Market Signal Briefing

Amin Ayan

Crypto Journalist

Amin Ayan

Part of the Team Since

Apr 2025

About Author

Amin Ayan is a crypto journalist with over four years of experience in the industry. He has contributed to leading publications such as Cryptonews, Investing.com, 99Bitcoins, and 24/7 Wall St. He has...

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Solana Mobile has launched an airdrop of its native token, SKR, opening claims to users of its Seeker smartphone and select developers active in its decentralized app ecosystem.

Key Takeaways:

Solana Mobile launched a 90-day SKR airdrop for Seeker phone users and early dApp developers. SKR underpins governance and incentives, with 30% of its 10 billion supply allocated at launch. The airdrop coincides with Seeker’s Season 2 expansion across DeFi, gaming, and payments. In a statement released Tuesday, Solana Mobile said the airdrop reflects its broader vision of user ownership in mobile platforms.

“Seeker and SKR are a bet that there’s another way for mobile: that the people who use the network should own the network,” the company said, adding that more than 100,000 users are eligible to claim tokens.

Solana Mobile Opens 90-Day SKR Airdrop Claims for Seeker UsersOwners of the Seeker phone can claim their allocation directly through the device’s built-in wallet.

The claim window is set at 90 days, after which any unclaimed tokens will be returned to the airdrop pool, according to the announcement.

Eligibility also extends beyond hardware users. Developers who launched what Solana Mobile described as “quality apps” on the Solana dApp Store during Season 1 are included in the distribution, underscoring the company’s push to reward early ecosystem contributors.

SKR is positioned as the core asset underpinning governance, incentives, and economic activity across the Solana Mobile ecosystem.

Got your SKR? Put it to work.

Stake on Seeker:
1. Open Seed Vault Wallet
2. Go to SKR Staking
3. Choose your amount
4. Stake to earn SKR rewards

Inflation events every 48 hrs.

Stake on web: https://t.co/We5Qoveogu

Program ID: SKRskrmtL83pcL4YqLWt6iPefDqwXQWHSw9S9vz94BZ pic.twitter.com/OZFUqbOVnp

— Seeker | Solana Mobile (@solanamobile) January 21, 2026 The token has a fixed supply of 10 billion units, with 30% allocated to airdrops and unlocks at launch.

Solana Mobile said this structure is intended to prioritize early participation while maintaining long-term issuance controls.

Airdrop recipients are being encouraged to stake their SKR tokens. According to the project’s documentation, inflation events occur every 48 hours under a linear schedule that starts with 10% annual inflation.

That rate is designed to decline by 25% each year until it reaches 2%, at which point inflation will remain constant.

The token launch coincides with the rollout of Seeker’s Season 2 campaign, which introduces new apps, rewards, and early-access programs.

Focus areas include decentralized finance, gaming, payments, trading, and decentralized physical infrastructure networks (DePIN).

Solana Mobile’s Seeker Phone Builds on SagaSeeker is an Android-based smartphone and the successor to Solana Mobile’s first device, Saga.

It comes preloaded with blockchain-focused features, including Seed Vault hardware-backed key storage and a native Solana dApp Store.

In August, Solana Mobile said it had received roughly 150,000 preorders for Seeker, with shipments planned across more than 50 countries.

The Solana Seeker includes a Genesis NFT providing owners access to future airdrops, exclusive content, and reward programs, with particular focus on the planned native ecosystem token, SKR.

SKR represents the native ecosystem token for Solana mobile devices, operating on Solana’s layer-1 blockchain and expected to be “airdropped directly to builders and users for ecosystem participation.”

According to CoinGecko data, SKR was trading at $0.01062 at the time of publication, up 54% over the past 24 hours.

Crypto markets have wiped out all gains this year as Bitcoin fell hard on trade war escalation fears and turmoil in the Japanese bond market. 

Total market capitalization is down 4% on the day as markets have shed more than $200 billion since the weekend. Bitcoin has led the losses, falling briefly below $88,000 during early trading in Asia on Wednesday morning, but it appears America is leading the sell-off.

BTC has now lost 10% in just seven days as it falls back to support levels. However, zooming out shows that it remains within a two-month range-bound channel and continues to consolidate.

Major volatility was predicted for Tuesday following a public holiday in the US on Monday, as markets digest President Trump’s latest round of tariff threats on Europe.

“The cryptocurrency market crashed on January 21, primarily due to broad risk-off sentiment from President Trump’s renewed 10–25% tariff threats on European/NATO countries over the Greenland dispute, amplified by a sharp Japanese government bond sell-off,” said Andri Fauzan Adziima, research lead at Bitrue.

Tariffs, Japanese Bonds, and Geopolitics Trump’s trade war is not the only thing impacting crypto markets today.

“Much of today’s market upheaval stems from Japan,” said Head of Investment Strategy at SoFi, Liz Thomas.

Head of Commodity Strategy at Saxo Bank, Ole Hansen, explained that “The relentless surge in long-dated JGB [Japanese government bond] yields signals that one of the world’s most reliable liquidity backstops is fading, with consequences that extend well beyond Tokyo.”

Pressure on global liquidity impacts risk-on assets such as crypto and tech stocks first, while safe-haven assets such as gold and commodities benefit.

MF Fund founder Michaël van de Poppe said if gold continues to gain, there’s “max panic taking place on the markets, as people run into risk-off assets.”

You may also like: Bitcoin’s Fear and Greed Index Experiences a Golden Cross in 30 Days Wintermute Calls End of Four-Year Crypto Cycle, Flags 2026 Triggers Why is the Bitcoin Price Down Today (January 20th, 2026) #Bitcoin vs. Gold is breaking down.

The current valuation of #Bitcoin hasn’t been this low vs. Gold ever before.

It’s similar to the periods of 2022 and 2018, the bottoming periods of those times.

Gold keeps accelerating upwards, the more it goes vertical, the faster we get… pic.twitter.com/GpnlFzC8M8

— Michaël van de Poppe (@CryptoMichNL) January 20, 2026

Elsewhere on Crypto Markets The broader crypto market is a bloodbath today, with Ether dumping 7% in a fall below $3,000 again, hitting $2,925 and returning to December lows.

There were also substantial losses for Binance Coin, Monero, and Hyperliquid, but most altcoins were down 3-4% on the day. Canton (CC) was bucking the trend with a 12% gain on the day.

Total market cap had fallen to the lower bounds of its sideways channel at $3.08 trillion at the time of writing. It needs to hold key support here to avoid falling into a full bear market and prolonged crypto winter.

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Bitcoin treasury company Strategy has unveiled a new $2.13 billion BTC acquisition, its largest spend since July 2025’s $2.46 billion purchase.

Strategy Has Expanded Its Bitcoin Reserves By 22,305 BTC As announced by Strategy co-founder and chairman Michael Saylor in an X post, the company has completed another Bitcoin acquisition, this one involving 22,305 BTC.

According to the filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the purchase occurred in the period between January 12th and 19th, and cost Strategy $95,284 per token or $2.13 billion in total. The firm sold shares of its STRK, STRC, and MSTR at-the-market (ATM) stock offerings to fund the buy.

Usually, Strategy reveals new acquisitions on Mondays, but this time the announcement has come on a Tuesday. The routine Sunday Saylor post foreshadowing the buy, however, did come on time.

This time, the Strategy chairman made the post with the caption “₿igger Orange.” Many in the community speculated that the caption was a hint at the next purchase from the company being bigger than the last, which already involved a significant sum of 13,627 BTC.

And indeed, not only has the buy been larger, it has in fact been the largest Bitcoin acquisition made by the firm since November 2024 in terms of the number of tokens involved. The larger purchase in that month expanded Strategy’s treasury by a whopping 55,500 BTC.

