Ethereum was cheaper than expected in 2020, and rollup decentralization was slower than promised in 2021. Those two realities are forced the ecosystem to rewrite what “a layer-2” is for.
Vitalik Buterin's recent post on Ethereum Research bluntly frames the shift: the original vision of layer-2 (L2) blockchains as “branded shards” of Ethereum is no longer viable, and the ecosystem requires a new path.
However, this isn't abandonment. Instead, it is a re-tiering of expectations and a sharper definition of what different types of rollups are actually building.
The question now is the new job description, since the premise underlying the rollup-centric roadmap has weakened.
Stage 2 is scarceL2BEAT provides the clearest framework for understanding rollup decentralization through its Stages system.
Stage 0 denotes that training wheels remain in place, with meaningful trust assumptions persisting.
Stage 1 represents partial decentralization with stronger escape hatches and proof guarantees, but still meaningful upgrade or governance trust.
Stage 2 is the “no training wheels” milestone, in which critical safety properties are enforced by code rather than by discretionary actors.
The current distribution of value secured across the L2 ecosystem indicates this. According to L2BEAT's rollup scaling summary, approximately 91.5% of the listed value sits in Stage 1 rollups, 8.5% in Stage 0, and roughly 0.01% in Stage 2.
The top three rollups by value account for roughly 71% of the total, indicating that “Stage 2 progress” largely depends on the decisions of the largest few projects, rather than on what smaller experimental chains attempt.
The core blocker is whether the proof systems can be overridden and whether upgrades face strong delays and constraints.
Upgrade discretion remains common among the largest rollups, and moving beyond it has proven slower and more difficult than anticipated by the 2020-2021 optimism.
Some projects have explicitly stated that they may not wish to proceed beyond Stage 1, citing not only technical constraints related to zkEVM safety but also regulatory requirements that require absolute control.
That's a legitimate product decision for certain customer bases, but it clarifies that those chains are not “scaling Ethereum” in the sense the rollup-centric roadmap originally meant.
ProjectStageTVS ($)Proof typeUpgrade key / security council present?NotesArbitrum One116.16BOptimisticYesEmergency path can skip delaysBase Chain110.99BOptimisticYesUpgrades approved by multiple parties; no delayOP Mainnet11.88BOptimisticYesSecurity council instant upgrade powerLighter0 (Appchain)1.27BValidityYes21d delay, emergency can go to 0Starknet1676.17MValidityYesSecurity council can upgrade with no delayInk1523.71MOptimisticYesSecurity council + foundation approvals; no regular delayLinea0492.93MValidityYesMultisig can upgrade with no delayZKsync Era0417.07MValidityYesEmergency board can bypass upgrade delaysKatana0297.94MValidityYessecurity council can remove the upgrade delayUnichain1168.81MOptimisticYesno exit window for regular upgrades; instant powersWhy the constraints changedThe Oct. 2, 2020, post “A rollup-centric Ethereum roadmap” on the Fellowship of Ethereum Magicians laid out the original thesis.
Gas prices were climbing, some applications were being forced to shut down, and the conclusion was that the ecosystem would be “all-in on rollups” for the near and medium term.
Base-layer scaling should prioritize data capacity for rollups, and users would increasingly live on L2.
Two hard facts have shifted since then. First, L1 is substantially cheaper at present. Etherscan shows a seven-day average transaction fee of around $0.35 and gas snapshots in the fractions of a gwei.
On Jan. 16, Ethereum recorded an all-time high of 2,885,524 transactions in a single day. The narrative is “busier and cheaper,” exactly the opposite of the 2020 crisis that motivated the rollup-centric roadmap.
Second, L1 execution capacity is rising. Ethereum's block gas limit was raised to approximately 60 million after broad validator signaling in late 2025, up from the long-standing 30 million limit.
At roughly 12-second blocks, 60 million gas translates to approximately 5 million gas per second.
Aspirational community discussions have mentioned targets as high as 180 million gas, which would represent a threefold increase, though that remains directional rather than committed.
The clean interpretation: the 2020 premise that “L1 can't scale for most users” is weaker in today's fee regime. This creates room for L2s to be a spectrum of security and sovereignty trade-offs rather than all being near-identical “shards” competing solely on price.
Ethereum mainnet transaction costs declined from peaks above $0.50 in early 2025 to near-zero levels by February 2026, reflecting sustained low fee pressure.L2s as a spectrum, not clonesButerin's proposed reframing treats L2s as occupying a full spectrum.
On one end are chains backed by the full faith and credit of Ethereum, with unique properties, not just EVM clones but also privacy-focused systems, non-EVM execution environments, or ultra-low-latency sequencers.
At the other end are options with varying levels of Ethereum connectivity that users and applications can choose based on their specific needs.
The new minimum bar is straightforward: if you handle ETH or Ethereum-issued assets, reach at least Stage 1.
Otherwise, you're a separate L1 with a bridge, and should call yourself that. The differentiation bar is harder: be the best at something other than “cheap EVM.”
Examples Buterin cites include privacy, efficiency specialized to a particular application, truly extreme scaling beyond even an expanded L1, fundamentally different designs for non-financial applications such as social or identity systems, ultra-low-latency sequencing, or features such as built-in oracles or decentralized dispute resolution that aren't computationally verifiable.
The mechanism that might facilitate this is still under investigation. A “native rollup precompile” would enable Ethereum to verify a standard zkEVM proof within the protocol.
For rollups that are “EVM plus extras,” this means the canonical EVM verification occurs trustlessly at the protocol level, and the rollup only needs to prove its custom extensions separately.
This could enable stronger interoperability and pave the way for synchronous composability, in which contracts across different rollups can interact within the same transaction. Yet, it remains a research trajectory, not a deployed feature.
The Jan. 16 post “Combining preconfirmations with based rollups for synchronous composability” and the Feb. 2 post “Synchronous composability between rollups via realtime proving” lay out the design space but don't represent shipped protocol changes.
Three buckets emergingIf this reframing takes hold, expect rollups to split into clearer categories.
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The first bucket is Stage 2-chasing settlement rollups that maximize Ethereum security inheritance.
These projects aim to achieve code-enforced guarantees with minimal discretionary governance, treating “scaling Ethereum” as their core mandate.
The second bucket is regulated or controlled execution environments.
These optimize for compliance, permissioning, or specific institutional requirements. They may never progress beyond Stage 1 by design, and they should market that control honestly as a feature rather than pretending to offer full decentralization.
The third bucket is specialized chains optimized for latency, privacy, app-specific execution, or non-financial use cases.
Privacy rollups using zkProofs to hide transaction details, ultra-low-latency sequencers for trading applications, or social and identity systems with fundamentally different state models all fall within this category.
These don't need to be EVM-compatible or even financial to justify their existence, they need to provide value that their users can't get elsewhere.
Projects such as Arbitrum One, Optimism, Base, zkSync Era, and Starknet will each need to decide which category they're pursuing. The ecosystem is large enough to support all three, but the assumption that every L2 performs the same function is fading.
The L2 spectrum framework maps rollups across security inheritance and specialization axes, from general-purpose chains with weak inheritance to highly specialized Stage 2 systems.What changes for users and buildersFor users, the burden shifts to understanding guarantees. Escape hatches, upgrade delays, proof systems, and censorship resistance become product differentiators rather than assumed properties.
Wallets and interfaces will need to label trust assumptions more explicitly, and the L2BEAT Stages framework aims to make these assumptions legible.
For builders, “cheap EVM” is commoditized. Differentiation moves to privacy and custom virtual machines, ultra-low-latency sequencing, app-specific throughput optimizations, non-financial applications in social, identity, or AI contexts, or compliance and permissioning as an explicit product, without claiming it's “Ethereum scaling.”
For the broader market narrative, expect a louder debate about whether L2s “inherit Ethereum security” in practice rather than as an aspiration.
The critique is already a talking point among rival L1 proponents, and the ecosystem's acknowledgment that many large rollups remain at Stage 1 with discretionary governance gives that critique greater traction.
Is an L2 revolution about to start?Ethereum is unlikely to see an L2 revolution. Instead, it will witness a re-tiering.
The rollup-centric roadmap assumed that L2s would be near-identical “branded shards” competing primarily on cost, while L1 would remain expensive and capacity-constrained.
That assumption no longer holds. L1 is cheaper and expanding, whereas L2s are diverging faster than they are converging in their security models and use cases, despite Stage 2 decentralization.
The new path acknowledges that reality. L2s that custody ETH or Ethereum-issued assets should meet a minimum security bar, Stage 1 at least. And beyond that, they should compete on specialization and explicit guarantees rather than pretending to be interchangeable.
Native verification primitives and research on synchronous composability signal where Ethereum aims to make that easier, but these are trajectories, not deployed features.
The job description changed.
The minimum bar is to offer credible security when handling Ethereum assets. The differentiation bar is being the best at something, and being honest about the trust model.
The rollup-centric roadmap got upgraded to accommodate the reality that L1 is scaling and L2s are more diverse than the original vision anticipated.
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2026-02-04 12:461mo ago
2026-02-04 07:301mo ago
Procurement and Supply Chain Expert Jane Wanklyn Joins FTI Consulting
WASHINGTON, Feb. 04, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- FTI Consulting, Inc. (NYSE: FCN) today announced the appointment of Jane Wanklyn as a Senior Managing Director in the Business Transformation practice within the firm’s Corporate Finance & Restructuring segment.
Ms. Wanklyn, who is based in Chicago, joins with more than two decades of experience specializing in large-scale procurement, supply chain and organizational transformations. She has worked with clients in the automotive, aerospace and defense, consumer products, industrials and other sectors, and is well-known for her expertise in cost reduction, value creation, organizational design and digital procurement strategy.
In her role at FTI Consulting, Ms. Wanklyn will focus on driving sustainable results for clients through large-scale cost and organizational transformations. Her deep expertise in deploying innovative strategies and advancing capabilities throughout company value chains positions clients to achieve significant cost transformations and advance their procurement function while mitigating geopolitical and regulatory risks.
“Jane is an exceptional leader who has an excellent track record of bringing impactful solutions to clients in supply chain and procurement,” said Michael Eisenband, Global Chairman of the Corporate Finance & Restructuring segment at FTI Consulting. “She has deep expertise in sourcing and spend management solutions, cost savings strategies and procurement transformations, which will be of great value to our clients operating in an increasingly challenging business environment.”
Prior to joining FTI Consulting, Ms. Wanklyn was a Partner in the Strategic Operations practice at Kearney, where she worked in various roles for more than 25 years.
Commenting on her appointment, Ms. Wanklyn said, “It is critically important for supply chain and procurement organizations to establish strong organizational structures, implement the right digital solutions and maintain deep relationships with their customers and suppliers. I look forward to joining my colleagues at FTI Consulting as we provide our clients with customized procurement programs, collaborative sourcing, tariff and inflation management strategies, and margin improvement-focused initiatives that optimize value creation, deliver impactful savings and capture lasting benefits.”
About FTI Consulting
FTI Consulting, Inc. is a leading global expert firm for organizations facing crisis and transformation, with more than 8,100 employees located in 32 countries and territories as of September 30, 2025. In certain jurisdictions, FTI Consulting’s services are provided through distinct legal entities that are separately capitalized and independently managed. The Company generated $3.70 billion in revenues during fiscal year 2024. More information can be found at www.fticonsulting.com.
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Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have a beneficial long position in the shares of TMUS 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.
2026-02-04 12:461mo ago
2026-02-04 07:301mo ago
CarMax Named One of TIME's America's Most Iconic Companies
RICHMOND, VA, Feb. 04, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CarMax, Inc. (NYSE: KMX), the nation’s largest retailer of used cars, has been recognized by TIME Magazine as one of America’s Most Iconic Companies. The project, created in partnership with Statista Inc., marks the 250th anniversary of the United States and honors 250 companies that have become enduring symbols of American business, culture, and identity. This positive recognition reaffirms CarMax’s decades-long dedication to providing a transparent and customer-centric experience. CarMax is honored to be included among other automotive brands, including Ford Motor Company, General Motors, and Tesla.
CarMax’s commitment to innovation and iconic customer experiences has helped make the company the nation's largest retailer of used cars. As the original disruptor of the automotive industry, CarMax’s "no-haggle" prices transformed car buying and selling from a stressful, dreaded event into the honest, straightforward experience all people deserve. Today, customers can shop and sell their way, whether that's online, in the store, or a seamless combination of both.
“We’re incredibly proud to be included on this list among some of the most enduring and beloved brands in America,” said Sarah Lane, SVP and Chief Marketing Officer, CarMax. “This recognition is a testament to the trust CarMax has built with customers over more than three decades. CarMax continues to set the standard for car buying by empowering customers at every step.”
About America’s Most Iconic Companies 2026 List
TIME and Statista evaluated companies using a multi-dimensional methodology designed to capture not just performance, but cultural and emotional resonance. The study is based on an independent survey of more than 10,000 members of the U.S. general population, which was completed in the summer of 2025. Additional in-depth research was conducted to verify companies’ eligibility criteria and market presence.
Criteria
Brand recognition: The ability to identify a company based on its visual elements, such as its logo, colors, or packaging, without explicitly seeing the company name.Cultural influence: The extent to which a company's actions, values, products, or presence influence the beliefs, behaviors, and social norms of a community or society.Emotional Connection: The strong feeling or bond individuals develop with a company based on positive experiences, shared values, or trust.Resilience: The company’s capacity to adapt to and overcome challenges, including market shifts, internal changes, or external disruptions.Americanness: A qualitative judgment of how strongly a company's brand, culture, operations, and market presence reflect traits commonly associated with U.S. business identity. This criterion synthesizes signals such as origin, governance, communication style, design ethos, and public perception to gauge the company’s perceived "Americanness," rather than relying on strict legal or geographic status. About CarMax
Founded more than 30 years ago, CarMax set out to fundamentally change the way people buy used cars — offering the honesty and transparency customers deserve. It was the original disruptor to introduce a true "no-haggle" car-buying model, setting a new standard for the industry. Today, CarMax has grown into the nation's largest retailer of used cars with 255 stores nationwide and more than 28,000 associates, and is proud to have been recognized for 21 consecutive years as one of the Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For®. At CarMax, customers are in the driver’s seat. Whether shopping online, in-store, or a combination of both, CarMax makes the process seamless and empowering — offering guidance at every step so customers feel confident in their purchase. CarMax gives customers the flexibility to buy a vehicle online and either pick it up quickly in-store through express pickup or have it delivered to their home or workplace with home delivery (available within a 60-mile radius of select stores). Customers can shop CarMax's nationwide inventory of more than 45,000 cars with upfront pricing, and have the option to ship to the customer’s local store (fee and restrictions may apply), with no pressure to buy. CarMax offers customers peace of mind with its 10-day Money Back Guarantee and a 30-day limited warranty with no mileage limitation and no deductible. State-specific warranties apply in CT, MA, MN, NJ, NY, and RI. CarMax also offers the option to purchase one of its MaxCare extended service plans for additional coverage beyond the limited warranty. For customers trading in or selling, CarMax will buy their car — even if they don’t buy a vehicle from CarMax. Sellers can receive an online offer in two minutes or less, which is good for seven days to compare options. Customers can sell their vehicle from the comfort of their home or office with an at-home pickup, which is available for the majority of CarMax customers (availability may vary by location, and a fee could apply). For those who prefer an in-store experience, CarMax also offers express drop-off, where sellers can drop off their vehicle at a CarMax location and finalize their sale in under 30 minutes.For more information, visit carmax.com.
2026-02-04 12:461mo ago
2026-02-04 07:301mo ago
Dragonfly Energy Wins Dual Honors at 2026 SEAL Business Sustainability Awards for Breakthrough Trucking Power Solution
RENO, Nev., Feb. 04, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Dragonfly Energy Holdings Corp. (Nasdaq: DFLI) (“Dragonfly Energy” or the “Company”), an industry leader in energy storage and battery technology and maker of Battle Born Batteries®, won both the Sustainable Innovation Award and the Sustainable Product Award at the 2026 SEAL (Sustainability, Environmental Achievement, Leadership) Business Sustainability Awards. The honors recognize Dragonfly Energy’s Battle Born® DualFlow Power Pack, a lithium power solution designed to significantly reduce diesel engine idling in long-haul trucking, one of the industry’s most persistent sources of fuel waste and carbon emissions.
