Market Signal Briefing

What lies ahead for the PI token next week, according to Gemini.

Meanwhile, concerns about another US government shutdown contributed to the losses. A shutdown could delay the progress of the Market Structure Bill, weighing on XRP demand.

Two days of heavy selling left XRP below $1.75, affirming a bearish trend reversal. Nevertheless, the medium-term outlook is cautiously bullish.

Below, I will explore the key drivers behind recent price trends, the medium-term (4-8 weeks) outlook, and the technical levels traders should watch.

US Producer Prices and Trump’s Fed Chair Nominee Fuel Monetary Policy Uncertainty On January 30, US producer prices signaled a sticky inflation outlook, cooling bets on an H1 2026 Fed rate cut. Producer prices rose 3% year-on-year in December, mirroring November’s increase. Meanwhile, core producer prices increased 3.3% YoY, up from 3.1% in November.

Typically, producers adjust prices based on demand, passing cost savings or higher costs on to consumers, influencing the consumer price index. December’s upswing in core producer prices justified Fed Chair Powell’s concerns about elevated inflation and his need for meeting-by-meeting data-based interest rate decisions.

December’s hotter-than-expected data coincided with President Trump nominating Kevin Warsh to become Fed Chair. While markets expect Warsh to deliver on Trump’s push for lower rates, the consensus was that Warsh is more hawkish than other potential picks.

XRP – BTC – ETH – 30 Minute Chart – 310126 XRP Price Forecast: Short-, Medium-, and Long-Term Targets Friday’s sell-off left XRP below crucial support levels, signaling a bearish trend reversal and derailing the positive short-term outlook (1-4 weeks). This week’s reversal indicates a cautiously bearish short-term outlook, with a target price of $1.5.

However, expectations of multiple Fed rate cuts, the progress of the Market Structure Bill, and increased XRP utility continue to support the bullish longer-term price projections:

Medium-term (4-8 weeks): $2.5. Longer-term (8-12 weeks): $3.0. Key Downside Risks to the Bullish XRP Outlook Several factors could challenge the constructive bias. These include:

A hawkish Bank of Japan, with a higher neutral interest rate (potentially 1.5%-2.5%). Sharply narrower US-Japan rate differentials could trigger a yen carry trade unwind, as seen in mid-2024. A yen carry trade unwind would reinforce the bearish trend reversal. Strong US economic data and fading bets on an H1 2026 Fed rate cut. Delays and/or partisan opposition to the Market Structure Bill. Extended periods of XRP-spot ETF net outflows. These factors would weigh on demand for XRP, pushing XRP toward $1.5 and reaffirming the bearish trend reversal.

Technical Analysis: Levels to Watch XRP slid 4.03% on Friday, January 30, following the previous day’s 5.37% plunge to close at $1.7326. The token came under heavier selling pressure than the broader crypto market cap, which fell 1.2%.

Friday’s sell-off left XRP trading below its 50-day and 200-day EMAs, signaling bearish momentum. However, several positive fundamentals continue to offset bearish technicals, affirming the bullish medium-term outlook.

Key technical levels to watch include:

Support levels: $1.70 and then $1.50. 50-day EMA resistance: $1.9901. 200-day EMA resistance: $2.2643. Resistance levels: $1.85, $2.0, $2.5, and $3.0. On the daily chart, a break above $1.85 would pave the way toward $2.0. A sustained move through $2.0 would bring the 50-day EMA into play. Significantly, a sustained break above the 50-day EMA would indicate a near-term bullish trend reversal. A bullish trend reversal would enable the bulls to target $2.2. A breakout above $2.2 would open the door to testing $2.5 and the 200-day EMA.

A sustained move through the EMAs would reaffirm the cautiously bullish medium-term price targets.

, /PRNewswire/ -- Neuberger Energy Infrastructure and Income Fund Inc. (NYSE American: NML) (the "Fund") has announced a distribution declaration of $0.0584 per share of common stock. The distribution announced today is payable on February 27, 2026, has a record date of February 17, 2026, and has an ex-date of February 17, 2026.

The Fund currently intends to make regular monthly cash distributions to holders of its common stock at a fixed rate per share, to be determined based on the projected net rate of return of the Fund's investments as well as other factors, subject to ongoing review and adjustment from time to time. The Fund currently intends to pay its regular monthly distributions out of its distributable cash flow, which generally consists of (1) cash and paid-in-kind distributions from master limited partnerships ("MLPs") or their affiliates, dividends from common stocks, interest from debt instruments and income from other investments held by the Fund less (2) current or accrued operating expenses, including leverage costs, if any, and taxes on its taxable income.

The Fund expects that a portion of its distributions to stockholders will constitute a non-taxable return of capital. A "return of capital" is a distribution by the Fund which represents a return of a common stockholder's original investment and should not be confused with a dividend. To the extent the Fund pays a return of capital, a common stockholder's basis in Fund shares will be reduced, which will increase a capital gain or reduce a capital loss upon sale of those shares. There is no assurance that the Fund will always be able to pay a distribution of any particular amount, or that a distribution will consist solely of the Fund's current and accumulated earnings and profits. 

In compliance with Section 19 of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, a notice would be provided for any distribution that does not consist solely of net investment income. The notice would be for informational purposes and not for tax reporting purposes, and would disclose, among other things, estimated portions of the distribution, if any, consisting of net investment income, capital gains and return of capital. The final determination of the source and tax characteristics of all distributions paid in 2026 will be made after the end of the year.

