Market Signal Briefing

Leonardo logo is seen in this illustration taken July 26, 2025. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration Purchase Licensing Rights, opens new tab

MILAN, Jan 19 (Reuters) - The chairman of Italy's Leonardo (LDOF.MI), opens new tab on Monday floated the idea of a future combination between the defence and aerospace group and state‑controlled shipbuilder Fincantieri (FCT.MI), opens new tab.

Speaking at a conference at Milan's Bocconi University, Stefano Pontecorvo told an audience that he hoped the two groups could one day merge, addressing his remark to Claudio Cisilino, Fincantieri’s executive vice‑president for operations, who was sitting in the audience.

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“I hope that one day a merger between us might be possible," said Pontecorvo, without elaborating.

Fincantieri and Leonardo, both controlled by the Italian state, already cooperate on several programmes, but past discussions over deeper industrial integration have stalled amid political issues and diverging business priorities.

Fincantieri has targeted the expansion of its defence business in its latest five-year plan.

Reporting by Elvira Pollina, editing by Keith Weir

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

Investors in Union Pacific Corporation (UNP - Free Report) need to pay close attention to the stock based on moves in the options market lately. That is because the Feb 20, 2026 $150 Call had some of the highest implied volatility of all equity options today.

What is Implied Volatility?Implied volatility shows how much movement the market is expecting in the future. Options with high levels of implied volatility suggest that investors in the underlying stocks are expecting a big move in one direction or the other. It could also mean there is an event coming up soon that may cause a big rally or a huge sell-off. However, implied volatility is only one piece of the puzzle when putting together an options trading strategy.

What do the Analysts Think?Clearly, options traders are pricing in a big move for Union Pacific shares, but what is the fundamental picture for the company? Currently, Union Pacific is a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) in the Transportation – Rail industry that ranks in the Bottom 9% of our Zacks Industry Rank. Over the last 30 days, one analyst has increased the earnings estimate for the current quarter, while three analysts have revised their estimates downward. The net effect has taken our Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current quarter from $2.92 per share to $2.89 in that period.

Given the way analysts feel about Union Pacific right now, this huge implied volatility could mean there’s a trade developing. Oftentimes, options traders look for options with high levels of implied volatility to sell premium. This is a strategy many seasoned traders use because it captures decay. At expiration, the hope for these traders is that the underlying stock does not move as much as originally expected.

3 mins mins

Key Points:

Ethiopia seeks investment partners for Bitcoin mining, led by PM Abiy Ahmed.Increased interest aligns with economic diversification goals.No immediate market shifts noted following the announcement. The Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed announced on January 19 that the government seeks investment partners for Bitcoin mining, aligning with Ethiopia’s economic reform strategy “Digital Ethiopia 2030.”

This initiative highlights Ethiopia’s commitment to integrating digital technologies for economic growth, potentially increasing Bitcoin’s market influence and attracting global interest in Ethiopia’s emerging investment landscape.

Ethiopia Targets 20% GDP Boost from Bitcoin Mining Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed unveiled plans to welcome investments in Bitcoin mining, aiming to integrate cryptocurrency into the national economic landscape. The initiative is part of a broader effort to bolster the country’s technological and economic infrastructure through collaborative partnerships. EIH, managing 8.20 trillion birr in assets, oversees these engagements, indicating a significant thrust towards modernization.

The inclusion of Bitcoin mining in Ethiopia’s economic strategy could bring swift changes in technological capabilities and contribute to the national GDP. With projections set at a 20% GDP contribution by 2030, these mining operations could significantly impact Ethiopia’s financial system and global positioning in technology adoption.

“The collaboration with cryptocurrency mining firms is expected to yield returns that benefit the country’s economy in the coming years.” – Abiy Ahmed, Prime Minister, EthiopiaMarket and community reactions have been muted thus far, with no immediate changes in Bitcoin’s trading patterns or regulatory challenges noted. The focus remains on observing how Ethiopia’s announcement might draw international investment and collaboration, potentially influencing regional crypto adoption trends.

Bitcoin Trading Analysis as Ethiopia Eyes Crypto Growth Did you know? Ethiopia’s move to integrate cryptocurrency marks it as one of the few African nations explicitly supporting Bitcoin mining, contrasting with historical regulatory hesitance on the continent.

Bitcoin (BTC) currently trades at $93,144.15, reflecting a market cap of 1.86 trillion USD, with a 59.21% market dominance. Despite a recent 2.05% decrease over 24 hours, BTC has seen a 5.64% rise in the past month, as reported by CoinMarketCap.

Bitcoin(BTC), daily chart, screenshot on CoinMarketCap at 12:37 UTC on January 19, 2026. Source: CoinMarketCap Forecasts by the Coincu research team suggest Ethiopia’s engagement in digital currencies could foster enhanced financial inflows and technological developments. The introduction of blockchain into national policies might set a precedent for regulatory frameworks and adoption across Africa, reflecting broader technological trends.

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

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The long-running legal dispute between the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and Ripple Labs cannot be reopened on the same core issues, according to an Australian-based lawyer closely following the case.

Lawyer Bill Morgan explained that the doctrine of res judicata now bars any additional litigation on whether XRP itself is a security, as well as any further discussion of the historical sales of XRP by Ripple between 2013 and 2020.

His statement follows the criticism of the SEC by U.S. legislators over the agency’s decision to forego various crypto-related enforcement actions, such as the one against Ripple.

Morgan stated that res judicata includes claim preclusion and issue preclusion, i.e. once a court has delivered a final verdict on a matter, then the same parties cannot re-litigate the matter in the future. He stated that the very litigation strategy of the SEC in the Ripple case caused such wide judicial review that in the future, it would limit the choices of the agency.

How the SEC’s strategy shaped the court’s ruling According to Morgan, the SEC framed its lawsuit by dividing Ripple’s XRP activity into multiple broad categories. These included institutional sales, programmatic sales on secondary markets, and other forms of XRP distribution. At the same time, the regulator advanced the theory that XRP itself constituted a security.

Because of this framing, the court was required to analyze the legal status of XRP itself before examining the different categories of sales. Morgan described this approach as a high-risk strategy, noting that if the court had determined that XRP itself was an investment contract, it would not have needed to assess the facts and circumstances of each category separately.

In that scenario, any offer or sale of XRP by Ripple would have been treated as a securities transaction.

The SEC lost big time on this issue and it allowed the court to distinguish between institutional sales and programmatic sales and other types of distributions of XRP by Ripple and make seperate findings for each category.

The SEC cannot in any future claim relitigate the issue…

— bill morgan (@Belisarius2020) January 18, 2026

Instead, U.S. District Judge Analisa Torres ruled in July 2023 that XRP, in and of itself, is not an investment contract. This finding enabled the court to distinguish between institutional sales and programmatic or secondary-market sales, leading to separate legal conclusions for each category. As a result, the SEC lost key claims tied to XRP transactions outside of direct institutional sales.

Morgan noted that the SEC did not challenge the specific finding that XRP itself is not an investment contract when it appealed parts of Judge Torres’ decision. He said that omission further solidified the issue for purposes of future litigation.

Res judicata limits any revival of past claims In his argument, Morgan held that, since the court has already decided the merits of these issues, the SEC cannot relitigate them. This would encompass any assertions by Ripple regarding XRP sales made between 2013 and 2020. By the principle of res judicata, such cases are deemed closed.

This came after House Democrats criticized SEC Chair Paul Atkins over abandoning over a dozen crypto enforcement cases, including those concerning Ripple and Binance. Legislators had asked the agency to keep up litigation against other actors, including Justin Sun.

Morgan responded to such criticism by saying that closed cases cannot be reactivated after a final judgment has been passed.

He further stated that the SEC undercut itself by contending in general that XRP itself and several groups of XRP sales by Ripple were securities. This method enabled the court to issue detailed decisions, resulting in binding determinations that limit the regulator’s legal discretion.

What the SEC can still do Although Morgan asserts that the Ripple case is legally complete, he added that the SEC can do nothing in the future. The agency had the option to continue claiming sales of XRP made after 2020, as well as any subsequent distribution by Ripple.

Any new litigation would be limited by issue preclusion arising from Judge Torres’s 2023 ruling, especially the conclusion that XRP itself is not a security. Morgan added that this limits the arguments the SEC has.

Other critics have suggested that the SEC could reopen the case if the law changes. Morgan replied that this would involve, at least, action by a direct congressional decision, such as the enactment of new laws, and presidential consent.

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As the cryptocurrency market moves deeper into 2026, volatility has increased across digital assets. This environment has brought renewed focus to tokens that offer the potential for significant long-term returns.

While the largest cryptocurrencies already command massive valuations, investor attention is shifting elsewhere. 

