Market Signal Briefing

Binance will add Ripple’s dollar-backed stablecoin RLUSD to its markets. The token will launch in its Ethereum version in pairs against XRP and RLUSD.

Binance has added Ripple’s stablecoin RLUSD to its markets. Initially, the asset will start trading in its Ethereum ERC-20 version, in pairs against USDT and XRP. 

Later, Binance is expected to add the XRPL network, the native platform of RLUSD. The asset will launch with a zero-fee promotion. 

Binance will list Ripple USD (RLUSD) and introduce a zero-trading-fee promotion for RLUSD.

Find out more 👉 https://t.co/DBPQphsYci pic.twitter.com/wtceivebNW

— Binance (@binance) January 21, 2026

Binance has expanded its stablecoin portfolio, becoming a source of liquidity for the smaller dollar-pegged assets. RLUSD is still growing its influence in centralized and decentralized trading. RLUSD will launch with spot markets, as well as arbitrage and leveraged trading. 

The stablecoin may also be added to the Binance Earn program, offering potential benefits for RLUSD holders. 

RLUSD reaches peak supply Ahead of the Binance listing, RLUSD expanded its supply to a new peak of over $1.4B. The token is backed by USD deposits, short-term US treasuries and cash-like equivalents, aiming to align with the latest stablecoin valuations. 

RLUSD expanded its supply to a new record of over $1.4B, with over $1B held on the Ethereum network, and the rest on XRPL. | Source: Coingecko The Binance centralized listing will make RLUSD more visible while boosting adoption for its XRPL version. The token will also expand the liquidity for XRP with a new trading pair for native holders.

RLUSD also aims to expand to institutional-grade DeFi as well as serve in payment applications and remittances. Binance will supply additional deep liquidity to add to the token’s credibility. 

Before the Binance listing, RLUSD traded mostly on Bullish and Bybit. Around $1.07B of the supply is on Ethereum, with the remaining tokens on the XRPL distributed ledger.

RLUSD is minted under a New York Limited Purpose Trust Company charter, while Ripple now carries a conditional approval for an OCC charter. 

The stablecoin is expected to become a part of Ripple’s toolset in the case of a final approval for the company’s banking license. While RLUSD has a relatively low supply and influence, it can grow based on its fully regulated status, with no restrictions on the US and international markets.

The listing arrives as XRP weakened to $1.91 following the general market downturn. However, Ripple continues to expand its other features under all market conditions. 

Binance launches RLUSD trading from January 22 The RLUSD markets will open on Binance from January 22. Initial trading will start with deposits only. 

RLUSD withdrawals will open from January 23, initially in the Ethereum-based version. The promotional fee period starts from January 22 and will continue until further notice. The token may be eligible for margin trading for some user portfolios. 

The listing of RLUSD is expected to bring new liquidity, which may flow back to XRP. For now, the XRP mindshare has only increased slightly following the news, as the general crypto sentiment remains low.

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SKR airdrop rewards Seeker users and early developers while expanding Solana Mobile’s hardware ecosystem

Market Sentiment:

Bullish Bearish Neutral

Published: January 21, 2026 │ 10:03 AM GMT

Created by Gabor Kovacs from DailyCoin

Solana Mobile has started distributing its new ecosystem token, SKR, to users of its Seeker smartphone and a group of early developers. This marks the first token launch tied directly to the company’s mobile hardware platform.

The airdrop runs for 90 days and is claimed through the Seeker device’s built-in Seed Vault Wallet. Developers who released qualifying apps in the Solana dApp Store during Season 1 are also eligible.

SKR is live.

The native asset of the Solana Mobile ecosystem has arrived.

Claim. Stake. Build.

The next era of open mobile starts now. 📱🧵 pic.twitter.com/jBdAPXU4T2

— Seeker | Solana Mobile (@solanamobile) January 21, 2026 SKR Utility and TokenomicsSKR is Solana Mobile’s governance and incentive token, which “enables governance, powers staking rewards, and aligns incentives across users, developers, Guardians, and hardware partners.”

Sponsored

The token has a fixed total supply of 10 billion, with roughly 30% allocated to airdrops and early unlocks at launch.

Staking is now live, with SKR following a declining inflation schedule to reward early participants. Annual inflation starts at 10% and decreases by 25% each year until stabilizing at 2% for all future issuance, with adjustments occurring every 48 hours, according to the project’s official website.

Claiming SKRSeeker users can claim and stake SKR directly through the device’s wallet. A small SOL balance of about 0.015 is needed to cover transaction fees.

The claim period lasts 90 days, after which unclaimed tokens will return to the airdrop pool. Developers who released qualifying apps in the Solana dApp Store during Season 1 are also eligible for SKR allocations.

Hardware-Linked Incentives And Ecosystem ExpansionThe SKR launch aligns with Seeker’s Season 2 program, which introduces new apps, rewards, early access, and focuses on sectors like DeFi, gaming, payments, trading, and DePIN.

Seeker, an Android-based smart device, follows Solana Mobile’s first phone, the Saga. The company is working to grow its app ecosystem across DeFi, gaming, and payments, with roughly 150,000 preorders reported and shipments planned to over 50 countries.

Why This MattersSKR is a test of whether token incentives can drive sustained engagement around crypto hardware rather than short-term airdrop activity. Its adoption could influence how other blockchain projects design hardware-linked token distribution in the future.

Delve into DailyCoin’s hottest crypto news now:
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People Also Ask:What is SKR?

SKR is Solana Mobile’s ecosystem token. It serves as a governance and incentive token, powering staking rewards and aligning participation across users, developers, and hardware partners.

Who can claim SKR?

SKR is available to Seeker smartphone owners and developers who released qualifying apps in the Solana dApp Store during Season 1.

How do I claim SKR?

Seeker users claim SKR through the device’s Seed Vault Wallet. A small SOL balance (around 0.015 SOL) is required for transaction fees.

Can SKR be staked?

Yes. SKR can be staked to earn additional rewards. The token follows a declining inflation schedule, starting at 10% and tapering to a 2% annual rate.

DailyCoin's Vibe Check: Which way are you leaning towards after reading this article?

Market Sentiment

0% Neutral

This article is for information purposes only and should not be considered trading or investment advice. Nothing herein shall be construed as financial, legal, or tax advice. Trading forex, cryptocurrencies, and CFDs pose a considerable risk of loss.

TLDR: Winklevoss brothers donated 3,221 ZEC valued at $1.2 million to support Zcash protocol development. Funding will advance Network Sustainability Mechanism, Crosslink, and Dynamic Fees initiatives. This marks the second donation from Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss to Shielded Labs since 2023. Gemini was the first major exchange to support shielded Zcash withdrawals including Orchard protocol. Shielded Labs has secured a substantial donation of 3,221 ZEC from Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss, worth approximately $1.2 million. 

The funds will support critical Zcash protocol initiatives, including the Network Sustainability Mechanism, Crosslink, and Dynamic Fees. 

This contribution marks the second donation from the Winklevoss brothers to the Swiss-based development organization.

Shielded Labs, an independent core development team led by Zcash founder Zooko, announced that it has received a donation of 3,221 ZEC from Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss, valued at approximately $1.2 million at current prices. This funding will directly support Shielded Labs' core…

— Wu Blockchain (@WuBlockchain) January 21, 2026

Winklevoss Brothers Strengthen Commitment to Zcash Privacy Protocol The donation represents a continued investment in Zcash’s infrastructure by two prominent cryptocurrency advocates. 

Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss have maintained long-term support for the privacy-focused blockchain through various channels. 

Their exchange platform, Gemini, became the first major trading venue to enable shielded Zcash withdrawals.

Gemini has since expanded its support to include Orchard, Zcash’s most advanced privacy protocol. The exchange’s technical integration demonstrates practical support beyond financial contributions. 

Recently, the brothers launched the Cypherpunk DAT, further cementing their alignment with privacy-oriented digital assets.

According to Tyler Winklevoss, “A healthy Zcash ecosystem depends on multiple independent organizations contributing at the protocol level.” 

He added that Shielded Labs plays an important role in that effort and expressed gladness in supporting their work. 

His comments highlight the decentralized nature of blockchain development and the need for diverse contributors.

Cameron Winklevoss stated, “We’ve supported Zcash for many years because we believe strong privacy is an essential property of sound money.” 

He noted that Shielded Labs is doing important work at the protocol level. Both brothers view the organization’s technical contributions as critical to advancing privacy principles within the cryptocurrency space.

Funding Supports Critical Network Infrastructure Projects Shielded Labs operates independently from Zcash’s Development Fund and block reward mechanisms. The organization relies entirely on voluntary donations from community members and institutional supporters. 

This funding model allows the team to pursue long-term protocol improvements without dependency on automated funding streams.

The Network Sustainability Mechanism aims to enhance Zcash’s long-term economic security model. Crosslink focuses on improving network scalability and interoperability between different protocol layers. Dynamic Fees will optimize transaction costs based on network demand and capacity.

This donation follows an earlier contribution from the Winklevoss brothers in 2023. That initial funding helped establish a dedicated team specifically focused on Crosslink development. 

The recurring support pattern indicates sustained confidence in Shielded Labs’ technical direction and execution capabilities.

Shielded Labs is led by Zooko, the original founder of Zcash. The organization operates from Switzerland and maintains collaborative relationships with other protocol contributors. 

The team announced their gratitude for the donation through official social media channels, describing it as a meaningful vote of confidence in their work and the broader Zcash ecosystem.

Bitcoin (BTC) slipped below $90,000 during the New York trading session on Tuesday alongside an increase in long-term selling. Large holders also exited their positions, keeping the downside pressure firmly in place.

