Market Signal Briefing

The right ETF can help protect your portfolio regardless of what happens with the market.

Stock prices continue to soar as we head into 2026, with the S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average hitting new all-time highs earlier this week.

However, many investors are still on edge about what may be coming, with 80% of Americans at least somewhat concerned about a looming recession, according to a December 2025 survey from financial association MDRT.

It's wise to continue investing, even if a market downturn is on the horizon. Stocks could still have further to climb, and by continuing to buy consistently, you can capitalize on those returns. That said, investing in strong, stable exchange-traded funds (ETFs) can also help protect your portfolio if stocks tumble. And there are three powerful Vanguard funds that could be especially smart buys right now.

1. Vanguard S&P 500 ETF The Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO 0.08%) is one of the largest and most popular ETFs out there. It tracks the S&P 500, containing just over 500 large-cap stocks from the nation's largest and strongest companies.

The S&P 500 itself has a decades-long track record of weathering even the most severe recessions, crashes, and bear markets. Not only has it survived these pullbacks, but it's gone on to earn positive total returns over time.

Today's Change

(

-0.08

%) $

-0.53

Current Price

$

636.09

If you're concerned about market volatility, an S&P 500 ETF can be a fantastic addition to your portfolio. With a long-term outlook, you're incredibly likely to see positive gains. In fact, over the last 82 years, every single one of the S&P 500's 10-year periods has ended in positive total returns, according to analysis from investment firm Capital Group.

While there are never any guarantees in the stock market, investing in an S&P 500 ETF and holding it for at least a decade can significantly limit the impact of volatility.

2. Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF One potential downside of the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF is its growing tilt toward the tech industry. Tech stocks are growing at staggering rates, and because the S&P 500 only includes large companies, an increasing number of stocks within the index are from the tech sector.

That's not necessarily a bad thing, especially considering that large companies, in general, are more likely to pull through periods of market turbulence. But if you're looking to limit your exposure to tech giants, the Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI 0.06%) could be a smart alternative.

Today's Change

(

-0.06

%) $

-0.20

Current Price

$

341.85

This ETF aims to cover the entire U.S. equity market, with a whopping 3,527 stocks across all market segments. From small-cap to mega-cap and everything in between, this fund covers stocks of all sizes from all industries.

Increased diversification can further limit risk, especially when the market is shaky, and this ETF is about as diversified as you can get.

3. Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF Dividend stocks pay a portion of their profits back to shareholders in the form of a dividend, and a dividend ETF is a collection of those stocks bundled together into a single investment.

The Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF (VIG +0.22%) focuses on companies with a history of increasing their dividend payouts year after year. For investors concerned about a market downturn taking a toll on their portfolios, a dividend ETF can help generate passive income in addition to any investment returns.

Today's Change

(

0.22

%) $

0.50

Current Price

$

225.64

This fund pays quarterly dividends, and its most recent payout was around $0.88 per share. That may not sound like much, but if you're investing consistently and accumulating shares over time, you can build a passive income source worth thousands of dollars per year.

Reinvesting those dividends can also help grow your passive income stream faster. The more you reinvest, the more shares you'll own, and the more you'll earn in dividends. Over time, that can create a snowball effect, exponentially increasing your dividend income.

No matter what lies ahead for the market, continuing to invest consistently can help build long-term wealth. By investing in quality ETFs with a track record of surviving volatility, you can rest easier knowing your portfolio is as protected as possible.

Don't get lured in by an outsized yield that won't last; focus on companies that are reliable dividend payers.

I'm a dividend investor, and I know what it feels like to explore stocks offering a double-digit yield. You want to believe it is a diamond in the rough that will pay you 10%-plus dividends forever. Those situations do occur, but not very often. Whether you have $500 or $5,000 to invest in dividend stocks right now, you need to make sure you focus on reliable dividend payers.

Image source: Getty Images.

REITs: A great sector to examine for income Real estate investment trusts (REITs) are designed to pass income on to investors in a tax-efficient manner. They avoid corporate-level taxation if they pay out at least 90% of their taxable income as dividends. The offset is that shareholders have to report the dividends as if they were earned income (taxes can be completely avoided by owning a REIT in a Roth IRA). Generally speaking, REITs pay attractive dividends and have relatively large dividend yields.

If you are trying to live off the income your portfolio generates, REITs should be in the mix. However, just like non-REITs, you have to be careful about which companies you buy. Some REITs have impressive dividend histories, while others have volatile dividend histories. Some REIT business models, by design, pay variable dividends.

The king of the REIT dividend stocks If dividend consistency is your top priority, there is one REIT that stands above all others: Federal Realty (FRT +1.84%). It has increased its dividend annually for 58 consecutive years, which makes it a Dividend King. That is the longest dividend streak in the REIT sector, and Federal Realty is the only REIT to have achieved Dividend King status.

Federal Realty achieved this goal by focusing on quality over quantity. It owns roughly 100 strip malls and mixed-use assets. They tend to be located near large population centers that have high concentrations of wealth. Furthermore, Federal Realty is an active portfolio manager, continually making capital investments to enhance the value of its properties. It is also willing to sell assets that have reached their full potential, so it can buy new properties that need a little love.

Today's Change

(

1.84

%) $

1.87

Current Price

$

103.67

Federal Realty's dividend yield is 4.4% today. That is roughly 4 times higher than the 1.1% yield of the S&P 500 (^GSPC 0.06%) index and above the 3.9% REIT average. For most dividend investors, Federal Realty will be a solid portfolio holding, with $500 netting you around four shares of this reliable dividend stock.

Be careful what you reach for For some investors, however, 4.4% will feel like a low number when you can buy a REIT like AGNC Investment (AGNC +2.14%) with a 12.5% yield. That yield is highly attractive, and the mortgage REIT is well respected. However, it is not a reliable dividend payer. The graph below highlights the problem.

Data by YCharts.

If you need to use the dividends you collect to supplement your Social Security checks, you would have been sorely disappointed with AGNC Investment. Not only has the dividend been volatile, but it has also trended steadily lower for over a decade. And the stock price has followed the dividend lower. Less income and less capital are not what most dividend investors have in mind when they buy a high-yield stock. I know for a fact that this isn't my goal.

Focus on reliable dividend stocks Federal Realty is the cream of the crop when it comes to dividend-paying REITs. But it is hardly the only reliable dividend payer in the REIT sector. For example, Realty Income (O +1.14%) has increased its dividend annually for 30 years and has a 5.4% yield.

Today's Change

(

1.14

%) $

0.69

Current Price

$

61.41

The company owns single-tenant properties using a net lease approach, which means the tenant is responsible for most property-level costs. Realty Income is the industry giant, with a portfolio of more than 15,500 properties spread across the United States and Europe. Although it is primarily concentrated in retail assets, the company also owns industrial properties and a diverse collection of unique assets, including data centers and casinos.

Moreover, it is branching out into lending and asset management for institutional investors, as well. A $500 investment will allow you to buy eight shares of this monthly paid dividend stock.

Buy these two REITs or keep digging Federal Realty and Realty Income are foundational investments for dividend lovers. However, they aren't the only reliable dividend stocks you'll find in the REIT sector. They are just two very good examples of what you can find if you dig into the sector.

AGNC Investment, meanwhile, is an example of the type of dividend-paying REIT that you need to be wary of. The company meets its goal of producing attractive total returns, but that goal assumes dividend reinvestment. That means you can't use the dividend, which is highly volatile, to pay for living expenses.

Make sure you put all the pieces of the puzzle together before you buy a dividend stock. Dividend yield alone isn't enough information for you to make a final investment decision.

Investors can bank on Ford's traditional dividend for income, but its highly valuable supplemental dividend could be at risk in the near term.

Dividend stocks are a great tool for investors to build long-term wealth in the market. Reinvesting these dividends uses the power of compounding to help generate even more wealth over time. Ford Motor Company's (F 1.52%) dividend is lauded for its yield that currently tops 4%, as well as the company's consistent supplemental dividends it often dishes out as a bonus payment to investors.

Let's take a look at a recent example of why these supplemental dividends are powerful and why they could be in danger in the near term.

Remember Rivian? A great example of how lucrative these supplemental dividend payments can be happened in 2023. Originally, Ford had invested in young start-up electric vehicle maker Rivian, with plans for the two to collaborate on a shared platform.

Image source: Ford Motor Company.

Later on, the plans were eventually scrapped, and each automaker went its own way. When Ford sold its investment stake in Rivian, it drove a significant boost in the company's cash flow, which it distributed through its dividend. Remember that Ford aims to return 40% to 50% of its free cash flow to investors via the dividend. That scenario led to Ford dishing out a significant $0.65 per share special dividend in 2023, on top of its regular quarterly dividend payment of $0.15 per share.

In more recent years, Ford's annual supplemental dividend has been roughly one extra quarterly payment, give or take a few pennies. It's a nice boost on top of an already highly valuable dividend yield. Unfortunately, due to some unforeseen circumstances, Ford's supplemental dividend could be on the chopping block this year.

