Market Signal Briefing

Bitcoin trading is entering Belgium’s mainstream banking system. KBC Bank has announced plans to facilitate the buying and selling of Bitcoin using its Bolero investment platform. Let’s break it down. With this move, Bitcoin trading is no longer limited to crypto exchanges in Belgium.

What KBC Bank Is Launching KBC Bank, one of Belgium’s largest financial institutions, will launch Bitcoin and Ethereum trading for retail customers on February 16. You will get access to this service through Bolero, KBC’s popular online investment platform. KBC is the first bank in Belgium to enable its clients to trade in crypto directly, without breaking European regulations.

LATEST: 🏦 KBC Bank will launch Bitcoin and Ethereum trading on Feb. 16 via its Bolero platform, becoming Belgium’s first bank to offer crypto within a regulated framework. pic.twitter.com/EgmCiR9cWF

— CoinMarketCap (@CoinMarketCap) January 16, 2026

How Bitcoin Trading Will Work on Bolero The new Bitcoin trading feature will be easy to use, especially for users who already invest in stocks or ETFs on Bolero.
Customers will be able to:

Buy and sell Bitcoin (BTC). Trade Ethereum (ETH). Transfer with their existing Bolero accounts. There is, however, one limitation to it. Cryptocurrency trading is a closed economy. It means users cannot transfer their Bitcoin and Ethereum to external wallets. Everything remains in Bolero.

Why Regulation Matters Here KBC’s crypto offering operates under the European Union’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) framework. The purpose of this regulation is not only to cover the investors but also to introduce sanity to the crypto market. KBC is treating Bitcoin trading as a regulated financial instrument, rather than a risky investment, by adhering to MiCA regulations. To most users, this provides a sense of trust and security that is not possible with conventional crypto exchanges.

JUST IN: 🇧🇪 Belgium’s second largest bank KBC to become the first bank in the country to offer Bitcoin trading 🙌 pic.twitter.com/0RuvaVkZNG

— Bitcoin Magazine (@BitcoinMagazine) January 15, 2026

This move lowers the barrier to entry for crypto investing. Individuals who were not keen on crypto applications or wallets can now enjoy Bitcoin trading through a bank they feel comfortable with. It is also a sign of a change in banks’ perception of digital assets. KBC is embracing crypto rather than shunning it and making it part of the mainstream finance sector.

Conclusion The introduction of Bitcoin trading at KBC is a significant step to crypto-adoption in Belgium. It merges the familiarity of the banking industry with the increased need of digital assets.

Disclaimer The information provided by Altcoin Buzz is not financial advice. It is intended solely for educational, entertainment, and informational purposes. Any opinions or strategies shared are those of the writer/reviewers, and their risk tolerance may differ from yours. We are not liable for any losses you may incur from investments related to the information given. Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies are high-risk assets; therefore, conduct thorough due diligence. Copyright Altcoin Buzz Pte Ltd.

Bitcoin’s liquidity levels are at the center of a debate concerning the cryptocurrency’s potential future price movements. The primary discussion revolves around whether current liquidity conditions indicate that Bitcoin has yet to reach its price peak. This conversation gains importance as market participants analyze the cryptocurrency’s trajectory.

Liquidity in financial markets, including Bitcoin, often influences price volatility and can impact investor behavior. High liquidity generally suggests that an asset can be bought or sold with minimal effect on its price, potentially leading to more stable trading conditions. In the context of Bitcoin, this could mean sustained trading activity and further price movements.

Crypto analysts are divided on whether Bitcoin’s current liquidity signals a continuation of its upward trend or if it is approaching a peak. Some analysts believe that the strong liquidity conditions support the idea of continued growth in Bitcoin’s price. They argue that as long as liquidity remains robust, there is potential for further gains.

Conversely, other market observers warn that high liquidity might not necessarily guarantee a continued price increase. They point out that external factors, such as regulatory changes or macroeconomic shifts, could also influence Bitcoin’s future performance, irrespective of liquidity levels.

The discussion surrounding Bitcoin’s liquidity and price potential is crucial for investors who are trying to navigate the volatile cryptocurrency markets. Decisions made in this context can have significant impacts on investment strategies and outcomes.

Regulatory factors could also play a role in shaping Bitcoin’s liquidity and price trajectory. With increased scrutiny from financial authorities worldwide, any new regulations or enforcement actions could affect trading activity and investor sentiment.

As the debate continues, market participants are keenly watching for any developments that might provide clearer signals on Bitcoin’s future. This includes monitoring liquidity trends, potential regulatory changes, and shifts in macroeconomic conditions that could influence the cryptocurrency’s direction.

No immediate comment was provided by major Bitcoin exchanges or regulatory bodies regarding the current liquidity conditions and their impact on Bitcoin prices.

The ongoing dialogue around Bitcoin’s liquidity and its implications for price movements will likely remain a focal point among investors, analysts, and regulators. As these discussions evolve, the cryptocurrency market waits for the next significant development in Bitcoin’s price journey.

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ASTER Slumps 75% to New Lows as Hyperliquid Pulls Ahead — Is the Perp DEX Race Already Over?

Hassan Shittu

Journalist

Hassan Shittu

Part of the Team Since

Jun 2023

About Author

Hassan, a Cryptonews.com journalist with 6+ years of experience in Web3 journalism, brings deep knowledge across Crypto, Web3 Gaming, NFTs, and Play-to-Earn sectors. His work has appeared in...

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7 minutes ago

A sharp sell-off in Aster’s token is drawing fresh attention to the decentralized perpetuals trading sector, even as overall derivatives activity remains historically high.

ASTER fell roughly 75% from its peak to trade near new lows this week, showing the growing gap between platforms that are capturing durable trading interest and those struggling to hold on once incentives fade.

The decline has unfolded as Hyperliquid extends its lead over rivals, raising questions about whether the race among perp-focused decentralized exchanges is already tilting decisively in one direction.

Hyperliquid Pulls Ahead as ASTER Selloff DeepensAt the time of writing, ASTER was trading around $0.62, down more than 13% over the past 24 hours. The decline follows weeks of sustained weakness, with the token down over 11% in the last seven days and nearly 74% below its all-time high of $2.41.

Source: CoingeckoTrading activity surged during the selloff, with 24-hour volume jumping more than 300% to over $300 million, pointing to heightened short-term positioning rather than a recovery in confidence.

Data from DefiLlama shows that the overall activity in the sector continues to explode, with cumulative perp volume exceeding $803 billion over 30 days.

Total perp trading volume over the past 24 hours stood near $19.9 billion, while open interest reached about $20.6 billion.

Source: DefiLlamaMarket data shows Hyperliquid pulling further ahead in both trading volume and open interest, two metrics that traders tend to treat differently.

Over the past seven days, Hyperliquid processed about $40.7 billion in perpetual futures volume, according to figures compiled from CryptoRank and DefiLlama.

That compared with roughly $31.7 billion on Aster and $25.3 billion on Lighter over the same period.

Hyperliquid reclaims the perps throne

As Lighter’s airdrop is distributed, the platform’s volumes have started to fade – weekly volume has decreased nearly 3x from its peak.@HyperliquidX has captured the lead and is now ranked 1st by volume and open interest.@variational_io… pic.twitter.com/LChbSdaU8a

— CryptoRank.io (@CryptoRank_io) January 18, 2026 The divergence becomes more pronounced when looking at open interest, which reflects where traders are willing to keep leveraged positions open rather than simply rotate trades.

Hyperliquid recorded about $9.57 billion in open interest over the past 24 hours, exceeding the combined $7.34 billion held across rival platforms, including Aster, Lighter, Variational, edgeX, and Paradex.

The widening gap suggests traders are increasingly using Hyperliquid as a primary venue to hold leveraged positions, rather than simply rotating capital in search of short-term incentives.

The shift has become more apparent as reward-driven activity cools across the sector.

Buybacks Roll Out as Unlocks Cloud Perp DEX OutlookLighter, which saw a surge in trading ahead of its airdrop late last year, has experienced a sharp slowdown since the distribution, with weekly volumes falling significantly from their December highs.

Also, the LIT token has dropped to new lows, losing more than a third of its value over the past month as a significant share of airdropped tokens moved into the market.

Source: CoingeckoIn an effort to support its token, Aster recently activated what it calls a Strategic Buyback Reserve.

We're now actively deploying our Strategic Buyback Reserve for $ASTER token repurchases automatically.

Building on our Stage 5 Buyback Program announced last month, this activation allocates 20-40% of daily platform fees into targeted buybacks, responding dynamically to market… https://t.co/cIbles9eHM

— Aster (@Aster_DEX) January 19, 2026 The program builds on a broader buyback framework announced in December, under which up to 80% of daily fees can be directed to automatic and discretionary buybacks, all executed on-chain.

However, the scale of upcoming token unlocks remains a central concern for the market.

Aster has significant token unlocks scheduled through 2026, including quarterly releases of roughly 183 million ASTER in January and April, followed by additional large releases mid-year and ongoing monthly emissions.

Although the team previously delayed unlocks to build utility and reduce near-term pressure, the scale of upcoming supply has become a focal point for traders assessing downside risk.

While incentive-driven activity has cooled across the sector, Hyperliquid has continued to attract capital even as its token, HYPE, has weakened alongside the broader market.