The Fund is subject to federal income tax on its taxable income, unlike most investment companies. Any taxes paid by the Fund will reduce the amount available to pay distributions to stockholders, and therefore investors in the Fund will likely receive lower distributions than if they invested directly in MLPs.

About Neuberger

Neuberger is an employee-owned, private, independent investment manager founded in 1939 with approximately 3,000 employees across 27 countries. The firm manages $563 billion of equities, fixed income, private equity, real estate and hedge fund portfolios for global institutions, advisors and individuals. Neuberger's investment philosophy is founded on active management, fundamental research and engaged ownership. The firm is proud to be recognized for its commitment to its two constituents, clients and employees. Again in 2025, we were named Best Asset Manager for Institutional Investors in the US (Crisil Coalition Greenwich) and the #1 Best Place to Work in Money Management (Pensions & Investments, firms with more than 1,000 employees). Neuberger has no corporate parent or unaffiliated external shareholders. Visit www.nb.com for more information, including www.nb.com/disclosure-global-communications for information on awards. Data as of December 31, 2025.

Statements made in this release that look forward in time involve risks and uncertainties. Such risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, the adverse effect from a decline in the securities markets or a decline in the Fund's performance, a general downturn in the economy, competition from other closed end investment companies, changes in government policy or regulation, inability of the Fund's investment adviser to attract or retain key employees, inability of the Fund to implement its investment strategy, inability of the Fund to manage rapid expansion and unforeseen costs and other effects related to legal proceedings or investigations of governmental and self-regulatory organizations.

Contact: 
Neuberger Berman Investment Advisers LLC 
Investor Information
(877) 461-1899

SOURCE Neuberger Berman

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, but may initiate a beneficial Long position through a purchase of the stock, or the purchase of call options or similar derivatives in ARI over 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.

, /PRNewswire/ -- Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC ("KSF") and KSF partner, former Attorney General of Louisiana, Charles C. Foti, Jr., remind investors with substantial losses that they have until February 17, 2026 to file lead plaintiff applications in a securities class action lawsuit against F5, Inc. (NasdaqGS: FFIV), if they purchased or otherwise acquired the Company's securities between October 28, 2024, and October 27, 2025, inclusive (the "Class Period"). This action is pending in the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington.

Kahn, Swick & Foti What You May Do

If you purchased securities of F5 and would like to discuss your legal rights and how this case might affect you and your right to recover for your economic loss, you may, without obligation or cost to you, contact KSF Managing Partner Lewis Kahn toll-free at 1-877-515-1850 or via email ([email protected]), or visit https://www.ksfcounsel.com/cases/nasdaqgs-ffiv/ to learn more. If you wish to serve as a lead plaintiff in this class action, you must petition the Court by February 17, 2026.

About the Lawsuit

F5 and certain of its executives are charged with failing to disclose material information during the Class Period, violating federal securities laws.

On October 27, 2025, the Company announced its fourth quarter fiscal year 2025 results, disclosing significantly below-market growth expectations for fiscal 2026 including expected reductions to sales and renewals, elongated sales cycles, terminated projections, and increased expenses due in significant part to a security breach involving BIG-IP, the Company's highest revenue product.

On this news, the price of F5's shares fell from a closing market price of $290.41 per share on October 27, 2025 to $258.76 per share on October 28, 2025, a decline of an additional 10.9% in the span of two days.

The case is Smith v. F5, Inc., et al., No. 25-cv-02619.

About Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC

KSF, whose partners include former Louisiana Attorney General Charles C. Foti, Jr., is one of the nation's premier boutique securities litigation law firms. This past year, KSF was ranked by SCAS among the top 10 firms nationally based upon total settlement value. KSF serves a variety of clients, including public and private institutional investors, and retail investors - in seeking recoveries for investment losses emanating from corporate fraud or malfeasance by publicly traded companies. KSF has offices in New York, Delaware, California, Louisiana, Chicago, and a representative office in Luxembourg.

TOP 10 Plaintiff Law Firms - According to ISS Securities Class Action Services

To learn more about KSF, you may visit www.ksfcounsel.com.

Contact:
Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC
Lewis Kahn, Managing Partner
[email protected]
1-877-515-1850
1100 Poydras St., Suite 960
New Orleans, LA 70163

CONNECT WITH US: Facebook || Instagram || YouTube || TikTok || LinkedIn

SOURCE Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC

Boeing and Spirit Aerosystems logos are seen in this illustration taken December 3, 2025. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights, opens new tab

CompaniesJan 30 (Reuters) - Boeing (BA.N), opens new tab reached a new contract on Friday with about 1,600 white-collar workers with the former Spirit AeroSystems, which it re-acquired in December.

The contract, which expires in late 2030, was approved with 85% of votes cast.

Sign up here.

The contract includes a $6,000 ratification bonus, annual wage increases, improvements to medical and retirement plans, and an additional six days off a year.

It was the first labor deal reached with former Spirit AeroSystems employees.

The workers are part of the Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace's (SPEEA) Wichita Technical and Professional Unit. SPEEA represents 11% of Boeing's 182,000 employees, according to recent company filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Boeing will start negotiations later this year with SPEEA's two largest bargaining units, which comprise roughly 16,000 engineers and technical workers in Washington, Oregon, California and Utah.