In real-world fleet use, Dragonfly Energy’s Battle Born® DualFlow Power Pack, a lithium-powered Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) system, has demonstrated idle-hour reductions of nearly 70%, preventing an estimated 10–12 metric tons of CO₂ emissions per vehicle annually when deployed at scale.
The SEAL Business Sustainability Awards honor companies demonstrating measurable environmental impact through innovation and leadership. Dragonfly Energy received the Sustainable Innovation Award for introducing a breakthrough approach to reducing diesel idling, and the Sustainable Product Award for delivering a purpose-built solution that translates sustainability goals into real-world operational benefits.
The DualFlow Power Pack enables truck drivers to power essential hotel loads during mandatory rest periods without running the engine. Installed inside the sleeper cab without requiring vehicle modifications, the system is powered by Battle Born® LiFePO4 batteries and Wakespeed® charge control technology, helping reduce idle time while supporting starting battery health and lowering overall engine wear and maintenance.
“Dragonfly Energy is honored to receive the SEAL Sustainable Innovation and Product Awards for the Battle Born DualFlow Power Pack,” said Wade Seaburg, chief commercial officer at Dragonfly Energy. “This recognition reinforces our belief that sustainability and performance are not mutually exclusive. It is rewarding to see practical, deployable innovation recognized alongside broader sustainability leadership.”
The DualFlow Power Pack is designed to deliver measurable environmental benefits while improving day-to-day fleet operations, offering drivers greater comfort and helping fleets reduce maintenance demands without disrupting existing vehicle platforms.
For more information about Dragonfly Energy and the Battle Born DualFlow Power Pack, visit Dragonflyenergy.com.
About Dragonfly Energy
Dragonfly Energy Holdings Corp. (Nasdaq: DFLI) is a comprehensive lithium battery technology company, specializing in cell manufacturing, battery pack assembly, and full system integration. Through its renowned Battle Born Batteries® brand, Dragonfly Energy has established itself as a frontrunner in the lithium battery industry, with hundreds of thousands of reliable battery packs deployed in the field through top-tier OEMs and a diverse retail customer base. At the forefront of domestic lithium battery cell production, Dragonfly Energy’s patented dry electrode manufacturing process can deliver chemistry-agnostic power solutions for a broad spectrum of applications, including energy storage systems, electric vehicles, and consumer electronics. The Company’s overarching mission is the future deployment of its proprietary, nonflammable, all-solid-state battery cells.
To learn more about Dragonfly Energy and its commitment to clean energy advancements, visit investors.dragonflyenergy.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include all statements that are not historical statements of fact and statements regarding the Company's intent, belief, or expectations, including, but not limited to, statements regarding the Company’s recognitions at the 2026 SEAL Business Sustainability Awards, the Company's future results of operations and financial position, planned products and services, business strategy and plans, market size and growth opportunities, competitive position and technological and market trends. Some of these forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking words, including "may," "should," "expect," "intend," "will," "estimate," "anticipate," "believe," "predict," "plan," "targets," "projects," "could," "would," "continue," "forecast" or the negatives of these terms or variations of them or similar expressions.
These forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other factors (some of which are beyond the Company's control) which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include those set forth in the sections entitled "Risk Factors" and "Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, and in the Company's subsequent filings with the SEC available at www.sec.gov. If any of these risks materialize or any of the Company's assumptions prove incorrect, actual results could differ materially from the results implied by these forward-looking statements. There may be additional risks that the Company presently does not know or that it currently believes are immaterial that could also cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date they were made. Except to the extent required by law, the Company undertakes no obligation to update such statements to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date on which they were made.
Investor Relations
Eric Prouty
Szymon Serowiecki
AdvisIRy Partners [email protected]
Media Relations
Margaret Skillicorn
RAD Strategies Inc. [email protected]
Source: Dragonfly Energy Holdings Corp.
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/791cd367-99c8-4383-9885-39612cc7a1bd
2026-02-04 12:461mo ago
2026-02-04 07:301mo ago
Bread Financial to Participate in the UBS Financial Services Conference
COLUMBUS, Ohio, Feb. 04, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bread Financial® Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: BFH), a tech-forward financial services company that provides simple, personalized payment, lending, and saving solutions, today announced the company’s participation in the UBS Financial Services Conference on Wednesday, February 11.
Bread Financial EVP and Chief Financial Officer Perry Beberman will participate in a fireside chat. The fireside chat will take place at 12:10 p.m. ET and will be broadcast live here.
The fireside chat can also be accessed through Bread Financial’s investor relations website. A replay of the webcast will be available for 90 days following the event.
About Bread Financial®
Bread Financial® (NYSE: BFH) is a tech-forward financial services company that provides simple, personalized payment, lending and saving solutions to millions of U.S. consumers. Our payment solutions, including Bread Financial general purpose credit cards and savings products, empower our customers and their passions for a better life. Additionally, we deliver growth for some of the most recognized brands in travel & entertainment, health & beauty, jewelry and specialty apparel through our private label and co-brand credit cards and pay-over-time products providing choice and value to our shared customers.
Bread Financial proudly marks 30 years of success in 2026. To learn more about our global associates, our performance and our sustainability progress, visit breadfinancial.com or follow us on Instagram and LinkedIn.
PHILADELPHIA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aramark’s (NYSE: ARMK) Board of Directors approved a quarterly dividend of $0.12 cents per share of common stock payable on March 4, 2026 to stockholders of record at the close of business on February 18, 2026.
About Aramark
Aramark (NYSE: ARMK) proudly serves the world’s leading educational institutions, Fortune 500 companies, world champion sports teams, prominent healthcare providers, iconic destinations and cultural attractions, and numerous municipalities in 16 countries around the world with food and facilities management. Because of our hospitality culture, our employees strive to do great things for each other, our partners, our communities, and the planet. Learn more at www.aramark.com and connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook, X, and Instagram.
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2026-02-04 12:461mo ago
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APi Group Confirms Date of Fourth Quarter 2025 Earnings Release and Announces Participation in Upcoming Investor Conferences
NEW BRIGHTON, Minn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--APi Group Corporation (NYSE: APG) (“APi”) announced today that it intends to release its financial results for the three months and full year ended December 31, 2025, before the market opens on Wednesday, February 25, 2026.
Fourth Quarter Earnings Conference Call:
APi will hold a webcast/dial-in conference call to discuss its financial results at 8:30 a.m. (Eastern Time) on Wednesday, February 25, 2026. Participants on the call will include Russell A. Becker, President and Chief Executive Officer; and David Jackola, EVP and Chief Financial Officer. The conference call can be accessed by registering online using the links below. Analysts will receive dial-in information as well as a conference ID once registered.
A replay of the call will be available shortly after completion of the live call/webcast via the webcast link above.
Upcoming Investor Conference Participation:
APi’s senior leadership will be participating in a fireside chat at the Citi 2026 Global Industrial Tech and Mobility Conference on Tuesday, February 17, 2026 at 1:00 PM ET and the Barclays 2026 Industrial Select Conference on Wednesday, February 18, 2026 at 7:30 AM ET. The live webcast links and archived replays will be available in the “Events” area on the Investor Relations page of APi’s website at www.apigroupcorp.com. Interested parties should check the Company’s website for any schedule updates or time changes.
About APi:
APi is a global, market-leading business services provider of fire and life safety, security, elevator and escalator, and specialty services with a substantial recurring revenue base and over 500 locations worldwide. APi provides statutorily mandated and other contracted services to a strong base of long-standing customers across industries. We have a winning leadership culture driven by entrepreneurial business leaders to deliver innovative solutions for our customers. More information can be found at www.apigroupinc.com.
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2026-02-04 12:461mo ago
2026-02-04 07:301mo ago
Ocular Therapeutix: Why SOL-1 Trial Outcome Is Likely Positive
Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have a beneficial long position in the shares of OCUL 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.
2026-02-04 12:461mo ago
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Infineon Technologies AG (IFNNY) Q1 2026 Press Conference Call Transcript
Q1: 2026-02-04 Earnings SummaryEPS of $0.41 beats by $0.04
|
Revenue of
$4.33B
(21.87% Y/Y)
beats by $36.62M
Infineon Technologies AG (IFNNY) Q1 2026 Press Conference Call February 4, 2026 2:00 AM EST
Company Participants
Florian Martens - Global Head of Communications Public Policy
Jochen Hanebeck - CEO, Labor Director & Chairman of Management Board
Sven Schneider - CFO & Member of Management Board
Conference Call Participants
Sebastien Ash
Joachim Hofer
Joachim Herr
Christina Kyriasoglou
Christoph Meyer
Hakan Ersen
Presentation
Operator
Good morning. Welcome to the conference call on the results of the First Quarter of Fiscal 2026 of Infineon Technologies AG. I'm Matilde. I'm your Chorus Call operator. [Operator Instructions] The conference call is being recorded. [Operator Instructions] The conference call may not be recorded for publication purposes.
I would like to now hand the floor to Florian Martens.
Florian Martens
Global Head of Communications Public Policy
Thank you very much. Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. I hope that you all got off to a wonderful start to the new year, and I would like to welcome you to our conference call on the results of the first quarter of fiscal 2026. Participating at this conference on behalf of the Board are Jochen Hanebeck, the CEO; and Dr. Sven Schneider, our CFO.
Dear listeners, as usual, Mr. Hanebeck will start by giving you an overview of the business performance of Infineon. Afterwards, both members of the Board of Management will be available to answer any questions you may have. Our conference call will end on time at 8:45. Of course, our press team headed by Andre Tauber and me myself will be available for any follow-up questions.
And I'd now like to hand the floor to Jochen Hanebeck.
Jochen Hanebeck
CEO, Labor Director & Chairman of Management Board
Thank you, Florian. Hello, and welcome. Dear listeners, we're only 1 month into 2026 and yet a lot has already happened when you consider the numerous geopolitical developments of
2026-02-04 12:461mo ago
2026-02-04 07:321mo ago
Famous Wall Street Legend Predicts Gold Could Hit $10,000
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Gold’s recent dramatic selloff resulted from a convergence of factors following a surge in prices above $5,500 per ounce. The immediate catalyst was President Trump’s nomination of Kevin Warsh as the next Federal Reserve chair, who is viewed as hawkish on monetary policy. This sent the dollar higher and undercut investors who had bet on currency weakness, while expectations of tighter policy raised the opportunity cost of holding non-yielding gold. The selloff intensified amid extremely crowded positioning following gold’s 66% surge in 2025. Heavily leveraged investors faced rising margin requirements, followed by margin calls that triggered liquidations, creating a self-reinforcing downward spiral. A record wave of call option purchases had mechanically pushed prices higher, setting up conditions for a sharp reversal once momentum shifted and liquidity deteriorated.
Gold remains a compelling investment despite the recent substantial price declines because its fundamental value drivers remain intact. Central banks worldwide continue adding gold to their reserves as a hedge against currency instability and geopolitical uncertainty. Unlike paper assets, gold carries no counterparty risk and has preserved purchasing power across centuries of economic upheaval. The recent selloff presents an attractive entry point for long-term investors, as gold typically performs well during periods of monetary expansion, inflationary pressures, and market volatility—all factors that remain relevant in today’s economic environment.
Additionally, gold serves as a portfolio diversifier, often moving inversely to stocks and bonds during periods of stress. While short-term price movements can be volatile, gold’s role as a store of value and safe-haven asset makes it a prudent allocation for investors seeking stability and protection against potential economic disruptions ahead.
Market veteran Ed Yardeni, the veteran market strategist and president of Yardeni Research, and one of the most respected voices on Wall Street, noted this when discussing the potential for gold at $10,000 per ounce, after already calling the precious metal hitting $5,000.
Ed Yardeni stated that if gold continues on its current path, it could reach $10,000 before the end of the decade. More specifically, Yardeni’s key predictions included $5,000 per ounce by 2026 and $10,000 per ounce by 2029. In the long term, analysts expect gold to trade between $10,000 and $16,150 over the next 10 years.
Mr. Yardeni believes gold prices will rise dramatically for several reasons. Since Russia’s reserves were frozen in 2022, central banks worldwide have been buying more gold. This event has made countries such as China and India concerned about holding too many dollars, prompting them to buy more gold instead. Yardeni calls gold “physical bitcoin” and argues that gold is more reliable than Bitcoin when countries face political tensions, sanctions, or concerns about their banking systems. He sees gold not just as a hedge against inflation, but as a safeguard against broader problems in the global financial system as power spreads among more countries.
The bottom line for investors is this: the reason to own gold has not changed; a heavily leveraged trade exploded, which is why investors saw the massive, swift price decline. Here are two safe ways to own either physical gold or gold miners without picking individual stocks.
The SPDR Gold Shares ETF (NYSE: GLD) is one of the best pure-play gold ETFs for investors. The fund holds physical gold bullion and some cash. Each share represents one-tenth of an ounce of gold. The fund does not pay dividends.
GAMCO Global Gold, Natural Resources & Income Trust is an appropriate investment for investors seeking to add gold and energy stocks. NYSE: GGN) is a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company. The investment objective is to provide a high level of current income through a monthly dividend of 6.91%.
The fund’s secondary investment objective is to seek capital appreciation consistent with the fund’s strategy and primary purpose. Under normal market conditions, the fund will attempt to achieve its objectives by investing 80% of its assets in equity securities of companies principally engaged in the gold and natural resource industries and by writing covered call options on those securities.
This popular Gabelli fund invests at least 25% of its assets in the equity securities of companies principally engaged in the exploration, mining, fabrication, processing, distribution, or trading of gold, or in the financing, management, control, or operation of companies engaged in gold-related activities.
If You’ve Been Thinking About Retirement, Pay Attention (sponsor) Retirement planning doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. The key is finding expert guidance, and SmartAsset’s simple quiz makes it easier than ever for you to connect with a vetted financial advisor. Here’s how:
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2026-02-04 12:461mo ago
2026-02-04 07:331mo ago
AMD Struggles to Bridge the Gap Between AI Hope and Near-Term Reality
, /PRNewswire/ -- V2X, Inc., (NYSE: VVX), a leading provider of global mission solutions, will report fourth quarter and full year 2025 financial results on Monday, February 23, 2026, after market close. Senior management will conduct a conference call at 4:30 p.m. ET that same day.
U.S.-based participants may dial in to the conference call at 877-300-8521, while international participants may dial 412-317-6026. A live webcast of the conference call as well as an accompanying slide presentation will be available at https://app.webinar.net/3do4py9pnRx and on the Investors section of the V2X website at https://gov2x.com/.
A replay of the conference call will be posted on the V2X website shortly after completion of the call and will be available for one year. A telephonic replay will also be available through March 9, 2026, at 844-512-2921 (domestic) or 412-317-6671 (international) with passcode 10206521.
About V2X
V2X builds innovative solutions that integrate physical and digital environments by aligning people, actions, and technology. V2X is embedded in all elements of a critical mission's lifecycle to enhance readiness, optimize resource management, and boost security. The company provides innovation spanning national security, defense, civilian, and international markets. With a global team of approximately 16,000 professionals, V2X enables mission success by injecting AI and machine learning capabilities to meet today's toughest challenges across all operational domains.
Investor Contact
Mike Smith, CFA
Vice President, Treasury, Corporate Development and Investor Relations
[email protected]
719-637-5773
Jim Wyckoff has spent over 25 years involved with the stock, financial and commodity markets. He was a financial journalist with the FWN newswire service for many years, including stints as a reporter on the rough-and-tumble commodity futures trading floors in Chicago and New York. As a journalist, he has covered every futures market traded in the U.S., at one time or another.
Jim is the proprietor of the "Jim Wyckoff on the Markets" analytical, educational and trading advisory service. Jim also worked as a technical analyst for Dow Jones Newswires and as the senior market analyst with TraderPlanet.com. Jim is also a consultant with the highly respected "Pro Farmer" agricultural advisory service. Jim was also the head equities analyst at CapitalistEdge.com. He received his degree from Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa, where he studied journalism and economics.