Summary

Louisiana retirement fund reveals $3.2 million Bitcoin-linked equity betLASERS joins other US public funds using MSTR as a Bitcoin proxyMicroStrategy’s 190,000+ BTC stack underpins the investment caseMarket performance, upside hopes, and valuation premiumCriticism of Strategy’s model and leverage-heavy approachPublic funds lean into crypto-linked equitiesInstitutional adoption through regulated structures set to grow Louisiana retirement fund reveals $3.2 million Bitcoin-linked equity bet Louisiana’s main public retirement system has quietly increased its crypto footprint by using microstrategy stock as an indirect way to tap into Bitcoin’s price performance.

The Louisiana State Employees’ Retirement System (LASERS) has disclosed a $3.2 million position in Strategy Inc. (MSTR), highlighting how public funds are turning to equity markets for Bitcoin exposure instead of buying the asset directly.

According to the latest portfolio report, LASERS holds 17,900 MSTR shares in the Bitcoin-focused software company. At the time of the disclosure, the microstrategy stock price was about $179 per share, valuing the stake at roughly $3.2 million.

LASERS joins other US public funds using MSTR as a Bitcoin proxy LASERS oversees approximately $15.6 billion in retirement assets for Louisiana state employees. Its new MSTR allocation signals a broader effort to gain institutional bitcoin proxy exposure via regulated securities. Moreover, the fund is moving in step with other US public pensions exploring Bitcoin through listed companies.

This approach places Louisiana alongside New York’s public fund, which boosted its own MSTR holdings to $50 million in December 2025. While Louisiana’s position is smaller in dollar terms, it reinforces the trend of state-level institutions using corporate balance sheets as a bridge into crypto markets.

In addition to MSTR, the LASERS portfolio features large positions in leading US technology names, including Nvidia, Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, and Alphabet. That said, the MSTR allocation stands out because it is directly linked to Bitcoin reserves rather than traditional software revenues.

MicroStrategy’s 190,000+ BTC stack underpins the investment case Strategy, chaired by Michael Saylor, has transformed from an enterprise software provider into one of the most aggressive corporate buyers of Bitcoin. As of its most recent filing, the company holds more than 190,000 BTC on its balance sheet.

The firm recently purchased 13,627 BTC for $1.25 billion, paying an average of $91,519 per coin. However, this accumulation strategy has also increased the company’s sensitivity to crypto market swings, making its equity behave more like a leveraged Bitcoin instrument than a conventional tech stock.

Bitcoin itself recently surged above $97,000 before sliding back below $93,000, underlining the volatility that funds accept when they use listed vehicles for microstrategy bitcoin exposure. Despite the choppy price action, Strategy’s reported market net asset value (mNAV) stands at 1.07, showing the shares trade at a premium to the underlying Bitcoin value.

Market performance, upside hopes, and valuation premium Many institutional investors treat MSTR as a de facto Bitcoin tracker with corporate leverage. Louisiana’s $3.2 million bet suggests that LASERS expects Bitcoin to recover and potentially push MSTR closer to its 12‑month peak near $450. Moreover, the position comes despite significant recent downside in the share price.

Over the past six months, Strategy shares have fallen by 61%, reflecting both crypto sector weakness and concerns over the company’s debt-fueled expansion. However, the stock gained 4% last week and closed Friday up 1.6% at $173, signaling renewed buyer interest after the steep drawdown.

For long-term allocators, the current stock price microstrategy level may appear attractive relative to previous highs, although the ongoing premium to mNAV highlights that investors are still paying extra for access to the Bitcoin treasury and Saylor’s strategy.

Criticism of Strategy’s model and leverage-heavy approach The company’s heavy reliance on Bitcoin accumulation has drawn scrutiny from parts of Wall Street and the crypto industry. Some observers argue that its dependence on new capital makes the business inherently risky, especially during prolonged bear markets.

Financial analyst Herb Greenberg has gone as far as labeling Strategy a “quasi Ponzi scheme,” pointing to limited operating income from core software products and frequent use of debt and equity offerings to finance Bitcoin purchases. That said, supporters counter that the firm is effectively operating as an alternative asset vehicle rather than a traditional software house.

Michael Saylor has repeatedly defended the playbook. In an interview with CNBC, he compared Strategy’s financing model to property developers in New York, arguing that “just like developers in Manhattan issue more debt when real estate rises, we use similar methods” to expand Bitcoin holdings during bull cycles.

Public funds lean into crypto-linked equities Public retirement funds increasingly favor crypto-linked equities instead of direct token custody, citing regulatory clarity and established market infrastructure. In that context, microstrategy stock offers a familiar brokerage-based route for gaining crypto exposure within existing compliance frameworks.

Strategy has also experimented with preferred share offerings branded under names such as “Strike” and “Stretch”. These instruments promised fixed dividends structured around Bitcoin performance, effectively blending traditional income features with crypto-linked upside. However, they also introduce complexity for risk managers assessing capital structure and payout conditions.

According to Saylor, these products fit into a broader effort to make Strategy function like a high-beta Bitcoin vehicle for equity investors. He has said that while the stock is “not a high-yield bank account,” it can resemble one during strong bull phases when Bitcoin prices surge and balance sheet gains widen.

Institutional adoption through regulated structures set to grow The LASERS move adds Louisiana to a growing list of US states experimenting with digital asset exposure through listed companies and other regulated structures. Moreover, it underscores how pension managers are seeking upside from crypto markets while attempting to avoid direct custody and on-chain operational risks.

As Bitcoin’s market cap expands and more corporates follow Strategy’s playbook, analysts expect additional public retirement fund investment via equities and structured products. For now, Louisiana’s $3.2 million stake may be modest relative to its $15.6 billion in assets, but it marks a clear signal that crypto-linked strategies are entering mainstream institutional portfolios.

In summary, Louisiana’s allocation to MSTR highlights the growing role of regulated, Bitcoin-heavy companies in bridging traditional pensions and digital assets, even as volatility, leverage, and business-model concerns continue to drive debate around the long-term sustainability of this approach.

Alessia Pannone

Graduated in communication sciences, currently student of the master's degree course in publishing and writing. Writer of articles from an SEO perspective, with care for indexing in search engines.

Active Currencies 18941

Market Cap $3,224,111,222,070.80

Bitcoin Share 57.49%

24h Market Cap Change $-2.55

AMBCrypto

Hyperliquid leads Solana and Ethereum in fees – What it means for HYPE

Journalist

Posted: January 19, 2026

Samyukhtha L KM is a Financial Journalist and Market Analyst at AMBCrypto whose work is defined by one central question: Is the latest trend in blockchain hype, or history in the making? Her expertise is built on a strong academic foundation, with a Master’s in Journalism and Mass Communication from Amity University and a Bachelor’s in Commerce from the University of Madras. This dual qualification equips her with a unique skill set: the financial acumen to dissect market mechanics and the journalistic rigor to investigate and communicate complex subjects with clarity. Samyukhtha specializes in analyzing the socio-economic impact of blockchain adoption and assessing the viability of new market narratives. This includes a focus on high-velocity, community-driven assets such as memecoins, where she evaluates sentiment and fundamentals. She is dedicated to providing readers with insightful, well-researched commentary that looks beyond immediate market moves to understand the long-term implications of decentralized technology.

In a recent social media post, Canadian billionaire Frank Giustra argues that it is easier to confiscate Bitcoin compared to gold. 

The argument that Bitcoin is easier to confiscate than gold cuts directly against one of the asset’s most cherished myths: that it is inherently resistant to state power. 

Is Bitcoin actually more vulnerable to confiscation?  Bitcoin’s design makes ownership transparent in a way gold has never been. Every transaction is permanently recorded on a public ledger. Addresses can be clustered, and different types of behavior can be analyzed.  

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Confiscation does not require physical access, given that it is sufficient to have enough legal authority and leverage over custodians, service providers, or the individual holder. As noted by Giustra, America's national Bitcoin reserve is entirely comprised of confiscated coins. 

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Gold, by contrast, exists largely outside digital systems. Physical possession still matters. It can be stored privately, moved discreetly, and transferred without leaving a global audit trail. 

Confiscating gold is logistically expensive and politically visible. It requires search, seizure, storage, and enforcement at scale. 

Bitcoin requires none of that. A court order, an exchange subpoena, or pressure applied to a custodian can achieve the same outcome with far less friction. This should give investors pause. 

"It can certainly go up" Despite recognizing Bitcoin's flaws, Giustra does not think that the flagship cryptocurrency will disappear overnight. In fact, he does not rule out that it might even go up in price. 

"I never said it would disappear, and I have always said it can certainly go up in price. Never been my point," he said. 

The Canadian tycoon takes issue with the methods, with the help of which the flagship cryptocurrency is being promoted to the general public. He claims that this promotion is mostly based on "greed and FOMO."

Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson has publicly criticized Brad Garlinghouse, the chief executive of Ripple. 

Hoskinson’s comments were aimed at Garlinghouse’s support for advancing crypto legislation in the United States, even if the rules are not viewed as perfect by all industry participants.

Dispute Over Crypto Regulation StrategyAt the center of the disagreement is how the crypto industry should engage with lawmakers. Garlinghouse and Ripple have argued that passing clearer rules is better than continued regulatory uncertainty. Several major firms, including exchanges and stablecoin issuers, have backed this approach.