Key takeaways:

Bitcoin dips below $90,000 as whales deposit over $400 million to exchanges.

Long-term holders accelerate profit-taking, selling 68,650 BTC/day since Jan. 17. 

Bitcoin analysts view $84,000–$86,000 as a potential support zone for a bounce.

Whales dump BTC as long-term selling intensifiesData from CryptoQuant’s whale screener highlighted a “second wave of aggressive selling pressure” that pushed Bitcoin price below the $90,000 mark.

The whale screener tracks real-time deposits and withdrawals of Bitcoin and other top cryptocurrencies from over 100 active whale wallets, moving in and out of spot exchanges.

The chart below shows that whale wallets deposited more than $400 million of BTC into spot exchanges on Jan. 20, indicated by the orange arrow in the chart below.

“This marks the second major BTC deposit spike in a short period of time,” after the $500 million seen on Jan.15,” CryptoQuant analyst Amr Taha said in his latest Quicktake analysis, adding:

“Historically, large BTC deposits to spot exchanges usually indicate preparation to sell or at least an increase in available liquidity for distribution.” BTC exchange flows. Source: Amr Taha/CryptoQuantAs Cointelegraph reported, increased whale transfer to exchanges signals elevated sell-side pressure for Bitcoin, risking a deeper correction to $80,000. 

Other data also suggest a distribution phase is underway, as long-term holder (LTH) selling pressure increased.

The LTH net position change has been negative since early January, as about 68,650 BTC has been sold over the past 30 days.

In other words, holders are locking in profits during rallies, including the latest one to $97,000. 

Bitcoin: LTH net position change. Source: GlassnodeOne silver lining for the bulls is that LTH selling has reached levels that marked a local bottom in mid-December 2025, before the BTC recovered to $94,700 on Jan. 5 from $84,000 on Dec. 19.

Bitcoin price to revisit $84,000 before bounceCointelegraph reported that $90,000 was key for the Bitcoin bulls and that losing it would trigger another downward trend.

The BTC/USD pair is trading at $89,000 at the time of writing, with the next line of support sitting at $87,300, which is also the 100-week SMA, or simple moving average.

Below that, a key area of interest sits between the $84,000 psychological level and the local low at $80,500, reached on Nov. 22.

BTC/USD daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingView“Bitcoin breaks down into the range and starts to plummet as geopolitics get worse,” MN Capital founder Michael van de Poppe said in an X post on Wednesday.

An accompanying chart suggested that the price was approaching a potential support level stretching from $84,000 to $86,000, and the four-hour RSI was “just as oversold as during the collapse to $80K.”

“We could see a short-term bounce, not a reversal.” BTC/USD 4-hour chart. Source: Michael van de PoppeAs Cointelegraph reported, a break and close below the 20-day EMA ($92,000) and the 50-day SMA ($90,000) could result in Bitcoin price dropping toward $84,000, where it could establish support.

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.

Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has outlined a new native dvt framework that could reshape how staking works on the network and improve long-term resilience.

Summary

Vitalik Buterin’s proposal for protocol-level DVTHow native DVT works for Ethereum validatorsSimplifying staking and reducing reliance on large providersTechnical design, performance and security implicationsContext: growing DVT adoption in the Ethereum ecosystemRoadmap, community review and potential impact Vitalik Buterin’s proposal for protocol-level DVT Vitalik Buterin has published a proposal for a major update to the Ethereum staking protocol, introducing what he calls “native Distributed Validator Technology” integrated directly at the consensus layer. The design focuses on improving security, strengthening decentralization, and lowering the risk of validator failures.

Under the model, a single validator would no longer rely on just one key. Instead, it could register multiple independent keys that collectively represent one validator identity. Moreover, these keys would operate across separate nodes, which share responsibility for block production and attestations.

For critical actions like block proposals and attestations, a threshold number of keys must sign to validate the operation. This threshold mechanism distributes risk: if one node or key fails, the validator can continue functioning as long as enough other keys remain online and honest.

How native DVT works for Ethereum validators In the proposed native dvt scheme, an Ethereum validator can register a set of keys that together act as one entity on-chain. However, no single key can unilaterally perform consensus duties, which reduces the attack surface and operational fragility of validators.

Buterin explains that the validator remains operational as long as at least two-thirds of the participating nodes behave honestly. That safety margin means the system can tolerate a minority of nodes going offline or even acting maliciously without compromising the network’s integrity or triggering a large-scale outage.

Unlike current distributed validator technology setups, which typically rely on external coordination layers and custom infrastructure, this design would be embedded directly into Ethereum’s protocol. That said, it aims to maintain a familiar user experience for stakers while shifting complexity into the consensus rules rather than off-chain middleware.

Simplifying staking and reducing reliance on large providers Buterin argues that protocol-level DVT could meaningfully simplify validator operations, especially for independent operators. Today, many users prefer centralized staking services and large providers because they handle technical complexity and uptime requirements. However, this concentration can harm eth validator decentralization and increase systemic risk.

By making validators more fault tolerant and easier to manage across several machines or operators, the proposal aims to reduce validator failure rates and lower the perceived barrier to running a validator. Moreover, more individuals and small institutions could feel confident setting up their own infrastructure rather than delegating to exchanges.

Buterin expects that improved fault tolerant staking at the protocol level could boost decentralization metrics such as the Nakamoto coefficient, which measures how many distinct parties must collude or fail for the network to be compromised. The higher this number, the more resilient Ethereum becomes to coordinated attacks.

Technical design, performance and security implications The technical design of Buterin’s proposal aims to keep overhead modest. According to his outline, native DVT would add only one extra round of latency for block production. However, it would remain compatible with any signature scheme that Ethereum currently supports or may adopt in the future.

This means block times and overall network performance should not be significantly impacted, even with additional coordination between the distributed validator keys. Moreover, the existing slashing framework would still apply, so validators remain subject to penalties if they engage in provable malicious behavior or severe misconfiguration.

One major advantage of integrating DVT directly into the protocol is simplicity. Current DVT systems often require complex node setups, custom software, and external coordination networks. By contrast, Buterin’s approach pushes the logic into Ethereum itself, which reduces external dependencies and shrinks the operational surface for critical bugs.

Context: growing DVT adoption in the Ethereum ecosystem The push for protocol-native DVT comes as real-world usage of distributed validator solutions is expanding. Recently, major exchange Kraken implemented DVT for its Ethereum staking operations using the SSV Network, highlighting the demand for more resilient infrastructure.

These early deployments show that DVT can work in production, but Buterin notes that they typically remain complex and operationally demanding. That said, they provide valuable evidence that redundancy and key-sharing models help limit downtime and improve validator robustness across large staking operations.

By integrating DVT at the protocol level, Ethereum could extend these benefits to a much wider user base, including solo stakers and smaller pools. Moreover, the network could achieve staking decentralization benefits without relying as heavily on a few sophisticated intermediaries that manage distributed validator clusters on behalf of many users.

Roadmap, community review and potential impact Buterin’s proposal is still at an early conceptual stage and will require extensive community discussion, formal specifications, and security review before any implementation path is chosen. Furthermore, changes to the core consensus protocol typically go through Ethereum Improvement Proposal processes and must gain broad ecosystem support.

If adopted, native DVT could reshape incentives in Ethereum staking by making it safer and easier to operate independent validators. In turn, this may gradually reduce the dominance of large custodial staking providers and enhance the network’s censorship resistance.

Overall, the initiative underscores Ethereum’s continuing effort to refine its proof-of-stake design, bolstering security and decentralization while lowering operational barriers. The community will now assess whether the gains from protocol-integrated DVT justify the added complexity and how it fits into the broader roadmap for future upgrades.

Amelia Tomasicchiohttps://cryptonomist.ch

As expert in digital marketing, Amelia began working in the fintech sector in 2014 after writing her thesis on Bitcoin technology. Previously author for several international crypto-related magazines and CMO at Eidoo. She is now the co-founder of The Cryptonomist. She is also a marketing teacher at Digital Coach in Milan and she published a book about NFTs for the Italian publishing house Mondadori, while she is also helping artists and company to entering in the sector. As advisor, Amelia is also involved in metaverse-related project such as The Nemesis and OVER.

Bermuda wants to become the world's first “fully on-chain national economy.”

The announcement, delivered jointly by the island's government, Circle, and Coinbase on Jan. 19, frames the initiative as the deployment of digital asset infrastructure across government agencies, local banks, insurers, small businesses, and consumers, with USDC positioned as the primary payment rail.

The pitch: fast, low-cost, dollar-denominated settlement replacing expensive legacy systems.

However, strip away the marketing gloss, and what's actually on the table is something narrower and more instructive: a pilot-driven modernization of payment rails in a small, high-cost economy where traditional card networks extract hefty fees and where experimentation carries limited systemic risk.

Bermuda isn't mandating that every resident transact on a blockchain, but it is testing whether stablecoins can function as an everyday settlement infrastructure without forcing consumers to change how they pay.

That distinction matters because the real story here isn't Bermuda's crypto ambitions. It's the quiet, grinding work of making dollars-on-chain a practical financial layer, and the gap between what that requires and what most “on-chain economy” headlines imply.

What “fully on-chain” actually describesThe official releases outline three concrete near-term actions: government agencies piloting stablecoin-based payments, financial institutions integrating tokenization tools, and residents participating in digital literacy programs.

The government characterizes this as a continuation of a multi-year arc that began with the Digital Asset Business Act in 2018, included a USDC airdrop at the Bermuda Digital Finance Forum in 2025, and will scale further at the 2026 forum in May.

But “fully on-chain” functions as a spectrum, not a binary.