Today's Change

(

-1.52

%) $

-0.21

Current Price

$

13.60

What's going on? Ford is dealing with a couple of outside factors weighing on its financials. In fact, Ford previously noted that while its underlying business was performing at the high end of previous guidance, it was incurring a $1 billion net tariff headwind as well as an additional $1 billion headwind between 2025 and 2026 from the Novelis supplier fire.

Ultimately, while Ford has dished out a supplemental dividend three years running, the company's slowing cash flows will likely end that streak. In fact, Ford recently announced a massive pivot away from EVs that will cost the company a $19.5 billion charge with $5.5 billion in cash incurred over the next two years.

Dividend stocks historically outperform non-dividend-paying stocks, and income investors can still find immense value in Ford's traditional 4.2% dividend yield, but don't count on supplemental dividends in the near term.

Daniel Miller has positions in Ford Motor Company. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Monero tumbled on Jan. 17 after an onchain investigator ZachXBT linked its recent rally to a $280 million crypto heist. $280M Crypto Heist Reportedly Tied to Monero Surge The privacy-centric digital asset monero ( XMR) faced a sharp correction on Jan. 17, tumbling by over 5% in 24 hours and effectively stalling its bull rally.

Large Ripple [XRP] holders have accelerated accumulation over the past week, adding well over 50 million tokens during a period of sideways price action. This activity suggests deliberate positioning rather than reactive momentum chasing. 

Whales increased exposure near established demand zones instead of waiting for confirmation, which often signals expectations of volatility expansion. 

Besides, accumulation unfolded gradually, without sharp spikes that typically accompany speculative moves. 

This pattern reflects absorption, where supply shifts into stronger hands. However, whale activity alone does not drive price immediately. It reshapes market conditions. 

As more XRP leaves liquid circulation, the price becomes increasingly sensitive to marginal demand. Even moderate buying pressure can generate sharper moves once momentum returns.

Key pattern holds the $2.00 base! XRP’s daily chart outlines a clear inverse head-and-shoulders structure anchored firmly at the $2.00 support zone. 

The left shoulder formed after a controlled decline, while the head marked a deeper sell-off toward $1.80, where buyers stepped in aggressively. 

Price then rebounded to form a higher low, completing the right shoulder. Importantly, bulls defended $2.00 multiple times, reinforcing it as a structural floor. 

However, XRP still trades below the neckline near $2.35, keeping the pattern technically incomplete. Momentum improved during the right-shoulder recovery, which signals strengthening demand. 

As the price compresses between support and resistance, pressure continues to build. This setup typically precedes a decisive move rather than prolonged stagnation.

Source: TradingView

Exchange outflows steadily reduce sell-side pressure Spot exchange data continues to show consistent net outflows, with a daily reading near -$13.1 million, at press time. 

Holders keep moving XRP off exchanges even during periods of consolidation, which indicates longer-term positioning rather than short-term trading intent. 

Outflows don’t directly drive prices higher. Instead, they reduce sell‑side liquidity on exchanges. With fewer tokens available, prices react more sharply once buyers enter the market.

Moreover, the persistence of outflows aligns closely with whale accumulation behavior, reinforcing a broader supply contraction narrative. As exchange balances thin, both upside and downside moves gain intensity. 

Therefore, XRP now trades in a liquidity environment where reactions accelerate quickly near key levels, increasing the probability of a sharp resolution.

Source: CoinGlass

Long positioning dominates derivatives markets Derivatives data shows a pronounced long bias across major trading venues. On Binance, the XRP/USDT Long-to-short ratio by accounts stood at 3.04, while OKX reported 2.14 as of writing. 

Top traders lean even further toward the upside, with Binance ratios reaching 3.25 by accounts and 1.78 by positions. 

Despite this skew, overall leverage remains relatively balanced, as the 24-hour long/short ratio sits near 0.94. Liquidation data provides additional context. Over the past 24 hours, long liquidations reached $5.88 million, compared to $351.8K in shorts. 

This imbalance reflects aggressive upside positioning rather than defensive hedging. However, it also introduces volatility risk if XRP’s price fails to advance convincingly.

Source: CoinGlass

Short liquidity builds above the current range The liquidation heatmap highlights dense short exposure clustered above XRP’s current trading range, particularly between $2.10 and $2.16. 

These liquidity bands often act as magnets during volatility expansions, as forced short closures accelerate upward movement. 

Below current levels, liquidity appears thinner, which reduces the likelihood of cascading downside moves. However, this structure favors sharp reactions rather than gradual trends. 

If the price pushes higher into these zones, momentum could accelerate rapidly through short covering. Conversely, hesitation near current levels may prolong compression. 

As a result, XRP now trades between a tightening structure and visible liquidity targets. This alignment typically resolves with speed once the token’s price commits to a direction.

Source: CoinGlass

Conclusively, XRP stands at a critical inflection point where structure, supply dynamics, and leverage align. 

Whale accumulation and persistent exchange outflows continue tightening available supply, while price defends a well-defined base. 

Derivatives positioning leans bullish, and short liquidity overhead adds potential fuel if the price advances. The market now faces a resolution phase. 

A sustained move toward the neckline could trigger momentum expansion, while continued hesitation may extend consolidation briefly. 

Overall, conditions favor an imminent volatility release rather than prolonged range-bound trading.

Final Thoughts Whale accumulation and steady exchange outflows tighten supply, increasing sensitivity to even moderate buying pressure. XRP’s tightening structure and overhead short liquidity favor a sharp breakout once momentum commits.

Trusted Editorial content, reviewed by leading industry experts and seasoned editors. Ad Disclosure

The global head of equity strategy at Jefferies has removed Bitcoin from his model portfolio, citing the potential threat of quantum computing as his reasoning.

Why Market Strategist Cut 10% BTC Exposure Christopher Wood, global head of equity strategy at Jefferies, has dropped a 10% allocation to Bitcoin, the world’s largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization, from his model portfolio. In his latest “Greed & Fear” newsletter release, the market strategist highlighted the rise of quantum computing as the reason behind this move.

Wood highlighted his fears that the advances in quantum computing could threaten Bitcoin’s place and reputation as a dependable store of value, especially in the long term. As the expert said in his newsletter, the market is currently riddled with the fear that quantum computing could be just a few years away.

This growing concern borders on quantum computers being hypothesized to have the capacity to breach the Bitcoin network’s cryptographic technology. It is believed that these computers can enable attackers to reverse-engineer private keys from public ones, thereby tampering with the integrity of blockchain transactions.

Wood, who was an early institutional supporter of BTC, initially added the premier cryptocurrency to his model portfolio in December 2020 following the COVID-19 pandemic. By 2021, the Jefferies global head of equity strategy expanded this Bitcoin allocation to 10%.

However, the market expert appears to now be viewing the flagship cryptocurrency with a little bit of skepticism, as he believes that the Quantum threat is potentially existential, undermining its status as a store of value and “digital alternative to gold.” Hence, Wood refocused his model portfolio on older assets, splitting the 10% BTC allocation equally between physical gold and gold mining stocks.

While there is no clear timeline for when quantum computers will reach the market, Wood is not the only one who has recently expressed concerns about the Quantum threat. In the past week, Capriole Investments founder Charles Edwards has also discussed how Bitcoin has decoupled from global liquidity due to the quantum threat.

Edwards wrote on X:

The timeframe to a non-zero probability of a quantum machine breaking Bitcoin’s cryptography is now less than the estimated time it will take to upgrade Bitcoin. Money is repositioning to account for this risk accordingly.

Bitcoin Price At A Glance As of this writing, the price of BTC stands at around $95,370, reflecting a 0.3% dip in the past 24 hours.

The price of BTC on the daily timeframe | Source: BTCUSDT chart on TradingView Featured image from iStock, chart from TradingView

Editorial Process for bitcoinist is centered on delivering thoroughly researched, accurate, and unbiased content. We uphold strict sourcing standards, and each page undergoes diligent review by our team of top technology experts and seasoned editors. This process ensures the integrity, relevance, and value of our content for our readers.

Sign Up for Our Newsletter! For updates and exclusive offers enter your email.

Opeyemi Sule is a passionate crypto enthusiast, a proficient content writer, and a journalist at Bitcoinist. Opeyemi creates unique pieces unraveling the complexities of blockchain technology and sharing insights on the latest trends in the world of cryptocurrencies. Opeyemi enjoys reading poetry, chatting about politics, and listening to music, in addition to his strong interest in cryptocurrency.

Popular fast-food chain Steak ’n Shake added $10 million worth of bitcoin to its corporate treasury, deepening its commitment to bitcoin eight months after rolling out BTC payments across all U.S. locations.

The company said on social media that the move follows a “self-reinforcing cycle” driven by bitcoin adoption, where customers paying in BTC help generate incremental revenue that is then recycled into business improvements. 

According to Steak ’n Shake, all bitcoin-denominated revenue flows directly into what it calls its strategic bitcoin reserve, which is used to fund restaurant upgrades, ingredient improvements, and remodeling initiatives—without raising menu prices.

“Eight months ago today, Steak ’n Shake launched its burger-to-bitcoin transformation when we started accepting bitcoin payments,” the company wrote on social media. “Our same-store sales have risen dramatically ever since.”