Follow Jim daily on Kitco.com as he provides both AM and PM roundups and a daily Technical Special. 1 877 963-NEWS jwyckoff at kitco.com
2026-02-04 12:461mo ago
2026-02-04 07:341mo ago
Kneat to Announce 2025 Fourth-Quarter and Year-End Financial Results February 25, 2026
LIMERICK, Ireland, Feb. 04, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- kneat.com, inc. (TSX: KSI, OTCQX: KSIOF) (“Kneat” or the “Company”), a leader in digitizing and automating validation and quality processes, announced today that the Company will release its financial results for the quarter ended December 31, 2025, after TSX market close on February 25, 2026.
Eddie Ryan, Chief Executive Officer and Dave O’Reilly, Chief Financial Officer, will host a conference call and Q&A for sell side analysts via webcast on February 26 at 09:00 ET (14:00 GMT).
Interested parties can register for the live webcast via the following link:
Register Here
Kneat’s fourth-quarter and full-year financial results will be available from the Financial Information section of the Investors page on the Kneat Solutions website, at: https://kneat.com/investors/
About Kneat
Kneat Solutions provides leading companies in highly regulated industries with unparalleled efficiency in validation and compliance through its digital validation platform Kneat Gx. As an industry leader in customer satisfaction, Kneat boasts an excellent record for implementation, powered by our user-friendly design, expert support, and on-demand training academy. Kneat Gx is an industry-leading digital validation platform that enables highly regulated companies to manage any validation discipline from end-to-end. Kneat Gx is fully ISO 9001 and ISO 27001 certified, fully validated, and 21 CFR Part 11/Annex 11 compliant. Multiple independent customer studies have shown that Kneat Gx reduces man-hours associated with validation documentation by up to 50%, accelerates review and approval cycles by up to 50%, and consistently supports higher standards of regulatory compliance. For more information visit www.kneat.com.
Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have a beneficial long position in the shares of AGNC, NLY 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.
Beyond Saving, Philip Mause, and Hidden Opportunities, all are supporting contributors for High Dividend Opportunities. Any recommendation posted in this article is not indefinite. We closely monitor all of our positions. We issue Buy and Sell alerts on our recommendations, which are exclusive to our members.
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.
2026-02-04 12:461mo ago
2026-02-04 07:351mo ago
Envirotech Vehicles, Inc. Advances Into Execution Phase Following On-Site Engineering Validation of Modular AI & Power Infrastructure Initiative with AZIO AI
Operational review confirms technical readiness as EVTV transitions from planning to field execution HOUSTON, TX / ACCESS Newswire / February 4, 2026 / Envirotech Vehicles, Inc. (NASDAQ:EVTV) ("EVTV" or the "Company"), a U.S.-based manufacturer of purpose-built electric vehicles and specialty infrastructure platforms, today announced a significant operational advancement in its previously disclosed modular data and power infrastructure initiative in collaboration with AZIO AI Corporation ("AZIO AI"), following the completion of an on-site engineering and technical validation review. The on-site working session marked a transition from design and feasibility into execution, with EVTV and AZIO AI teams completing comprehensive technical assessments across fuel, power, and compute systems and establishing confirmed pathways for deployment.
2026-02-04 12:461mo ago
2026-02-04 07:351mo ago
India's Russian oil imports down 9% in Jan/Dec amid US-India trade talks
A model of an oil pump is seen in front of a Russian flag in this illustration taken January 9, 2026. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights, opens new tab
CompaniesFeb 4 (Reuters) - India's Russian oil imports slipped in January, continuing a downturn that began in December as refiners sought more alternative barrels under Western sanctions pressure and ongoing U.S.–India trade talks, Reuters sources said and data showed.
On Monday, U.S. President Donald Trump announced a trade deal with India to cut tariffs to 18% from 50% in exchange for New Delhi halting Russian oil purchases and lowering trade barriers.
The Reuters Power Up newsletter provides everything you need to know about the global energy industry. Sign up here.
Indian refiners have been redrawing crude import strategies in recent months to shift away from top supplier Russia and boost imports from the Middle East.
In January, India imported 1.215 million barrels per day (bpd) of Russian crude, of which the Nayara refinery accounted for 0.41 million bpd, IOC took 0.58 million bpd, and BPCL took 0.19 million bpd, while Reliance imported no Russian crude last month, according to provisional data from analytics firm Kpler.
India's Russian oil imports in January were down by some 9% on a daily basis from last December, Reuters calculations showed. December oil imports dropped about 22% from November to 1.38 million barrels per day.
While it remains unclear to what extent India may ultimately have to scale back its imports of Russian oil, any further reductions would make it increasingly difficult and costly for Moscow to secure alternative buyers for its crude, Reuters sources said.
Indian refiners have not been told by the government to stop buying Russian oil and would need a wind-down period to complete purchases already in process, two refining sources said on Tuesday, following the trade deal with Washington.
Reliance Industries Ltd, operator of the world's largest refining complex, will buy up to 150,000 barrels per day of Russian oil from February for its domestic market-focused refinery, a company executive said last week.
The country's largest refiner overall, Indian Oil Corp, has committed to buying more Brazilian crude in the fiscal year starting April, after reducing Russian oil imports.
India’s reduction in purchases of Russian oil is affecting the freight market for its grades, as traders are increasingly using tankers to store Russia's Urals crude at seas.
Reporting by Reuters; Editing by Hugh Lawson
Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles., opens new tab
2026-02-04 12:461mo ago
2026-02-04 07:361mo ago
Altria Group: The Opportunity Window Has Closed (Rating Downgrade)
SummaryMO is now rated Hold due to limited upside at current valuation and slow smoke-free transition progress. MO's smokeable segment, still 87.5% of revenue, continues to decline, with Marlboro's share dropping below 40% in Q4 2025. Smoke-free initiatives show incremental progress but remain financially immaterial; oral tobacco grew less than 1% year-over-year. MO maintains strong shareholder rewards, with $8B in 2025 dividends and buybacks, and 2026 EPS guidance of $5.56–$5.72 (+2.5–5.5%). Why am I holding onto my shares? Reasonable valuation and guidance, combined with smoke-free narrative and attractive shareholder rewards. krblokhin/iStock Editorial via Getty Images
Altria Group (MO) is one of my all-time favorite businesses - as a dividend investor I enjoyed its distributions a lot over the years. I consider MO a shareholder-friendly business to own and that's exactly what
Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have a beneficial long position in the shares of MO, PM 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.
The information, opinions, and thoughts included in this article do not constitute an investment recommendation or any form of investment advice. I have no position regarding PM, but I may initiate a beneficial Long position through the purchase of stock in PM over the next 72 hours.
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.
2026-02-04 12:461mo ago
2026-02-04 07:371mo ago
Delta Reports New Gold Intercept at Nova Target in Wedge Area, 4 Kilometres West of Eureka; Follow-Up Drill Program Underway
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - February 4, 2026) - Delta Resources Limited (TSXV: DLTA) (OTC Pink: DTARF) (FSE: 6GO1) ("Delta" or "the Company") is pleased to announce the discovery of a potential new gold zone in the Wedge area approximately 4 kilometres west of the Eureka Gold Deposit in Thunder Bay, Ontario. Assay results are from an additional two (2) drill holes completed as part of its recent 26-hole, 5,237-metre Fall 2025 diamond drill program. Delta is also pleased to announce the commencement of a 1,400-metre follow-up drill program at the Company's flagship Delta-1 Property, located approximately 50 kilometres west of Thunder Bay, Ontario.
Highlights:
New gold intercept in hole D1-25-153 at the Nova target (Wedge area), located approximately 450 metres east of the Wedge Zone and 4 km west of the Eureka Gold Deposit, returning 1.11 g/t Au over 10.3 metres.Confirmation of gold mineralization at the Wedge Zone in hole D1-25-152.Follow-up drilling underway at Wedge Zone, Nova Target, and Kaspar Target, supported by enhanced geophysical targeting based on results from a recently completed 194.6 line-kilometre high-resolution, drone-based magnetic survey.Table-1: Reported assay results at the Delta-1 Gold Project
inc.62.0066.502.034.50Ron Kopas, Chief Executive Officer (Interim) of Delta, commented:
"The discovery of a potential new gold zone at Nova Target in the Wedge area highlights the exceptional upside for additional significant discoveries across our extensive Delta-1 property. This is particularly encouraging given our success at the Shabaqua Target (see Delta's January 12, 2026 press release), where autumn drilling returned 4.25 grams over 11.8 metres. As we continue to advance the Eureka Gold Deposit through infill and metallurgical work, we believe the ongoing discoveries of additional gold sources on the Delta-1 property, that could be developed synergistically with the Eureka Deposit, continue to strengthen the project economics in this low-cost jurisdiction. This opportunity is further strengthened by our strategic location just 50 km from Thunder Bay, which is an established hub for mining operations in Northern Ontario where we are seeing increasing positive results from neighbouring projects (see recent Goldx2 press release).
In addition, we are pleased to announce a follow-up drill program on the heels of this new discovery. With the recent announcement of the $8,250,000 option agreement to monetize our Delta-2 property in Québec, we are well positioned to continue funding our exploration and project development activities. to advance the Delta-1 property."
Drill Program Stats:
Total number of holes drilled: 26
Metres drilled: 5,237
Number of holes reported here: 2
Shabaqua Target: 14 holes (2,474 m) Eureka South: 3 holes (888 m) Eureka West: 4 holes (894 m) Eureka Infill/Met work: 2 holes (285 m) - assays pendingSouth Till Anomaly: 1 hole (201 m) Wedge: 2 holes (495 m)
Figure-1: Drill hole location map
To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8482/282665_delta1en.jpg
The Company is reporting results from two of the four remaining drill holes from the 26-hole Fall 2025 program that have not previously been reported. Review and interpretation of the remaining two infill and metallurgical testing drill holes is currently underway, with results expected to be released shortly.
Wedge Area
Glacial till sampling conducted by Delta across multiple programs on the Delta-1 property has identified a strong gold anomaly originating from the Wedge area, located approximately 4 km west of the Eureka Gold Deposit. The Wedge area includes the Wedge Zone, the new Nova Target, and the Kaspar Target spanning a distance of almost 1.5 km. The Kaspar Target has the highest single gold grain count in till recorded across the entire area. To date, mineralization within the Wedge area appears to occur in at least two distinct styles, highlighting the strength and complexity of the gold system.
Wedge Zone
The previously identified Wedge Zone mineralization had minimal drill testing in 2003 and has since been verified by Delta Resources through multiple surface sampling programs conducted in recent years. The zone is characterized by pervasively ankerite-sericite-silica altered felsic to intermediate intrusive rocks with quartz-carbonate veinlets and disseminated pyrite and arsenopyrite. This zone was intersected across 27.3 m in D1-25-152 yielding 0.23 g/t Au over 7 m. D1-25-153, drilled 450 m to the east, also intersected the Wedge zone with isolated grades of up to 0.73 g/t Au. This demonstrates the significant potential for this zone to continue to extend along-strike.
Nova Target
A second, and new, style of mineralization, associated with a series of massive pyrite lenses, was observed in drill hole D1-25-153 which yielded a grade of 1.11 g/t Au over 10.3 m. The location of the gold-bearing massive pyrite lenses corresponds with a 500 m long VTEM anomaly running parallel to the regional foliation.
The two holes completed in the Wedge Area during the latest program successfully expanded the known extent of the Wedge Zone by almost 400 m to the east, and identified a new style of mineralization, providing an exciting new target to follow up on and further expanding the mineralized footprint in the Wedge area.
Kaspar Target
The Kaspar target is located over 900 m from the original Wedge Zone discovery area and hole D1-25-152. Multiple gold-bearing samples were collected by Delta in one specific area with results including 8.72 g/t Au, 4.01 g/t Au and 1.75 g/t Au. Mineralization is associated with quartz-carbonate veins and disseminated and bands of pyrite in iron formation, chert, and bedded sedimentary rocks
Follow-Up Drill Program
Further drilling in the Wedge area will focus on, 1) continuing to expand the footprint of the Wedge Zone, 2) testing the extent of the gold-bearing massive pyrite lenses and their association with the strong VTEM anomalies in the area (Nova Target), and 3) drill testing the Kaspar Target.
Table-2: Fall-2025 assay results at the Delta-1 Gold Project
inc.7.709.205.361.50D1-25-137288890.45385078.245457.6307180-45381.0264.50266.005.551.50Southwest Till AnomalyD1-25-138288113.25384511.365459.6469200-45201.0NSR
inc.62.0066.502.034.50Analytical Protocol and QA/QC
Chemical analyses reported in this news release were performed by AGAT Laboratories, an independent analytical laboratory accredited to ISO/IEC 17025 by the Standards Council of Canada (SCC). Sample preparation was completed at AGAT's facility in Thunder Bay, Ontario. All sampling and analytical procedures were conducted under a comprehensive Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) program, including the insertion and monitoring of certified reference materials (standards), blanks, and duplicate samples.
To minimize assay variability associated with the nugget effect from coarse and/or visible gold, the Company implemented the following assaying protocol at Delta-1:
Where visible gold is observed in the sample or where the sample is derived from an interpreted mineralized zone, the assay is performed by Metallic Screening. In this procedure, the entire sample is crushed, and a 1 kg split is pulverized and screened to 106 µm. Both the coarse and fine fractions are analyzed by 50 g fire assay with gravimetric finish at AGAT Laboratories in Thunder Bay, Ontario.
Where visible gold is not observed, or where samples are outside of interpreted mineralized zones, an initial assay is performed by 50 g Fire Assay with ICP-OES finish at the AGAT Laboratory in Thunder Bay, Ontario. If the assay result exceeds 2.0 g/t gold, remaining rejects are pulverized, a 1 kg portion is screened to 106 µm and analyzed by 50 g fire assay with gravimetric finish at the AGAT Laboratory in Thunder Bay, Ontario.
NQ-size drill core was sawn lengthwise in half using a diamond blade saw. One half of the core was sampled, placed in sealed and labelled plastic bags, and shipped to AGAT Laboratories for preparation and analysis. The remaining half core was returned to core boxes and retained for reference at Delta's secure core storage facilities. QA/QC materials including blanks and certified standards were inserted into the sample stream at the project site. In addition, routine insertion of accredited blank, duplicate, and certified reference samples was conducted during the analytical process by AGAT Laboratories, providing further independent QA/QC monitoring.
Mineralized intervals are calculated using a 0.2 g/t Au cut-off grade. Reported intercepts are constrained to intervals where internal dilution does not exceed 5 metres or more of continuous core returning grades below the cut-off.
Qualified Person
Daniel Boudreau, P.Geo., Exploration Manager at Delta Resources Limited, is the Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the technical information contained in this news release.
About Delta Resources Limited
Delta Resources is a Canadian mineral exploration and project development company focused on its Delta-1 project in Ontario, where it has discovered a large, near-surface gold deposit located 50 kilometres west of Thunder Bay, directly adjacent to the Trans-Canada Highway. The Eureka Gold Deposit extends 2.5 km in strike length, from surface to over 300 metres in depth.
Highlights include drill intercepts such as 5.92 g/t Au over 31 metres (including 14.8 g/t Au over 11.9 metres), and 1.79 g/t Au over 128.5 metres. Mineralization has been observed up to 600 metres vertical depth and remains open in all directions. The property covers 297 square kilometres containing multiple corridors of intense alteration and deformation on strike with, and to the south of, the Eureka Gold Zone, many of which remain under-explored.
Shabaqua Target
Delta's initial phase of drilling at the Shabaqua Target demonstrates the potential for higher-grade gold mineralization beyond the currently defined Eureka footprint. Multiple higher-grade intervals were intersected in sulphide-rich chert and iron formation, including 4.25 g/t Au over 11.8 m in hole D1-25-150, 2.40 g/t Au over 4.30 m in D1-25-144 and 1.37 g/t Au over 10.50 m in D1-25-134. In addition, very broad intervals of low-grade, Eureka-style mineralization remain present in the sedimentary rocks, including hole D1-25-148, which returned 0.16 g/t Au over 132 metres.