At the low end, it's marketing with an announcement with minimal change to actual payment flows. At the high end, it's an integrated national infrastructure where banks, insurers, and government agencies have built stablecoin settlement into core systems, consumer wallets arecommon, and measurable cost and time savings appear in the data.

Bermuda's current position sits somewhere between allowing on-chain payments and making them a default settlement rail for key flows.

The language supports Level 1 to early Level 2: pilots exist, “multiple live examples” are claimed, but no adoption statistics, timelines, or mandates have been disclosed.

The government hasn't published merchant counts, transaction volumes, cost comparisons, or wallet penetration rates, and these metrics distinguish experimentation from transformation.

LevelOperational meaningWhat you’d need to seeWhat Bermuda has actually disclosed0“On-chain economy” is primarily a branding line, with little to no change in real payment flows.No meaningful new payment options in production; no measurable change in costs, settlement times, or adoption; no public roadmap beyond general ambition.High-level ambition language + partnership framing; no KPIs, timelines, or adoption figures published. (Easy to over-interpret without data.)1On-chain payments are permitted and usable in pockets: early merchant acceptance and limited government/payment experiments.Named payment categories in scope (e.g., specific fees/taxes); baseline counts (# merchants, # wallets); early volumes (monthly txn count/$$); basic user journeys (cash-in/out availability).Releases describe pilots and claim “multiple live examples,” with USDC positioned centrally, plus education/onboarding plans — but provide no merchant counts, wallet penetration, volumes, or cost comps.2Stablecoins become a default (or common) settlement option for key flows, while legacy rails still exist.Penetration rates by sector (% of merchant sales in stablecoins); cost delta vs cards/wires; settlement speed metrics; reliable on/off-ramps; named bank/insurer integrations with go-live dates; compliance framework in production.Language supports “allowing on-chain payments” moving toward “default rails” in aspiration, but there’s no disclosed timetable, no named integrating institutions, and no measured adoption/cost outcomes yet.3On-chain is integrated into the national financial stack: government + financial institutions + broad consumer usage with measurable macro impact.Government collections + disbursements materially on-chain (taxes/fees + benefits/payroll/rebates); broad merchant coverage; high wallet penetration; audited cost/time savings; resiliency/uptime stats; clear governance and success metrics.Not established by the announcement: no mandate, no claim that “all GDP” settles on-chain, no replacement of fiat system, and no published success metrics showing system-level transformation.The island as a laboratoryBermuda's small scale makes it an ideal testing ground. With a population of roughly 64,600 and a GDP of $9.23 billion, the economy is highly open and services-oriented.

Consumer spending hit $841 million in the second quarter of 2025, providing a useful anchor for estimating potential savings.

Traditional card networks charge merchants a blended fee of 2.5% to 3.5%. Stablecoin rails, depending on the on-ramp and compliance infrastructure, can reduce that to 0.5% 1.5%.

If 10% of Bermuda's consumer spending shifted to stablecoins, annual merchant savings could range from $3.4 million to $10.1 million. At 30% penetration, that climbs to $10.1 million to $30.3 million.

Those numbers are illustrative models that assume functional cash-in/cash-out infrastructure, merchant tooling, and regulatory clarity.

But they show why even modest adoption could be meaningful for a small economy.

The island has been experimenting with digital payments for years. In 2019, Circle announced Bermuda would accept USDC for tax payments. In 2020, the government partnered with Stablehouse on a “digital stimulus token” pilot for in-person merchant transactions.

The current initiative builds on that history, but it's still unclear which government payment categories, such as taxes, licenses, customs, benefits, or payroll, will be included in the pilots, or when.

Modeled annual merchant savings in Bermuda range from $3.4 million at 10% stablecoin adoption to $50.5 million at 50% penetration, assuming lower processing fees.The Visa proof pointThe cleaner signal that stablecoins are becoming a practical settlement infrastructure doesn't come from Bermuda. It comes from Visa.

On Dec. 16, Visa announced USDC settlement for US issuer and acquirer partners, with initial banks including Cross River and Lead Bank.

Settlement runs over Solana, and broader US availability is planned through 2026. By late November, Visa's stablecoin settlement program had reached $3.5 billion in annualized volume.

By mid-January 2026, that figure had grown to $4.5 billion.

Visa's pitch mirrors Bermuda's: modernize the rails without changing the consumer experience. Cardholders swipe the same way, and merchants receive dollars the same way.

The difference is in backend settlement speed and cost. Yet, Visa's own crypto head acknowledged in January that stablecoins still lack “merchant acceptance at scale” for direct spending.

The $4.5 billion annualized run rate is real traction, but it's a rounding error next to Visa's $14.2 trillion in total payment volume.

That contrast of growing institutional adoption alongside limited consumer-facing utility defines stablecoins as payment infrastructure. They're effective as settlement rails inside existing networks. They're not yet replacing cards at checkout.

Visa's stablecoin settlement grew from $3.5 billion to $4.5 billion annualized, but remains a fraction of its $14.2 trillion total payment volume.What the numbers hideStablecoin transaction volume headlines are misled by design.

Bloomberg reported $33 trillion in total stablecoin transaction value for 2025, a 72% year-over-year increase.

Meanwhile, Visa's on-chain analytics paint a different picture: $47 trillion in gross stablecoin volume, but only $10.4 trillion when adjusted for high-frequency trading, arbitrage, and non-payment activity.

That gap matters. It's the difference between treating stablecoins as speculative instruments cycling through wash trades and treating them as genuine payment infrastructure.

Bermuda's bet assumes the latter use case will dominate, but the data shows the former still drives most volume.

Circulating stablecoin supply now exceeds $310 billion, with USDT accounting for roughly $187 billion. That's real liquidity, but it doesn't automatically translate into grocery store checkouts or payroll disbursements.

The connectors, such as on-ramps, off-ramps, merchant tooling, and compliance frameworks, remain the hard part.

What Bermuda's announcement doesn't establishThe official releases don't mandate that residents or merchants use stablecoins. They don't claim that all GDP will settle on public blockchains. They don't replace Bermuda's fiat system with a sovereign token.

More importantly, they don't solve the banking problem: stablecoins still need the same connectors that enable traditional payments.

Bermuda's Digital Asset Business Act, passed in 2018, established a licensing regime for private-sector digital asset businesses and explicitly states it “shall not apply to any entity owned by the Bermuda Government.”

That means the government's move on-chain doesn't automatically subject it to the same regulatory framework as Circle or Coinbase.

The announcement also leaves critical questions unanswered. Which agencies will pilot stablecoin payments, and for which services? Which banks and insurers have integrated tokenization tools? What percentage of merchants accept USDC today, and what's the average transaction size?

Officials claim “multiple live examples” but provide no metrics. That's the gap between rhetoric and reality.

The real stakesThe question isn't whether Bermuda will wake up tomorrow with every transaction on a blockchain. It won't.

The question is whether a small, high-cost economy can build enough on-chain infrastructure to make stablecoins a default option for a meaningful share of economic activity.

If it works, Bermuda becomes a reference case for other jurisdictions evaluating stablecoin adoption. If it doesn't, the island joins the long list of crypto-friendly jurisdictions that announced ambitious plans but struggled with execution.

The outcome depends less on blockchain technology than on operational discipline: onboarding merchants, training consumers, integrating compliance, and ensuring the cost savings are real and measurable.

Mentioned in this article

On January 20, 2026, the market had a violent shakeout that cost over $1.08 billion and resulted in the loss of positions for over 182,000 cryptocurrency traders. As Bitcoin and Ethereum traders saw their trades immediately deleted, nearly all of the loss fell on those who wagered on price increases.

Digital currencies show technical warning indicators as the world’s economic issues continue to deteriorate. Traders are now under even greater pressure.

Exchanges force out thousands of traders due to margin calls cascade CoinGlass data show that 2,729 traders were liquidated in the 24 hours to January 20, with total losses reaching $1.08 billion. Long traders took almost all the damage, losing $1.08 billion, while shorts lost just $79.67 million.

Bitcoin topped the wipeout, with long liquidations totaling $427.06 million, followed by Ethereum at $374.47 million. The single largest hit was a $13.52 million  BTCUSDT_UMCBL stake on Bitget. Major platforms were also badly impacted: Hyperliquid had $132.39 million in extended closures, Bybit $91.35 million, and Binance $64.08 million in just four hours.

Leverage worsened the losses. When prices move in the wrong direction, exchanges force-sell positions, lowering prices and causing a chain reaction of liquidations.

Machi Big Brother was liquidated five times in one day, losing $24.18 million. He still holds 2,200 ETH worth $6.67 million, but those holdings are at risk if Ethereum falls to $2,991.43.

Warning signs were already present. Most altcoins now trade with a daily RSI below 50, a level that usually signals continued selling pressure.

The ratio comparing liquidations to open interest stayed high throughout the market over the past day. This measurement tracks what portion of active positions get closed by exchanges. It jumps during times of stress and forced selling.

These waves of forced closures have emptied trader accounts. It’s now harder for people to buy back in at lower prices. This creates a dangerous cycle where fewer buyers remain when the market needs them most to stop falling prices.

Global money flows tighten as Japan shifts rates Problems outside crypto are making things worse. Japan’s bond market saw a major change on January 20. The 30-year Japanese Government Bond yield jumped 25 basis points to 3.86%. The 10-year yield went up 8 basis points to 2.34%. Both numbers broke modern records for Japanese government debt.

This change matters because low Japanese yields have supported worldwide cash flow for many years. They drove the carry trade, which involves borrowing yen at a low cost to purchase assets with higher returns, such as cryptocurrency.

