%, and that would greatly benefit Bitcoin after February 1.

Speaking with Cryptonews, Bitfinex analysts also noted that “Bitcoin spot volumes remain normal, funding rates are close to neutral, and there has been no spike in exchange inflows that would signal reactive selling,” suggesting the selloff reflects macro-linked noise rather than a crypto-specific catalyst.

For now, whether Bitcoin’s current consolidation represents capitulation or merely the calm before a deeper storm remains the central question facing crypto markets as February approaches.

Journalist

Posted: January 22, 2026

The crypto market moved higher after US President Donald Trump said the United States would pause the imposition of new tariffs following what he described as a “productive meeting” with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.

In a statement posted on Truth Social, Trump said the US had formed the framework of a future agreement covering Greenland and the wider Arctic region. He added that tariffs scheduled to take effect on 1 February would no longer go ahead. 

The announcement appeared to ease immediate geopolitical concerns that had weighed on risk assets in recent sessions.

Source: Truth Social

Crypto markets reacted swiftly, with broad-based gains across Bitcoin and major altcoins.

Bitcoin steadies as risk sentiment improves Bitcoin was among the immediate beneficiaries of the shift in tone. The asset recovered from earlier weakness as traders responded to the reduced likelihood of near-term trade escalation between the US and its European allies.

At the time of writing, Bitcoin’s market capitalisation stood at approximately $1.79 trillion, remaining firmly above other digital assets. 

The price move reflected a broader “risk-on” response rather than a Bitcoin-specific catalyst, with macro headlines once again shaping short-term market direction.

Source: Coinglass

While Bitcoin had struggled in recent days amid uncertainty around tariffs and transatlantic relations, Trump’s remarks helped stabilise sentiment and reduce downside pressure.

Altcoins outperform as capital rotates Altcoins posted stronger percentage gains than Bitcoin, suggesting renewed appetite for higher-beta assets. 

Ethereum, the second-largest cryptocurrency, rose alongside the broader market, with its market capitalisation hovering around $361 billion.

Layer-1 tokens such as Solana and XRP also moved higher. At the same time, several mid-cap assets recorded outsized gains as traders rotated back into risk-sensitive segments of the market. 

The improvement was visible across sector-based performance, including smart contract platforms, DeFi-related tokens, and select meme assets.

Market heatmap data showed widespread green across most categories, indicating that the rally was not confined to a single narrative or ecosystem.

Macro headlines remain the dominant driver Trump’s statement followed days of heightened concern around EU–US trade relations. Today, European officials signalled a pause in progress on the Turnberry trade framework amid disputes linked to Greenland and tariff threats.

By confirming that tariffs would not be imposed as planned, the announcement reduced immediate macro uncertainty. This factor has increasingly influenced crypto price action alongside traditional markets.

The response underscores how closely digital assets remain tied to global risk sentiment, with geopolitical and trade developments continuing to act as key short-term catalysts.

Final Thoughts Trump’s decision to pause tariffs helped lift market sentiment, triggering a broad crypto rally led by altcoins. The move highlights crypto’s continued sensitivity to macro and geopolitical developments, particularly around global trade tensions.

The Kingdom of Bhutan announced an agreement with the Sei Development Foundation to deploy and operate a Sei Network validator within the country. The node is scheduled to go live in the first quarter of 2026 and will be managed by Druk Holding and Investments Ltd. (DHI).

The project brings Bhutan in as a direct operator of infrastructure on a layer-1 blockchain designed for high-speed, low-cost transactions. The initiative aims to expand national capacity to run decentralized systems and support digital financial services. Part of the deployment is backed by Sapien Capital, an investment vehicle focused on science and innovation.

The agreement includes the exploration of use cases tied to asset tokenization, payment systems, data valuation, and new economic models built on blockchain technology. By operating its own validator, Bhutan will take part in transaction verification and in securing the Sei network.

The initiative fits within the country’s broader digital transformation strategy, which already includes the use of blockchain in digital identity systems and national-level technology infrastructure projects. The Sei Development Foundation said the deployment will expand its global validator network and enable future collaborations in payments, tokenization, and digital identification.