When considering the USD value, though, the latest acquisition falls short of a purchase from late July 2025, costing the company about $2.46 billion. BTC was trading at a higher value back then, so the larger USD sum got the company a lower amount of coins (21,021 BTC).

Following the latest purchase, Saylor’s firm has crossed the 700,000 BTC milestone, as its holdings have now risen to 709,715 BTC. Strategy spent a total of $53.92 billion on this stack and its current value stands at $63.55 billion, putting it in a profit of nearly 18%.

As Strategy continues to accumulate, it’s solidifying its already dominant position as by far the largest corporate holder of Bitcoin, as rankings from BitcoinTreasuries.net indicate.

Looks like Strategy is the only company among these that has purchased recently | Source: BitcoinTreasuries.net Strategy’s closest digital asset treasury competitor isn’t a Bitcoin company, but rather an Ethereum one: Bitmine. Originally a mining-focused firm, Bitmine adopted an ETH treasury strategy in mid-2025 and has quickly established itself in the space, becoming the number one corporate holder of Ethereum and number two in overall rankings behind Strategy.

According to a Tuesday press release, Bitmine has also added to its reserves over the past week, purchasing 35,268 ETH. This has taken the company’s total holdings to 4,203,036 ETH, equivalent to nearly 3.5% of the cryptocurrency’s entire circulating supply.

BTC Price Bitcoin has been showing bearish momentum recently as its price has declined to the $89,300 level.

The price of the coin seems to have plunged over the last few days | Source: BTCUSDT on TradingView Featured image from Dall-E, chart from TradingView.com

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Trove Markets’ new token collapsed almost immediately after trading began, wiping out the vast majority of early gains and leaving many backers angry and confused. The drop was brutal. Traders who bought early watched their holdings shrink by about 95% in a matter of hours.

Token Price Plunges After Launch Initial prices implied a market value near $20 million. Based on reports, the token fell to roughly $0.0008 per unit, trimming the market cap to below $1–2 million.

Some wallets unloaded huge chunks of coins right after the token generation event. That selling pressure coincided with a flood of posts on social platforms calling the launch a rug pull.

Trove Had Raised Millions Before The Fall According to reports, the project raised roughly $11.5 million in its public sale. The Trove team announced it would keep about $9.4 million to fund further work and pay for a switch of blockchains.

Total crypto market cap currently at $3.05 trillion, Chart: TradingView Refunds totaling about $2.44 million were returned to some investors, and another $100,000 was earmarked for additional reimbursements. The numbers left many buyers feeling shortchanged and asking why a large share of the money stayed with the team.

Team Keeps Majority Of Funds On-chain analysts and tracing tools flagged unusual transfers tied to a handful of new accounts. Reports note that a meaningful slice of the token supply moved into one cluster of wallets, and some transfers were routed through services like ChangeHero.

That activity raised questions about whether all token allocations were handled openly. Legal calls and demands for public audits followed soon after.

Investors reacted quickly. Some demanded full refunds. Others threatened legal steps. Community moderators and influencers amplified complaints and demanded clear timelines for fixes.

We’re pivoting Trove to Solana.

After recent sentiment around Trove, the liquidity partner that had been supporting our Hyperliquid path chose to unwind their 500k $HYPE position. That was their decision and we fully respect it.

This changes our constraints: we’re no longer…

— unwise (@unwisecap) January 18, 2026

Trove posted updates, saying a partner had pulled out and that the pivot to Solana was necessary to keep the project alive.

The team promised to continue building and to be more open about their choices, while pledging to deliver a working platform that might justify holding the funds.

https://t.co/sc8b59sjYE

— TROVE (@TroveMarkets) January 19, 2026

Trust Hinges On Delivery And Transparency What happens next will matter more than the words now being exchanged. If the team can show tangible progress on the exchange and create real trading depth, some anger may fade.

If not, the episode could be used as a warning: token sales that change terms late in the process can trigger swift market punishment and reputational damage. Regulatory scrutiny could also increase if large sums are held after a collapse like this.

Featured image from Unsplash, chart from TradingView

Zcash (ZEC) price has extended its corrective phase after dropping more than 12% over the past week. The move has pushed the price back into a higher-risk zone, and hence what looks like a routine pullback may transform into a clearer bearish continuation.

8h15 ▪ 3 min read ▪ by Luc Jose A.

Summarize this article with:

After three years under the yoke of sellers, Ethereum finally sends an unexpected signal. The “net taker volume” turns green again for the first time since January 2023, revealing a possible trend reversal. This sudden change in trader behavior on futures contracts intrigues analysts. Should we see it as the beginnings of a bullish recovery for the second largest crypto in the market?

In brief A rarely observed indicator, net taker volume, turns positive again on Ethereum, a first since January 2023. This signal reflects aggressive buying pressure on derivative markets, after three years of seller domination. The imbalance reaches about 390 million dollars, suggesting renewed institutional interest in ETH. Ethereum price oscillates around a strategic control zone between $3,050 and $3,140, with critical support at $3,000. Buyers Take the Initiative on Derivative Markets On January 6, a rarely seen signal since 2021 emerged on Ethereum futures markets: net taker volume is positive again, showing an imbalance of about 390 million dollars, while Standard Chartered just revealed its shocking prophecy on this crypto network.

Such a value marks an unprecedented peak since January 2023. It indicates that buyers are taking the lead, after a long period where sellers dominated the market dynamics.

Here are the main elements that make this reversal notable :

Net taker volume measures the gap between market buy orders (aggressive) and sell orders, reflecting traders’ directional appetite on derivatives ; Since 2021, Ethereum has evolved under prolonged seller dominance on these markets, making this behavior change particularly significant ; The magnitude of the observed imbalance, 390 million dollars, reflects a return of bullish conviction among some institutional players ; Previous net taker volume reversals have often been followed by periods of stabilization or prolonged recoveries of the ETH price. This development marks a break in operator behavior on derivative products, until now dominated by a cautious stance. Market attention now turns to Ethereum’s ability to confirm this momentum with sustained movements on the spot market.

A Strategic Positioning Around the $3,100 Control Zone Beyond the derived signal, other data enrich the technical analysis around Ethereum. The token price oscillates around a high activity zone located between $3,050 and $3,140, identified as the Value Area High on volume profile tools.

Indeed, this zone currently concentrates traders’ interest and represents a technical control threshold on which the market could build its next impulse. Defending the $3,000 support is also essential.

At the same time, liquidation data reveal a significant concentration of long positions around $3,100, with about $540 million of liquidity positioned.

On the other side, nearly $500 million are situated below the $3,000 support, indicating that the market is technically balanced between short-term bullish and bearish pressures. The current structure suggests that any sharp price movement could trigger liquidation cascades, amplifying volatility in both directions.

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Luc Jose A.

Diplômé de Sciences Po Toulouse et titulaire d'une certification consultant blockchain délivrée par Alyra, j'ai rejoint l'aventure Cointribune en 2019. Convaincu du potentiel de la blockchain pour transformer de nombreux secteurs de l'économie, j'ai pris l'engagement de sensibiliser et d'informer le grand public sur cet écosystème en constante évolution. Mon objectif est de permettre à chacun de mieux comprendre la blockchain et de saisir les opportunités qu'elle offre. Je m'efforce chaque jour de fournir une analyse objective de l'actualité, de décrypter les tendances du marché, de relayer les dernières innovations technologiques et de mettre en perspective les enjeux économiques et sociétaux de cette révolution en marche.

DISCLAIMER

The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this article belong solely to the author, and should not be taken as investment advice. Do your own research before taking any investment decisions.

Sei Development Foundation and Bhutan's DHI will deploy a Sei validator to boost national blockchain capacity.