With rising Japanese yields, maintaining these bets has become much more costly. As money returns to Japan, riskier bets, such as bitcoin, are being abandoned. The Bank of Japan must make difficult decisions: tightening policy might agitate markets or undermine confidence, while attempting to limit yields could harm the yen. In any case, the flow of easy money around the globe has decreased.

There is however one more concern: the World Economic Forum meeting in Davos. The policy talks there could lead to stricter rules.

Technical signals are weakening, global liquidity is tightening, and trading capital is thinning. Volatility may increase in the short term as markets digest higher Japanese yields.

When traders use borrowed funds, they remain at risk. In order to safeguard themselves, exchanges instantly cancel their positions when things go wrong, frequently taking every dollar that traders put up. The cryptocurrency community refers to this as being “rekt,” which is their term for being totally wiped out.

When liquidation figures and stress measures are high, effective risk control is crucial. However, buying may continue to be poor because conditions appear dire and trading funds are running low. Prices may continue to decline until either lower levels generate new revenue or global trends improve.

As global financial conditions change, the next few days will reveal if the cryptocurrency markets can handle this disaster or if fresh waves of liquidation are imminent.

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Ripple President Monica Long says 2026 will be the year institutional crypto usage shifts decisively from pilots to production, as regulated infrastructure and clearer rules pull banks, corporates, and market intermediaries deeper onchain. In a January 20 blog post, Long frames the next leg of adoption around four forces: stablecoins, tokenized assets, custody consolidation, and automation powered by AI.

#1 Stablecoins (Ripple USD) As The Settlement Layer Long’s central prediction is that stablecoins will stop being treated as an “alternative rail” and become foundational to global settlement. “Within the next five years, stablecoins will become fully integrated into global payment systems—not as an alternative rail, but as the foundational one,” she wrote. “We’re seeing this shift not in theory, but in practice, as heavyweights like Visa and Stripe hard-wire these rails into incumbent flows.”

She ties that trajectory to US policy momentum, arguing the GENIUS Act “inaugurated the digital dollar era,” and positioning “highly compliant, US issued stablecoins, including Ripple USD (RLUSD)” as a standard for programmable, 24/7 payments and collateral use in markets. Long also points to “conditional approval from the OCC to charter the Ripple National Trust Bank” as part of Ripple’s compliance strategy.

The near-term demand driver, in her telling, is B2B, not retail. Long cites research claiming B2B payments became the largest real-world stablecoin use case last year, reaching an annualized $76 billion run-rate—up sharply from early 2023 levels. She argues stablecoins can unlock liquidity and reduce working-capital drag, citing “over $700 billion” of idle cash on S&P 1500 balance sheets and “more than €1.3 trillion across Europe.”

#2 Institutional Exposure And Tokenization Long argues crypto is increasingly used as financial infrastructure rather than just a speculative asset. “Crypto has evolved from a speculative asset into the operating layer of modern finance,” she wrote. “By the end of 2026, balance sheets will hold over $1 trillion in digital assets, and roughly half of Fortune 500 companies will have formalized digital asset strategies.”

She points to a 2025 Coinbase survey she says found 60% of Fortune 500 companies are working on blockchain initiatives, and notes “more than 200 public companies” holding bitcoin in treasury. She also highlights the rise of “digital asset treasury” firms, claiming they grew from four in 2020 to more than 200 today, with nearly 100 formed in 2025 alone.

On market structure, Long forecasts “collateral mobility” as a key institutional use case, with custodians and clearing houses using tokenization to modernize settlement. Her stated expectation is that “5–10% of capital markets settlement” moves onchain in 2026, supported by regulatory momentum and stablecoin adoption by systemically important institutions.

#3 Custody Consolidation Accelerates Long frames digital asset custody as the institutional on-ramp and predicts consolidation as custody offerings commoditize. “M&A activity in this space is a signal of maturity, not just momentum,” she wrote, citing $8.6 billion in crypto M&A in 2025. She argues regulation will push banks toward multi-custodian setups and predicts “more than half of the world’s top 50 banks” will add at least one new custody relationship in 2026.

She also points to convergence between crypto and traditional finance through deals such as Kraken’s purchase of NinjaTrader and Ripple’s acquisitions of GTreasury and Hidden Road, positioning them as steps toward safer, more integrated institutional workflows.

#4 Blockchain And AI Converge Long’s final theme is automation: smart contracts paired with AI models running treasury and asset-management processes continuously. “Stablecoins and smart contracts will enable treasuries to manage liquidity, execute margin calls and optimize yield across onchain repo agreements, all in real-time without manual intervention,” she wrote.

She argues privacy tech is critical for regulated deployment, pointing to zero-knowledge proofs as a way for AI to assess risk or creditworthiness without exposing sensitive data.

Long’s overarching claim is that 2026 marks a transition from experimentation to infrastructure: stablecoins as settlement and collateral, tokenization in core market plumbing, custody as a trust anchor, and AI-driven automation as the efficiency layer.

At press time, XRP traded at $1.905.

XRP bulls must defend the 100-week EMA, 1-week chart | Source: XRPUSDT on TradingView.com Featured image created with DALL.E, chart from TradingView.com

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Ethereum ETFs saw a total outflow of $229.95M on January 20, with notable losses for BlackRock's ETHA and Fidelity's FETH.

Ethereum price has slipped below the $3000 psychological support level today, extending its short-term consolidation phase as broader market sentiment weakens. Yet beneath the surface, on-chain data is telling a different story, one that suggests Ethereum’s current weakness may be more of a reset than a breakdown.

Despite persistent ETF outflows and macro pressure, Ethereum’s network activity and supply dynamics continue to strengthen, hinting that long-term demand is quietly rebuilding.

ETH’s On-Chain Data Point to Structural StrengthEthereum’s on-chain metrics are flashing early signs of renewed accumulation and organic demand. Ethereum’s exchange reserves have dropped to around 16.2 million ETH, marking one of the lowest levels in recent years. This indicates a sustained trend of investors moving ETH off centralized exchanges, typically associated with long-term holding rather than short-term selling.

At the same time,ETH’s active addresses are pushing toward cycle-highs, reinforcing that network usage is expanding even as price consolidates. Rising addresses activity typically reflects increasing real demand for blockspace, DeFi, and on-chain settlement. 

However, this structural strength is being partially offset by institutional flows. U.S spot ETH ETFs recorded approximately $229 million in net outflows, led primarily by BlackRock and Fidelity products. This suggests short-term capital rotation rather than broad capitulation. Together, the data paints a nuanced picture, retail and on-chain participants are accumulating, while institutional positioning remains cautious, a divergence often seen near mid-cycle consolidation phases.

Ethereum Price Slips Below $3000: What’s Next?Ethereum’s price action has shifted into a consolidation phase after failing to sustain a move above the $3300 resistance zone, with ETH now trading back below the $3000 support zone. This rejection marked a short-term loss of momentum, as buyers struggled to absorb sell pressure near the upper range of the recent pullback.

On the daily chart, Ethereum price remains structurally intact above its broader demand region between $2700-$3000. While downside volatility has increased, ETH price is still holding the rising trend structure, implying that the move was taken as a retracement rather than a full trend reversal.

A decisive break below $2750 would expose ETH to deeper downside toward $2500 followed by $2200, but as long as ETH price holds above the support zone of $2700, a potential reversal could be expected with the upside target of $3150 followed by $3300 in the near term. Crucially, the price is consolidating while on-chain demand is rising, a divergence that historically precedes trend continuation rather than trend failure.

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Organizations Focus on Data Protection, Sustainability, Customization as AI Becomes Integral to Enterprise Operations, ISG Provider Lens® Report Says

ZÜRICH--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Digital transformation is expected to become an integral part of Swiss companies’ strategic plans, with a growing demand for cloud services to support AI applications, according to a new research report published today by Information Services Group (ISG) (Nasdaq: III), a global AI-centered technology research and advisory firm.

Swiss enterprises view AI as a long-term capability that depends on scalable cloud infrastructure. This dependence continues to support sustained growth in public cloud infrastructure services.

Share The 2025 ISG Provider Lens® Multi Public Cloud Services report for Switzerland finds that enterprises increasingly recognize the potential of AI technologies and rely on cloud platforms for computing power, storage and specialized tools. Swiss companies use cloud services to support AI use cases in areas such as customer service, data analysis and business process optimization. Adoption remains cautious, with many companies initially testing use cases before implementing them on a larger scale. High initial costs, unclear long-term benefits and ethical questions surrounding AI-generated content have slowed broader adoption.

“Swiss enterprises view AI as a long-term capability that depends on scalable cloud infrastructure,” said Uwe Ladwig, managing director at ISG. “This dependence continues to support sustained growth in public cloud infrastructure services.”

Data sovereignty has become an indispensable customer requirement in Switzerland, the report says. Organizations are increasingly demanding cloud environments that are locally controlled, legally secure and compliant with data protection laws. Swiss companies seek cloud solutions that allow them to manage data securely and in a controlled manner. These solutions should enable enterprises to maintain control over sensitive data while using global cloud infrastructure capabilities.

Enterprises in Switzerland are increasingly integrating sustainability objectives into their cloud adoption strategies, ISG says. They are investing in green technologies to reduce their carbon footprint and achieve ambitious climate targets. Companies are also relying on energy-efficient cloud regions, serverless computing, autoscaling and workload optimization to reduce energy consumption and resource waste. These enterprise initiatives enhance Switzerland’s position as an environmentally conscious market.

Cloud cost optimization has become a priority for Swiss enterprises as cloud adoption contributes to rising IT spending, the report says. Organizations face complex public cloud billing procedures that often result in unexpected costs. They apply FinOps principles such as precise resource allocation, rightsizing and elimination of unused capacity to control spending. These practices rely on closer coordination between engineering, finance and operations teams and more extensive use of automated cost monitoring.