I-Zone Target
The I-Zone sector is located approximately 18 kilometres southwest of the Eureka Gold Deposit and hosts several high-grade gold showings, including historical (non-NI 43-101 compliant) drill intercepts of 4.32 g/t Au over 41.0 metres, 4.53 g/t Au over 14.4 metres, and 4.36 g/t Au over 20.4 metres (Landore Resources, 1995-1997), as well as a 1,000-kilogram mini-bulk sample (Mengold Resources, 2008) that returned an average grade of 9.9 g/t Au.
We seek safe harbor. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. The TSX Venture Exchange has not approved nor disapproved the information contained herein.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information
Some statements contained in this news release are "forward-looking information" within the meaning of Canadian securities laws. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", "believes" or variations of such words and phrases (including negative or grammatical variations) or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved" or the negative connotation thereof. Investors are cautioned that forward-looking information is inherently uncertain and involves risks, assumptions and uncertainties that could cause actual facts to differ materially. There can be no assurance that future developments affecting the Company will be those anticipated by management. The forward-looking information contained in this press release constitutes management's current estimates, as of the date of this press release, with respect to the matters covered thereby. We expect that these estimates will change as new information is received. While we may elect to update these estimates at any time, we do not undertake to update any estimate at any particular time or in response to any event.
To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/282665
Source: Delta Resources Limited
Ready to Announce with Confidence? Send us a message and a member of our TMX Newsfile team will contact you to discuss your needs.
SummaryAdvanced Micro Devices (AMD) delivered strong FY 2025 diluted EPS growth, driven by accelerated Data Center and resilient Client and Gaming segment performance. AMD's Data Center segment achieved 32% annual growth, aided by a one-off $390 million China GPU export revenue boost. Despite gains, AMD lost 1% Data Center revenue share versus 2024, with Nvidia maintaining dominance in the most lucrative AI datacentre market. Market conviction remains muted and AMD's AI-driven valuation faces near-term tests amid limited datacentre share gains. JHVEPhoto/iStock Editorial via Getty Images
With the reporting of its Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 results on the 3rd of February 2026, American chipmaker Advanced Micro Devices, Inc (AMD) seems to be indicating that hasn’t made substantial
Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.
I lead research at an ETP issuer that offers daily-rebalanced products in leveraged/unleveraged/inverse/inverse leveraged factors with various stocks, including some mentioned in this article, underlying them. As an issuer, we don't care how the market moves; our AUM is mostly driven by investor interest in our products.
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.
2026-02-04 12:461mo ago
2026-02-04 07:391mo ago
Equinor sold about 30% of its US gas on spot market during January price spike
The logo of Equinor is set up at the entrance of a building at Western Europe's largest liquefied natural gas plant Hammerfest LNG in Hammerfest, Norway, March 14, 2024. REUTERS/Lisi Niesner Purchase Licensing Rights, opens new tab
CompaniesOSLO, Feb 4 (Reuters) - Norway's Equinor (EQNR.OL), opens new tab sold around 30% of volumes from its U.S. onshore natural gas assets on a spot basis in January, capitalising on a cold snap that sharply lifted demand and prices, its chief financial officer said on Wednesday.
An Arctic blast sent U.S. heating demand soaring in January and froze oil and gas wells, cutting gas output to a two-year low and pushing some northeast gas hub prices to record highs.
The Reuters Power Up newsletter provides everything you need to know about the global energy industry. Sign up here.
Equinor owns stakes in onshore gas production in the U.S., with the Marcellus position in the Appalachian Basin on the U.S. northeast coast its largest natural gas asset outside Norway.
While the field is operated by a partner, Equinor takes delivery of its share of the gas and transports and markets the volumes itself, CFO Torgrim Reitan told Reuters following the company's fourth-quarter earnings presentation.
The trading business usually leaves some volumes exposed to volatility by selling them on the spot market, he said.
"That was also the case during January. We held around 30% of our exposure to cash prices or spot prices," Reitan said.
This meant that when Equinor sold some of its gas towards the New York region it achieved prices of "more than $100 per MMBtu (million British thermal units)", he said.
Equinor's marginal cost of U.S. production was $1 per MMBtu, Reitan said.
Prices have since fallen, with the benchmark Henry Hub month-ahead contract trading at $3.33 per MMBtu on February 4, after peaking at $7.46 per MMBtu on January 28.
In 2025, Equinor's U.S. natural gas production rose by 27% to 809 million barrels of oil equivalent per day.
The increase was mainly due to higher Appalachia output following the acquisition of additional interests in late 2024 and increased operational activity throughout 2025, Equinor said in its earnings report.
Reporting by Nora Buli. Editing by Terje Solsvik and Mark Potter
Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles., opens new tab
2026-02-04 12:461mo ago
2026-02-04 07:401mo ago
Svenska Handelsbanken AB (publ) (SVNLY) Q4 2025 Earnings Call Transcript
Svenska Handelsbanken AB (publ) (SVNLY) Q4 2025 Earnings Call February 4, 2026 2:15 AM EST
Company Participants
Michael Green - President & Group CEO
Peter Grabe - Head of Investor Relations
Marten Bjurman - Chief Financial Officer
Conference Call Participants
Andreas Hakansson - SEB, Research Division
Magnus Andersson - ABG Sundal Collier Holding ASA, Research Division
Nicolas McBeath - DNB Carnegie, Research Division
Shrey Srivastava - Citigroup Inc., Research Division
Sofie Caroline Peterzens - Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., Research Division
Namita Samtani - Barclays Bank PLC, Research Division
Markus Sandgren - Kepler Cheuvreux, Research Division
Jacob Kruse - Bernstein Autonomous LLP
Riccardo Rovere - Mediobanca - Banca di credito finanziario S.p.A., Research Division
Presentation
Michael Green
President & Group CEO
Good morning, everyone, and welcome to this presentation of Handelsbanken's results for the fourth quarter and full year of 2025. The bank reported a solid fourth quarter with net profits from continuing operations, up slightly compared to Q3 and a return on equity of 13%. The savings business continued to perform well with strong inflows in customer savings.
Assets under management reached an all-time high in our home markets. Household lending has started to grow again in most of our home markets. And in the U.K. and the Netherlands, we now have also seen several quarters with steadily growth also in corporate lending.
All in all, the income increased in the quarter, while the normal seasonal pickup in expenses was fairly modest. Asset quality remained very strong, and we added yet another quarter with net credit loss reversals, bringing the consecutive count to 8 quarters in a row with net reversals.
So given the solid asset quality and strong financial position of the bank, the Board proposes a dividend of SEK 17.50 per share to the AGM, which an ordinary dividend of SEK 8 per share and an extra dividend of
Wärtsilä Oyj Abp (WRTBY) Q4 2025 Earnings Call February 4, 2026 3:00 AM EST
Company Participants
Hanna-Maria Heikkinen - Vice President of Investor Relations
Håkan Agnevall - President, CEO & Member of Management Board
Arjen Berends - CFO, Executive VP & Member of the Board of Management
Conference Call Participants
Daniela Costa - Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., Research Division
Akash Gupta - JPMorgan Chase & Co, Research Division
Uma Samlin - BofA Securities, Research Division
Vladimir Sergievskiy - Barclays Bank PLC, Research Division
John-B Kim - Deutsche Bank AG, Research Division
Sven Weier - UBS Investment Bank, Research Division
Max Yates - Morgan Stanley, Research Division
Panu Laitinmaki - Danske Bank A/S, Research Division
Presentation
Hanna-Maria Heikkinen
Vice President of Investor Relations
Hi all, and welcome to this news conference for Wartsila Q4 '25 results. My name is Hanna-Maria Heikkinen, and I'm in charge of Investor Relations.
Today, our CEO, Hakan Agnevall, will start with the group highlights. He will continue with the business performance. And after that, our CFO, Arjen Berends, will continue with key financials. After that, we will discuss the dividend proposal and also the outlook. After the presentation, there is a good opportunity to ask questions.
Time to start, Hakan.
Håkan Agnevall
President, CEO & Member of Management Board
Thank you, Hanna-Maria, and before you leave, congratulations. You were voted to the most popular investor relations professional in Finland.
Hanna-Maria Heikkinen
Vice President of Investor Relations
Thank you, Hakan. And thank you, first of all, to Hakan, Arjen and all of the Wartsila management, but also all of the analysts and investors who have been engaging in our dialogue and providing very inspiring questions. Thank you.
Håkan Agnevall
President, CEO & Member of Management Board
Yes. Thank you. Thank you. So Q4 and 2025, I think this has been a great year and we are on a great
The Company Remains Open to Constructive DialogReiterates Focus on Execution and Governance Changes for Continued Evolution to a Dynamic SaaS Business
CALGARY, Alberta, Feb. 04, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sylogist Ltd. (TSX: SYZ) (“Sylogist” or the “Company”), a leading public sector SaaS company, today announced that it has received a shareholder meeting requisition notice pursuant to section 142 of the Business Corporations Act (Alberta) dated January 29, 2026 from OneMove Capital LLC (the “dissident”). The Company is reviewing the requisition with the assistance of its professional advisors and will respond appropriately in due course. In the meantime, there is no need for shareholders to take any action.
The Company Remains Open to Constructive Dialog with Shareholders
The dissident purports to hold approximately 9.09% of the issued and outstanding common shares of the Company. The dissident’s requisition proposes that its four nominees – including Tyler Proud personally – be elected to replace three of the Company’s existing directors. This would result in the dissident having a controlling position on the board with four of seven seats.
Over the past five months, the Company’s engagement with the dissident has been led by the special committee of the board, established to respond to the dissident’s initial approach in September 2025. During this time, the special committee has made significant good faith efforts to reach a negotiated settlement with the dissident, including offering a similar board representation agreement to that of the Company’s largest shareholder. The dissident has declined this offer. Notwithstanding the dissident’s current position, the Company remains open to continuing the dialogue to find a mutually agreeable solution that is in the best interests of the Company.
Sylogist Reiterates Focus on Execution and Governance Changes
In recent months, Sylogist’s board has initiated various governance changes and other steps to help better position Sylogist for its continued evolution to a dynamic SaaS-focused business and to help drive growth and value creation for the benefit of all shareholders. These steps have included:
the commencement of a board chair succession planning process, which is being overseen by a reconstituted Nominating and Governance Committee,the formation of the board’s business scale committee which has a mandate to ensure that long term strategic business goals are aligned with focused execution across management disciplines, and that processes and performance measures are implemented to improve operational effectiveness, forecasting and transparency, anda change in executive leadership, appointing Craig O’Neill as Interim CEO to support Sylogist’s team in executing on the Company’s strategy and operational priorities. Mr. O’Neill comes to the role with deep software development know-how, proven go-to-market expertise, and a demonstrated ability to create positive, high-performing cultures.
As it has in the past, the Company welcomes the perspectives of its shareholders and looks forward to an ongoing dialogue with shareholders, including the dissident. The board and management team will continue to prioritize good governance and perform their duties in the best interests of the Company.
About Sylogist
Sylogist provides mission-critical SaaS solutions to over 2,000 public sector customers globally across the government, nonprofit, and education verticals. The Company’s stock is traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol SYZ. Information about Sylogist, inclusive of full financial statements together with Management’s Discussion and Analysis, can be found at www.sedarplus.ca or at www.sylogist.com.
Forward-looking Statements
Certain statements in this news release may be forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws and regulations. These statements typically use words such as expect, foresee, believe, estimate, project, anticipate, plan, may, should, could and would, or the negative of these terms, variations thereof or similar terminology. Forward-looking information in this news release includes statements made with respect to the Company’s continued evolution to a SaaS-focused business, Company growth and value creation, alignment of strategic business goals with focused execution, and the implementation of processes and performance measures and potential benefits therefrom. By their very nature, forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and involve inherent risks and uncertainties, both general and specific in nature. It is therefore possible that the beliefs and plans and other forward-looking expectations expressed herein will not be achieved or will prove inaccurate. Although Sylogist believes that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, it provides no assurance that these expectations will prove to have been correct. Forward-looking information involves risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events, results, performance, prospects and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Additional information regarding some of these risks, uncertainties and other factors may be found in the Company’s Annual Information Form for year ended December 31, 2024, and in the Management’s Discussion and Analysis for the quarter ended June 30, 2025 and the year ended December 31, 2024, and other documents available on the Company’s profile at www.sedarplus.ca. Although Sylogist believes that the material assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking information in this news release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information, which only applies as of the date of this news release, and no assurance can be given that such events will occur. Sylogist disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than as required by law.
Shareholder questions? Please contact Laurel Hill Advisory Group by email at [email protected], or by calling, 1-877-452-7184 (North American toll-free) or 1-416-304-0211 (outside North America).
2026-02-04 12:461mo ago
2026-02-04 07:441mo ago
Uber's stock as record demand for rides fails to deliver the profit investors expected
HomeIndustriesTransportation/ShippingEarnings ResultsEarnings ResultsEarnings outlook for current quarter also missed Wall Street forecasts, even as gross booking guidance beatPublished: Feb. 4, 2026 at 7:44 a.m. ET
Uber’s stock drops toward a 10-month low as a quarterly profit miss offsets record user results. Photo: Getty ImagesShares of Uber Technologies sank toward a 10-month low in early trading Wednesday after the ride-hailing and food-delivery service missed fourth-quarter profit expectations and provided a downbeat outlook.
The disappointing earnings came despite revenue rising above forecasts, and another record quarter for monthly users and trips completed.
2026-02-04 11:461mo ago
2026-02-04 05:531mo ago
Prediction markets and permissionless perps on Hyperliquid: Exploring HIP-3 and HIP-4
Episode 58 of The Crypto Beat was recorded with Tim Copeland, Kelvin Sparks, Wintermute's Head of OTC Trading, Jake Ostrovskis, and Kaiko's Senior Researcher, Adam McCarthy.
Listen below, and subscribe to The Crypto Beat on YouTube, Apple, Spotify, Twitch, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Please send feedback and revision requests to [email protected].
In episode 58 of The Crypto Beat, Wintermute's Head of OTC Trading, Jake Ostrovskis, and Kaiko's Senior Researcher, Adam McCarthy join Kelvin and Tim to discuss why crypto feels like a bear market — compressed basis, dead retail, and bitcoin stuck between risk asset and digital gold narratives. The conversation pivots to Hyperliquid's HIP3 and HIP4 as rare bright spots, the challenges of pricing RWAs and prediction markets onchain, and what the Clarity Act and regulatory momentum could mean for a 2026 recovery.
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How a Bearish XRP Price Metric Is Now Fueling Bullish Hopes — $1.70 Reclaim Possible?XRP price holds $1.48 as 396 million exchange inflows clash with long-term holder accumulation Short-term holders cut supply from 16.8% to 12.9%, signaling weak-hand distribution.CMF divergence and $520 million cost-basis cluster support rebound toward $1.70 resistance.The XRP price remains under pressure in early February as broader market weakness continues to weigh on altcoins. The token is still down nearly 25% on a monthly basis and remains locked inside a long-term falling channel.
Recent rebounds have failed to shift the broader trend. Exchange flows and price structure continue to reflect elevated risk. However, deeper on-chain data suggests that recent selling pressure may be coming mainly from short-term holders rather than long-term investors. This divergence is creating a growing conflict between surface-level weakness and early signs of accumulation.
Falling Channel and Rising Exchange Inflows Signal Ongoing RiskXRP continues to trade inside a descending channel that has guided the price lower since mid-2025. Each recovery attempt has been capped near the upper trend line, while lower highs keep forming. The token is now drifting closer to the lower boundary, increasing the 25%+ breakdown risk.
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XRP Price Structure: TradingViewWant more token insights like this? Sign up for Editor Harsh Notariya’s Daily Crypto Newsletter here.
At the same time, exchange flow data is flashing caution.
The exchange net position change tracks the net amount of XRP entering or leaving exchanges over a rolling 30-day period. When the indicator turns positive, it means more tokens have moved onto exchanges than off them, typically signaling rising sell-side pressure.
On February 3, this 30-day metric flipped back into positive territory, showing a net increase of nearly 396 million XRP on exchanges. This shift suggests that selling activity has started to outweigh accumulation again.