In this line, established but still expanding networks are drawing interest, particularly those seeing accelerating adoption, growing institutional involvement, and strengthening structural demand. 

Together, these factors could position such assets for outsized gains in the next market cycle.

Solana (SOL) Solana (SOL) has become one of the most active blockchain ecosystems, with network usage surging and transaction volumes hitting multi-month highs, signaling rising demand from both users and developers. 

This momentum is reinforced by the rapid growth of real-world asset tokenization on the network, with tokenized assets surpassing $1 billion in value, bringing traditional finance use cases on-chain and grounding activity in real economic demand.

Institutional involvement is further strengthening Solana’s outlook, as major asset managers and crypto firms roll out Solana-linked funds, lifting assets tied to the network beyond $1 billion. 

Alongside improving infrastructure and expanding cross-chain interoperability, these trends are positioning Solana as an emerging core settlement layer rather than a high-beta altcoin, with substantial upside potential still ahead.

By press time, SOL was trading at $133, having plunged nearly 6% over the past 24 hours. On a weekly basis, the asset was down about 4%.

SOL seven-day price chart. Finbold Chainlink (LINK) Chainlink (LINK) is increasingly viewed as a long-term growth asset due to its critical role in the blockchain ecosystem. In price terms, LINK was down more than 7% over the past 24 hours, trading at $12 as of press time.

LINK seven-day price chart. Finbold As the leading decentralized oracle network, Chainlink supplies secure real-world data to smart contracts, underpinning much of decentralized finance and becoming essential for real-world asset tokenization. 

With more institutions exploring blockchain-based financial products, demand for reliable and tamper-resistant data feeds continues to rise, reinforcing Chainlink’s core relevance.

On-chain trends suggest this growing importance is translating into market positioning. Activity among large holders has increased, a pattern that has historically preceded stronger price performance, while tightening supply dynamics could amplify future moves if demand accelerates. 

At the same time, institutional adoption of Chainlink’s infrastructure for compliance, settlement, and cross-chain connectivity is expanding, cementing its role as a key bridge between traditional finance and blockchain networks.

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Bitcoin mining difficulty set for a 4% decline, the seventh negative adjustment in the past eight.

Fresh forensic work on the $282 million wallet hack has uncovered extensive tornado cash laundering activity that continued well after the initial theft.

Summary

CertiK links mixer flows to $282 million wallet compromiseCross-chain movements and structured batch transfersTracing limitations once funds hit Tornado CashSocial engineering attack triggered full wallet compromise CertiK links mixer flows to $282 million wallet compromise Blockchain security firm CertiK has traced $63 million in Tornado Cash flows to the January 10 crypto wallet breach that drained $282 million. The team identified new laundering activity and confirmed recent movements of funds tied to the original compromise. Moreover, the fresh link significantly extends the known timeline of activity following the theft.

According to CertiK, the attacker routed stolen assets across multiple blockchains before sending them through the privacy protocol. The firm detected structured transfers that pushed Ether (ETH) through a sequence of addresses ahead of deposits into Tornado Cash. That said, the pattern closely mirrored laundering methods seen in earlier large-scale crypto thefts.

Cross-chain movements and structured batch transfers The investigation found that a substantial portion of the stolen Bitcoin (BTC) was first bridged to Ethereum and then converted into ETH. CertiK highlighted one receiving address that accumulated 19,600 ETH following this cross-chain bridge operation. However, these holdings were quickly fragmented into smaller tranches, then moved again, before being dispatched to Tornado Cash.

The $63 million figure reflects only part of the overall stolen value but illustrates the methodical design of the operation. Analysts observed repeated batch transfers, deliberately staged to lower on-chain scrutiny and lengthen the laundering chain. Moreover, the steady, phased use of Tornado Cash emphasized the attacker's sustained intent to complicate any crypto wallet breach tracing.

Specialists noted that these batch transfer laundering patterns are increasingly common in sophisticated thefts. The attacker repeatedly shifted funds through new addresses and across chains, using time gaps and varied amounts to avoid obvious clustering. Consequently, each additional hop before the mixer further weakened direct attribution to the original hacked wallet.

Tracing limitations once funds hit Tornado Cash Crypto security teams stressed that Tornado Cash deposits sharply reduce crypto fund recovery chances once mixing cycles are completed. Mixers break visible links between sending and receiving addresses, undermining conventional on-chain analytics. Likewise, tracing the full set of exits becomes far harder after funds leave the pool.

The January 10 incident followed the same pattern, with additional wallet hops executed shortly before every mixer deposit. Investigators confirmed that these last-minute jumps created extra distance from the source wallet. Furthermore, the moment funds crossed into Tornado Cash marked a decisive barrier for most follow-up tracking efforts.

Security firms also reported very limited mitigation options after tornado cash laundering steps had begun. Some centralized platforms managed to flag and freeze small fragments that touched their services. However, those blocks covered only a minor fraction of the overall volume, and the majority of assets moved beyond reach during the early mixer stages.

Social engineering attack triggered full wallet compromise Background checks into the breach revealed that the operation began with a targeted social engineering wallet compromise. The attacker posed as legitimate support staff and convinced the victim to reveal a critical seed phrase securing access to the wallet. As a result, the intruder obtained direct control over significant Bitcoin and Litecoin (LTC) reserves held in the compromised account.

The wallet contained more than 1,459 BTC and over 2 million LTC prior to the theft, according to CertiK's reconstruction. Parts of these holdings were converted into other digital assets during the early phases of the laundering process. Moreover, sections of the funds were shifted across various networks, employing cross chain laundering tactics before the final transfers into the Tornado Cash mixer.

Security analysts continue to monitor fresh movements from any addresses linked to the hack, though they now anticipate only incremental progress. The repeated use of the Tornado Cash protocol underscores a deliberate plan to erase transaction traces and exploit mixer design. Overall, the case illustrates how coordinated social engineering, cross-chain transfers, and mixer deposits can severely limit recovery prospects in major crypto thefts.

Amelia Tomasicchiohttps://cryptonomist.ch

As expert in digital marketing, Amelia began working in the fintech sector in 2014 after writing her thesis on Bitcoin technology. Previously author for several international crypto-related magazines and CMO at Eidoo. She is now the co-founder of The Cryptonomist. She is also a marketing teacher at Digital Coach in Milan and she published a book about NFTs for the Italian publishing house Mondadori, while she is also helping artists and company to entering in the sector. As advisor, Amelia is also involved in metaverse-related project such as The Nemesis and OVER.

Journalist

Posted: January 19, 2026

Ripple [XRP] fell 4.62% in the past 24 hours, following Bitcoin’s price drop below the $94.5k local support. This dip resulted in $40.74 million in liquidations, with $39.50 million being long liquidations.

In a recent report, AMBCrypto showed that the $1.96-$2.0 was a key support zone for the bulls.

This was due to the Cost Basis Distribution Heatmap, as well as the technical importance of this area in the past two months.

The volatility of the past few hours saw XRP retest this area. Should traders expect a strong rally from here?

XRP price prediction – THIS chart gives a warning

Source: XRP/USDT on TradingView

On the weekly timeframe, XRP has a bullish swing structure but a bearish internal one.

Additionally, it was below the 78.6% Fibonacci retracement level as well. The OBV has been trending lower since September, and the MACD was below the zero line to show momentum was firmly downward on this timeframe.

Together, it signaled that the bears had the upper hand.

At the same time, XRP was trading within a demand zone that it has defended since December 2024. This fact made it an attractive prospect for buyers, with relatively low risk and higher rewards in case of a market rebound.

The flurry of liquidations might have served as a liquidity sweep, setting up conditions for a local bottom.

Traders’ call to action- Buy the sell-off

Source: XRP/USDT on TradingView

The breakout past $2.28 (cyan line) marked a bullish flip in the structures on the 4-hour and 1-day timeframes. The Fibonacci retracement levels showed that $2.01 and $1.90 were local supports, and within the year-long demand zone that XRP bulls have defended so far.

Therefore, traders can look to buy XRP between $1.90-$2.01.

A price drop below $1.81 would be an early sign that bulls were in trouble, and a session close below $1.77 would invalidate the idea.

The take-profit targets were $2.30-$2.40 and $2.55-$2.60. Bitcoin’s reaction at $101k and $107.5k would also influence XRP sentiment.

In other news, Ripple announced it received licensing approval from Luxembourg’s financial regulator. This is a key step toward scaling Ripple Payments across the EU.

Final Thoughts The short-term XRP volatility could see the price remain below $2 over the next 24 hours. This was a buying opportunity for bulls, and the $1.81 and $1.77 swing lows can be used to inform bulls if their setup is invalidated. Disclaimer: The information presented does not constitute financial, investment, trading, or other types of advice and is solely the writer’s opinion.