“Swiss companies rely on strategic partnerships with major cloud platforms for digital competitiveness and regulated cloud adoption,” said Ulrich Meister, lead author of the report. “These relationships provide access to advanced technologies while meeting strict Swiss data protection and industry requirements.”

The report also explores other trends in the multi public cloud services market in Switzerland, including increased cybersecurity investments and the expansion of regional data centers by hyperscalers to support AI workloads.

For more insights into challenges faced by Swiss enterprises in managing complex multicloud environments, see the ISG Provider Lens® Focal Points briefing here.

The 2025 ISG Provider Lens® Multi Public Cloud Services report for Switzerland evaluates the capabilities of 65 providers across seven quadrants: Consulting and Transformation Services — Large Accounts, Consulting and Transformation Services — Midmarket, Managed Services — Large Accounts, Managed Services — Midmarket, FinOps Services and AI-driven Optimization, Hyperscale Infrastructure and Platform Services, and SAP HANA Infrastructure Services.

The report names Swisscom as a Leader in all seven quadrants. It names Deutsche Telekom/T-Systems as a Leader in five quadrants. Accenture, Aveniq and UMB are named as Leaders in four quadrants each. Atos, Capgemini and ti&m are named as Leaders in three quadrants each, while AWS, ELCA/EveryWare, Kyndryl and Microsoft are named as Leaders in two quadrants each. BitHawk, Claranet, Google, HCLTech, IBM, infomaniak, Infosys, itesys, Netcloud, TCS and Wipro are named as Leaders in one quadrant each.

In addition, HCLTech is named as a Rising Star — a company with a “promising portfolio” and “high future potential” by ISG’s definition — in two quadrants. BitHawk, CONVOTIS, Exoscale, IBM, MTF and TCS are recognized as Rising Stars in one quadrant each.

In the area of customer experience, LTIMindtree is named the global ISG CX Star Performer for 2025 among multi public cloud service providers. LTIMindtree earned the highest customer satisfaction scores in ISG’s Voice of the Customer survey, part of the ISG Star of Excellence™ program, the premier quality recognition for the technology and business services industry.

A customized version of the report is available from AWS.

The 2025 ISG Provider Lens® Multi Public Cloud Services report for Switzerland is available to subscribers or for one-time purchase on this webpage.

About ISG Provider Lens® Research

The ISG Provider Lens® Quadrant research series is the only service provider evaluation of its kind to combine empirical, data-driven research and market analysis with the real-world experience and observations of ISG’s global advisory team. Enterprises will find a wealth of detailed data and market analysis to help guide their selection of appropriate sourcing partners, while ISG advisors use the reports to validate their own market knowledge and make recommendations to ISG’s enterprise clients. The research currently covers providers offering their services globally, across Europe, as well as in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Brazil, the U.K., France, Benelux, Germany, Switzerland, the Nordics, Australia and Singapore/Malaysia, with additional markets to be added in the future. For more information about ISG Provider Lens research, please visit this webpage.

About ISG

ISG (Nasdaq: III) is a global AI-centered technology research and advisory firm. A trusted partner to more than 900 clients, including 75 of the world’s top 100 enterprises, ISG is a long-time leader in technology and business services that is now at the forefront of leveraging AI to help organizations achieve operational excellence and faster growth. The firm, founded in 2006, is known for its proprietary market data, in-depth knowledge of provider ecosystems, and the expertise of its 1,600 professionals worldwide working together to help clients maximize the value of their technology investments.

More News From Information Services Group, Inc.

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January 21, 2026 05:00 ET  | Source: Royal Philips

January 21, 2026

Highest-ranking medical technology company recognized in the Clarivate Top 100 Global Innovators list for 2026Innovations for healthcare professionals and consumers that support better care delivery and improve people’s health and well-beingIndustry-leading commitment to R&D, with over EUR 1.7 billion invested annually, equivalent to approximately 9% of sales Amsterdam, the Netherlands – Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA), a global leader in health technology, has been named a Clarivate Top 100 Global Innovator for 2026 for the 13th consecutive year. Philips is the highest-ranking medical technology company included in the report, underscoring its continued leadership in healthcare innovation.

“Building on more than 130 years of innovation, Philips is driven by a clear purpose to deliver better care for more people,” said Roy Jakobs, CEO of Royal Philips. “Our innovations help healthcare professionals deliver high-quality patient care and empower people to manage their health and well-being at home. Being recognized as a Clarivate Top 100 Global Innovator reflects our commitment to people-centered, scalable innovation that improves outcomes and expands access to care.”

Philips’ recognition reflects its long-term commitment to innovation, supported by more than EUR 1.7 billion in annual R&D investment – approximately 9% of sales and among the highest levels in the industry. Across professional healthcare and consumer health, Philips is applying AI-enabled technologies, advanced imaging, and connected platforms to support more precise diagnosis, simplify workflows, and empower people to proactively manage their health and well-being. Examples of Philips' latest innovations include:

Philips Verida, the world’s first detector-based spectral CT powered by integrating AI across the imaging chain, from acquisition to reconstruction.Helium-free [1] MRI magnet technology, led by Philips since 2018, with more than 2,000 installations worldwide and six million liters of liquid helium saved to date, helping hospitals eliminate helium refills and vent pipes.Philips Flash 5100 Point-of-Care Ultrasound, combining advanced imaging clarity and intuitive workflow to support rapid, confident decision-making in frontline clinical settings.A next-generation web-based diagnostic viewer that transforms how radiologists access and interpret medical images, enabling clinicians to work smarter, faster, and more collaboratively.AI-enabled personal care innovations, including the Philips i9000 Shaver Series and advanced hair-removal solutions, deliver more personalized and intuitive self-care experiences for consumers. The Clarivate Top 100 Global Innovators report uses a complete comparative analysis of global invention data to assess the strength of every patented idea, using measures tied directly to their innovative power. The full Clarivate Top 100 Global Innovators 2026 report can be found here.

[1] Helium-free operations. 7 liters of helium is permanently enclosed in the cryogenic circuit.

For further information, please contact:

Michael Fuchs
Philips Global External Relations
Tel.: +31 614869261
E-mail: [email protected]

About Royal Philips
Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA) is a leading health technology company focused on improving people’s health and well-being through meaningful innovation. Philips’ patient- and people-centric innovation leverages advanced technology and deep clinical and consumer insights to deliver personal health solutions for consumers and professional health solutions for healthcare providers and their patients in the hospital and the home.

Headquartered in the Netherlands, the company is a leader in diagnostic imaging, ultrasound, image-guided therapy, monitoring and enterprise informatics, as well as in personal health. Philips generated 2024 sales of EUR 18 billion and employs approximately 67,000 employees with sales and services in more than 100 countries. News about Philips can be found at www.philips.com/newscenter. 

Improved image and data acquisition Philips Verida spectral CT system, angle view Radiologist using web diagnostic viewer i9000 Prestige feature image

Toronto, Ontario – January 21, 2026 – TheNewswire - LAURION Mineral Exploration Inc. (TSX-V: LME | OTCQB: LMEFF | FSE: 5YD) (“LAURION” or the “Company”) announces the appointment of Pierre-Jean Lafleur, P.Eng., as the Company’s new Qualified Person, effective immediately.

Pierre-Jean is a highly experienced geological engineer and consultant who has authored numerous National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (“NI 43-101”) technical reports for gold and mineral resource projects, including Duparquet (Québec), Balabag (Philippines) and Lac Lamêlée (iron ore, Québec), demonstrating deep expertise in gold, base metals, and international resource evaluation. He specializes in property evaluation, mineral resource estimation and various aspects of exploration and mining project management.

“Pierre-Jean brings exactly the combination of geological insight, Qualified Person leadership, and technical discipline that aligns with our execution priorities,” said Cynthia Le Sueur-Aquin, President and CEO of LAURION. “His experience strengthens our ability to advance Ishkōday through disciplined interpretation, integrated modelling, and technically grounded decision-making as the project continues to evolve.”

The Company also extends its sincerest thanks to Jean-Philippe Paiement, P.Geo., for his contributions and efforts during his tenure as the Company’s Qualified Person. LAURION wishes him continued success in his future endeavours.

Strengthened Technical Team to Advance Ishkōday

LAURION has strategically strengthened its technical leadership to support disciplined advancement at the Ishkōday Gold-Polymetallic Project. Pierre-Jean Lafleur and Ali Ben Ayad (Structural-Geophysicist) will lead the integration and synthesis of LAURION’s geological, geophysical, and drilling datasets to refine the A-Zone geological envelope, develop robust 3D wireframes, and establish the technical foundation required for future resource-definition work under NI 43-101.

In parallel, Rogerio Monteiro of Vektore will contribute advanced structural interpretation and grade-vectoring analysis to support the prioritization of step-out targets with potential to extend known mineralization, with initial emphasis on the Sturgeon River Mine area and broader Ishkōday corridor. Vektore’s proprietary spatial-analytic framework transforms grade information into directionally weighted vector fields, supporting early-stage identification of structural trends and high-probability concentration zones.

  This work will be closely coordinated with Ronacher McKenzie Geoscience (RMG) and LAURION’s internal exploration team to ensure disciplined execution, continuity of interpretation, and alignment across technical workstreams.

Guidance on Timing of NI 43-101 Technical Reports

  While LAURION is working toward the technical foundation required to support an eventual NI 43-101 compliant technical report expressing a mineral resource estimate (“MRE”), potentially followed by a subsequent technical report disclosing a preliminary economic assessment (“PEA”), the Company is not providing guidance on timing of either of these technical objectives. Progress toward an MRE and PEA will depend on multiple factors, including ongoing refinement of geological and structural models, the definition of mineralized continuity through further work and drilling where required, and access to financing to execute the necessary programs. Accordingly, references to NI 43-101 technical reports should be regarded as an ongoing technical objective of the Company, not an indication that the completion dates for an MRE and PEA can be accurately predicted at this stage.