Hoskinson, however, questioned whether supporting such legislation could hand too much power to regulators who previously took enforcement action against crypto companies.

Ripple’s Legal History Shapes Its ViewRipple spent years fighting a high-profile lawsuit brought by U.S. regulators, a legal battle that cost the company hundreds of millions of dollars. Supporters of Ripple say that experience explains why Garlinghouse is pushing for clearer laws to avoid a repeat of what the industry faced in the past.

They also note that Ripple and other large firms have invested heavily in lobbying efforts to shape crypto regulation in Washington.

Industry Not United on the IssueThe dispute shows a broader split within crypto. Some companies believe compromise is necessary to protect digital assets and provide long-term certainty. Others argue that weak or rushed laws could create new risks.

Hoskinson suggested that the debate is being framed too narrowly, saying the issue goes beyond one company or one executive and reflects deeper disagreements about the future of crypto regulation.

A Sign of Growing TensionsWhile the exchange has drawn attention on social media, it also shows rising tensions as governments move closer to setting firm rules for digital assets.

As policymakers weigh new legislation, disagreements among industry leaders like Hoskinson and Garlinghouse show that crypto’s next phase may be shaped as much by internal debate as by regulatory action.

Trust with CoinPedia:CoinPedia has been delivering accurate and timely cryptocurrency and blockchain updates since 2017. All content is created by our expert panel of analysts and journalists, following strict Editorial Guidelines based on E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness). Every article is fact-checked against reputable sources to ensure accuracy, transparency, and reliability. Our review policy guarantees unbiased evaluations when recommending exchanges, platforms, or tools. We strive to provide timely updates about everything crypto & blockchain, right from startups to industry majors.

Investment Disclaimer:All opinions and insights shared represent the author's own views on current market conditions. Please do your own research before making investment decisions. Neither the writer nor the publication assumes responsibility for your financial choices.

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On Monday morning, the market did that thing it always does when politics stops being background noise and starts grabbing the steering wheel.

Screens went red, chats filled with the same half-jokes about “macro,” and Bitcoin slipped back under the psychological levels traders had just spent the weekend defending. The headline risk had a familiar scent, tariffs, allies, a threat timed for maximum attention, and just enough ambiguity to keep leverage on edge.

This time the spark came from Greenland.

Over the weekend, President Donald Trump escalated his pressure campaign against European allies who oppose U.S. efforts to acquire the territory, floating a 10% tariff that would begin on February 1, with a threat to raise it further later this year.

By Monday, markets were no longer treating it as an offhand remark. U.S. futures slid, European indices fell, and the story mutated from geopolitical theatre into a real trade shock that could spill across risk assets.

For crypto traders, the mood shift felt personal. Plenty of desks still remember October, when tariff headlines helped trigger one of the nastiest liquidation cascades of the cycle, the kind that empties out leverage and leaves even good positions looking stupid for 48 hours.

That memory has been sitting quietly in the background, waiting for the next excuse.

Then the excuse arrived, with a letter.

In Davos, BBC’s coverage and wider reporting circulated that Trump sent a note to Norway’s prime minister linking Greenland to the Nobel Peace Prize, suggesting that, because he had not been awarded the prize, he could justify taking a harder posture.

The text of the message also moved through diplomatic channels, according to reporting attributed to multiple officials.

Dear Jonas: Considering your Country decided not to give me the Nobel Peace Prize for having stopped 8 Wars PLUS, I no longer feel an obligation to think purely of Peace, although it will always be predominant, but can now think about what is good and proper for the United States of America. Denmark cannot protect that land from Russia or China, and why do they have a “right of ownership” anyway? There are no written documents, it’s only that a boat landed there hundreds of years ago, but we had boats landing there, also. I have done more for NATO than any other person since its founding, and now, NATO should do something for the United States. The World is not secure unless we have Complete and Total Control of Greenland. Thank you! President DJT.

It sounded ridiculous, yet it landed with weight because officials verified it was real, and it gave markets something they hate: a narrative that can escalate without warning.

That is the part that matters.

The “tariff cycle” and the Greenland episodeBack in October, a post from The Kobeissi Letter laid out what it called an investor playbook for tariff episodes, a rinse-and-repeat sequence of cryptic threats, panic selling, weekend rhetoric, a Sunday night futures pop, and the slow crawl toward a deal that lets markets breathe again.

StepWhat happensWhat to watch for1Trump posts a cryptic tariff warning aimed at a country or sector, markets drift lowerVague language, no numbers yet, risk assets soften, crypto funding starts to cool2Trump announces a large tariff rate, markets sell off hard, weak positions get shaken outA specific percentage, immediate spike in volatility, liquidations increase3Dip buyers step in, a head-fake rally forms, then fresh lows appear, smart money starts buyingBounce on low conviction, then a second leg down with better bid support4After Friday’s close, Trump doubles down on tariffs to apply pressureWeekend escalation, posts or statements timed after market hours5On Saturday, the tariff target responds or commentsOfficial rebuttals, retaliation talk, counter-tariff hints6On Sunday, before futures open, Trump posts that he is working on a solution“Working on it,” “productive talks,” “deal possible,” softening language7Futures open sharply higher Sunday evening, then lose momentum into Monday’s openGap up at 6pm ET, fade into cash open, choppy risk-on attempt8After Monday’s open, Treasury Secretary Bessent appears on live TV and reassures investorsMedia hit from Treasury, tone and phrasing matter, reassurance vs justification9Over the next 2–4 weeks, administration officials tease a trade deal“Framework,” “constructive,” “ongoing talks,” leaks to friendly outlets10Trump announces a new trade deal, stocks hit a record highPhoto-op announcement, relief rally, risk assets re-rate higher11Cycle repeats from Step #1New target, new sector, same sequence of headlines and volatilityThe question today is simple, where are we in that loop now, and does the loop even hold up?

If you strip out the social media bravado and look at the shape of the week, Greenland fits the early part of the Kobeissi framework almost too cleanly.

Friday brought the initial threat, Trump saying he may hike tariffs on countries that refuse to “go along with” the Greenland push.

Over the weekend, the threat hardened into specifics, a 10% tariff beginning February 1, aimed at eight European countries, with a path to a higher rate later in the year if there is no deal.

The target countries pushed back, and the backlash became part of the trade story, not a side note.

In London, Prime Minister Keir Starmer warned that a trade war is in no one’s interest, and defended Greenland’s right, alongside Denmark, to determine its own future. Across Europe, officials discussed retaliation tools and how far they were willing to go if the tariffs moved from threat to policy.

Then, on Monday, the diplomatic curveball was delivered: the Nobel letter, which widened the story from a tariff spat into a question about intent and credibility.

At the same time, the market tape refused to play along with the neatest part of Kobeissi’s “playbook.”

The model assumes that by Sunday evening the White House tends to dangle a solution, and futures jump, only to fade into the Monday open. That pop is the pressure release valve.

We did not get that.

Instead, U.S. futures, and subsequently Bitcoin, sank into Monday on the tariff threat.

That’s why, if you’re forcing this Greenland episode into a numbered step, the cleanest answer is that we are still sitting in the “target responds” phase, the part of the cycle where allies push back, officials posture, and markets trade the uncertainty.

In other words, Step 5 energy.

There is a detail that complicates it further, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent did appear on TV, which in Kobeissi’s sequence is the moment the administration reassures investors after the Monday open.

But the reporting around Bessent today is more about justification than reassurance, arguing that Europe is too weak to guarantee Greenland’s security. That kind of message extends the standoff, it does not calm it.

So yes, the “Treasury on TV” moment showed up, the calming function did not.

What crypto traders saw, and why it matteredBitcoin does not need a geopolitical reason to be volatile, it can do that on its own, but it reacts badly when the world shifts into risk-off mode and leverage is leaning the wrong way.

On Monday, Bitcoin slid to around $92,500 in early trading as the tariff threat hit sentiment. The move was a sharp, fast drop that took several thousand dollars off the price in a short window.

Whether you call it fear or positioning, what traders were really responding to was the feeling that the situation had no off-ramp yet.

That is why the October comparison keeps coming back. In October 2025, tariff headlines around China helped trigger a brutal unwind that traders still reference as the moment the market learned, again, how fragile leverage can be.

Today’s selling is smaller in magnitude, and the market structure is different, but the emotional pattern rhymes, traders see a headline that can expand, they remember what liquidation looks like, and they start trimming risk before someone else forces them to.

Does the thesis hold upKobeissi framed the tariff cycle as an “exact playbook.” Greenland is a stress test for that claim.

The thesis holds up as a way to describe how modern markets digest Trump's tariff drama, first the threat, then the panic, then the weekend amplification, then the scramble for a “solution” headline that lets positioning rebuild.

It breaks down when it pretends the de-escalation always arrives on time.

Greenland has not offered that clean de-escalation beat yet, mainly because the subject matter is a country's sovereignty rather than pure macroeconomics.

Instead, the narrative escalated into a diplomatic letter that European leaders are taking seriously, and the administration’s messaging, including via Bessent, has leaned hard into justification.

That matters because markets trade the path, not the punchline. A playbook built around a predictable Sunday-night relief rally depends on someone choosing relief.

Right now, the pressure is the point.

The label for this moment, and the two triggers to watchThe cleanest label for Monday is simple.

Escalation without the Sunday off ramp.