Akashnath S is a Senior Journalist and Technical Analysis expert at AMBCrypto. He specializes in dissecting price action, identifying key market trends through advanced chart patterns, and forecasting both short-term and long-term asset trajectories. His distinct analytical method is grounded in his academic training as a Chemical Engineer. This background provides him with a systematic, process-oriented approach to market data, enabling him to analyze the complex dynamics of financial markets with precision and objectivity. Having actively covered the cryptocurrency space since the landmark 2017 market cycle, Akashnath possesses years of experience navigating both bull and bear markets. This seasoned perspective is critical to his insightful reporting on market volatility and evolution. As an active market participant, Akashnath enhances his analysis with crucial, hands-on experience. This practical application of his technical skills ensures his insights are not merely theoretical, but are also relevant and actionable for an audience looking to understand and navigate trading opportunities. He is dedicated to educating readers on the nuances of technical analysis, empowering them with the knowledge to make more informed financial decisions.

14h05 ▪ 3 min read ▪ by James G.

Summarize this article with:

Steak ’n Shake is positioning Bitcoin as both a customer payment option and a long-term treasury asset, signaling a deeper integration of cryptocurrency into its business model. The fast-food chain reported that its corporate Bitcoin holdings increased by $10 million in notional value, fueled by customer payments and rising same-store sales.

In brief Steak ’n Shake adds all customer Bitcoin payments to its treasury, turning everyday transactions into a growing non-cash reserve asset. Bitcoin payments via the Lightning Network cut transaction costs nearly 50%, improving margins in the highly competitive fast-food industry. Same-store sales rose sharply in 2025, with Steak ’n Shake outperforming major rivals after rolling out Bitcoin payments worldwide. After years of store closures, Steak ’n Shake is using Bitcoin adoption to stabilize operations and strengthen long-term resilience. Bitcoin Payments Help Steak ’n Shake Outperform Fast-Food Rivals Company executives stated that every Bitcoin payment received from customers is added directly to Steak ’n Shake’s strategic Bitcoin reserve. According to management, accepting BTC has increased customer engagement, driving stronger in-store performance and accelerating the accumulation of Bitcoin on the balance sheet.

The company began rolling out Bitcoin payments globally in May 2025, eventually enabling BTC transactions at all Steak ’n Shake locations worldwide. The launch generated immediate attention, with Bitcoin users widely sharing payment receipts on social media. That momentum continued later in the year when the company announced plans to expand into El Salvador, a country known for its supportive stance on BTC adoption.

Steak ’n Shake processes BTC payments using the Lightning Network, a scaling solution associated with long-time Bitcoin advocate Jack Dorsey. Within two weeks of launch, the company posted transaction costs nearly 50% lower than those of traditional card payments—an improvement that meaningfully boosted margins in a low-margin industry.

Same-store sales rose 11% quarter over quarter in Q2 2025 and accelerated to 15% in Q3 2025. According to company statements, these results exceeded those of major competitors, including McDonald’s, Domino’s, and Taco Bell.

BTC Adoption Emerges as Key Pillar in Turnaround Strategy Steak ’n Shake attributed several operational benefits directly to its Bitcoin strategy:

Reduced payment processing fees. Faster transaction settlement. Higher customer traffic from Bitcoin users. Improved same-store sales performance. Expansion of a non-cash treasury reserve. BTC investor and accountant Rajat Soni argued that the strategy illustrates how Bitcoin can function as a financial buffer for businesses. He maintained that holding Bitcoin reserves can extend a company’s financial runway and improve resilience during prolonged downturns.

The company’s recent history explains the reason for this approach. Steak ’n Shake’s U.S. footprint peaked at 628 locations in 2018 but declined to 394 by 2026 after 230 stores closed between 2018 and 2025. Today, the chain operates hundreds of locations across the U.S., France, Italy, Portugal, and Monaco, as it seeks to stabilize and rebuild using a BTC-centered strategy.

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James G.

James Godstime is a crypto journalist and market analyst with over three years of experience in crypto, Web3, and finance. He simplifies complex and technical ideas to engage readers. Outside of work, he enjoys football and tennis, which he follows passionately.

DISCLAIMER

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

Liquidations in the crypto market in the past 24 hours surged past $800 million following a steep drop in crypto prices heading into the new week.

According to data from CoinGlass, about $874.79 million was liquidated. Bullish bets that prices would rise took the biggest hit, accounting for over $788 million of the amount liquidated in the market throughout the past 24-hour cycle.

Long positions for crypto market leaders Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) made up the lion’s share of the amount. More than $233 million was wiped out from bullish bets for Bitcoin, while another $155.82 million was liquidated from ETH longs.

The balance between long and short positions has seemingly levelled off in the past hour. In the last 60 minutes, $1.01 million was liquidated from long positions. Meanwhile, liquidations tied to shorts came in slightly higher at around $1.94 million.

Crypto Market Cap Sheds Over $100BBTC experienced a fair amount of volatility in the past 24 hours. After reaching an intraday high of $95,491.51, the largest crypto by market cap plummeted to as low as $92,089.25. It has since recovered to trade at $93,137 at the time of writing. 

BTC price (Source: CoinCodex)

Even with that recovery, the price of Bitcoin is down more than 2% in the past 24 hours.

The rest of the top 10 largest digital assets followed BTC’s lead. Leading the 24-hour losses among the crypto majors are Dogecoin (DOGE), Cardano (ADA), and Solana (SOL). 

Meme coin DOGE suffered a more than 6% correction, while ADA and SOL both saw their prices drop over 5% during the same period. 

Following the recent downturn, the digital asset market’s capitalization has fallen over 2% to stand at around $3.14 trillion. This marks around a $100 billion drop from yesterday.

Risk-Off Sentiment Deepens as Geopolitical Tensions RiseThe broader crypto market downturn comes amid fresh macro uncertainty following a sharp escalation in US–Europe trade tensions. 

Over the weekend, President Donald Trump announced plans to impose 10% tariffs starting Feb. 1 on imports from several European countries, including France, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, the Netherlands, and Finland as part of a wider dispute tied to Greenland negotiations. The rate is set to rise to 25% by June if no agreement is reached.

Trump’s tariff threat also explicitly included the United Kingdom and Norway among countries that could face higher US levies.

European officials responded swiftly. French President Emmanuel Macron called for the activation of the EU’s “anti-coercion instrument,” often described as a “trade bazooka,” which could restrict US access to European markets. The bloc is also weighing up €93 billion (about $108 billion) in previously delayed retaliatory tariffs.

The renewed trade tensions have added to the risk-off tone in global markets, amplifying volatility across equities and digital assets as investors weigh the potential fallout from a prolonged US-EU tariff confrontation.

For the digital asset market specifically, sentiment has been fearful for the past couple of weeks as cryptos struggle to recover from the Oct. 10 liquidation event. The Crypto Fear & Greed Index shows sentiment is in “Fear” territory of 44/100. While this is an improvement from the mid-20 scores seen in recent weeks, it is a 5-point drop from yesterday’s reading. 

The growing macroeconomic uncertainty and increased fears of a global trade war saw the prices of gold and silver soar to record highs. 

Bitcoin investors may be watching CPI prints, but the real inflation stress is showing up in stranger places.

Inflation looks like it’s easing, until you zoom in. Beef prices are up sharply, fertilizer costs are reaccelerating, and several niche input series are diverging in ways that don’t fit the clean “cooling” narrative.

For Bitcoin, that kind of messy micro-inflation tape can keep markets whipsawing between rate-cut optimism and sticky-price anxiety.

Beef vs. chicken prices are splitting, and a “protein stress ratio” is flashing inflation riskSeveral price series on the Federal Reserve’s FRED database are diverging across food, farm inputs, and industrial materials.

That pattern can complicate the inflation and growth debate that frames Bitcoin’s trade.

On the consumer side, the gap between two staple proteins has widened.

According to FRED, the average retail price for ground beef rose from $5.497 per pound in July 2024 to $6.687 in December 2025.

Over the same window, whole chicken moved from $1.988 to $2.020.

The retail series pages show some missing monthly observations.

Put together, the implied “protein stress ratio” (beef divided by chicken) moved from about 2.77 to 3.31.

That shift can pressure household budgets even when the broader food basket looks calmer, because substitution away from beef does not erase the higher beef benchmark for mixed diets.

USDA’s Economic Research Service is already pointing in the same direction.

According to USDA ERS Food Price Outlook summary findings, beef and veal prices are forecast up 11.6% in 2025 (prediction interval 9.5–13.8%).

Poultry is forecast up 1.9% (0.9–3.0%).

For macro positioning, that matters because “sticky essentials” can keep inflation anxiety alive even if other parts of the pipeline cool.