Selling Pressure Rises: GlassnodeTogether, the falling channel and rising exchange inflows indicate that sellers still retain short-term control.
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HODL Waves and Long-Term Buyers Show Selling Is Concentrated in Weak HandsWhile exchange inflows look bearish at first glance, holder behavior reveals that selling is possibly concentrated among speculative traders.
HODL Waves tracks how long XRP has been held in wallets, grouping supply by holding periods. This helps identify whether short-term traders or long-term investors are driving market activity.
Recent data shows that the one-week to one-month cohort reduced its share of supply from 5.27% to 3.6% since February 1. At the same time, the one-to-three-month cohort cut exposure from 11.53% to 9.29%. These groups represent the most reactive and speculative holders in the market.
Weak Hands Dumping: GlassnodeTheir exit explains much of the recent rise in XRP exchange balances. And that’s not necessarily bad in the mid-term as speculative money can cut rallies and bounces short.
In contrast, long-term holders continue to accumulate. Hodler net position change, which tracks wallets holding XRP for more than 155 days, remains in positive territory. This indicates that experienced investors are still adding, even though buying momentum slowed slightly in early February.
HODLers Still Accumulate: GlassnodeSponsored
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This pattern suggests that weak hands are distributing supply while stronger holders absorb it.
XRP’s cost basis data reinforces this view. The cost basis heatmap maps where large portions of XRP last changed hands. Recent data shows a fresh accumulation cluster forming between $1.57 and $1.58, where more than 520 million XRP have shifted ownership in recent sessions.
Cost Basis Levels: GlassnodeThis level now represents a growing support zone, as a large volume of buyers entered at these prices. When substantial supply builds at one level, it often acts as a cushion during pullbacks.
Taken together, HODL Waves, long-term accumulation, and cost basis data point to redistribution rather than broad capitulation.
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Key XRP Price Levels Shape the Rebound ScenarioMomentum indicators provide another layer of confirmation.
Between late January and early February, XRP’s price trended lower while the Chaikin Money Flow (CMF) indicator trended higher. This bullish divergence shows that capital inflows increased even as prices declined, suggesting growing institutional-style accumulation.
CMF is now approaching the neutral zero line. A sustained move above this level would confirm improving capital participation and strengthen the rebound thesis.
From a technical perspective, several price levels will determine the next major move.
On the downside, $1.48 remains the most important support. A decisive break below this level would invalidate the base structure and expose $1.25. If that zone fails, XRP risks a deeper decline toward $0.94, nearly matching the projected breakdown from the falling channel.
XRP Price Analysis: TradingViewOn the upside, the first recovery barrier stands near $1.70. If confirmed, a move above $1.97 could open the path toward $2.42. Breaking $1.97 can turn the XRP price structure back to neutral from bearish, via the trendline break.
For now, XRP remains technically weak. However, rising capital inflows, steady long-term accumulation, and developing support suggest that downside pressure may be stabilizing. As long as $1.48 holds and CMF continues to strengthen, a gradual push toward $1.70 remains possible.
Disclaimer
In line with the Trust Project guidelines, this price analysis article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial or investment advice. BeInCrypto is committed to accurate, unbiased reporting, but market conditions are subject to change without notice. Always conduct your own research and consult with a professional before making any financial decisions. Please note that our Terms and Conditions, Privacy Policy, and Disclaimers have been updated.
2026-02-04 11:461mo ago
2026-02-04 06:001mo ago
Solana wins January on-chain – So why did SOL still drop 20%?
Solana is having a moment. Just… not the kind that shows up on a price chart.
In January, the network was ranked No.1 in DEX Volume rankings, while transactions and usage pushed to ATHs. However, despite it all, SOL’s price has struggled to keep pace.
Will that change?
Solana leads by a wide margin Recent data per CryptoRank showed that Solana has processed $117.7 billion in trades in January 2026.
Source: CryptoRank
That’s a 20% month-on-month increase, leaving Ethereum [ETH], BNB Chain [BNB], Base [BASE], and Arbitrum [ARB] far behind.
At its peak, Solana [SOL] accounted for nearly 35% of all on-chain DEX Volume.
Source: X
Meanwhile, Transaction Counts and overall network activity are at all-time highs, while the ratio of successful to reverted transactions improved meaningfully.
All these numbers, and yet… …price has taken a good fall.
2026-02-04 11:461mo ago
2026-02-04 06:001mo ago
Elon Musk Revives ‘Dogecoin To The Moon' With Hint For 2027
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Elon Musk on Tuesday reignited a long-running narrative linking Dogecoin to space exploration, telling a fan on X (that SpaceX “maybe next year” could send Dogecoin to the Moon — a phrase interpreted by many in the crypto community as a timeline for fulfilling the long-teased DOGE-1 lunar mission. The brief exchange with a supporter has lifted investor interest and triggered a modest price response in DOGE.
Dogecoin To The Moon, Literally? Musk’s latest comment came in reply to a repost of his own old pledge that SpaceX would put a “literal Dogecoin on the literal Moon,” a promise dating back to 2021 and tied to the DOGE-1 lunar project. With “Maybe next year”, he signaled that the long-delayed mission might materialize as soon as 2027, reviving a narrative that has periodically surfaced over the past few years.
Maybe next year
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 3, 2026
The DOGE-1 mission is a commercial cubesat funded entirely in Dogecoin, booked as a rideshare aboard a Falcon 9 rocket with the objective of reaching lunar orbit and collecting basic imagery and data, marking one of the first attempts to use cryptocurrency as the payment medium for a space mission.
Originally announced in 2021, the launch has been postponed multiple times, and as of the latest filings and reporting, it remains on track for a launch window in the next year or so.
Such Rocket 😳🪭 https://t.co/OnK0vYmyG8 pic.twitter.com/otr48qALK9
— Dogecoin (@dogecoin) February 3, 2026
Market reaction to Musk’s retweet has been measurable but subdued compared with previous comment-driven pumps. Prices for DOGE rose roughly 4–5 percent on the day of the remark, with the token reclaiming the $0.10 mark. The gain slightly outpaced broader crypto markets on the session, positioning DOGE among the better performing large cap assets in the short term after the post.
Although Musk’s social influence on meme coins is well documented, the tone this time appeared more cautious. DOGE remains more than 77 percent below the 2024 high and orders of magnitude beneath its 2021 peak. Previous Musk-linked tweets have historically triggered more pronounced rallies, including sharp single-day surges when he first reignited interest in the space mission concept.
Musk’s post also landed in an unfriendly tape. Since October, the market’s mood has shifted sharply risk-off, with many experts now treating the move as a bear-market regime rather than a routine pullback. Bitcoin has slid roughly 20% over the past two weeks alone, and DOGE has largely tracked the same drawdown, a backdrop that helps explain why the reaction to the tweet looked more like a brief headline bid than the kind of sustained momentum meme coins sometimes get in cleaner conditions.
The broader status of DOGE-1 remains that of a mission expected but not yet executed. Geometric Energy Corporation, the entity behind the payload, has partnered with SpaceX to book the flight, and the satellite is designed to demonstrate blockchain technology beyond low Earth orbit. The exact timeline for launch is still evolving, and Musk’s prompt “maybe next year” implicitly extends prior schedules into 2027.
At press time, DOGE traded at $0.10832.
DOGE sweeps the Oct.10 low, 1-week chart | Source: DOGEUSDT on TradingView.com Featured image created with DALL.E, chart from TradingView.com
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Jake Simmons has been a Bitcoin enthusiast since 2016. Ever since he heard about Bitcoin, he has been studying the topic every day and trying to share his knowledge with others. His goal is to contribute to Bitcoin's financial revolution, which will replace the fiat money system. Besides BTC and crypto, Jake studied Business Informatics at a university. After graduation in 2017, he has been working in the blockchain and crypto sector. You can follow Jake on Twitter at @realJakeSimmons.
2026-02-04 11:461mo ago
2026-02-04 06:011mo ago
Here's How US Funding Certainty Calmed Markets and Lifted Bitcoin
Bitcoin dipped to $72.8K during U.S. shutdown fears, then rebounded sharply after lawmakers passed a funding bill.
Bitcoin (BTC) slid to around $72,800 yesterday as U.S. lawmakers debated a stopgap funding package before rebounding once the House passed the bill on February 4, 2026, easing fears of a government shutdown.
The quick turnaround showed how closely crypto prices still track U.S. political risk, even when no blockchain-specific news is involved.
Shutdown Fears Ripple Through Crypto According to a February 4 post by on-chain analytics firm Santiment, the sell-off unfolded during U.S. trading hours while headlines pointed to a tight vote in the House. As uncertainty built, BTC quickly fell, triggering about $30 million in DeFi liquidations and mirroring a synchronized drop in the S&P 500 and even gold, an asset typically viewed as a safe haven.
This correlation indicates traders were reducing exposure to volatile assets broadly due to the political standoff, not crypto-specific news.
The concern centered on whether Congress would approve a roughly $1.2 trillion funding package to keep most federal agencies running through September 30. Failure would have led to a partial shutdown, delaying economic data and adding stress to an already cautious market.
The tense vote saw Republican divisions, with one representative voting against the bill due to foreign aid provisions.
However, the bill ultimately passed, averting a shutdown and causing markets to respond with immediate relief. Bitcoin bounced from its lows, climbing over 5% within hours, and the S&P 500 also recovered. According to Santiment, the speedy recovery showed that fears of political dysfunction, rather than a fundamental reevaluation of Bitcoin’s value, were behind the earlier sell-off.
You may also like: Bitcoin Loses Long-Term Support, Tanking to $73K as Short-Term Holders Capitulate Bitcoin Drops Below $75,000 as Iran Seeks to Shift Meeting Format with the US Bitcoin Risks Test of $58K Support as On-Chain Metrics Deteriorate: Analyst Broader Pressures on Bitcoin’s Price While the funding bill news provided a clear short-term catalyst, Bitcoin is still facing broader headwinds. Per data from CoinGecko, the asset is down nearly 14% in the last seven days and 17% for the month.
A recently published analysis from Galaxy Digital pointed to deteriorating on-chain metrics, with research head Alex Thorn noting that 46% of Bitcoin’s circulating supply is now “underwater,” meaning it was last moved at higher prices, which can increase selling pressure. He also pointed out that there was a lack of significant accumulation by large holders.
Furthermore, on February 3, reports that Iran was seeking to shift the format of nuclear talks with the U.S. contributed to another leg down in Bitcoin’s price, pushing it below $75,000 and burning at least $20 million worth of derivative positions.
Additionally, some analysts like Doctor Profit have revised their downside targets, saying the cycle bottom could hit a range between $44,000 and $54,000. However, the key question is whether the resolution of the immediate U.S. political risk will be enough to reverse these negative technical and on-chain trends, or if BTC is still vulnerable to a deeper test of support.
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2026-02-04 11:461mo ago
2026-02-04 06:021mo ago
Binance Conducts Second Mammoth Bitcoin Transfer to SAFU Fund: Details
Cover image via U.Today Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by our writers are their own and do not represent the views of U.Today. The financial and market information provided on U.Today is intended for informational purposes only. U.Today is not liable for any financial losses incurred while trading cryptocurrencies. Conduct your own research by contacting financial experts before making any investment decisions. We believe that all content is accurate as of the date of publication, but certain offers mentioned may no longer be available.
The world’s largest cryptocurrency trading venue, Binance, has announced another large transfer of Bitcoin to its SAFU fund, created to ensure the safety of user crypto.
This is the second tranche after the platform announced the initiative last Friday.
Binance keeps buying BitcoinThe official Binance account on the X social media giant has published an update on the conversion of crypto assets in the company’s SAFU fund. Binance has moved the second batch of stablecoins into the fund, converting them to Bitcoin — 100 million USD-backed stablecoins.
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“Binance has completed the second batch of Bitcoin conversion for the SAFU Fund, amounting to 100M USD stablecoins,” the tweet proudly stated, sharing the address from which the transfer was made, as well as the target wallet address.
The transaction was also spotted by Whale Alert — Binance bought 1,315 Bitcoins with $100,548,147.
On Friday, Jan. 30, Binance announced its determination to accumulate Bitcoin for the SAFU fund, “aiming to complete conversion of the fund within 30 days of our original announcement.”
As reported by U.Today, the first conversion was conducted on Feb. 2, three days after the announcement was made to the public. Overall, Binance’s SAFU fund contains $1 billion, and Binance plans to convert all of it into the world’s pioneer cryptocurrency, Bitcoin.
On the same day, as Binance tweets its intention, the founder of the TRON blockchain, Justin Sun, tweeted that TRON would follow suit and start accumulating Bitcoin.
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Bitcoin briefly touches $73,000On Feb. 3, Bitcoin touched a low of $73,000, a level close to which Bitcoin was last seen in early April 2025 ($76,000). The bottom was reached as a result of a tremendous 18.8% price crash from the $90,000 zone, which started on Jan. 28. Overall, $2.55 billion worth of crypto was wiped out from the market.
Following that plunge, on Jan. 30, BTC rivals gold and silver saw an unprecedented collapse of roughly 30% after soaring to new all-time highs above $5,000 and $100, respectively. By now, Bitcoin has managed to regain some of its losses and is changing hands at $76,248 per coin.
Analysts believe there are three main reasons for that: the aforementioned gold crash, tech giants’ (The Magnificent 7) poor reports and the nomination of Kevin Warsh to the position of future Federal Reserve chairman. He is known for his rigidly hawkish stance on monetary policy.
2026-02-04 11:461mo ago
2026-02-04 06:041mo ago
ETH ETFs Back with Inflows after 3 Days amid Dip Buys and Transfer Count Surge
Key NotesEthereum spot ETFs recorded $14.06 million in net inflows on February 3.ETH has failed to clear the $2,400 resistance area, limiting upside momentum.Trend Research and Garrett Jin deposited 316,185 ETH into Binance over the past three days. Ether ETH $2 245 24h volatility: 1.7% Market cap: $271.14 B Vol. 24h: $47.17 B continued to trade flat near $2,200 over the past 24 hours as it sees ETF inflows and large holder activity.
SoSoValue data shows that Ethereum spot ETFs recorded $14.06 million in net inflows on Feb. 3 after recent outflows. This comes despite net withdrawals from Bitcoin funds and suggests selective demand for Ether.
On Feb. 3, U.S. Bitcoin spot ETFs saw $272 million in net outflows, led by Fidelity’s FBTC with $149 million in net outflows. In contrast, Ethereum spot ETFs recorded $14.06 million in net inflows, while Solana spot ETFs saw $1.24 million in net inflows and XRP spot ETFs… pic.twitter.com/tNT1sk4UMP
— Wu Blockchain (@WuBlockchain) February 4, 2026
Moreover, on chain data suggests renewed dip buying from large holders. Lookonchain reported that three wallets, dormant for roughly four years and likely linked to the same entity, spent about $13.1 million to acquire 5,970 ETH at $2,195.
Three wallets that had been dormant for 4 years (likely controlled by the same entity) bought the dip 8 hours ago, spending $13.1M to buy 5,970 $ETH at an average price of $2,195.https://t.co/CvSmpY3LlNhttps://t.co/j03Sj6Q6V2https://t.co/IkLxZ9LaTc pic.twitter.com/dXJjxkudhl
— Lookonchain (@lookonchain) February 4, 2026
Despite these inflows, ETH has struggled to break out of its $2,400 resistance zone for any meaning rally.
$ETH held above the $2,000 support zone yesterday.
For any recovery rally, Ethereum needs to break above the $2,400 level. pic.twitter.com/6rA6mtWsHm
— Ted (@TedPillows) February 4, 2026
Ethereum Transfer Spike Raises Concerns Ethereum’s total transfer count, smoothed by a 14 day simple moving average, climbed to 1.17 million on Jan. 29, CryptoQuant data shows.
Ethereum has seen this level of network activity only twice before in its history. In January 2018, a similar surge came during the cycle top before a prolonged ETH price drop. In May 2021, it again coincided with a sharp market selloff.
