Market Signal Briefing

Journalist

Posted: February 8, 2026

Theories are swirling about what caused the market to crash. From a technical standpoint, it’s clear that the massive breakdown over the last few weeks was more than just a short-term reaction to macro volatility.

Sure, the first half of January saw significant capital inflows as major high-caps reclaimed key levels. In this context, it makes sense that the crash occurred as the crypto market swept liquidity and deleveraged.

However, analysts are now pointing to factors beyond just leveraged positions. Instead, Bitcoin’s [BTC] 35% drop might be tied to BlackRock’s IBIT ETF – Evidence that institutional moves amplified the downturn.

Source: X

Arthur Hayes, co-founder of BitMex, puts it simply – BTC sold off because banks were hedging positions tied to IBIT ETF. He cited Morgan Stanley’s “structured note” linked to IBIT, basically a bank-made bet on Bitcoin.

When BTC moved, these banks had to quickly sell to protect themselves. And, it wasn’t just Morgan Stanley. Other large non-crypto players have reportedly been doing similar trades too, adding fuel to the volatility.

The result? On 05 February, heavily leveraged IBIT ETF positions were forced to unwind. Trading that day hit record levels – $10.7 billion in volume and $900 million in options premiums, both all-time highs.

Fast forward to now, and IBIT Bitcoin ETF has recorded its first $200+ million inflow in nearly a month. It’s still early, but could this be a sign that BTC is stabilizing and that some investors are starting to step back in?

BlackRock sparks questions about Bitcoin’s recovery Rarely are market moves purely “coincidental.”

Take the October crash – Bitcoin’s price dropped by 30%, driven in part by theories around Strategy’s potential exclusion from the MSCI index. That sparked full-blown panic, leading to widespread capitulation across risk assets.

Fast forward to now, and the crash is being viewed through a similar lens. In that context, the $200 million inflows into IBIT and Bitcoin’s Coinbase Premium Index (CPI) jumping 65% in under a week is anything but a fluke. 

Source: CryptoQuant

Put simply, institutional investors may be stepping back in. A few days ago, the forced unwind triggered a major risk-off move. The CPI hit a monthly low, IBIT saw massive outflows, and Bitcoin broke below the $80k support level. 

Now, the reversal in these metrics could allude to a potential bullish shift. 

According to AMBCrypto, the market may be stabilizing, with institutions possibly setting the stage for a BTC bottom. In light of this, monitoring these indicators closely is key to seeing whether the crash is truly behind us or not. 

Final Thoughts BlackRock’s IBIT ETF and other large players amplified volatility, with 05 February seeing record trading due to forced unwinds. Recent inflows into IBIT and a 65% jump in Bitcoin’s Coinbase Premium Index suggested institutions may be stepping back in.

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

Bitcoin's pullback is drawing institutional attention as Fidelity flags a key price zone, framing the move as part of a broader cycle shaped by Federal Reserve politics and shifting flows between digital assets and gold.

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Crypto expert Cypress has highlighted developments that XRP holders should be paying attention to. The expert alluded to Ripple’s roadmap for institutional DeFi on the XRP Ledger (XRPL), with the firm noting that XRP is at the core of all these plans. 

Developments XRP Holders Should Focus On In an X post, Cypress stated that every holder should pay attention to the developments Ripple outlined in its institutional DeFi roadmap. The expert highlighted features such as native on-chain privacy, permissioned markets, and institutional lending, which are set to live in the coming months on the XRP Ledger (XRPL). 

Ripple noted that with these features, the XRP Ledger isn’t just positioning itself as a chain for tokenization but as an end-to-end operating system for real-world finance. Meanwhile, Cypress highlighted Ripple’s statement about how the indirect impact that they can focus attention on is through how XRP is used in base-layer operations. 

These operations include reserve requirements, transaction fees, which result in burning XRP, and bridging currency in FX and lending flows. Ripple also mentioned that each feature, both the ones that are already and the upcoming ones, is not a silo but a building block for “composable financial ecosystems,” which is tied together by XRP. 

Ripple declared that institutional DeFi is no longer theoretical as the XRPL is delivering the infrastructure these institutions need with programmable lending, privacy-preserving collateral, and regulated token markets. 

The firm added that XRP sits at the center of that infrastructure as a transactional asset and also as a utility-rich protocol token that connects the pieces together. Ripple added how stablecoin FX, tokenized treasuries, on-chain loans, and smart escrows all depend on XRP’s functionality. 

Ripple’s Roadmap Boosts Market Sentiment Towards XRP Ripple’s institutional roadmap appears to have boosted market sentiment towards XRP, with the token one of the top gainers among the top cryptos by market cap. Specifically, this may have contributed to the spike in whale transactions during the recent dip, with 1,389 whale transactions of $100,000 or more, which is the highest in four months, according to Santiment. 

Furthermore, the number of unique addresses on the XRPL has surged to 78,727 in just one 8-hour candle, which is the highest in six months. This suggests a bullish sentiment not just among whales but also among retail investors. 

Meanwhile, Santiment noted that the increase in whale accumulation and spike in unique addresses are both major signals of a price reversal for any asset. As such, there is the possibility that the drop to $1.15 may have marked the bottom for XRP. 

At the time of writing, the XRP price is trading at around $1.47, up 15% in the last 24 hours, according to data from CoinMarketCap.

XRP trading at $1.41 on the 1D chart | Source: XRPUSDT on Tradingview.com Featured image from Getty Images, chart from Tradingview.com

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Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson has revealed that he is currently facing more than $3 billion in unrealized losses as the cryptocurrency market experiences a sharp downturn. Speaking during a live broadcast from Tokyo, Hoskinson addressed growing concerns around falling crypto prices, forced liquidations, and market volatility, while offering a rare look into how deeply crypto founders themselves are affected by bearish conditions.

The broader crypto market has seen significant losses in recent weeks. Bitcoin dropped to nearly $60,000, marking a decline of about 16%, while the CoinDesk 20 index fell roughly 17%. Cardano’s native token ADA also declined, dropping approximately 15.6% over the same period. Against this backdrop, Hoskinson emphasized that he shared his personal financial losses to counter the perception that crypto founders are shielded from the risks faced by everyday investors.

Hoskinson stated that he has lost more money than most people following the market, stressing that it would have been easy for him to exit his positions during more favorable conditions. Instead, he chose to stay committed to the long-term vision of blockchain technology and the Cardano ecosystem. He underscored that his focus remains on building sustainable infrastructure rather than reacting to short-term price movements or market sentiment.