BTC and major altcoins saw early signs of stabilization after macro-driven losses.

3 mins mins

Key Points:

Establishment of Strategic Bitcoin Reserve aims to hedge currency fluctuations.200,000 Bitcoins consolidated without taxpayer funds.Policy could influence global digital asset strategies. President Donald Trump initiated the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve on March 6, 2025, centralizing over 200,000 Bitcoin from government asset forfeitures to bolster national financial stability and strategic reserves.

This directive positions Bitcoin alongside gold in strategic national policy, potentially influencing global digital asset management while mitigating previous governmental selling impacts.

Bitcoin Reserve: A Shift from Sale to Retention President Donald Trump has solidified his administration’s commitment to cryptocurrency by establishing a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve. The Executive Order issued consolidates more than 200,000 BTC under the U.S. Treasury’s management as a national strategic asset, marking a shift from previous practices of auctioning such assets off.

This policy update transitions from governmental selling pressure to retention of Bitcoins acquired through asset forfeiture. It aims to leverage these holdings without imposing on taxpayers or the open market. This approach is budget-neutral, employing assets already seized instead of new acquisitions, providing a robust hedge against fiat currency fluctuations.

“It is the policy of the United States to establish a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve… Government BTC deposited into the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve shall not be sold and shall be maintained as reserve assets.” — Donald J. Trump, President of the United StatesResponses vary, with some industry analysts suggesting this move could inspire similar strategies in other countries. Congressman Nick Begich stated, “We’re interested in long-term, stable assets,” reinforcing the interest in holding these assets strategically. Such actions indicate a promising shift towards long-term stability in government-held digital assets.

U.S. Leads with 200,000 BTC Reserve Amidst Market Fluctuations Did you know? Countries like El Salvador have previously adopted strategies to incorporate Bitcoin into their national reserves, exploring innovative means to stabilize their economies amidst traditional currency fluctuations.

According to CoinMarketCap, as of January 21, 2026, Bitcoin’s price stands at $89,231.06 with a market cap of approximately $1.78 trillion. Over a 24-hour period, the trading volume reached $52.83 billion, while the price decreased by 2.01%. Bitcoin’s circulating supply is 19,978,700. Over 30 days, it experienced a slight increase of 0.14%.

Bitcoin(BTC), daily chart, screenshot on CoinMarketCap at 07:38 UTC on January 21, 2026. Source: CoinMarketCap The Coincu research team notes that the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve could bolster the U.S. economy against traditional market instability. By holding a significant reserve of Bitcoins, the policy could pave the way for similar strategic reserves in other sectors, potentially enhancing digital asset stability and integration into national financial frameworks.

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

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Key Takeaways Until recently, software was a leading industry group on Wall Street.Evidence is building that software is being disrupted by AI.The latest AI products allow companies to have cheaper and better software. In 2011, Marc Andreessen proclaimed in a blog that “software is eating the world.”  Like many of his bets and predictions, Marc Andreessen’s quote aged like a fine wine. Andreessen wrote: “Six decades into the computer revolution, four decades since the invention of the microprocessor, and two decades into the rise of modern internet, all the technology required to transform industries through software finally works and can be delivered at global scale.”  He added, “we believe that many of the prominent new internet companies are building real, high-growth, high-margin, highly defensible businesses.”  That’s exactly what would happen.

Over the past 15 years, the iShares Tech-Software ETF ((IGV - Free Report) ) ran from under $10 to ~$120 as investors gravitated to software stocks due to their lucrative, high-margin, defendable and predictable businesses.

Image Source: TradingView

Software Stocks Have Plummeted Recently

Despite the software industry’s robust long-term performance, the group’s performance has deteriorated dramatically over the past few months. Below are some of the software group’s biggest losers (sorted by drawdown from all-time highs):

·       UiPath ((PATH - Free Report) ): -84%

·       Paycom Software ((PAYC - Free Report) ): -73%

·       The Trade Desk ((TTD - Free Report) ): -70%

·       DocuSign ((DOCU - Free Report) ): -65%

AI is Disrupting Software The horrific performance in many former leading software stocks is no accident. With the advent of advanced AI tools, investors are increasingly concerned that AI will disrupt these once-lucrative businesses. In fact, there are plenty of signs that this is already occurring. The latest AI tools, like Anthropic’s “Claude Coworker”, help companies perform tasks much faster than legacy software companies and at a fraction of the cost.

Evidence that AI is Disrupting Software Disruptive AI tools are beginning to pressure software margins and pricing power. For instance, Docusign once enjoyed a return on equity (ROE) of 169%. Today, DOCU’s ROE has plummeted to 39% - an all-time low for the stock as a public company.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Meanwhile, Atlassian, a company that sells management and integration software, is experiencing sluggish growth. After growing EPS at a double-digit clip for the past three years, Zacks Consensus Estimates predict that the company will grow at just 7.59% in 2026.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

To make matters worse, many software companies are racing to implement AI features into their products, but for the most part, those efforts are not bearing fruit.

Not All Software Companies Are DoomedAlthough most software companies are being disrupted by AI, some, like Shopify ((SHOP - Free Report) ), are weathering the storm. Unlike many software companies, Shopify has adopted an all-hands-on-deck approach to AI adoption. For example, the company has unveiled a 24/7 AI-powered chatbot to help merchants and has partnered with OpenAI to allow users to purchase products straight from the wildly popular “ChatGPT” large language model.

Bottom Line

After a decade of growth and soaring stock prices, the software industry is being disrupted by AI. As AI tools get more complex and improve, software companies are becoming dispensable.

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

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

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Amazon CEO Andy Jassy says tariff-driven price hikes begining to show as vendors run out of stockpiled goods brought in pre-tariff. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid 2026-01-21T05:01:01.243Z

Amazon CEO Andy Jassy said tariff-driven price hikes are beginning to show. Vendors are running out of pre-tariff inventory and "don't have endless options," says Jassy. Jassy said in June 2025 that prices didn't "appreciably go up," but he is changing his tone now. Tariff price hikes are starting to show up in your Amazon shopping cart.

The CEO of Amazon, Andy Jassy, told CNBC in an interview with reporter Becky Quick at the World Economic Forum in Davos that vendors are running out of stockpiled goods imported ahead of Trump's tariffs, and that consumers will be "starting to see more of that impact."

"So you start to see some of the tariffs creep into some of the prices, some of the items," said Jassy, "And you see some sellers are deciding that they're passing on those higher costs to consumers in the form of higher prices, some are deciding that they'll absorb it to drive demand, and some are doing something in between."

Jassy also said that though the company is striving to "keep prices as low as possible," price hikes may sometimes be inevitable.

"At a certain point, because retail is, as you know, a mid-single digit operating margin business, if people's costs go up by 10%, there aren't a lot of places to absorb it," Jassy added. "You don't have endless options."

While Amazon's shopping business has its own products, it mainly serves as an ecommerce platform for other independent sellers, so it cannot control price hikes. Earlier in Trump's tariff push, a rumour that Amazon would start displaying exactly how much tariffs contributed to the cost of an item drew the president's ire. Amazon said it never made such plans.

In June 2025, Jassy told CNBC in an interview that many of Amazon's third-party selling partners "forward deployed a lot of inventory" to avoid "issues with the uncertainty around where tariffs are going to settle," adding that at that point, he did not see "prices appreciably go up."

The bulk of Trump's tariffs have been enacted under presidential emergency powers, including the 10% baseline levy on almost all imports. His right to impose such duties is being reviewed by the US Supreme Court after multiple small businesses filed lawsuits.

