Market Signal Briefing

Journalist

Posted: February 3, 2026

Bitcoin’s monthly returns reveal a recurring cycle of sharp advances followed by corrective phases.

Periods of consecutive monthly losses, notably in 2014 and again in 2018, marked the unwind of overheated rallies rather than structural failure. Recent weakness follows the same pattern.

As Bitcoin [BTC] reached a new all-time high in October 2025, the results in the monthly returns contradicted the performance.

This was a result of tighter global liquidity, shifting ETF flows, and restrictive monetary conditions reducing marginal demand, thereby translating to negative returns in the same month.

Source: CoinGlass

At the same time, profit-taking has weighed on short-term performance.

Historically, Bitcoin delivered its strongest returns in 2013, 2017, and 2020–2021, while the weakest years followed speculative excess.

Recoveries typically emerged through consolidation, lower leverage, and renewed spot accumulation.

That recovery path remains viable under current conditions. This is because leverage is resetting.

Prolonged negative monthly returns typically coincide with forced deleveraging. Once that process matures, downside pressure weakens as marginal sellers exit.

Market deleveraging accelerates amid Bitcoin’s volatile decline According to CoinGlass, liquidation data indicates a period of intense market stress.

As of press time, more than $5 billion in crypto positions were liquidated over the last four days.

This marked the largest liquidation event since the 10th of October 2025, with long liquidations exceeding $2.5 billion on peak days.

Source: CoinGlass

As liquidations increased, Bitcoin’s price declined alongside them, showing a strong relationship between forced selling and price weakness.

Similar patterns appeared in mid-November and early December, both followed by sharp price drops.

Source: CoinGlass

Bitcoin recently fell below $80,000 to about $77,700, triggering $1.6 billion in weekly liquidations.

A rebound toward $80,000 could liquidate $1 billion in short positions, potentially driving a short squeeze, although elevated leverage keeps market risks balanced.

Deleveraging resets market structure Bitcoin’s price decline now moves alongside a clear drop in Open Interest.

As the price slipped toward $77,500, Open Interest dropped from about $47.5 billion to nearly $24.4 billion, indicating a reduction in leveraged positions.

This pattern indicates a cautious response from traders, who opt to reduce exposure instead of increasing aggressive bets.

Source: CryptoQuant

In previous cycles, similar declines in both price and Open Interest appeared during late stages of deleveraging and often led to periods of consolidation.

Market structure remains weak as sentiment cools. Selling pressure persists, yet lower leverage points to growing fatigue.

All in all, the market now sits between further downside risk and the potential for stabilization once positioning resets.

Final Thoughts Bitcoin’s drawdown mirrors past post-rally corrections, where tightening liquidity and profit-taking triggered deleveraging rather than structural breakdown. Heavy liquidations and collapsing Open Interest show leverage is resetting, leaving the market balanced between further downside and stabilization.

Tether has open-sourced its Bitcoin mining operating system, aiming to make mining operations easier and more accessible for operators of all sizes.

Summary

Tether released its Mining OS under an open-source license. The software supports both home and industrial mining setups. The move reduces reliance on paid management platforms. The announcement was made by Tether chief executive officer Paolo Ardoino on Feb. 3, who said the company’s Mining OS is now fully open source.

In a post on X, Ardoino described the software as a modular platform designed to support operations across multiple locations, with encrypted peer-to-peer networking and broad hardware compatibility.

Open-source platform targets small and large miners The software, officially known as MiningOS or MOS, was unveiled as open source during the Plan ₿ Forum in San Salvador on Feb. 2. It is designed to manage and automate Bitcoin (BTC) mining infrastructure through a single interface.

Tether ❤️ Bitcoin

Tether Mining OS is now fully opensource.

A complete operational platform that can scale from a home setup to industrial grade site, even across multiple geographies.

Super modular, P2P encrypted networking layer.
It supports a long list of miners,… https://t.co/VzXywA6IZc

— Paolo Ardoino 🤖 (@paoloardoino) February 2, 2026 MOS allows operators to monitor hardware performance, energy usage, cooling systems, and site operations from one dashboard. Its modular design lets users customize features through independent components linked by a shared system.

Unlike many commercial mining tools, MOS runs locally and does not rely on centralized servers. It uses peer-to-peer networking technology to enable direct communication between devices, which Tether says improves reliability and privacy.

The platform has been released under the Apache 2.0 license, meaning it can be used, modified, and distributed freely. It is built to run on lightweight devices for small setups, while also supporting large-scale deployments with thousands of machines.

Tether (USDT) is also preparing a companion Mining SDK, which will allow developers to build custom tools and extensions on top of the system. The company said the framework will be finalized with input from the open-source community.

Part of Tether’s broader Bitcoin strategy By open-sourcing MOS, Tether is seeking to reduce reliance on proprietary mining software such as Hive OS and Foreman, which often charge recurring fees. The company says this approach can help smaller operators compete more effectively with large public mining firms.

The move fits into Tether’s wider involvement in Bitcoin infrastructure. The business has expanded its role in network support and backed mining projects that prioritize operational efficiency and renewable energy in recent years. 

Although Tether scaled back some mining operations in late 2025 due to rising energy costs, the MOS release is focused on software development rather than hardware ownership. The company has framed the project as a long-term investment in decentralized infrastructure.

Additionally, Tether’s direct exposure to Bitcoin has been growing. In addition to traditional holdings, it has treated Bitcoin as a strategic reserve by allocating a portion of its profits to its acquisitions since 2023. As of early 2026, Tether held about 96,185 BTC, valued at more than $8 billion at the time, placing it among the largest corporate Bitcoin holders globally. 

The open-source release may promote greater industry cooperation regarding mining tools and standards. At a time when mining costs and network complexity are still high, widespread adoption of MOS could help simplify operations and reduce entry barriers.