Source: https://blog.sei.io/announcements/kingdom-of-bhutan-to-become-sei-network-validator/

Disclaimer: Crypto Economy Flash News are based on verified public and official sources. Their purpose is to provide fast, factual updates about relevant events in the crypto and blockchain ecosystem.

This information does not constitute financial advice or investment recommendation. Readers are encouraged to verify all details through official project channels before making any related decisions

PEPE is finally entering a critical phase as recent price action suggests the market is actively pushing out bears ahead of a potential structural shift. Pseudonymous crypto analyst ‘The Composite Trader’ argues that the move is less about immediate upside and more about completing a controlled reversal process and preventing any further downside. 

In an X post this Tuesday, The Composite Trader updated a setup he first outlined on January 5, explaining that PEPE’s sharp bullish expansion at the start of the year was never meant to be sustained. He labeled the move as manipulative and stated that a price reversal toward a yearly open was the intended outcome. 

PEPE Stages Reversal Move To Force Out Bears His accompanying chart supports this narrative by illustrating a brutal downtrend that began in late 2025, with PEPE plummeting nearly 50% before following a descending curved channel. The analyst highlighted a Break of Structure (BOS) at a lower level in the pattern, followed by a short-lived rally into the $0.0065-$0.0075 region. This upward move was explicitly labeled “manipulation” on the chart, pushed higher to hunt for buy-side liquidity, with no real demand to sustain higher prices. 

Related Reading: Why Meme Coins Like PEPE And FARTCOIN Are Ready To Explode

According to the analyst, PEPE’s ongoing reversal process is designed to force out current bearish positions before any confirmed trend change. The chart shows that the meme coin has already corrected by roughly 33.21%, wiping out some of the gains it achieved earlier this year. This move aligns closely with The Composite Trader’s earlier expectation that the yearly open would be challenged, confirming the market’s downward momentum. 

Source: Chart from The Composite Trader on X The analyst also noted that similar price patterns are emerging across other altcoin pairs, reflecting the broader impact of whale-driven movements. He has emphasized the importance of understanding the timing behind these reversals, suggesting that not every price shift signals a sustainable uptrend. 

Furthermore, the Composite Trader has said that accumulation schematics and bullish reversals for PEPE will be confirmed when the time is right. Until then, the market remains bearish with strategic price corrections, requiring patience from investors and traders. 

Analyst Predicts More Decline For PEPE Price Crypto analyst Davie Satoshi has also shared insights on PEPE’s price behavior and its potential next moves. He predicts that PEPE could decline even further if Bitcoin crashes to $85,000 and $75,000. Based on his analysis, PEPE’s price movement is now closely tied to BTC, and the lower Bitcoin goes, the more likely PEPE will follow.

Excluding PEPE, Satoshi forecasts that all meme coins could enter a downtrend if Bitcoin declines. Despite this bearish outlook, he believes PEPE will likely rebound and move back up. The analyst expects the meme coin to reverse sharply and find new support levels. He advises non-PEPE holders to take advantage of the current downtrend by buying the dip.

PEPE trading at $0.0000050 on the 1D chart | Source: PEPEUSDT on Tradingview.com Featured image from Medium, chart from Tradingview.com

Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) is back above $89,000 after a volatile trading day that saw the crypto king tap $88,000 and $90,000 in one session.

CryptocurrencyTickerPriceBitcoin(CRYPTO: BTC)$89,772Ethereum(CRYPTO: ETH)$3,010Solana(CRYPTO: SOL)$130.39XRP(CRYPTO: XRP)$1.96Dogecoin(CRYPTO: DOGE)$0.1269Shiba Inu(CRYPTO: SHIB)$0.057969Notable Statistics:

Coinglass data shows 179,931 traders were liquidated in the past 24 hours for $807.30 million.        In the past 24 hours, top gainers include Canton, MYX Finance and LayerZero. Notable Developments:

Ripple President: Half Of Fortune 500 Will Have Crypto Strategies By Year-End Bitcoin Down 11% After Trump’s First Year—Why Did BTC Perform Better Under Biden? Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong Maintains $1 Million Per Bitcoin By 2030 Prediction Bitcoin Will Catch Up To Gold Eventually, But Michael Saylor’s A Risk, Analysts Say Bitcoin Bonuses: Steak ‘N Shake Announces Latest Perk For Hourly Workers Bitcoin’s Fear And Greed Index Flashes Golden Cross: What Does It Mean? Bitcoin Holders Have The Right Thesis But The Wrong Asset, Peter Schiff Says Trader Notes: Trader Michael van de Poppe said Bitcoin is still holding a key support level after sweeping liquidity below recent lows.