Reporting by Dan Catchpole in Seattle; Editing by Christian Schmollinger

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

, /PRNewswire/ -- Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC ("KSF") and KSF partner, former Attorney General of Louisiana, Charles C. Foti, Jr., notifies investors in Klarna Group plc ("Klarna" or the "Company") (NYSE: KLAR) of a class action securities lawsuit.

Kahn Swick & Foti CLASS DEFINITION: The lawsuit seeks to recover losses on behalf of investors of Klarna who were adversely affected if they purchased the Company's securities pursuant and/or traceable to the registration statement and related prospectus (collectively, the "Registration Statement") issued in connection with Klarna's September 2025 initial public offering (the "IPO"). Follow the link below to get more information and be contacted by a member of our team:

https://www.ksfcounsel.com/cases/nyse-klar/

Klarna investors should contact KSF Managing Partner Lewis Kahn toll-free at 1-877-515-1850 or via email ([email protected]), or visit https://www.ksfcounsel.com/cases/nyse-klar/ to learn more.

CASE DETAILS: According to the Complaint, Klarna and certain of its executives are charged with failing to disclose material information in the Registration Statement, violating federal securities laws. The alleged false and misleading statements and omissions include, but are not limited to, that: (i) the Company materially understated the risk that its loss reserves would materially increase within a few months of the IPO, which they either knew of or should have known of given the risk profile of many individuals agreeing to the Company's buy now, pay later ("BNPL") loans; and (ii) as a result, defendants' public statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times and negligently prepared. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages. 

The case is Nayak v Klarna Group Plc., et al., No. 25-cv-7033.

WHAT TO DO? If you invested in Klarna and suffered a loss during the relevant time frame, you have until February 20, 2026 to request that the Court appoint you as lead plaintiff; however, your ability to share in any recovery does not require that you serve as a lead plaintiff.

About Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC

KSF, whose partners include former Louisiana Attorney General Charles C. Foti, Jr., is one of the nation's premier boutique securities litigation law firms. This past year, KSF was ranked by SCAS among the top 10 firms nationally based upon total settlement value. KSF serves a variety of clients, including public and private institutional investors, and retail investors - in seeking recoveries for investment losses emanating from corporate fraud or malfeasance by publicly traded companies. KSF has offices in New York, Delaware, California, Louisiana, Chicago, and a representative office in Luxembourg.

TOP 10 Plaintiff Law Firms - According to ISS Securities Class Action Services

To learn more about KSF, you may visit www.ksfcounsel.com.

Contact:

Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC
Lewis Kahn, Managing Partner
[email protected]
1-877-515-1850
1100 Poydras St., Suite 960
New Orleans, LA 70163

CONNECT WITH US: Facebook || Instagram || YouTube || TikTok || LinkedIn

SOURCE Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC

, /PRNewswire/ -- Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC ("KSF") and KSF partner, former Attorney General of Louisiana, Charles C. Foti, Jr., notifies investors in Coupang, Inc. ("Coupang" or the "Company") (NYSE: CPNG) of class action securities lawsuits.

CLASS DEFINITION: The lawsuit seeks to recover losses on behalf of investors of Coupang who were adversely affected by alleged securities fraud between May 7, 2025 and December 16, 2025. Follow the link below to get more information and be contacted by a member of our team:

Kahn Swick & Foti https://www.ksfcounsel.com/cases/nyse-cpng/

Coupang investors should contact KSF Managing Partner Lewis Kahn toll-free at 1-877-515-1850 or via email ([email protected]), or visit https://www.ksfcounsel.com/cases/nyse-cpng/ to learn more.

CASE DETAILS: According to the Complaint, Coupang and certain of its executives are charged with failing to disclose material information during the Class Period, violating federal securities laws. The alleged false and misleading statements and omissions include, but are not limited to, that: (i) the Company had inadequate cybersecurity protocols that allowed a former employee to access sensitive customer information for nearly six months without being detected; (ii) this subjected the Company to a materially heightened risk of regulatory and legal scrutiny; (iii) when defendants became aware that the Company had been subjected to this data breach, they did not report it in a current report filing in compliance with applicable Securities and Exchange Commission reporting rules; and (iv) as a result, defendants' public statements were materially false and/or misleading at all times. 

The first-filed case is Barry v. Coupang, Inc., et al., No. 25-cv-10795. A subsequent case, Lee v. Coupang, Inc., et al., No. 26-cv-00047, expanded the class period.

WHAT TO DO? If you invested in Coupang and suffered a loss during the relevant time frame, you have until February 17, 2026 to request that the Court appoint you as lead plaintiff; however, your ability to share in any recovery does not require that you serve as a lead plaintiff.

About Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC

KSF, whose partners include former Louisiana Attorney General Charles C. Foti, Jr., is one of the nation's premier boutique securities litigation law firms. This past year, KSF was ranked by SCAS among the top 10 firms nationally based upon total settlement value. KSF serves a variety of clients, including public and private institutional investors, and retail investors - in seeking recoveries for investment losses emanating from corporate fraud or malfeasance by publicly traded companies. KSF has offices in New York, Delaware, California, Louisiana, Chicago, and a representative office in Luxembourg.