If SCOTUS rules these tariffs unconstitutional, Scott Bessent, the Secretary of the Treasury, said in a court document that the government could be on the hook to refund $1 trillion to businesses that paid. According to the Kiel Institute for the World Economy, a German think tank, 96% of the new revenue collected by the US Customs is being paid by American consumers, while foreign exporters only shouldered 4% of the burden.

Amazon did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Tariff Retail E-Commerce More Business Economy Donald Trump Supreme Court

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One important metric from Netflix's latest quarterly report highlights a key concern for investors.

Shares of TV specialist Netflix (NFLX 0.48%) sank in after-market hours on Tuesday when the company reported its fourth-quarter results. The quarterly results, in and of themselves, were great, featuring top-line year-over-year growth that accelerated and a widening of its operating margin. But shares slid anyway.

So why did shares fall about 5% after the company reported its latest quarterly results, adding to an already brutal sell-off recently?

There could be several factors that spooked investors. But one factor in particular looks like an especially good reason for investors to be concerned: management's guidance for significantly slower constant-currency revenue growth in 2026 compared to 2025. Management's guidance on this key metric implies a substantial step-down in Netflix's growth pace.

Image source: Netflix.

Netflix's fourth-quarter results: what is going right Overall, Netflix's fourth quarter was exceptional. Starting with its top line, Netflix's fourth-quarter revenue rose 17.6% year over year, accelerating from 17.2% growth in the third quarter of 2025. Furthermore, the company's operating margin of 24.5% marked an expansion from 22.2% in the fourth quarter of 2024. This powerful combination of strong double-digit revenue growth and significant operating margin expansion led to outsize earnings growth. Netflix's fourth-quarter earnings per share rose 30% year-over-year to 56 cents.

Additionally, the company's free cash flow looked great. Netflix's free cash flow for the fourth quarter of 2025 was about $1.9 billion, up from about $1.4 billion in the fourth quarter of 2024.

And then there's the streaming giant's 3-year-old advertising business. Netflix said its advertising revenue in 2025 was 2.5 times that in 2024, totaling $1.5 billion (more than 3% of total 2025 revenue).

Topping it all off, Netflix said that it crossed 325 million paid memberships, highlighting the company's massive reach.

Netflix's fourth-quarter results: what may have disappointed investors So why would investors be disappointed with results like this?

One thing that may be bugging some investors is the company's full-year revenue guidance. On the surface, Netflix's forecast for 12% to 14% year-over-year revenue growth in 2026 may not seem too disappointing. After all, this is exactly what Netflix forecast when it was headed into 2025.

But when you compare the company's initial 2025 revenue forecast on a currency-neutral basis to its 2026 forecast on the same basis, management is entering 2026 with a much more subdued outlook. When Netflix reported its fourth-quarter 2024 results last year, management guided for revenue on a constant-currency basis to increase 14% to 17% year over year. For 2026, however, management expects constant currency revenue growth of 11% to 13%.

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Given the stock's premium valuation, with a price-to-earnings ratio in the mid-30s, it makes sense that the growth stock would sell off following a forecast for meaningfully slower growth. Note that last year, Netflix's 2025 constant-currency revenue growth rate came in at 17% for the full year -- at the high end of management's initial guidance range for the year. If the company again delivers revenue at the high end of its constant-currency revenue growth forecast range, Netflix's 2026 revenue will grow by just 13%. This would be a substantial slowdown from 17% growth in 2025.

Ultimately, given Netflix's outlook for slower growth this year than last, I don't think this is the right time to buy shares in the streaming service company's stock. Sure, management expects a strong first quarter with revenue during the period rising 15.3% year over year. But growth could decelerate further in 2026, putting pressure on the stock given the high expectations baked into its valuation.

For now, I think the best move is to be patient. Perhaps investors will get a better entry point into the stock at some point later this year.

Harvest volumes Q4 2025 (1) Farming Norway 98.0 thousand tonnes   (FY: 332 thousand tonnes) Farming Scotland 12.5 thousand tonnes   (FY: 72 thousand tonnes) Farming Chile 26.5 thousand tonnes   (FY: 78 thousand tonnes) Farming Canada 6.5 thousand tonnes   (FY: 37 thousand tonnes) Farming Ireland 1.0 thousand tonnes   (FY: 11 thousand tonnes) Farming Faroes 3.5 thousand tonnes   (FY: 15 thousand tonnes) Farming Iceland (Arctic Fish) 4.0 thousand tonnes   (FY: 15 thousand tonnes) Total 152.0 thousand tonnes   (FY: 559 thousand tonnes) Full year harvest volumes were record-high 559 thousand tonnes in 2025 vs 502 thousand tonnes in 2024, equivalent to a growth of 11.4%. In connection with the presentation of the Q3 2025 results, Mowi guided a total harvest volume of 147k GWT for Q4 2025.

Evolution Mining Limited (CAHPF) Q2 2026 Earnings Call Transcript

The new CEO could enhance the company's returns on its massive cash position with a simple options strategy: cash-secured put sales.

WISeKey’s Subsidiary, WISeSat Joins Forces with Spacetalk to Operate a Neutral Platform Dedicated to Global Space Traffic Coordination
        

Davos, January 21, 2026 — WISeKey International Holding Ltd (“WISeKey”) (SIX: WIHN, NASDAQ: WKEY), a leading global cybersecurity, blockchain, and IoT company, today announces that its subsidiary, WISeSat.Space (“WISeSat”), an entity that focuses on space technology for secure satellite communication, specifically for IoT applications, and Spacetalk SA (“Spacetalk”), a company developing the world’s first neutral, transparent, and collaborative digital platform dedicated to global space traffic coordination, signed an MoU as 1st step for preparing a strategic partnership to operate an innovative and neutral platform dedicated to global space traffic coordination.

In response to the absence of a unified international framework and the exponential growth in the number of satellites and space actors, Spacetalk offers a transparent, collaborative, and non-discriminatory solution aimed at preventing collisions, avoiding conflicts, reducing space debris, ensuring equitable access to space, and preserving the freedom to observe the universe.

WISeSat complements this initiative by providing secure and trusted access to the Spacetalk platform through the use of personal digital identities issued via WISeKey’s WISeID services. These identities are delivered following a rigorous identity verification process (KYC – Know Your Customer), ensuring that only duly identified, authenticated, and authorized actors can access the platform. This approach enables space traffic operators and stakeholders to coordinate maneuvers and exchange critical information within a highly reliable, traceable, and sovereign environment.

Open to all global space actors, from civil, to institutional, commercial, and academic, the Spacetalk platform operated in partnership with WISeSat, aims to foster operational dialogue and secure information sharing in order to address the urgent and growing challenges of space traffic management (STM).

As the orbital environment becomes increasingly congested, driven by the rapid expansion of satellite constellations, accelerated accumulation of space debris, and lack of coordinated international regulation, management of orbital activities remains fragmented and largely dependent on national systems and ad hoc bilateral agreements. This lack of coordination elevates collision risks, drives up operational costs associated with avoidance maneuvers, and fuels misunderstandings among civil, commercial, and military space actors. Spacetalk addresses these challenges by providing a neutral and collaborative platform designed to establish continuous operational dialogue and facilitate the sharing of essential information among stakeholders, including between competing spacefaring nations.

During the pilot phase conducted in October 2025, institutional, industrial, and academic partners accessed the Spacetalk platform through a secure and personalized authentication process based on certified digital identities. Participants shared orbital data on space objects with other platform members in an environment designed to ensure confidentiality, traceability, and interoperability of exchanges. They also used Spacetalk’s advanced orbital data conversion tools, developed in collaboration with partners, to translate existing formats, particularly Two-Line Elements (TLE) and Orbital Ephemeris Messages (OEM), into a common format enabling cooperation across heterogeneous systems.