If the cycle is going to snap back into something familiar, the off-ramp has to appear after the fact, because the Sunday futures moment has already come and gone, and it came in the wrong direction. futures

From here, two things matter.

A credible de-escalation signal in the next few days, something specific, not vibes, not “we’re thinking about it,” a real line about talks, delays, scope changes, or conditions that soften the February 1 path. Markets can live with conflict, they struggle with open-ended timelines.The tape has to confirm that the panic has peaked. That looks like a reversal that holds through the U.S. cash session, with risk assets stabilising instead of whipsawing, and crypto cooling off without another forced unwind. You do not need a rally to know leverage is clearing, you need price action that stops behaving like it is one headline away from breaking.If we do get the classic “Sunday night relief” move, it will not be the one we just missed, it will be the next one, the next weekend where a solution headline arrives before futures open and gives traders permission to reprice the risk.

Until then, we are in the phase where headlines do the damage, and the market spends the rest of the day trying to work out whether the damage is temporary.

For anyone who lived through October’s liquidation shock, that decision never feels abstract. It feels like a finger hovering over the close button, and a timeline that might change with one post, one interview, or one letter that sounds like parody and arrives as policy. letter

Mentioned in this article

BNB price is weakening after rejecting the value area high, shifting structure bearish, and increasing the probability of a rotation lower toward the Point of Control and value area low near $800–$840.

Summary

BNB rejected from value area high (VAH), confirming supply overhead Structure weakened as the high-low projection broke down Auction rotation targets POC + VAL + 0.618 Fib near $800–$840 BNB (BNB) price is starting to show clearer signs of weakness after failing to sustain higher prices at the value area high (VAH).

The recent move higher initially appeared impulsive, but rejection from VAH has disrupted the high-low projection and shifted short-term momentum toward a corrective phase.

This type of rejection often signals that buyers are losing control at premium prices, allowing sellers to regain influence over price direction.

From a Market Auction Theory perspective, BNB is beginning to reflect the conditions of a full range rotation. When the price fails to hold above the VAH, the market often rotates back toward fair value, typically defined by the Point of Control (POC), then toward the value area low (VAL).

With the structure now weakening and the price failing to reclaim VAH on a closing basis, downside continuation toward the $800–$840 region is becoming the more probable scenario.

BNB price key technical points BNB rejected from the value area high, confirming premium supply The rejection broke the recent bullish high-low projection, shifting structure weaker Market Auction Theory favors rotation toward POC + VAL near $800–$840 BNBUSDT (4H) Chart, Source: TradingView The value area high represents the upper boundary of accepted value within a trading range. When price trades into this zone, it often encounters selling pressure, especially if demand is not strong enough to sustain acceptance above resistance. In BNB’s case, VAH rejection suggests that market participants were unable to push price into higher value, signaling the presence of supply at premium pricing.

Technically, this matters because VAH rejections commonly mark local tops in range conditions. A market that is truly trending higher would typically reclaim VAH and hold above it with strong continuation volume. Instead, BNB failed to sustain the breakout attempt, confirming that upside continuation is weakening.

Once VAH is rejected, the market tends to rotate back toward balance. That process often begins with price moving back toward the Point of Control, where fair value is established.

Market Auction Theory: Rotation from VAH to VAL becomes the target Market Auction Theory explains price movement as a continuous auction between buyers and sellers. When price reaches a premium area like VAH and fails to attract sufficient demand, the auction typically shifts lower in search of liquidity and value.

This is what appears to be developing in BNB. The failure to sustain above VAH signals that demand is not strong at higher price points. As a result, the market is likely to rotate lower and test the levels where buyers are more willing to transact.

A full rotation often moves through the following phases:

Rejection at VAH (premium zone) Rotation toward the POC (fair value) Continuation toward VAL (discount zone) This is the expected sequence when the market rejects the upper boundary and fails to sustain acceptance at premium pricing.

$800–$840 comes into focus as the key downside region If the rotation continues, the next major area of interest sits around $800–$840, where multiple technical levels converge. This region includes the Point of Control, the value area low, and the 0.618 Fibonacci retracement. When multiple support factors align, the level becomes a high-probability reaction zone.

This downside target zone is important because it represents discounted pricing within the range, which is where buyers often step in to defend structure and stabilize price. If BNB rotates into this region, the market will likely attempt to pause and rebalance, especially if volume begins to increase.

However, the key factor is how BNB behaves once it enters that zone. A strong reaction and rebound would suggest that the market is still range-bound and finding support at fair value. A breakdown below VAL would signal further bearish continuation and open the door for deeper downside.

What to expect in the coming price action BNB is showing increasing bearish pressure after rejecting from the value area high and losing its bullish high-low structure. As long as price remains below VAH on a closing basis, Market Auction Theory favors a continued rotation lower toward fair value zones.

The next major downside focus remains the $800–$840 region, where the Point of Control, value area low, and 0.618 Fibonacci level form key structural support. A rotation into this zone would confirm that BNB is completing the auction move from premium value into discounted value.

Mon, 19/01/2026 - 15:22

XRP inflows exploded 51.7% to $69.5 million as $2.17 billion flooded into crypto funds with US and Germany leading the charge, while Sweden flipped red and Sui somehow outpaced Litecoin.

Cover image via www.freepik.com XRP just had its strongest inflow week since the ETF-driven Q4, 2025, spike, with a 51.7% jump to $69.5 million, up from $45.8 million the week before, according to CoinShares. The move comes as global crypto investment products pulled in $2.17 billion — the largest weekly inflow since the disastrous crash in October 2025.

Bitcoin got the biggest share at $1.55 billion, but XRP's growth was much more impressive compared to its size. It outpaced even Ethereum's $496 million and Solana's $45.5 million in terms of inflow growth rate.

When you add Sui's $5.7 million, Chainlink's $1.2 million and smaller L1 plays like Hedera and LIDO, it looks like the altcoin rotation is picking up speed, even with all the regulatory drama in Washington.

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Source: CoinSharesThe regional inflow breakdown shows exactly where conviction is coming from. The U.S. accounted for $2.05 billion, up from $568.9 million just seven days earlier. Germany followed with $63.9 million.

Even countries like Sweden and Brazil, which were previously net negative, trimmed outflows or flipped neutral.

Altcoin season gets sequelXRP's year-to-date inflows are now at $108.1 million, already passing 3% of its 2025 full-year number at $3.7 billion. Blockchain equities pulled in an extra $72.6 million, showing that the demand for digital asset exposure is on the rise again, both for direct tokens and proxy instruments.

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Friday's minor $378 million outflow due to tariff talk and some international policy disagreements was not enough to mess with the overall rally.

If things do not change with the big risks, XRP might be heading for a close in January that will change the 2025 altcoin leaderboard.

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Trove Markets faces backlash after ditching Hyperliquid for Solana, sparking refund demands following an $11.5M TROVE token sale.

Izabela Anna2 min read

19 January 2026, 03:30 PM

Trove Markets faced fresh backlash after abandoning its planned Hyperliquid integration and shifting development to Solana. The move came only weeks after the team raised more than $11.5 million in a TROVE token sale that many supporters tied to a Hyperliquid-based roadmap. 

Consequently, angry backers began calling for refunds, saying the project changed its direction after taking their funds. The dispute has also reopened concerns about Trove’s transparency during its fundraise and how the team makes decisions under pressure.

Trove Blames Liquidity Loss for the Chain SwitchTrove announced the pivot on X and said new constraints forced a major rebuild. A builder known as Unwise later linked the change to a liquidity partner pulling 500,000 HYPE tokens. That commitment supported the Hyperliquid rollout and its required stake model. 

However, without those tokens, Trove could not meet the framework needed to launch new perpetual markets. Hence, the team said it will rebuild the perp exchange on Solana from scratch.

The timing added to the tension. The TROVE sale ran from Jan. 8 to Jan. 11. Moreover, the token generation event is still set for Monday at 4:00 pm UTC. Trove also said refund processing and the Solana migration will slow the project’s next steps.

Refund Demands Grow After Funding History ResurfacesCritics have pointed to Trove’s earlier capital decisions as a reason trust broke down fast. In November, Trove raised $20 million to acquire 500,000 HYPE tokens. That stash supported Hyperliquid’s HIP-3 stake, which acts as a slashable bond for market security. Significantly, some backers now question why the team walked away after building around that requirement.

Social media users also argued the raise sold a specific product direction. Additionally, some investors said they wanted a new vote or revised terms before accepting a chain swap. The refund debate has become a proxy fight over investor rights in fast-moving token launches.

ZachXBT Flags Activity as Governance Questions ExpandBlockchain investigator ZachXBT added more scrutiny after highlighting Trove-linked transfers involving HYPE tokens and casino deposit addresses. While Trove has not publicly addressed each claim, the attention raised broader questions about treasury controls and disclosure.

Besides governance concerns, the product focus remains unusual. Trove wants a perpetual trading venue centered on collectibles like Pokémon cards and Counter-Strike 2 skins. Bitwise estimated this niche could grow into a $21.4 billion market. 

Trove argues Solana offers better infrastructure for that vision. However, the team now faces a credibility test as it tries to keep shipping while calming refund pressure.