TOP 10 Plaintiff Law Firms - According to ISS Securities Class Action Services

To learn more about KSF, you may visit www.ksfcounsel.com.

Contact:
Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC
Lewis Kahn, Managing Partner
[email protected]
1-877-515-1850
1100 Poydras St., Suite 960
New Orleans, LA 70163

CONNECT WITH US: Facebook || Instagram || YouTube || TikTok || LinkedIn

SOURCE Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC

Johnson & Johnson is a picture of stability.

Johnson & Johnson (JNJ 0.06%), a leading healthcare giant, has been around for over 100 years and has achieved a lot in its long and storied history. The stock has also delivered solid returns over the long run.

However, Johnson & Johnson could add another notch to its belt this year. Let's see what that is and whether it makes the stock a buy.

Image source: Getty Images.

A rare accomplishment for a drugmaker Johnson & Johnson released its fourth-quarter 2025 earnings report on Jan. 21. The company performed well. Sales were up a strong 9.1% year over year to $24.6 billion, while adjusted earnings per share rose 20.6% to $2.46. Johnson & Johnson's guidance for fiscal year 2026 was also worth a second look. The company projects that it will generate between $100 billion and $101 billion in sales this year.

Why is this significant? This would be the first time in its history that Johnson & Johnson achieves $100 billion in annual sales. In fact, only one other biopharma company has ever done that: Pfizer. Note, however, that Pfizer did so in the middle of the coronavirus pandemic thanks to products that helped prevent and treat the disease, and its sales have since declined significantly.

Johnson & Johnson's midpoint guidance for 2026 implies its revenue will grow 6.7% year over year, a solid performance for the healthcare giant.

Today's Change

(

-0.06

%) $

-0.14

Current Price

$

227.15

An outstanding dividend stock Johnson & Johnson's performance in 2025 and its 2026 guidance are particularly impressive for a couple of reasons. First, it lost patent exclusivity for an important growth driver, immunology drug Stelara, in 2024 in Europe and last year in the U.S.

Second, this year, Medicare-negotiated prices for some medicines will take effect. Three of Johnson & Johnson's drugs were selected for this round: Stelara, cancer drug Imbruvica, and Xarelto, an anticoagulant.

And while Stelara and Imbruvica (whose sales have been declining due to competition) are no longer growth drivers, Xarelto was still contributing. In 2025, the medicine's sales jumped by 11% year over year to $2.6 billion. Johnson & Johnson's ability to deliver consistent results despite patent cliffs and government drug price negotiations says a lot about its underlying business. The company's vast lineup and pipeline, along with its medtech division, provide ample diversification and help it navigate challenges.

So, even though the healthcare leader will continue to face obstacles, investors can rest assured that Johnson & Johnson will perform relatively well over the long run while sustaining its outstanding dividend program. Johnson & Johnson is a Dividend King. Those are companies with at least 50 consecutive years of payout increases -- the drugmaker is at 63. Johnson & Johnson is a dividend investor's dream come true.

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.

HomeStock IdeasIPO Analysis

SummaryFour IPOs and ten SPACs were priced this week.Three IPOs and five SPACs submitted filings.Seven IPOs raising at least $100 million are currently scheduled for the week ahead, in what could be one of the busiest weeks for sizable offerings since 2021.Seven lock-up periods will be expiring in the week ahead. Sumala Chidchoi/iStock via Getty Images

Four IPOs and ten SPACs priced this week. Three IPOs and five SPACs submitted filings.

Satellite manufacturer York Space Systems (YSS) priced its upsized IPO at the top of the range to raise $629

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.

Genel Energy plc (GEGYY) Q4 2025 Sales/ Trading Statement Call January 28, 2026 5:00 AM EST

Company Participants

Paul Weir - CEO & Director
Luke Clements - Chief Financial Officer

Presentation

Operator

Good morning, and welcome to the Genel Energy plc Investor Presentation. [Operator Instructions] The company may not be in a position to answer every question received during the meeting itself. However, the company can review all questions submitted today and publish responses where it's appropriate to do so. Before we begin, I'd like to submit the following poll.

I'd now like to hand you over to Paul Weir, CEO. Good morning, sir.

Paul Weir
CEO & Director

Good morning. Good morning, everybody. My name is Paul Weir. I'm the CEO of Genel, and I'm joined here today by our CFO, Luke Clements. Welcome to our regular January trading update.

As is normal, I'm going to run through a very short presentation that complements our trading statement. Our aim this morning is to give you a sight of a high-level view on our year-end outcome and also importantly, some high-level guidance for the year ahead. We'll provide further detail on both of those areas when we release our annual report in March when the specifics of some of our activity for the year have been finalized. But you'll hopefully get a useful insight into the Genel 2025 and '26 story from the trading statement and from what follows.

As usual, after the presentation, we'll open it up for Q&A, where Luke and I will be happy to deal with any questions that you may have. So let's get started.

We start with an overview of the business and a slide that will be familiar to those that have followed us in recent years. Our resilient business is characterized by the

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.

Analysts at JPMorgan believe there is a high likelihood that Bitcoin futures are oversold, while precious metal futures such as silver and gold are overbought. This difference is noted at a time when several investors in both retail and institutional markets show heightened interest in these precious metals compared to cryptocurrency.

