Market Signal Briefing

HomeDividends AnalysisDividend IdeasConsumer Staples Analysis

SummaryGeneral Mills trades near its 52-week low, with a 5.5% yield and a forward P/E of 12.1, well below sector and historical averages.GIS demonstrates stabilizing volumes, market share gains in key categories, and promising growth in protein and premium pet food segments.GIS maintains a BBB credit rating and a secure 65% dividend payout ratio.I maintain a 'Buy' rating on GIS, expecting mid-single digit EPS growth and potential total returns in the low to mid-teens from current levels.Looking for a portfolio of ideas like this one? Members of iREIT®+HOYA Capital get exclusive access to our subscriber-only portfolios. Learn More » Daniel Grizelj/DigitalVision via Getty Images

Value investing isn’t always popular, but can yield great returns with a little bit of time and patience. Such I find the case with many names in the consumer staples space such as Hormel (

Analyst’s Disclosure:I/we have a beneficial long position in the shares of GIS 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.

I am not an investment advisor. This article is for informational purposes and does not constitute as financial advice. Readers are encouraged and expected to perform due diligence and draw their own conclusions prior to making any investment decisions.

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.

If you're trying to find reliable dividend stocks, this trio, including a high-yield Dividend King, will be exactly what you're looking for.

It's rough out there right now if you're a dividend investor. The S&P 500 has a miserly 1.1% dividend yield, which doesn't even come close to the rule of thumb 4% retirement withdrawal rate that investors often use. However, PepsiCo (PEP 0.17%) has a 4% yield, Realty Income (O +1.15%) has a 5.4% yield, and Enterprise Products Partners (EPD +0.86%) has a 6.7% yield. Read on if those yields sound far more attractive to you than 1.1%.

1. PepsiCo is a bit of a turnaround stock With the lowest yield of the trio, PepsiCo is also the stock that comes with the most uncertainty. It's currently underperforming key consumer staples peers as it faces industry headwinds, including belt-tightening consumers and the effect of healthier eating trends. The stock is down approximately 25% from its 2022 highs.

Today's Change

(

-0.17

%) $

-0.25

Current Price

$

146.32

If you think long-term, however, this is likely to be an opportunity. Management is working to return to stronger growth. That effort has included brand acquisitions to better align with consumer trends and working with an activist investor to streamline the business. Indeed, PepsiCo is a bit of a turnaround story right now. However, it's also a Dividend King.

Achieving Dividend King status is no small feat. Increasing a dividend for 50+ years requires a strong business model that is executed well in both good times and bad. Right now is a bad time, but if history is any guide, PepsiCo will find a way to survive and thrive in the long term, just as it has many times before. You can collect the stock's historically high 4% yield while you wait.

Image source: Getty Images.

2. Realty Income is boring and reliable If PepsiCo's turnaround opportunity isn't attractive to you, then you might find Realty Income and its 5.4% yield more to your liking. Realty Income has increased its dividend for 30 consecutive years. It has an investment-grade credit rating. And while it's one of the largest real estate investment trusts (REITs) in the world, it's by far the largest net lease REIT, with a portfolio of more than 15,500 properties.

Size is important in the REIT sector, particularly when coupled with an investment-grade-rated balance sheet. REITs have to pay out at least 90% of their taxable income as dividends, allowing them to avoid corporate-level taxation. That doesn't leave behind much cash for buying new properties.

To fund their growth, REITs, such as Realty Income, tap the capital markets by issuing debt and equity. Realty Income's size and financial strength generally give it advantageous access to cash, so it has a relatively low cost of capital. This gives it an edge when it comes to buying properties.

Today's Change

(

1.15

%) $

0.70

Current Price

$

61.42

The caveat is that Realty Income's size means that it is likely to grow slowly over time. It simply requires more investment to grow a bigger company. However, given the lofty yield on offer, that probably won't bother conservative dividend investors.

3. Enterprise Products Partners isn't as risky as it may seem Enterprise Products Partners offers a very attractive 6.7% distribution yield. Interestingly, the highest yield doesn't always mean the highest risk. Like Realty Income, Enterprise is built to be boring, highlighted by its 27-year streak of annual distribution increases. That's basically as long as the master limited partnership (MLP) has been public.

Like Realty Income, Enterprise has an investment-grade credit rating. However, the real story is the MLP's business model. It's one of the largest midstream energy players in North America. That means it owns energy infrastructure, such as pipelines, that help move oil and natural gas around the world. It charges fees for the use of its assets, so the often-volatile price of the commodities it transports isn't all that important to its financial results. Demand for energy, which tends to be strong even during oil downturns, is the real driving force behind the business.

Today's Change

(

0.86

%) $

0.28

Current Price

$

32.90

The caveat here is the MLP structure, which is slightly more complex than that of a traditional corporation. For example, you'll need to deal with a K-1 form come tax time. However, if you can handle a little more legwork with your taxes, this high yielder should be well worth the effort.

Three no-brainer high-yield choices If you're in the market for high-yield stocks, you should find each of the three options above very interesting. PepsiCo is an out-of-favor Dividend King that may interest those with a higher risk tolerance. Realty Income is a slow and steady tortoise that can serve as a foundational dividend investment. And Enterprise is a hidden high-yield gem in an industry that's normally known for being volatile.

Boot up your laptop and hit "Post" because Yahoo Finance is taking a look at how social media stocks are faring in 2026. Shares of Facebook and Instagram parent company Meta Platforms (META) are already down 5% year-to-date in the new year.

HomeDividends AnalysisDividend Ideas

SummaryBarings Global Short Duration High Yield Fund (BGH) is rated Hold due to an unattractive current discount to NAV and long-term NAV erosion.BGH focuses on high-yield, short-duration fixed income, with 94% non-investment grade holdings and a 27.76% leverage ratio.Recent performance shows BGH outperformed its category over three-, five-, and 10-year periods, but underperformed in the past year.Distribution coverage improved to 0.76x for the latest six months, but net assets and unrealized appreciation have declined.Looking for a helping hand in the market? Members of Hidden Dividend Stocks Plus get exclusive ideas and guidance to navigate any climate. Learn More » cagkansayin/iStock via Getty Images

Looking for high-yield, short-term fixed-income investments?

If you have neither the time or the expertise to sort through the many short-term fixed-income vehicles being offered, there are closed-end funds with managers that can do the heavy lifting.

Fund Profile:

"The

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

Disclaimer: This article was written for informational purposes only, and is not intended as personal investment advice. Please practice due diligence before investing in any investment vehicle 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.