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Izabela Anna is a knowledgeable freelance journalist, who boasts over five years of experience covering the cryptocurrency market. Her tenure has seen her navigate through the ebbs and flows of multiple market cycles, giving her a deep understanding within. Her journalistic focus lies in dissecting price action dynamics, scrutinizing the on-chain landscape, and providing insights from a technical perspective, making her a trusted voice in the realm of cryptocurrency reporting.

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Latest Solana (SOL) News Today

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 19, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Portnoy Law Firm advises Coupang, Inc., (“Coupang” or the "Company") (NYSE: CPNG) investors of a class action on behalf of investors that bought securities between August 6, 2025 and December 16, 2025, inclusive (the “Class Period”). Coupang investors have until February 17, 2026 to file a lead plaintiff motion.

Investors are encouraged to contact attorney Lesley F. Portnoy, by phone 844-767-8529 or email: [email protected], to discuss their legal rights, or join the case via https://portnoylaw.com/coupang-inc-2. The Portnoy Law Firm can provide a complimentary case evaluation and discuss investors’ options for pursuing claims to recover their losses.

On November 30, 2025, Reuters published an article reporting that Coupang had "apologized . . . over the breach of personal information from 33.7 million customer accounts through unauthorized data access" and that the government of South Korea had "held an emergency meeting" to "look[] into whether Coupang violated safety rules regarding personal information protection[.]"

On this news, Coupang's stock price fell $1.51 per share, or 5.36%, to close at $26.65 per share on December 1, 2025.

Then, on December 10, 2025, the New York Times published an article reporting that Coupang's Chief Executive Officer had resigned in connection with the data breach and providing additional details on the fallout from the data breach, including a police raid on Coupang's offices in Seoul.

On this news, Coupang's stock price fell $0.87 per share, or 3.2%, to close at $26.06 per share on December 10, 2025.

Then, on December 16, 2025, Coupang acknowledged the breach in a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and revealed that the South Korean regulatory and law enforcement investigations uncovered that "a former employee may have obtained the name, phone number, delivery address, and email address associated with up to 33 million customer accounts, and certain order histories for a subset of the impacted accounts."

On this news, Coupang's stock price fell $0.47 per share, or 2.03%, to close at $22.72 per share on December 17, 2025.

The Portnoy Law Firm represents investors in pursuing claims caused by corporate wrongdoing. The Firm’s founding partner has recovered over $5.5 billion for aggrieved investors. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.

Lesley F. Portnoy, Esq.
Admitted CA, NY and TX Bar
[email protected]
310-692-8883
www.portnoylaw.com

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Philadelphia, Pennsylvania--(Newsfile Corp. - January 19, 2026) - National plaintiffs' law firm Berger Montague PC announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Jayud Global Logistics Limited (NASDAQ: JYD) ("Jayud" or the "Company") on behalf of investors who purchased or otherwise acquired Jayud securities during the period of April 21, 2023 through April 30, 2025 (the "Class Period"), inclusive.

Investor Deadline: Investors who purchased Jayud securities during the Class Period may, no later than January 20, 2026, seek to be appointed as a lead plaintiff representative of the class. To learn your rights, CLICK HERE.

The Company, based in Shenzhen, China, offers cross-border logistics services.

According to the lawsuit, in early April 2025, Jayud's stock surged from roughly $1.00 to $8.00 per share without any fundamental news to justify the increase. The complaint alleges that this spike was orchestrated by a fraudulent promotion campaign involving social media traction and impersonated financial professionals, as well as coordinated selling by insiders and affiliates. On April 2, 2025, Jayud's stock experienced an abrupt collapse of approximately 95%, causing significant losses for investors.

If you are a Jayud investor and would like to learn more about this action, CLICK HERE or please contact Berger Montague: Andrew Abramowitz at [email protected] or (215) 875-3015, or Caitlin Adorni at [email protected] or (267)764-4865.

About Berger Montague

Berger Montague is one of the nation's preeminent law firms focusing on complex civil litigation, class actions, and mass torts in federal and state courts throughout the United States. With more than $2.4 billion in 2025 post-trial judgments alone, the Firm is a leader in the fields of complex litigation, antitrust, consumer protection, defective products, environmental law, employment law, securities, and whistleblower cases, among many other practice areas. For over 55 years, Berger Montague has played leading roles in precedent-setting cases and has recovered over $50 billion for its clients and the classes they have represented. Berger Montague is headquartered in Philadelphia and has offices in Chicago; Malvern, PA; Minneapolis; San Diego; San Francisco; Toronto, Canada; Washington, D.C., and Wilmington, DE.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/280746

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Key Takeaways PTC rolled out Codebeamer 3.2, Codebeamer AI 1.0 and Pure Variants 7.2 for regulated industries.PTC strengthened digital thread integration with Windchill to improve end-to-end traceability and compliance.PTC launched governed AI assistants to improve requirements quality and auto-generate test cases. As engineering teams grapple with rising software complexity and stricter regulatory oversight, PTC Inc. (PTC - Free Report) addresses these challenges by upgrading its Application Lifecycle Management (ALM) portfolio with the rollout of Codebeamer 3.2, Codebeamer AI 1.0 and Pure Variants 7.2. These updates position PTC’s ALM portfolio as the primary choice for organizations in highly regulated industries, such as automotive, medical technology, aerospace, defense and federal systems. The releases focus on three core priorities — stronger traceability, improved change management and governed AI assistance aligned with regulatory and quality standards.

PTC’s latest releases enhance digital thread integrations, seamlessly connecting Codebeamer with Windchill PLM and other enterprise systems. This integration enables engineering teams to track requirements across both hardware and software domains, maintain end-to-end traceability from requirements to implementation and improve regulatory compliance. By strengthening interoperability, PTC helps organizations accelerate development while reducing risk.

Stream Baselines, introduced in Codebeamer 3.2 and Pure Variants 7.2, allow teams to capture complete snapshots of all projects within a stream. This capability provides consistent, portfolio-level baselines, facilitates the faster identification of relevant project states and simplifies impact analysis during changes. PTC also delivers UI upgrades to the Review Hub, directly addressing everyday productivity challenges. New features include bulk approvals and rejections, clearer notifications and visual highlights of differences during reviews. These enhancements reduce review cycle times, minimize errors and improve collaboration.

Pure Variants 7.2 introduces Feature-Based PLE enhancements that automate stream and baseline creation. The addition of Delta Merge (Beta) supports concurrent development across platforms and variants. This enables teams to deliver new features at both platform and variant levels and optimize reuse across the product line.

PTC Introducing Governed AI With Codebeamer AI 1.0A transformative update is the launch of Codebeamer AI 1.0, introducing two purpose-built AI assistants designed specifically for regulated development environments. Aligned with INCOSE and ISTQB guidance, the Requirements Assistant automatically identifies ambiguities, inconsistencies, quality and standards issues. By reducing reliance on manual expert reviews, teams can create clearer, higher-quality requirements faster, without compromising compliance.

Generating test cases manually is slow and error-prone. The Test Case Assistant creates test cases directly from requirements, improving traceability and accelerating validation. These releases align with PTC’s broader vision of the Intelligent Product Lifecycle, building a strong product data foundation, extending its value across the enterprise and powering AI-driven transformation. By integrating with Windchill AI and ServiceMax AI, Codebeamer AI helps organizations turn engineering data into actionable intelligence across the enterprise.

In December 2025, PTC announced that Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A. is leveraging its Intelligent Product Lifecycle solutions to modernize product development by unifying design, engineering and operations on a centralized, AI-driven transformation. 

One of the most significant developments in fiscal 2025 was PTC’s divestiture of Kepware and ThingWorx. This strategic move is aimed at “sharpening the portfolio” around the company’s core strengths — CAD, PLM, ALM and SLM. These four areas form the backbone of PTC’s Intelligent Product Lifecycle vision, a strategy aimed at helping companies design, manufacture, operate and service products more intelligently and efficiently. The divestitures are expected to simplify PTC’s portfolio, enabling a more cohesive product strategy and stronger focus on innovation within its core competencies.

Furthermore, PTC’s go-to-market realignment is pivotal to its strategy for fiscal 2026. This initiative aims to strengthen the company’s ability to scale and better serve customers. By optimizing its sales and marketing organization, PTC is positioning itself to enhance customer value and capture new opportunities in a competitive market.

With major multi-product wins and a verticalized sales force, PTC is poised to grow amid FX woes, rising rates, tax changes and a soft macro backdrop hurting free cash flow.

PTC’s Zacks Rank & Stock Price PerformancePTC currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Shares of the company have declined 16.1% in the past six months compared with the Zacks Computer-Software industry's fall of 13.1%.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Stocks to Consider From the Computer and Technology SpaceSome better-ranked stocks from the broader technology space are Ubiquiti Inc. (UI - Free Report) , Motorola Solutions (MSI - Free Report) and Clearfield, Inc. (CLFD - Free Report) . UI & CLFD sport a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), while MSI carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

UI’s earnings beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the trailing four quarters, with the average surprise being 54.15%. In the last reported quarter, Ubiquiti delivered an earnings surprise of 39.52%. Its shares have surged 35.4% in the past year.

Motorola’s earnings beat the consensus estimate in each of the trailing four quarters, with the average surprise being 5.5%. MSI’s long-term earnings growth rate is 9.07%. Its shares have declined 13.8% in the past year.

Clearfield’s earnings beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the trailing four quarters, with the average surprise being 92.47%. In the last reported quarter, CLFD delivered an earnings surprise of 44.44%. Its shares have declined 18.1% over the past year.