With substantial liquidity resting lower and ample time remaining ahead of the Bank of Japan policy decision, he noted that a move toward $83,000 remains possible before any upside reversal.

CryptoCon observed that Bitcoin's Fear and Greed Index has shifted into "Fear," after spending December 2025 in "Extreme Fear."

The technical analyst cautioned that extreme fear does not automatically mark a buying opportunity, noting that after extended periods of greed, such shifts often signal a broader trend change.

The data shows that the market cycle appears complete, similar to prior cycles in which extreme greed was followed by high-timeframe bearish divergence.

Based on historical patterns, the current drawdown suggests the bear market may be approximately 20%–30% complete.

Analyst Kevin said Bitcoin is beginning to break down from a bear flag formation on the daily timeframe. He added that capital flows remain weak and do not yet support a sustained move higher.

Image: Shutterstock

Market News and Data brought to you by Benzinga APIs

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

Pendle recorded a 45% increase in average monthly active users during the fourth quarter of 2025, according to Token Terminal data based on the protocol’s official report. The quarterly average reached around 42,500 active addresses, up from third-quarter levels, marking the strongest user growth of the year.

The report shows that the rebound was driven by sustained activity rather than isolated spikes. During the quarter, Pendle expanded the use of its yield products, with a clear segmentation across user profiles.

Yield Tokens concentrated demand from retail users, particularly in strategies linked to capital efficiency and airdrops. Principal Tokens gained traction among whales and institutional firms, focused on capital preservation and fixed-term growth.

User growth coincided with the protocol’s cross-chain expansion. Pendle enabled access to its products on BNB Chain, Arbitrum, and Unichain, and confirmed a future integration with Solana. This expansion allowed the protocol to bring in additional liquidity and users beyond a single ecosystem.

Source: https://tokenterminal.com/explorer/projects/pendle/metrics/user-dau

Disclaimer: Crypto Economy Flash News are based on verified public and official sources. Their purpose is to provide fast, factual updates about relevant events in the crypto and blockchain ecosystem.

This information does not constitute financial advice or investment recommendation. Readers are encouraged to verify all details through official project channels before making any related decisions

TLDR: ASTER has corrected 78% from the September 2025 peak, creating improved risk-reward entry opportunities. CZ reportedly accumulated 2.09 million ASTER tokens below $0.91, adding institutional validation signals. Two accumulation zones were identified: $0.70-$0.60 and $0.45-$0.35 for strategic position building entries. Technical targets range from $1.50 to $20, suggesting 2400% potential from current compression levels.
ASTER token trades in a higher timeframe accumulation base after an extended downtrend, with crypto analyst CryptoPatel projecting targets between $1.50 and $20. 

The token has corrected approximately 78% from its September 2025 all-time high, positioning current levels as potential accumulation zones. 

Reports indicate Binance founder CZ acquired exposure below $0.90, adding credibility to bullish narratives.

Technical Structure Points to Potential Breakout ASTER currently exhibits price compression near demand levels, signaling trend exhaustion according to CryptoPatel’s technical assessment. 

The token trades within two identified accumulation zones. Zone 1 spans $0.70 to $0.60, where initial bounces are anticipated. 

Zone 2 ranges from $0.45 to $0.35, representing stronger long-term accumulation territory under macro pressure scenarios.

The technical setup shows a descending trendline building pressure on price action. Volatility compression suggests expansion could follow, creating conditions for significant moves. 