  LAURION believes the appointment of Pierre-Jean as its new Qualified Person further strengthens the Company’s technical leadership as it continues developing Ishkōday.

  Qualified Person

The technical contents of this release were reviewed and approved by Pierre-Jean Lafleur, P.Eng, a consultant to LAURION and a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101.

  About LAURION Mineral Exploration Inc.

  LAURION Mineral Exploration Inc. is a mid-stage junior mineral exploration company listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol LME and on the OTC Pink market under the symbol LMEFF. The Company currently has 278,716,413 common shares outstanding, with approximately 73.6% held by insiders and long-term “Friends and Family” investors, reflecting strong alignment between management, the Board, and shareholders.

  LAURION’s primary focus is the 100%-owned, district-scale Ishkōday Project, a 57 km² land package hosting gold-rich polymetallic mineralization. The Company is advancing Ishkōday through a disciplined, milestone-driven exploration strategy focused on strengthening geological confidence, defining structural continuity.

  LAURION’s strategy is centered on deliberate value creation. The Company is prioritizing systematic technical advancement, integrated geological and structural modeling, and the evaluation of optional, non-dilutive pathways, including historical surface stockpile processing, that may support flexibility in LAURION’s exploration plans without diverting the Company’s focus from its core exploration objectives.

  The Company’s overarching objective is to build project value before monetization, ensuring that any future strategic outcomes are supported by technical clarity, reduced execution risk, and demonstrated scale. While the Board remains attentive to strategic interest that may arise, LAURION is not driven by transaction timing. Instead, the Company is focused on advancing the Ishkōday Project in a manner that strengthens long-term shareholder value.

  LAURION will continue to communicate updates through timely disclosure and will issue press releases in accordance with applicable securities laws should any material information arise.

  FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT:

  LAURION Mineral Exploration Inc.

Cynthia Le Sueur-Aquin – President and CEO

Tel: 1-705-788-9186 Fax: 1-705-805-9256

  Douglas Vass - Investor Relations Consultant

Email: [email protected]

Website: http://www.LAURION.ca

Follow us on: X (@LAURION_LME), Instagram (laurionmineral) and LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/cynthia-le-sueur-aquin-laurion-lme-04b03017/)

  Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This press release contains forward-looking statements, which reflect the Company’s current expectations regarding future events including with respect to LAURION's business, operations and condition, management's objectives, strategies, beliefs and intentions, the Company’s ability to advance the Ishkōday Project, the nature, focus, timing and potential results of the Company’s exploration, drilling and prospecting activities in 2026 and beyond, the timing of, and the Company’s ability to complete, any technical reports or milestones regarding the Ishkōday Project, and the statements regarding the Company’s exploration or consideration of any possible strategic alternatives and transactional opportunities, as well as the potential outcome(s) of this process, the possible impact of any potential transactions referenced herein on the Company or any of its stakeholders, and the ability of the Company to identify and complete any potential acquisitions, mergers, financings or other transactions referenced herein, and the timing of any such transactions. The forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. Actual events and future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements could differ materially from those projected herein including as a result of a change in the trading price of the common shares of LAURION, the TSX Venture Exchange or any other applicable regulator not providing its approval for any strategic alternatives or transactional opportunities, the interpretation and actual results of current exploration activities, changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined, future prices of gold and/or other metals, possible variations in grade or recovery rates, failure of equipment or processes to operate as anticipated, the failure of contracted parties to perform, labor disputes and other risks of the mining industry, delays in obtaining governmental approvals or financing or in the completion of exploration, as well as those factors disclosed in the Company’s publicly filed documents. Investors should consult the Company’s ongoing quarterly and annual filings, as well as any other additional documentation comprising the Company’s public disclosure record, for additional information on risks and uncertainties relating to these forward-looking statements. The reader is cautioned not to rely on these forward-looking statements. Subject to applicable law, the Company disclaims any obligation to update these forward-looking statements. All sample values are from grab samples and channel samples, which by their nature, are not necessarily representative of overall grades of mineralized areas. Readers are cautioned to not place undue reliance on the assay values reported in this press release.

NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICE PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THE CONTENT OF THIS NEWS RELEASE.

  

Shares in Premier Foods (LSE:PFD) were top of the FTSE 350 leaderboard on Wednesday morning, as the Mr Kipling maker reported a sales growth acceleration in the past quarter.

Group sales grew 4.1% and branded revenues were up 5.2%, with market share gains in both grocery and sweet treats.

Chief executive Alex Whitehouse said Premier "had a really good Christmas", with the results including a return to double-digit revenue growth overseas with particularly good performances in Australia and the US.

He said product innovation has been "particularly strong" this year, with consumers embracing new ranges including OXO bone broth, Paxo stuffing wreath, Angel Delight bubble jelly and Mr Kipling cake bites tubs.

Premium ranges such as Ambrosia Deluxe, The Spice Tailor and Mr Kipling signature mince pies outperformed the market, as consumers traded up over the festive period.

New category sales delivered 29% growth, led by the growing success of FUEL10K yogurt and granola.

"We grew all of our acquired brands double digits, including our most recent acquisition Merchant Gourmet, as we further leverage both our commercial expertise to expand retailer distribution and marketing capabilities to drive product innovation and increase brand investment," Whitehouse said.

He said trading profits are expected to be at the top end of the £193-198.2 million range.

Broker Peel Hunt said the shares "seem exceedingly good value" on 11.2 times March 2026 forecast earnings and 7.5x on an EV/EBITDA basis.

Euronet Worldwide offers double-digit earnings growth and trades at less than 7x next year's earnings, positioning it as a compelling value play. EEFT's diversified revenue streams, margin expansion, and consistent share buybacks support robust free cash flow and financial flexibility. Management anticipates the ATM segment shrinking to 7% of sales by 2034, offset by growth in digital payments and transaction services.

A drone view shows the Netflix logo on one of the company's buildings in the Hollywood neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, December 8, 2025. REUTERS/Daniel Cole/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights, opens new tab

SummaryCompaniesNetflix shares drop nearly 6% premarketStreaming giant pauses buybacks to fund deal, reports tens of millions in buyout costsNetflix sees Warner Bros as key to expanding theatrical businessCo-CEO says deal is pro-consumer, pro-workerJan 21 (Reuters) - "YouTube is not just user-generated content and cat videos anymore," Netflix (NFLX.O), opens new tab CEO Ted Sarandos said on ​Tuesday.

Making a compelling case for why the streaming giant wanted Warner Bros Discovery's (WBD.O), opens new tab studio and streaming assets, Sarandos noted how tech giants such ‌as Alphabet's (GOOGL.O), opens new tab YouTube had changed what television viewing meant and forced Netflix to change tack to keep up.

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"TV is not what we grew up on ... Oscars and the NFL are on YouTube. Networks are simulcasting the Super Bowl on linear TV and streaming. Amazon owns MGM. Apple is competing for Emmys and Oscars, and Instagram is coming next," he said.

"They are TV. So we all compete with them in every dimension, for talent, for ad dollars, for subscription dollars, and for all forms of content."

Sarandos ‌and his co-CEO Greg Peters spent a large portion of the post-earnings call talking effusively about how strong and complementary Warner ​Bros' services were, a sharp change from the long-held company credo: build, don't buy.

Having offered $82.7 billion in cash to buy Warner Bros' film and television studios, its extensive content library and major entertainment franchises - including "Game of Thrones" and "Harry Potter" - Netflix is embroiled in a bidding war with Paramount Skydance (PSKY.O), opens new tab.

Netflix's co-CEOs had not thought ‍they would make an offer for the assets when they first started the due diligence process on Warner Bros, they said. "When we got into the hood, there were several things we saw that were just really exciting," Peters said.

"We have often in our Netflix history debated building a theatrical business, but we were busy investing in other areas, and it never ⁠became our priority. But now with Warner Bros, they bring a mature, well-run theatrical business with amazing films, and we're super excited about that addition," he ‍said, in a reversal of Netflix's former position that theaters were an outdated model with audiences preferring stay-at-home streaming.

"And then you get to the streaming side of things, HBO. It ‌is an ‌amazing brand. It says prestige TV is better than almost anything. Customers know it. They love it. They know what it means," Peters said, adding that Warner's television studio was also a healthy business and complemented Netflix's own, expanding its production capability.

INVESTORS ARE NOT CONVINCEDWith the expensive deal hanging over its head, Netflix delivered a tepid revenue beat for what is usually one of its strongest quarters, and forecast equally dull prospects for the new year. The company's stock fell nearly 6% ⁠premarket on Wednesday.

Chart shows Netflix and Paramount price declines as they pursue WBD's acquisitionWhile a strong content ⁠line-up, including the final season of ​hit sci-fi series "Stranger Things," helped revenue growth, high costs associated with the Warner Bros acquisition have made people apprehensive about the long-term payoff, analysts said.

Netflix said previously that it had obtained commitments for a $59 billion bridge loan to support the Warner Bros' deal. On Tuesday, it increased the bridge loan commitment by $8.2 billion to support its all-cash $27.75 per share offer.

Netflix also ‍told investors it would pause share buybacks to help fund the Warner Bros' deal, and that it has already incurred $60 million in costs related to securing financing.

The deal is expected to face considerable scrutiny from lawmakers and competition regulators as high-profile acquisitions threaten to monopolize the market and leave consumers with fewer choices.