Ethereum transfer count | Source: CryptoQuant
Analysts note that such spikes tend to appear during periods of heavy trading activity near local price extremes. This pattern suggests high risk, as funds may be moving to exchanges for selling or repositioning.
Holders See High Unrealized Losses Ether’s recent slide has increased unrealized losses among large holders. Some institutional players have already started reducing exposure as BitMine’s paper losses are nearing $7 billion.
Trend Research and Garrett Jin have continued selling ETH to repay loans and limit liquidation risk. Over the past three days, they deposited a combined 316,185 ETH, worth about $738 million, into Binance.
As the market keeps dumping, Trend Research and Garrett Jin continue selling $ETH to repay loans and avoid liquidation.
Over the past 3 days, they've deposited a total of 316,185 $ETH($738M) into #Binance to sell.https://t.co/e2L0pYGex3https://t.co/LyveMqUKoj pic.twitter.com/8LI3Nwt1kT
— Lookonchain (@lookonchain) February 4, 2026
As bearish signals emerge, Ether’s short side activity has also increased. A smart trader, who recently earned about $7.2 million from short positions, opened new 20x shorts on 21,838 ETH valued near $49.3 million.
Disclaimer: Coinspeaker is committed to providing unbiased and transparent reporting. This article aims to deliver accurate and timely information but should not be taken as financial or investment advice. Since market conditions can change rapidly, we encourage you to verify information on your own and consult with a professional before making any decisions based on this content.
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A crypto journalist with over 5 years of experience in the industry, Parth has worked with major media outlets in the crypto and finance world, gathering experience and expertise in the space after surviving bear and bull markets over the years. Parth is also an author of 4 self-published books.
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2026-02-04 11:461mo ago
2026-02-04 06:051mo ago
Binance's CZ Denies Bitcoin Price Manipulation Claims During October Crash
Binance founder Changpeng Zhao, widely known as CZ, has strongly denied claims that Binance manipulated Bitcoin prices during the October 10 market crash, which led to $20 billion in market liquidation.
He said the fall was caused by global tariff announcements, not by Binance systems or trading activity.
Speaking during a recent AMA session, CZ addressed concerns from users who blamed Binance for the sudden market drop on October 10.
However, CZ called those accusations misleading and incorrect. He explained that the sudden fall in crypto prices came immediately after major tariff announcements, which triggered fear across global financial markets.
CZ made it clear that Binance had nothing to do with the fall in Bitcoin prices. He said the timing of the crash proves it was linked to economic news and not to any technical issue on the exchange.
CZ: No One in the World Is Crazy Enough to Manipulate Bitcoin
On January 31, Binance founder Changpeng Zhao stated in an AMA that the October 10 market crash was triggered by a tariff announcement, not Binance system error or price manipulation. He emphasized neither he nor… pic.twitter.com/ZFPtdGEkU0
— Wu Blockchain (@WuBlockchain) February 4, 2026 Binance Does Not Trade to Influence PricesCZ also made it clear that Binance does not trade cryptocurrencies to profit from price movements. He said the company’s role is to provide a trading platform, not to speculate or control markets.
“We don’t buy or sell crypto to make money from price changes,” CZ said, pushing back against claims that Binance benefits from market swings.
He also rejected rumors that Binance or he personally profited from trading during the crash.
CZ stated clearly that Binance does not trade crypto to make profits from price movements. The platform only provides services for users to buy and sell.
Bitcoin Is Too Big, “No One Can Manipulate It”Addressing rumors of price manipulation, CZ said the idea is unrealistic. He pointed out that Bitcoin is now a nearly $2 trillion market.
To significantly move Bitcoin’s price, someone would need to risk hundreds of billions of dollars. “No one in their right mind would do that.”
He said, “I don’t know anyone on the planet who is crazy enough to try to manipulate Bitcoin.”
Lastly, CZ also highlighted that Binance is now a regulated company under the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM). The exchange is closely monitored by regulators, and even U.S. compliance teams oversee its operations.
Because of this strict oversight, he said Binance cannot engage in any unfair activity. All trades on the platform are reviewed by regulators, making manipulation impossible.
Trust with CoinPedia:CoinPedia has been delivering accurate and timely cryptocurrency and blockchain updates since 2017. All content is created by our expert panel of analysts and journalists, following strict Editorial Guidelines based on E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness). Every article is fact-checked against reputable sources to ensure accuracy, transparency, and reliability. Our review policy guarantees unbiased evaluations when recommending exchanges, platforms, or tools. We strive to provide timely updates about everything crypto & blockchain, right from startups to industry majors.
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2026-02-04 11:461mo ago
2026-02-04 06:071mo ago
‘A feature, not a bug': BitMine chair Tom Lee pushes back on claims unrealized ETH treasury losses will cap prices
BitMine chairman Tom Lee has rejected criticism that the firm’s large unrealized losses on its ETH holdings will weigh on future ether prices, arguing that such drawdowns are an expected part of an Ethereum treasury strategy during market downturns.
The response came after online commentary claimed that BitMine Immersion Technologies (Nasdaq: BMNR) was sitting on roughly $6.6 billion in unrealized losses and that its accumulated ether would eventually be sold, creating a ceiling on prices. One post described Lee as “exit liquidity” for early ether holders.
Ether prices have dipped nearly 30% in the last month, The Block's price page shows. BitMine shares have similarly slumped, down roughly 30% as well over the same period.
"These tweets miss the point of an Ethereum treasury," Lee wrote in response, saying BitMine is designed to track the price of ether and outperform over the full market cycle.
With crypto prices under pressure, he said, unrealized losses on ETH holdings are "not a bug, but a feature," likening the situation to index exchange-traded funds that post losses during broad market declines. BitMine has built the largest known corporate Ethereum treasury, holding about 4.285 million ETH — roughly 3.5% of the circulating supply — according to company disclosures and The Block’s data.
mNAV model The market value of those holdings peaked near $14 billion in late 2025 and early 2026, before sliding to below $10 billion as ether prices retreated amid a broader market selloff. The drawdown has reignited debate around Ethereum treasury companies and their impact on market dynamics. Critics argue that large treasuries could become sources of future selling pressure, while proponents frame them as long-term, index-like exposure vehicles rather than trading positions.
According to The Block’s data, Ethereum treasury companies have increasingly traded at discounts to their net asset value during the downturn. In other words, share issuance from ETH-focused corporate treasuries is currently constrained. Conversely, share dilution is also limited during fragile market periods.
When a company’s market capitalization falls below the value of its crypto holdings — a metric often referred to as mNAV — issuing new shares to fund additional asset purchases becomes less accretive, reducing the incentive to raise equity at depressed prices.
Supporters of the model argue that this acts as a natural circuit breaker, preserving “dry powder” for future cycles rather than forcing asset sales or dilutive issuance during drawdowns.
Despite scrutiny and harsh market conditions, BitMine has continued to add to its ether position. The firm recently deepened its staking stack and added nearly 42,000 ETH to its treasury.
The company has also attracted institutional attention, with Ark Invest increasing its exposure to BitMine shares during the recent market slump.
Lee has repeatedly described Ethereum as foundational to the future of finance, arguing that short-term price volatility does not undermine the long-term thesis behind holding ETH at scale. "Bottom line: Ethereum is the future of finance," he wrote.
BitMine is not alone in navigating a treasury drawdown. Strategy, the largest corporate digital asset treasury holder among public firms, has also seen its Bitcoin position briefly slip into unrealized losses during the recent market pullback. The company’s roughly 713,000 BTC stash hovered near breakeven when bitcoin dipped below the mid-$70,000 range — marking its first sustained period underwater in years. However, much like BitMine, Strategy has so far continued to add to its holdings.
Disclaimer: The Block is an independent media outlet that delivers news, research, and data. As of November 2023, Foresight Ventures is a majority investor of The Block. Foresight Ventures invests in other companies in the crypto space. Crypto exchange Bitget is an anchor LP for Foresight Ventures. The Block continues to operate independently to deliver objective, impactful, and timely information about the crypto industry. Here are our current financial disclosures.
TLDR: gRPC streaming delivers finalized checkpoints instantly, eliminating polling delays and artificial latency intervals. Hybrid architecture pairs streaming with polling fallbacks to ensure historical data access and failure recovery. Custom Indexing Framework enables incremental streaming adoption without modifying existing checkpoint processing logic. General-Purpose Indexer uses streaming as primary path while maintaining polling sources as safety mechanisms. Sui has implemented gRPC streaming as a primary data source for its indexing infrastructure, enabling real-time checkpoint ingestion with minimal latency.
The blockchain platform combines streaming capabilities with traditional polling methods to ensure data accuracy and system resilience.
This hybrid approach allows developers to access finalized checkpoints immediately while maintaining backward compatibility with existing custom indexers.
The Custom Indexing Framework supports this streaming-first architecture without requiring modifications to checkpoint processing logic.
Streaming Eliminates Polling Delays in Data Access The new gRPC streaming capability fundamentally changes how indexers receive blockchain data on Sui. Full nodes now push checkpoint data directly to indexers as soon as finalization occurs.
This eliminates the repeated polling cycles that traditionally introduce delays between checkpoint creation and downstream processing.
According to the announcement, the system delivers “real-time checkpoints as soon as they’re finalized” with “faster data, resilient pipelines, less infra work on Sui.”
The streaming mechanism operates through a straightforward configuration where developers add a streaming-url argument pointing to a full node endpoint. The system then receives checkpoints as events rather than fetching them at predetermined intervals.
This event-driven model proves particularly valuable for latency-sensitive applications including monitoring systems and real-time analytics platforms.
Sui pairs streaming with mandatory polling-based fallback sources to address inherent limitations. Streaming connections only deliver data from the moment of establishment forward.
Streaming-first indexing with gRPC is here ⚡
→ Real-time checkpoints as soon as they’re finalized
→ Polling fallback for backfill + recovery
→ Compatible with existing custom indexers
Faster data. Resilient pipelines. Less infra work on Sui.
Learn more 👇… pic.twitter.com/jaLzxAySKi
— Sui (@SuiNetwork) February 4, 2026
The General-Purpose Indexer demonstrates this hybrid model in production environments. It uses streaming as the primary ingestion path while maintaining polling sources as safety mechanisms.
This configuration keeps indexed data current while ensuring clean restarts and seamless recovery from failures.
Framework Design Supports Incremental Adoption The Custom Indexing Framework separates checkpoint processing from data ingestion entirely. Indexers consume and transform checkpoints without coupling to specific data sources.
This abstraction allows teams to modify ingestion strategies as requirements evolve without rewriting processing logic.
The documentation notes that with gRPC streaming, “there is no need to poll, no guesswork around timing, and no artificial delay introduced by fetch intervals.”
Developers can implement streaming gradually based on workload characteristics. Applications prioritizing data freshness benefit from immediate streaming adoption.
Systems handling offline processing or simpler workflows can continue using polling-only configurations. The framework accommodates both approaches within the same processing model. Existing custom indexers built on the official framework require minimal changes to adopt streaming.
Adding gRPC capability involves including a streaming-url parameter alongside the existing remote-store-url configuration.
The checkpoint processing logic remains unchanged throughout this transition. The framework automatically manages source switching during operation, preventing common failure modes of systems that either lose data or lag behind network state.
2026-02-04 11:461mo ago
2026-02-04 06:091mo ago
Standard Chartered Says “Buy Quality” as Solana Dip Opens Long-Term Outperformance Window
Standard Chartered Says “Buy Quality” as Solana Dip Opens Long-Term Outperformance WindowStandard Chartered says market volatility will reward high-quality blockchain projects over time.Bank backs Ethereum and Solana, citing scalability, regulation, and long-term utility.Solana’s shift toward micropayments could drive outperformance beyond 2027.Standard Chartered is urging investors to look through near-term volatility in digital assets and focus on what it calls “quality” blockchain projects.
The remark comes as the recent selloff reshapes relative value across the crypto market.
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Standard Chartered Backs Ethereum and Solana for Long-Term Outperformance Despite Near-Term VolatilityGeoff Kendrick, the bank’s Head of FX and Digital Assets Research, said he is actively accumulating during the downturn. According to the analyst, the pullback is a defining moment for long-term positioning.
“I am a buyer of this dip in digital assets,” Kendrick told BeInCrypto in an email. “What’s more, I think this is the start of greater differentiation in digital asset performance, whereby quality projects win.”
Within that framework, Standard Chartered continues to favor Ethereum and Solana as its top layer-1 exposures. Kendrick reiterated that view explicitly, adding:
“I have previously highlighted my view that Ethereum is one such quality project. And here I do the same for Solana. Buy quality.”
Recently, Standard Chartered said it saw Ethereum outperforming Bitcoin, citing DeFi dominance, scalability upgrades, and regulatory clarity.
The bank, however, has tempered its near-term expectations for Solana. Standard Chartered lowered its end-2026 price forecast for SOL to $250 from $310. On this, they cite the time required for the network’s next major use case to mature.
“We lower our end-2026 price forecast to USD 250, as Solana’s next dominant use case may take time,” Kendrick said.
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Despite that cut, the bank raised its longer-dated projections, arguing that Solana’s structural advantages remain intact.
Solana (SOL) Price Performance. Source: TradingViewSolana’s Shift from Meme Coins to Micropayments Could Drive Long-Term OutperformanceAccording to Standard Chartered, Solana’s ultra-low-cost, high-throughput architecture positions it to eventually dominate micropayments. This, Kendrick says, is particularly true as AI-driven applications and stablecoin-based transactions gain traction.
“We raise our forecasts thereafter, as we see Solana eventually dominating the micropayments space,” Kendrick noted.
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If that thesis plays out, the bank expects SOL to outperform Bitcoin between 2027 and 2030, while only gradually catching up to Ethereum as the ecosystem scales.
The report highlights a subtle but important shift underway on Solana’s decentralized exchanges. While the network has long been associated with meme coin activity, flows are increasingly rotating toward SOL-stablecoin trading pairs.
These stablecoins, Standard Chartered notes, are turning over two to three times faster than their Ethereum counterparts.
That evolution could help Solana shed its “meme coin discount,” which previously weighed on valuation and deterred TradFi participants.
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Analysts Back Standard Chartered’s Quality Wins NarrativeMarket commentators broadly echoed the bank’s “quality wins” narrative. Investor Mike Alfred described the drawdown as a textbook risk-off move.
“…this is a run-of-the-mill risk-off move where the lowest quality goes down the hardest, and then everything bounces… This is when real money is made,” wrote Alfred, referencing the recent market drop.
Developer and investor Mike Ippolito struck a similar tone, arguing that sentiment has swung too far in the negative direction.
“I think people are far too bearish ETH and SOL today,” he said, calling layer-1 blockchains “the Amazon or Google of our time” due to their global markets, high barriers to entry, and fee-generating potential.
Standard Chartered expects Solana to underperform Ethereum through 2026 and into 2027. But beyond that window, the bank sees a catch-up phase driven by scale, utility, and cost advantages.
In Kendrick’s view, the current volatility is less a warning sign than a sorting mechanism, one that may ultimately reward investors willing to buy quality while the market is still unsettled.
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.
2026-02-04 11:461mo ago
2026-02-04 06:101mo ago
Tether scales back $20B fundraising amid valuation pushback: report
Tether is pulling back from its plans to raise $20 billion as it faces opposition from its investors regarding its valuation, reported Financial Times.
The stablecoin issuer, which sits at the core of global digital asset trading, has been sounding out backers for fresh capital over the past year.
What began as discussions around a very large raise has since shifted toward a more cautious approach, highlighting the gap between Tether’s internal confidence and investor unease over pricing, regulation, and risk.
Registered in El Salvador, Tether entered talks last year about raising between $15 billion and $20 billion in new funding.
That range would have implied a valuation of roughly $500 billion, placing the company among the most valuable private groups in the world.
The sources cited in the report said advisers are now exploring a raise closer to $5 billion, after encountering reluctance from potential investors unwilling to endorse such a high benchmark.
A rethink on capital needs Copy link to section
Tether’s leadership has played down the significance of earlier figures, arguing that the larger sum represented a maximum rather than a target.
The company has not committed to selling a fixed stake and has indicated it could proceed with a much smaller raise or none at all.