Bitcoin has slipped into a bear market danger zone, according to a new analysis showing medium-term holders falling into losses, a signal historically tied to rising downside risk and prolonged weakness rather than short-lived pullbacks.

Hyperliquid has launched Outcome Trading testnet, introducing fully funded contracts for prediction markets and event-based trading.

Summary

Hyperliquid launched Outcome Trading under HIP-4. Contracts are fully collateralized with no leverage. Mainnet launch may follow after testing. Hyperliquid announced on Feb. 2 that it has launched “Outcome Trading” on its testnet under Hyperliquid Improvement Proposal 4.

The new feature allows users to trade fully collateralized outcome contracts that settle within a fixed price range. 

What is Outcome Trading and how it works Prediction markets and actual events, such as elections, sports, or economic data, are the main focus of these contracts. They are solely dependent on the outcome of the event and do not require leverage, unlike conventional crypto derivatives.

Traders must fund their positions in full, which removes the risk of forced liquidations. This structure is meant to provide a more stable and transparent way to trade uncertain events.

HyperCore will support outcome trading (HIP-4). Outcomes are fully collateralized contracts that settle within a fixed range. They are a general-purpose primitive that are useful for applications such as prediction markets and bounded options-like instruments. There has been…

— Hyperliquid (@HyperliquidX) February 2, 2026 Hyperliquid (HYPE) said the system introduces non-linear payouts and time-based settlement, giving traders more ways to express market views. It also responds to strong demand from users looking for lower-risk alternatives to perpetual futures.

Outcome Trading is built to work alongside existing tools such as portfolio margin and HyperEVM. This allows developers to combine outcome contracts with other decentralized applications on the platform.

At this stage, the feature is only available on testnet and remains under active development. Hyperliquid plans to launch curated “canonical” markets once testing is complete. These markets will be settled in USDH, the platform’s stablecoin, and will rely on objective data sources to reduce disputes.

If user feedback is positive, the company may later allow permissionless market creation, enabling anyone to launch outcome-based contracts.

Why this matters for Hyperliquid and the market The launch comes as Hyperliquid keeps pushing beyond its roots in perpetual futures. Earlier updates, including HIP-3, opened the door to permissionless markets for tokenized stocks, commodities, and other real-world assets.

Those changes have driven trading volumes and open interest to new highs, with several ecosystem projects reporting solid growth after the upgrades. With the introduction of outcome trading, Hyperliquid is now entering the quickly expanding prediction market, which is already dominated by companies like Polymarket and Kalshi.

The feature might be released on the mainnet later in 2026 if it becomes popular on the testnet. A smooth rollout would further cement Hyperliquid’s evolution into a multi-product, on-chain derivatives platform.

Bitcoin’s latest drawdown is being framed less as a technical breakdown and more as a liquidity problem, with Ki Young Ju arguing that the key inputs that sustained the rally fresh capital inflows have stalled. In that setup, he says, calls for a full-cycle, -70% style capitulation hinge on a single variable: whether Strategy turns from buyer to meaningful seller.

Will Bitcoin Experience Another -70% Bear Market? In a Feb. 1 post, Ki said “Bitcoin is dropping as selling pressure persists, with no fresh capital coming in.” He pointed to a flatlining Realized Cap as evidence that incremental money is no longer entering the market, and tied that directly to market structure. “Realized Cap” has flatlined, meaning no fresh capital. When market cap falls in that environment, it’s not a bull market.”

Bitcoin PnL Index Signal | Source: X @ki_young_ju His read is that the profit-taking has been there for a while, it was simply absorbed. Early holders, he wrote, were “sitting on big unrealized gains thanks to ETFs and MSTR buying,” and “have been taking profits since early last year, but strong inflows kept Bitcoin near 100K.” The change now, in his telling, is that the bid that mattered most has faded: “Now those inflows have dried up.”

That’s where the crash math changes. Ki described Strategy (MSTR) as “a major driver of this rally,” but argued the reflexive downside seen in prior cycles is unlikely without a decisive reversal from the company’s balance sheet strategy. “Unless Saylor significantly dumps his stack, we won’t see a -70% crash like previous cycles,” he wrote, carving out an explicit condition rather than presenting the drawdown as inevitable.

Even so, he didn’t claim the market has found a floor. “Selling pressure is still ongoing, so the bottom isn’t clear yet,” Ki said, adding that the more probable path is time, not a straight-line liquidation. His base case is “a wide-ranging sideways consolidation,” a regime where volatility can persist but direction becomes harder to sustain without new marginal buyers.

Stablecoin Liquidity Dries Up CryptoQuant contributor Darkfost added color on what “no fresh capital” looks like in the plumbing. He argued stablecoin activity, often treated as a near-term proxy for deployable crypto liquidity, has rolled over sharply as uncertainty stays elevated.

“The crypto market is currently going through a delicate phase, marked by a structural lack of liquidity in a context of persistently high uncertainty,” he wrote, calling it an environment “not conducive to risk taking,” especially relative to assets like precious metals and equities that are still drawing flows.

Exchanges stablecoin netflow | Source: X @Darkfost_Coc Darkfost said the stablecoin market had expanded by more than $140 billion since 2023, but that total stablecoin market capitalization began declining in December, “putting an end to this sustained growth trend.” The more actionable signal, he argued, is exchange flows: “Strong inflows generally indicate a willingness to gain exposure to the market, while outflows instead suggest capital preservation and a reduction in risk.”

He highlighted October as the last clear liquidity-heavy month, when “average monthly stablecoin netflows exceeded $9.7B,” with nearly $8.8B concentrated on Binance alone—conditions that “supported Bitcoin’s rally toward a new all time high.” Since November, he said, those inflows have been “largely wiped out,” with an initial $9.6 billion drop, then a brief stabilization, followed by renewed net outflows of more than $4 billion, including $3.1 billion from Binance.

At press time, BTC traded at $78,280.