During the broadcast, Hoskinson framed the current crypto selloff as part of a broader transition as global financial systems adapt to emerging technologies. He reiterated that market cycles are normal and should not be mistaken for failure or collapse. According to him, steady progress, even during difficult periods, represents meaningful forward movement.

He also highlighted ongoing development within the Cardano ecosystem, pointing to projects such as Starstream and Midnight, which aim to support data integrity and privacy-focused applications. Hoskinson made it clear that he has no intention of selling his holdings or stepping away from the industry, describing his involvement in crypto as a lifelong commitment.

By sharing his perspective, Hoskinson reinforced the idea that long-term innovation, resilience, and ethical decision-making matter more than short-term gains, even during one of the most challenging periods in the crypto market.

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Bitcoin entered February trading near the $80,000 level, but market sentiment at the time was deeply divided. Large holders, often referred to as whales, were cautiously increasing exposure, while retail investors were largely exiting positions amid growing uncertainty. That hesitation quickly gave way to panic. By Feb. 5, bitcoin had plunged to around $60,000, marking one of the sharpest short-term declines in recent history and triggering what is now considered a major capitulation event.

However, market behavior has shifted notably in the days following the sell-off. On-chain data suggests that investors across nearly all wallet sizes are now transitioning from fear-driven selling to coordinated accumulation, as many begin to view current price levels as an attractive entry point. This evolving dynamic points to a potential reset in market sentiment after a drawdown of more than 50% from bitcoin’s October all-time high.

Glassnode’s Accumulation Trend Score by cohort provides key insight into this transition. The metric evaluates accumulation intensity across different wallet sizes by accounting for both the size of entities and the amount of bitcoin accumulated over the last 15 days. Scores closer to 1 indicate accumulation, while values near 0 suggest distribution. On an aggregate basis, the score has climbed to 0.68, moving decisively above the neutral 0.5 threshold.

This marks the first instance of broad-based accumulation since late November, a period that previously aligned with bitcoin establishing a local bottom near $80,000. The data implies that investors may once again be positioning for a potential recovery rather than bracing for further downside.

Among all cohorts, wallets holding between 10 and 100 BTC have emerged as the most aggressive dip buyers, particularly as prices approached the $60,000 range. This behavior is often viewed as a bullish signal, as mid-sized holders tend to be more strategic and less reactive than smaller retail participants.

While it remains unclear whether bitcoin has definitively reached its market bottom, the resurgence of synchronized accumulation strongly suggests renewed confidence. Investors appear to be recalibrating expectations and identifying value after one of the most intense sell-offs in bitcoin’s history, setting the stage for the next phase of market evolution.

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Bitcoin staged a sharp rebound above $70,000 after briefly plunging to the $60,000 range, but market sentiment remains fragile as analysts debate whether the bottom is in or if another Bitcoin crash could follow. Despite the strong price bounce, broader indicators suggest caution, with fear dominating crypto markets and large whale transactions adding potential selling pressure.

The Crypto Fear & Greed Index dropped to an extreme reading of 6, its lowest level since June 2022, signaling deep investor anxiety even as Bitcoin attempted to recover. Analysts note that such extreme fear can sometimes precede relief rallies, but it can also reflect unresolved downside risks. Technical analyst Ted pointed out that Bitcoin failed to firmly reclaim the $70,000 level, warning that a sustained move above this zone is needed to unlock another 8% to 10% upside. Without that confirmation, BTC could revisit recent lows near $60,000.

Trader James Wynn highlighted a rare historical pattern, noting that Bitcoin is on track for its fifth consecutive red monthly candle, something that has never occurred before. While he previously profited from short positions at higher levels, Wynn now says sentiment has flipped bullish near $68,000, even though broader market conditions remain unchanged. Meanwhile, Jeff Parker of ProCap linked the recent volatility to stress in traditional capital markets and Bitcoin ETF flows, echoing similar comments from BitMEX co-founder Arthur Hayes, who cited trading activity around BlackRock’s IBIT ETF.

From a technical perspective, Bitcoin’s structure remains bearish, with lower highs and lower lows persisting since the late-2025 peak near $100,000. Indicators such as RSI hovering near oversold levels and a deeply negative MACD suggest ongoing downside pressure, with a true trend reversal requiring strong bullish confirmation.

Adding to uncertainty, so-called “Trump insider” whale Garrett Jin moved 6,599 BTC, worth roughly $463 million, to Binance following a recent liquidation. Additional large Bitcoin transfers to exchanges have further fueled concerns about potential selling pressure, keeping traders cautious as Bitcoin searches for a sustainable direction.

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Tether, the issuer of the world’s largest stablecoin USDT, has frozen more than $500 million in digital assets connected to a major illegal gambling and money-laundering operation in Turkey. The action is being described as one of the largest single-asset freezes ever carried out in the cryptocurrency industry, underscoring the growing role of stablecoin issuers in global law enforcement efforts.

According to reports, the frozen funds are linked to assets controlled by Veysel Sahin, whom Turkish prosecutors accuse of running an extensive illegal betting network. The operation allegedly funneled large sums of money through digital assets to evade traditional financial oversight. Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino confirmed the company’s involvement, stating that the firm acted after receiving verified information from law enforcement authorities and complied with applicable legal requirements. He emphasized that Tether routinely works with agencies such as the U.S. Department of Justice and the FBI when requested.

This enforcement move highlights a notable shift in Tether’s public positioning. Once criticized for limited transparency and regulatory friction, the British Virgin Islands–incorporated company has increasingly portrayed itself as a cooperative partner to global regulators and police agencies. Earlier this year, Tether froze more than $180 million in USDT tied to criminal investigations, bringing the total value of frozen assets to over $3 billion since the company’s inception.

With a circulating supply exceeding $187 billion, USDT remains the primary liquidity backbone of the global cryptocurrency market. The stablecoin is used by hundreds of millions of users worldwide to transfer funds quickly between exchanges without relying on traditional banking systems. However, the scale and frequency of recent freezes have challenged the long-held perception of cryptocurrencies as fully censorship-resistant financial tools.