This testing phase also allowed users to access the platform’s inventory of space objects as well as its stakeholder directory, significantly improving space situational awareness and the understanding of the actor landscape. Interactions were further supported by a dedicated secure messaging system, providing a direct, targeted, and protected communication channel among members, independent of any national infrastructure.

Partners participating in the pilot represented the world’s major space regions: in Europe, the European Space Agency (ESA), Okapi Orbits, EPFL, and the Swiss Armed Forces and in Asia, Chinese entities such as Debris-X as well as Indian partners like OrbitArch. This geographical and institutional diversity highlights the ability of Spacetalk and WISeSat to bring together stakeholders with highly diverse profiles within a common framework for voluntary, neutral, and trust-based dialogue.

“After a very successful testing phase, we are extremely proud to launch Spacetalk with WISeSat and to open our platform to all global space traffic actors,” said Dr. Benjamin Guyot, Founder and CEO of Spacetalk. “Spacetalk is an accelerator of concrete solutions for space safety. Our voluntary and neutral approach enables immediate and pragmatic action, without waiting for an international political consensus.”

“The Spacetalk pilot demonstrated the value of trusted, interoperable data-sharing for operational space safety,” said Carlos Moreira, CEO of WISeKey. “By contributing WISeSat’s expertise and operational perspective, we are helping lay the foundation for practical, collaborative space traffic coordination at a global scale.”

About Spacetalk SA
Founded in 2023 in Lausanne, Switzerland, Spacetalk SA is a Swiss company developing the world’s first neutral, transparent, and collaborative digital platform dedicated to global space traffic coordination (www.spacetalk.ch). Created to address the critical lack of operational dialogue among the growing number of public and private actors operating in space, Spacetalk provides an independent environment for secure information sharing, direct communication between operators, and coordination of orbital activities.

Based on a voluntary and incentive-driven model, the platform is fully compatible with existing standards as well as national Space Situational Awareness (SSA) and Space Traffic Management (STM) systems. Rooted in Switzerland’s tradition of neutrality and independence, Spacetalk SA aims to make a tangible contribution to space traffic safety, conflict risk reduction, and the gradual emergence of responsible and shared practices in space governance, guided by international cooperation.

About WISeSat.Space
WISeSat.Space is WISeKey’s space division dedicated to secure satellite connectivity services, space-based Internet of Things (IoT), and trusted infrastructures in orbit. Leveraging advanced cybersecurity technologies, sovereign satellites, and certified digital identities, WISeSat.Space delivers critical services that ensure the authenticity, integrity, and resilience of communications and data in space.

About WISeKey

WISeKey International Holding Ltd (“WISeKey”, SIX: WIHN; Nasdaq: WKEY) is a global leader in cybersecurity, digital identity, and IoT solutions platform. It operates as a Swiss-based holding company through several operational subsidiaries, each dedicated to specific aspects of its technology portfolio. The subsidiaries include (i) SEALSQ Corp (Nasdaq: LAES), which focuses on semiconductors, PKI, and post-quantum technology products, (ii) WISeKey SA which specializes in RoT and PKI solutions for secure authentication and identification in IoT, Blockchain, and AI, (iii) WISeSat AG which focuses on space technology for secure satellite communication, specifically for IoT applications, (iv) WISe.ART Corp which focuses on trusted blockchain NFTs and operates the WISe.ART marketplace for secure NFT transactions, and (v) SEALCOIN AG which focuses on decentralized physical internet with DePIN technology and house the development of the SEALCOIN platform.

Each subsidiary contributes to WISeKey’s mission of securing the internet while focusing on their respective areas of research and expertise. Their technologies seamlessly integrate into the comprehensive WISeKey platform. WISeKey secures digital identity ecosystems for individuals and objects using Blockchain, AI, and IoT technologies. With over 1.6 billion microchips deployed across various IoT sectors, WISeKey plays a vital role in securing the Internet of Everything. The company’s semiconductors generate valuable Big Data that, when analyzed with AI, enable predictive equipment failure prevention. Trusted by the OISTE/WISeKey cryptographic Root of Trust, WISeKey provides secure authentication and identification for IoT, Blockchain, and AI applications. The WISeKey Root of Trust ensures the integrity of online transactions between objects and people. For more information on WISeKey’s strategic direction and its subsidiary companies, please visit www.wisekey.com.

Disclaimer
This communication expressly or implicitly contains certain forward-looking statements concerning WISeKey International Holding Ltd and its business. Such statements involve certain known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which could cause the actual results, financial condition, performance or achievements of WISeKey International Holding Ltd to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. WISeKey International Holding Ltd is providing this communication as of this date and does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements contained herein as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

This press release does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities, and it does not constitute an offering prospectus within the meaning of the Swiss Financial Services Act (“FinSA”), the FinSa's predecessor legislation or advertising within the meaning of the FinSA. Investors must rely on their own evaluation of WISeKey and its securities, including the merits and risks involved. Nothing contained herein is, or shall be relied on as, a promise or representation as to the future performance of WISeKey.

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The logo of PT Astra International as seen at Astra International headquarters in Jakarta, Indonesia, October 27, 2016. REUTERS/Iqro Rinaldi Purchase Licensing Rights, opens new tab

SummaryCompaniesPermits for 28 companies stripped for environmental violationsDeforestation linked to deadly Sumatra floodsEnvironmentalists say firms should be forced to restore forestJAKARTA, Jan 21 (Reuters) - A China-backed hydropower plant and a gold mining unit run by Indonesian conglomerate Astra International were among the 28 firms that had their permits revoked by the Jakarta government on Tuesday, accused of environmental breaches that worsened last year's floods.

The cyclone-induced floods and landslides on the island of Sumatra in late November killed 1,200 people, destroyed homes and displaced over a million residents. Environmental experts said the devastation was worsened by rampant deforestation to make way for mines and plantations.

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President Prabowo Subianto on Tuesday revoked the permits of 28 firms involved in forestry, oil palm and cocoa as well as power generation and mining. They included PT North Sumatra Hydro Energy (NHSE), PT Agincourt Resources and PT Toba Pulp Lestari (INRU.JK), opens new tab.

NHSE, responsible for the Batangtoru hydropower plant, is controlled by China's SDIC Power Holdings Co. Ltd, according to Indonesia's state utility firm.

The project, currently under construction by PowerChina, has long been on the radar of environmental activists, with many calling for it to be stopped because of the ecological destruction it has wrought on the biodiverse island.

Prior to the floods, the power project, which will have a total installed capacity of 510 megawatts, was expected to be fully operational by the end of this year.

SDIC Power did not immediately respond to a Reuters email seeking comment. NHSE and PowerChina could not be reached for comment.

On Monday, Huang He, China's consulate general in North Sumatra, told local media that the construction of the Batangtoru plant was compliant with Indonesian laws, adding that he hoped the company's activities could be resumed.

Pulp maker Toba Pulp on Wednesday said it was seeking clarification from the government while it assesses the potential impact on its business.

"This government statement has the potential to impact timber harvesting, the primary raw material for the company's production," it said in an exchange filing.

Astra International's Agincourt, which operates the Martabe gold and silver mine, did not immediately comment on Wednesday. Previously, it said linking its operations to last November's disaster was "premature".

It was not immediately clear what the revocation of the permits would mean for the future of the projects.

Environmental group WALHI has called on the government to make sure the companies rehabilitate the degraded forests, said director executive Boy Jerry Sembiring, adding that the assets should not be transferred to other owners.

From 2001 to 2024, Sumatra has lost 4.4 million hectares (11 million acres) of forest, an area bigger than Switzerland, according to David Gaveau, the founder of deforestation monitor Nusantara Atlas.

Striking images of hundreds of logs washed downstream by flood waters last year caused uproar amongst locals and Indoensians from across the archipelago.