Reports explained that retail investors actively participated in debasement trade, an investment strategy of shifting capital away from fiat currencies and government bonds into “hard assets” like gold or Bitcoin for the majority of 2025.

However, after several considerations, this trend, according to a report from JPMorgan analysts led by managing director Nikolaos Panigirtzoglou, dropped around August of last year when officials noticed that the Bitcoin ETF’s global investment growth slowed down and later decreased in the fourth quarter.

Retail investors demonstrated heightened interest in precious metals  While global investment in Bitcoin ETFs decreased, gold ETFs’ investments surged sharply, closing the year with total inflows approaching $60 billion. Reports noted that a large portion of the funds flowing into silver ETFs also originated in the last quarter of 2025, which aligns with bitcoin ETFs’ outflows. 

Such a scenario suggests that several retail investors have begun focusing on precious metals, thereby reallocating their money away from bitcoin. 

Following this allegation, analysts conducted research and found that institutional behavior strongly supported this trend. To support this claim, their institutional futures positioning measure, based on amendments to CME futures open interest, shows a major increase in silver’s long positions, particularly in the last quarter of 2025 and into early 2026. 

This move was largely fueled by hedge funds. Meanwhile, similar to silver, gold futures rose across most of the previous year. Bitcoin futures, on the other hand, show an increase that did not correspond to that observed in gold and silver futures in the same timeframe.

At this point, Momentum indicators, which analysts use to measure trend-following traders such as commodity trading advisers, reveal a significant difference among the three assets.

Analysts remain optimistic about gold’s fate in the market  Analysts dug deeper into the current market situation and concluded that gold futures are overbought, silver futures are extremely overbought, and Bitcoin futures are oversold. 

With this finding in mind, they pointed out that there is a high likelihood of short-term profit-taking in gold and silver, or that prices would return to historical averages. Since this statement was made public, reports highlighted that both gold and silver dropped from their recent highs.

In the meantime, another issue raised was the differences in liquidity among the three assets. To arrive at this finding, analysts used the Hui-Heubel ratio, an indicator of market depth: a lower ratio indicates greater liquidity (more volume with less price volatility). In comparison, a higher ratio signals a more fragile market. 

According to their analysis, gold consistently showed a lower ratio, indicating that the precious metal has greater liquidity and broader market participation.

Contrastingly, silver showed a higher ratio, suggesting thinner liquidity. This situation prompted the analysts to believe that the asset’s recent decline in market breadth might have accelerated price fluctuations. 

At this point, they confirmed that, among the three assets, silver has the highest Hui-Heubel ratio, indicating lower market depth and greater sensitivity to minor order flows. Given current market conditions, analysts maintain a long-term bullish outlook for gold despite short-term threats to the precious metal.

The smartest crypto minds already read our newsletter. Want in? Join them.

contributor

Posted: January 31, 2026

Ripple [XRP] experienced a volatile week that left investors uneasy. On the 29th of January 2026, the token recorded $6.9 million in ETF inflows, sparking optimism for future growth.

That optimism was short‑lived. Just a day later, on the 29th of January, Grayscale withdrew a massive $98 million in ETFs, the largest ETF outflow XRP has ever seen.

Even so, some institutions remained supportive. Nasdaq purchased $2.1 million worth of XRP, Bitwise added $2.41 million, and Franklin invested $972.76K. These inflows helped offset part of the damage, but total daily outflows still reached $92.92 million.

By the end of the week, cumulative outflows stood at $69.05 million, underscoring the scale of selling pressure despite pockets of institutional support.

Source: SoSoValue

Grayscale’s $98 million withdrawal wasn’t just a bump in the road; it was a seismic event, leaving a huge dent in investor confidence.

However, Nasdaq, Bitwise, and Franklin did not follow Grayscale’s lead. Instead, they continued purchasing XRP, highlighting the unpredictable nature of institutional sentiment.

What looks like strong inflows today can just as easily turn into outflows tomorrow. The pressing question now is: where does XRP go next after such a dramatic swing?

What does this mean for XRP’s price? XRP’s price took a severe hit after the massive outflows, plunging 10% as of writing. This drop exposed the fragile nature of institutional sentiment and its devastating effect on XRP’s price. 

Source: TradingView

For XRP to recover, it must break through key resistance levels, particularly the $2 mark. However, its failure to hold the $1.62–$1.75 demand zone has left the token exposed to further downside, with the risk of a drop toward $1.26.

Ripple’s XRP Community Day Ripple announced on the 29th of January that XRP Community Day 2026 will take place on the 11th and 12th of February.

Source: X

That said, Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse and President Monica Long are ready to discuss XRP’s explosive growth beyond cryptocurrency, including its strategic move into ETFs and ETPs.

Final Thoughts Grayscale’s massive outflows cast doubt on XRP’s short-term prospects, but institutional interest remained. The token’s 10% drop to the demand zone provided the best buying opportunity ahead of XRP Community Day.

Bitcoin’s late-week sell-off appears to have been driven less by crypto-specific developments and more by renewed strength in the U.S. dollar, highlighting the growing macroeconomic influence on digital asset prices. After a familiar weekend dip, bitcoin had actually been trending higher earlier in the week, supported by a sharp decline in the U.S. dollar index (DXY), which often moves inversely to risk assets like cryptocurrencies, equities, and commodities.