Steak ’n Shake began accepting bitcoin payments in May 2025 using the Lightning Network, positioning the rollout as a way to cut card processing fees while attracting a younger, crypto-native customer base. The strategy is working.

Same-store sales rose more than 10% in the second quarter of 2025, according to the company.

Chief Operating Officer Dan Edwards previously said Steak ’n Shake saves roughly 50% in processing fees when customers choose to pay with bitcoin rather than traditional card networks.

NEW: Fast food giant Steak 'n Shake announces it acquired $10 million #Bitcoin for its Strategic Bitcoin Reserve 🚀

"All Bitcoin sales go into our Strategic Bitcoin Reserve." 👏 pic.twitter.com/tRlYaOzbtQ

— Bitcoin Magazine (@BitcoinMagazine) January 17, 2026 Bitcoin is driving revenue for Steak ’n Shake The chain has leaned into its bitcoin branding over the past year, introducing a Bitcoin-themed burger in October and pledging to donate a small portion of revenue from its “Bitcoin Meal” to support open-source Bitcoin development.

The recent $10 million purchase—roughly 105 BTC at current prices—marks Steak ’n Shake’s most direct treasury allocation to bitcoin to date. 

While the position is modest compared with major corporate holders such as Strategy, which holds more than 687,000 BTC worth over $65 billion, it underscores a broader trend of corporate bitcoin accumulation.

According to data from Bitcointreasuries, total bitcoin held in treasuries—including public companies, private firms, governments, and exchange-traded funds—has now surpassed 4 million BTC.

Last fall, the company ran a poll on X over the weekend asking its 468,800 followers whether it should expand its crypto options to include Ethereum.

Nearly 49,000 votes were cast, with 53% in favor.

However, just four hours later, the company suspended the poll, declaring its allegiance to Bitcoiners. “Poll suspended. Our allegiance is with Bitcoiners. You have spoken,” Steak ‘n Shake posted.

Micah Zimmerman

Micah first discovered Bitcoin in 2018 but remained a skeptic on the sidelines for too long. Since 2021, he has covered crypto and business and now works as a news reporter for Bitcoin Magazine, based in North Carolina.

American Burger Chain Makes $10 Million Bitcoin PurchaseSteak ’n Shake has invested $10 million in Bitcoin as part of a strategy that converts daily restaurant cash flow into a corporate BTC treasury.The 90-year-old American restaurant chain credits its Bitcoin-first approach with double-digit same-store sales growth it recorded last year.As a result, the firm's management has doubled down on a Bitcoin-only stance, positioning the brand as a rare outlier in the fast-food industry.Steak ‘n Shake has purchased $10 million in Bitcoin, marking a significant escalation in its strategy to transform fast-food revenues into a corporate cryptocurrency treasury.

The acquisition marks the latest phase of the 90-year-old chain’s “Bitcoin-to-Burger” initiative, a financial pivot that converts operational cash flow directly into digital assets.

Sponsored

Sponsored

Steak ‘n Shake Claims Bitcoin Strategy Drove ‘Best in Industry’ Growth in 2025The program, launched in May 2025, integrates digital asset accumulation into the company’s daily operations.

By accepting Bitcoin payments and marketing directly to the crypto demographic, the chain aims to modernize its capital structure.

Eight months ago today, Steak n Shake launched its burger-to-Bitcoin transformation when we started accepting bitcoin payments. Our same-store sales have risen dramatically ever since.

All Bitcoin sales go into our Strategic Bitcoin Reserve.

Today we increased our Bitcoin…

— Steak 'n Shake (@SteaknShake) January 17, 2026 The firm’s management describes the model as a “self-sustaining system.” In this framework, improved food quality drives higher revenue, which is then channeled into the corporate Bitcoin reserve.

According to internal data, the strategy has yielded tangible results. Last year, the company reported a double-digit increase in same-store sales, driven by its BTC adoption, which allowed it to significantly outperform the industry.

Sponsored

Sponsored

“In 2025, Steak n Shake achieved double-digit same-store sales growth — the best in the industry! Becoming a Bitcoin company gave our business a major boost, allowing us to further improve our food quality,” it stated.

Crucially, the chain is positioning itself as a “Bitcoin-only” entity.

Despite a recent corporate poll in which 53% of respondents favored adding Ethereum (ETH) as a payment option, leadership explicitly rejected the proposal.

This decision reinforces a maximalist philosophy intended to secure loyalty from a specific, ideologically driven segment of the market.

Moreover, the BTC integration extends beyond the balance sheet to the workforce.

Last October, Steak ‘n Shake updated its payroll infrastructure to allow its 10,000 employees to receive a percentage of their wages in Bitcoin. The move signals the firm’s view of the asset as a viable store of value comparable to fiat currency.

Founded in 1934, Steak ‘n Shake operates hundreds of locations across the United States and internationally.

Its latest move cements its status as an outlier in the traditional dining sector, attempting to modernize a legacy brand by pegging its long-term financial health to the performance of the world’s largest cryptocurrency

Disclaimer

In adherence to the Trust Project guidelines, BeInCrypto is committed to unbiased, transparent reporting. This news article aims to provide accurate, timely information. However, readers are advised to verify facts independently and consult with a professional before making any decisions based on this content. Please note that our Terms and Conditions, Privacy Policy, and Disclaimers have been updated.

Trusted Editorial content, reviewed by leading industry experts and seasoned editors. Ad Disclosure

Bitcoin literacy and community growth are accelerating in West Virginia, and it’s starting to reshape how communities across the state engage with digital finance. What was once viewed as a niche interest among tech enthusiasts is now gaining traction across broader segments of the state’s population. As residents become more curious about digital assets, conversations are shifting from speculation to understanding how BTC works and what it could mean for personal and regional economic resilience.

Bitcoin As A Tool For Regional Economic Growth West Virginia has been making headlines in the Bitcoin space recently, particularly with fresh legislative moves as of January 2026. MartyParty revealed on X that the biggest current development is Senator Bill 143 (SB143), which was introduced this week by State Senator Chris Rose.

This is officially titled the Inflation Protection Act of 2026, which would allow the state’s Board of Treasury Investment to allocate up to 10% of public funds into precious metals like gold, silver, and platinum. The bill requires any qualifying digital asset to have maintained an average market capitalization of at least $750 billion over the prior year, which qualifies only BTC. In addition, the bill also allows for regulated stablecoins, but only the US federal or state regulators can approve the assets.

Source: Senator Bill 143 from MartyParty on X However, the bill frames this as a hedge against inflation and currency depreciation, and empowering the state treasurer to invest in BTC without directly naming it in most of the statute. Although the purpose section explicitly mentions empowering investment in gold, silver, and BTC. These assets would need to be made through qualified custodians, ETFs, or other secure frameworks.

What Pension Funds And Endowments Think About Bitcoin The Bitcoin price prediction by funds indicates a bullish outlook for 2026. CryptoRank.io has mentioned that the institutional analysts are pricing in a bullish scenario for BTC in 2026. The average target across the forecasts shown is around $150,000 per BTC, implying roughly 75% upside from current levels.

At the same time, longer-term valuation models assume a more gradual growth path. Popular asset manager VanEck predicts BTC could reach approximately $2.9 million by 2050, which equates to around 15% annualized growth broadly in line with the BTC historical long-term performance as a macro asset.

In contrast to institutional forecasts, prediction markets maintain a more conservative outlook. On Polymarket, the pricing base-case range between $110,000 to $130,000. This consensus could shift toward the institutional targets if spot ETF inflows remain strong and if the US regulatory uncertainty continues to decline, including initiatives such as the Blockchain Regulatory Certainty Act.

BTC trading at $95,118 on the 1D chart | Source: BTCUSDT on Tradingview.com Featured image from Pngtree, chart from Tradingview.com

Editorial Process for bitcoinist is centered on delivering thoroughly researched, accurate, and unbiased content. We uphold strict sourcing standards, and each page undergoes diligent review by our team of top technology experts and seasoned editors. This process ensures the integrity, relevance, and value of our content for our readers.

Sign Up for Our Newsletter! For updates and exclusive offers enter your email.

Godspower Owie is my name, and I work for the news platforms NewsBTC and Bitcoinist. I sometimes like to think of myself as an explorer since I enjoy exploring new places, learning new things, especially valuable ones, and meeting new people who have an impact on my life, no matter how small. I value my family, friends, career, and time. Really, those are most likely the most significant aspects of every person's existence. Not illusions, but dreams are what I pursue.

Over the week, Ethereum struggled to sustain any significant move to the upside. Although the second-largest cryptocurrency reclaimed the $3,300 price level, it could not break above $3,400 to continue its path towards higher price levels. As it stands, it appears that the Ether token is taking on a short-term bearish structure. However, an on-chain evaluation has recently been put out, which suggests that market participants might be gearing up for a significant move in the near-term.