This stance reflects its financial position.
Tether has reported about $10 billion in profit last year, largely generated from interest earned on the assets backing its USDT stablecoin.
That profitability reduces the urgency for external capital.
Insiders are also said to be cautious about selling shares, further limiting the size of any deal.
The fundraising talks were partly intended to bring in high-profile investors and reinforce Tether’s standing.
Valuation under scrutiny Copy link to section
Investor hesitation has centred on the proposed valuation.
At around $500 billion, Tether would sit alongside leading private technology groups such as OpenAI, Anthropic, SpaceX, and ByteDance.
Some investors have privately questioned whether those comparisons hold, despite Tether’s earnings strength.
The debate has been sharpened by broader market conditions.
Digital assets initially rallied in 2025 on expectations of more supportive US regulation following Donald Trump’s election.
Since then, crypto markets have retreated as traders moved away from speculative assets.
That pullback has made investors more sensitive to pricing and less inclined to back large private deals at peak valuations.
Regulation and transparency concerns Copy link to section
Regulation has added another layer of complexity. Tether has pointed to recent US legislation governing stablecoins, signed by Trump, as a positive shift for the sector.
The company has also launched a new US-compliant token, signalling an effort to align more closely with American rules.
Circle’s public listing last year has been cited as further evidence of growing acceptance for regulated stablecoin issuers.
Even so, some potential backers remain wary.
Since its launch in 2014, Tether has faced repeated scrutiny over the transparency and quality of its reserves, as well as concerns about illicit activity linked to USDT usage.
The company publishes quarterly reserve attestations from BDO Italia but has not produced a full audit.
Late last year, S&P Global Ratings downgraded Tether’s reserves to its weakest assessment, citing increased exposure to higher-risk assets such as bitcoin and gold.
Profits and market influence Copy link to section
USDT’s rapid expansion since 2020 has reshaped parts of global finance.
Tether has become one of the largest buyers of US Treasuries and, more recently, a significant player in the gold market.
That scale has made it a key link between traditional financial markets and the cryptocurrency ecosystem.
Tether’s profits declined by about a quarter in 2025 compared with the previous year, a drop attributed to falling bitcoin prices.
Gains of roughly $8 billion to $10 billion from gold holdings helped cushion the impact following a strong rally in the metal.
Fundraising discussions remain ongoing, and people close to the talks caution that terms could still change.
A renewed rally in crypto markets could soften investor resistance. For now, valuation remains the central obstacle.
2026-02-04 11:461mo ago
2026-02-04 06:151mo ago
MetaMask enters tokenized U.S. stocks with Ondo integration: Details
Web3 wallet platform MetaMask has rolled out tokenized stock and ETF (exchange-traded fund) offerings, allowing its users to trade crypto and U.S equities, all in one, familiar platform.
The latest on-chain stocks integration will be powered by Ondo Finance, one of the leading issuers of tokenized assets. This will be MetaMask’s third major integration, targeting booming narratives.
In October 2025, the wallet partnered with Hyperliquid, giving its users access to crypto perpetuals (perps). Perps are derivatives that allow crypto traders to speculate on price moves with leverage to maximize profit, with steeper losses too, if the market goes against one’s position.
Fast forward to December, MetaMask tapped Polymarket to launch prediction markets. Apart from stablecoins, speculation has become a key driver for crypto markets. The perpetuals and prediction market boom underscore this, too.
The latest expansion signals growing demand for tokenized markets.
MetaMask eyes RWA boom Real-world asset (RWA) tokenization has gained momentum as the U.S. pushes for regulatory clarity in the sector. At press time, the market has hit $24 billion and is growing.
In particular, tokenized stocks are on-chain representations of underlying traditional equities. It allows on-chain users to trade stocks such as Apple and Nvidia, as well as select ETFs. All these without leaving your crypto wallet.
This sub-sector has seen holders double in January to nearly 300,000 users, and the overall market was close to the $1 billion milestone.
This underscored the growing appetite for the U.S. equity market among non-U.S. users via crypto rails, noted Joe Lubin, Founder and CEO of ConsenSys, the firm behind MetaMask.
Lubin added,
“Access to U.S. markets still runs through legacy rails. Brokerage accounts, fragmented apps, and rigid trading windows haven’t meaningfully evolved. Bringing Ondo’s tokenized U.S. stocks and ETFs directly into MetaMask shows what a better model looks like.”
For his part, Ian De Bode, President at Ondo Finance, said the integration would make wallets feel like the Robinhood platform.
“MetaMask can offer its users access to tokenized U.S. stocks and ETFs with pricing that reflects traditional brokerage markets, bringing the economics of platforms like Robinhood into a self-custodial, onchain wallet.”
Worth pointing out that this will be done via MetaMask Swaps, where users can exchange their USDC for Ondo Global Markets’ tokens, which track major U.S equities.
That said, it was not yet clear whether the integration would expand to Ondo Perps, a separate equity perps targeting tokenized stocks and currently dominated by Hyperliquid.
Source: DeFiLlama
The integrations have seen MetaMask perp volume (green) jump from $700 million to nearly $2 billion over the past four months, outpacing traditional swaps (yellow). If the trend continues, these will translate into higher revenue.
Final Thoughts MetaMask added tokenized stocks after last year’s perps and prediction markets integrations, boosting its traction The wallet’s perp volume has more than doubled from $700 million to nearly $2 billion over the past 4 months.
2026-02-04 11:461mo ago
2026-02-04 06:161mo ago
Tether trims $20B funding plan amid $500B valuation skepticism: Report
Tether, the issuer of USDt — the largest stablecoin by market capitalization — has reportedly scaled back an ambitious $20 billion funding plan announced last fall amid investor skepticism.
The company’s advisers have suggested reducing the raise to as little as $5 billion, the Financial Times reported on Wednesday, citing anonymous sources familiar with the matter.
Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino downplayed earlier reports that the company aimed to raise between $15 and 20 billion, calling them a “misconception.”
“That number is not our goal. It’s our maximum we were ready to sell,” Ardoino said, according to the Financial Times. “If we were selling zero, we would be very happy as well.”
Ardoino defends $500 billion valuation by comparing Tether to AI companiesWhile stepping back from the $20 billion raise, Tether has not abandoned its $500 billion valuation target, though the report said investors privately raised concerns about the figure.
Ardoino defended the figure by comparing the company’s profits to AI platforms such as OpenAI, which reportedly reached a $500 billion valuation after a SoftBank share sale last October.
“The AI companies are making the same amount of profits we’re making, except with a minus sign in the front,” Ardoino said, adding:
“If you believe that some AI company is worth $800 billion, with a huge minus in front, be my guest.”Ardoino’s comments came shortly after Tether said it posted a $10 billion profit in 2025, down 23% from the previous year.
Tether’s US dollar-pegged stablecoin, USDt (USDT), is the largest in the world by market capitalization, currently totaling $185 billion.
In addition to USDt, the company operates the $3.6 billion gold-backed stablecoin XAUt and has been actively accumulating gold for its reserves, reporting holdings of 130 metric tons of physical gold to Cointelegraph in late January.
Tether CEO highlighted the growth of the USDT-based stablecoin USDT0 on Wednesday. Source: Paolo ArdoinoLast week, Tether officially launched USAt, a stablecoin designed specifically for the US market under the GENIUS Act. Issued through Anchorage Digital Bank, USAt had a market capitalization of $20 million at the time of publication, doubling in value since its launch, according to CoinGecko data.
Cointelegraph reached out to Tether for comment on the revised funding plans but had not received a response at the time of publication.
Magazine: Bitcoin’s ‘miner exodus,’ UK bans some Coinbase crypto ads: Hodler’s Digest, Jan. 25 – 31
Cointelegraph is committed to independent, transparent journalism. This news article is produced in accordance with Cointelegraph’s Editorial Policy and aims to provide accurate and timely information. Readers are encouraged to verify information independently. Read our Editorial Policy https://cointelegraph.com/editorial-policy
2026-02-04 11:461mo ago
2026-02-04 06:181mo ago
Arbitrum, Optimism and Base weigh in after Vitalik questions L2 scaling model
Several layer-2 builders responded after Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin said the original vision of L2s as the primary scaling engine “no longer makes sense,” calling for a shift toward specialization.
In a Wednesday post, Buterin argued that many L2s have failed to fully inherit Ethereum’s security due to continued reliance on multisig bridges, while the base layer is increasingly capable of handling more throughput via gas-limit increases and future native rollups.
The comments prompted responses from Ethereum layer 2s, who broadly agreed that rollups must evolve beyond being cheaper versions of Ethereum but diverged on whether scaling should remain central to their role.
The Ethereum ecosystem is grappling with a shifting roadmap that aims to make the base layer more capable, while L2s reposition themselves as specialized environments serving distinct technical needs.
Ethereum L2 builders accept shift, differ on scaling’s roleKarl Floersch, a co-founder of the Optimism Foundation, said in an X post that he welcomed the challenge of building a modular L2 stack that supports “the full spectrum of decentralization.”
Source: Karl FloerschHe also acknowledged that major hurdles exist. These include long withdrawal windows, the lack of production-ready Stage 2 proofs and insufficient tooling for cross-chain apps.
“Stage 2 isn’t production-ready,” Floersch wrote, adding that existing proofs are not yet secure enough to support major bridges. He also supported native Ethereum precompile for rollups, a concept that Buterin recently emphasized as a way to make trustless verification more accessible.
Steven Goldfeder, the co-founder of Arbitrum developer Offchain Labs, took a more forceful stance in a lengthy X thread. He argued that while the rollup model has evolved, scaling remains a core value of L2s.
Goldfeder said Arbitrum was not built as a “service to Ethereum,” but because Ethereum provides a high-security, low-cost settlement layer that makes large-scale rollups viable.
Source: Steven GoldfederHe also pushed back on the idea that a scaled Ethereum mainnet could replace the throughput currently handled by L2 networks. Goldfeder cited periods of high activity when Arbitrum and Base processed over 1,000 transactions per second, while Ethereum handled fewer.
He warned that if Ethereum was perceived to be hostile to rollups, institutions might launch independent layer-1 chains rather than deploy on Ethereum.
Base frames differentiation, Starknet hints alignmentJesse Pollak, head of Base, said in an X post that Ethereum’s L1 scaling was “a win for the entire ecosystem.” He agreed that L2s cannot just be “Ethereum but cheaper.”
Pollak said Base has focused on onboarding users and developers while working toward Stage 2 decentralization, adding that differentiation through applications, account abstraction and privacy features align with the direction Buterin outlined.
Source: Jesse PollakStarkWare CEO Eli Ben-Sasson, whose company develops the non-EVM Starknet rollup, offered a brief but pointed reaction on X, writing: “Say Starknet without saying Starknet.”
Ben-Sasson’s comment hinted that some ZK-native L2s see themselves as already fitting the specialized role Buterin described.
Magazine: Ethereum’s Fusaka fork explained for dummies: What the hell is PeerDAS?
Cointelegraph is committed to independent, transparent journalism. This news article is produced in accordance with Cointelegraph’s Editorial Policy and aims to provide accurate and timely information. Readers are encouraged to verify information independently. Read our Editorial Policy https://cointelegraph.com/editorial-policy
2026-02-04 11:461mo ago
2026-02-04 06:191mo ago
Bitcoin At $76,000 As Ethereum, XRP, Dogecoin Reel From 'Extreme Fear' Sentiment
Bitcoin is trading near $76,000 as market sentiment deteriorates further into extreme fear. U.S. Spot Bitcoin ETF assets under management have fallen below $100 billion for the first time since April 2025; liquidations stand at $682.58 million over the past 24 hours.
02/04 update below. This post was originally published on February 2
Bitcoin has fallen sharply over the last week, dropping 10% as JPMorgan makes a major market call.
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The bitcoin price has plummeted under the closely-watched $80,000 per bitcoin level, sparking fears that a full-blown bitcoin and crypto crash could be looming.
Now, as traders brace for a market crash that could be worse than 2008, the founder of the Binance bitcoin and crypto exchange has said he’s lost confidence in a 2026 so-called “super cycle.”
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Forbes‘Worst-Case Scenario’—Bitcoin Price Crash Fears Suddenly Surge After Stark $1 Trillion WarningBy Billy Bambrough
MORE FOR YOU
Binance cofounder Changpeng "CZ" Zhao has said he's lost confidence in the crypto "super cycle" that he had predicted would send the bitcoin price sharply higher.
AFP via Getty Images
“A couple of weeks ago I was pretty positive about the bitcoin super cycle, but right now, given all the fud [fear, uncertainty and doubt] and all the emotions that have been stirred up in the community, I’m less confident about it now, to be frank,” Binance founder Changpeng "CZ" Zhao said in a broadcast on Binance’s social network, referring to accusations that Binance was behind the October bitcoin price flash crash that caused one of the most violent liquidation cascades the market has ever seen.
02/04 update: The bitcoin price has fallen sharply to $73,000 per bitcoin over the last 24 hours, though it has since rebounded back to over $75,000.
Fears of a widespread bitcoin price crash have continued to swirl, with a fall to $50,000 per bitcoin again being named possibility.
“There is no organic use case reason for bitcoin to slow or stop its descent,”
Michael Burry, the Big Short movie investor known for predicting the 2008 financial crisis, wrote in a blog post, adding that if the bitcoin price plunges to $50,000, bitcoin mining companies that secure the network and process transactions in exchange for fees and newly minted bitcoins could face bankruptcy.
Bitcoin’s continued weakness in the face of a gold and silver rebound have also piled pressure on traders who are increasingly rotating into the metals.
“We’re witnessing in real time a collateral crunch,” David Mercer, the chief executive of LMAX Group, said in emailed comments.
"Risk is moving faster than the collateral that supports it and this leads to episodes of volatility feeling sharper than they need to be. You can see that clearly in market behaviour; investors piled into gold at record volumes last week, while crypto has traded like a risk asset rather than the safe haven many expected.”
Earlier this month, Ark Invest chief executive Cathie Wood blamed bitcoin’s recent weakness on “a Binance software glitch," while Star Xu, the founder of rival exchange OKX, suggested on X that the record liquidation cascade was triggered by a Binance stablecoin yield campaign and caused “real and lasting damage to the industry.”
“The more fud you kick up and the more you get the community all riled up, it does have negative effects. Right now, we’re living in a very turbulent time, globally, geopolitically. It’s very hard to predict what’s going to happen next," CZ said, adding there’s going to be “very high volatility.”
CZ said he thinks a bitcoin “super cycle”—in which the market breaks its historic dependence on a a four-year cycle centered around bitcoin’s halving system of supply cuts—is still possible but far less likely, putting its chance of happening at just 50%.
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Forbes‘Run It Hot’—Bitcoin And Crypto Traders Are Suddenly Betting On A Surprise 2026 Fed Price Game-ChangerBy Billy Bambrough
The bitcoin price has fallen sharply since hitting its October peak, with traders fearful of a coming bitcoin price crash.
Forbes Digital Assets
The latest bitcoin price fall, coming amid a huge gold and silver price rally that’s suddenly lost steam, has spooked bitcoin and crypto traders who are feeling increasingly nervous that the bitcoin price could be headed lower.
“Price action remains fragile," analysts with QCP wrote in a note. “Momentum continues to point lower and upside remains constrained near recent resistance levels, leaving markets exposed to further liquidation-driven moves. In this context, selectively managing downside risk remains prudent.”
Last week, Gracy Chen, the chief executive of crypto exchange Bitget, warned the bitcoin price could be headed t0 $50,000, implying a bitcoin price crash of another 40% that would take the bitcoin market capitalization to $1 trillion.
2026-02-04 11:461mo ago
2026-02-04 06:221mo ago
Dogecoin's Billy Markus Mocks Saylor's Take on Bitcoin Price Volatility
Dogecoin creator Billy Markus disputes Michael Saylor's claim that Bitcoin price volatility is a "gift" as cryptocurrency markets lose $2.55B.
Newton Gitonga2 min read
4 February 2026, 11:22 AM
Billy Markus, co-founder of Dogecoin, has publicly disputed comments made by Bitcoin advocate Michael Saylor regarding recent market turbulence. The disagreement highlights contrasting perspectives on cryptocurrency volatility as Bitcoin continues to experience significant price fluctuations.