Bitcoin crash stalls at the 1.0 Fib, 1-week chart | Source: BTCUSDT on TradingView.com Featured image created with DALL.E, chart from TradingView.com

XRP price extended losses and traded below $1.550. The price is now attempting to recover but faces hurdles near $1.650 and $1.70.

XRP price started a recovery wave from the $1.50 zone. The price is now trading below $1.620 and the 100-hourly Simple Moving Average. There is a key bearish trend line forming with resistance at $1.6150 on the hourly chart of the XRP/USD pair (data source from Kraken). The pair could continue to move down if it stays below $1.650. XRP Price Faces Resistance XRP price failed to stay above $1.650 and extended its decline, like Bitcoin and Ethereum. The price declined below $1.620 and $1.60 to enter a short-term bearish zone.

The price even spiked below $1.520. A low was formed at $1.50, and the price is now attempting to recover. There was a move above the $1.5750 level. The price surpassed the 23.6% Fib retracement level of the downward move from the $1.9388 swing high to the $1.50 low.

The price is now trading below $1.620 and the 100-hourly Simple Moving Average. If there is a fresh upward move, the price might face resistance near the $1.620 level. There is also a key bearish trend line forming with resistance at $1.6150 on the hourly chart of the XRP/USD pair.

Source: XRPUSD on TradingView.com The first major resistance is near the $1.650 level. A close above $1.650 could send the price to $1.720 or the 50% Fib retracement level of the downward move from the $1.9388 swing high to the $1.50 low. The next hurdle sits at $1.750. A clear move above the $1.750 resistance might send the price toward the $1.780 resistance. Any more gains might send the price toward the $1.80 resistance. The next major hurdle for the bulls might be near $1.825.

Another Drop? If XRP fails to clear the $1.650 resistance zone, it could start a fresh decline. Initial support on the downside is near the $1.5760 level. The next major support is near the $1.550 level.

If there is a downside break and a close below the $1.550 level, the price might continue to decline toward $1.5250. The next major support sits near the $1.50 zone, below which the price could continue lower toward $1.4650.

Technical Indicators

Hourly MACD – The MACD for XRP/USD is now losing pace in the bearish zone.

Hourly RSI (Relative Strength Index) – The RSI for XRP/USD is now below the 50 level.

Major Support Levels – $1.5760 and $1.550.

Major Resistance Levels – $1.6150 and $1.650.

Binance has begun shifting its $1 billion user protection fund into bitcoin, converting stablecoin reserves as part of a broader move to anchor SAFU in what it calls crypto's most durable asset. Binance Begins $1B Bitcoin Accumulation Plan With First $100M Allocation Crypto exchange Binance shared on social media platform X on Feb.

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

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

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

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

Rambus Inc. (RMBS) Q4 2025 Earnings Call Transcript

NuScale Power's goal is to be a manufacturer, but there's still a lot of work to be done.

NuScale Power (SMR 6.09%) is, at its core, a manufacturing business. It is also a nuclear power stock, since what it plans to build are small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs). Given the nuclear power renaissance currently taking shape, there is a big opportunity for NuScale Power to seize. And the company still has to make its first sale.

Industrials pay dividends Wall Street has put NuScale Power into the nuclear energy investment bucket, which isn't wrong. After all, the company is attempting to build a business around SMRs. However, SMRs are a lot different from large, site-built nuclear power plants. SMRs are built in factories so they can benefit from the efficiencies generated from scale production. At its core, NuScale Power is really an industrial manufacturer. Or at least that is what it hopes to be when it finally inks its first sale.

Image source: Getty Images.

Industrial stocks often pay dividends. And if the nuclear power renaissance is enough for NuScale Power to build a substantial business, it is highly likely that it would, one day, pay dividends, too. Such dividend payments, however, could be years away.

NuScale Power is going to bleed red ink for a long time The problem is that NuScale Power has a reactor design, but no customers. It is working on a deal to sell six reactors to RoPower, a Romanian power company, but the final investment decision on that project hasn't been made yet. NuScale is also working with the Tennessee Valley Authority and ENTRA1 Energy, but there's no firm sale involved with this partnership yet, either.

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Until NuScale Power actually starts building its first SMRs, there's no way to know how successful the business will be. There's also no way to know if its SMRs are desirable enough for others to buy. Then there's the small problem that NuScale Power needs to build out its manufacturing capacity, which will require large capital investments if it plans to scale up its business. Even after the first signed contract for an SMR, there's still a lot that needs to be done.

Most investors should wait a bit NuScale Power has an exciting story to tell. However, most investors should probably wait until it has actually built a few SMRs before investing in the hope of the stock being a millionaire maker and a reliable dividend stock. There is too much uncertainty at this point and only more aggressive investors should probably consider buying the stock.

Meanwhile, hopes for near-term fresh stimulus and monetary policy easing abated, as Chinese PMI data signaled robust momentum early in 2026.

Despite the pullback from January’s highs, the medium-term outlook remains bullish for Mainland and Hong Kong-listed stocks.

Below, I will explore the key drivers behind recent gains, the medium-term (3-6 months) market outlook, and the key technical levels traders should watch.

Major Chinese Exchanges Raise Margin Requirements In January, China’s major stock exchanges raised their minimum margin requirements to address excess leverage, aimed at cooling an overheating market and tackling speculative trades.

Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzhen increased their minimum margin requirements from 80% to 100%, effective January 19. The exchanges had lowered margin requirements to 80% in 2023 to support the markets.

Notably, the CSI 300 dropped from its January 13 high of 4,837 to a January 27 low of 4,676 in response to the announcement.

FTSE China A 600 Mining Index – Daily Chart – 030226 The mining sector sell-off contributed to the CSI 300’s fall to a February 2 low of 4,614, its lowest level since December 24.