Beyond enforcement actions, Tether has been actively diversifying its reserves and expanding its business strategy. Over the past year, the company announced a $150 million investment in Gold.com and a $100 million strategic stake in Anchorage Digital, the first federally regulated digital asset bank in the United States. Following a reported $10 billion profit in 2025, Tether is also investing in sectors such as Bitcoin mining, decentralized communications, artificial intelligence, and sports, signaling its ambition to grow far beyond stablecoins while maintaining a central role in the crypto economy.

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Bitcoin mining in China saw its largest-ever decline, dropping 11.16% to a record low of 125.86 trillion, according to the Bitcoin network explorer Mempool’s report dated Saturday, February 7. 

To demonstrate the intense nature of the situation, Bitcoin developer Mononaut noted that this recent decline is the largest one-time reduction recorded since the country enacted a substantial ban five years ago. 

Moreover, reports from reliable sources noted that the drop ranked tenth among the largest percentage declines on record.

Analysts raise concerns about the mining difficulty status in China  Following the decline in China’s Bitcoin mining difficulty, analysts conducted research and discovered that the drop was attributed to about a 20% decrease in total hashrate over the last 30 days.

Regarding this finding, Luxor Technology Corporation, a premier full-stack Bitcoin mining services provider, released data showing that its Hashrate Index dropped by 11% last week, hitting a record low of 863 EH/s, compared to October’s all-time high above 1.1 ZH/s.

In attempts to explain the decline in hashrate, sources pointed to Bitcoin’s price decline as the main reason. Regarding this argument, they acknowledged that the price of the cryptocurrency has fallen by more than 45% from its all-time high of more than $126,000 in October.

To support this claim, data released on February 5 highlighted that Bitcoin’s price plummeted to a record low of around $60,000 before bouncing back to about $68,800 yesterday.

Higher Treasury yields, persistent ETF outflows, and a broad retreat from risk-on assets, such as stocks and commodities, fueled this sell-off. At this particular moment, SoSoValue, an AI-powered, Singapore-founded cryptocurrency research and investment platform, shared reports indicating that US spot bitcoin ETFs have emerged as net sellers this year.

Another reason for the drop in China’s Bitcoin mining difficulty is Winter Storm Fern, a major, wide-reaching severe weather event triggered by an Arctic air mass clashing with Gulf moisture. This weather event in late January forced miners across diverse regions of the United States to scale back their operations to help stabilize overloaded residential power grids.

At this point, the storm caused the shutdown of approximately 200 EH/s of power supply, prompting Foundry USA’s hash rate to decline to approximately 60%. 

As the situation worsened, Ben Harper, the Director of Derivatives at Luxor Technology, decided to weigh in on the topic of discussion. Harper stressed that hashprice, a metric that quantifies the expected daily revenue (in USD or BTC) a miner earns for a specific unit of hashrate, plummeted to unprecedented lows of $33.31 per petahash per second per day on February 2, and to an average daily low of $34.91/PH/s/day on February 1.

Meanwhile, it is worth noting that miners typically use a $40/PH/s/day benchmark to determine whether to maintain operational status.

The Bitcoin mining sector in China encounters several changes  Regarding the recent situation surrounding Bitcoin mining in China, reports dated February 2 indicated that only miners with the latest Antminer S23 series machines are currently generating substantial returns. With this discovery in mind, data from Antpool noted that older models such as the Whatsminer M6 series and Antminer S21 units are nearing, or have already reached, unprofitability.

In response to the recent decline in Bitcoin mining difficulty in China, reports revealed that the drop exceeded the approximately 7.5% seen in June last year. This decrease resulted from heatwave-related reductions in hashrate. Meanwhile, aside from the drop in June last year, analysts noted a similar case in early February 2025.

Generally, sources reported that the profitability outlook for Bitcoin mining in China is deteriorating rapidly. This came after reports from Checkonchain revealed that the average cost of mining one Bitcoin is approximately $87,000. On the other hand, spot prices are hovering near $69,000, roughly 20% below production costs.

Bitcoin remains materially undervalued as the crypto bear market nears its end, with strengthening fundamentals, rising institutional accumulation and macro pressures setting the stage for the next phase, according to Jan3 CEO Samson Mow.

Yield, risk, and cost structure vary widely between these Treasury ETFs -- find out what sets them apart for fixed income investors.

Schwab Long-Term U.S. Treasury ETF (NYSEMKT:SCHQ) stands out for its ultra-low expense ratio and gentler drawdowns compared to iShares 20 Year Treasury Bond ETF (NASDAQ:TLT), though both target long-dated U.S. government debt and deliver similar income profiles.

NYSEMKT: SCHQSchwab Strategic Trust - Schwab Long-Term U.s. Treasury ETF

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Both SCHQ and TLT aim to give investors exposure to the long end of the U.S. Treasury market, appealing to those seeking interest rate sensitivity or portfolio ballast. This comparison highlights where their approaches align and diverge on cost, performance, risk, and portfolio construction.

Snapshot (cost & size)MetricTLTSCHQIssuerISharesSchwabExpense ratio0.15%0.03%1-yr return (as of 2026-01-30)-1.4%-0.4%Dividend yield4.4%4.6%Beta2.340.52AUM$45.2 billion$902.5 millionBeta measures price volatility relative to the S&P 500; beta is calculated from five-year weekly returns. The 1-year return represents total return over the trailing 12 months.

SCHQ is substantially more affordable to own, with an expense ratio one-fifth that of TLT, and it pays a slightly higher yield. This cost advantage could appeal to long-term holders looking to maximize net returns.

Performance & risk comparisonMetricTLTSCHQMax drawdown (5 y)-43.70%-40.88%Growth of $1,000 over 5 years$573$599What's insideSCHQ tracks the long-term U.S. Treasury bond market with a portfolio of 98 holdings, making it somewhat more diversified than many of its peers. The fund is about 6.3 years old, with 100% of its securities in U.S. government bonds and agency bonds. The portfolio is 99% invested in bonds with just 0.5% in cash. There are no leverage, currency hedge, or ESG quirks to note, and the next ex-dividend date is Feb. 2, 2026.

TLT focuses exclusively on U.S. Treasury bonds with maturities greater than 20 years, holding 45 positions. Its top holdings are Treasury Bond Aug. 15, 2051, Treasury Bond Nov. 15, 2051, and Treasury Bond Aug. 15, 2053, representing a pure play on long-term government debt. Both funds avoid corporate or non-Treasury exposure, but TLT’s smaller number of holdings results in greater concentration in specific bond issues.