Saylor, who serves as executive chairman of Strategy, characterized Bitcoin's recent volatility as "Satoshi's gift to the faithful" in a social media post on February 3. The statement came as Bitcoin faced substantial losses, dropping over 18% from $90,000 to an intraday low of $73,000 between January 28 and February 3. The cryptocurrency has since recovered modestly, trading around $75,796 at the time of writing.
Markus Responds With SkepticismMarkus, who operates on social media under the pseudonym Shibetoshi Nakamoto, offered a sharp rebuttal to Saylor's optimistic framing. His response dripped with sarcasm: "Satoshi is rewarding believers with a shitty, annoying market. This is a good post."
The creator of Dogecoin has maintained a consistently skeptical stance toward cryptocurrency trading and investment strategies. He has previously compared trading activities to mental illness in multiple posts. His pessimism about market conditions extends into 2026, as evidenced by a recent tweet suggesting this year might prompt investors to seek "new hobbies." The post included a declining Bitcoin chart to emphasize his bearish outlook.
Markus created Dogecoin in 2013 alongside Jackson Palmer. The cryptocurrency was built on Bitcoin's code. Despite this technical connection to Bitcoin, Markus has never shared Saylor's unwavering enthusiasm for crypto markets.
Strategy Continues Bitcoin AccumulationWhile critics question market conditions, Saylor's company has maintained its aggressive Bitcoin acquisition strategy. Strategy announced on February 2 that it purchased 855 BTC during the recent price decline. The company spent approximately $75.3 million on this transaction.
This purchase followed an earlier acquisition in late January, when Strategy bought 2,932 BTC for $264.1 million. The company's total Bitcoin holdings now stand at 713,502 coins, valued at approximately $54.3 billion at current prices.
Strategy operates the largest corporate Bitcoin treasury. Saylor has consistently advocated for Bitcoin as a superior store of value compared to traditional assets. His company's continued buying during market downturns reflects his conviction that volatility presents buying opportunities rather than warning signs.
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Newton Gitonga covers cryptocurrencies, blockchain, and digital finance. He specializes in breaking down complex trends with clear, data-driven reporting. His work focuses on market analysis, technical insights, and the evolving role of altcoins in shaping global markets.
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2026-02-04 11:461mo ago
2026-02-04 06:231mo ago
Ondo Finance Partners With MetaMask to Bring Tokenized Stocks and ETFs On-Chain
Ondo Finance’s integration with MetaMask expands on-chain access to tokenized securities. ONDO is trading near $0.28, showing limited price movement. Ondo Finance announced a major partnership, as it expands on-chain access with a new integration with MetaMask, allowing millions of users to tap into tokenized stocks and ETFs through Ondo Global Markets. After this announcement, the ONDO token surged and is seeing a pullback amid broader monthly declines.
On February 3, the integration between MetaMask and Ondo Finance was unveiled at the Ondo Global Summit, which happened in New York City. Which “marks one of the first instances of native access to tokenized US stocks and ETFs within a major self-custodial wallet,” mentioned in the official MetaMask blog post.
Wall Street, now in @MetaMask.
The largest selection of tokenized stocks just landed in the world's most widely used self-custodial wallet.
Starting today, millions of MetaMask users now have access to 200+ tokenized stocks and ETFs with:
— Ondo Finance (@OndoFinance) February 3, 2026 The official blog post states that more than 200 tokenized U.S. stocks and ETFs, which track gold, silver, and the Nasdaq-100, also the companies like Tesla, NVIDIA, Apple, Microsoft, and Amazon, are now available to valid mobile users within permitted non-U.S. regions without the need to open a traditional brokerage account.
When looking deeper, the tight geographical restrictions mean that users in major financial centers, like the United States, are still not included.
As the integration operates through the MetaMask Swap interface, users can purchase Ondo Global Markets (GM) tokens on the Ethereum network with USDC. These blockchain-based tokens can be traded around-the-clock, every day of the week, and are intended to reflect the value of the underlying stocks or ETFs.
ONDO Market Reaction As ONDO remains down 35% on the monthly chart, following that, the integration news sees ONDO’s brief surge to nearly $0.294 yesterday before dipping to around $0.26 in early trading hours. The token has since rebounded and is trading near $0.289, up a modest 0.71% over the past 24 hours as market participants continue to assess the impact of the MetaMask integration.
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2026-02-04 11:461mo ago
2026-02-04 06:241mo ago
From Concept to Rails — Mastercard CEO Says Plans are in High Gear to Tap Ripple for Blockchain-Powered Settlements
Mastercard Moves From Crypto Concept to Real-World Execution Mastercard is accelerating its push into digital assets and AI-powered payments, signaling a strategic shift from experimentation to real-world deployment.
During a recent earnings call, CEO Michael Miebach confirmed the company is moving from concept to execution in its partnership with Ripple, using blockchain to broaden settlement capabilities and modernize how money moves across borders.
Well, this signals Mastercard’s rising confidence in blockchain as real payment infrastructure. Instead of treating digital assets as experimental, the company is integrating them into its core network.
Stablecoins are central to this shift, with CEO Michael Miebach describing them as “just another currency” on Mastercard’s rails. That framing positions stablecoins as a normalized tool for everyday commerce, from cross-border transfers to B2B settlements.
Meanwhile, market chatter claims Ripple could deploy up to $11B to acquire Circle, the issuer of USDC, in a strategic move that could counter Coinbase’s ambitions and reshape the stablecoin landscape.
Mastercard Stakes Its Claim in the Future of Digital Payments with AI, Stablecoins, and RippleMastercard enters this shift from a position of strength. It ended 2025 with 15% Q4 net revenue growth and a 22% surge in value-added services (currency-neutral), fueled by solid card spending and services demand.
That performance gives the payments giant both the capital and confidence to double down on emerging technologies shaping the future of payments.
On the other hand, Mastercard is pushing into agentic commerce, where AI agents can autonomously make and complete purchases for people and businesses. Its solution, Agent Pay, is a secure framework for AI-powered transactions already being piloted in Asia, the UK, and the UAE.
The vision is trusted AI systems that can manage routine spending, like subscriptions, everyday purchases, and supply-chain payments, within user-set limits and controls.
Notably, Mastercard’s 10-year journey in digital assets has progressed from crypto-linked cards and trading tools to stablecoin settlements, co-branded programs, and major partnerships like Ripple. Leadership signals a clear shift: digital assets and AI are moving from experimentation to core drivers of digital commerce.
“It’s still early, but we’re ready,” Miebach pointed out, a stance that could be decisive as fintechs and blockchain-native players compete to define the future of money. Strong execution would position Mastercard as a key bridge between traditional finance and next-gen, blockchain-powered payments at global scale.
ConclusionMastercard is boldly redefining digital payments by embracing blockchain, stablecoins, and AI-driven commerce.
Through Ripple-powered settlements, native stablecoin integration, and AI-assisted transactions, the company is staking its claim at the forefront of the next era in finance. Early as it is, Mastercard’s vision signals one thing clearly: the future of money is digital, intelligent, and automated, and Mastercard aims to lead it.
2026-02-04 11:461mo ago
2026-02-04 06:291mo ago
Crypto steadies after selloff as bitcoin, ether rebound from multiyear lows
Bitcoin and ether are posting gains after a sharp market-wide decline, with derivatives traders continuing to reduce risk exposure.Updated Feb 4, 2026, 11:30 a.m. Published Feb 4, 2026, 11:29 a.m.
Bitcoin and ether steady after Tuesday selloff (Matthias_Groeneveld/Pixabay modified by CoinDesk)
What to know: Bitcoin is trading near $76,100 after dipping to $72,870, while ether holds around $2,255 as markets recover from Tuesday’s lows.Futures open interest has dropped to $105.9 billion, liquidations hit $679 million in 24 hours and bitcoin implied volatility climbed to its highest level since December.Monero and zcash posted gains, while Solana-based tokens stayed weak and bitcoin dominance pushed back above 59%.The crypto market is enjoying a rare period of calm after Tuesday's selloff took bitcoin BTC$75,925.17 and ether ETH$2,251.72 to fresh multiyear lows.
BTC was recently trading at $76,100 having bounced from $72,870, the lowest since November 2024, while ETH is at $2,255 after dropping to a level not seen since May last year. Both assets in the black since midnight UTC, if only just.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW
The altcoin market is mixed, with privacy coins embarking on a much-needed bounce while Solana-based tokens like PUMP and JUP fell, losing 2% and 2.5%, respectively, since midnight.
The recovery occurred after the U.S. House of Representatives passed a government funding package to end a partial shutdown, lifting U.S. equity futures and other global markets. Precious metals rebounded, with gold back above $5,000 and silverat $90 having risen by almost 6%.
Derivatives positioningTraders continue to reduce their risk exposure, driving the cumulative notional open interest in all crypto futures down to $105.90 billion, the lowest since last April.Crypto futures bets worth $679 million have been liquidated in 24 hours, with bullish plays accounting for most of the tally. Bitcoin's 30-day implied volatility climbed to an annualized 53%, the highest since Dec. 1, indicating heightened market fear. Open interest (OI) in bitcoin and ether futures dropped 0.7% and 2%, respectively. DOGE and recent outperformer HYPE have seen bigger capital outflows. OI in LINK futures increased 2% alongside positive cumulative volume delta. The combination points to influx of bullish pressure in the market. The 24-hour CVD is also positive for TRX, XLM and ZEC. Deribit-listed options are still showing a bias for bitcoin and ether puts, a sign of persistent demand for downside protection. Short-dated puts are trading at a 10-12 volatility premium to calls, a sign of peak fear. Block flows featured demand for bitcoin and ether put spreads, a bearish strategy. Token talkDerivatives exchange tokens HYPE, LIT and ASTER all fell over the past 24 hours as traders rotated back into privacy coins.HYPE lost 8.5%, but remains up by 30% since the turn of the year.Monero XMR$388.91 bounced by 4% halt the bleeding after losing more than 50% of its value since Jan. 14. Zcash ZEC$278.08 is up by 3.4% after tumbling by more than 62% from its record high in November.Generally speaking, the altcoin market lost ground to bitcoin during the recent market plunge. Bitcoin dominance is now back above 59% having started the year at 58.5%.The divergence is typical of previous crypto bear markets, characterized by exaggerated altcoin moves in low liquidity environments. Crypto majors SOL, ADA and XRP are all trading at their lowest levels since 2024 having retraced the entire bullish rallies over the past few years.
2026-02-04 11:461mo ago
2026-02-04 06:301mo ago
Standard Chartered Cuts 2026 Solana Prediction To $250, Eyes $2,000 By 2030
Standard Chartered has lowered its end-2026 price target for Solana to $250, down from $310, while leaving its longer-dated trajectory intact. The bank’s roadmap still points to $2,000 by 2030 as the bank argues the chain’s activity mix is rotating away from memecoin-led trading toward stablecoin-based micropayments.
The revised forecast comes as the bank’s digital assets research team frames the current drawdown as a period when “performance differentiation” across crypto should become more visible, rather than a tape where everything trades as a single risk bucket.
Why Standard Chartered Lowers The 2026 Solana Target, Boosts Long View Behind the 2026 haircut is a more skeptical view on how quickly Solana can convert its cost and throughput advantages into sustained, fee-generating economic activity beyond speculative bursts. In Standard Chartered’s telling, Solana is in the middle of a narrative transition that is strategically attractive but not instantaneous in market terms.
Geoffrey Kendrick, Standard Chartered’s head of global digital assets research, anchored the shift in decentralized exchange (DEX) flow composition. “When we initiated coverage of Solana in May 2025, we observed that activity on the network was largely concentrated in memecoin trading on DEXs.” “Composition of DEX flows has shifted from memecoin trading toward SOL–stablecoin pairs.”
That rotation, Kendrick argued, accelerated over 2025 as capital moved away from meme-focused activity which he said peaked in mid-January around the launch of the Trump token and toward tokenized dollars. The implication is that Solana’s DEX activity is beginning to resemble a payments-adjacent rail more than a single-cycle casino, even if overall volumes have cooled.
Standard Chartered also flagged Solana’s ultra-low transaction costs as a key enabler for “micropayment” use cases, including AI-driven payments, where even modest fee overhead can break unit economics.
One of the more striking metrics in the report is stablecoin turnover: Kendrick said stablecoin velocity on Solana is already two to three times higher than on Ethereum, suggesting Solana may be carving out a distinct role for high-frequency, low-value transfers.
The bank tied that possibility to “internet-native” payment protocols such as Coinbase-backed x402, while cautioning that the repositioning will take time to translate into market leadership.
That slower timeline is part of why Standard Chartered expects Solana to lag Ethereum in the 2026–2027 window, even as the bank becomes more constructive on Solana’s longer-run upside if micropayment demand compounds.
Despite trimming the 2026 target, Standard Chartered’s longer-term schedule remains aggressive: $400 in 2027, $700 in 2028, $1,200 in 2029, and $2,000 by end-2030, according to reporting by The Block. The bank’s framework implies that Solana’s “micropayments” phase is expected to matter more as the cycle matures, with Kendrick also projecting Solana to outperform Bitcoin over 2027–2030.
At press time, SOL traded at $96.93.
SOL trades below the 200-week EMA, 1-week chart | Source: SOLUSDT on TradingView.com Featured image created with DALL.E, chart from TradingView.com
2026-02-04 11:461mo ago
2026-02-04 06:301mo ago
Tether Open‑Sources MOS, Mining OS, and Mining SDK to Democratize Bitcoin Mining
BTC Slide: Bitcoin briefly crashed to $73,000 before rebounding near $76,000, extending a multi‑day decline driven by Fed policy and geopolitical tension. Altcoin Pressure: SOL fell below $100, HYPE dropped 11% to $33, and CC continued sliding, while updated data shows ETH at $2,250 and BNB at $755 amid broad market weakness. Market Impact: Over $70 billion was wiped from the total crypto market cap, now at $2.65 trillion, with mixed performance across XRP, TRX, DOGE, and ADA as volatility remains elevated.
Bitcoin’s market turbulence deepened this week as the asset briefly plunged to $73,000, marking its lowest level since early November 2024 before rebounding. The downturn triggered sharp volatility across major altcoins, with SOL, HYPE, and CC absorbing some of the heaviest losses. Updated figures now place Bitcoin near $76,000 as the market attempts to stabilize.
BTC Extends Multi‑Day Declines After Repeated Rejections Just a week ago, Bitcoin was challenging the $90,000 resistance ahead of the year’s first FOMC meeting. Once the Federal Reserve confirmed it would not cut rates again, BTC stalled and began sliding. Geopolitical tensions in the Middle East added pressure, contributing to a drop on Thursday to $81,000. A brief bounce to $84,000 on Friday was followed by another decline to under $75,000 on Saturday. Monday’s recovery attempt was rejected at $79,000, setting the stage for the deeper Tuesday crash.
Tuesday’s decline pushed Bitcoin to a 15‑month low before it recovered to just above $76,000. Despite the rebound, BTC remains down nearly 3% on the day and has lost 14% over the week. Its monthly performance shows an 18% slide. Market capitalization has fallen to $1.525 trillion on CG, while dominance has slipped to 57.3%. Updated readings indicate that BTC is trading around $76,000, with volatility persisting.
Altcoins Absorb Heavy Losses Led by SOL, HYPE, and CC The rest of the crypto market mirrored Bitcoin’s turbulence. Ethereum fell from over $3,000 to $2,100 before recovering to around $2,250. In the early hours of trading, BNB dropped to around $760 and is now situated at $755. SOL has fallen below $100 after a 7% daily decline, currently near $96. HYPE has tumbled 11% to $33, while CC and ZEC remain deep in the red. XMR stands out as the strongest performer among larger caps.
The cumulative crypto market cap has erased more than $70 billion in a day, falling to $2.65 trillion on CG. Updated figures show XRP at $1.59, TRX at $0.28, DOGE at $0.10, and ADA at $0.29, reflecting a mixed landscape as traders navigate heightened volatility.