During the middle of the week, bitcoin prices climbed steadily and peaked just under $91,000 late Wednesday. This rally coincided with the Federal Reserve’s decision to hold interest rates steady and increased market speculation around President Trump’s potential nominee for the next Fed chair. At the same time, the dollar index fell to a multi-year low of 95.34, reinforcing bullish sentiment across risk-on assets, including bitcoin.

However, sentiment shifted quickly. While some technical analysts warned that a DXY break below 96 could signal deeper dollar weakness, the market instead saw a reversal. The U.S. dollar began to strengthen, and bitcoin prices started to retreat from their weekly highs. As the dollar’s rebound gained momentum, bitcoin’s pullback accelerated, underscoring the sensitivity of BTC price action to foreign exchange movements.

The situation intensified Thursday evening following reports that Kevin Warsh, known for his hawkish stance on monetary policy, was emerging as a leading candidate for Fed chair. This news sparked another surge in the dollar and triggered a sharp drop in bitcoin, which briefly fell to around $81,000. Although BTC has since rebounded modestly to the $83,000 range, the continued strength of the U.S. dollar has raised questions about the sustainability of any near-term crypto recovery.

Overall, bitcoin’s recent price action suggests that broader macroeconomic forces, particularly U.S. dollar strength and Federal Reserve expectations, are playing a decisive role. For investors watching bitcoin price trends, monitoring the dollar index and monetary policy signals may be just as important as tracking crypto-specific news.

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TL;DR:

Bybit and Mantle launch the “Mantle Super Portal” to connect EVM networks with the Solana ecosystem. The integration enables native MNT deposits and withdrawals on Solana, eliminating complex external bridges. Liquidity providers can access yields of up to 115% APR on selected pairs. Bybit has joined forces with Mantle to transform blockchain interoperability. This initiative seeks to optimize liquidity between Ethereum and Solana with Mantle Super Portal, an infrastructure designed to simplify asset flows between EVM-compatible chains and the Solana ecosystem, erasing traditional technical barriers.

The partnership announcement was made from Dubai on Friday, January 30. They indicated that the project establishes a native infrastructure layer acting as a unified interface. Consequently, Bybit users can now seamlessly manage the $MNT token across multiple networks, accessing yield opportunities in the DeFi sector without relying on fragmented or insecure third-party bridges.

In addition to technical connectivity, the platform has enabled advanced trading and custody features. This means the MNT token now features native support for operations on the Solana network directly from the Bybit interface, facilitating the mass adoption of investment strategies that were previously too complex for the average user.

Incentives and Cross-Chain Ecosystem Expansion The launch comes alongside an aggressive incentive campaign aimed at deepening liquidity between Ethereum and Solana. Specifically, Bybit has enabled liquidity pools for the MNT-USDC pair with an estimated annual return of up to 115%, encouraging traders to move their capital toward this new interoperable financial corridor.

Likewise, they have launched the “MNT Token Splash” event, which will distribute significant rewards among active participants until mid-February. These types of actions not only dynamicize the market but also consolidate Mantle as an essential infrastructure layer for the future of decentralized finance and real-world asset (RWA) tokenization.

In summary, the integration sets the stage for the upcoming Consensus Hong Kong 2026 conference, where new use cases will be presented. Developers and market participants should closely monitor the evolution of this infrastructure, as its success will mark the beginning of an era where liquidity is no longer isolated in closed ecosystems but flows freely throughout Web3.

Renewed speculation around a potential merger involving Elon Musk’s companies, including SpaceX, Tesla, or artificial intelligence firm xAI, has drawn fresh attention to a lesser-known but significant part of his business empire: one of the world’s largest corporate bitcoin holdings. Together, SpaceX and Tesla control nearly 20,000 bitcoin, according to public disclosures, a combined stash valued at approximately $1.7 billion at current market prices. This would position the merged entity as the world’s seventh-largest corporate bitcoin holder, just behind CoinDesk-owner Bullish.

While any merger remains preliminary and far from guaranteed, combining these companies would concentrate a substantial amount of bitcoin exposure under a single corporate structure. This comes at a time when bitcoin price volatility is back in focus and investor scrutiny of digital assets on corporate balance sheets is intensifying.

SpaceX has held bitcoin since early 2021 and currently owns about 8,285 BTC, worth roughly $680 million. Tesla, meanwhile, holds 11,509 BTC valued near $1 billion and reported no changes to its position in the fourth quarter of 2025. However, Tesla recorded a $239 million after-tax loss on its digital assets last quarter as bitcoin fell sharply from around $114,000 to the high $80,000 range.

A merger would not alter bitcoin’s underlying fundamentals, but it could significantly affect how one of the largest corporate bitcoin positions is governed, accounted for, and potentially financed. Tesla, as a public company, must apply fair-value accounting, meaning bitcoin price swings directly impact earnings. SpaceX, still privately held, has largely avoided that level of transparency.

This distinction is especially relevant as SpaceX weighs a possible IPO rumored to value the company near $1.5 trillion. Even passive crypto exposure becomes part of institutional due diligence, particularly among investors still cautious about corporate involvement with digital assets. Tesla’s history with bitcoin, including large purchases, partial sales, and a major sell-off during the 2022 bear market, continues to influence investor perception.