For more guidance on ETF investing, check out the complete guide at this link.

What this means for investorsAn investor who held these treasury ETFs over the last five years would currently be underwater. By several key measures, SCHQ looks like the better pick. It has a five-year history of better performance and lower volatility than TLT, achieved with a lower expense ratio and more diversified holdings.

Following two Federal Reserve rate cuts in the fourth quarter of 2026, interest rates could continue to decline. This implies higher demand for bonds, as investors look to lock in higher yields today.

SCHQ and TLT are both solid bond funds, but TLT’s focus on longer-duration bonds maturing in 20-plus years means it could be more sensitive to interest rate swings. By contrast, SCHQ focuses on bonds maturing in 10-plus years. While there are several things to like about SCHQ, TLT could outperform it if interest rates decline from here.

IonQ and D-Wave Quantum are great long-shot bets in this space.

The quantum computing space is full of companies that have millionaire-maker potential. The difficulty lies in sorting out ahead of time which ones are most likely to actually deliver on that potential. Developing this nascent technology remains a high-risk, high-potential-reward endeavor, and many companies pursuing it are likely to go bankrupt or be bought out before reaching a point where they can offer a commercially viable quantum computing product.

In my view, these two stocks could deliver incredible returns, but there is no guarantee that either will actually do so.

Image source: Getty Images.

1. IonQ IonQ (IONQ +15.18%) is my top pick in this space, at least among the pure plays. Among the leading challenges in quantum computing right now are error reduction and error mitigation. The qubits that sit at the heart of all of these machines are incredibly sensitive, and that leads to an unacceptably high level of errors in their results. An inaccurate computing solution is basically worthless, so every company in the quantum computing space is looking to develop systems that will drastically reduce their error rates and allow them to correct those that do occur.

IonQ is the current leader on that front, and by a fairly meaningful margin. It gained this advantage due in part to the particular approach it's taking to quantum computing. While IonQ's trapped ion qubits have given it an accuracy advantage, the processing speeds of this type of system are slower than those of more widely pursued types of quantum computers. This could become a weakness in the future. But I think IonQ has a great chance of bringing a viable commercial product to market, which makes it one of my top choices among quantum computing stocks right now.

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2. D-Wave Quantum D-Wave Quantum (QBTS +20.19%) is taking a different approach to quantum computing than most of its competitors. Instead of trying to develop a broad-purpose quantum computer, it has built its product around a technology called quantum annealing. Such machines are best suited for optimization problems, a category that happens to include some of the most natural use cases for quantum computers in general, including solving problems in generative artificial intelligence (AI), weather modeling, logistics networks, and statistics.

The niche approach may allow D-Wave to carve out a decent market opportunity for itself, as opposed to trying to compete with everyone else to make a general-purpose quantum computer. At the same time, even potential customers that have optimization problems to address may prefer the flexibility of a broad-use quantum computer. That could reduce D-Wave's prospects. 

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Both of these companies have the potential to deliver monster returns if their quantum computing solutions end up being popular options. At the same time, there's a decent chance that either one or both won't make it to the finish line. Numerous well-funded competitors are vying for supremacy in this emerging technology field, and resource availability could be a defining issue in determining which ones can reach their goals.

If the prospect of a stock going to $0 scares you, but you're bullish on quantum computing, you may want to consider instead buying a quantum computing ETF that gives you exposure to nearly every publicly traded business in the space. Although the returns from that sort of a diversified investment won't be as good as investing in either IonQ or D-Wave would be if those companies' efforts pan out, they could still be high if useful quantum computing systems are developed and become a significant part of the world's computing infrastructure.

Explore how sector focus and portfolio construction set these two dividend ETFs apart for income and growth-oriented investors.

The Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM +2.29%) and Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD +1.61%) charge the same low expense ratio, but VYM has outperformed on recent returns, while SCHD sports a higher dividend yield and a distinct sector focus.

Both funds aim to provide diversified access to U.S. companies with above-average dividends, but they go about it differently. This comparison looks at their cost, yield, performance, risk, portfolio construction, and other key details to help clarify which may appeal more depending on investment priorities.

Snapshot (cost & size)MetricVYMSCHDIssuerVanguardSchwabExpense ratio0.06%0.06%1-yr return (as of 2026-01-30)15.7%11.3%Dividend yield2.3%3.5%Beta0.760.74AUM$84.6 billion$78.4 billionBeta measures price volatility relative to the S&P 500; beta is calculated from five-year weekly returns. The 1-yr return represents total return over the trailing 12 months.

Both ETFs are equally affordable on fees, but SCHD stands out for its higher dividend payout, while VYM has delivered a stronger total return over the past year.

Performance & risk comparisonMetricVYMSCHDMax drawdown (5 y)-15.83%-16.86%Growth of $1,000 over 5 years$1,636$1,393What's insideSCHD tracks a focused basket of 101 U.S. dividend payers, with a tilt toward energy (19%), consumer defensive (18%), and healthcare (18%) sectors. Its largest positions, as of the latest data, are Lockheed Martin Corp. (LMT +2.28%) 4.90%, Texas Instrument Inc. (TXN 1.13%) 4.51%, and Chevron Corp. (CVX +1.03%) 4.25%. The fund has a 14.3-year track record and no notable structural quirks.

VYM takes a broader approach, holding 589 stocks and leaning more heavily into financial services (21%) and technology (18%), alongside healthcare (13%). Its top holdings include Broadcom Inc. (AVGO +7.22%) 7.58%, JPMorgan Chase & Co. (JPM +3.89%) 4.15%, and Exxon Mobil Corp. (XOM +2.18%) 2.41%. Both funds avoid leverage, currency hedges, or other overlays.

For more guidance on ETF investing, check out the full guide at this link.

What this means for investorsBoth the Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) are top-tier, low-cost exchange-traded funds designed to deliver passive income through dividend payouts. As a result, choosing between the pair comes down to a handful of differences.

SCHD offers a far greater dividend yield compared to VYM, but the latter delivered better returns recently because of its holdings in the technology sector. Tech stocks, such as Broadcom, saw spectacular gains over the last few years because of the rapidly-expanding artificial intelligence market.

VYM also boasts more diversified holdings than SCHD, which can help to reduce the impact of a downturn in any given set of stocks or sector.

However, the tech industry is volatile, and given SCHD’s higher yield, it could deliver superior returns compared to VYM over the long run. As a result, SCHD is good for investors who are looking for a robust dividend yield to provide passive income over the long term.