Know the risks of this popular ETF before being wooed by its high yields.

With interest rates shrinking on fixed-income vehicles, some risk-tolerant investors are turning to high-yielding exchange-traded funds (ETFs). A popular choice these days is Invesco KBW Premium Yield Equity REIT ETF (KBWY +0.62%).

Packing one of the highest distributions among non-mortgage-based real estate ETFs, is Invesco KBW Premium Yield Equity ETF a good place for your next investment? Let's take a closer look at several things that you may want to know before putting money to work in this ETF.

Image source: Getty Images.

1. The yield is high for a reason Invesco KBW Premium Yield Equity draws a crowd for its payouts. It has paid out a little over $1.51 a share in monthly -- yes, monthly -- distributions over the past year, translating into a juicy 9.1% yield based on Friday's close of $16.61. Even if you go with its more forward-telling SEC 30-day yield of 7.72%, it's one of the highest-yielding non-mortgage real estate REITs.

The reason for the higher-than-average yield isn't the ETF's reasonably low 0.35% net expense ratio. Its peers offer annual expense ratios as low as 0.07%. Invesco's entry in this niche simply focuses on some of the smaller, eclectic, and in most cases riskier REITs as its top investments. Let's dive into that next.

NASDAQ: KBWYInvesco Exchange-Traded Fund Trust II - Invesco Kbw Premium Yield Equity REIT ETF

Today's Change

(

0.62

%) $

0.10

Current Price

$

16.54

2. The fund's top holdings might surprise you Morningstar rates the ETF's risk score at an aggressive 99 out of 100. Unlike most real estate ETFs that focus on the largest players in the commercial or residential real estate markets, which offer lower yields, this fund aims to mirror the KBW Nasdaq Premium Yield Equity REIT Index. The index prioritizes small- and mid-cap equity REITs, often packing high yields to offset the higher risks.

The ETF's largest holding is Innovative Industrial Properties (IIPR 0.53%). It specializes in leasing facilities to experienced, state-licensed operators in the regulated cannabis industry. Unfortunately for investors, there have been some notable tenant defaults and dividend cuts. The REIT itself has shed a quarter of its value over the past year and 73% over the past five years. It has managed to grow its distributions in recent years, but today's 15% yield may not be sustainable after its business declined in back-to-back years.

The second largest holding is Community Healthcare Trust (CHCT 0.12%), which leases space to hospitals, doctors, and other healthcare providers. This has been a fickle market in recent years. The REIT's 11.1% yield is impressive, but what isn't so cool is how its profitability has been stung by rising interest expense payments. Community Healthcare Trust has fallen 14% over the past year and 64% over the past five years.

3. The ETF's performance has been disappointing Invesco KBW Premium Yield Equity REIT ETF will turn heads with its high yield and monthly distributions, but it has burned many of those investors. The fund received Morningstar's lowest one-star rating over the past three-, five-, and 10-year periods. It has bounced back as one of this young year's biggest gainers, but can it keep that bullish momentum going?

The shares are down 6% from where they were a year ago, falling 21% over the past five years. The quality of its top holdings could be less problematic. However, there will be times when its eclectic collection of positions lead the market. It's happening now. Sustainability will be the rub.

A screen displays the logo and ticker symbol for Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York City, U.S., November 3, 2016. REUTERS/Brendan... Purchase Licensing Rights, opens new tab Read more

Jan 19 (Reuters) - Intercontinental Exchange (ICE.N), opens new tab said on Monday that it had developed a platform for trading and on-chain settlement of tokenized securities, in a move to capitalize on global demand for U.S. equities.

NYSE’s new digital platform - for which it will seek regulatory approvals - will enable 24/7 operations, instant settlement, orders sized in dollar amounts, and stablecoin-based funding, the exchange said.

Sign up here.

Investor appetite for nonstop trading in U.S. stocks has spiked in recent years which has prompted regulators to introduce new rules and approve proposals from major exchanges to enable trading beyond normal market hours.

Nasdaq (NDAQ.O), opens new tab, home to some of the biggest tech companies in the world, is seeking approval for stocks to trade 23 hours a day, five days a week, Reuters reported in December last year.

Major brokerages such as Robinhood (HOOD.O), opens new tab and Charles Schwab (SCHW.N), opens new tab, as well as exchange operator Cboe Global (CBOE.Z), opens new tab, have also extended trading hours for stocks in recent years.

The exchange is working with banks including BNY (BK.N), opens new tab and Citigroup (C.N), opens new tab to support tokenized deposits.

Reporting by Anshuman Tripathy in Bengaluru, Editing by Louise Heavens

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

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

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

Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - January 19, 2026) - CEO.CA ("CEO.CA"), the leading investor social network in venture stocks, shares exclusive updates with CEOs and executives from around the globe.

Founded in 2012, CEO.CA, a wholly owned subsidiary of EarthLabs, Inc., is one of the most popular free financial websites and apps in Canada and for investors globally - with industry leading audience engagement and mobile functionality. Millions of people visit CEO.CA each year to connect with investors from around the world, share knowledge and view impactful stories about stocks, commodities, and emerging companies.

Meet the Executive Shaping the Mining Landscape

'Inside the Boardroom' is more than just an interview series - it's a chance to gain firsthand knowledge from industry leaders, understanding their vision, challenges, and strategy.

We caught up with Tim Coughlin, President & CEO of Royal Road Minerals Ltd. (TSXV: RYR) (OTCQB: RRDMF). Follow what investors are saying and join our community: https://ceo.ca/ryr

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Interested in showcasing your company on 'Inside the Boardroom'? Get in touch with our team at [email protected] for further details and opportunities.

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The leading community for investors & traders in junior resource & venture stocks. CEO.CA is one of the most popular free financial websites and apps in Canada and for small-cap investors globally — with industry leading audience engagement and mobile functionality. Since 2012, CEO.CA has brought millions of investors together from over 164 countries to discuss their portfolio holdings and find new investment opportunities. Download our App on iOS or Android marketplace or visit us today at CEO.CA to set up your free account.

CEO.CA is a wholly owned subsidiary of EarthLabs, Inc.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange ("TSXV"), OTC Best Market ("OTCQX") nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

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The information regarding any issuer contained or referred to in any interviews conducted by CEO.CA has been furnished by such issuer directly, and neither CEO.CA nor any of its affiliates or principals assumes any responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of such information or for any failure by an issuer to ensure disclosure of events or facts which may affect the significance or accuracy of any such information.

No stock exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein. This news release contains forward-looking information which involves risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events, results, performance, prospects, and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Forward-looking information in this news release may include, but is not limited to, the objectives, goals, future plans, statements regarding exploration results and exploration and/or development plans of companies featured on the CEO.CA platform. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking information include, but are not limited to, capital and operating costs varying significantly from estimates, the preliminary nature of metallurgical test results, delays in obtaining or failures to obtain required governmental, environmental or other project approvals, uncertainties relating to the availability and costs of financing needed in the future, changes in equity markets, inflation, fluctuations in commodity prices, delays in the development of projects, currency risk and the other risks involved in the applicable exploration and development industry, and those risks set out in the public documents of such companies filed on SEDAR+ or elsewhere from time to time. Undue reliance should not be placed on such information, which only applies as of the date of this news release, and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed time frames or at all. CEO.CA disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than as required by law.

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The fourth-quarter earnings season should be broadly constructive for markets, JPMorgan strategists expect, arguing that resilient activity momentum points to better earnings delivery than current consensus forecasts, despite recent geopolitical and tariff-related headlines.

Equity strategists at the bank said the latest headlines, while they may provide “an excuse for some derisking”, do not undermine what is seen as a supportive fundamental backdrop for equities.

Activity momentum held up well through the quarter and should translate into more reassuring results than investors are currently positioned for.

Year-on-year earnings growth expectations for the fourth quarter show a wide regional gap, with the S&P 500 at about 9% and Europe at around -2%.

However, the JPMorgan team said that looking at equal-weighted earnings growth rather than market capitalisation-weighted figures significantly narrows the differential, with median growth forecasts closer to 5% in the US and 2% in Europe.

With economic data momentum converging between the US and Europe, this suggests far less regional earnings divergence than the consensus assumes.

This underpins the bank's bullish view on the Eurozone, which it expects to deliver strong earnings growth this year.

The bank argued that global earnings growth has recently been narrowly driven by the US and artificial intelligence-related themes, while Europe and China saw little growth last year.

It expects that gap to close, with earnings drivers broadening and cyclical sectors, particularly in Europe, showing an inflection higher.

Capital goods, semiconductors and basic resources were flagged as likely beneficiaries, while bank earnings are expected to remain supportive but with some softening in momentum looking into 2026.

After Bitcoin's tremendous rally to new highs around $126,000 last year, it shed essentially all of those gains in the final months of 2025 and is now down about 4% on a trailing-12-month basis. Still, with new legislation surrounding stablecoins, encouraging developments in regulation, and a host of new access points for everyday crypto users, there are plenty of reasons an investor might expect that 2026 could be a good year for the industry.

With many cryptocurrency stocks shifting their focus and repurposing their operations to cater to AI and data center demands, it is getting more difficult for investors to find ways to build Bitcoin and other crypto into their portfolios. Fortunately, a number of innovative exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are taking advantage of new opportunities in the space. Crypto enthusiasts may want to consider these alternatives, either in addition to or instead of investing directly in tokens.