But Sarandos on Tuesday moved to ease those concerns by reiterating ​the deal would be "pro-consumer" and "pro-worker", and that the acquired businesses would require new teams and would ‍allow more opportunities for creatives.

The deal "allows us to gain access to 100 years of Warner Bros deep content and IP for development and distribution in more effective ways that will benefit consumers and ​the industry as a whole," he said.

Reporting by Zaheer Kachwala in Bengaluru; Editing by Sayantani Ghosh and Anil D'Silva

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles., opens new tab

U.S. stock futures rose on Wednesday following Tuesday’s sharp sell-off. Futures of major benchmark indices were higher.

On Tuesday, the S&P 500 index recorded its worst session since October 2025, dipping more than 2% during the session as risk-off sentiment intensified following President Donald Trump's aggressive new trade stance toward Europe.

Trump threatened several European countries with additional tariffs starting Feb. 1 if negotiations over Greenland control fail, with duties potentially rising to 25% from June.

European officials warned of retaliation that could affect up to 25% of U.S. exports to Europe, potentially including services, and floated the possibility of reducing Treasury holdings.

On Wednesday, the spotlight shifts to the World Economic Forum in Davos, where Trump is scheduled to deliver a keynote address and hold discussions with foreign nations regarding Greenland.

Meanwhile, the 10-year Treasury bond yielded 4.27%, and the two-year bond was at 3.58%. The CME Group's FedWatch tool‘s projections show markets pricing a 95% likelihood of the Federal Reserve leaving the current interest rates unchanged in January.

IndexPerformance (+/-)Dow Jones0.19%S&P 5000.27%Nasdaq 1000.23%Russell 20000.33%The SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (NYSE:SPY) and Invesco QQQ Trust ETF (NASDAQ:QQQ), which track the S&P 500 index and Nasdaq 100 index, respectively, were higher in premarket on Wednesday. The SPY was up 0.24% at $679.18, while the QQQ advanced 0.14% to $608.93.

Stocks In Focus Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) was 0.33% lower in premarket on Wednesday as it is projected to post quarterly earnings of $2.46 per share on revenue of $24.16 billion before the opening bell. Benzinga's Edge Stock Rankings shows that JNJ maintains a stronger price trend over the short, medium, and long term, with a poor growth ranking.

GameStop GameStop Corp. (NYSE:GME) rose 2.70% after CEO Ryan Cohen disclosed a massive purchase of the stock. According to an SEC filing, Cohen purchased 500,000 additional shares of GameStop at a weighted average price of approximately $21.12 per share. Benzinga's Edge Stock Rankings indicate that GME maintains a strong price trend over the short term but a weak trend in the medium and long terms, with a robust value ranking.

Netflix Netflix Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX) tumbled 5.48% despite reporting better-than-expected fourth-quarter financial results. However, it sees first-quarter revenue of $12.16 billion versus a Street consensus estimate of $12.19 billion. Also, it expects a first-quarter earnings per share of 76 cents, below a consensus estimate of 81 cents per share. It maintains a weaker price trend over the short, medium, and long term with a strong quality ranking, as per Benzinga's Edge Stock Rankings.

United Airlines Holdings United Airlines Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:UAL) was 4.10% higher after the carrier followed a fourth-quarter earnings beat with a bullish first-quarter forecast of $1 to $1.50 per share, topping the analyst estimates. UAL maintains a stronger price trend over the short, medium, and long terms with a solid growth ranking, as per Benzinga's Edge Stock Rankings.

Intel Intel Corp. (NASDAQ:INTC) rose 2.88% after upgrades from HSBC and Seaport Research, according to a Motley Fool report. INTC maintains a stronger price trend over the short, medium, and long terms with a moderate value ranking, as per Benzinga's Edge Stock Rankings.

Cues From Last SessionWhile consumer staples stocks bucked the trend to close higher, information technology, consumer discretionary, and financial stocks recorded the biggest losses on Tuesday as most S&P 500 sectors finished on a negative note.

IndexPerformance (+/-)ValueDow Jones-1.76%48,488.59S&P 500-2.06%6,796.86Nasdaq Composite-2.39%22,954.32Russell 2000-1.21%2,645.36Insights From AnalystsProfessor Jeremy Siegel believes the stock market is undergoing a significant transition, looking past “headline inflation noise” to drive a rotation from large-cap growth into small-cap and value stocks. According to Siegel, unlike previous brief reversals, this shift “appears more durable.”

He points to a roughly 10% to 12% pullback in large-cap growth stocks relative to value as investors reassess “concentration risk” after years of AI-driven dominance.

Meanwhile, the economic backdrop remains supportive. Siegel argues that growth data is “impressively resilient” and labor markets show “no stress,” creating a safety net for equities.

Crucially, Siegel sees the Federal Reserve's policy trajectory as a tailwind. With the direction of policy clear for the year, he asserts that small-cap stocks do not require “heroic earnings growth” to perform well, given their current valuations.

He concludes that the current landscape, defined by stabilizing earnings and a gradual Fed pivot, is “the kind of environment where diversification finally pays off”.

Upcoming Economic DataHere's what investors will be keeping an eye on Wednesday.

The delayed report of October’s construction spending, along with December’s pending home sales data, will be released by 10:00 a.m. ET. Commodities, Gold, Crypto, And Global Equity MarketsCrude oil futures were trading lower in the early New York session by 1.18% to hover around $59.65 per barrel.

Gold Spot US Dollar rose 2.24% to hover around $4,870.22 per ounce. Its last record high stood at $4,888.13 per ounce. The U.S. Dollar Index spot was 0.02% lower at the 98.6180 level.

Meanwhile, Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) was trading 1.64% lower at $89,347.25 per coin.

Asian markets closed mixed on Wednesday, as China’s CSI 300, Hong Kong's Hang Seng, and South Korea's Kospi indices rose. While Japan's Nikkei 225, India’s Nifty 50, and Australia's ASX 200 fell. European markets were lower in early trade.

Market News and Data brought to you by Benzinga APIs

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

Item 1 of 2 Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary speaks at a press conference on his feud with Elon Musk over installing Musk's Starlink internet service on Ryanair aircraft, in Dublin, Ireland, January 21, 2026. REUTERS/Clodagh Kilcoyne

[1/2]Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary speaks at a press conference on his feud with Elon Musk over installing Musk's Starlink internet service on Ryanair aircraft, in Dublin, Ireland, January 21, 2026.... Purchase Licensing Rights, opens new tab Read more

DUBLIN, Jan 21 (Reuters) - Ryanair (RYA.I), opens new tab would welcome an investment from Elon Musk, said its group chief executive Michael O'Leary, in the latest round of a public spat between the pair, which O'Leary said had helped boost his airline's bookings by 2-3%.

"We're a publicly owned company. He's free to do so at any time, but non-European citizens cannot own a majority of European airlines," O'Leary told a press conference on Wednesday.

Sign up here.

"If he wants to invest in Ryanair, we would think it's a very good investment."

Reporting by Conor Humphries, writing by Sarah Young, editing by Paul Sandle

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles., opens new tab

Safe Pro Group is a high-risk, high-upside play on AI-driven threat detection and drone services, with recent investments bolstering its capital position. SPAI's upside depends on rapid revenue ramp-up and successful commercialization of its AI platform, amid intense competition and currently unscalable revenues. Recent capital raises, including over $20 million from Ondas, significantly reduce near-term dilution risk and signal confidence in SPAI's growth prospects.

January 21, 2026 05:30 ET  | Source: IO Biotech

NEW YORK, Jan. 21, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- IO Biotech (Nasdaq: IOBT), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing novel, immune-modulatory, off-the-shelf therapeutic cancer vaccines, today announced that the company intends to explore a range of strategic alternatives to maximize stockholder value. Strategic alternatives that may be evaluated include, but are not limited to, a merger, a business combination, a sale of assets or other strategic transaction or a liquidation and dissolution. The company is also evaluating a further reduction-in-force and other efforts to significantly reduce the company’s operating expenses while the company explores a range of strategic alternatives.

No timetable has been established for the completion of this process, and the company does not expect to disclose developments unless and until the Board of Directors has concluded that disclosure is appropriate or required. No agreement providing for any transaction has been reached and there can be no assurances that this process will result in the company pursuing a transaction or that any transaction, if pursued, will be completed on attractive terms.

About IO Biotech

IO Biotech is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing novel, immune-modulatory, off-the-shelf therapeutic cancer vaccines based on its T-win® platform. The T-win platform is based on a novel approach to cancer vaccines designed to activate T cells to target both tumor cells and the immune-suppressive cells in the tumor microenvironment. IO Biotech is headquartered in Copenhagen, Denmark and has US headquarters in New York, New York. For further information, please visit www.iobiotech.com. Follow us on our social media channels on LinkedIn and X (@IOBiotech).

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements, including regarding the nature, timing or outcome of a review of strategic alternatives, and the company’s financial position or cash runway, are based on IO Biotech’s current assumptions and expectations of future events and trends, which affect or may affect its business, strategy, operations or financial performance, and actual results and other events may differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements due to numerous risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, some of which cannot be predicted or quantified. Because forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, you should not rely on these forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof and should not be unduly relied upon. Except to the extent required by law, IO Biotech undertakes no obligation to update these statements, whether as a result of any new information, future developments or otherwise.

Contact:
Maryann Cimino, Director of Investor Relations & Corporate Communications
IO Biotech, Inc.
617-710-7305
[email protected]

The streaming giant still dominates, but growth is slowing and getting more expensive.

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

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

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

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

CNBC's Jim Cramer thinks Micron and Sandisk can maintain their momentum because of an unprecedented memory chip supply shortage.