NEW YORK, Jan. 18, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --

WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of securities of Coupang, Inc. (NYSE: CPNG) between August 6, 2025 and December 16, 2025, both dates inclusive (the “Class Period”), of the important February 17, 2026 lead plaintiff deadline in the securities class action first filed by the Firm.

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

WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the Coupang class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=8383 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than February 17, 2026. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation.

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

DETAILS OF THE CASE: According to the lawsuit, defendants throughout the Class Period made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) Coupang had inadequate cybersecurity protocols that allowed a former employee to access sensitive customer information for nearly six months without being detected; (2) this subjected Coupang to a materially heightened risk of regulatory and legal scrutiny; (3) When defendants became aware that Coupang had been subjected to this data breach, they did not report it in a current report filing (to be filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”)) in compliance with applicable reporting rules; and (4) as a result, defendants’ public statements were materially false and/or misleading at all times. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages.

To join the Coupang class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=8383 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] for information on the class action.

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

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

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

-------------------------------

Contact Information:

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

New York, New York--(Newsfile Corp. - January 18, 2026) - WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of securities of F5, Inc. (NASDAQ: FFIV) between October 28, 2024 and October 27, 2025, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"), of the important February 17, 2026 lead plaintiff deadline.

SO WHAT: If you purchased F5 securities during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement.

WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the F5 class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=46672 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than February 17, 2026. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation.

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

DETAILS OF THE CASE: According to the lawsuit, defendants throughout the Class Period created the false impression that they possessed reliable information pertaining to F5's projected revenue outlook and anticipated growth while also minimizing risk from seasonality and macroeconomic fluctuations. In truth, F5's optimistic claims, touting its purported best-in-industry security and overall emphasis and confidence in F5's ability to meet and capitalize on the growing security needs for its clientele fell short of reality; F5 was, at the time, the subject of a significant security incident, placing its clientele's security and F5's future prospects at significant risk. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages.

To join the F5 class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=46672 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] for information on the class action.

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

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

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

-------------------------------

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/280660

Source: The Rosen Law Firm PA

Ready to Announce with Confidence? Send us a message and a member of our TMX Newsfile team will contact you to discuss your needs.

Contact Us

New York, New York--(Newsfile Corp. - January 18, 2026) - WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, announces a class action lawsuit on behalf of purchasers of common stock of Vistagen Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: VTGN) between April 1, 2024 and December 16, 2025, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"). A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than March 16, 2026.

SO WHAT: If you purchased Vistagen Therapeutics common stock during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement.

WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the Vistagen Therapeutics class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=50827 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than March 16, 2026. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation.

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

DETAILS OF THE CASE: According to the lawsuit, defendants provided investors with material information concerning Vistagen's plan to develop and commercialize its drug fasedienol, an investigational pherine candidate in development for the acute treatment of social anxiety disorder (SAD). Defendants' statements included, among other things, Vistagen's positive assertions of fasedienol's future trial success based on the prior positive results associated with the PALISADE-2 clinical trial, in addition to notable enhancements and operational changes made to the execution of the PALISADE-3 clinical trial supported a strong likelihood of Phase 3 success and positioned it as a confirmatory study.

According to the lawsuit, defendants provided these overwhelmingly positive statements to investors while, at the same time, disseminating false and misleading statements and/or concealing material adverse facts concerning its Phase 3 PALISADE-3 trial study of fasedienol. This caused shareholders to purchase Vistagen common stock at artificially inflated prices. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages.

To join the Vistagen Therapeutics class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=50827 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] for information on the class action.

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

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

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

-------------------------------

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/280699

Source: The Rosen Law Firm PA

Ready to Announce with Confidence? Send us a message and a member of our TMX Newsfile team will contact you to discuss your needs.

Contact Us

HomeDividends AnalysisREITs AnalysisReal Estate Analysis

SummaryI checked Realty Income's most recent deal with Blackstone Real Estate - it's immediately accretive with nearly 100 bps of estimated investment spread.This $800M preferred equity investment in Las Vegas assets signals a turning point in real estate market activity and offers a 7.4% cap rate.The transaction's long triple-net lease, favorable rent escalators, and 26-year term enhance O's income stability and growth profile.O's valuation remains modest with a 5%+ dividend yield, supporting expectations for double-digit total returns amid rising investment activity.With an improving economic environment and modest valuation, I consider O a strong buy despite recent stock price increases. sitox/E+ via Getty Images

Realty Income (O) has always been one of my favorite REITs to invest in. I've been invested for years, and I continue to buy more shares from time to time to increase my position. Over the last

Analyst’s Disclosure:I/we have a beneficial long position in the shares of O, VICI 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.

The information, opinions, and thoughts included in this article do not constitute an investment recommendation or any form of investment advice.

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.

Explore how key differences in size, holdings, and volatility set these two Fidelity bond ETFs apart for income-focused investors.

Fidelity Investment Grade Bond ETF (FIGB 0.30%) and Fidelity Total Bond ETF (FBND 0.22%) both target core bond exposure, but FBND stands out with its massive assets under management (AUM), broader portfolio, higher yield, and lower volatility.

Both FIGB and FBND are fixed-income funds from Fidelity, designed for investors seeking stable income and diversification away from equities. This comparison highlights the key differences in size, yield, diversification, and risk between these two bond ETFs to help investors identify which may better fit their needs.

Snapshot (cost & size)MetricFIGBFBNDIssuerFidelityFidelityExpense ratio0.36%0.36%1-yr return (as of 2026-01-09)3.8%3.8%Dividend yield4.1%4.7%Beta1.020.97AUM$327.1 million$23.4 billionBeta measures price volatility relative to the S&P 500; beta is calculated from five-year weekly returns. The 1-yr return represents total return over the trailing 12 months.

Both funds charge the same annual expense, but FBND stands out with a higher yield and much larger assets under management, making it more affordable for investors seeking a higher payout and greater liquidity.

Performance & risk comparisonMetricFIGBFBNDMax drawdown (4 y)(16.18%)(15.48%)What's insideFBND holds an expansive portfolio of 2,742 bonds, with a sector allocation tilted toward energy (95%) and utilities (5%). Its top holdings include Bank Of America 3.419%/var 12/20/28, JPMorgan Chase 4.452%/var 12/05/29, and Goldman Sachs 3.691/var 6/05/28, each representing less than 1% of assets. With over 11 years of history, FBND may appeal to those seeking broad diversification and a higher yield from a well-established fund.