Get BTCI alerts:

A Fund-of-Funds Approach to Generating Monthly Income The NEOS Bitcoin High Income ETF NYSEARCA: BTCI was launched in late 2024 to generate monthly distributions by writing call options on Bitcoin futures ETFs.

NEOS Bitcoin High Income ETF Today

BTCI

NEOS Bitcoin High Income ETF

$47.44 +0.11 (+0.23%)

As of 01/16/2026

Dividend Yield26.35%

Assets Under Management$1.12 billion

As an actively managed fund focused on Bitcoin exchange-traded products, BTCI may provide investors with a layer of insulation from volatility in Bitcoin's price.

The fund should also continue to become more diversified as the Bitcoin ETF landscape continues to grow.

Given its unique approach, BTCI has a relatively modest expense ratio of 0.98%. It has also drawn a fair amount of investor interest in its short trading history, with more than $1 billion in assets under management (AUM).

Its distribution rate has been impressive recently—annualizing the fund's most recent monthly distribution and dividing it by the most recent ex-date NAV reveals a distribution rate of 27.3%. The fund has appreciation potential and has returned about 10% in the last year.

Innovative Staking Approach and Rewards for Solana Investors As the sixth-largest cryptocurrency by market value, Solana has become increasingly important in the crypto ecosystem, although it remains difficult for ETF investors to access. 

Bitwise Solana Staking ETF TodayBSOL

Bitwise Solana Staking ETF

$19.20 +0.49 (+2.62%)

As of 01/16/2026 04:10 PM Eastern

52-Week Range$15.39▼

$26.60 The Bitwise Solana Staking ETF NYSEARCA: BSOL aims to change this by being the first exchange-traded product to provide 100% direct exposure to Solana.

For investors unfamiliar with or discouraged by the process of staking, BSOL provides professionally managed staking in-house in an attempt to stake 100% of its Solana holdings. Solana is a way to participate in the cryptocurrency world while diversifying beyond the biggest names like Bitcoin and Ethereum.

The gross staking reward rate—annualized based on the last 90 days and including inflation rewards and other types of benefits—is an impressive 6.74%. What may be even more attractive about BSOL is its unique approach to expense ratio.

For the first three months after launch—a period that ends Jan. 23, 2026—the expense ratio will be waived on the first $1 billion in managed assets. It is currently sitting at around $778 million in AUM, and following the three-month period, the expense ratio will be only 0.20%.

First-Ever Ether Fund Adds Distributions The Grayscale Ethereum Staking ETF NYSEARCA: ETHE is the first-ever ETF to track the spot price of Ether, the digital asset powering the Ethereum network. It launched on the NYSEARCA in 2024 but traded on OTC Markets for several years before that. 

Grayscale Ethereum Trust ETF Today

ETHE

Grayscale Ethereum Trust ETF

$26.92 +0.06 (+0.22%)

As of 01/16/2026 04:10 PM Eastern

52-Week Range$12.10▼

$40.13Assets Under Management$2.82 billion

The second-largest cryptocurrency after Bitcoin, Ether still plays a vital role in decentralized finance applications. ETHE's expense ratio of 2.5% is high, but it provides the benefit of staking some 72% of its Ether holdings, generating gross staking rewards of 4.17% in the process.

This is based on its first dividend distribution, made in the first days of 2026, of $0.083178 per share. Investors may expect this to continue and even grow going forward, providing an added bonus on top of the potential the fund has to grow alongside the price of Ether.

With a one-month trading volume that averages about 6.7 million and more than $3 billion in AUM, ETHE should prove to be sufficiently liquid for investors looking to take a more active trading approach alongside those using this as a buy-and-hold option.

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SummaryPepsiCo, an American multinational food, snack, and beverage corporation, is now a $191 billion (by market cap) snack and beverage giant.PEP increased its dividend for a whopping 53 consecutive years, with a 10-year dividend growth rate of 7.4%.The company moved its revenue from $63.1 billion in FY 2015 to $91.9 billion in FY 2024, a compound annual growth rate of 4.3%.Return on equity has averaged 51.8% over the last five years, while net margin has averaged 10.1%. JHVEPhoto/iStock Editorial via Getty Images

PepsiCo Inc. (PEP) is an American multinational food, snack, and beverage corporation. Founded in 1898, PepsiCo is now a $191 billion (by market cap) snack and beverage giant that employs nearly 320,000 people.

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Key Takeaways Natural gas futures stayed near $3 as weak storage draws and weather limited upside momentum.EXE, EE and CTRA offer exposure to potential tailwinds from LNG demand and colder winter forecasts.EXE leads U.S. gas production post-merger; EE and CTRA expand in LNG, shale and power generation. Natural gas futures finished the holiday-shortened week hovering around $3, a price level that continues to guide near-term sentiment. Storage trends and changing weather forecasts remain the main drivers, while LNG exports provide some support but have not yet tightened the market. At this time, investors may want to keep an eye on natural gas-focused stocks such as Expand Energy (EXE - Free Report) , Excelerate Energy (EE - Free Report) and Coterra Energy (CTRA - Free Report) .

Natural Gas Prices Drift Sideways Near a Key LevelNatural gas prices hovered around $3 per million British thermal units (MMBtu) throughout the week, showing limited volatility and no clear move higher or lower. U.S. Henry Hub futures ended Friday at $3.103 per MMBtu, about 2% lower for the week. Early gains tied to colder weather forecasts quickly faded as selling returned, highlighting the market’s habit of pulling back after rallies. The February contract also dropped sharply, falling from the mid-$3.50 range to around $3.12, its lowest level since mid-2020. Overall, the week showed a market caught between pockets of stronger demand and persisting supply and inventory pressure.

Storage Withdrawals Fail to ExciteThe latest government storage report failed to lift prices. Gas inventories fell by 71 billion cubic feet (Bcf) for the week ended Jan. 9, far less than the five-year average draw of 146 Bcf and well below last year’s decline. Total storage now stands at 3,185 Bcf, which is 106 Bcf above the five-year average. This growing surplus has strengthened the view that supply remains plentiful, even in the middle of winter. As a result, the market is hesitant to expect a tighter balance until storage withdrawals clearly exceed normal seasonal levels.

Weather and LNG Exports Shape the Near TermWeather forecasts remain the primary swing factor for natural gas prices. While colder temperatures are expected in parts of the United States later in January, recent mild conditions have capped heating demand and muted the impact of brief cold shots. At the same time, LNG exports continue to provide a steady outlet for U.S. supply. Between Jan. 8 and Jan. 15, 33 LNG vessels departed U.S. ports, carrying a combined 127 Bcf of gas, even as overall production stayed resilient. Strong feedgas flows support demand, but they have not yet been sufficient to offset the drag from high inventories and steady output.

A Constructive Backdrop for Patient Gas-Focused InvestorsLooking ahead, attention turns to the next storage report and early-week weather model updates, which could reset expectations for the balance of winter. With prices already hovering near multi-year lows for the front-month contract, the market appears to have priced in a fair amount of bearish news. Any combination of colder-than-expected weather or firmer withdrawals could quickly shift sentiment.

For longer-term, natural gas-focused investors, the current setup still offers reasons for cautious optimism. Export demand remains structurally strong, global gas markets are showing renewed sensitivity to cold weather, and U.S. production growth is showing signs of discipline. Against this backdrop, investors may continue to focus on names such as Expand Energy, Excelerate Energy and Coterra Energy as they look for exposure to a potential improvement in natural gas fundamentals over time.

3 Stocks to Focus onExpand Energy: Expand Energy has solidified itself as the largest natural gas producer in the United States, following the Chesapeake-Southwestern merger. With key assets in the Haynesville and Marcellus basins, Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) EXE is well-positioned to capitalize on the increasing demand for natural gas, driven by LNG exports, AI/data centers, EV expansion, and broader electrification trends. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Expand Energy’s 2026 earnings per share indicates a 41.6% year-over-year surge. The firm has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of roughly 4.9%, on average.

Excelerate Energy: Headquartered in The Woodlands, TX, the company focuses on LNG infrastructure and services, particularly Floating Storage Regasification Units (FSRUs) and associated terminals. Operating across both emerging and developed markets, Excelerate Energy accounts for about 20% of the global FSRU fleet and 5% of total regasification capacity. Established in 2003, the company is now expanding into LNG-to-power and gas distribution, offering reliable and flexible energy solutions worldwide.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Excelerate Energy’s 2026 earnings per share indicates 34.2% year-over-year growth. This #3 Ranked firm has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of roughly 26.7%, on average.

Coterra Energy: It is an independent upstream operator primarily engaged in the exploration, development and production of natural gas. Headquartered in Houston, TX, the firm owns some 186,000 net acres in the gas-producing Marcellus Shale of the Appalachian Basin. The company’s share of natural gas in its overall production is more than 60%.

Coterra’s expected earnings per share growth rate for three to five years is currently 27.8%, which compares favorably with the industry's growth rate of 17.2%. Valued at around $20 billion, Coterra Energy — currently carrying a Zacks Rank of 3 — has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of roughly 6.6%, on average.