Chinese Manufacturing PMI Cools Expectations of Near-Term Policy Support Chinese economic indicators added to the negative market sentiment on February 2. The RatingDog China General Manufacturing PMI increased from 50.1 in December to 50.3 in January. Key highlights from the January survey included:

Production increased at a quicker rate in January, as new orders increased. New export orders, particularly from Southeast Asia, signaled a pickup in client demand. Manufacturers responded by increasing staffing levels for the first time in three months. Significantly, the improving demand environment enables manufacturers to increase factory gate prices for the first time since late 2024. Goods producers also raised export prices. Crucially, improving demand and rising employment may ease pressure on Beijing to roll out fresh stimulus and ease monetary policy. Typically, higher prices widen profit margins, enabling firms to raise wages. Tighter labor market conditions and rising wages may boost private consumption, bolstering the second part of China’s dual economy.

In January, Beijing announced fresh measures to boost domestic consumption targeting autos, home appliances, electronics, and smart durable goods. Beijing also aimed at households, pledging several measures, including:

Extension of personal consumption loan interest subsidies to the end of 2026. Extension of tax and fee incentives for elderly care, childcare, and domestic services until the end of 2027. Increased fiscal spending in 2026. Expansion of interest subsidies to credit card installments (1% rate). While there was a welcome upswing in demand and employment, manufacturers were less optimistic in January, underscoring the need for further policy support from Beijing.

RatingDog founder Yao Yu commented on the January PMI survey, stating:

“Looking ahead, if cost pressures persist while demand recovery is limited, profit margins will remain under pressure. Policy support for initiatives may consolidate the recovery momentum in 2026.”

Key Downside Risks to the Bullish Outlook Despite the bullish sentiment, downside risks could derail the positive outlook. These include:

An escalation in US-China trade tensions. Global tariffs targeting Chinese goods. Beijing delays monetary policy easing and the introduction of fresh fiscal stimulus. Waning external demand for Chinese goods. Slowing domestic demand. Chinese housing market deteriorates further. These scenarios would likely send the Hang Seng Index below its 50-day EMA and the CSI 300 below its 200-day EMAs, indicating bearish trend reversals.

However, China’s advancements in AI, self-reliance on chip manufacturing, and improving manufacturing sector activity support a constructive short- to medium-term bias for Mainland China indices.

Furthermore, economists expect that Beijing can boost domestic consumption by introducing new subsidies and lowering borrowing rates, while bolstering the housing market.

CSI 300 Technical Outlook: Resistance Levels in Focus Chart technicals and market fundamentals remained diverged in early trading on Tuesday, February 3. Viewing the daily chart, the CSI 300 trades below its 50-day EMA, but holds above its 200-day EMA. The EMA positions signal a bearish near-term but bullish longer-term bias.

A breakout above the 4,650 resistance level and the 50-day EMA would signal a near-term bullish trend reversal. A bullish trend reversal would bring the January 13 high of 4,837 into play. A sustained move through 4,837 would enable the bulls to target 5,000. Breaking above the 50-day EMA will be crucial for the bullish outlook.

, /PRNewswire/ --

Why: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of securities of agilon health, inc. (NYSE: AGL) between February 26, 2025 and August 4, 2025, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"), of the important March 2, 2026 lead plaintiff deadline in the securities class action first filed by the Firm.

So what: If you purchased agilon securities during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement.

What to do next: To join the agilon class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=46039 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than March 2, 2026. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation.

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

Details of the Case: According to the lawsuit, defendants throughout the Class Period made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) defendants recklessly issued guidance for 2025 that they knew or should have known was not going to be achieved, given material industry headwinds of which they were aware; (2) defendants materially overstated the immediate positive financial impact from "strategic actions" taken by agilon to reduce risk; and (3) as a result, defendants' statements about agilon's business, operations, and prospects were materially false and/or misleading at all times. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages. 

To join the agilon class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=46039 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] for information on the class action.

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

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

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

Contact Information:

      Laurence Rosen, Esq.
      Phillip Kim, Esq.
      The Rosen Law Firm, P.A.
      275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor
      New York, NY  10016
      Tel: (212) 686-1060
      Toll Free: (866) 767-3653
      Fax: (212) 202-3827
      [email protected]
      www.rosenlegal.com

SOURCE THE ROSEN LAW FIRM, P. A.

Key Takeaways Zacks Thematic Screens lets you dive into 30 dynamic investment themes shaping the future.Palantir was returned from the Zacks Artificial Intelligence Screen.The stock reflects a great long-term opportunity concerning the AI trade. Zacks Thematic Screens lets you dive into 30 dynamic investment themes shaping the future. Whether you're interested in cutting-edge technology, renewable energy, or healthcare innovations, our themes help you invest in ideas that matter to you.

For those interested in viewing the Thematic lists, please click here >>> Thematic Screens – Zacks Investment Research.

Let’s take a closer look at the Artificial Intelligence theme and analyze a hot stock that the screen returned, namely Palantir (PLTR - Free Report) .

Artificial Intelligence

Artificial Intelligence (AI) refers to the technology that enables computers and machines to simulate human intelligence and problem-solving capabilities to perform the cognitive functions usually associated with human minds.

In general, AI systems work by ingesting large amounts of data with fast, iterative processing and intelligent algorithms. It then analyzes the data using neural networks for correlations and patterns and allows the software to learn automatically from these patterns to make predictions.

This screen features diverse companies involved in AI, ranging from creators of software and hardware that power AI to those applying and utilizing this technology through automation, diagnostics, cognitive tasks, and more.

PLTR Growth Remains Stellar

Palantir again continued to fire on all cylinders throughout the period, with overall sales of $1.4 billion flying 70% year-over-year. U.S. results were notably strong, underpinned by both commercial and government strength. Specifically, U.S. sales totaled $1.1 billion, growing 93% year-over-year and an even more impressive 28% sequentially.