In contrast, FIGB focuses on investment-grade bonds, with all assets classified as cash and others, and a much more concentrated portfolio of 180 holdings. Its largest positions are Goldman Sachs 3.8% 03/15/30, JPMorgan Chase 4.493%/var 3/24/31, and Morgan Stanley 4.431/var 1/23/30, each just over 1.5%. Both funds avoid leverage, currency hedges, or other structural quirks.

FBND holds an expansive portfolio of 2,742 bonds, with a sector allocation tilted toward energy (95%) and utilities (5%). Its top holdings include Bank of America 3.419%/var 12/20/28

For more guidance on ETF investing, check out the full guide at this link.

What this means for investorsWhile Fidelity is the issuer behind both the Fidelity Investment Grade Bond ETF (FIGB) and the Fidelity Total Bond ETF (FBND), there are some noteworthy differences between the two.

FIGB emphasizes high-quality bonds, providing investors with stability and safety. However, its much tighter focus contributes to smaller assets under management compared to FBND, and its lower dividend yield means less money in your wallet in exchange for the higher quality, which also provides lower credit risk.

FBND sports a number of strengths. Its substantially larger assets under management translate into the ETF offering greater liquidity compared to FIGB. Its higher dividend yield is also a plus, especially considering both ETFs have the same expense ratio. In addition, FBND delivers broader diversification given its large bond portfolio.

For investors who want stability and high-quality bonds, FIGB is the better choice. Those investors who want broader market exposure and diversification, and a higher dividend yield in exchange for higher risk should consider FBND.

GlossaryETF: Exchange-traded fund that holds a basket of assets and trades like a stock.
Fixed income: Investments, like bonds, that pay regular interest and return principal at maturity.
Core bond exposure: Broad bond holdings intended to be a portfolio’s main, diversified fixed‑income component.
Investment-grade bonds: Bonds rated relatively safe, with lower risk of default and typically lower yields.
Dividend yield: Annual cash distributions from a fund divided by its current market price.
Expense ratio: Annual fund operating costs expressed as a percentage of average assets.
Assets under management (AUM): Total market value of all assets managed by a fund.
Beta: Measure of how much a fund’s price moves relative to the overall stock market.
Max drawdown: Largest peak‑to‑trough decline in value over a specific period.
Portfolio diversification: Spreading investments across many securities to reduce the impact of any single holding.
Leverage (in funds): Using borrowed money or derivatives to increase a fund’s exposure beyond its net assets.
Currency hedge: Strategy used by funds to reduce the impact of foreign exchange rate movements on returns.

Wall Street is underestimating the growth potential of Nvidia's Rubin architecture.

In 2024, Nvidia (NVDA 0.29%) and Amazon (AMZN +0.40%) were added to the Dow Jones Industrial Average, replacing Intel and Walgreens Boots Alliance.

In December 2024, I predicted that Nvidia would be a better Dow stock to buy than Amazon because of its reasonable valuation and superior business model. The recommendation was intended for long-term investors, not those seeking to make a quick profit on a one-year time horizon.

Still, the call has been right so far, with Nvidia gaining 38.9% in 2025 compared to just 5.2% for Amazon. In fact, Amazon was the worst "Magnificent Seven" stock in 2025 -- underperforming Nvidia, Alphabet, Apple, Microsoft, Meta Platforms, and Tesla.

Even after Nvidia's big 2025 gain, it remains a better buy than Amazon. Here's why.

Image source: Getty Images.

Amazon's success is largely tied to AWS In its most recent quarter, Amazon achieved an operating margin of just 4.1% on its non-Amazon Web Services (AWS) business, which encompasses its online and physical stores, advertising, subscription services, third-party commissions, fulfillment, and shipping fees, and its miscellaneous "other" category. AWS is so profitable that it made up 60% of Amazon's operating income for the nine months ended Sept. 30, 2025, even though it's less than a fifth of total Amazon sales.

With 35.6% operating margins for the nine months ended Sept. 30, AWS is a high-powered cash cow and the crown jewel in Amazon's crown. But AWS growth has slowed in recent years as it faces mounting competition from Microsoft, Alphabet's Google Cloud, and Oracle.

Rubin could open the door to new revenue streams for Nvidia While AWS helps fuel Amazon's broader business, Nvidia is more of a pure-play artificial intelligence (AI) company. Its data center sales now make up around 90% of total revenue. And the other 10% of the business is also high margin, with end markets like gaming, professional visualization, automation, and robotics.

Nvidia's presentation at CES earlier this month showcased its new Rubin architecture, which consists of six different chips designed for the next stage of AI advancement -- agentic AI, robotics, and autonomous driving. Nvidia is releasing Rubin ahead of schedule, with deployments to hyperscalers -- including AWS -- on track for the second half of 2026.

Despite its size, the law of large numbers hasn't caught up to Nvidia. It continues to grow earnings at a breakneck pace and defends its high margins thanks to its innovation. Rubin goes beyond the graphics processing unit (GPU) with networking, interconnections, and central processing units (CPUs) for rack-scale readiness. With Nvidia playing a bigger role in AI data centers, there's every reason to believe the stock can keep roaring higher.

Today's Change

(

-0.29

%) $

-0.54

Current Price

$

186.51

Nvidia is a better value for long-term investors Nvidia's high margins and break-even growth rate justify a higher valuation than Amazon. Amazon has become more affordable because its earnings grew faster than its stock price last year. Amazon is cheaper than Nvidia, with a forward price-to-earnings ratio of just 30.1 compared to 39 for Nvidia.

Data by YCharts.

However, I'd still take Nvidia over Amazon because of its growth potential. If Nvidia's data center business does eventually cool off, it could easily more than offset a potential slowdown with new opportunities in other facets of its business. At the same time, Amazon depends heavily on AWS, and there's only so much room for margin expansion in its e-commerce business.

Add it all up, and Nvidia is still the better buy for 2026 -- although Amazon is a better value than it used to be and could be worth a closer look too.

Daniel Foelber has positions in Nvidia and Oracle and has the following options: short March 2026 $240 calls on Oracle. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Intel, Meta Platforms, Microsoft, Nvidia, Oracle, and Tesla. The Motley Fool recommends the following options: long January 2026 $395 calls on Microsoft and short January 2026 $405 calls on Microsoft. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Advantage Energy stands to benefit from La Niña-driven cold weather. AAVVF remains heavily exposed to natural gas. Rising natural gas demand may improve returns on new wells.

AppLovin Corporation stock has been hit recently, despite its robust fundamentals, driven by its scalable ad tech platform and expanding data moat into new verticals. APP's push into e-commerce is structurally altering mobile advertising, promising lucrative eCPM expansion beyond its core gaming vertical. The company's highly profitable business model and credible path to $10B revenue by FY2027 support continued upward momentum.