The 78% decline from September peaks has improved risk-reward ratios for position building. Higher timeframe accumulation patterns typically precede major trend reversals in cryptocurrency markets.

CryptoPatel outlined multiple price targets through progressive resistance levels. Initial targets sit at $1.50 and $2, followed by medium-term objectives at $5 and $10. 

Extended projections reach $20, with personal long-term views extending toward $20-$30 ranges. These targets imply substantial percentage gains from current trading levels.

Market Sentiment Strengthens with CZ Exposure Reports Public disclosures circulating on November 2, 2025, revealed CZ’s reported exposure to ASTER below $0.91. The former Binance CEO allegedly holds approximately 2.09 million ASTER tokens. 

Such high-profile accumulation adds institutional validation to retail positioning strategies. However, these reports remain unverified through official channels.

The accumulation phase narrative gains traction as whales enter positions during prolonged downtrends. Early-stage accumulation typically precedes distribution phases where significant price appreciation occurs. 

Market participants monitor these zones for confirmation of trend changes. The current setup resembles historical patterns where patient accumulation yielded outsized returns.

CryptoPatel emphasized the long-term holding perspective required for $5-$10 targets. Shorter timeframes carry elevated volatility risks during base-building phases. 

The analyst noted invalidation risks exist despite the bullish structure. Traders should implement appropriate risk management protocols given the cryptocurrency market uncertainties.

The analysis remains a technical discussion without constituting financial advice. Market participants must conduct independent research before positioning. 

ASTER’s performance depends on broader market conditions and project fundamentals. Accumulation zones offer strategic entry points for risk-tolerant investors with extended time horizons.

Iran’s Central Bank recently completed the use of $507 million in Tether’s USDT stablecoin to bolster the national currency, the rial, and facilitate international trade payments. The move marks a strategic effort by Iran to stabilize its economy amidst ongoing financial challenges and international sanctions.

The institution’s decision came as part of broader economic measures aimed at mitigating the impact of sanctions, which have significantly limited Iran’s access to global financial systems. By leveraging USDT, the Central Bank could conduct transactions outside the traditional banking system, allowing for continued trade with international partners.

According to blockchain analytics firm Elliptic, the Central Bank’s acquisition of USDT signifies a shift towards utilizing digital assets for economic resilience. The utilization of stablecoins like USDT, which are pegged to fiat currencies such as the US dollar, provides a means for conducting foreign trade without the volatility associated with other cryptocurrencies.

As of now, the Central Bank no longer holds any of the previously flagged USDT. This usage underscores the role of digital currencies in circumventing conventional financial restrictions and highlights the increasing reliance on cryptocurrencies for strategic economic initiatives.

Observers note that while the approach offers temporary relief, it also raises questions about long-term financial stability and regulatory implications. The use of cryptocurrencies in official capacities remains a subject of international scrutiny, particularly regarding compliance with anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorism financing (CTF) regulations.

Iran’s engagement with cryptocurrencies is not new. The country has been exploring digital currencies to bypass sanctions and reduce dependency on the US dollar in global trade. This strategy aligns with Iran’s broader goals of achieving greater autonomy in its financial operations.

The Central Bank’s actions are part of a larger trend among countries seeking alternatives to traditional financial systems. As digital currencies become more integrated into global finance, their role in national economic strategies continues to evolve, raising both opportunities and regulatory challenges.

Looking ahead, Iran’s experience with USDT may influence other nations facing similar economic pressures to consider digital currencies as viable tools for economic management. However, the broader implications for international financial stability and regulatory compliance remain areas of active discussion and concern.

As the financial landscape continues to transform, the dynamic between traditional economic frameworks and digital innovations remains a critical area of focus. Iran’s utilization of USDT serves as a case study in the potential and complexities of integrating digital assets into national financial strategies.

Iran’s Central Bank has not provided a public comment on the matter. The ongoing evaluation of digital currency use in sanctioned economies will be crucial in shaping future policies and regulatory measures globally.