Although neither company has indicated plans to buy or sell bitcoin as part of merger discussions, the situation highlights how deeply bitcoin is embedded within major technology firms. Even without headlines, its presence on corporate balance sheets ensures investors remain watchful.

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XRP’s prolonged downtrend may be approaching a critical turning point as technical signals suggest weakening bearish momentum and growing signs of market stabilization. After spending several months forming a clear descending channel marked by consistent lower highs and lower lows, XRP has shown a noticeable shift in behavior. While sellers previously maintained firm control, recent price action indicates that downside pressure is no longer accelerating at the same pace.

One of the most telling signs is the lack of strong follow-through selling during the latest leg lower. Instead of producing an expansion move with decisive bearish candles, XRP has begun compressing near a historically reactive support zone. In technical analysis, such compression after an extended decline often precedes a trend transition. Even before a clear bullish reversal appears, this type of price behavior frequently signals that the dominant trend is losing strength.

Volume dynamics further support this interpretation. Earlier capitulation phases were accompanied by sharp volume spikes, reflecting aggressive selling and panic-driven exits. In contrast, recent downside attempts have occurred on noticeably lighter volume. When prices continue to drift lower while volume declines, it typically reflects seller fatigue rather than renewed conviction. Simply put, fewer market participants are willing to sell aggressively at these levels.

From a structural perspective, XRP is also approaching an area where opening new short positions becomes less attractive from a risk-reward standpoint. Much of the heavy selling has already taken place, and late-arriving bears now face increased risk of a bounce or relief rally. While short-term volatility and minor dips are still possible, the probability of sustained downside continuation appears to be diminishing.

This does not imply that XRP is about to enter a rapid bull market. Markets rarely move directly from steep declines into vertical recoveries. A more realistic scenario is a period of consolidation or base-building, followed by a gradual relief recovery that resets market positioning. At current levels, XRP looks less like a collapsing asset and more like one transitioning into accumulation territory. The downtrend has not fully reversed, but its grip is clearly loosening, shifting the overall outlook toward stabilization and potential recovery.

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Key takeaways:

Bitcoin options show the highest level of fear in a year, as traders brace for the possibility of a deeper selloff. 

Bitcoin markets might be more stable due to high-risk leveraged positions being liquidated.

Bitcoin (BTC) underwent a sharp 10% correction between Wednesday and Thursday, retesting the $81,000 level for the first time in over two months. The move occurred as traders grew increasingly cautious following significant outflows from spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs), particularly as gold prices dropped 13% from their Wednesday all-time high. 

The strong price changes caused traders to question the strength of the $80,000 psychological support level.

Spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds daily net flows, USD. Source: CoinGlassUS-listed spot Bitcoin ETFs have seen $2.7 billion in net outflows since Jan. 16, representing 2.3% of total assets under management. Some market participants worry that institutional demand has stalled, while others note that gold’s 18% gain over three months may be temporarily overshadowing Bitcoin’s appeal as a store of value. Regardless of the specific catalyst for the decline, the perception of risk in the market has clearly risen.

Quantum computing threat adds to Bitcoin investor anxietyOne primary source of anxiety is the potential threat posed by quantum computing to the cryptographic methods securing blockchains. Coinbase recently formed an independent advisory board to evaluate these risks, with plans to release public research by early 2027. This initiative will operate separately from the company’s core management.

The debate intensified after Jefferies removed Bitcoin from its flagship portfolio, citing these long-term security concerns. However, cryptographer and Blockstream co-founder, Adam Back, predicted that there would be no material quantum risk over the next decade. Back argued that the technology remains at a very early stage, and even partial breaks in cryptography would not allow Bitcoin to be stolen.

Bitcoin options turn bearishThe BTC options delta skew surged to 17% on Friday, reaching its highest point in over a year. In neutral market conditions, put (sell) options typically trade at a premium of 6% or less compared to equivalent call (buy) instruments. Current levels indicate extreme fear, which often leads to volatile price swings as market makers hedge against further downside.

BTC 2-month options delta skew (put-call) at Deribit. Source: laevitas.chApproximately $860 million in leveraged long BTC futures positions were liquidated between Thursday and Friday, suggesting many traders were caught off guard. However, it might be inaccurate to blame the crash entirely on leverage; aggregate BTC futures open interest actually fell to $46 billion on Thursday, down from $58 billion three months ago.

BTC futures aggregate open interest, USD. Source: CoinGlassDeclining interest in leveraged futures is not always a bearish signal. The market is now healthier because excessive leverage has been purged. To better gauge risk appetite, analysts often look at stablecoin demand in China. When investors rush to exit the crypto market, this indicator usually drops below parity.

Tether (USDT/CNY) vs. US dollar/CNY. Source: OKXTypically, stablecoins trade at a 0.5% to 1% premium relative to the US dollar/Yuan exchange rate. The current 0.2% discount suggests moderate outflows, though this is a slight improvement from the 1% discount seen last week. Ultimately, Bitcoin derivatives reflect a cautious mood following a 13% price drop during the last 14 days.

Whether Bitcoin can reclaim $87,000 and regain bullish momentum likely depends on investors realizing that no asset is immune to corrections when macroeconomic and socio-political concerns drive a sudden surge in demand for cash and short-term US Treasuries.