Analyst’s Disclosure:I/we have a beneficial long position in the shares of O 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.

Beyond Saving, Philip Mause, and Hidden Opportunities, all are supporting contributors for High Dividend Opportunities. Any recommendation posted in this article is not indefinite. We closely monitor all of our positions. We issue Buy and Sell alerts on our recommendations, which are exclusive to our members.

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.

14h40 ▪ 5 min read ▪ by Luc Jose A.

Summarize this article with:

Announced as a historic breakthrough, the strategic Bitcoin reserve desired by the United States remains at a standstill today. Nearly a year after the decree signed by Donald Trump in March 2025, no BTC acquisition has been made. Legal blockages and persistent administrative confusion are the causes. Officially a priority, the project is stalling, giving way to growing criticism from the crypto community, disappointed by the lack of concrete actions and the absence of a clear government strategy.

In brief The creation of a strategic Bitcoin reserve in the United States was announced by presidential decree in March 2025. This project aimed to hold BTC seized by the state, without the possibility of purchase on the open market. A year later, no Bitcoin acquisition has been made due to complex legal blockages. Administrative ambiguity persists between agencies like the DOJ and the Office of Legal Counsel, delaying any concrete implementation. Between presidential decree and administrative realities, a stalled project The idea of a strategic Bitcoin reserve in the United States officially took shape in March 2025, when the Trump administration promulgated an executive order establishing a “Strategic Bitcoin Reserve” and a “Digital Asset Stockpile” also including certain altcoins.

Through this decree, the White House intended to preserve and potentially strengthen the country’s crypto holdings, but with a major constraint: the prohibition of buying Bitcoin on the open market.

Only BTC seized in the context of judicial procedures could feed this reserve. One year later, Patrick Witt, director of the White House Crypto Council, admits that the implementation is slowed down by legal complexities: “it seems simple, but then you hit obscure legal provisions, and why one agency cannot do it, but another could,” he explained during the Crypto in America podcast.

He indicates that several government entities, notably the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Office of Legal Counsel (OLC), are still examining the legal implications of the scheme.

In this context, no clear framework has yet been defined to move the project forward. Confusion reigns regarding the responsibilities of each agency and the concrete methods of fund management. Here are the main obstacles identified to date :

No federal agency officially designated to manage the reserve or its expansion conditions ; Legal blockages between departments, notably on the legality of long-term crypto holdings by the state ; Inability to buy BTC on markets, which strongly limits the strategic scope of the scheme ; Absence of concrete measures in the crypto report published in July 2025, despite the expectations of the crypto community. Despite these limits, Patrick Witt asserts that the project “remains on the priority list“. However, for now, it resembles more a political intention not translated into reality. The presidential ambitions displayed in 2025 struggle to withstand the regulatory heaviness of the federal system.

The political disconnect and disillusionment in the Bitcoin community In the face of this administrative paralysis, part of the Bitcoin community is becoming increasingly critical of the Trump administration.

Bitcoin maximalist Justin Bechler didn’t mince words : “believing that the federal government will one day build a strategic Bitcoin reserve requires a total disconnect from reality“, he declared, denouncing “empty talks, vague references, and Washington political opportunism“.

In fact, no Bitcoin acquisition has been made since the signing of the decree. And the absence of a concrete plan, combined with unclear communication, fuels growing mistrust toward the authorities’ real intentions.

In August 2025, a brief surge of hope emerged. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent proposed that the government explore budget-neutral Bitcoin acquisition strategies. These solutions would consist, for example, of converting part of other reserve assets or revaluing precious metal holdings to finance BTC purchases without increasing the deficit.

However, no concrete measures followed this announcement. In a context where some countries are considering or already initiating sovereign crypto reserves, this inertia could prove costly for the United States strategically.

The fate of the American strategic reserve remains uncertain, caught between political will and administrative inertia. Meanwhile, the Bitcoin price continues to reflect tensions between hoped-for institutional adoption and regulatory realities. If Washington doesn’t decide, the initiative could bog down, risking to discredit a strong signal sent to the markets.

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.

Bitcoin is approaching an important price area, where the next move could set the tone for the coming days. The market has been moving higher, but signs show this advance may be part of a temporary correction rather than a fresh breakout.

From macro tailwinds to trillion-dollar rails, the 50T Funds founder sees real-world adoption reshaping the crypto landscape.

Journalist

Posted: January 18, 2026

XRP continued to defend the psychological and technical $2 demand zone.

In a recent report, AMBCrypto noted that Ripple partnered with LMAX to integrate its stablecoin, RLUSD. Moves and partnerships like these help boost adoption, part ofa long-term strategy.

This might not reflect immediately in price action or market sentiment. Another report highlighted the inverse head and shoulders pattern XRP was making on the 1-day timeframe, which could lead to a bullish breakout for the token prices.

Ripple [XRP] witnessed steady outflows from exchanges, a sign of accumulation. The high Long/Short Ratio was a warning to the bulls of potential short-term volatility to force out the overcrowded long side.

Inflows from whales were low, which showed that smart money was not offloading XRP. This was an indication of conviction from whales.

Signs that XRP could be forming a local price bottom In a CryptoQuant Insights post, analyst PelinayPA observed that when Funding Rates turn positive and spike higher, the price tends to see a consolidation and brief pullbacks. This is a result of the cost of maintaining long positions, which is funding, and the possibility of a long squeeze that it entails.

As of press time, the opposite of that was going on while prices remain above the $2 demand zone. These conditions tend to mark local price bottoms.

The lack of excessive market enthusiasm meant any price dips were likely to be shallow. A switch to positive Funding Rates in the coming days could come alongside a bullish XRP price move.

Another user, TopNotchYJ, pointed out that the spot CVD was taker buy dominant.

This indicated aggressive buying pressure in the 90-day Spot CVD metric. The Spot Average Order Size witnessed big whale orders in recent weeks, as well.

The Cost Basis Distribution Heatmap highlighted the importance of the $1.96-$2.0 area as support. These areas had a high concentration of supply at cost basis. A price drop below $1.96 could trigger deeper bearish sentiment.

On the other hand, the $2.15 area was another zone for bulls to watch out for as a potential resistance. Within the past week, XRP bulls faced rejection at this area.

Final Thoughts The funding rates and buyer-dominated spot CVD metrics indicated a higher likelihood of an upward price move for XRP. The CBD heatmap showed where the key local support and resistance zones were.