CNBC's Jim Cramer, a former hedge fund manager who earned returns of 24% annually during a 14-year period, recently talked about the unprecedented memory chip supply shortage that has caused stocks such as Micron Technology (MU +0.62%) and Sandisk (SNDK +9.55%) to skyrocket.

Micron has added 625% since January 2023, and Sandisk has advanced 1,050% since the company split from Western Digital in February 2025. But Jim Cramer says they still have room to run. "Can these stocks keep going higher?" he asked rhetorically. "The answer is yes, in large part because we don't have enough equipment to expand production of these chips."

Here's what investors should know.

Image source: Getty Images.

Micron Technology Micron develops memory and storage solutions for personal computers, mobile devices, data center servers, and automotive systems. The company sells DRAM (dynamic random access memory) products, including high-bandwidth memory (HBM) created by stacking DRAM chips, and NAND flash memory products.

Importantly, Micron is not the market leader in DRAM or NAND products, but the company is gaining market share in both categories and its primary competitors (Samsung and SK Hynix) are losing market share. Particularly important, Micron gained 10 percentage points of market share in HBM over the past year. HBM is critical for artificial intelligence (AI).

Micron reported impressive financial results in the first quarter of fiscal 2026 (ended Nov. 27), beating expectations on the top and bottom lines. Revenue increased 20% to $13.6 billion, non-GAAP gross margin expanded 17 percentage points in a clear display of pricing power, and adjusted earnings increased 167% to $4.78 per diluted share.

CEO Sanjay Mehrotra mentioned the supply shortage created by demand for AI. "Over the last few months, our customers' AI data center buildout plans have driven a sharp increase in demand forecasts for memory and storage," he said in prepared remarks. "We believe that the aggregate industry supply will remain substantially short of the demand for the foreseeable future."

Wall Street expects Micron's earnings to increase at 37% annually through fiscal 2029. That makes the current valuation of 32 times earnings look reasonable. I agree with Jim Cramer. Investors should consider buying a small position in this stock today.

Today's Change

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2. Sandisk Sandisk designs and manufactures data storage devices based on NAND flash technology. Importantly, hard drive disks (HDDs) are cheaper but slower and more fragile, while NAND-based solid-state drives (SSDs) are more costly but faster and more resilient. NAND flash memory is used for AI workloads when performance is the top priority, such as training and inference workflows.

Sandisk gained 2 percentage point of NAND market share during the 12-month period that ended in June 2025. The company still ranks fifth, but industry leaders Samsung, SK Hynix, and Kioxia lost at least 2 points of market share. The only other notable share gainer was Micron, according to Counterpoint Research.

Sandisk reported financial results for the first quarter of fiscal 2026 (ended Oct. 3) that beat estimates on the top and bottom lines. Revenue increased 23% to $2.3 billion, fueled by strong sales growth in the data center and edge (personal computers and mobile devices) segments. But non-GAAP earnings still dropped 33% to $1.22 per diluted share.

However, management estimates non-GAAP earnings will nearly triple sequentially in the second quarter. And investors have good reason to think Sandisk will keep gaining market share in NAND flash memory. Two hyperscalers recently began testing its enterprise SSDs, while a third hyperscaler and major storage OEM plan to start testing its SSDs this year.

Wall Street estimates Sandisk's adjusted earnings will increase at 79% annually through fiscal 2029. That makes the current valuation of 170 times earnings look very expensive. Indeed, Sandisk shares have increased 1,050% since being spun off from Western Digital in early 2025. In my opinion, the stock is too hot to touch after that extraordinary run.

AI-enabled cloud services help enterprises scale workloads securely, comply with regulations, achieve sustainability, ISG Provider Lens® report says

FRANKFURT, Germany--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Enterprises in Germany are adopting cloud services designed for AI workloads as they seek the features, computing power and storage capacity to support growing AI deployments, according to a new research report published today by Information Services Group (ISG) (Nasdaq: III), a global AI-centered technology research and advisory firm.

As enterprises move AI from pilots into core operations, they are reassessing the role of cloud platforms in supporting their business. They demand cost optimization, data protection and use cases aligned to their specific industries.

Share The 2025 ISG Provider Lens® Multi Public Cloud Services report for Germany finds that growth in public cloud services is no longer driven primarily by faster time to market or enhanced customer experience. Growth is increasingly shaped by the integration of AI technologies, with enterprises prioritizing scalable infrastructure, security controls and support for sustainability and sovereign cloud requirements.

“As enterprises move AI from pilots into core operations, they are reassessing the role of cloud platforms in supporting their business,” said Matthias Paletta, director at ISG. “They demand cost optimization, data protection and use cases aligned to their specific industries. These expectations are leading providers to deliver greater efficiency and sustained value.”

Sovereign cloud capabilities have shifted from a provider-led initiative to a core enterprise expectation. German enterprises are seeking stronger control over data, compliance and legal certainty, ISG says. This shift has increased demand for cloud solutions that ensure local data residency without sacrificing scalability. Hyperscalers are responding by expanding regional data centers, aligning their offerings with local regulations and strengthening security controls. With these advances, they are allowing enterprises to adopt sovereign cloud models while still enjoying the flexibility, scale and innovation of public cloud infrastructures.

Facing increasing competition, German companies are sharpening their focus on cloud cost optimization, the report says. While scalability and performance remain essential, budget constraints and economic uncertainty are driving demand for greater financial transparency and near-term savings. In response, providers are supporting enterprises with structured cost-management approaches and optimization frameworks. Advisory services help align cloud investments with business priorities, improve return on investment and maintain operational efficiency throughout digital transformations.

Small and midsize German enterprises increasingly seek end-to-end cloud and IT solutions that include strategy, transformation and ongoing operations, ISG says. Organizations in Germany prefer integrated offerings from a single provider that combine advisory capabilities with reliable managed services. To meet these expectations, leading providers are strengthening their industry-specific expertise and realigning their organizations around the needs of specific verticals. These providers are best positioned to address evolving small and midsize business requirements and build long-term customer relationships.

“Enterprises in Germany are increasingly focused on cybersecurity and sustainability as risk exposure and regulatory expectations rise,” said Ulrich Meister, lead author of the report. “Many are partnering with providers on strategies to protect assets, including IoT infrastructure, and meet climate goals.”

The report also explores other trends in German cloud adoption, including the growing demand for interoperable data and AI services across multiple cloud platforms and enterprise efforts to consolidate cloud management partners

For more insights into the cloud-related challenges facing German enterprises, plus ISG’s advice for addressing them, see the ISG Provider Lens® Focal Points briefing here.

The 2025 ISG Provider Lens® Multi Public Cloud Services report for Germany evaluates the capabilities of 100 unique providers across eight quadrants: Consulting and Transformation Services — Large Accounts; Consulting and Transformation Services — Midmarket, Managed Services — Large Accounts; Managed Services — Midmarket, FinOps Services and AI-driven Optimization, Hyperscale Infrastructure and Platform Services, SAP HANA Infrastructure Services, and Secure Enterprise Filesharing Services.

The report names Deutsche Telekom/T-Systems as a Leader in seven quadrants. It names Accenture, Arvato Systems, Atos, CANCOM, Capgemini, DATAGROUP, HCLTech and Microsoft as Leaders in three quadrants each. It names AWS, Claranet, Google, Infosys, Kyndryl, NTT DATA, Rackspace Technology, Skaylink, Syntax, TCS and Wipro as Leaders in two quadrants each. All for One Group, Axians, Box, Brainloop, DRACOON, Dropbox, FTAPI, IBM, idgard, IONOS Cloud, noris network, OVHcloud, plusserver, Reply and STACKIT are named as Leaders in one quadrant each.

In addition, DATAGROUP, Exoscale, GRASS-MERKUR, IBM, LTIMindtree, msg services, NTT DATA and Syntax are recognized as Rising Stars — companies with a “promising portfolio” and “high future potential” by ISG’s definition — in one quadrant each.

In the area of customer experience, LTIMindtree is named the global ISG CX Star Performer for 2025 among multi public cloud service providers. LTIMindtree earned the highest customer satisfaction scores in ISG's Voice of the Customer survey, part of the ISG Star of Excellence™ program, the premier quality recognition for the technology and business services industry.

Customized versions of the report are available from AWS, DATAGROUP, Deutsche Telekom/T-Systems, GRASS-MERKUR, IONOS Cloud, idgard GmbH, Noris Network, and Skaylink.

The 2025 ISG Provider Lens® Multi Public Cloud Services report for Europe is available to subscribers or for one-time purchase on this webpage.

About ISG Provider Lens® Research

The ISG Provider Lens® Quadrant research series is the only service provider evaluation of its kind to combine empirical, data-driven research and market analysis with the real-world experience and observations of ISG's global advisory team. Enterprises will find a wealth of detailed data and market analysis to help guide their selection of appropriate sourcing partners, while ISG advisors use the reports to validate their own market knowledge and make recommendations to ISG's enterprise clients. The research currently covers providers offering their services globally, across Europe, as well as in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Brazil, the U.K., France, Benelux, Germany, Switzerland, the Nordics, Australia and Singapore/Malaysia, with additional markets to be added in the future. For more information about ISG Provider Lens research, please visit this webpage.

About ISG

ISG (Nasdaq: III) is a global AI-centered technology research and advisory firm. A trusted partner to more than 900 clients, including 75 of the world’s top 100 enterprises, ISG is a long-time leader in technology and business services that is now at the forefront of leveraging AI to help organizations achieve operational excellence and faster growth. The firm, founded in 2006, is known for its proprietary market data, in-depth knowledge of provider ecosystems, and the expertise of its 1,600 professionals worldwide working together to help clients maximize the value of their technology investments.

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