Reporting by Fransiska Nangoy, Bernadette Christina; Editing by Gibran Peshimam and David Stanway

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Halliburton Company (NYSE:HAL) will release earnings for the fourth quarter before the opening bell on Wednesday, Jan. 21.

Analysts expect the Houston, Texas-based company to report fourth-quarter earnings of 55 cents per share. That’s down from 70 cents per share in the year-ago period. The consensus estimate for Halliburton's quarterly revenue is $5.41 billion (it reported $5.61 billion last year), according to Benzinga Pro.

The company has beaten analyst estimates for revenue in three straight quarters, but only in four of the last 10 quarters overall.

Shares of Halliburton fell 1.6% to close at $32.06 on Tuesday.

Benzinga readers can access the latest analyst ratings on the Analyst Stock Ratings page. Readers can sort by stock ticker, company name, analyst firm, rating change or other variables.

Let's have a look at how Benzinga's most-accurate analysts have rated the company in the recent period.

Piper Sandler analyst Derek Podhaizer maintained a Neutral rating and raised the price target from $29 to $30 on Jan. 14, 2026. This analyst has an accuracy rate of 72%. TD Cowen analyst Marc Bianchi maintained a Buy rating and raised the price target from $38 to $39 on Jan. 7, 2026. This analyst has an accuracy rate of 63%. Susquehanna analyst Charles Minervino maintained a Positive rating and increased the price target from $29 to $36 on Jan. 7, 2026. This analyst has an accuracy rate of 74%. Evercore ISI Group analyst James West downgraded the stock from Outperform to In-Line and raised the price target from $28 to $35 on Jan. 6, 2026. This analyst has an accuracy rate of 73%. Barclays analyst David Anderson maintained an Equal-Weight rating and raised the price target from $25 to $30 on Dec. 17, 2025. This analyst has an accuracy rate of 69% Considering buying HAL stock? Here’s what analysts think:

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

Gold prices climbed to a fresh record above $4,800 on Wednesday, extending a sharp rally as investors sought safety amid tariff threats from the White House and renewed concerns about a global trade war.

The surge has reignited debate among investors over how much prices can rise after a blockbuster year for the bullion.

Following a record-breaking 2025, gold has entered 2026 with momentum intact as geopolitical tensions, falling real interest rates and efforts by investors and central banks to diversify away from the dollar reinforce its role as the world's ultimate haven, analysts said.

Forecasts are increasingly bullish. Analysts surveyed by the London Bullion Market Association expect prices to rise above $5,000 this year, citing expectations of lower U.S. real rates, continued Federal Reserve easing and sustained central-bank diversification away from the dollar.

Julia Du, a senior commodities strategist at ICBC Standard Bank, sees gold prices pushing as high as $7,150.

"Gold remains the headline story after a record-breaking 2025," the LBMA said in its forecast survey.

Goldman Sachs also reiterated its bullish stance, calling gold its highest-conviction trade, driven by a shift in who is buying the metal.

"Gold remains our highest conviction long or base case, the price by the end of this year is $4,900," said Daan Struyven, co-head of global commodities research at Goldman Sachs.

He noted that central bank purchases drove gains in 2023 and 2024, while the rally accelerated in 2025 as private-sector demand increased.

"Private investors are starting to diversify into gold through different channels," he said in a media briefing on Wednesday, with ETF inflows offering one clear evidence of that shift, though it's difficult to separate retail demand from institutional flows. 

According to Goldman Sachs, demand largely came from private wealth firms, asset managers, hedge funds and pension investors.

For many gold bulls, geopolitics remains the defining backdrop. Nicky Shiels, head of metals strategy at MKS PAMP, said the current cycle does not resemble a speculative peak. She expects gold prices to reach $5,400 this year.

"Last year was historic, sort of a once in a hundred year event across precious metals, where silver basically doubled," she said.

"Gold was up 60%, so we won't see a repeat of those gains, but $5,400 is a solid 30% up year on year," she said. "This is a secular trade. This isn't a commodity blowoff top."

Geopolitical tensions, she argued, are not fading into the background. Recent flashpoints, including U.S. actions in Venezuela and Washington's push to assert control over Greenland, have only deepened investors' flight to gold.

"You're entering a world where ... there is a strong demand to secure critical metals, critical commodities in this decade," Shiels said.

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Jan. 21, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Akamai (NASDAQ: AKAM) today announced that Deutsche Telekom Security, an Akamai Partner Connect program member, is using Akamai’s Security Certified Service Provider initiative to deliver cybersecurity services to its customers across key industries, including finance, insurance, critical infrastructure, and the public sector.

Using Akamai’s Security Certified Service capabilities, Deutsche Telekom Security now delivers proactive Day-2 operations services, providing customers with continuous, end-to-end management across their entire API security lifecycle. These services include full operational and management capabilities such as hybrid deployments, quarterly business reviews, and API audits and compliance. They also comprise expert security incident management and proactive API security testing.

Further, Deutsche Telekom Security is extending its support to Akamai Guardicore Segmentation environments, offering specialized services such as segmentation administration, security incident management, and audit and compliance. All these services can run on a sovereign cloud.

“We’re seeing great results with Akamai’s enhanced Security Certified Service Provider programs,” said Christian Günther, Head of Sales Major Accounts, Deutsche Telekom Security. “As an early adopter, we’re providing our customers even better API security and software-defined segmentation support. This helps them stay secure and compliant with regulations, even in a dynamic cybersecurity landscape that’s becoming increasingly complex.”

The enhancements to Akamai’s Security Certified Service Provider programs are a response to the growing need for robust API security and microsegmentation solutions, especially in industries that are heavily targeted by cyberthreats. A 2025 Akamai State of the Internet (SOTI) report revealed that the number of recorded API attacks surged to 150 billion between January 2023 and December 2024. The attacks can lead to significant financial losses, data breaches, and reputational damage, stressing the importance of securing APIs and implementing microsegmentation strategies.

“We are pleased that Deutsche Telekom Security is already delivering on the benefits of our enhanced Security Certified Service Provider programs to expand their cybersecurity service offerings, particularly for organizations in sensitive sectors that require the highest levels of security and data sovereignty,” said Paul Joseph, Executive Vice President, Global Sales and Services at Akamai. “By doing so, Deutsche Telekom Security can provide more comprehensive security solutions to their customers, ultimately helping businesses stay secure and focused on their core business objectives.”

Deutsche Telekom Security stands out as an ideal partner for the financial industry seeking managed security services due to its extensive experience and deep understanding of sector-specific requirements. The company’s proven expertise in regulatory compliance, combined with its robust portfolio of advanced cybersecurity solutions — including proactive API security and software-defined segmentation — helps ensure that financial institutions can safeguard sensitive data and maintain uninterrupted operations. With a dedicated team of specialists and 24/7 monitoring, Deutsche Telekom Security helps financial organizations meet strict security standards while enabling them to focus on their core business objectives in an increasingly complex threat landscape.

Deutsche Telekom Security recently implemented Akamai’s software-defined segmentation solution for a major state bank in Germany. With the deployment, Deutsche Telekom Security made a significant contribution to securing the bank’s sensitive infrastructure and ensuring full compliance with regulatory requirements.

Read more about Akamai’s Security Certified Service Provider programs or Deutsche Telekom Security’s cybersecurity services.

To learn more about the evolving threat landscape, the critical role of microsegmentation and API security, and what it takes to stay ahead of cyberattacks in a world of nation-state actors and AI-driven threats, listen to the latest episode of the Akamai Partner Champions podcast. Host Nick Watkins speaks with Thomas Tschersich, CEO of Deutsche Telekom Security and CSO of Deutsche Telekom.