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

Bitcoin demand conditions have shown improvement recently; however, they are still weak despite bitcoin’s latest rally.

Over the past week, bitcoin (BTC) has rebounded, with the price approaching certain crucial thresholds. Despite this rally in the asset’s value, analysts at the crypto research firm CryptoQuant believe the market, led by BTC, has not escaped the bears’ claws.

In a weekly report from CryptoQuant, market experts noted that BTC demand conditions have improved recently. However, they are still weak and have not changed significantly. This substantiates the claim that the market is still in a bearish phase despite bitcoin’s latest rally.

Bitcoin Sees Bear Market Rally Since November 21, 2025, BTC has risen by approximately 20% to its current levels. The rally follows a 19% decline that confirmed the start of a bear market as BTC fell below its 365-day moving average (MA). The surge brought the leading cryptocurrency near its 365-day MA, currently sitting at $101,000.

Historically, the 365-day MA has acted as a regime boundary with previous bear cycles showing repeated rejections near that level before renewed downward movement. BTC recorded a similar pattern in the 2022 bear cycle, and this time is no different.

The rally in bitcoin’s price comes amid slightly improved but weak demand conditions. In fact, spot demand is still contracting. U.S. spot indicators, such as the Coinbase Price Premium and spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs), briefly turned positive. The Coinbase premium briefly increased from deep negative territory for the second time since mid-December 2025.

Bitcoin Demand Remains Weak On the ETF front, there is still no extraordinary activity. These products merely stopped net selling during the rally, after offloading as much as 54,000 BTC over a 30-day period in November 2025. Spot Bitcoin ETFs have not indicated a strong return of U.S. demand or shown sustained accumulation.

Furthermore, apparent demand metrics reveal that Bitcoin spot demand has contracted by 67,000 BTC over the last 30 days and has been in negative territory since November 28, 2025. Spot Bitcoin ETFs in the U.S. have purchased only 3,800 BTC so far this year, compared to 3,600 at the same time last year – levels below thresholds associated with bull-market recoveries.

You may also like: EU Calls Emergency Meeting, Democrats Move to Block Trump’s Tariffs, But BTC Stays Calm How US Investors Could Spark Bitcoin’s Deep Correction or Surge First Time in 3 Months: Bitcoin Fear and Greed Index Signals Greed Meanwhile, analysts say BTC may face increased selling pressure in the coming weeks, as exchange flows have begun to rise after the recent rally. Bitcoin transfers to exchanges have spiked to a seven-day average of 39,000 BTC. Increased flows into exchanges are historically associated with escalating selling activity, so there may be more trouble for BTC ahead.

Tags:

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

It was a strange week in crypto. XRP supply just got thinner, with U.S. spot ETFs locking up 1.20% of the token’s total market cap — $1.52 billion that is now off the open market and in cold compliance storage.

But over in the meme coin land, the SHIB burn rate hit a wall, collapsing 86.14% in 24 hours and throwing cold water on the deflation hype. And then there is Justin Sun, who casually announced he would pay $30 million for an hour-long conversation with Elon Musk.

TL;DRXRP ETF holdings now at $1.52 billion, equal to 1.20% of the total market cap.SHIB burn rate nosedives 86.14% in 24 hours, dropping to just 749,000 SHIB burned.Justin Sun says he would pay $30 million to talk to Elon Musk for 60 minutes.XRP sees $1.52 billion supply cut, but price reaction is weirdU.S. XRP ETFs have now bought $1.52 billion worth of XRP, according to SoSoValue, locking up 1.20% of the entire market cap — but the token's price has not moved at all. It is a classic mismatch: supply is drying up, but prices are stuck.

HOT Stories

This week, inflows added up to just $56.83 million, which is a far cry from December's numbers. Back then, single-week flows regularly crossed $200 million. The big question is whether this is just a temporary slowdown or if it is more of a long-term trend.

But the price is still not cooperating. XRP is stuck near $2.05, brushing up against short-term resistance at $2.10, and looking lost under its 200-day moving average at $2.32. Even with supply cuts from the ETFs, there has been no breakout. Nothing too aggressive there. It is just a range-bound chop.

Source: SoSoValueThat is where things get a bit awkward. It could be a delayed bullish setup — ETF accumulation leading a larger move — or it could be a failed bullish catalyst, with not enough retail follow-through to matter.

If XRP cannot break through $2.32 soon, it might fall into its own liquidity trap: fewer tokens available, but fewer buyers showing up. If the impact of an ETF is not priced in real time, market participants are likely to look elsewhere.

You Might Also Like

Shiba Inu (SHIB) suffers brutal 86.14% metric collapseIn the last 24 hours, SHIB's burn rate dropped by 86.14%, falling to a laughable 749,126 tokens burned, as per Shibburn portal. That is not a typo. It is one of the weakest daily burns in months. For a project that has burned through over 410 trillion tokens in total, a drop like this is unacceptable.

The whole thing is made worse by the fact that the Shiba Inu coin had just printed a golden cross between its 23-day and 50-day MAs, which led to speculation that the price might chase the 200-day average at $0.0000096.

But with daily burns hitting rock bottom and on-chain volume stalling, things are not looking promising.

SHIB/USD by TradingViewThe price is stuck at 0.$00000841, holding onto the trendline support that was made after Christmas. If it breaks $0.000008, the structure caves and the golden cross gets invalidated before it ever mattered.

To put it simply, SHIB needed deflation to show that it was gaining steam. Instead, it gave holders silence — and that silence is where the market's pullback usually starts.

TRON founder Justin Sun open to paying Elon Musk $30 millionSometimes, the biggest quote of the day is not about the price chart, but what hides in the reply section.

When prompted by the viral question — “$30M or 24 hours with Elon Musk?” — TRON founder Justin Sun replied without hesitation.

It is not clear if he was joking, pitching a future collaboration, or both.

But Sun has a history of big-spend PR moves, from paying $4.5M for a later canceled lunch with Warren Buffett to inserting himself into every ecosystem from Poloniex to Huobi to TUSD and buying a banana with duct tape for over $6 million. The last one by the way was offered to be sent to space aboard Musk's SpaceX rocket. But that is another story.

What makes this one different is the specificity of the number. It is not the dollar amount — Sun has dropped bigger bags for dumber stunts — but the specificity: sixty minutes for $30 million. It is a valuation of access, not influence. And it is not a meme if you can wire the funds.

In a post-Twitter, X-powered world, where clout markets bleed into token charts, it does not take much for a throwaway comment to trigger reflexive speculation. TRON-Tesla stablecoin? TRX tipping integration on X?