Further, Palantir closed 180 deals of at least $1 million, 84 deals worth at least $5 million, and 61 deals worth at least $10 million. It closed more than $4.2 billion of total contract value (TCV) overall, up more than 130% from the year-ago period.

Concerning earnings, analysts have been bullish on the company’s broader FY26 EPS outlook for some time now, with the current $1.04 Zacks Consensus EPS estimate up nearly 80% just over the last year. The latest set of results helps underpin the bright EPS outlook in a big way, with the demand picture undoubtedly remaining bright.

Bottom Line

Zacks Thematic Screens lets you dive into 30 dynamic investment themes shaping the future. Whether you're interested in cutting-edge technology, renewable energy, or healthcare innovations, our themes help you invest in ideas that matter to you.

Upon running the Zacks Artificial Intelligence Thematic screen, Palantir (PLTR - Free Report) was returned.

The tech stock is a buy ahead of its upcoming earnings report, according to one Wall Street analyst.

Shares of Advanced Micro Devices (AMD +3.95%) climbed on Monday, following bullish analyst remarks.

By the close of trading, AMD's stock price was up about 4%.

Image source: Getty Images.

Second place could still be highly profitable AMD doesn't have to be Nvidia. That's the view of Wedbush analyst Matt Bryson.

Bryson argues that there's no need for AMD to match its far larger rival's massive market share in advanced artificial intelligence (AI) chips. AMD's shareholders will do just fine if the chipmaking challenger can deliver robust sales of central processing units (CPUs) used in personal computers (PCs) and data center servers when it reports its fourth-quarter financial results on Feb. 3.

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Bryson believes tight supplies of server CPUs will boost AMD's profit margins by enabling it to command higher prices. He noted that the chip designer's server CPUs are already some of its most lucrative products.

Bryson also pointed to sales to Chinese customers as another potential growth driver. The Trump administration authorized certain chip sales to China in January.

All told, Bryson sees AMD's stock price rising roughly 18% to $290 per share.

AMD's upcoming earnings release Investors can expect to hear more about AMD's CPU sales and AI-focused growth initiatives during the company's conference call, which is scheduled to begin at 5:00 p.m. EST on Tuesday.

Joe Tenebruso has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Advanced Micro Devices and Nvidia. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

A deal to buy wind and solar developer Intersect is the latest in a series of moves that have left Google well prepared for the power crunch facing data centers.

Energy Transfer and Enterprise Products Partners have similar distribution growth rates, but one has a higher yield.

Enterprise Products Partners (EPD 0.27%) and Energy Transfer (ET 1.68%) are two of the largest midstream businesses in North America. They provide services to energy companies, helping to move oil and natural gas around the world for a fee.

While the energy sector is generally pretty volatile, these two master limited partnerships (MLPs) have reliable, cash-generating businesses to back their lofty yields. Which one will be a better income choice for you?

A high yield and a higher yield Enterprise is offering investors a 6.3% distribution yield. Energy Transfer's yield is an even higher 7.1%. If all you care about is yield, the easy answer here is to buy Energy Transfer. That's not necessarily a bad call, given that both midstream master limited partnerships are likely to grow their distribution in the low-to-mid-single digits over time. Slow and boring is the goal today.

Image source: Getty Images.

That hasn't always been for Energy Transfer. For example, Energy Transfer cut its distribution in half in 2020 during the coronavirus pandemic.

That was a difficult time for the energy sector as a whole. In 2016, during the last deep energy sector downturn, Energy Transfer had to scuttle a planned acquisition. The deal, which ended in a particularly ugly fashion, could have resulted in a dividend cut if it were consummated as originally planned.

If you need a reliable income source to help pay your bills, Energy Transfer might not be the best choice for you. The yield is higher for a reason, and owning it could leave you with sleepless nights during the next energy industry downturn.

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Enterprise is boring and reliable Enterprise is at the opposite end of the risk spectrum. It has long operated conservatively, with the best proof being its 27-year streak of annual distribution increases. That's basically as long as the MLP has been public. Add in an investment-grade-rated balance sheet and distribution coverage of 1.7x, and it seems like more slow and reliable distribution growth is on tap.

For most dividend investors, Enterprise will likely be the better option. The extra income available from Energy Transfer is nice, but it comes with extra uncertainty that probably won't be worth it for those with a more conservative investment appetite. If you have to worry about Energy Transfer's distribution every time the energy sector hits a snag, how well are you likely to sleep at night?

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

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

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

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

Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - February 2, 2026) - Gold Hunter Resources Inc. (CSE: HUNT) (OTCQB: HNTRF) (FSE: 6RH) ("Gold Hunter" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has closed the second and final tranche of its previously announced non-brokered private placement financing, originally announced on December 11, 2025, and subsequently updated on December 31, 2025, and upsized on January 26, 2026 (the "Offering"), bringing total gross proceeds raised to $6,749,894.

With the financing now complete, Gold Hunter is fully funded to execute its inaugural drill program of up to 10,000 metres at the Great Northern Project in Newfoundland, with flexibility to expand the program based on results and ongoing technical evaluation.

Key Highlights

$6,749,894 million financing completed, fully funding the Company through initial drilling at the Great Northern ProjectFully funded to begin drilling with flexibility to adapt and expand based on resultsFinancing anchored by long-term mining investors including Golden Capital Consulting and Agro Concept BrazilDistrict-scale project with multiple priority target areas and significant untested strike lengthExploration Advances to Drill Stage, Property-Wide

Since securing the project, the Company has completed the foundational work required to responsibly advance a district-scale gold project toward drilling. This work included the consolidation of a large contiguous land package, comprehensive data compilation and reinterpretation of historical exploration, completion of a VTEM airborne geophysical survey, and integration of machine-learning processing to assist in prioritizing drill-ready anomalies.