Deutsche Telekom Security: With Security to Success
We shape digital security. With over 25 years of experience, Deutsche Telekom Security is the market leader in DACH and one of the European leaders in the cybersecurity industry. Whether it’s mobile device protection, identity management, cloud security, or OT security — in our comprehensive portfolio, we work with global leaders. For professional security solutions from a single source, from consulting to individual design and implementation. Our integrated Cyber Defense & Security Operations Center (SOC) captures the ever-changing threat landscape at all times. With more than 240 security specialists worldwide and 24/7 availability, attacks can be detected, defended against, and analyzed almost in real time. Whether in the Telekom Group worldwide or for our external customers, we protect what moves. security.telekom.de

About Akamai
Akamai is the cybersecurity and cloud computing company that powers and protects business online. Our market-leading security solutions, superior threat intelligence, and global operations team provide defense in depth to safeguard enterprise data and applications everywhere. Akamai’s full-stack cloud computing solutions deliver performance and affordability on the world’s most distributed platform. Global enterprises trust Akamai to provide the industry-leading reliability, scale, and expertise they need to grow their business with confidence. Learn more at akamai.com and akamai.com/blog, or follow Akamai Technologies on X and LinkedIn.

Contacts
Akamai Media Relations
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Akamai Investor Relations
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This press release was published by a CLEAR® Verified individual.

GameStop has reportedly transferred approximately 2,396 bitcoins to Coinbase Prime this January, raising market concerns about a potential sell-off. These transfers, totaling about 51% of the company’s original bitcoin holdings of 4,710 BTC, have not been officially confirmed as sales. This activity comes against a backdrop of significant market movements influenced by geopolitical and economic factors.

On Tuesday, Bitcoin prices saw a significant decline, dipping below $90,000. This drop extended losses from over the weekend, where the cryptocurrency lost around $5,700 in value. The movement began with a sharp decrease on Sunday, instigated by heavy selling in the derivatives markets. More than $500 million in long positions were liquidated within an hour, contributing to the broader market downturn.

The sell-off coincided with U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement of new tariffs on European countries, set to commence on February 1. These tariffs, starting at 10% and potentially rising to 25% by June 1, intend to pressure European nations but have escalated tensions. European leaders have warned this could lead to a “dangerous downward spiral” in transatlantic relations.

In parallel, traditional safe-haven assets like gold have reached new heights, indicating a shift in investor preferences. Gold’s price has surged to near $4,750, contrasting with the decline in Bitcoin, traditionally seen as a digital safe-haven.

In the midst of these developments, the U.S. Supreme Court is considering a case on the president’s authority to impose tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. This case could have substantial financial implications, potentially requiring the government to refund over $100 billion in previously collected tariffs.

While GameStop’s recent bitcoin movements attract speculation, Strategy (MSTR), the largest corporate holder of bitcoin, has continued to increase its holdings. Last week, Strategy acquired 22,305 BTC for roughly $2.13 billion, at an average price of $95,284 per bitcoin. As of January 19, Strategy’s bitcoin holdings amounted to 709,715 BTC, representing more than 3% of the cryptocurrency’s circulating supply.

Despite these developments, Strategy’s share price fell by approximately 7%, reflecting the sensitivity of bitcoin-exposed equities to fluctuations in bitcoin prices. Bitcoin’s market capitalization now stands at approximately $1.8 trillion, with 19.98 million BTC in circulation, out of a maximum supply of 21 million.

As the market navigates these challenges, uncertainty persists. The potential implications of the Supreme Court’s decision on tariffs and GameStop’s next moves with its bitcoin holdings remain under close watch by investors and analysts alike.

As the market continues to react to these developments, industry analysts are closely monitoring the actions of major corporate holders. GameStop’s transfer of a significant portion of its bitcoin holdings has led to speculation about its future strategy regarding digital assets. Meanwhile, companies like Strategy maintain a bullish outlook, as demonstrated by their recent acquisitions.

The recent volatility in bitcoin prices has underscored the cryptocurrency’s sensitivity to macroeconomic factors and corporate activities. On January 20, bitcoin was trading around $90,252, reflecting a 3% decrease over the past 24 hours. This volatility highlights the challenges investors face in predicting short-term price movements amid broader economic uncertainties.

In the broader market context, the interaction between digital assets and traditional financial markets continues to evolve. The recent surge in gold prices, reaching new highs, contrasts with the current trends in the cryptocurrency market. This divergence suggests varying investor sentiment towards risk and safe-haven assets, influenced by geopolitical tensions and economic policy shifts.

As these dynamics unfold, the focus remains on upcoming decisions by major institutions and potential policy changes. The outcome of the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling on tariff authority could have far-reaching impacts on market perceptions and investor strategies, particularly for those with significant exposure to bitcoin and other digital currencies.

The uncertainty surrounding the tariff imposition has prompted various market reactions. On January 19, European finance ministers met to discuss potential responses to the U.S. tariff threats, emphasizing the need for a coordinated strategy. The European Central Bank has yet to publicly comment on the potential economic impact, but analysts suggest that such tariffs could strain the economic recovery efforts within the region.

In addition to macroeconomic factors, corporate actions have also influenced market sentiment. On-chain analytics firm Glassnode reported that bitcoin outflows from major exchanges have increased, suggesting a shift in investor behavior. This trend, observed since the start of the year, indicates that some investors might be opting to hold cryptocurrencies in private wallets rather than on exchanges, possibly as a precaution against market volatility.

Despite the recent downturn, some industry experts remain optimistic about bitcoin’s long-term potential. Fidelity Digital Assets, a subsidiary of Fidelity Investments, reiterated its positive outlook for bitcoin as part of its 2026 market review, citing growing institutional interest. The firm highlighted that while short-term fluctuations are expected, the underlying fundamentals of bitcoin remain robust, supported by its limited supply and increasing adoption.

The ongoing developments, including the Supreme Court’s pending decision and GameStop’s bitcoin strategy, will likely continue to shape the market landscape. Investors and analysts are closely monitoring these factors, as they could significantly influence both the trajectory of bitcoin prices and broader market dynamics in the coming weeks.

As the situation evolves, analysts are closely watching the impact of President Trump’s tariff proposals on global trade dynamics. On January 19, the U.S. Trade Representative’s office released a statement emphasizing the administration’s commitment to addressing trade imbalances with the European Union. This move has been met with criticism from European officials, who argue that the tariffs could exacerbate existing economic tensions.

In the corporate realm, the recent actions by GameStop have drawn attention to the strategic decisions companies face regarding cryptocurrency holdings. According to data from blockchain analytics firm Chainalysis, the transfer of bitcoin to Coinbase Prime could signal a shift in how GameStop manages its digital assets. However, without an official statement from the company, the market remains speculative about the true intent behind the transfers.

Meanwhile, the volatility in bitcoin prices has prompted a reassessment of risk among institutional investors. On January 18, JPMorgan Chase issued a report highlighting the need for diversified portfolios in light of recent market fluctuations. The report pointed out that while bitcoin remains an attractive asset for some investors, its price swings necessitate careful consideration of overall portfolio exposure.

The ongoing developments in the bitcoin market underscore the complexity of navigating digital assets amid broader economic uncertainties. As of January 20, bitcoin’s position near the $90,000 mark is being closely monitored by traders and analysts alike. The interplay between corporate actions, geopolitical events, and market sentiment continues to drive discussions about the future trajectory of cryptocurrency investments.

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Smart Money Accumulates $3.2 Billion in Bitcoin: What Does It Mean for Price?Bitcoin fell below $88,000 this week as macro tensions drove renewed market volatility. Bitcoin whales and sharks add $3.2 billion in BTC over the past nice days. Large-holder accumulation diverges from retail exits amid heightened volatility.Bitcoin (BTC) whales and shark holders have continued to accumulate over the past nine days, even as smaller retail investors reduce their exposure, signaling what Santiment describes as “optimal conditions” for a potential breakout.