None of that exists yet. But Sun's quote does now — and knowing how quickly crypto can spin narratives into capital, that might be all he needs.

Crypto market outlookAccording to CryptoQuant's price decomposition, Sunday and Saturday are still the days with the least movement across all days of the week. It is really on weekdays, especially Tuesdays and Thursdays, that things start to get really volatile.

XRP: $1.52B ETF absorption is dead weight on the supply side — if flows accelerate, the price will not stay flat for long. A break above $2.32 opens up a $2.5-$2.7 repricing window fast.Shiba Inu (SHIB): golden cross now risks invalidation without a burn rate rebound. Without it, the meme coin narrative stalls and the price likely revisits the $0.00000800 coil zone.Bitcoin (BTC): faces a triple ceiling near $100,000 — technical, structural, psychological. If Tuesday ETF flows miss expectations, weekend calm could flip into rejection. The next move sets the tone for Q1. You Might Also Like

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

Bitcoin prices continue to consolidate within the $95,000 zone following the pullback in the latter part of the past week. The premier cryptocurrency is experiencing a bullish January performance marked by a net gain of 11.42% since the new year commenced. However, the effects of the extended price correction from Q4 2025 linger. Using recent on-chain data, a market analyst with the username MorenoDV_ has identified certain holder cohorts who are still experiencing extreme psychological stress that could impact future price trajectory.

Bitcoin Market Risk Redistribution Ongoing – Here’s Why In a QuickTake post on January 17, MorenoDV_ postulates that the Bitcoin bull cycle remains on despite the negative events of Q4 2025. Notably, the crypto market leader experienced a heavy 33% price correction after hitting its current all-time high ($126,198) in early October.

Although Bitcoin has recorded some modest price recovery in the past month, significant expectations of a bear market remain, driven by a diminished market demand and failure to reclaim key technical levels such as the 365-day MA. Using the data from the Realized Price by UTXO Age Bands, MorenoDV explains that the Bitcoin market is actively redistributing risk. This positive development counters the bearish narrative of a market cycle ending.

Source: CryptoQuant With the present spot price around $95,583, the CryptoQuant metric shows that psychological stress is unevenly distributed among Bitcoin holders. Notably, short-term holders, i.e., 1w-1m and 1m-3m cohorts, have realized prices, i.e., $89,255 and $93,504, respectively, below the spot price. This data suggests that these classes of investors are in profit and are experiencing low market pressure, which helps keep fear at bay.

However, mid-term holders of 3m-6m and long-term holders of 6m-12m have realized prices of $114,808, and $100,748 both of which are significantly above the present spot price. However,  both holder cohorts have chosen to bear the discomfort by absorbing losses rather than initiating an aggressive redistribution. 

Therefore, as the spot price rises towards the realized price levels of these stressed cohorts, losses are expected to significantly reduce, eventually easing these pressures on these classes of holders and balancing the market risk. This market development only occurs if the 3m-6m and 6m-12m continue to interpret the present market drawdown as a mere cyclical discomfort rather than a change in market structure. Therefore, there is a need for a sustained bullish narrative and constructive price behavior to keep these investors from seeking a market exit.

Bitcoin Price Overview At press time, Bitcoin trades at $95,265, reflecting a modest 5.3% gain in the last week. 

BTC trading at $95,121 on the daily chart | Source: BTCUSDT chart on Tradingview.com Featured image from Pexels, 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.

Semilore Faleti works as a crypto-journalist at Bitconist, providing the latest updates on blockchain developments, crypto regulations, and the DeFi ecosystem. He is a strong crypto enthusiast passionate about covering the growing footprint of blockchain technology in the financial world.

Sun, 18/01/2026 - 11:34

Hedge fund manager Michael Burry, best known for predicting the 2008 global financial crisis, has publicly endorsed a charitable use case for Bitcoin.

Cover image via U.Today Hedge fund manager Michael Burry, who rose to worldwide fame by correctly predicting the 2008 global financial crisis, has publicly praised a charitable use case for Bitcoin.

On social media, Burry, who posts under the handle Cassandra Unchained, endorsed cryptic donations to Little Wishes, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to granting wishes for chronically and critically ill hospitalized children. 

“Bitcoin for Little Wishes is a good use of $BTC,” Burry said in an X post. 

HOT Stories

Little Wishes, which was founded in 2003, has a long track record of granting over 36,000 wishes across 46 hospitals in the United States.

The organization facilitates both immediate and ongoing wishes that include small personal items to experiences that bring comfort and joy to children facing serious medical challenges. 

The nonprofit confirmed that supporters could contribute Bitcoin directly through a dedicated platform on Every.org in response to questions about cryptocurrency donations. 

Burry's views on BitcoinBitcoin is often criticized for its volatility and use in speculative investment, but this shows that the cryptocurrency is also used for philanthropy. Accepting Bitcoin can open up new donor demographics, including younger or tech-savvy contributors who might prefer using digital currency over traditional payment methods.

card

Burry, who rose to prominence after predicting the subprime mortgage crisis, is known as a longtime critic of the leading cryptocurrency. Most recently, in a December 2025 podcast with author Michael Lewis, Burry offered some of his bluntest public comments on Bitcoin.

He opined that Bitcoin going to $100,000 was "the most ridiculous thing." adding that it is "not worth anything." 

The “Big Short” hero even invoked the infamous 17th‑century Dutch tulip bubble. 

Earlier, he warned that leverage was the main problem with crypto. 

However, the post shows that he might be warming up to the leading cryptocurrency based on his recent social media post. 

Related articles

XRP will double in value this year to hit a price of $4.

Up 13% to start off 2026, XRP (XRP 0.48%) is once again starting to look like the type of high-upside cryptocurrency that investors can trust.

In fact, I'm making one big prediction for XRP in 2026: The world's fourth-largest cryptocurrency is going to set a new all-time high and end the year trading above the $4 mark.

Can XRP really double in value? A price of $4 might not sound like a particularly bold prediction, until you consider the fact that XRP currently trades for a price of just $2. Moreover, XRP has continually over-promised and under-delivered for more than a decade. Since it began trading on exchanges in 2013, XRP has never once traded higher than a price of $3.84, and that was in January 2018.

Image source: Getty Images.

Understandably, consensus sentiment on XRP is not very high right now. According to data from CoinCodex, the average price prediction for XRP in 2026 is just $2.20. That price target essentially assumes that XRP will end the year up 10%. That's OK, but certainly not worth the risk and volatility of investing in the cryptocurrency asset class.