Second Tranche Details

The second tranche consisting of:

Flow-Through Units totaling $907,242, issued at a price of $0.055 per unit for 16,495,318 units. Each unit consists of one flow-through common share and one-half of one share purchase warrant, with each whole warrant exercisable at $0.08 per share for a period of 36 months from closing.Non-Flow-Through Units totaling $4,667,000, issued at a price of $0.05 per unit for 93,340,000 units. Each unit consists of one common share and one share purchase warrant exercisable at $0.075 per share for a period of 36 months from closing.First Tranche Details

The first tranche closed on December 30, 2025, for gross proceeds of $1,175,652, as previously disclosed in the Company's news release of December 31, 2025. The first tranche consisted of:

(i) 12,830,037 flow-through units of the Company at a price of C$0.055 per unit for gross proceeds of $705,652,
(ii) 9,400,000 units of the Company at a price of C$0.05 per unit for gross proceeds of $470,000, and
(iii) finder's fees consisting of 1,403,202 non-transferable finder's warrants exercisable at an exercise price between $0.075 and $0.08 per finder's warrant and $74,176.14 in cash.

Finder's Fees

In connection with the closing of the second and final tranche of the private placement, the Company paid finder's fees totaling $186,475 in cash and issued 3,623,754 non-transferable finder's warrants to certain registered institutions, bankers, and brokers, in accordance with applicable securities laws and exchange policies.

Each finder's warrant entitles the holder to acquire one common share of the Company at an exercise price of between $0.075 and $0.08 per share for a period of 36 months from the date of issuance.

Hold Period and Resale Restrictions

All securities issued in connection with the Offering are subject to a statutory hold period of four months and one day. In connection with closing the second tranche of the Offering, the Company will seek shareholder approval by written consent to comply with Canadian Securities Exchange Policy 4.6(2)(a)(i)(2) as the number of securities issuable in the Offering (calculated on a fully diluted basis) is more than 100 per cent of the total number of securities outstanding (calculated on a non-diluted basis). The warrants issued on the second tranche will contain a restriction on exercise whereby the warrants cannot be exercised until the Company obtains shareholder approval.

Use of Proceeds and CEO Commentary

Proceeds from the flow-through units will be used to incur eligible Canadian exploration expenses at the Great Northern Project. Proceeds from the non-flow-through units will be used for drilling, technical studies, project advancement, and general working capital.

"Gold Hunter has done the hard work required to responsibly advance this district-scale project. This included consolidating land, compiling and reinterpreting decades of historical data, completing a VTEM airborne geophysical survey, and integrating machine-learning to assist targeting. This financing has secured the capital required to execute the robust drill program we have envisioned from the beginning," said Sean Kingsley, President and CEO.

"The upsizing of the financing allows us to drill properly, drill continuously, and drill with conviction. It also positions the Company to expand beyond the initial inaugural drill program should results warrant, without delay or distraction."

The Company notes that a substantial portion of the second tranche was anchored by long-term, technically focused mining investors, including Golden Capital Consulting and Agro Concept Brazil, alongside North American and European institutional and high-net-worth participants. These groups have a demonstrated track record of supporting exploration companies from early-stage drilling through discovery, advancement, and ultimately development and production.

Board Update

The Company also announces the resignation of Mr. Darrell Brown from the Board of Directors, effective immediately.

Mr. Brown served as Chief Executive Officer of the privately held company Long Range Exploration, which Gold Hunter acquired in 2024 as part of its consolidation roll-up strategy at the Great Northern Project. Gold Hunter thanks Mr. Brown for his contributions during this period and wishes him all the best in his future endeavors.

As the Company advances into its next phase of growth and execution, Gold Hunter continues to evaluate opportunities to strengthen its governance and technical oversight. The Company is also considering the formation of an advisory committee comprised of individuals with relevant technical, capital markets, and regional expertise to support the advancement of the Great Northern Project and broader corporate objectives.

Qualified Person

This news release, along with all scientific and technical information, has been reviewed and approved by Rory Kutluoglu, B.Sc., P.Geo., a "Qualified Person" as defined under NI 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects and is the consulting technical lead for Gold Hunter.

About Gold Hunter Resources Inc.

Gold Hunter Resources Inc. is a Canadian mineral exploration company focused on acquiring and advancing high-potential precious and base metal projects. The Company employs a data-driven approach to exploration, combining modern techniques with historical datasets to identify and develop district-scale opportunities.

Following the successful divestiture of its first consolidated district to FireFly Metals Ltd., Gold Hunter has assembled the Great Northern Project, covering 26,237 hectares and over 35 kilometres of strike length along the prospective Doucers Valley Fault Structure in Newfoundland. Within the Doucers Valley Fault, over 50 kilometres of potential splays and secondary faults with known mineralization and potential for additional mineralization have been identified. The Company is advancing toward its initial drill program targeting high-priority anomalies. Gold Hunter is committed to responsible exploration, meaningful stakeholder engagement, and delivering long-term value to shareholders.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors
GOLD HUNTER RESOURCES INC.

Sean A. Kingsley
President, Chief Executive Officer, and Director

Neither the CSE nor its Regulation Services Provider (as defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. These statements relate to future events or the Company's future performance and reflect current expectations or beliefs regarding future events, including but not limited to statements regarding the potential of the Great Northern Project, exploration plans, geophysical survey integration, financing availability, and future drilling targets.

Forward-looking statements are inherently subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and assumptions that may cause actual results, performance, or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the ability of the Company to secure financing for the planned drill program, market conditions, volatility in commodity prices, exploration and development risks, availability of financing, regulatory or political developments, and changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined. Ongoing labour shortages, inflationary pressures, high interest rates, and global economic and geopolitical conditions may further impact the Company's performance and financing ability. No assurance can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will occur or, if they do occur, what benefits the Company will obtain from them.

Although Gold Hunter believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, such statements are not guarantees of future performance, and actual results may differ materially. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by applicable law. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/282475

Source: Gold Hunter Resources Inc.