The Central Bank of Iran’s strategic use of USDT highlights the increasing relevance of stablecoins in international finance. As reported by Elliptic, the utilization of $507 million in USDT for international trade transactions demonstrates how countries under financial sanctions can bypass traditional banking systems. Elliptic’s analysis suggests that Iran’s reliance on digital currencies is part of a broader effort to maintain economic stability amid restricted access to conventional financial networks.

In recent years, Iran has turned to cryptocurrencies as a means to circumvent economic sanctions. The Central Bank’s decision to use USDT aligns with these efforts, allowing Iran to engage in international trade without relying on the US dollar. This approach provides a temporary solution to the challenges posed by financial restrictions but raises questions about the long-term sustainability of such strategies.

While the Central Bank has not publicly commented on its future plans regarding digital currencies, the move has sparked discussions among financial analysts and policymakers. The use of stablecoins like USDT in sanctioned economies is being closely monitored, as it could set precedents for other countries facing similar economic constraints. The implications for global financial systems and regulatory frameworks remain under scrutiny.

The Central Bank’s actions come at a time when digital currencies are gaining traction worldwide. As nations explore the potential of cryptocurrencies, the balance between innovation and regulation becomes increasingly significant. Iran’s experience with USDT could serve as a reference point for other countries considering alternative financial tools to navigate complex international economic environments.

The use of USDT by Iran’s Central Bank comes amid a broader trend where nations under economic pressure are increasingly looking towards cryptocurrencies to facilitate international trade. According to Elliptic, the digital asset’s role in these transactions highlights its potential as a tool for countries facing financial isolation. This strategic move by Iran is a response to the constraints imposed by sanctions, which have made traditional financial channels less accessible.

In recent developments, Iran has been strengthening its ties with countries willing to engage in trade outside the US-dominated financial system. The Central Bank’s use of USDT is part of this broader strategy, reflecting a growing willingness to adopt digital currencies for international commerce. As noted by Elliptic, these actions underscore the adaptability of stablecoins in addressing economic challenges faced by countries like Iran.

The Iranian government has not disclosed specific details about future transactions involving digital currencies. However, the successful use of USDT indicates a possibility of continued reliance on cryptocurrencies to support the national economy. Analysts from Elliptic suggest that Iran’s approach may influence similar strategies in other nations dealing with economic sanctions.

The global financial community continues to observe Iran’s use of digital currencies with interest. As the Central Bank of Iran navigates these economic waters, its actions could offer insights into the evolving role of stablecoins in international finance. The situation remains dynamic, with potential implications for both Iran’s economy and the broader adoption of digital assets worldwide.

Iran’s Central Bank’s engagement with USDT has drawn attention from financial analysts, including Tom Robinson, co-founder of Elliptic. Robinson has noted that the use of stablecoins by sanctioned countries like Iran presents both opportunities and challenges for the global financial system. He emphasizes the importance of monitoring these developments to understand their impact on international financial stability.

On January 21, Elliptic reported that Iran’s strategic use of USDT might influence other nations facing similar economic constraints. The report highlights that while stablecoins offer a temporary workaround for sanctions, they also pose questions about compliance with international financial regulations. This aspect of the situation is likely to remain a point of focus for policymakers and regulatory agencies worldwide.

Meanwhile, the Iranian Central Bank’s actions have not gone unnoticed by international financial watchdogs. The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has previously expressed concerns about the use of cryptocurrencies in circumventing sanctions. While Iran’s specific use of USDT has not been publicly addressed by FATF, the organization’s general stance on digital currencies in sanctioned economies remains cautious.

As the situation develops, Iran’s use of digital currencies like USDT will continue to be a subject of analysis for both domestic and international observers. The Central Bank’s actions could potentially reshape how nations under economic pressure utilize digital assets to maintain economic functionality. The ongoing discourse surrounding Iran’s approach underscores the complex interplay between digital finance and traditional economic frameworks.

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Key points:

Bitcoin is attempting to find support near the $94,500 level, signaling a positive sentiment.

Buyers will have to defend the support levels in select major altcoins, else the recovery could fizzle out.

Bitcoin (BTC) is attempting to find support near $88,000, but a handful of US and global macroeconomic factors are creating headwinds for the entire crypto market. As a result, the buyers are taking a cautious approach and possibly waiting to see how a reignited trade war between the US and EU will impact markets.