Today's Change

(

-0.48

%) $

-0.01

Current Price

$

2.05

Admittedly, XRP did make a run at the $4 price level last year. But after hitting a multi-year high of $3.65 in July, XRP promptly gave back all of its gains. It ended the year under the $2 mark, which is why sentiment is so low right now. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.

What do online prediction markets think? If you buy into the numbers coming out of online prediction markets, XRP has a negligible chance of hitting the $4 mark this year. On the Kalshi prediction platform, for example, traders give XRP just a 2% chance of smashing through the $4 mark by the end of 2026.

The outlook was entirely different last year, however. When XRP was cruising to its multi-year high of $3.65 in July, traders gave XRP an 86% chance of hitting the $4 mark. Quite frankly, at the time, XRP looked like a slam-dunk investment opportunity.

That's perhaps the biggest lesson here: in the crypto market, sentiment can turn on a dime, and that's especially the case with XRP. Throughout its history, it has often traded like a meme coin, dependent on hype, buzz, and speculation to send it soaring higher. When the hype and buzz wear off, XRP typically gives back all its gains.

So, if you're thinking about investing in XRP, keep your expectations in check. Yes, it has the potential to double in value and hit the $4 price level in 2026. But it also has the potential to do what it always does: Tease investors with the prospect of huge, outsized gains, only to give them all back later.

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

Steak ’n Shake has moved $10 million of Bitcoin onto its corporate balance sheet, a fresh step in the fast-food chain’s crypto push. According to reports, the purchase equals about 105 BTC at current prices, and the company says all customer Bitcoin receipts feed into a so-called Strategic Bitcoin Reserve.

Strategic Bitcoin Reserve Tied To Sales Based on reports, Steak ’n Shake calls its new approach a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve and says it links reserve growth directly to rising same-store sales.

The company has framed the move as part of daily operations rather than a standalone financial bet. Customers who pay with Bitcoin are effectively contributing to the reserve, the chain said. This is a different route from companies that raise capital or borrow specifically to buy crypto.

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

Payments On The Lightning Network Steak ’n Shake started accepting Bitcoin at US locations in mid-May 2025, using the Lightning Network to handle payments, according to earlier coverage.

The company reports payment processing fees have fallen by roughly 50% compared with traditional card payments, and sales have risen since the rollout.

Reports note same-store sales gains in the low-to-mid double digits — figures such as 15% have been cited by several outlets.

BTCUSD now trading at $95,211. Chart: TradingView The $10 million allocation follows eight months of active Bitcoin payments at the tills. Management says the reserve will fund store upgrades and ingredient improvements without raising menu prices.

The firm also ran a branded promotion last year that linked small Bitcoin rewards to specific menu purchases, part of its wider effort to make crypto part of the customer experience.

Image: SeongJoon Cho/Bloomberg How The Company Plans To Use Funds Reports indicate Steak ’n Shake wants the reserve to be a steady, internally funded asset rather than a speculative holding driven by market timing.

Some of the Bitcoin will support operational improvements, while other parts may be kept as a corporate asset. That mix could change if management alters its view of how Bitcoin fits with broader company goals.

Industry watchers point out that $10 million is modest against the biggest corporate crypto treasuries, but it is one of the more public moves by a legacy consumer brand.

The trend of businesses accepting Bitcoin and then holding some of it has drawn attention because it ties everyday commerce to cryptocurrency accumulation.

Featured image from Unsplash, 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.

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

Metaplanet’s CEO recently shared his views on corporate adoption of Bitcoin, highlighting a distinction between companies that invest in Bitcoin and those that choose not to. This discussion occurred on January 17, 2026, amidst ongoing debates about the role of cryptocurrencies in corporate strategies.

The CEO indicated that many companies remain hesitant to embrace Bitcoin due to its volatility and regulatory uncertainties. He remarked that while some firms have integrated Bitcoin into their financial strategies, the majority are still cautious. This perspective is significant as it sheds light on the broader sentiment within the business community regarding digital currencies.

Bitcoin’s fluctuating value is a primary concern for companies considering it as a reserve asset. The CEO pointed out that while potential profits from Bitcoin investments can be substantial, the financial risks are equally high. This risk factor is especially pertinent for publicly traded companies, where financial stability is a critical concern for shareholders.

Regulatory issues also play a critical role in corporate decision-making related to Bitcoin. The evolving nature of cryptocurrency regulations across different jurisdictions adds a layer of complexity for businesses. The CEO noted that the lack of clear and consistent regulations can deter companies from engaging with Bitcoin.

Despite these challenges, a number of high-profile companies have made headlines for their adoption of Bitcoin. Firms like Tesla and MicroStrategy have publicly announced their Bitcoin holdings, which has sparked discussions about whether more companies will follow suit. These decisions are often attributed to visionary leadership and a willingness to innovate within the digital economy.

Conversely, some companies opt for a wait-and-see approach, monitoring the market and regulatory landscape before making any commitments. The CEO emphasized that this cautious stance is not necessarily a lack of interest but rather a strategic decision to mitigate potential risks.

The CEO’s comments come as Bitcoin continues to experience significant price movements. In recent months, Bitcoin’s value has seen both substantial gains and sharp declines, underscoring the volatility that concerns corporate leaders. This volatility can impact balance sheets and, consequently, the financial health of companies.

Institutional investors have shown increasing interest in Bitcoin, which has prompted discussions about its legitimacy as an asset class. However, the CEO suggested that widespread corporate adoption will require a more stable regulatory environment and reduced volatility.

Bitcoin’s appeal as a hedge against inflation is another factor that companies consider. In times of economic uncertainty, some firms are exploring Bitcoin as a potential safeguard against currency devaluation. The CEO acknowledged this potential but reiterated that the risks involved make it a challenging choice for many companies.

The CEO’s insights reflect broader trends in the financial industry, where digital currencies are gaining attention but have yet to achieve widespread acceptance. The conversation about corporate Bitcoin adoption is part of a larger dialogue about the future of finance and the integration of new technologies.

As the cryptocurrency market continues to evolve, companies will need to weigh the risks and benefits of integrating Bitcoin into their strategies. The CEO concluded that while Bitcoin offers intriguing possibilities, the decision to adopt it should be based on careful analysis and consideration of each company’s unique circumstances.

The future of Bitcoin in corporate settings remains uncertain, with ongoing developments in technology and regulation likely to influence its trajectory. For now, the debate continues, with companies carefully considering their positions in the ever-changing digital landscape.

Post Views: 1

By mid-January, open interest in Bitcoin options rose to about $74.1 billion, edging past Bitcoin futures open interest of roughly $65.22 billion.