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Bitcoin sentiment has plunged to extreme fear levels, and it’s now time for traders to prepare for further market declines, especially after weeks of falling prices and liquidations.

As seen in the latest data from the Crypto Fear and Greed Index, the indicator is at 14 and in the “extreme fear” zone.

Fear is spreading across the market as more people rush to sell Bitcoin Bitcoin prices have been declining over the last month, making many investors anxious. The prices have dropped by 13% over the last 30 days, making it the fourth consecutive month of decline for the cryptocurrency. The decline is similar to last year, when prices dropped steadily, and investor sentiment weakened.

The decline in prices over the weekend heightened concerns, especially after they dropped to $74,500, a level not seen since before $80,000. Many traders closed their positions, and prices only recovered to $78,500.

As prices declined, losses quickly cascaded through the derivatives market. In just 24 hours, more than $2.2 billion in leveraged crypto positions were liquidated. Long traders had to sell their assets as prices fell to meet margin calls, further fueling the decline.

Traders immediately reduced risk due to apprehensions about tariffs, economic conditions, and other issues in the global market. Investors are not only withdrawing from cryptocurrencies but also from other risky investments.

Not even safe assets in hard times have been able to save investors. Gold declined 12 percent in a single day, and silver fell 30 percent as investors quickly shifted away from risk.

The Crypto Fear & Greed Index has remained in extreme fear for a while now, at 14, unchanged from the previous day. This level is much lower than last month’s 29.

These signals include price movements, trading volume, social media, market share, and search trends. All these factors indicate a market that is being cautious and defensive, not one that is confident or willing to take risks.

The charts warn traders that Bitcoin could fall even lower Traders are being very cautious as prices continue to fall. Although there was a bit of a bounce after the weekend selloff, people are not seeing this as a sign that the market has reversed.

This is also confirmed by the technical indicators, which suggest that selling pressure will remain strong. The trend indicators also show that short-term confidence is still not back. The 50-day exponential moving average is below the 200-day moving average.

The Average Directional Index is above 30 on the daily chart and above 57 on the four-hourly chart, indicating that markets are moving with conviction. In this case, the markets are moving downwards.

At the same time, the momentum indicators suggest the selling might be overdone. The Relative Strength Index has fallen to 30, indicating that the market is oversold. This does not necessarily mean that a trend reversal is underway.

The fact that Bitcoin has risen from around $74,500 implies that buyers are defending that level, but the recent price action has been unfavorable, with gains unable to sustain, suggesting that confidence remains low.

If Bitcoin fails to sustain above this level the next time it’s tested, it’s assumed that if the price goes below $74,000, the next significant level, which will be targeted for the next potential decline, will be $69,000.

The change in market sentiment can also be seen from prediction markets, where currently, the odds are at 67.9% that Bitcoin will fall to $69,000 before rallying to $100,000, a significant change from just two weeks ago, when predictions were pointing towards another rally.

On a positive note, the road to recovery remains narrow, with the cryptocurrency seen facing initial resistance at $80,600, followed by a significant level at $91,350, before a recovery rally can be initiated.

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Leading cryptocurrencies recovered, alongside stocks and gold, on Monday, as investors showed a higher risk appetite. Cryptocurrency 24-Hour Gains +/- Price (Recorded at 8:19 p.m.

Journalist

Posted: February 3, 2026

For years, Michael Saylor’s Strategy has stood as a key signal of how strongly institutions believe in Bitcoin.

But in early 2026, a sharp market correction is putting that belief under pressure, especially as losses begin to show on the balance sheet.

Bitcoin’s recent drop below $75,000 over the weekend has pushed Strategy’s large Bitcoin holdings into unrealized loss territory.

On-chain data shows the company holds about 712,647 BTC, which now reflects a paper loss of more than $900 million.

For context, Strategy had bought its Bitcoin [BTC] at an average price of around $76,037 per coin.

With prices now below that level, the situation marks a turning point.

A perfect storm That said, the current market turmoil did not come out of nowhere.

Bitcoin’s recent drop, now trading around $77,845 after falling 13% over the past month, stems from a mix of global pressures.

Ongoing geopolitical tensions, including instability in the Middle East and trade disputes in Europe, have shaken markets and forced large liquidations in highly leveraged trades.

At the same time, investors are reacting to changes at the U.S. Federal Reserve.

With Kevin Warsh nominated as the next Fed Chair, markets expect a tougher stance on inflation.

This has reduced hopes for quick interest-rate cuts in early 2026 and pushed investors into a more cautious, risk-off mood.

As a result, more than $1.6 billion has flowed out of Spot Bitcoin ETFs in January alone, leaving Bitcoin struggling to stabilize.

Strategy’s strange split However, even as Bitcoin has fallen, Strategy’s stock has held up surprisingly well.

MSTR rose about 4.55% to $149.71, according to Google Finance.

This gap suggests that investors may be backing the company’s software business or trusting Michael Saylor’s ability to handle volatility through creative fundraising.

Interestingly, instead of pulling back after a $900 million unrealized loss, Saylor appears to be leaning in.

In a cryptic social media post, he hinted that the price drop could be a buying opportunity.

Source: Michael Saylor/X

Reaffirming his stance, Syalor recently stated clearly that Strategy follows strict custody practices and holds the actual Bitcoin, not paper substitutes.

As expected, he put it best when he said,

“We buy real Bitcoin. We audit our custodians. We don’t rehypothecate. You shouldn’t either.”

Final Thoughts The gap between falling Bitcoin prices and rising MSTR stock suggests investors are betting on leadership, not short-term price action. Saylor’s response shows consistency as he treats volatility as an opportunity, not a reason to retreat.