That mix often feeds directly into real-yield expectations and liquidity conditions that Bitcoin traders watch.

Fertilizer prices are reaccelerating, and the inflation tape is getting messy againUpstream, the tape is also split.

Fertilizer manufacturing prices have reaccelerated, with the PPI for fertilizer manufacturing up about 17.2% from July 2024 to November 2025.

Fertilizer tends to pass through farm-gate costs with a lag, so a renewed climb can reintroduce food-input pressure even when headline inflation prints are easing.

The World Bank has also framed fertilizer as an outlier within commodities in its 2025 outlook.

It projects its fertilizer price index to increase about 7% in 2025 and references a 2025 urea gain of about 15%.

Academic work has similarly documented how fertilizer-market shocks can transmit into broader price pressure and farm profitability constraints.

At the same time, parts of the food and inputs complex are moving the other way.

Producer prices for rendering and meat byproduct processing fell about 21.8% from July 2024 to November 2025.

Meanwhile, lard, inedible tallow, and grease rose about 8.9% over that same window.

Industrial “plumbing” is firming up, even as chemicals and discretionary inputs roll overThe divergence can reflect stress inside supply chains where some outputs are clearing at lower prices while certain feedstocks pick up a policy-linked bid.

That includes renewable diesel channels that increasingly treat animal fats as fuel inputs.

Outside food, “plumbing” series tied to physical goods flows are firming even as broad industrial inputs cool.

Corrugated shipping containers are up about 9.35% from July 2024 to November 2025.

That can come from steadier goods volumes, higher packaging costs, or both, and it can show up before consumer narratives adjust.

Copper scrap is also higher, up about 9.0% from July 2024 to November 2025.

The series can track shifts in construction and manufacturing demand and electrification-linked buildouts.

In contrast, industrial chemicals are down about 6.1% over the same period.

That is consistent with pipeline disinflation pressure and/or softer intermediate demand.

Discretionary-linked micro-prices are also soft.

Hides, skins, and pelts made in slaughtering plants fell about 26.5% from July 2024 to November 2025 .

This niche series is tied to end markets such as autos and leather goods.

It can weaken when discretionary demand cools or when substitution toward synthetics accelerates.

Three macro paths are emerging, and Bitcoin may trade liquidity over narrativeFor macro watchers, it is another data point that growth can slow even when select necessities and inputs refuse to roll over.

Taken together, the setup creates three plausible paths for the next two to three quarters that matter for Bitcoin through real rates and liquidity.

If protein and fertilizer keep pressure on inflation expectations while chemicals remain soft, markets can swing between inflation risk and growth risk.

That leaves Bitcoin more dependent on liquidity conditions than on any single narrative.

If the growth side dominates, evidenced by continued weakness in chemicals, hides, and packaging prices rolling over, rate-cut expectations can firm, and financial conditions can loosen.

That backdrop has historically been more supportive for BTC than for many high-beta assets when liquidity expands.

If input inflation reasserts through fertilizer, packaging, and metals while protein stays expensive, the inflation-hedge narrative can return.

Higher real yields would still act as a constraint on risk positioning.

Below is a snapshot of the key “micro-price” moves referenced in the series:

Series (FRED)WindowChangeSourceGround beef retail price (APU0000703112)Jul 2024 to Dec 2025$5.497 to $6.687 (+21.6%)FREDWhole chicken retail price (APU0000706111)Jul 2024 to Dec 2025$1.988 to $2.020 (+1.6%)FREDFertilizer manufacturing PPI (PCU3253132531)Jul 2024 to Nov 2025+17.2%FREDIndustrial chemicals PPI (WPU061)Jul 2024 to Nov 2025-6.1%FREDCorrugated containers PPI (WPU09150301)Jul 2024 to Nov 2025+9.35%FREDHides/skins/pelts PPI (WPS041901)Jul 2024 to Nov 2025-26.5%FREDA final complication is that the data itself is becoming part of the macro story.

FRED retail food series pages show missing observations in late 2025 for some items.

USDA ERS has said its Food Price Outlook Oct–Dec estimates will not be released, with updates resuming Jan. 23, 2026, after December CPI and PPI data are published in January 2026.

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We believe in full transparency with our readers. Some of our content includes affiliate links, and we may earn a commission through these partnerships. However, this potential compensation never influences our analysis, opinions, or reviews. Our editorial content is created independently of our marketing partnerships, and our ratings are based solely on our established evaluation criteria. Read More

Arslan Butt

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Arslan Butt is an experienced webinar speaker, market analyst, and content writer specializing in crypto, forex, and commodities. He provides expert insights, trading strategies, and in-depth analysis...

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Bitcoin is trading at $93,000, down nearly 2% in the past 24 hours, with a market cap of $1.85 trillion and daily volume exceeding $38 billion. While price action has stalled in a narrow range since January 16, on‑chain data suggests a pivotal moment may be approaching.

The focus is on the Kimchi Premium, a metric tracking the price gap between Bitcoin on South Korean exchanges and global markets. When Korean traders pay a premium, it reflects surging local demand. Historically, this indicator has preceded major rallies. In October 2023, the premium flipped positive, sparking a 370% surge in Bitcoin’s value.

The Kimchi Premium indicator for $BTC is on the verge of flashing a long signal.
This indicator has been rising consistently in recent periods.

The last time a long signal appeared was in October 2023.
After that, Bitcoin surged by approximately +370%.

Now, the next long signal… pic.twitter.com/b5LLzjyllJ

— XWIN.Finance | XWIN Research and Asset Management (@xwinfinance) January 17, 2026 Recent reports from XWIN Finance highlight that the premium is once again rising, nearing levels that previously triggered explosive gains. If confirmed, this long signal could mark the start of another bullish cycle, potentially setting the stage for a rally exceeding 300%.

Bitcoin Price Prediction: Wedge Breakout Signals BTC Rally Toward $99K Amid EMA Cross and RSI DivergenceBeyond on‑chain signals, Bitcoin price prediction seems bullish as BTC continues to respect an ascending trendline from $86,700, forming a wedge pattern between $91,885 support and $95,483 resistance.

The convergence of the 50‑period and 200‑period EMAs suggests a potential golden cross, a historically bullish event. Meanwhile, the RSI sits near 47, showing a subtle bullish divergence against recent price dips. Candlestick formations, including spinning tops and Doji patterns, highlight indecision but also hint at accumulation.

Bitcoin Price Chart – Source: TradingviewA breakout above $95,500 with strong volume could propel BTC toward $97,700 and $99,500, completing the wedge’s projected path. Conversely, a breakdown below $91,885 risks a retest of $90,000 and the psychological $88,342 level.

What Traders Should Watch NextThe alignment of on‑chain and technical signals makes this moment critical for traders. The Kimchi Premium’s rise suggests demand pressure is building, while chart patterns point toward a breakout.

For traders, the setup is clear:

Entry: Long positions above $95,500 on confirmed breakout Targets: $97,700 and $99,500 Stop‑loss: Below $91,800 to manage risk If history repeats, Bitcoin could be on track for another multi‑hundred‑percent rally, echoing the October 2023 surge. While macroeconomic conditions and institutional flows will influence the scale of the move, the signals flashing today are difficult to ignore.

Bitcoin Hyper: The Next Evolution of BTC on Solana?Bitcoin Hyper ($HYPER) is bringing a new phase to the Bitcoin ecosystem. While BTC remains the gold standard for security, Bitcoin Hyper adds what it always lacked: Solana-level speed. The result: lightning-fast, low-cost smart contracts, decentralized apps, and even meme coin creation, all secured by Bitcoin.

Audited by Consult, the project emphasizes trust and scalability as adoption builds. And momentum is already strong. The presale has surpassed $30.7 million, with tokens priced at just $0.013585 before the next increase.

As Bitcoin activity climbs and demand for efficient BTC-based apps rises, Bitcoin Hyper stands out as the bridge uniting two of crypto’s biggest ecosystems. If Bitcoin built the foundation, Bitcoin Hyper could make it fast, flexible, and fun again.

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Despite years of gloomy forecasts, best-selling personal finance author and prominent ‘finfluencer’ Robert Kiyosaki’s favorite assets, gold, silver, and Bitcoin (BTC), are all up in early 2026, meaning a $1,000 investment at the start of the year would already be showing a double-digit gain.

To see how his strategy is holding up, we calculated the return on a simple $1,000 investment made on January 1, 2026.

The Robert Kiyosaki portfolio 2026 performance In the first 19 days of the year, Bitcoin rose 6.59% from $87,412 on New Year’s Day to $93,169 at press time. This means that a $1,000 investment made in BTC at the start of 2026 would have turned into $1,065 by January 19 – a limited but respectable profit of $65.90, considering less than three weeks elapsed so far.