VYM can appeal to investors who want broad diversification and greater exposure to the hot field of AI in exchange for a lower dividend yield.

JPMorgan Chase is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. Robert Izquierdo has positions in Broadcom, JPMorgan Chase, and Texas Instruments. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Chevron, JPMorgan Chase, Texas Instruments, and Vanguard Whitehall Funds - Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF. The Motley Fool recommends Broadcom and Lockheed Martin. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Small-cap stocks and ETFs don't get as much spotlight as the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite.

Many Wall Street analysts still believe software businesses and investment theses are intact.

Artificial intelligence (AI) moves hard and fast. Since the launch of OpenAI's ChatGPT, investors have wondered just how many different jobs AI could displace and in which industries. With the release of Anthropic's Claude Cowork tool, which can autonomously execute tasks on a computer normally done by various software applications, Claude is now acting more like a teammate than a chatbot. All eyes are now on software -- which, not long ago, was considered one of the best sectors in the market.

Since Dec. 10, the iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ETF has fallen by over 22% (as of Feb. 3), officially putting software stocks in bear market territory. While the market is clearly worried, Wall Street analysts think the sell-off might be overdone and that some software stocks offer compelling opportunities.

Here are three software stocks with average price targets implying 47% to 63% upside, according to Wall Street analysts.

Image source: Getty Images.

Datadog: 61% upside The cloud monitoring and security software company Datadog (DDOG +4.65%) has seen its stock hammered since hitting nearly $200 per share in early November. It recently traded around $120.

The company offers a range of capabilities, including monitoring infrastructure such as servers, detecting threats and potential breaches, and tracking user interactions, all of which can help improve cloud performance. While it's easy to envision AI taking over some of these functions or leading to more competition, it's also quite likely that companies like Datadog will use AI to further automate their operations, create new capabilities, and open new lines of business.

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Companies like Datadog are keenly aware of the biggest problems their customers face and are highly innovative. D.A. Davidson analyst Gil Luria wrote in a recent research note, "Nothing about the software business model has actually changed." Wall Street estimates currently project the company to grow revenue by 20% in 2026.

Luria also said he believes these companies will capitalize on the AI boom. In November, Luria said in a research note that Datadog had announced a nine-figure annual deal with a large AI customer, which many perceived to be OpenAI.

Of the 33 Wall Street analysts who have issued research notes on the company, 30 have a buy rating, two have a hold rating, and one has a sell rating. The average price target now implies 61% upside, according to the market researcher TipRanks.

Snowflake: 63% upside Snowflake (SNOW +7.48%), another data-intensive business, went public in late 2020 and has previously been a market darling. The company stores immense amounts of data and enables businesses to analyze it in various ways, while also allowing them to share and store it securely. The platform can be used across different clouds, including Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, and Alphabet's Google Cloud.

Snowflake has struggled to convince investors that it has a prudent AI strategy. Furthermore, the company is not yet profitable, has disappointed investors with its recent guidance, and trades at a high valuation. So, if growth is not obvious and there is competition from the likes of AI, it's easy to see why investors could be worried.

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But CEO Sridhar Ramaswamy recently told Business Insider that the biggest mistake people are making when thinking about AI is that it is an all-or-nothing proposition. Rather, AI is likely to be more subtle and be used for certain circumstances, he said. Furthermore, Snowflake has struck partnerships with AI darlings like Palantir Technologies and recently completed a $200 million deal with OpenAI, so it seems like the big AI companies find many software companies to be useful.

Of the 33 Wall Street analysts who have issued research reports in the past three months, 30 have a buy rating on the stock, with three recommending a hold. The average price target implies nearly 63% upside, according to TipRanks.

Microsoft: 47% upside It feels odd to call Microsoft a software stock, given that it's expected to be one of the largest beneficiaries of the AI boom. But the stock is down over 23% in the past six months and has many software businesses under its umbrella, including its suite of office products, such as Excel and Word, all bundled on the Microsoft 365 platform.

The stock sold off immensely after Jan. 28, 2026, when the company reported second-quarter earnings for its fiscal 2026. The sell-off stemmed from lower-than-expected growth in Microsoft's all-important Azure cloud business, which accounts for much of the company's AI-related revenue right now. Investors have set a high bar for hyperscalers, given all of the capital expenditures Microsoft has allocated to AI infrastructure.

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Analysts at UBS noted that Microsoft 365 revenue growth has not sped up, despite the company announcing that its AI assistant, Copilot, has 15 million paid users. Copilot leverages AI to automate tasks within the 365 platform.

This goes to show that while software stocks are selling off on AI fears, the technology isn't necessarily replacing or even bolstering software in all cases. AI companies have also faced a myriad of concerns in recent months.

Many on Wall Street still see Microsoft as one way to gain exposure to AI, if not the top way. Of 35 Wall Street analysts who have issued research reports on the company in the past three months, 34 have a buy rating, and one has a hold rating. The average price target implies nearly 47% upside, according to TipRanks, which is a huge implied move for one of the largest companies by market cap.

Major indexes are only modestly off their highs, but many individual stocks are down 20% to 50%—a disconnect that's created fertile ground for selective ‘buy the dip' strategies.”

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Microsoft Stock Looks For Relief After Brutal Software Sector Sell-Off Hims & Hers Health (HIMS), facing an FDA crackdown, announced Saturday that it has stopped offering a new compounded copycat of oral Wegovy, the weight-loss pill made by Novo Nordisk (NVO). "Since launching the compounded semaglutide pill on our platform, we've had constructive conversations with stakeholders across the industry, " Hims & Hers wrote on the social site X. "As…

New York, New York--(Newsfile Corp. - February 7, 2026) - WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds all former stockholders of Smartsheet Inc. (NYSE: SMAR) in connection with the January 2025 sale (the "Merger" or "Buyout") of Smartsheet to affiliates of investment funds managed by affiliates of Blackstone Inc. (collectively "Blackstone"), investment funds managed by Vista Equity Partners Management, LLC ("Vista Equity Partners" or "Vista"), and Platinum Falcon B 2018 RSC Limited, an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, which participated as an indirect minority investor in Smartsheet ("Platinum Falcon," and together with Blackstone and Vista, the "Consortium"), of the important February 24, 2026 lead plaintiff deadline.

SO WHAT: If you are a former Smartsheet stockholder, you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement.

WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the Smartsheet class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=49166 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than February 24, 2026. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation.

WHY ROSEN LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources, or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually litigate securities class actions, but are merely middlemen that refer clients or partner with law firms that actually litigate the cases. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm has achieved, at that time, the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs' Bar. Many of the firm's attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers.

DETAILS OF THE CASE: The complaint alleges that in connection with Smartsheet's solicitation of stockholder approval of the Buyout, defendants issued and filed with the SEC a false and misleading Schedule 14A Proxy statement, as amended (the "Proxy"). Defendants used the Proxy to intentionally mischaracterize Smartsheet's financial success and performance during and in the context of Smartsheet's sales process. Specifically, defendants deliberately cast Smartsheet's quarterly earnings in a negative light in the Proxy, and emphasized a financial metric that it apparently made up just for the purposes of soliciting approval for the Buyout. Additionally, it was alleged that defendant Mark P. Mader failed to use reasonable care in the fulfillment of his disclosure duties.

To join the Smartsheet class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=49166 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] for information on the class action.

No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investor's ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff.

Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm, on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/.

Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

-------------------------------

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/283004

Source: The Rosen Law Firm PA

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The last time the chipmaker's forward P/E was this low was May 2025.

There are very few people willing to associate the word "cheap" with Nvidia's (NVDA +8.01%) stock, but that's exactly the right adjective. The last time the stock's forward price-to-earnings ratio was this low -- less than a year ago -- in the six months that followed, it racked up returns that nearly caused it to double.

Nothing has really changed in its growth rates since that last rise, so I think the stock could be positioned to do it again. At the very least, I expect it will dramatically outperform the market, making it a great buy.

Image source: Getty Images.

Nvidia's stock looks primed to rise In April 2025, the markets were shaken by President Donald Trump's tariff plans, as concerns soared that those taxes would crater the economy.

Trump backed down from some of his original proposed tariffs, but he left many in place and added others. Yet so far, the U.S. economy continues to churn ahead. The market moves a lot faster than the economy or sentiment, which is why it rapidly recovered from the lows it sank to during April and May.

During that trough, Nvidia's stock traded at about 24 times forward earnings. As the market recovered, the stock rocketed higher to more than 40 times forward earnings, delivering an impressive 81% return along the way.

NVDA PE Ratio (Forward) data by YCharts; PE = price to earnings.

However, tech stocks have pulled back from the highs that they established in late October to early November, and Nvidia is down around 10% or so from its peak. However, the stock now trades at 25 times forward earnings, which is just slightly more expensive than where it was after it plunged last spring. In my view, that discounted price is investors' ticket to huge returns, particularly considering that the AI computing market is still huge and growing.

Nvidia's AI accelerators remain the most popular  Nvidia makes graphics processing units (GPUs), and its products remain the top choices in AI computing, despite intensifying competition. Furthermore, all of the AI hyperscalers have announced record-setting capital expenditure plans for 2026, after previously setting records in 2024 and 2025.

The chip giant's management team believes that this trend will continue for years. It predicts that by 2030, global data center capex will reach $3 trillion to $4 trillion annually. If that turns out to be an accurate forecast, the GPU maker will be a huge beneficiary of that spending.

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This keeps the company's multiyear growth trajectory intact, making it a top stock to consider right now. For Nvidia's fiscal 2027 (which will end in January 2027), Wall Street analysts expect its revenue to increase by 52%, only a slight slowdown on a percentage basis from fiscal 2026's expected 63% growth. Other factors could allow it to outpace that predicted rate, such as greater-than-expected sales to China or a better-than-anticipated rollout of its new Rubin architecture.

Regardless, Nvidia is still the top way to play the AI spending spree because it's making money from the trend right now. The verdict is still out on whether generative AI will be as much of a game-changer as some pundits anticipate. But meanwhile, AI hyperscalers are going all-in on building out the infrastructure to support the technology, and they're buying all the Nvidia equipment they can get to do so.

This should result in incredible returns for Nvi shareholders over the next few years. Even if the stock doesn't double in 2026, I bet it will by 2027. It's rare to find a stock that can double over the course of just two years. Nvidia looks like a pretty safe bet to do so, as all it would take is for it to return to its normal valuation range.

Micron is looking like it might be the next AI hardware winner.

Thus far in the artificial intelligence (AI) boom, some of the biggest winners haven't been the developers of AI software but the hardware companies that produce the chips that AI needs to function.

Nvidia (NVDA +8.01%) is the prime example. Because of AI's demand for its graphics processing units (GPUs), it has become the most valuable company on the planet with a valuation of $4.2 trillion. It even briefly broke above $5 trillion late last year.

The company has already created an estimated 27,000 millionaires and likely stands to mint a few more. But it also begs the question of who's next?

And I believe I may have an answer for you.

Image source: Getty Images.

Thanks for the memories Based in Boise, Idaho, Micron Technology (MU +3.08%) primarily makes memory hardware, which includes random access memory (RAM) and dynamic random access memory (DRAM).

Computers rely on RAM chips to store and recall data. AI needs it for the same reason; it just needs a lot more than the 8-32 gigabytes or so most laptops do these days.

AI needs so much RAM, in fact, that tech hardware magazine Tom's Hardware projects that data centers will consume 70% of all memory chips made this year, creating a critical memory shortage.

The shortage has already caused the cost of memory for smartphones to grow 10%-15% in 2026. And Intel's CEO Lip-Bu Tan recently said the memory problem was likely to continue for at least the next two years.

There's going to be a lot of money to be made by producing memory over the second half of the 2020s. Micron has prepared for it by ending its consumer-market RAM production and breaking ground on a gigantic factory near Syracuse, New York.

Micron has already seen its share price jump over 300% over the past 12 months because of it. Despite that, it's still trading at a bargain valuation relative to its competitors.

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Memory money Micron has been on a growth tear lately. For the whole of its fiscal 2025 (ended Aug. 28, 2025) it brought in revenue of $37.4 billion, up 49% year over year. And for the full year it achieved a gross margin of 39%, an operating margin of 26%, and a net income margin of 22.8%.

And, as of the company's Q1 fiscal 2026 results (reported Dec. 17, 2025), that growth streak is set to continue through this year as well.

For the quarter, Micron recorded revenue of $13.6 billion, up 57% year over year. It grew its gross margin to 56.8%, its operating margin to 47%, and its net income margin to 40%.