Key Takeaways FCX is advancing expansion projects in Chile, Arizona and Indonesia to boost copper capacity and output.Freeport's organic growth pipeline positions itself well to benefit from future demand growth.Estimates for 2025 and 2026 for FCX point to 4.7% and 48.1% growth, trending higher over the past 60 days. Freeport-McMoRan Inc. (FCX - Free Report) remains focused on strong execution while progressing its organic growth initiatives. Its expansion projects are geared toward increasing production capacity, supported by a robust financial position.

FCX has completed the evaluation of a large-scale expansion at El Abra in Chile to define a large sulfide resource that could potentially support a major mill project similar to the large-scale concentrator at Cerro Verde, with an estimated resource of approximately 20 billion recoverable pounds of copper.

FCX is also conducting pre-feasibility studies (expected to be completed in 2026) in the Safford/Lone Star operations in Arizona to define a significant sulfide expansion opportunity. It also has expansion opportunities at Bagdad in Arizona to more than double the concentrator capacity of the operation.

Also, PT Freeport Indonesia (PT-FI) substantially completed the construction of the new greenfield smelter in Eastern Java during 2024, with the start-up of operations having commenced in the second quarter of 2025. The first production of copper anode was achieved in July 2025. PT-FI is also developing the Kucing Liar ore body within the Grasberg district with a targeted ramp-up to commence before 2030. Gold production also started at the new precious metals refinery in late 2024.  Plans are in place to transition PT-FI’s existing energy source from coal to natural gas, which is expected to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions at Grasberg.

FCX’s organic growth pipeline, designed to expand capacity and output, positions itself well to benefit from future demand growth. Effective execution of these projects will strengthen its ability to drive shareholder value.

Among FCX’s peers, Southern Copper Corporation (SCCO - Free Report) has a strong pipeline of world-class copper greenfield projects and various other promising opportunities. Southern Copper’s capital investment program for this decade is more than $15 billion, with the major portion earmarked for Peru. Southern Copper continues to build its presence in Peru as the country is the second-largest producer of copper.

BHP Group Limited (BHP - Free Report) continues to strengthen its portfolio, focusing on commodities, including copper. BHP continues to reshape its portfolio toward commodities such as copper and potash, allocating nearly 70% of its medium-term capital expenditure to these areas. This strategy positions BHP to benefit from decarbonization, electrification, population growth and rising living standards in emerging markets. BHP’s project pipeline could add 2 Mtpa of attributable copper output by the 2030s.

The Zacks Rundown for FCXShares of Freeport-McMoRan have increased 29.9% in the past six months against the Zacks Mining - Non Ferrous industry’s growth of 63.9%.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

From a valuation standpoint, FCX is currently trading at a forward 12-month earnings multiple of 25.32, a modest 1.2% premium to the industry average of 25.02X. It carries a Value Score of B.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for FCX’s 2025 and 2026 earnings implies a year-over-year rise of 4.7% and 48.1%, respectively. The EPS estimates for 2025 and 2026 have been trending higher over the past 60 days.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Long-term Bitcoin (BTC) holders have slammed the brakes on asset sales, sparking widespread speculation of a rally to $100K. Over the last 24 hours, BTC climbed to a peak of $95,801, triggering a broader upswing across the rest of the cryptocurrency market.

Bitcoin OGs Make A Reversal After A Long Stretch Of Selling According to crypto analyst Darkfost on X, Bitcoin OG selling has slumped in January after hitting a record high at the tail end of 2025. In reaching his conclusion, the pseudonymous analyst defined OGs as BTC holders with dormant coins for at least five years, citing Bitcoin’s “relatively young age.”

Darkfost noted that Bitcoin OG activity peaked in 2025, hinging his analysis on on-chain Unspent Transaction Output (UTXO) and Spent Transaction Output (STXO) data. Per the data, the last STXO peak reached a 90-day average of 2,300 BTC before plummeting to levels around 1,000 BTC in 2026.

Rather than offloading their BTC, Darkfost revealed that long-term Bitcoin holders are holding their coins amid renewed market optimism.

“This suggests that OGs have also slowed down their selling,” said Darkfost. “Their selling pressure, which can sometimes be massive, has clearly decreased, and the prevailing trend now seems to lean more toward holding rather than distribution.” 

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Back in November, reports of OG whales offloading their BTC flooded the ecosystem. At the time, new players like Bitcoin treasuries and governments emerged as the biggest buyers, while several analysts downplayed the impact of the OG sales.

“It’s also worth noting that this cycle offered them a perfect window to sell, fuelled by the arrival of major institutional players and even government buyers entering the market,” said Darkfost.

Bitcoin Eyes $100,000 Psychological Level Following the decline in OG selling, BTC flashed signs of strength, reaching an eight-week high of $97,860. After weeks of trading below $90K, the resurgence stoked enthusiasm for a stronger push toward $100,000.

At press time, BTC is trading at $95K, a crucial resistance zone that analysts say can make or break the run to six figures. Analyst Michael Poppe disclosed on X that Bitcoin holding the resistance level signals buyers and could trigger a $100K valuation in the coming days.

Despite being a big part of the cryptocurrency bull case for 2026, the U.S. CLARITY Act is shaping up to be a major point of contention within the industry, and Cardano’s (ADA) Charles Hoskinson and Ripple’s Brad Garlinghouse appear to be on opposite sides of the debate.

Specifically, in a live broadcast on Elon Musk’s X, dated January 18, Hoskinson voiced his displeasure with Garlinghouse’s continued backing of the bill. 

Indeed, Ripple CEO praised the Senate Banking Committee’s so-called CLARITY Act in a January 14 X post, calling it ‘long-overdue’ but also ‘a massive step forward in providing workable frameworks for crypto, while continuing to protect consumers.’

While long-overdue, this move by @SenatorTimScott and @BankingGOP on market structure is a massive step forward in providing workable frameworks for crypto, while continuing to protect consumers. Ripple (and I) know firsthand that clarity beats chaos, and this bill’s success is… https://t.co/EWcml1NpBE

— Brad Garlinghouse (@bgarlinghouse) January 14, 2026 Garlinghouse, within the same statement, emphasized that the main benefit of the legislative move is clarity for the industry, while noting that he and his company ‘know firsthand that clarity beats chaos.’

Ripple has been involved in a destructive legal battle against the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for years and only settled the issue in the summer of 2025.

Hoskinson, along with several other prominent cryptocurrency executives, has been growing increasingly critical of the CLARITY Act and its continued supporters. The Cardano founder was particularly shocked that Garlinghouse’s approach appears to be that having no legislation is better than having no legislation.

“And you still got people like Brad saying, well, it’s not perfect,  but we just got to get something, you know, it’s better than no clarity. Handed to the same people who sued us,” Hoskinson declared.

Why Cardano’s Hoskinson opposes the CLARITY Act Indeed, Charles Hoskinson appears concerned with the time CLARITY Act took to take shape, and not just with its contents, having previously blamed President Donald Trump – whom he described as a ‘mercurial boy-king’ in the latest broadcast – for his involvement with various presidential family-branded digital assets.

He also blamed the commander-in-chief for eroding trust in cryptocurrencies at a critical time, explaining he was particularly disappointed as he initially viewed the Republican’s electoral victory as a positive development for the sector.

Elsewhere, Hoskinson is far from the only prominent figure in the industry to not back the CLARITY Act. Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong announced he is withdrawing his support for the legislation on January 14.

According to Armstrong, the biggest issues with the document are a de facto ban on tokenized assets, giving the government too much oversight over individuals’ financial records, a depowering of the CFTC in favor of the SEC, and amendments that could kill rewards on stablecoins.

After reviewing the Senate Banking draft text over the last 48hrs, Coinbase unfortunately can’t support the bill as written.

There are too many issues, including:

– A defacto ban on tokenized equities
– DeFi prohibitions, giving the government unlimited access to your financial…

— Brian Armstrong (@brian_armstrong) January 14, 2026 Hoskinson took particular issue with empowering the SEC, saying:

“137 amendments later, it hands the entire keys to the cryptocurrency kingdom to the SEC. And you have to go and beg for them to make it not a security. All new projects are securities by default. How is that any better than what Scary Gary (Former SEC Chair Gary Gensler) gave us under Biden.”

Why Ripple prioritizes legal clarity Garlinghouse’s perspective, for what it is worth, appears sensible and unsensible at the same time. On the one hand, backing an imperfect piece of legislation for the sake of some clarity appears at odds with Ripple’s own legal history.

Indeed, the SEC has, for years, insisted that the rules for the cryptocurrency market are clear, and the fact that various digital assets companies disagree with the framework does not make it invalid. The posterchild for this approach has been the application of the famous Howey Test on coins and tokens, and especially those involved in initial coin offerings (ICOs).

Considering such a history, it appears odd that Garlinghouse would praise deficient legislation simply for the sake of it providing clarity. 

On the other hand, however, Ripple has been embroiled in a legal battle against a Federal agency for years and has, along with multiple other companies, argued that new bills are needed as the existing framework – with the Howey Test once more being a posterchild – simply being inadequate.

Between the fact that the CLARITY Act is, at the very least, a tailor-made piece of legislation, XRP’s strong market success in the wake of the SEC settlement, and Ripple’s expansion and continuation of operations as exemplified by the RLUSD stablecoin’s growth and the latest 1 billion XRP unlock, a desire for clarity moving forward does appear sensible.

Featured image via Messari YouTube