BTC YTD price chart. Source: Google Gold, the world’s foremost ‘safe haven’ asset, has been even more impressive. The yellow metal is 7.94% up in the year-to-date (YTD) chart as it has risen from $4,332 to $4,669. Thus, $1,000 invested on January 1 would have turned into $1,079.

Gold YTD price chart. Source: TradingView With a 27.39% rally in 2026, silver might be the most impressive among Robert Kiyosaki’s favoured assets. Indeed, $1,000 invested at $73 would have turned into $1,273 at the press time price of $93.

Silver YTD price chart. Source: TradingView Lastly, had an investor chosen to create a $1,000 ‘Robert Kiyosaki portfolio,’ with an equal distribution among the three investments – so, $333 allocated to each of them – they’d have a total of $1,139 on January 19, for a total increase of 14%. Once again, a limited yet respectable profit in less than three weeks.

CertiK reported that at least 686 BTC was bridged to Ethereum, converted into about 19,600 ETH, split across multiple wallets, and then sent into the mixer. The theft was traced to a social engineering attack in which the attacker obtained a seed phrase, which allowed them to take control of a wallet holding approximately 1,459 BTC and more than 2 million Litecoin. Meanwhile, South Korean authorities said they dismantled a money laundering network that allegedly moved 148.9 billion won, or about $101.7 million, using cryptocurrency and domestic bank accounts. The Korea Customs Service stated that the operation ran from 2021 to 2025 and concealed illicit transfers as legitimate personal expenses.

Tornado Cash Used in $282M Wallet HackRoughly $63 million in cryptocurrency deposits routed through Tornado Cash have been linked to a massive $282 million wallet compromise that happened on Jan. 10. According to blockchain security firm CertiK, its monitoring systems identified interactions with the privacy mixer that were directly connected to the exploit.

CertiK’s analysis shows that a big portion of the stolen Bitcoin was first bridged to Ethereum using cross-chain swaps. At least 686 BTC was converted in this way, ultimately resulting in approximately 19,600 ETH arriving in a single Ethereum address. From there, the ETH was split across multiple wallets, with several hundred ETH sent onward from each address before finally entering Tornado Cash. While the $63 million figure is only a fraction of the total amount stolen, the pattern proves that there was a deliberate attempt to break the transaction trail after the exploit.

The laundering behavior seen in this case follows what industry experts describe as a well-established playbook. Marwan Hachem, CEO of blockchain security firm FearsOff, said the flow closely mirrors classic large-scale laundering strategies seen in cross-chain thefts involving Bitcoin and Litecoin. 

He pointed to the use of THORswap for Bitcoin-to-Ether conversions and the subsequent division of funds into roughly 400 ETH chunks as “textbook” tactics that are designed to reduce attention and complicate recovery efforts. Once funds enter a mixer like Tornado Cash, chances of recovery typically drop to near zero.

The Jan. 10 theft itself was traced to a social engineering attack rather than a protocol-level exploit. Blockchain investigator ZachXBT previously reported that the attacker impersonated wallet support staff, and tricked the victim into revealing a seed phrase. This allowed the crooks to gain full control of the wallet. The compromised address reportedly held around 1,459 BTC and more than 2 million Litecoin at the time of the attack.

While a small portion of the stolen funds—around $700,000—was flagged and frozen early in the laundering process, the vast majority of the assets were quickly moved beyond practical reach. 

South Korea Busts $102M Crypto Laundering RingIn South Korea, authorities are fighting hard against crypt-related crime. South Korean customs authorities recently dismantled an international money laundering operation that allegedly moved close to 149 billion won, or about $101.7 million, through cryptocurrency transactions and the domestic banking system. 

The Korea Customs Service said that three individuals have been referred to prosecutors for suspected violations of the Foreign Exchange Transactions Act, according to a report by Yonhap News Agency.

Investigators allege the network operated for almost four years, from September of 2021 through June of 2025, and disguised illicit cross-border fund movements as legitimate personal expenses like cosmetic surgery fees and overseas tuition payments. To avoid detection, the suspects are accused of purchasing crypto assets across multiple jurisdictions, transferring them into South Korean wallets, converting them into local currency, and then distributing the proceeds through numerous domestic bank accounts. Authorities say this structure allowed the group to obscure the origin and destination of funds while exploiting both crypto rails and traditional banking channels.

The case reared its head during a broader crackdown on illegal foreign exchange activity in South Korea. Earlier this month, the Korea Customs Service announced year-round intensive inspections targeting underground money exchange operations, and warned that such activity could threaten exchange rate stability. 

Officials have pointed out growing discrepancies between trade proceeds processed by banks and the value of goods reported to customs, with the gap reaching roughly $290 billion in 2025, the largest in five years. Separate inspections conducted last year found that 97% of companies in a targeted industry were involved in illicit foreign exchange transactions, totaling about 2.2 trillion won.

The enforcement action also sheds some light on the increasing prominence of South Korea’s crypto market. Data from the Financial Services Commission shows that the country’s crypto asset market capitalization reached 95 trillion won, or about $64.6 billion, in June of 2025, with average daily trading volumes exceeding $4.3 billion.

The Reserve Bank of India is urging the government to put a plan to link BRICS nations' central bank digital currencies on the agenda for the 2026 summit it will host.

Cardano (ADA) appears poised for a bullish breakout, forming a classic cup-and-handle pattern. A decisive move above $0.423 could trigger a rally toward $0.517, signaling renewed momentum if the handle’s rim is broken on strong volume.

Source: Ali Martinez Therefore, ADA is eyeing the $0.423 resistance, with a sustained break potentially confirming a cup-and-handle pattern and targeting $0.517, while trading around $0.3716 per CoinGecko data.

Meanwhile, crypto analyst Javon Marks sees ADA compressing within a long-term ascending triangle dating back to 2018. A bullish run above $0.45, he suggests, could spark a measured rally toward $2.97, implying over 680% upside from early January 2026 levels.

Conversely, CME Group, a leading global derivatives exchange, will launch fully CFTC-regulated futures on Cardano (ADA), Chainlink (LINK), and Stellar (XLM) on February 9, signaling crypto’s deeper integration into mainstream finance.

Well, CME Group will offer both standard and micro futures for each cryptocurrency, with ADA contracts covering 100,000 tokens and Micro ADA contracts covering 10,000 tokens.

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This tiered approach serves institutional investors seeking large-scale exposure and retail traders seeking smaller, manageable positions. The move highlights CME’s commitment to expanding regulated crypto access while boosting market liquidity and hedging opportunities.

Therefore, the launch of regulated ADA futures could boost bullish sentiment, as increased institutional participation typically enhances liquidity, reduces volatility, and supports sustained price trends.

Coupled with a potential technical breakout, Cardano may be poised for a notable upward move. Supporting this momentum, Germany’s DZ Bank, which manages over €1.2 trillion in assets, recently received BaFin approval to offer digital asset trading via its meinKrypto platform, with Cardano among the featured cryptocurrencies.

Key NotesXRP’s price continues to be under selling pressure, with its open interest dropping 10% to $3.58 billion.Crypto analyst Crypto Patel said XRP is trading above a confirmed multi-year breakout zone, and in the accumulation range of $1.30-$1.90.Spot XRP ETFs continued adding inflows, pushing cumulative net inflows to roughly above $1.28 billion. Amid today’s crypto market correction, XRP’s XRP $1.98 24h volatility: 3.8% Market cap: $120.08 B Vol. 24h: $3.70 B price fell 4%, losing the $2.0 support. Spot XRP ETF inflows keep investor optimism alive.

XRP is down nearly 18% from its Jan. 6 highs of $2.40 as bearish sentiment grips the market, but continued spot XRP ETF inflows are keeping investor optimism alive.

XRP Price Faces Selling Pressure, but Analyst Remains Bullish After briefly consolidating between $2.05-$2.06, XRP’s price fell to an intraday low of $1.906 before partially rebounding to $1.97.

XRP’s open interest dropped 10% to $3.58 billion, while daily trading volume increased 166% to $3.66 billion.

Despite the volatility, some investors remain bullish on its long-term prospects.

Crypto analyst Crypto Patel said XRP is trading above a confirmed multi-year breakout zone on the higher-timeframe (HTF) chart.

This shows that the token may be setting up for another major upside move following a prolonged accumulation phase.

Patel noted that XRP has already posted a strong expansion after breaking out near $0.60.

Since then, the price has increased by 600%, and is now rebuilding the structure for the next leg higher.

He highlighted a descending wedge breakout spanning 2020 to 2024 as a key technical catalyst.

According to Patel, XRP’s current focus area sits around a fair value gap and accumulation zone between $1.90 and $1.30.