But despite its growth and the company's 300% bull run, it still only trades at a forward price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 10.57. Its biggest competitor in terms of memory chips, Samsung, trades at a forward P/E ratio of 12.7. Nvidia, the biggest AI hardware producer, is trading at a forward P/E ratio of 24.34.

So, Micron appears to be one of the cheapest ways to play AI hardware. It's worth a look, and growth like it's demonstrating has serious millionaire-maker potential.

Anyone who held a $250,000 stake before the last year is already a millionaire, but I think Micron's growth streak is just getting started.

New York, New York--(Newsfile Corp. - February 7, 2026) - WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of common stock of Integer Holdings Corporation (NYSE: ITGR) between July 25, 2024 and October 22, 2025, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"), of the important February 9, 2026 lead plaintiff deadline.

SO WHAT: If you purchased Integer common stock during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement.

WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the Integer class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=49170 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than February 9, 2026. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation.

WHY ROSEN LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources, or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually litigate securities class actions, but are merely middlemen that refer clients or partner with law firms that actually litigate the cases. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm has achieved, at that time, the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs' Bar. Many of the firm's attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers.

DETAILS OF THE CASE: According to the lawsuit, defendants made materially false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) Integer materially overstated its competitive position within the growing electrophysiology ("EP") manufacturing market; (2) despite Integer's claims of strong visibility into customer demand, Integer was experiencing a sustained deterioration in sales relating to two of its EP devices; (3) in turn, Integer mischaracterized its EP devices as a long-term growth driver for its cardio and vascular ("C&V") segment; (4) as a result of the above, defendants' positive statements about Integer's business, and operations, and prospects were materially false and misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis at all relevant times. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages.

To join the Integer class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=49170 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] for information on the class action.

No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investor's ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff.

Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm, on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/.

Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

-------------------------------

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/283006

Source: The Rosen Law Firm PA

Ready to Announce with Confidence? Send us a message and a member of our TMX Newsfile team will contact you to discuss your needs.

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Chevron is the only major U.S. energy company in Venezuela, but don't get hung up on the headlines.

One of the historical headwinds for Chevron (CVX +1.03%) has been its exposure to Venezuela. The country's energy sector has been in decline for years, and the U.S. government has placed sanctions on the nation. When President Trump authorized the arrest of Nicolas Maduro, the geopolitical picture changed for Venezuela, the oil industry, and for Chevron. Here's what you need to consider.

Is this good news or bad news? Trump has said that the United States will "run" Venezuela, but that's not likely in the literal sense. The real play is probably going to be to assert control through economic means, noting that a number of oil carriers linked to Venezuela have been seized. If Venezuela wants to sell oil, it appears the U.S. government will have to approve the buyer.

Image source: Getty Images.

That said, Venezuela has large oil reserves, but its oil industry is very weak. It's no longer as important on the world stage as it once was. So the impact on the energy industry as a whole, at least at this stage, is likely to be modest. Trump is hoping to bring energy industry giants into Venezuela to resuscitate its energy sector. That could take years, noting that ExxonMobil (XOM +2.03%) has suggested it doesn't want to be involved just yet.

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Chevron, however, is already operating in the country. It isn't the most important part of the business and probably shouldn't be your primary focus as an investor. But Chevron does have an incentive to help and an opportunity to be an early beneficiary if things go well for the country's energy industry.

Notably, Chevron believes that it could increase its production in the country by as much as 50% over the next two years. If you're interested in the opportunity Chevron has in Venezuela, that's the most obvious yardstick to monitor.

Don't lose sight of the big picture In all, the political developments in Venezuela are exciting but not the most important thing on Chevron's plate. The company is much larger and more diverse than its operations in just one country. Still, Chevron is a good option if you want to get in early on the potential rebirth of Venezuela's oil industry.

However, Venezuela probably shouldn't be the only reason you buy any oil company. For example, even a rebounding energy sector in Venezuela wouldn't be enough to outweigh the impact of often volatile oil prices.

Ethereum is quietly setting up for a potentially decisive move as the Libra formation remains active on the weekly chart. While confirmation is still pending, the structure has not been invalidated, keeping the upside scenario firmly on the table. With key resistance levels overhead and momentum beginning to stabilize, ETH may be entering a critical phase where the next major directional move starts to take shape.

Weekly Libra Formation Keeps The Bullish Case Alive On the X platform, Kamile Uray highlighted that Ethereum is currently forming a Libra pattern on the weekly chart. With the weekly candle yet to close and no invalidation so far, the bullish formation remains active and continues to be a valid scenario.

According to the update, confirmation of a reversal would open the door for a move toward the $4,956 high, but the price may face notable resistance along the way, particularly around the $3,445 level. Kamile Uray noted that a daily close above $2,475 would serve as the first technical signal that upside momentum is strengthening and that the recovery could continue. Failure to sustain movement above this area could delay further progress and keep the price vulnerable to pullbacks.

ETH forming a Libra pattern | Source: Chart from Kamile Uray on X Since the Libra formation is developing on the weekly timeframe, the pattern would only be considered invalid if Ethereum breaks below the $1,388 low, underscoring the broader, long-term nature of the setup.

Ethereum Stretches Higher At $2,086 After A Sharp 22% Run According to Can Özsüer, Ethereum is currently trading around $2,086, marking a strong rally from the $1,730 area. From that level to the current price, ETH has surged roughly 22% without a meaningful correction, which increases the likelihood of short-term profit-taking. After such a sharp move, light selling pressure typically emerges as the market cools off.

Can Özsüer notes that any selling from this region is expected to remain controlled rather than aggressive. The ideal pullback zone lies between $1,950 and $2,000, where the price could reset without damaging the broader bullish structure. A dip into this range would be considered healthy and could set the stage for the next leg higher.

Once that corrective move plays out, the next upside objective comes in around the $2,200 level. However, if price pushes straight toward the target without offering a pullback, the strategy would need adjustment. In that scenario, chasing a long position becomes less attractive, as a stronger selling wave could follow once the target is reached. If a correction does materialize, Can Özsüer suggests that a long position on the pullback would be the preferred approach.

ETH trading at $2,013 on the 1D chart | Source: ETHUSDT on Tradingview.com Featured image from Pixabay, chart from Tradingview.com

Bitcoin has recorded what analysts describe as the largest long-term supply release in its history, coinciding with a sharp rise in leverage across derivatives markets, which complicates BTC’s near-term outlook.