Ethereum Futures Activity Reaches Monthly High Following Market Inactivity In a recent QuickTake post on the CryptoQuant platform, analytics group Arab Chain reveals that there has recently been a spike in futures trading activity on the Binance derivatives market. This revelation is based on the Binance: ETH Futures Daily Volume metric, which monitors the total value of Ethereum futures contracts being traded on Binance each day, hence reflecting market activity, trader participation, and potential leverage exposure.

The latest reading of the metric has highlighted a major shift, with trading volume climbing as high as $21.7 billion. According to Arab Chain, this reading marks the highest level since mid-December, reflecting that strong momentum has returned to the futures market.

Source: CryptoQuant Notably, the spike in futures trading volume was preceded by a period of relative decline in the second half of December. This event coincides with a period of price stability, alongside a tapering risk appetite among traders. Interestingly, institutional investors also contributed prevalent aversion to risk.  Arab Chain explains that the decline is a typical sign that market participants want to “wait and see,” instead of speculatively opening large positions.

However, the present scenario — where futures volume surged — paints an opposing story. As the futures trading volume reflects levels above its mid-December high, it becomes apparent that interest among Ethereum traders is being rekindled. This is because increasing futures volume “is typically associated with higher leverage usage, hedging activity, and speculative positioning” — a line up which indicates that the market is preparing for significant movement.

The reason for this spike could also be attributed to traders who are reacting to key technical levels or shifting expectations around near-term price action of a potential trend reversal. In the grand scheme, however, the Ethereum price reacts to this activity, depending on the alignment of spot demand with derivatives activity. Till such a definite sign comes up, the market stands at a point of uncertainty.

ETH Price Overview As of this writing, Ethereum stands at a price of $3,292, reflecting no real growth since the past day.

ETH trading at $3,293 on the daily chart | Source: ETHUSDT chart on Tradingview.com Featured image from Flickr, chart from Tradingview

Bitcoin remains anchored above key support as weekend trading unfolds, keeping $98,200 and $107,500 in focus. Market participants are watching closely to see if the uptrend can continue or if the weekend liquidity will trigger a test of lower levels. The next few sessions could define BTC’s short-term trajectory.

Key Support Holds: $94,630 Remains Crucial According to a recent post by Kamile Uray, Bitcoin is still holding strong above the $89,326 support level, and as long as it remains above this zone, the possibility for the uptrend to continue remains intact. This level continues to act as a critical foundation for bulls, keeping the market structure aligned with potential further gains.

If BTC manages to break through the $98,200 resistance, the next key target at $107,500 comes into focus. At this level, a decisive move will determine whether the current uptrend is complete or push Bitcoin even higher. A daily close above $107,500 would mark the first higher high on the daily chart relative to the last downward wave, signaling a potential continuation of the bullish trend.

BTC’s price is demonstrating a bullish structure | Source: Chart from Kamile Uray on X However, if BTC is rejected at resistance and falls back below $89,326, the downtrend could resume. Should a reversal form within the $83,822–$82,477 support zone, Bitcoin may attempt another upward push, giving bulls a chance to regain control. 

If BTC closes below $82,477, further downside is expected, potentially testing the $74,496–$71,237 region. This zone has historically served as a strong support area, and any confirmed reversal from here could set the stage for another bullish leg.

Bitcoin Weekend Liquidity Ahead: Expect Range-Bound Action Crypto expert Lennaert Snyder outlined that Bitcoin is holding the key $94,630 support level, which also serves as the crucial H4 level to hold. On Friday, BTC retraced and briefly swept this low before stabilizing, reinforcing the importance of this zone for short-term market structure.

As we enter the weekend liquidity, Bitcoin is likely to trade within a defined range until Sunday evening or Monday. For bullish traders, the plan is to hold the low and watch for a market structure break above $95,820. Once this occurs, long positions could target the $97,960 monthly high.

In anticipation of continued upside, only part of the position may be closed at the monthly high, letting 30%-40% run to capture further gains if momentum persists. However, if BTC loses the $94,630 support on the H4 and falls back into the previous range, a continuation toward lower lows becomes more likely. In that scenario, short positions would be considered after confirmation on a retest, giving traders a structured approach to managing risk and potential downside.

BTC trading at $95,299 on the 1D chart | Source: BTCUSDT on Tradingview.com Featured image from Pixabay, chart from Tradingview.com

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

Cardano is seeing an increase in volumes in the derivatives market, with the market now watching for what comes next for ADA's price.

According to CoinGlass data, Cardano has increased 10,654.62% in futures volume on the Bitmex exchange, reaching $40.04 million.

This suggests increased activity in the derivatives market, given that Bitmex is a major crypto derivatives exchange. This coincides with Cardano approaching a key milestone in the derivative markets.

HOT Stories

This week, the world's leading derivatives marketplace CME Group revealed plans to include Cardano futures in its lineup come Feb. 9, pending regulatory review.

Market participants will have the choice to trade both micro-sized and larger-sized contracts. In the case of Cardano, it will include ADA futures (100,000 ADA) and Micro ADA futures (10,000 ADA).

Cardano joins CME Group's cryptocurrency product suite, which includes Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP and Solana futures and options on futures.

Hidden price signal?The surge in futures volume remains significant as leverage resets and capital rotates selectively across the market, benefiting crypto assets with clear institutional flow signals.

Cardano's open interest has slightly rebounded following a drop in the past day, up 0.12% in the last 24 hours to $792.57 million.

Following two days of drop since Jan. 14, Cardano rebounded from a low of $0.379 on Friday, sustaining gains in the early Saturday session. At the time of writing, ADA was up 1.00% in the last 24 hours to $0.395 and up 1.16% weekly.

The first sign of strength will be a break and close above the $0.4378 high. Cardano's price may then eye $0.50, where bears are expected to pose a strong defense.

On the other hand, if ADA's price drops further, there is minor support at $0.38, but if the level falters, Cardano may slide toward $0.33. Buyers are expected to aggressively defend the $0.33 level, as a break below it may take Cardano's price to the Oct. 10 low of $0.27.

Corporate credit quality is deteriorating beneath a surface that looks deceptively calm. JPMorgan tallied roughly $55 billion in US corporate bonds that slid from investment-grade to junk status in 2025, the so-called “fallen angels.”

At the same time, only $10 billion returned to investment-grade status as “rising stars.” Another $63 billion of investment-grade debt now sits near the edge of junk, up from about $37 billion at the end of 2024.

Yet, spreads remain remarkably tight: as of Jan. 15, FRED data shows investment-grade option-adjusted spreads at 0.76%, BBB spreads at 0.97%, and high-yield spreads at 2.71%.

Those are levels that suggest investors are not yet treating this as a credit event, even as the pipeline of potential downgrades swells.

This disconnect of deterioration under the hood and complacency on the surface creates exactly the kind of backdrop where Bitcoin can become a convex macro trade. Modest spread widening typically acts as a headwind for risk assets, including Bitcoin.

However, if credit stress accelerates enough to pull forward Federal Reserve rate cuts or liquidity backstops, the same dynamic that hammers Bitcoin initially can flip into the monetary regime where it historically catches a bid.

Corporate bond downgrades surged to $55 billion in 2025 from $4 billion in 2024, while upgrades plunged from $22 billion to $10 billion.Credit stress as a two-stage mechanismBitcoin's relationship with corporate credit is state-dependent.

Academic research published in Wiley in August 2025 finds a negative relationship between cryptocurrency returns and credit spreads, with the linkage becoming significantly more pronounced in stressier market states.

That structure explains why Bitcoin often sells off when spreads widen, then rallies if the widening becomes severe enough to shift the policy outlook. The first phase tightens financial conditions and reduces risk appetite.

The second phase increases the probability of easier monetary policy, lower real yields, and a weaker dollar. These are variables that Bitcoin cares about more than crypto-specific news.

Bitcoin is highly sensitive to monetary liquidity narratives, not just narratives internal to the crypto market. That sensitivity is why the “fallen angel” pipeline matters.

When corporate bonds lose investment-grade status, they trigger forced selling by regulated or mandate-constrained holders, such as insurers, investment-grade-only funds, and index trackers. Additionally, dealers demand wider spreads to warehouse the risk.

European Central Bank financial stability work notes that fallen angels can hurt both prices and issuance conditions for the affected firms, which can spill into equities and volatility.

Bitcoin typically feels that spillover through the same channels that pressure high-beta equities: tighter conditions, reduced leverage, and risk-off positioning.

But the mechanism has a second act. If credit deterioration becomes macro-relevant, with spreads gap wider fast enough to threaten corporate refinancing or trigger broader financial stress, the Fed's toolkit includes precedent for intervention.

On Mar. 23, 2020, the Fed established the Primary Market Corporate Credit Facility and the Secondary Market Corporate Credit Facility to support corporate bond markets.

Bank for International Settlements research on the SMCCF finds that the announcements significantly lowered credit spreads, largely by compressing credit risk premiums.

For Bitcoin, backstops and balance-sheet-style actions represent the kind of liquidity regime change that crypto traders tend to front-run, often before traditional assets fully reprice the policy shift.

The non-credit asset angleCredit deterioration is a reminder that corporate claims carry default risk, maturity walls, and downgrade cascades. Bitcoin has none of those features. It has no issuer cash flow, no credit rating, and no refinancing calendar.