Ishika Kumari is a Crypto Analyst and Content Strategist at AMBCrypto, specializing in the analysis of cryptocurrency regulations, market trends, and the socio-political impact of blockchain technology. Her expertise is grounded in her academic background as a graduate of Political Science from the renowned University of Delhi. This discipline has equipped her with a sophisticated framework for analyzing complex governance models, international regulatory landscapes, and the economic principles that underpin decentralized systems. At AMBCrypto, Ishika applies this unique analytical lens to her work. She excels at breaking down intricate subjects—from the technicalities of new protocols to the nuances of global crypto legislation—into clear, accessible, and insightful content. Her primary mission is to bridge the gap between the complexity of the digital asset industry and the everyday reader, ensuring that AMBCrypto's audience is not just informed, but truly understands the forces shaping the future of finance.

Shalini Nagarajan

Crypto Reporter

Shalini Nagarajan

Part of the Team Since

Jan 2024

About Author

Shalini is a crypto reporter who provides in-depth reports on daily developments and regulatory shifts in the cryptocurrency sector.

Has Also Written

Last updated: 

16 minutes ago

Bitcoin traded near $78,000 early Tuesday as Asian markets regained their footing after a bruising stretch of volatility in precious metals, with traders taking some comfort from a sharp pickup in US factory activity overnight.

Equities across the region pushed higher. Japan’s Nikkei jumped 2.5% to claw back Monday’s losses, South Korea’s KOSPI rose 4%, and futures pointed to a rebound in Hong Kong, as investors stepped back into risk after last week’s whipsaw.

US markets also looked steadier at the open, with S&P 500 futures up 0.3% as traders lined up for a busy run of earnings in the next few sessions.

Market snapshot Bitcoin: $78,719, up 2% Ether: $2,334, up 1.8% XRP: $1.61, up 0.5% Total crypto market cap: $2.72 trillion, up 2.6% Liquidations Mount As Sentiment Turns Against LeverageCrypto, though, still carried the scars of the recent sell-off. Bitcoin investors liquidated $2.56B in recent days, CoinGlass data showed, after digital assets slid alongside equities and metals in a broader risk retreat.

The wipeouts in both short and long Bitcoin positions remained well below the record $19B in crypto liquidations that followed President Donald Trump’s tariff announcement on China, even so the latest wave underscored how quickly leverage can unravel when sentiment turns.

Traders also kept a close eye on metals after violent swings tied to Trump’s decision to nominate Kevin Warsh as his pick to lead the Federal Reserve.

Investors see Warsh as more inclined to shrink the Fed’s balance sheet, a stance that can push bond yields higher and sap the appeal of assets that offer no yield.

By Tuesday morning in Asia, the selling pressure eased and prices snapped back. Gold rose 3% to $4,800 an ounce, nearly 9% above Monday’s lows, while silver climbed 5% to $83.34.

The latest moves followed a forced unwind in crowded positions that spilled across markets, as traders sold other holdings to meet losses elsewhere. “The broader flow picture suggests a clear risk-off rotation, with investors reallocating toward cash and gold amid rising macroeconomic and political uncertainty,” Bitfinex analysts said.

Earnings Optimism Offsets Rate And Yield ConcernsMacro data helped set the tone. US factory activity expanded for the first time in a year in January, PMI figures showed, nudging yields higher without materially shifting expectations for rate cuts later on.

Treasury markets held steady in Asia, with benchmark 10-year yields around 4.275% in Tokyo and two-year yields near 3.57%, after the front end ticked higher in New York.

Wall Street closed higher on Monday, lifted by chipmakers and other AI-linked names, while Alphabet shares hit a record high ahead of results later this week. Disney sank 7.4% after warning about a drop in international visitors to its US theme parks and weaker performance in its TV and film division, with AMD and Super Micro Computer due to report after the bell on Tuesday.

In Australia, markets looked ahead to a central bank decision later Tuesday. A resilient jobs market and a hotter-than-expected fourth-quarter inflation print left traders pricing in a 25 basis point rate hike, Australian shares rose 1.3% early, and the Australian dollar held firm at $0.6958 after its strongest monthly rise in three years in January.

Currencies also settled after last week’s sharp dollar swing. The euro traded around $1.18, while the yen hovered near 155.54 per dollar, giving back about half the gains it made during a burst of speculation about possible joint US-Japan action to support the Japanese currency.

TL;DR:

During the month of January, 25.7 million POL tokens were removed from circulation, representing 0.24% of the total supply. Increased activity on the PoS network, with peaks of up to 800,000 active accounts, is the primary driver of this process. Despite the deflationary mechanism, POL price shows caution and remains within a technical consolidation range. The Layer 2 ecosystem is experiencing a moment of high operational intensity, causing the Polygon token burn to reach record figures since its transition to POL. This phenomenon is driven by the increased usage of the Proof-of-Stake (PoS) chain, where transaction volume directly translates into a constant reduction of supply.

Consequently, the current pace suggests that if adoption levels persist, at least 3% of the total supply could be destroyed by the end of 2026. This programmed scarcity mechanism aims to strengthen the asset’s long-term value model, linking its economic health directly to the real utility of the network.

On the other hand, user activity stabilized between 400,000 and 500,000 daily accounts after the peaks recorded at the beginning of the year. This steady flow of operations ensures that the protocol continues to withdraw assets from circulation, even during periods of open market volatility.

POL Price Analysis and Supply Impact Despite the positive news regarding token deflation, the POL price saw a moderate recovery, reaching the $0.11 range. Although the asset recorded an increase of nearly 10% in a single day, technical indicators such as the RSI have yet to confirm a definitive trend reversal.

Market capitalization stands at approximately $1.19 billion, supported by a 20% increase in trading volume. However, the impact of the $3 million burn in January is still small compared to the daily transaction flow, which limits its immediate effect on the charts.

In summary, experts agree that deflationary pressure will become more evident as general market sentiment improves. In the meantime, the Polygon network continues to strengthen its fundamentals through a system that rewards intensive use with greater scarcity of the native token.