He said the higher-timeframe bullish structure remains intact as long as XRP holds above $1.30.

$XRP PRICE PREDICTION | MULTI-YEAR BREAKOUT TARGETING $10+?#XRP Is Trading Above A Confirmed Multi-Year Breakout Zone On The HTF Chart After Completing A Long Accumulation Phase. Price Has Already Delivered A Strong Expansion Move And Is Now Building Structure For The Next Leg.… pic.twitter.com/eBBU55I0ia

— Crypto Patel (@CryptoPatel) January 19, 2026

The analyst has outlined upside targets at $3.50, $5.00, $8.70, and $10. However, he said that any closing under $1.30 will invalidate this structure.

XRP ETF Inflows Remain Consistent Even with the XRP price pullback, inflows into spot XRP ETF have continued at a consistent speed.

Data from SoSoValue shows that XRP ETFs have continued to attract assets since their approval late last year.

Net inflows rose by $1.12 million on Friday, Jan. 16, lifting cumulative net inflows to $1.28 billion.

Grayscale’s GXRP ETF added over $287 million in inflows, bringing its assets to $291 million, while Bitwise’s XRP ETF added $310 million, reaching a similar $291 million.

So far this year, spot XRP ETFs have attracted more than $108 million, with total assets exceeding $1.52 billion for the first time.

Disclaimer: Coinspeaker is committed to providing unbiased and transparent reporting. This article aims to deliver accurate and timely information but should not be taken as financial or investment advice. Since market conditions can change rapidly, we encourage you to verify information on your own and consult with a professional before making any decisions based on this content.

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Bhushan is a FinTech enthusiast and holds a good flair in understanding financial markets. His interest in economics and finance draw his attention towards the new emerging Blockchain Technology and Cryptocurrency markets. He is continuously in a learning process and keeps himself motivated by sharing his acquired knowledge. In free time he reads thriller fictions novels and sometimes explore his culinary skills.

Bhushan Akolkar on X

Ethereum activity climbed toward record levels while gas fees fell to near-zero, keeping the network busy at a lower cost. At the same time, ETH price slipped back to $3,200 after another rejection near $3,400.

Record transactions as gas fallsEthereum activity pushed toward record levels as transaction costs sank to fractions of a cent, according to data cited in recent market reports and on-chain dashboards. Coin Bureau said Ethereum’s daily transactions climbed toward about 2.5 million while average gas fees fell below $0.01, pointing to a rare mix of heavy throughput and ultra-low execution costs.

On Ethereum fee trackers, base fees showed near-zero readings in gwei terms, which wallets use to estimate confirmation times and costs. One widely shared gas screen showed a base fee near 0.054 gwei with “low,” “average,” and “high” options clustered around the same level, implying little competition for block space at that moment.

Meanwhile, third-party coverage tied the usage spike to a multi-week climb in transaction counts, often cited on a moving-average basis to smooth daily swings. Decrypt reported that Ethereum’s 7-day moving average for daily transactions set a new high earlier this month, based on CryptoQuant data, as network interactions accelerated into early 2026.

Separate market updates also pointed to new single-day milestones. A Binance News post, citing Etherscan-referenced figures via ChainCatcher, said Ethereum reached about 2.88 million transactions in a day, another sign that on-chain throughput has expanded even as the typical fee environment remains subdued. 

ETH retreats after $3,400 rejectionMeanwhile, Ethereum pulled back to the $3,200 area after failing to clear resistance near $3,400, according to a TradingView chart shared by analyst Ted Pillows on X. The post said ETH “failed to break above the $3,400 zone,” then dropped into the $3,200 support region, matching a downside scenario the analyst said he outlined earlier.

Ethereum USDT Daily Chart. Source:  Ted Pillows on X

The chart, labeled ETHUSDT on Binance with a one day timeframe, showed price sliding from the mid $3,000s and printing a sharp selloff before stabilizing near $3,200. Marked zones on the chart highlighted a resistance band around $3,400 and a nearby supply area above it, while a support band sat around the low $3,200s.

Ted Pillows said Ethereum could try another move back toward $3,400 if the $3,200 support level holds. The chart also mapped alternate paths, including a bounce toward the mid $3,300s and higher, or a deeper drop if support breaks, with lower levels marked below the current range.

Mon, 19/01/2026 - 11:50

New week on the crypto market kicks off, with XRP shorts being wiped in 16,559% liquidation shock, Binance cutting 22 pairs across BTC and ETH and the pro-Ripple lawyer targeting Coinbase CEO over yield bill backlash.

Cover image via www.freepik.com Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by our writers are their own and do not represent the views of U.Today. The financial and market information provided on U.Today is intended for informational purposes only. U.Today is not liable for any financial losses incurred while trading cryptocurrencies. Conduct your own research by contacting financial experts before making any investment decisions. We believe that all content is accurate as of the date of publication, but certain offers mentioned may no longer be available.

This week is starting off with the same stuff that has been keeping the crypto market busy all of the previous year: regulatory clashes, changing liquidity and unexpected volatility traps. XRP just showed how quickly sentiment can change. 

Now, Coinbase and the White House might be next.

TL;DRXRP short sellers just got crushed big time, with a 16,559% liquidation imbalance in the long/short ratio.Binance slashes 22 pairs: Bitcoin, Ethereum and stablecoin pairs removed in liquidity purge.Pro-Ripple camp fires back at Coinbase after the White House threatens CLARITY bill withdrawal.XRP sellers took 16,559% short squeezeWhat happened on the XRP charts this morning was not a rally — it was a bloodbath on one side of the book. According to CoinGlass liquidation heatmap data, XRP short positions suffered $84,290 in liquidations versus just $509.63 in long-side wipeouts, creating an extreme 16,559% imbalance favoring bulls.

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On the TradingView chart, XRP/USD surged to over $1.98 before dropping back to $1.976. This happened while the total liquidations on the crypto market were pretty low for the hour, worth $2.54 million. 

But XRP's impact was strong and uneven. It was all about targeting weak-side leverage.

Source: CoinglassLooking at the big picture, XRP's daily setup is still in post-breakout consolidation mode, holding above the $1.90-$1.95 zone that used to be overhead resistance. This liquidation event suggests that whales are actively defending the new base, which might mean a broader squeeze toward the $2.04-$2.10 region in the days ahead.

Bitcoin is still the big player when it comes to total notional liquidations with $1.02 million in the last hour, but XRP's precision short squeeze — which is mostly isolated from the long-side impact — suggests that tactical accumulation is in the works.

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Binance delisting wave hits 22 coins: Bitcoin's been affected tooBinance just announced a big liquidity management operation, and they are removing 22 spot trading pairs. Some of these are tied to Bitcoin, Ethereum and even stablecoins like FDUSD.

The full list includes pairs like BTC/ZAR, ETH/ZAR, ENS/BTC, SLP/ETH, ORDI/BTC and ADX/ETH, along with multiple low-liquidity altcoin/BNB or altcoin/FDUSD combinations. All trading activity for these pairs will stop on Jan. 20 at 8:00 a.m. UTC, with spot trading bots for the affected pairs being terminated at the same time.

Binance said that delisting does not mean tokens are permanently removed; it is just for these specific pairings. If an asset still trades in other combinations like ADA/USDT, that availability remains.

Why it matters:

BTC/ETH pairs are often used in cross-chain rebalancing or DeFi LP flows. Removing them might mean thinning depth or failing arbitrage traffic.Pairings like SLP/ETH and MOVR/BTC show how Binance is trying to cut deadweight listings that are not worth keeping order books up.FDUSD is becoming more and more important, replacing old pairings with underperforming tokens.This is about Binance's internal liquidity migration, not just routine hygiene.

Pro-Ripple Lawyer takes jab at Coinbase CEO: What's going on?Over the weekend, pro-XRP attorney Fred Rispoli and Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong had a heated showdown, sparked by journalist Eleanor Terrett's report that federal regulators might pull their support for the CLARITY Act if the major U.S. exchange does not agree to a deal for a yield-bearing stablecoin that traditional banks are happy with.

Rispoli fired back, saying that Coinbase's legal practices are already hurting users and that Terrett's reporting is far more reliable than Armstrong's rebuttals. He pointed out that Coinbase's courtroom strategy does not align with their public image.

In general, I ignore your posts. But considering I field calls from hundreds of Coinbase customers about how Coinbase screws them, and then see how aggressive Coinbase gets trying to ensure they get screwed in court, I’ll take @EleanorTerrett ‘s word over yours 1000%! https://t.co/7S7gGXp25Q

— Fred Rispoli (@freddyriz) January 19, 2026 Terrett says policymakers were livid about what they saw as Coinbase's move earlier in the week. They saw it as a breach of coordination that could mess up the legislative consensus. The administration reportedly thinks Coinbase is misrepresenting the interests of the broader crypto industry.