The big question on traders’ minds is how low BTC price could fall. Veteran trader Peter Brandt said in a post on X that BTC could plunge to $58,000 to $62,000, but he added that he is wrong 50% of the time and would not be ashamed if the price did not go there.

Crypto market data daily view. Source: TradingViewFundstrat head of research Tom Lee also cautioned investors to be ready for a “painful decline” across the stock and crypto markets in 2026. However, a minor positive is that Lee expects a strong finish to the year, with BTC possibly making a new all-time high.

Could buyers arrest the decline in BTC and the major altcoins? Let’s analyze the charts of the top 10 cryptocurrencies to find out.

Bitcoin price predictionBuyers tried to start a recovery in BTC on Wednesday, but the bears held their ground, indicating selling on rallies.

BTC/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewThe 20-day exponential moving average ($91,786) is sloping down, and the relative strength index (RSI) is in the negative territory, indicating that bears have a slight edge. If the $86,500 support gives way, the BTC/USDT pair could decline to $84,000.

The moving averages are expected to behave as a resistance during any relief rallies, but if the bulls prevail, the Bitcoin price could rally to $94,789 and then to $97,924. A close above $97,924 signals a potential trend change. The pair could then soar to $100,000 and subsequently to $107,500.

Ether price predictionEther (ETH) nosedived below the moving averages on Tuesday and reached the support line of the symmetrical triangle pattern.

ETH/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewThe bulls are attempting to defend the support line, but the weak bounce suggests that the bears have kept up the pressure. If the price breaks below the support line, the ETH/USDT pair could decline to $2,623.

Time is running out for the bulls. They will have to swiftly push the Ether price above the moving averages to get back in the game. The upside momentum is likely to pick up after buyers achieve a close above the resistance line.

BNB price predictionBNB’s (BNB) pullback dipped below the 50-day SMA ($885) on Wednesday, indicating that the market has rejected the breakout above $928.

BNB/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewThe BNB price could slide to the uptrend line, where the bulls are expected to step in. The rebound off the uptrend line may face selling at the moving averages. If the price turns down from the moving averages, the BNB/USDT pair could sink below the uptrend line. The pair may then test the $790 support.

Buyers will have to thrust the price above the $959 level to seize control. If they manage to do that, the pair could skyrocket to $1,087.

XRP price predictionXRP (XRP) remains pinned below the moving averages, indicating that the bears continue to exert pressure.

XRP/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewThe bears will attempt to pull the XRP price to $1.77 and then to the crucial support at $1.61. Buyers are expected to fiercely defend the zone between the $1.61 level and the support line of the descending channel pattern. If the price turns up sharply from the support zone, it suggests that the pair could remain inside the channel for a while longer.

Buyers will have to push the price above the downtrend line to gain the upper hand. The pair could then rally toward $2.70.

Solana price predictionSolana’s (SOL) break below the 50-day SMA ($132) suggests that the price may remain inside the $117 to $147 range for a few more days.

SOL/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewThe $117 level is the crucial support to watch out for on the downside, as a break below it could signal the resumption of the downtrend. The SOL/USDT pair could then plummet toward $95.

Contrarily, a break and close above $147 signals that the bulls have overpowered the bears. That suggests a potential trend change, propelling the Solana price toward $172 and then $189.

Dogecoin price predictionDogecoin (DOGE) has reached the $0.12 support, which is expected to attract solid buying by the bulls.

DOGE/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewThe relief rally is likely to face selling at the 20-day EMA ($0.13). If the price turns down sharply from the 20-day EMA, the risk of a break below the $0.12 support increases. The DOGE/USDT pair may then retest the Oct. 10 low of $0.10.

Contrary to this assumption, a break above the moving averages suggests that the Dogecoin price could remain inside the $0.12 to $0.16 range for some more time. The advantage will tilt in favor of the bulls on a close above the $0.16 resistance.

Cardano price predictionCardano (ADA) is attempting to take support near the $0.33 level, but the recovery is expected to face selling in the zone between the moving averages and the downtrend line.