This article does not contain investment advice or recommendations. Every investment and trading move involves risk, and readers should conduct their own research when making a decision. While we strive to provide accurate and timely information, Cointelegraph does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information in this article. This article may contain forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Cointelegraph will not be liable for any loss or damage arising from your reliance on this information.

Ripple-powered payments are moving real U.S. dollars today, as a crypto brokerage activates live infrastructure that cuts bank transfer friction and puts XRP utility into daily financial operations, signaling tangible momentum beyond speculation.

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USD1 has pushed past a $5 billion market cap, a rapid climb that has attracted wide attention across crypto markets. Reports say the stablecoin, issued by World Liberty Financial, now ranks among the largest dollar-pegged tokens.

Trading has stayed close to the $1 peg even as overall market interest spiked. Some exchanges have added new pairs and incentives, which helped volume swell over recent weeks.

Market Milestone Reached Reports note that members of the Trump family celebrated the milestone on social feeds, calling USD1 “Built in America.” US President Donald Trump was quoted praising the token as an example of American engineering and finance coming together.

That message boosted mainstream interest and brought a fresh round of headlines. At the same time, other tokens linked to the same circle have fallen sharply, showing mixed fortunes across related projects.

USD1 just reached a $5B market cap.

Built in America, designed for real-world scale, and adopted by serious institutions.

This is what happens when you focus on infrastructure over noise. 🇺🇸🦅☝️ @worldlibertyfi pic.twitter.com/bdYfVxVi8J

— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) January 28, 2026

How The Coin Grew Liquidity and listings matter. Based on exchange disclosures, USD1 gained listings and earning programs that made the stablecoin easier for traders and institutions to hold massive balances.

This lowered technicalities for movement and helped the coin’s market valuation rise quickly. On-chain activity shows large inflows at times, while prices stayed steady around the dollar peg.

Reports say some big holders moved funds between platforms, which pushed reported market cap numbers higher on public trackers.

Trust And Regulation There remain some queries over transparency in reserves, along with some queries from banking regulators and observers about a clearer audit and a specific banking arrangement for issuance.

Total crypto market cap currently at $2.78 trillion. Chart: TradingView According to reports, the issuer has applied for charter and is taking steps to be in compliance with US requirements. While this has reassured some of the investors, others claim they still need proof to gain their trust.

The regulatory angle is shaping future plans for expansion and institutional use.

Comparisons And Contrast USD1’s rise has not lifted every project tied to the same names. One meme token linked to the group dropped more than 90% from its peak.

Investors are splitting between stable, utility-style holdings and speculative bets that have lost steam. Reports say the stablecoin’s steady peg made it attractive to users fleeing volatility elsewhere.

This split highlights a broader shift: some money prefers a token that holds value closely to the dollar, while other funds chase quick gains.

Featured image from Unsplash, chart from TradingView

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Christian, a journalist and editor with leadership roles in Philippine and Canadian media, is fueled by his love for writing and cryptocurrency. Off-screen, he's a cook and cinephile who's constantly intrigued by the size of the universe.

Ethereum is trading at a critical juncture as buyers continue to defend the $2,600 support zone, attempting to stabilize the price after recent volatility. While this level is keeping short-term downside in check, broader market pressure and weakening structure leave bears watching closely for a potential breakdown that could open the door to a deeper macro pullback.

$2,600 Holds As Key Support On Ethereum 6H Chart On X, Can Özsüer highlighted that Ethereum is currently holding above the $2,600 support zone on the 6-hour chart, a level that has so far provided a solid base for price action. As long as ETH continues to defend this area and avoids a clear candle close below it, the broader structure remains constructive for a potential upside attempt.

With support intact, the analyst pointed to a recovery toward $3,050, followed by a possible move into the $3,150 region. These zones are seen as logical reaction levels where price may either consolidate or face temporary resistance if buying momentum gradually strengthens.

ETH holds key support | Source: Chart from Can Özsüer on X However, for Ethereum to unlock a more meaningful bullish continuation, Özsüer stated it must reclaim $3,350, referred to as box number two on the chart. A decisive close above this level, backed by strong volume, would open the door for higher price exploration.

If ETH fails to break through that resistance, it could cap price and trigger another wave of selling. In that case, a deeper pullback toward the $2,400–$2,100 support range becomes a real possibility. Özsüer also shared that he has already taken a long position based on the $2,600 support on the 1-hour chart and is monitoring price closely, with plans to add to the position depending on how momentum develops.

Loss Of $2,710 Targets The $2,620 Swing Low According to crypto analyst Ardi, Ethereum is currently sitting in a make-or-break area, with $2,710 standing out as a crucial short-term support level. A clean loss of this zone would likely accelerate downside pressure, placing the $2,620 swing low firmly in focus as the next area where liquidity could be tested.

Ardi emphasized that the $2,450 region serves as the primary line of defense for the broader market structure. Holding this level would be essential to prevent a deeper structural breakdown, as a sustained move below it could push Ethereum into a far more vulnerable technical position.

Compounding the downside risk, ETH/BTC remains in a strong downtrend, highlighting Ethereum’s ongoing underperformance relative to Bitcoin. This relative weakness suggests that volatility could stay elevated in the coming sessions, making the environment increasingly unstable for ETH holders.

ETH trading at $2,738 on the 1D chart | Source: ETHUSDT on Tradingview.com Featured image from Pexels, chart from Tradingview.com