But Armstrong said that is not really how things went down. He said that government officials had asked Coinbase to talk with the banks about options, and now the company is working on that. He said the firm is working on proposals to help smaller regional banks through clearer rules.

The whole thing stems from the fight over who represents the crypto industry. The legislation in question is designed to define how digital assets are regulated, classified and taxed. If Coinbase loses its political partners, it might also lose influence over how that framework is written — and how platforms like Ripple or stablecoin issuers are treated.

Crypto market outlookDespite brutal headlines, markets are entering the week with controlled posture. From a macro lens, total 24-hour liquidations stand at $874.89 million, with long-side damage still outpacing shorts, hinting that leverage is still mostly positioned on the buy side.

Key levels to watch:

Bitcoin (BTC): $89,500 must hold to avoid sweeping stop-loss cascades down to $86,500-$84,000.XRP: Reclamation of $2.04 sets stage for $2.20 test. Failure to hold $1.95 invites drawdown to $1.89. You Might Also Like

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Key NotesMichael Saylor posted a familiar “₿igger Orange” hint ahead of any official filing. Strategy Inc.now holds ~687,410 BTC, still the largest corporate Bitcoin treasury.Strategy shares remain volatile, amplifying moves in Bitcoin despite January gains. Michael Saylor, executive chairman of Strategy Inc. (formerly MicroStrategy), signaled renewed confidence in BTC $93 126 24h volatility: 2.1% Market cap: $1.86 T Vol. 24h: $41.39 B this week with a social media tease before any official purchase disclosure.

In a brief post featuring the company’s Bitcoin portfolio graphic and the caption “₿igger Orange.” Saylor appeared to allude to fresh accumulation activity ahead of regulatory filings. Orange is the color that Strategy chairman Saylor ties to Bitcoin buy signals in both his tweets and his X profile.

₿igger Orange. pic.twitter.com/HI47hMCnui

— Michael Saylor (@saylor) January 18, 2026

Strategy’s Bitcoin Holdings & Recent Purchases Strategy remains the largest corporate holder of Bitcoin globally. Recent data shows total holdings have reached roughly 687,410 BTC, acquired at an average cost of $ 60,000–$70,000 per BTC. 

Top 10 Bitcoin public treasury holders | Source: bitcointreasuries.net

January’s activity includes a confirmed purchase of 13,627 BTC, valued at about $1.25 billion. It was executed at an average price near $91,519 per BTC, according to regulatory filings for the period ending Jan. 11, 2026. 

Earlier in the month, Strategy also bought 1,286 BTC for roughly $116 million as part of its ongoing accumulation strategy. Just before the filing, Saylor also hinted at the purchase. 

Orange or Green? pic.twitter.com/55QX69NotP

— Michael Saylor (@saylor) January 4, 2026

Strategy Share Price Strategy’s share price (ticker: MSTR) has shown volatility alongside its Bitcoin-driven valuation model. At the time of writing, the stock has been trading around $173–$174 per share, gaining over 5.4% in January alone.

However, some remain sceptical of the recent growth, as the total drop of MSTR shares price in 6 months comprises over 59%. This was immediately noticed in the same Saylor’s thread mentioned above. “Bigger red,” the user Caramel tweeted, hinting at the unprecedent drop.

Bigger Red. pic.twitter.com/IUfIdOIWEd

— Caramel (@CaramelCoffee8) January 18, 2026

Bitcoin Price Performance in January 2026 Bitcoin itself entered 2026 with strength, briefly topping the $90,000 level and at times exceeding $93,000 early in the year. According to CoinMarketCap, its year-to-date gain comprises 5.45%.

General crypto market prices have fluctuated through mid-January, with volatility driven by macroeconomic data and shifting institutional demand. 

Crypto Market Implications Saylor’s social signal and Strategy’s continued purchases come at a time when institutional sentiment toward Bitcoin remains mixed. The company’s accumulation strategy, funded in part through at-the-market stock offerings and preferred share issuances, underscores its long-term Bitcoin thesis.

However, it exposes Strategy stock to leverage effects as Bitcoin prices move. Strategy’s heavy BTC weighting means its equity performance often amplifies underlying Bitcoin moves, making January’s price action a key focal point for investors watching both assets.

Disclaimer: Coinspeaker is committed to providing unbiased and transparent reporting. This article aims to deliver accurate and timely information but should not be taken as financial or investment advice. Since market conditions can change rapidly, we encourage you to verify information on your own and consult with a professional before making any decisions based on this content.

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Yana Khlebnikova joined CoinSpeaker as an editor in January 2025, after previous stints at Techopedia, crypto.news, Cointelegraph, and CoinMarketCap, where she honed her expertise in cryptocurrency journalism.

Yana Khlebnikova on LinkedIn

CAKE faces volatility as supply cut proposal tests investor sentimentXLM risks further drop but Protocol X-Ray upgrade may helpXTZ under selling pressure ahead of Tallinn network upgradeThe first half of the month was filled with volatility, and the rest of January is expected to end up in a similar fashion. Amidst the chaos, altcoins are expected to lean on external developments in order to make gains.

BeInCrypto has analysed three such altcoins that have major developments ahead of them in the third week of January.

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PancakeSwap (CAKE)CAKE price trades near $2.01 at the time of writing, holding above the $1.99 support level. Recent sessions showed heightened volatility, creating bearish technical signals. Market uncertainty and fluctuating volumes continue to weigh on short-term price direction, keeping traders cautious about PancakeSwap’s near-term outlook.

Technical indicators reinforce downside risk for CAKE. The Money Flow Index has slipped below the neutral 50.0 level, signaling growing selling pressure from investors. This shift in momentum suggests the CAKE price could retest lower support near $1.94 if bearish conditions persist across the broader altcoin market.

CAKE Price Analysis. Source: TradingViewFundamental developments may offset technical weakness. PancakeSwap proposed reducing CAKE’s maximum supply from 450 million to 400 million tokens. The planned supply cut has strong community support and could boost scarcity. Positive sentiment around the proposal may help CAKE rebound toward $2.05 and extend gains to $2.13.

Stellar (XLM)XLM trades near $0.215 after briefly falling to an intraday low of $0.202. The altcoin dropped 12% in the past 24 hours as broader market weakness intensified. Technical indicators show a corrective phase underway, with declining momentum increasing downside risk for Stellar’s price action.

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The correction followed a breakdown from a descending triangle pattern on the chart. This formation signals a potential 14% decline from the breakdown level. If selling pressure continues and XLM loses $0.210 support, the price could slide toward $0.201 and extend losses toward the $0.188 target.

XLM Price Analysis. Source: TradingViewStellar may find support from upcoming network developments. The Protocol X-Ray upgrade is set to launch on mainnet this week. It introduces foundations for compliance-focused privacy using zero-knowledge cryptography. Positive developer sentiment around the upgrade could reverse bearish momentum and push XLM toward $0.230.

Tezos (XTZ)XTZ price fell 9.7% over the past 48 hours and trades near $0.559 at the time of writing. The altcoin remains above the $0.555 support level, which has held for nearly two weeks. Persistent volatility suggests Tezos is in a vulnerable short-term correction phase.

Downside risk is increasing as the Chaikin Money Flow shows capital outflows dominating XTZ. Sustained outflows often precede sharper declines. If selling pressure continues and $0.555 fails, Tezos’ price could slide toward $0.517, marking a deeper retracement within the current market structure.

XTZ Price Analysis. Source: TradingViewPotential relief may come from the upcoming Tezos Tallinn upgrade, aimed at increasing speed, efficiency, and security is scheduled this week. Network upgrades often influence investor sentiment and on-chain activity. If bullish interest emerges, XTZ could defend $0.555, rebound toward $0.626, and resume consolidation within its established trading range.

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Posted: January 19, 2026

MYX Finance [MYX] has managed to retain a 5% gain over the past 24 hours, even as a broader crypto market shake-off pushed many assets into sharp declines.

Despite the price increase, overall sentiment does not yet point clearly in one direction. Instead, different segments of the market appear to be competing for control, resulting in a mixed outlook for MYX.

On-chain sentiment remains weak On-chain activity suggested that participation remained insufficient to support a sustained rally.

While several metrics can be used to assess a protocol’s health, revenue remains one of the most reliable indicators, as it reflects how much the protocol earns from trading fees and ecosystem-related activity.

In MYX’s case, revenue has continued to hover at the lower end of its historical range.

In fact, month-to-date revenue stood at $358, at press time, marking the second-lowest level recorded by the protocol.