This divergence between large and small holders comes amid heightened volatility, with Bitcoin erasing nearly all its 2026 gains.

Smart Money Builds Bitcoin Positions as Retail Investors ExitAfter a challenging end to 2025, the new year began on a positive note for Bitcoin. The cryptocurrency gained more than 7% in the first five days of January, supported by renewed optimism across risk assets. However, the momentum was short-lived, as market turbulence soon returned.

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Despite a brief recovery last week, broader market conditions deteriorated again after US President Donald Trump announced tariffs targeting 8 nations in the European Union (EU), sparking renewed uncertainty. The news pressured risk assets and contributed to another downturn in the crypto market.

BeInCrypto Markets data showed that BTC has declined by 6.25% over the past week. Yesterday, it fell below the $88,000 level for the first time since the beginning of the year.

At the time of writing, the largest cryptocurrency was trading at $89,329, down 3.31% over the past 24 hours.

Bitcoin Price Performance. Source: BeInCrypto MarketsDespite the volatility, whales and sharks have continued to increase exposure. Data from Santiment shows that wallets holding between 10 and 10,000 BTC have acquired 36,322 coins, worth $3.2 billion at current market prices, over the past nine days. This marks a 0.27% increase in holdings for large investors.

This accumulation trend contrasts sharply with retail investor behavior. Small holders sold 132 coins over nine days, a 0.28% decline in their collective holdings.

Typically, this indicates that weaker hands leave during price dips, while more experienced investors buy the dip.

“Optimal conditions for a crypto breakout are when smart money accumulates, and retail dumps. Geopolitical issues aside, this pattern continues to great a long-term bullish divergence,” the post read.

Notably, despite smart money accumulation, the outlook for Bitcoin remains divided. Some market observers argue that Bitcoin is flashing bear market signals, increasing the risk of further downside. Others point to emerging indicators that support the case for a longer-term recovery.

For now, Bitcoin’s sensitivity to broader macroeconomic developments remains a key factor to watch. Whether the asset continues to trend lower in the near term or begins to regain strength will likely depend on how global risk sentiment evolves.

Disclaimer

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

Crypto prices today fell as selling pressure returned across global markets, pushing Bitcoin below the $90,000 level and dragging most major altcoins lower.

Summary

Bitcoin fell below $90,000 as selling pressure hit crypto markets Liquidations surged past $1 billion amid rising global tensions Short-term outlook remains volatile, with downside and rebound risks At press time, the total crypto market value had dropped 3.4% to $3.1 trillion. Bitcoin was trading at $89,384, down 3.2% over the past 24 hours. Losses were heavier among altcoins. Binance Coin fell 5.2% to $879, Monero slid 19% to $491, while Pump.fun declined 5.9% to $0.002436.

Market stress showed up quickly in sentiment and derivatives data. The Crypto Fear & Greed Index dropped eight points to 24, moving deeper into “extreme fear.” CoinGlass data showed 24-hour liquidations jumping 481% to $1.09 billion. Open interest across the crypto market slipped 1.73% to $133 billion.

Despite the sell-off, the average market relative strength index hovered near 40, suggesting weakness without deep capitulation.

Geopolitical tensions pressure risk assets The downturn appears tied to growing political and economic uncertainty following renewed friction between the U.S. and the EU. Over the weekend, President Donald Trump said the U.S. could impose new tariffs on several European countries, starting at 10% and increasing if talks break down.

The dispute is part of broader friction involving Denmark and Greenland, with EU officials warning that retaliatory measures worth up to $100 billion are being considered.

The prospect of escalating trade conflict has pushed investors away from riskier assets. Crypto followed equities lower as traders cut exposure and reduced leverage. The sell-off was made worse by fresh stress in global bond markets, particularly in Japan.

Japan’s government bond market saw sharp moves in recent days. Yields on 10-year bonds briefly climbed to their highest level since 1999 before easing slightly after officials tried to calm markets.

Weak demand at recent bond auctions raised concerns about higher borrowing costs and government finances, adding to the cautious mood. As yields climbed, leveraged trades across crypto were quickly forced out.

While crypto and stocks fell, money moved into safer assets. Spot gold surged past $4,800 per ounce, setting a new record after gaining about $500 since the start of the year.

Short-term outlook stays cautious In the near term, many analysts see further downside risk if tariff tensions continue or escalate. Bitcoin could revisit the $85,000–$88,000 area if selling pressure builds. Altcoins may fall faster, with another 5% to 10% downside possible during periods of thin liquidity.

That said, sharp rebounds remain possible. Any easing in trade tensions or calmer headlines could spark a quick bounce toward the $92,000–$94,000 zone, especially if larger buyers step in on dips.

Fundstrat chairman Tom Lee said both cryptocurrency and equity markets could come under further pressure early in the year, citing tariffs and political strain. He added that a rebound is likely later in 2026, with Bitcoin potentially reaching a new record once excess leverage is clearedand institutional participation deepens.

For now, crypto markets remain volatile as investors weigh near-term uncertainty against longer-term expectations.

On-chain data shows the Bitcoin Inter-exchange Flow Pulse (IFP) has shown early signs of a turnaround recently, suggesting tokens have started moving into derivatives platforms.

Bitcoin IFP Is Turning Around, But Not Yet Inside Bull Market Zone As pointed out by an analyst in a CryptoQuant Quicktake post, the Bitcoin IFP has seemingly hit a bottom recently. The “IFP” is an indicator that measures the amount of BTC that’s flowing between spot and derivatives exchanges. When the value of this metric is rising, it means the investors are making a higher amount of transactions from spot to derivatives platforms. Such a trend suggests speculative interest in the market is going up.

On the other hand, the indicator witnessing a decline implies traders may be pulling back on risk as they are sending a lower number of tokens to derivatives markets.

Now, here is a chart that shows the trend in the Bitcoin IFP, as well as its 90-day moving average (MA), over the past decade:

The value of the metric seems to have been following a decline for months | Source: CryptoQuant As displayed in the above graph, the Bitcoin IFP hit a high in the first quarter of 2025 and reversed course, suggesting speculative activity began to decline. Soon after the start of this downtrend, the metric slipped under its 90-day MA. CryptoQuant considers such a crossover to be a bearish one, labeling periods with the indicator below the 90-day MA to correspond to bear markets or corrections.

Interestingly, while the cryptocurrency went on to see rejuvenation of bullish momentum and set a new all-time high (ATH) later in 2025, the market environment leaned bearish from the perspective of the IFP, with the metric’s value holding a steady downward trajectory.

Recently, however, the early signs of a shift may have finally emerged, as the IFP has shown a turnaround. This increase in derivatives exchange flows has come for Bitcoin as its price has gone through a recovery surge. For now, though, the indicator is still floating at a notable distance under its 90-day MA.

In the past, a break beyond this line has usually led to bullish price action for the cryptocurrency, so such a crossover could potentially be a positive sign this time as well. Whether speculative activity related to the asset will rise enough to overcome this threshold only remains to be seen.

Speaking of speculation, the Bitcoin Open Interest, a measure of the amount of BTC positions open on all derivatives exchanges, has surged 3.2% alongside BTC’s pullback in the past day, as CryptoQuant community analyst Maartunn has highlighted in an X post.

The recent trend in the BTC Open Interest | Source: @JA_Maartun on X BTC Price Bitcoin has gone through a plunge over the last couple of days that has taken its price from $95,000 to $91,200.

The price of the coin seems to have opened the week with bearish action | Source: BTCUSDT on TradingView Featured image from Dall-E, chart from TradingView.com