In a world where investors are de-risking credit exposure, especially when yields fall and the dollar weakens, Bitcoin can benefit at the margin as a non-credit alternative.

This is not a “safe haven” argument. Bitcoin's volatility profile makes that framing misleading. It is a rotation argument: when credit becomes the problem, assets without credit risk can attract flows even if they carry other risks.

Bitcoin-dollar correlations are time-varying and episodic, which means the “weaker dollar equals bullish Bitcoin” channel is not automatic.

However, in a scenario where credit stress drives both lower US yields and a policy pivot, the dollar can weaken alongside falling real rates, and that combination is historically the most supportive macro mix for Bitcoin.

When complacency breaksCurrent conditions sit in an unusual zone. Investment-grade spreads at 0.76% and high-yield spreads at 2.71% are compressed by historical standards, yet the downgrade pipeline is the largest since 2020.

That creates three plausible paths, each with different implications for Bitcoin.

In the “slow bleed” scenario, spreads drift wider but do not gap. High-yield spreads might rise 50 to 100 basis points, BBB spreads might widen 20 to 40 basis points, and financial conditions tighten incrementally.

The Fed stays cautious, and Bitcoin behaves like a risk asset, struggling as liquidity conditions tighten without any offsetting policy shift. This is the most common outcome when credit deteriorates gradually, and it is usually bearish or neutral for Bitcoin.

In the “credit wobble” scenario, spreads reprice to levels that change the policy conversation without triggering a full crisis.

Reuters reported that high-yield spreads hit roughly 401 basis points and investment-grade spreads reached about 106 basis points during the April 2025 stress episode. Those levels are not crisis territory, but they are enough to make the Fed reconsider its path.

If Treasuries rally on risk-off flows while the market pulls forward rate cuts, Bitcoin can pivot from risk-off to liquidity-on faster than equities. This is the “convex” scenario: Bitcoin dumps initially, then rallies ahead of the policy shift.

In the “credit shock” scenario, spreads gap to crisis levels, forced selling accelerates, and the Fed deploys balance-sheet tools or other liquidity backstops.

Bitcoin experiences extreme volatility in both directions: a selloff across the market, then a sharp rally as liquidity expectations shift.

The 2020 template is the clearest example. Bitcoin fell from roughly $10,000 to $4,000 in mid-March, then climbed above $60,000 within a year as the Fed's response flooded the system with liquidity.

The bullish argument for Bitcoin in credit stress is not that Bitcoin is immune to the initial shock, but that it can benefit disproportionately from the policy response.

RegimeCredit move (your ranges)What happens in creditPolicy signal to watchBitcoin pattern (Phase 1 → Phase 2)Slow bleedHY +50–100 bps; BBB +20–40 bpsIncremental tightening; refinancing anxiety rises slowlyNo clear pivot; financial conditions grind tighterRisk-off drag → little/no “liquidity flip”Credit wobbleReprice toward “policy-relevant” levels (e.g., HY ~401 bps; IG ~106 bps episode)Conditions tighten fast enough to change the Fed conversationCuts pulled forward; real yields start fallingDrop with risk → rebounds earlier than equities on pivot pricingCredit shockGap wider to crisis-like levelsForced selling, liquidity stress, market dysfunction riskFacilities/backstops; balance-sheet-type actionsSharp selloff → violent rally as liquidity regime turnsWhat to watchThe dashboard for tracking whether credit stress flips from headwind to tailwind is straightforward. High-yield and BBB spreads are the first line: if BBB widens disproportionately, the fallen-angel pipeline is getting priced.

CDX IG and CDX HY indices provide a cleaner read on market sentiment. US Treasury real yields and the dollar together form the critical cross-check: rising real yields and a rising dollar are the most toxic mix for Bitcoin, while falling real yields signal the potential policy flip.

Liquidity plumbing, such as any signs of Fed facilities, balance-sheet expansion, or repo operations, matters because stablecoins and on-chain crypto liquidity react to monetary shocks.

The credit market is showing both strength and warning lights. January opened with heavy investment-grade issuance and still-low risk premiums, suggesting investors are not yet treating this as a 2020-style event.

But the $63 billion near-junk pipeline is a loaded gun.

If spreads stay contained, Bitcoin's credit-stress narrative stays hypothetical. If the spreads gap, the sequencing matters: tighten the shock first, ease expectations later.

Bitcoin's bullish case in a credit deterioration scenario is not that it avoids the first phase, but that it can capitalize on the second phase faster than assets still tied to corporate cash flows and credit ratings.

Mentioned in this article

After a steady stretch of flexing above the 1,000 exahash per second (EH/s) — a clean 1 zettahash per second (ZH/s) — line, Bitcoin's network hashpower has dipped back under the 1 ZH/s bar and is now clocking in at 988 EH/s.

Solana ($SOL) remains one of the most talked-about "Ethereum killers" in the blockchain space. With its lightning-fast transaction speeds and growing ecosystem of decentralized applications (dApps), many investors are wondering: What happens if I invest $1,000 in Solana today?

As of January 17, 2026, the Solana price is hovering around $144.08. Let's break down the technicals and the fundamental outlook for the next five years.

Solana Chart Analysis: Current Market StructureLooking at the 4-hour chart provided, Solana is currently trading in a consolidated range between $122 and $160. After a period of volatility in late 2025, the price has found solid support around the $120.00 green zone.

SOL/USD 4H - TradingView

Resistance: The immediate hurdle is at $144.04 (yellow line), followed by a major psychological barrier at $160.00.Support: Strong buyers are stepping in at the $122.67 level.Stochastic RSI: The indicator shows a value of 74.05, suggesting that while momentum is bullish, we are approaching "overbought" territory in the short term.If Solana breaks above the $160 resistance, the path toward the previous highs near $175 becomes clear. For a long-term investor, this consolidation phase often represents an accumulation zone before the next macro leg up.

The $1,000 Scenario: Where Could You Be in 2031?If you put $1,000 into SOL today at a price of approximately $144, you would own roughly 6.94 SOL. To understand the potential return, we have to look at the historical growth of the network and adoption metrics reported by major financial institutions like Goldman Sachs or Bloomberg.

YearPotential SOL PriceEstimated Value of $1,000 Investment2026 (Now)$144$1,0002027$280$1,9432028$450$3,1232029$620$4,3022030$850$5,8992031$1,100$7,634Note: These are projections based on market cycles and increased institutional adoption. Crypto news and market volatility can significantly alter these outcomes.

Why Solana Could Reach New HeightsThe bull case for Solana over the next five years rests on three main pillars:

Institutional Adoption: More ETFs and institutional products are integrating SOL, similar to the trajectory seen with Bitcoin.Scalability Dominance: As Web3 games and high-frequency trading platforms move on-chain, Solana's sub-second finality becomes its biggest competitive advantage.The Firedancer Upgrade: This independent validator client is expected to push Solana's throughput even higher, potentially reaching 1 million transactions per second.Solana Risks to ConsiderNo investment is without risk. If you are planning a 5-year hold, ensure you are using secure hardware wallets to protect your assets. Network outages, which plagued Solana in its early years, remain a point of concern for some skeptics. Additionally, regulatory shifts in the US and EU could impact the entire exchange comparison landscape.

Final ThoughtsA $1,000 investment in Solana today is a bet on the future of high-performance blockchain. While the path won't be a straight line, the technical floor at $120 provides a clear risk-management level for new entrants. By 2031, if Solana captures even a fraction of the market share currently held by traditional finance, a four-figure SOL price is well within the realm of possibility.

Trusted Editorial content, reviewed by leading industry experts and seasoned editors. Ad Disclosure

XRP has just achieved a major milestone, officially surpassing Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), and Dogecoin (DOGE) in terms of trading volume. According to a new report, the altcoin has become the most traded asset in all of South Korea, highlighting strong adoption, demand, and liquidity. This latest development underscores the token’s growing dominance in one of the world’s most active crypto markets, even as broader conditions remain volatile. 

XRP Outpaces Bitcoin, Ethereum, And Dogecoin As Most Traded Asset XRP has posted a notable win in one of the world’s most active crypto markets. New data from Upbit, one of South Korea’s largest crypto exchanges, shows the asset outpacing Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Dogecoin in trading volume throughout 2025. Market analyst XFinanceBull highlighted this new achievement in a recent X post after reviewing Upbit’s trading data for 2025. 

According to the analyst, the altcoin was confirmed as the most traded digital asset on Upbit. The ranking was based on volume, liquidity, and actual usage rather than price movement. XRP trading pairs consistently led the platform, with the XRP/KRW pair taking the number one position for most of the year. Bitcoin followed in second place, Ethereum ranked third, USDT came fourth, and Dogecoin placed fifth by trading volume. 

Notably, the figures were officially verified by Dunamu, the operator of Upbit, on January 2, 2026. On a year-over-year basis, Upbit processes more than $1 trillion in trading volume and accounts for more than 70% of South Korea’s total crypto market. This positions Upbit as the country’s largest crypto exchange and makes it a reliable indicator of usage trends and real retail and institutional demand. 