Open interest is the stock of outstanding contracts that have not been closed or expired, so it measures position inventory, not trading activity. So, when options inventory exceeds futures, it often shows a market that's leaning less on raw directional leverage and more on structured exposure: hedges, yield overlays, and volatility positioning.

Futures remain the simplest way to take leveraged exposure to Bitcoin’s direction. However, options let traders and institutions shape risk with much more precision through payoff profiles that can cap losses, make money on the upside, or target specific volatility outcomes.

That distinction is important because options positions often stay on the books longer than futures positions, and that persistence can influence how volatility behaves around key strikes, expiries, and liquidity windows. Options surpassing futures is a major milestone for the market with clear implications for how Bitcoin trades day to day.

Why options open interest can stay higher than futuresFutures are built for direct exposure and fast repositioning. Traders post margin, buy or sell a contract tied to Bitcoin, and then manage funding rates, basis shifts, and liquidation risk that grows with leverage.

Futures positions can scale quickly, but they're also highly sensitive to carrying costs. When funding turns punitive or a basis trade stops paying, positions come off. During broader leverage resets, futures open interest falls quickly as fast traders rush to reduce risk and slow ones get forced out.

Options tend to behave differently because they are often used as longer-lived structures rather than just pure leverage. Calls and puts translate a view into a defined payoff profile, while spreads, collars, and covered calls turn spot exposure into a managed risk position.

That creates inventory that can persist across weeks or months because it's frequently tied to a hedge, a systematic yield program, or a volatility strategy that rolls on a schedule. When positions are held to a stated expiry, open interest becomes sticky by design.

The calendar shows this clearly. Checkonchain’s data shows a sharp step-down in options open interest around late December, followed by a rebuild through early January, which fits the pattern of a major expiry passing and the market re-establishing risk for the next cycle.

Graph showing Bitcoin options open interest from Oct. 18, 2025, to Jan. 16, 2026 (Source: Checkonchain)Futures open interest over the same stretch looks steadier and more incremental, reflecting a market where positions are adjusted continuously, rather than being cleared mechanically by expiration. That difference explains why options can overtake futures even when the price is choppy, and conviction looks mixed.

Graph showing Bitcoin futures open interest from Oct. 18, 2025, to Jan. 16, 2026 (Source: Checkonchain)As options open interest grows, the market-making layer becomes even more important. Dealers who intermediate options flow often hedge their exposure using spot and futures, and that hedging can affect price behavior near large strikes and into expiry windows.

In heavily positioned markets, hedging can either dampen moves or accelerate them, depending on how exposures are distributed across strikes and maturities.

So, high options open interest doubles as a map of where hedging intensity may rise, especially when liquidity thins or the market gravitates toward crowded levels.

The split market: crypto-native options and listed ETF options like IBITBitcoin options are no longer one unified ecosystem with a single participant base. Checkonchain’s exchange-by-exchange options data shows the familiar crypto venues alongside a growing segment tied to listed ETF options, including IBIT.

That segmentation should be much more important than it currently is because it changes the rhythm of trading, the mechanics of risk management, and the dominant strategies driving demand.

Crypto-native options venues operate in a continuous market that trades through weekends, using crypto collateral and serving proprietary trading firms, crypto funds, and sophisticated retail. Listed ETF options trade on US market hours and run through a clearing and settlement framework that's familiar to equity options traders.

The result is a split where a larger share of volatility risk can be expressed inside regulated, onshore plumbing, even as global Bitcoin trading remains 24/7.

Market hours alone have the potential to reshape and even dictate behavior. When a meaningful share of options flow is concentrated into US hours, hedging activity can become more synchronized during those windows, while offshore venues often lead price discovery during off-hours and weekends.

Over time, that can make the market feel more like equities during the US hours and more like crypto outside them, even when the underlying asset is the same. Traders managing risk across multiple venues bridge that gap with hedges and arbitrage, and futures are often the instrument that carries that bridge.

Clearing and margin discipline also shape participation. Listed options sit inside standardized margining and centralized clearing structures that many institutions are set up to use, which broadens access for firms that cannot hold risk on offshore exchanges.

Those participants bring established playbooks, including covered call programs, collar overlays, and volatility targeting approaches that already exist in equity portfolios. When those strategies enter Bitcoin through ETF options, they can create recurring demand for specific tenors and strikes and keep options inventory elevated because the program repeats on schedule.

None of this reduces the role of crypto-native venues, which still dominate in continuous trading and in specialized volatility and basis strategies.

What changes is the mix of who is holding options risk and why, with a growing share reflecting portfolio overlays and structured flows rather than purely speculative positioning. That helps explain why options open interest can remain high even in periods when futures are more sensitive to funding, basis compression, and risk-off deleveraging.

What the crossover means for volatility, liquidity, and how traders read the marketWhen options open interest rises above futures, short-term market behavior tends to be more influenced by positioning geometry and hedging flows. Futures-heavy regimes often express stress through funding feedback loops, basis dislocations, and liquidation cascades that can compress open interest quickly.

Options-heavy regimes often express stress through expiry cycles, strike concentration, and dealer hedging that can either dampen or amplify spot moves depending on how exposures are distributed.

Macro news and spot still matter, but the path the market takes can depend on where options risk sits and how dealers hedge it. Into large expiries, clustered strikes can matter alongside headlines, and after expiry the market often goes through a rebuilding phase as traders re-establish exposure and roll structures forward.

The drop in late December and then the rebuild in January fit that pattern and provide a clean timeline of how inventory moved through the turn of the year.

The practical takeaway is that derivatives positioning has become a stronger driver for short-term price behavior. Watching options open interest by venue can help distinguish between offshore volatility positioning and onshore ETF-linked overlays, while futures open interest remains a key gauge of leverage and basis appetite.

The same aggregate totals can therefore imply very different risk conditions depending on whether positioning is concentrated in listed ETF options programs, crypto-native volatility structures, or futures carry trades that can unwind quickly.

The headline numbers carry a clear message about Bitcoin's new market structure. Options open interest around $74.1 billion versus futures around $65.22 billion suggests more BTC risk is being warehoused in instruments with defined payoff profiles and repeatable overlay strategies, while futures remain the main rail for directional leverage and for hedging options exposure through delta.

As ETF options liquidity grows and crypto-native venues continue to dominate continuous trading, Bitcoin’s volatility may increasingly reflect the interaction between US market-hour liquidity and 24/7 crypto liquidity.

The crossover is a snapshot of that hybridization, and it points toward a market where positioning, expiry, and hedging mechanics play a larger role in how price moves.

Mentioned in this article