Contextually speaking, declining revenue often signals reduced user activity, which can suppress demand for MYX and weigh on its broader price dynamics. Similarly, protocol fees remain subdued at just $45.

Source: DeFiLlama

Total value locked (TVL), which represents the amount of capital deposited into liquidity pools to earn fees, has remained relatively stable.

This stability suggested that existing participants were still keeping their assets locked within the protocol, even as activity slowed.

Exchange activity shows bullish positioning In contrast, activity across centralized exchanges appears more constructive. Trading data pointed to growing speculative interest, with traders positioning for potential upside.

The Open Interest–Weighted Funding Rate, a metric used to gauge whether perpetual traders are leaning bullish or bearish, indicated that MYX remained skewed toward the bullish side.

The Funding Rate sat at a positive 0.0029% at press time. While modest, this reading suggested that long positions still slightly outweigh shorts, even though the gap between the two remains narrow.

Source: CoinGlass

This setup becomes more notable given the broader reduction in exposure.

Open Interest declined by $3.5 million during the same period, reflecting capital outflows from the market. Notably, long traders accounted for the majority of recent losses, outweighing those recorded by short positions in the MYX perpetual market.

Drop or rebound—where is MYX heading? Liquidation Heatmap data offered additional insight into MYX’s potential next move.

The analysis highlighted clusters of unfilled orders that were compressing price action within a defined range. Such conditions often precede sharp moves, either to the upside or downside, depending on momentum.

However, liquidity appears more concentrated above the current price level. These denser clusters suggest a stronger upward pull, as liquidity zones often act as magnets for price movement, particularly when long-side positioning dominates.

Source: CoinGlass

Overall, while short sellers have recently gained some ground, the broader speculative setup favors a potential rebound. With exchange-based sentiment gradually tilting toward long positions, MYX may be positioned for a stronger recovery if momentum aligns.

Final Thoughts MYX Finance records its lowest monthly revenue since inception as user demand continues to fade. Speculative traders, however, are holding their ground, doubling down on long positions in MYX despite the slowdown in on-chain activity.

The tariff-war chatter is back on the table, and it’s shaking both Wall Street and crypto in tandem. Solana hasn’t been spared. After pushing toward the $150 region, Solana (SOL) price faced a sharp rejection at a key resistance zone and then printed a weak weekend close below $140—an early sign that momentum has tilted bearish to start the week.

Still, the downside picture isn’t clean-cut. While price action hints at a developing bearish curve, Solana’s on-chain and ecosystem signals remain constructive, suggesting the current move could be more of a shakeout than a sustained breakdown—especially if buyers defend the next support band and reclaim the rejected level quickly.

Mixed Fundamentals: Short-Term ETF Outflows, Long-Term Ecosystem GrowthOn one side, Solana ETFs reportedly saw their first net outflows since launch, with withdrawals of roughly $2.2 million. That matters because ETF flows can influence short-term sentiment—especially in a tape that’s already risk-off. Even modest outflows can get amplified by traders as “institutions are backing off,” regardless of whether the flow is meaningful in the bigger picture.

On the other side, Solana’s broader ecosystem narrative remains strong. The network continues to attract capital into on-chain use cases, with Solana’s RWA ecosystem reportedly reaching ~$1.12B in TVL, reflecting growing institutional participation and expanding liquidity. If that trend holds, it supports the idea that Solana’s demand is being driven by more than just memecoin cycles.

At the same time, expectations for TVL expansion into 2026—some forecasts even pointing as high as $30B—underline the market’s longer-term belief that Solana’s application layer will keep widening across multiple sectors.

Can SOL Reclaim Resistance And Flip The Trend?With Solana price compressing under resistance, the next move is likely to be decisive. The technical picture suggests SOL is still capped beneath the upper boundary of its structure, but the fundamentals argue the accumulation phase may not last long if buyers step in with conviction.

That sets up the key question for traders: Will SOL reclaim the rejected resistance zone and invalidate the bearish weekly open—or will rallies continue to get sold until the market finds a deeper base?

The SOL price dropped below the average bands of Bollinger and appears to be heading towards the lower bands. However, the price range of around $128 is acting as a strong base, which has triggered a strong rebound on various occasions. On the other hand, the RSI is bearish, with the levels seeming to be poised to reach the lower threshold. In such a case, even if the price breaks below $128, the lower support of the Bollinger hold the rally. However, the range between $118.32 and $122.94 may act as the last point of defence. 

The Bottom LineSolana’s rejection at a key resistance has tilted the near-term bias bearish, and the chart now suggests buyers are losing control of momentum after a strong run-up. Still, the broader setup doesn’t look broken. Ecosystem fundamentals remain supportive, with expanding RWA activity, steady application-driven adoption, and liquidity staying active across DeFi. If market-wide risk sentiment stabilizes, SOL could resume its recovery from this consolidation phase. For now, bulls need a clean reclaim of resistance to negate the bearish weekend signal.

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XRP has seen a surge in trading volumes even as the broader crypto market sees selling pressure in the early Monday session.

According to CoinMarketCap data, XRP trading volume rose 158% in the last 24 hours to $3.62 billion, as traders adjusted their positioning.

The XRP price is trading in the red as major cryptocurrencies fell on Monday as fears of new U.S. tariffs on European goods triggered a broader sell-off across global markets.

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Crypto’s losses mirrored those seen in the equities market as the U.S. equity-index futures fell sharply in early trading, with Nasdaq 100 contracts and European futures down as tariff concerns resurfaced. However, safe haven assets, including gold and silver, surged.

Liquidations rose in the last 24 hours following the sell-off, with nearly $878 million in crypto positions wiped out, according to CoinGlass data, with long positions accounting for the majority.

Digital assets had seen a promising start to the year, after ending 2025 in a malaise following the inability to sustain a recovery from the massive sell-off last October.

XRP price actionXRP saw a sharp drop on Coinbase early Monday, reaching a low of $1.85 before it slightly rebounded.

At press time, XRP was still sustaining daily losses, down 4.1% in the last 24 hours to $1.97. XRP has marked 12 out of 13 days in losses since Jan. 5 amid continued profit-taking.

This follows a strong start to the year, with a five-day surge for XRP reaching $2.41 on Jan. 5. XRP has nearly reversed its run at the year's start, as it approached the Jan. 1 low of $1.82 in today's trading session.

The $2 level remains crucial to watch now for XRP price action, as a return above this level might allow XRP to regain bullish momentum.

Large investors are unwinding Bitcoin cash-and-carry arbitrage as ETF inflows rise, CME basis compresses, and low volatility pushes them into stickier long exposure.

Summary

SoSoValue data shows U.S.-listed spot Bitcoin ETFs flipping back to net inflows in January after December redemptions.​ The CME futures–ETF basis has narrowed toward transaction and funding costs, killing cash-and-carry yields and prompting arbitrage funds to exit.​ Bitfinex and Volmex data highlight multi-month lows in 30-day implied BTC volatility, favoring long-horizon “sticky” ETF holders over short-term basis traders.​​ Large institutional investors are reducing arbitrage positions in favor of direct bullish bets on Bitcoin, according to recent data from SoSoValue.

U.S.-listed Bitcoin (BTC) Exchange-Traded Funds have recorded net inflows this month, reversing December’s redemption trend, the data showed. The shift represents a move away from traditional “Cash-and-Carry” arbitrage strategies toward directional long-term positions.

The Cash-and-Carry arbitrage strategy involves purchasing spot Bitcoin ETFs while shorting Bitcoin futures to profit from pricing mismatches between spot and futures markets. The pricing gap between present and future contracts has narrowed, while funding costs for such trades have increased, reducing the strategy’s profitability, according to market observers.

U.S.-listed spot ETFs have recorded net inflows while the total number of open standard and micro Bitcoin futures contracts on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange has surged, the data indicated.

The “basis”—the price gap between CME futures and spot ETFs—has narrowed to levels that barely cover transaction costs and funding expenses, making carry trades less attractive, analysts said.

Bitcoin has experienced low volatility since its sharp decline from its all-time high in October 2021, with prices trading within a narrow range recently. The low volatility environment reduces the likelihood of price mismatches between spot and futures markets, diminishing the profitability of Cash-and-Carry trades.

Bitcoin’s annualized 30-day implied volatility, as measured by Volmex’s BVIV index, has fallen to a multi-month low in market expectations for price swings, according to analysts at cryptocurrency exchange Bitfinex.

Bitfinex analysts characterized the new investors as “sticky” because they view Bitcoin as a long-term investment rather than focusing on short-term profits from price gaps, citing reduced volatility as a factor.

Data on short positions in CME-listed Bitcoin futures indicates that the increase in open interest stems from speculators betting on bullish outcomes rather than hedging with shorts, suggesting an overall increase in bullish exposure, according to the analysis.