XFinanceBull emphasized that South Korea tends to trade assets with clear real-world use cases and strong liquidity. Because of this, steady trading volume indicates a cryptocurrency is actively being used in the market, not just driven by short-term speculation. The analyst added that XRP’s continued use creates a pull effect, drawing in more capital as liquidity improves. 

In established markets like South Korea, assets that perform well are more likely to attract consistent, long-term participation, which can positively impact prices. Following the recent development, XFinanceBull reinforced his bullish stance on the altcoin and stated he plans to accumulate even more of the cryptocurrency.  

Upbit’s Report On XRP’s Performance Upbit’s 2025 data shows that the altcoin consistently accounted for between 15% and 22% of the exchange’s daily trading activity, across a total annual trading volume of $1 trillion. As mentioned before, XRP/KRW was ranked the top trading pair for that year. Its daily volume peaked at $1.22 billion in July 2025, demonstrating sustained retail-driven liquidity and stable support. 

In terms of liquidity, XRP outperformed BTC and ETH multiple times. By year-end, Korean exchanges had accumulated around 570 million XRP, reinforcing the token’s role as a primary transactional and economic asset in the country. User data also shows Upbit serves about 13.26 million users, almost one in four people in South Korea. The largest age group is users in their 30s, making up approximately 28.7% of the exchange.

XRP trading at $2.05 on the 1D chart | Source: XRPUSDT on Tradingview.com Featured image from Freepik, chart from Tradingview.com

Editorial Process for bitcoinist is centered on delivering thoroughly researched, accurate, and unbiased content. We uphold strict sourcing standards, and each page undergoes diligent review by our team of top technology experts and seasoned editors. This process ensures the integrity, relevance, and value of our content for our readers.

Why Trust CoinGape

CoinGape has covered the cryptocurrency industry since 2017, aiming to provide informative insights to our readers. Our journal analysts bring years of experience in market analysis and blockchain technology to ensure factual accuracy and balanced reporting. By following our Editorial Policy, our writers verify every source, fact-check each story, rely on reputable sources, and attribute quotes and media correctly. We also follow a rigorous Review Methodology when evaluating exchanges and tools. From emerging blockchain projects and coin launches to industry events and technical developments, we cover all facets of the digital asset space with unwavering commitment to timely, relevant information.

XRP and Ethereum prices continue to show resilience as the crypto market regains momentum. XRP traded slightly above $2.70, recording a modest 2% gain within the past 24 hours. Ethereum hovered near the $3,300 mark, maintaining its steady growth. 

The market had a 1% increase in total capitalization, which drove the total capitalization to about 3.24 trillion. Bitcoin also shot up, currently hovering above $95,000. Other top altcoins such as Solana (SOL), Dogecoin (DOGE), and Cardano (ADA) have gained. 

This is a recovery because the White House is thinking of withdrawing the much controversial Clarity Act bill.

White House Threatens to Withdraw Crypto Bill Support as Coinbase Pulls Backing The White House has threatened to withdraw its sponsorship of the CLARITY Act, which is a major bill to regulate the crypto markets. 

This is against the background of tension with key players in the industry, particularly Coinbase. The crypto exchange has actually pulled out its political backing, claiming that it does not agree with the way the bill is being formulated.

This sudden action has damaged the relationship between the crypto industry and the government. Journalist Eleanor Terrett reported that the withdrawal of the support of Coinbase may put the bill at a standstill.

This dispute as it continues to happen, leaves it ambiguous about the future crypto policies. The investors are keenly following the events and are gambling on the reaction of assets such as XRP and ETH to the growing confrontation between the regulators and the sector.

Ethereum Price Holds Near $3,300 as Market Eyes Breakout Above $3,400 Ethereum price hovered near the $3,300 level on Saturday, slightly below the weekly high of $3,370. 

The Ethereum has recorded approximately 7% growth over the last week, with a very positive momentum, even though the rest of the crypto market is performing slowly.

This has been the price action following the successful rollout of the Fusaka network upgrade that has served to sustain network strength. 

Nevertheless, ETH has been predominantly in consolidation in the previous sessions. A good close at the end of the day over $3,400, can lead to a rally to the range of $3,800-$4,000. 

$ETH is still hovering around the $3,300 level.

A daily close above the $3,400 level will push Ethereum towards the $3,800-$4,000 zone.

If ETH breaks below the $3,200 level, a retest of $3,000 zone could happen before reversal. pic.twitter.com/0brz9SfYV6

— Ted (@TedPillows) January 17, 2026

On the negative side, Ethereum will hit the support zone of $3,000 once more before trying to recover, in case it goes lower than $3,200.

XRP Price Maintains Uptrend as Spot ETFs Record $1.11M Inflow XRP price is trading near $2.07, showing steady momentum as it maintains a short-term uptrend. This trend has capped the recovery on the downside in the last week.

The token is clinging just above the very important support of $2.07 that is crucial in maintaining confidence in the market.

The XRP has gained a rather small 1% in the last 24 hours. January 16, also marked net inflows in spot XRP ETFs of 1.11 million, indicating the increasing investor interest. In case of increased bullish action, it is possible that the XRP will go up to the $3 mark shortly.

🚨BREAKING: 🇺🇸 $XRP spot ETFs recorded a net inflow of $1.11M on January 16. pic.twitter.com/cvWp6628ac

— DustyBC Crypto (@TheDustyBC) January 17, 2026

Nevertheless, in case bears reclaim their authority, it could drag the token to approximately $2, and thus the support level of $2.04 will be more relevant.

To sum up, XRP and Ethereum are very resilient despite the regulatory tensions. Inflows into ETFs and network improvements are indications of increased investor confidence. 

The breakout is still possible when the bullish trends prevail; however, the important support levels should be observed to prevent short-term bearish reversals.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) The overall crypto market is recovering, supported by ETF inflows, network upgrades, and investor confidence despite regulatory uncertainty.

The Clarity Act is a proposed U.S. regulation bill aiming to provide clearer rules for cryptocurrencies. Its outcome could shape future crypto legislation.

Shiba Inu price rises 3.71% to $0.00000853 as futures outflows hit $10.5M in 24 hours. Analysts watch key support at $0.0000081 amid death cross formation and mixed technical signals.

Newton Gitonga2 min read

17 January 2026, 05:36 PM

Shiba Inu futures contracts experienced significant capital withdrawal over the past day. Data from CoinGlass reveals that 1.24 trillion SHIB tokens, valued at $10.50 million, exited futures positions during this period. This outflow exceeded the $8.8 million in inflows, creating a net negative flow of $1.7 million.

The withdrawal pattern suggests traders are pulling back from leveraged positions in the meme cryptocurrency. Such movements typically indicate reduced confidence in short-term price action or profit-taking after recent volatility. 

Price Action Shows Recovery AttemptSHIB's price climbed 3.71% in the past 24 hours, reaching $0.00000853 at press time. This represents a rebound from Friday's low of $0.00000815, which marked the bottom of a two-day decline. Trading volume increased by 4.39% to $94.53 million, suggesting sustained market interest despite the futures outflows.

The token faces immediate resistance at $0.00001017. A breakthrough at this level could push prices toward the 50-day moving average at $0.00001084. Technical analysts point to $0.000015 as a potential long-term target if bullish momentum builds. However, recent technical indicators present a mixed picture for traders.

Technical Signals Flash Warning SignsA death cross formation appeared on the hourly chart as the 50-hour moving average crossed below the 20-hour moving average. This marks another such occurrence in 2026 and generally signals short-term bearish pressure. The pattern often precedes price consolidation or further declines.

Support levels require close monitoring in the coming sessions. The daily 50-period moving average at $0.0000081 serves as crucial support. Maintaining prices above this threshold remains essential for preserving upward momentum. A failure to hold could send SHIB toward the next support zone at $0.00000732.

The Relative Strength Index and other momentum indicators point toward potential range-bound trading. Neither buyers nor sellers have established clear dominance. This equilibrium could persist until a significant catalyst emerges to shift market sentiment.

ENRICH your inbox with our best storiesDon’t miss out and join our newsletter to get the latest,
well-curated news from the crypto world!

Newton Gitonga covers cryptocurrencies, blockchain, and digital finance. He specializes in breaking down complex trends with clear, data-driven reporting. His work focuses on market analysis, technical insights, and the evolving role of altcoins in shaping global markets.

Read more about

Latest Shiba Inu News Today (SHIB)

2 mins mins

Key Points:

Audi Revolut F1 partners with Nexo in four-year digital assets deal. Supports Audi’s F1 entrance with Nexo offering immersive experiences. Aims to enhance global engagement with innovative digital strategies. Audi Revolut F1 Team has forged a four-year partnership with Nexo, a leading crypto platform, aiming to revolutionize digital asset involvement in Formula 1 racing..

This alliance signifies a pivotal integration of digital assets in motorsports, reflecting innovative engagement strategies without immediate market shifts or specific cryptocurrency impacts.