Data tracking Bitcoin futures on Binance indicates that the Estimated Leverage Ratio rose to approximately 0.184 as the price hovered near $90,000. This figure is the highest reading since last November and confirms a decisive return of risk appetite after a prolonged phase of caution.

Historically, elevated leverage has come with periods of price expansion, as liquidity concentrates in futures markets and amplifies directional moves. However, this environment also increases fragility.

When leverage builds rapidly, the market becomes more sensitive to sudden swings, as forced liquidations can accelerate both rallies and drawdowns. In practical terms, any decisive move in either direction now carries a higher probability of being magnified.

The leverage resurgence is accompanied by a notable release of long-held Bitcoin supply into the market. Long-term holders distributing coins at this scale introduce overhead supply that must be absorbed before a sustained advance can develop. When combined with heightened leverage, this creates a delicate balance.

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If demand strengthens and price holds steady, leveraged positions can act as fuel for continuation. But if momentum falters, the same leverage can trigger a cascade of deleveraging events.

This shift should not be viewed as a purely bearish signal. Instead, it reflects a transition from defensive positioning toward renewed confidence, albeit one accompanied by increased short-term volatility. Consolidation without sharp breakdowns would allow the market to digest the released supply while maintaining constructive structure.

At the time of writing, Bitcoin is trading near $69,387, down 3.02% over the past 24 hours and extending a 11.5% weekly decline, as market consensus remains divided.

Some technical analysts continue to target a potential move toward $110,000, while on-chain metrics highlight heavy resistance clustered around the $98,400 realized price for short-term holders.

A sustained break above that level would signal that demand has regained control. But until then, Bitcoin will be caught between leverage-fueled optimism and the weight of newly active long-term supply.

Trusted Editorial content, reviewed by leading industry experts and seasoned editors. Ad Disclosure

For decades, SWIFT has served as the backbone of global payments, enabling banks to message one another across borders but not to settle value in real time. As global commerce becomes faster, more digital, and more interconnected, the limitations of legacy messaging-based systems are becoming increasingly visible. This has brought renewed attention to XRP and Ripple’s payment infrastructure that aims to enable near-instant, low-cost settlement of value.

From Bank Messaging To Real-Time Settlement Rails A massive 1.5 quadrillion financial shift is quietly unfolding, and it’s already shaking the foundations of global banking. Crypto analyst Archie has mentioned on X that SWIFT, the decades-old backbone of cross-border payments, is copying Ripple’s playbook for a real-time transfer system and testing the XRP Ledger integration that could flip the script on slow, outdated cross-border payments.

Meanwhile, analysts are suggesting that if XRP captures even a fraction of SWIFT’s estimated $150 trillion annual flow by 2030, the upside could be enormous, while some stated that the altcoin might surge to $3,000+. With Ripple’s RLUSD stablecoin integrating directly into core banking and treasury platforms, the bridge between crypto rails and fiat liquidity is rapidly taking shape.

Currently, there’s a speculation that XRP is being reviewed as a full SWIFT replacement in the US document, and trillions are flowing into the XRP Ledger. Meanwhile, banks like Citi are tokenizing, and Ripple technology is capable of leading the charge. Archie believes that Citi is already somewhere running on Ripple technology.

How The Last Major XRP Breakout Took Shape A side-by-side comparison chart of XRP’s historical and current market cycles suggests that history may be rhyming once again. Analyst Archie has also pointed out that in the 2016 to 2018 cycle, the price started trading at a low level around $0.003, gradually building along a rising trendline, then dipping in the orange box, before the price exploded to highs near $3.50.

During that period, the Relative Strength Index (RSI) formed a clear low around the 50 level, signaling a momentum reset rather than a breakdown. The current 2025 to 2027 cycle is showing a structurally similar pattern. XRP is consolidating around the dollar mark, following a similar trend line, with a dip marked in an orange box to $0.70, and the formed bottom closer to the 40 mark. 

Source: Chart from Archie on X Archie noted that the patterns in price action, the dips, and the indicator signals across cycles are repeating almost identically. While history never repeats perfectly, these recurring fractal patterns suggest that XRP may be priming for an epic bull run phase, from fractions to dollars, now potentially from dollars to triple digits, like the projected $117 range. Archie is bullish because the riddlers were right all along, and believes Phoenix will rise.

XRP trading at $1.40 on the 1D chart | Source: XRPUSDT on Tradingview.com Featured image from Getty Images, chart from Tradingview.com

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Godspower Owie is my name, and I work for the news platforms NewsBTC and Bitcoinist. I sometimes like to think of myself as an explorer since I enjoy exploring new places, learning new things, especially valuable ones, and meeting new people who have an impact on my life, no matter how small. I value my family, friends, career, and time. Really, those are most likely the most significant aspects of every person's existence. Not illusions, but dreams are what I pursue.

Published: Feb 07, 2026 at 22:03

While Bitcoin struggles with macroeconomic shock, Ethereum is doubling down on its technical evolution.

The "Glamsterdam" upgrade, scheduled for the first half of 2026, has entered its final testing phase. This hard fork is designed to be the "Great Decoupling" event.

By introducing Enshrined Proposer-Builder Separation (ePBS) and Block-Level Access Lists (EIP-7928), Ethereum aims to transition from a single-lane ledger into a parallel-processing powerhouse capable of 10,000+ transactions per second (TPS) on its base layer.

The strategic goal of Glamsterdam is to capture the burgeoning "Agentic Economy" — a world where AI agents perform millions of micro-transactions that Bitcoin’s architecture simply cannot handle. By raising the gas limit to 200 million and lowering the hardware requirements for nodes, Ethereum is positioning itself as the "Operating System" of the internet, distinct from Bitcoin’s "Digital Gold" narrative.

Market observers believe that if Glamsterdam successfully reduces mainnet congestion and stabilizes gas fees, ETH could finally break its price correlation with BTC.

Investors are already looking toward the end of Q1 2026 for a potential "pre-fork" rally, similar to the run-up seen before the 2024 Dencun upgrade.

Disclaimer. This analysis and forecast are the personal opinions of the author. The data provided is collected by the author and is not sponsored by any company or token developer. This is not a recommendation to buy or sell cryptocurrency and should not be viewed as an endorsement by Coinidol.com. Readers should do their research before investing in funds.

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