ADA/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewIf the Cardano price turns down sharply from the overhead resistance, the possibility of a break below the $0.33 level increases. The ADA/USDT pair may then slump to the support line of the descending channel pattern. Buyers are expected to fiercely defend the support line, which is close to the Oct. 10 low of $0.27.

This negative view will be invalidated in the near term if the price turns up and breaks above the downtrend line. The pair may then ascend to the breakdown level of $0.50.

Bitcoin Cash price predictionBitcoin Cash’s (BCH) pullback is finding support at the $563 level, indicating demand at lower levels.

BCH/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewThe recovery is expected to face selling at the 20-day EMA ($602). If the price turns down sharply from the 20-day EMA, it increases the risk of a break below the $563 support. The BCH/USDT pair may then descend to $518.

Alternatively, a break above the moving averages suggests that the bulls are attempting a comeback. The Bitcoin Cash price may climb to the $631 level, which is expected to pose a strong challenge.

Monero price predictionMonero’s (XMR) bounce off the 20-day EMA ($541) on Monday fizzled out at $650, indicating selling on rallies.

XMR/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewThe Monero price turned down sharply on Tuesday and closed below the 20-day EMA. That suggests the XMR/USDT pair may have topped out in the near term. The pair could complete a 100% retracement and plunge to $417.

Buyers have an uphill task ahead of them. The relief rally is expected to face selling at the 20-day EMA and then at the $650 level. A close above the $650 level signals that the bulls are back in the game.

Chainlink price predictionChainlink (LINK) slipped below the moving averages on Monday, signaling that the range-bound action may continue for some more time.

LINK/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewThe flattish moving averages and the RSI near the 40 level do not give a clear advantage either to the bulls or the bears. A break below the $11.61 to $10.94 support zone will tilt the advantage in favor of the bears. The LINK/USDT pair could then drop toward the Oct. 10 low of $7.90.

Buyers will have to drive the Chainlink price above the $14.98 level to signal strength. The pair may then rally toward $17.66.

This article does not contain investment advice or recommendations. Every investment and trading move involves risk, and readers should conduct their own research when making a decision. While we strive to provide accurate and timely information, Cointelegraph does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information in this article. This article may contain forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Cointelegraph will not be liable for any loss or damage arising from your reliance on this information.

XRP is taking a decisive step toward institutional relevance as Flare Networks unveils new infrastructure designed to support enterprise-grade financial use cases. For years, XRP has been recognized for its speed and efficiency in cross-border payments, and XRP has often been discussed as a liquidity asset, but with limited programmability and on-chain utility. Flare’s latest move changes that equation, unlocking new layers of functionality that position XRP as more than just a settlement token.

How Flare Expands XRP Smart Contract Capabilities Flare Networks is taking concrete steps to activate XRP for institutional-grade financial infrastructure. In a recent Genfinity interview that was revealed on X, the Flare Networks team breaks down how its infrastructure is enabling traditionally idle digital assets, starting with XRP, to participate in a programmable financial system.

The conversation focuses on execution rather than theory. This includes bringing FXRP live, integrating directly with wallets, custodians, exchanges, and removing technical friction so that participation won’t require users to manage on-chain technical complexity. Flare’s strategy is not about an isolated pilot experiment, but about building durable infrastructure that can scale across different users, assets, and environments.

A core design principle is risk abstraction at the protocol level, through platforms like Firelightfi, where exposure is structured, collateralized, allowing larger participants to engage with clearer parameters, predictable outcomes, and stronger operational safeguards.

This approach shifts participation from speculative usage toward structured financial activity. The discussion makes it clear that XRP is the first implementation, not the final destination. However, the Flare broader objective is to activate multiple digital assets within a unified framework that prioritizes usability, security, and seamless integration into existing financial workflows. As highlighted in the Genfinity interview, this approach reflects the current stage of digital asset infrastructure, transitioning from experimentation toward real-world execution.