Audi-Nexo Partnership Sets $11 Billion Digital Asset Trend “As we prepare to enter Formula 1, we are highly selective about the partners we bring on this journey. We are proud to welcome Nexo as our official digital asset partner at a moment of strong growth for both organisations. The partnership reflects a shared ambition to scale with discipline and innovation, and to create tangible value — from exclusive experiences to new ways of engaging our global fanbase and Nexo’s clients.” — Stefano Battiston, Chief Commercial Officer, Audi Revolut F1 Team Formula 1 and Crypto: A New Horizon in 2026 Audi’s foray into digital assets marks a new chapter in its storied history, coinciding with its debut in F1, a domain synonymous with technological advancement. Did you know? Audi’s partnership with Nexo aligns with Formula 1’s 2026 regulations, which emphasize sustainable practices by mandating 50% electrification and the use of sustainable fuels, underscoring the industry’s evolving priorities.

Financial analysts speculate that collaborations like this might signal an impending increase in cryptocurrency involvement in motorsports. While no explicit financial figures have been disclosed, the partnership indicates the growing intersection between digital finance and traditional industries. As F1 adapts to modern technological trends, strategic collaborations could pave the way for broader institutional acceptance of digital assets.

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

Rate this post

AVAX, the native token of the Avalanche protocol, is ready for a potential price breakout following another week of significant mixed price action. In line with the widespread crypto market uplift, the altcoin had initially surged as high as $14.85 before retracing below the $13.50 price. According to analyst Ali Martinez, AVAX now lies at another critical price juncture, with the next price move likely to determine its short-term trend.

Here’s Why AVAX Must Clear $14.83 Resistance  In an X post on January 16, Martinez shares an insightful analysis of the AVAX 12-hour trading chart, identifying a key price zone and an important chart formation. According to the presented technical review, AVAX’s recent rejection around $14.85 can be attributed to heavy resistance in this region. Most notably, the altcoin has struggled to break past this $14.83 price barrier thrice in the last month, indicating a significant willingness among investors to sell when the price approaches this zone.  This could be driven by a general view of such a price point as a good profit-taking zone or expectation of a price decline based on historical data.

Source: @alicharts on X It’s worth noting that Martinez’s analysis also shows that AVAX price movement has formed an inverse head and shoulders pattern, thereby favoring an imminent upside breakout. For context, the inverse H&S formation is a bullish pattern that signals a potential trend reversal. As seen above, it consists of three troughs: the left shoulder, where price declines, then rebounds; the head, a deeper decline to around $11.26 followed by a recovery, and the right shoulder, a higher low ($13.75) that fails to reach the depth of the head.

All rebound highs are connected by a resistance line ($14.83) known as the neckline. And a bullish breakout indicates strengthening buying pressure. Therefore, Martinez explains that AVAX must push past this barrier in a decisive manner to trigger a bullish breakout towards $17.59 as an initial price target. With sustained buying pressure, the analyst predicts a further rise to $18.41, representing a potential 35% gain on present market prices.

AVAX Market Overview At the time of writing, AVAX trades at. $13.61 reflecting minor losses 1.19% and 1.34%in the past one and seven days, respectively. Meanwhile, the monthly chart reports a market gain of 14.67%, indicating the market could indeed be experiencing a trend reversal following the net negative Q4 2025 performance.

AVAX trading at $13.60 on the daily chart | Source: AVAXUSDT chart on Tradingview.com Featured image from Firi, chart from Tradingview

The crypto ETF landscape is undergoing yet another shift. Defiance ETFs, a Miami-based investment firm, announced on Thursday that it is shutting down its Ethereum ETF. 

The firm plans to liquidate the ETF on January 30, 2026, giving investors time to decide on their next moves.

The U.S. SEC approved spot Ethereum ETFs in May 2024, with trading beginning in July, and since then, it has attracted big players in the financial markets from BlackRock to Grayscale. 

Since then, Ethereum’s ETFs have pulled in between $12.5 to $14 billion, bringing total assets under management to over $20 billion. 

Tidal Financial Group and Defiance pull ETFs  Defiance ETFs launched the Ethereum ETFs in September 2025, and after just four months of trading, pulled it off the market. The ETF is known as Defiance Leveraged Long + Income Ethereum ETF (ETHI), and is currently trading at $6.95. It was aimed at delivering between 150%-200% of the daily performance of other Ethereum-based products.

On January 16, Defiance ETFs and Tidal Financial Group announced their decision to pull eight ETFs, including the Ethereum ETF from the market. The board of trustees said this is part of Defiance ETFs’ effort to review its lineup of product offerings and give investors a more focused suite of investments.

The delisted funds will be traded up until January 26, 2026, after which they will accept no more orders. Investors will continue to hold their shares until January 30, 2026, when the funds will be automatically liquidated and redeemed for cash at the net asset value (NAV) on the day of liquidation.

Competition is stiff in crowded ETF market Defiance emphasized that its decision to cut Ethereum ETFs is to provide its investors with more tailored investment opportunities. 

Institutional demand for crypto ETFs has been on the rise and hit record levels in 2025. Spot Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs saw a combined $50 billion in inflows with about $170 billion in total assets under management. 

Defiance’s closure potentially highlights an increase in competition within the U.S. crypto ETF market. For smaller ETF providers, gaining traction in this environment has become increasingly difficult. 

According to reports, the ETF experienced about $6.4 million in inflows, but long-term returns of -66%. ETFs require scale to remain viable, with ongoing costs tied to compliance, fund administration, custody, marketing, and distribution. 

When assets under management fail to reach sustainable levels, maintaining a product becomes economically unfeasible, regardless of broader market demand.

Don’t just read crypto news. Understand it. Subscribe to our newsletter. It's free.

Iconic American burger chain Steak ‘n Shake has added $10 million worth of Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) to its balance sheet. This comes after the company started accepting Bitcoin payments in 2025.

Steak ‘n Shake’s Bitcoin Treasury made a significant acquisition of the cryptocurrency. The company announced the purchase via X on Saturday, highlighting a boost in sales since it began accepting Bitcoin.

“Eight months ago today, Steak n Shake launched its burger-to-Bitcoin transformation when we started accepting bitcoin payments. Our same-store sales have risen dramatically ever since. All Bitcoin sales go into our Strategic Bitcoin Reserve. Today we increased our Bitcoin exposure by $10,000,000 in notional value,” the company wrote in the post. Steak ‘n Shake began accepting Bitcoin payments globally in May 2025 through the Lightning Network, a move endorsed by Block co-founder, Jack Dorsey. The company reported a nearly 50% savings in transaction fees within two weeks, compared to credit card processing.

By October 31, 2025, Steak ‘n Shake became the first major U.S. restaurant chain to establish a dedicated Bitcoin reserve, attributing a 15% increase in same-store sales to its crypto-friendly customers.

The chain has hundreds of stores across the U.S., France, Italy, Portugal, and Monaco.

Steak ‘n Shake’s move to add Bitcoin to its balance sheet underscores the growing acceptance of cryptocurrencies among businesses.

The company’s decision to accept Bitcoin payments and its subsequent investment in the cryptocurrency highlights the potential benefits for businesses, including lower transaction fees and increased sales.

The launch of a Bitcoin rewards program further demonstrates the company’s commitment to embracing digital currencies and providing additional value to its customers.

As the first major U.S. restaurant chain to establish a dedicated Bitcoin reserve, Steak ‘n Shake is setting a precedent that could potentially influence other businesses to follow suit.

Image: Shutterstock/Deutschlandreform

Market News and Data brought to you by Benzinga APIs

© 2026 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.

The bill is still a "priority," White House Crypto Council Director Patrick Witt said, but interagency legalities remain a challenge.

Progress is being made toward establishing a Bitcoin (BTC) strategic reserve in the United States, but “obscure” legal provisions are holding up the process, according to Patrick Witt, the director of the White House Crypto Council. 

Several government agencies are discussing the legalities and regulatory issues of establishing a Bitcoin strategic reserve, including the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Office of Legal Counsel (OLC), Witt told the Crypto in America podcast. He said:

“It seems straightforward, but then you get into some obscure legal provisions, and why this agency can't do it, but actually, this other agency could. We're continuing to push on that. It is certainly still on the priority list right now.”US President Donald Trump signed an executive order establishing a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve and a “Digital Asset Stockpile” that included altcoins and other types of cryptocurrencies in March 2025.

Trump signs the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve and Digital Asset Stockpile order. Source: Margo MartinEstablishing a nation-state Bitcoin reserve would be a landmark moment for the world’s first digital currency. However, some in the Bitcoin community have been critical of the executive order, criticizing the Trump administration for underdelivering on its promises.

The Bitcoin community feels short-changed by the strategic reserve announcementTrump’s executive order stipulated that the US government would not sell any of its Bitcoin holdings and only add to the strategic reserve through BTC seized in asset forfeiture cases.

The executive order does not allow the government to acquire more Bitcoin or digital assets on the open market, which drew criticism from the Bitcoin community.

The US government’s total crypto holdings, including BTC, shown in dollar terms. Source: Arkham Intelligence“The belief that the federal government will one day build a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve requires a complete detachment from reality,” Bitcoin maximalist Justin Bechler said. 