What This Means For The Future Of XRP And Tokenized Media Crypto analyst Skipper_xrp has mentioned that SBI Group President Yoshitaka Kitao emphasized that Ripple is no longer just building products; it is creating a full-stack financial ecosystem with XRP and RLUSD integrated into every layer of its infrastructure.

The vision is already moving into execution as Ripple Labs has confirmed its collaboration with major Japanese financial institutions to launch a high-profile innovation program aimed at professionalizing the XRP Ledger ecosystem. 

Meanwhile, BXE Token is preparing to debut on a US-regulated exchange with more than 12 million users and over $900 billion in annual trading volume, alongside compliance coverage across 49 countries. At the same time, decentralized media platforms are preparing for the US market.

XRP trading at $1.90 on the 1D chart | Source: XRPUSDT on Tradingview.com Featured image from Pngtree, chart from Tradingview.com

Ethereum falls below $3K after $3.4K rejection, with rising sell pressure, ETF outflows, and exchange reserves hitting 8-year lows.

Ethereum (ETH) has dropped sharply after failing to hold above the $3,400 resistance level. The move has pushed the price below a key support line, triggering increased selling across both spot and derivatives markets.

As of press time, ETH trades arpimd at $2,960, down nearly 12% over the past week. Trading activity has picked up, but buyers appear to be stepping back.

Rejection at $3,400 Triggers Sell-Off Ethereum was halted near $3,400, a level traders had been watching. Analyst Kamran Asghar said the rejection came “perfectly off the OTE selling area,” referring to a zone often targeted by sellers. After that move, the price broke through ascending support, putting the $2,600 zone back in focus.

$Ethereum Rejected & Ejected. 📉

Perfectly played off the OTE Selling Area at $3,400. We’ve now snapped the ascending support, and the path of least resistance is looking like a trip back to the $2,600 value area. pic.twitter.com/6JQuZIqpmY

— 𝐊𝐚𝐦𝐫𝐚𝐧 𝐀𝐬𝐠𝐡𝐚𝐫 (@Karman_1s) January 21, 2026

In the past day, Ethereum lost nearly 5% while volume rose to over $31 billion. Derivatives volume also climbed 40%, reaching $71.75 billion, per CoinGlass data. But open interest fell by about 5% to $39.35 billion, showing many traders were closing positions instead of adding risk.

Meanwhile, heatmap data from order books show heavy buying interest sitting below the current price. Analyst Kriptoholder noted demand in the $2,800–$2,850 range, with larger buy walls around $2,500–$2,600.

These areas could attract buyers if the asset drops further. Pointing to large pending orders from bigger players, Kriptoholder said,

You may also like: Ethereum Staking Surges to All-Time High Amid Institutional Wave Traders Pile Back Into Ethereum Futures as Binance Volume Breaks December Lull Ethereum Sets Record With 393,600 New Wallets in One Day “The order book heatmap transparently reveals the true liquidity depth resting below the price action.”

ETF Outflows and Falling Exchange Reserves US spot ETH ETFs recorded net outflows of $229.95 million on January 20, ending a five-day inflow streak (per SoSoValue’s data). The shift in flow direction came during the same period as the price decline, suggesting possible profit-taking or reduced short-term confidence.

Ethereum (ETH) Spot ETF Net Inflow 1.20. Source: SoSoValue Meanwhile, ETH held on centralized exchanges continues to shrink. According to CryptoQuant analyst Arab Chain, reserves have dropped to 16.2 million ETH, the lowest since 2016. Binance alone saw a fall from 4.168 million to 4.0 million tokens since early January.

In addition, Ethereum staking also hit a new record, with more coins being locked up than ever before. This reduces circulating supply and may support price once selling pressure fades.

Longer-Term Setup Remains in Focus Some traders are watching for a larger setup to play out. As CryptoPotato reported, ETH may be forming an inverse head-and-shoulders pattern, with a possible breakout target near $4,400. That level would need to be cleared for the structure to be confirmed.

Elsewhere, a post from Bitcoinsensus raised the question: “Is a $10K ETH on the table for this cycle?” Based on past cycles and reduced returns, the estimate suggested a possible range of $10K–$15K. However, market conditions remain fluid, and the near-term trend has turned lower.

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