“There is no movement toward a Bitcoin reserve. There is no intention to acquire a fixed-supply asset in good faith. There are only empty speeches, vague references and opportunistic pandering from Washington politicians,” he added.

Source: Michael BentleyIn July 2025, the Trump administration released a long-awaited report on digital asset policy that did not include additional details on a strategic BTC reserve, which drew further backlash from the Bitcoin community.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent proposed in August 2025 that the government could acquire BTC through budget-neutral strategies, which do not add to the annual budget deficit. 

The announcement renewed hopes that the US government could start buying BTC on the open market through converting portions of other reserve assets to BTC or revaluing its previous metals holdings and using those gains to acquire more Bitcoin. 

Magazine: US risks being ‘front run’ on Bitcoin reserve by other nations: Samson Mow

Cointelegraph is committed to independent, transparent journalism. This news article is produced in accordance with Cointelegraph’s Editorial Policy and aims to provide accurate and timely information. Readers are encouraged to verify information independently. Read our Editorial Policy https://cointelegraph.com/editorial-policy

Litecoin [LTC] has stabilized after crowd-driven fear pushed sentiment sharply negative, yet price rebounded over 6% from the demand support zone.

Retail commentary remains pessimistic across social channels. However, price behavior has diverged sharply from that narrative. 

Sellers attempted multiple breakdowns but failed to force continuation. Instead, buyers absorbed pressure near support. That reaction matters. When fear peaks while price stabilizes, market balance often shifts quietly. 

Moreover, recent daily candles show weaker downside follow-through. Volatility has compressed rather than expanded. That change signals exhaustion, not aggression. 

Meanwhile, traders continue anchoring expectations to last week’s decline. Price has refused to validate that fear. As a result, LTC has entered a stabilization phase driven by positioning rather than sentiment. 

Litecoin price structure signals… Litecoin continues to defend the $72–$75 demand zone, with price hovering near $74.56, reinforcing buyer commitment at this long-standing support.

The market has now printed two comparable swing lows near $74, forming a developing double-bottom structure. 

Sellers have repeatedly failed to extend losses. Meanwhile, RSI holds near 40.38, signaling fading bearish momentum without oversold conditions.

During the second test of demand, momentum refused to weaken further. This behavior reflects reduced selling urgency. 

Additionally, the price has already reacted toward $84.77, the first major overhead resistance. 

A sustained recovery above this level would structurally open the path toward the $100 level, which stands as the next major psychological and technical barrier highlighted on the chart. Until then, structure reflects balance rather than trend expansion.

Source: TradingView

Litecoin OI expands with price stability At press time, Open Interest (OI) has risen 3.39% to $664.76 million while Litecoin continues consolidating near support, signaling fresh positioning rather than forced short covering. Short-covering rallies usually show declining OI.

Here, participation has expanded alongside stabilization. Therefore, traders are entering positions deliberately. Moreover, price has avoided sharp spikes during the OI increase. That behavior supports controlled engagement. 

However, rising OI alone does not confirm direction. It simply confirms participation. 

This data suggests traders are positioning ahead of a potential resolution rather than reacting to liquidation pressure. Additionally, OI growth has aligned with tighter price ranges, not volatility expansion.

Long bias dominates despite uneven price action Long/short account data shows aggressive long positioning, even as Litecoin trades unevenly near support.

More than 90% of accounts remain positioned long, as of writing, reflecting strong directional conviction. However, conviction alone does not guarantee upside. 

Crowded positioning increases sensitivity to volatility. Moreover, price has not invalidated downside risk. Therefore, this long-heavy setup carries dual implications. Traders expect stabilization to resolve higher. 

At the same time, downside moves could trigger sharp reactions. Importantly, price has not punished longs yet. That restraint suggests sellers lack momentum. 

Still, an elevated long bias requires caution. Markets often test consensus positioning. Consequently, Litecoin’s next move likely delivers expansion rather than continued compression.

Funding stays positive but controlled Funding Rates remain slightly positive, with the OI-Weighted Funding Rate holding near +0.0043% as of writing.

Positive funding shows traders are willing to pay for long exposure. However, rates have remained moderate. They have not surged toward overheated levels. 

Excessive funding typically precedes sharp long squeezes. Here, leverage participation looks measured. 

Moreover, funding has stayed positive while price consolidates near demand. That combination signals patience rather than euphoria. Meanwhile, funding has failed to flip deeply negative during recent dips. 

Therefore, bearish conviction has weakened. Still, funding alone cannot drive price. It only reflects positioning pressure. 

To sum up, Litecoin remains in a stabilization phase shaped by fading fear, steady participation, and compressed structure. While sentiment stays negative, price continues to defend key support. 

Therefore, the market now waits for confirmation rather than reacting emotionally, with the $100 level standing as the next major structural test if recovery gains traction.

Final Thoughts Market behavior suggests stabilization, but confirmation depends on strength above key resistance. Positioning favors upside resolution, though crowded bias keeps volatility risk elevated.

20h05 ▪ 4 min read ▪ by Luc Jose A.

Summarize this article with:

Bitcoin is regaining the interest of institutional markets. This week, U.S. spot ETFs attracted $1.8 billion in inflows, a record peak since October 2025. Such a spectacular resurgence occurs in an uncertain macroeconomic environment, rekindling hopes of a new bull cycle. However, does this surge reflect a fundamental trend or just a technical rebound? As the $100,000 threshold fuels speculation, the market remains suspended on the consistency of these new funds.

In brief U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded $1.8 billion in net inflows in one week, an unprecedented level since October 2025. This capital surge occurs as BTC tests the $98,000 resistance, reigniting speculation of a potential rally to $100,000. Despite this rebound, total ETF assets remain 24 % below their 2025 peak, reflecting only a partial and fragile recovery. Analysts, such as those from Ecoinometrics, urge caution: positive flows over a few days are insufficient to trigger a lasting trend. A massive influx of capital, but recovery still fragile U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded this week $1.8 billion in net inflows, a record since last October.

This renewed interest occurs as the BTC price tested the $98,000 resistance. Such a surge in flows “marks the strongest weekly inflow since the first week of October 2025”, confirming a return of institutional appetite for bitcoin exposure products.

Despite this rebound in inflows, total ETF assets remain down 24 % from their peak in Q4 2025, dropping from $164.5 billion to $125 billion. This contrast highlights that while interest is reviving, it still does not compensate for outflows observed in previous months.

In other words, these numbers need to be interpreted with caution. The analysis letter Ecoinometrics emphasizes : “bitcoin does not need just a few good days, it needs several good weeks“. In other words, isolated spikes of flows have often been followed by rapid exhaustion.

Here are the key points to remember :

Weekly inflows are high but currently insufficient to restart a sustained bullish trend ; The analysis of cumulative flows remains negative, despite some recent positive spikes ; ETF AUM remain nearly a quarter below their historical peak, proof that current movements do not yet offset past outflows ; The technical threshold of $98,000 has not been crossed, suggesting continuing investor caution despite buy signals. A structurally stronger demand than supply Beneath the volatility of weekly flows, deeper forces are at work. Since the launch of spot ETFs in January 2024, funds have acquired approximately 710,777 BTC, while the network produced only 363,047 over the same period, according to Bitwise data.

This supply-demand imbalance is central. It means that even without speculative rally, the institutional demand exercised via ETFs already absorbs almost twice the new bitcoin supply. This phenomenon, according to Bitwise, has contributed to the 94% price increase of the crypto since the launch of ETFs.

In the medium term, this imbalance could intensify. Bitwise anticipates that ETFs will purchase more than 100% of new bitcoin production over this year, a forecast linked to the rise of institutional players, such as asset managers, listed companies, or even some sovereign wealth funds.

This dynamic fits into a long-term trend. Bitcoin ETFs have already attracted $36.2 billion in net flows in 2024, reaching $125 billion in assets under management at a faster pace than observed during the rise of SPDR Gold Shares, the gold-backed ETF.

Bitcoin soars to $97,000, driven by an unprecedented resurgence of institutional interest. However, behind this surge, the question remains: are we witnessing a durable turning point or just a temporary exuberance? The coming weeks will reveal if flows to ETFs can transform the current momentum into a true bullish trend.

Maximize your Cointribune experience with our "Read to Earn" program! For every article you read, earn points and access exclusive rewards. Sign up now and start earning benefits.

Join the program

A

A

Lien copié

Luc Jose A.

Diplômé de Sciences Po Toulouse et titulaire d'une certification consultant blockchain délivrée par Alyra, j'ai rejoint l'aventure Cointribune en 2019. Convaincu du potentiel de la blockchain pour transformer de nombreux secteurs de l'économie, j'ai pris l'engagement de sensibiliser et d'informer le grand public sur cet écosystème en constante évolution. Mon objectif est de permettre à chacun de mieux comprendre la blockchain et de saisir les opportunités qu'elle offre. Je m'efforce chaque jour de fournir une analyse objective de l'actualité, de décrypter les tendances du marché, de relayer les dernières innovations technologiques et de mettre en perspective les enjeux économiques et sociétaux de cette révolution en marche.

DISCLAIMER

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