Market Signal Briefing

Flare Network has listed FXRP, a wrapped version of XRP issued on Flare, on Hyperliquid, marking the first time XRP spot exposure has been made available on Hyperliquid. The listing initially launches with an FXRP/USDC trading pair.

Until now, XRP trading on Hyperliquid had been limited to perpetual futures, with no accompanying spot market. Dhruv Shah, DeFi analyst at Flare, told The Block that the absence of a spot listing was due to infrastructure constraints.

"Like bitcoin, XRP is not EVM [Ethereum Virtual Machine] compatible," Shah said. That’s why Hyperliquid — like other onchain platforms — only lists wrapped versions for spot assets, and FXRP is the XRP implementation of that model, he added.

Hyperliquid already supports wrapped spot versions of assets such as bitcoin. Shah said the lack of "a viable non-custodial bridge" had prevented a wrapped version of XRP from being listed on Hyperliquid.

FXRP is a 1:1 wrapped representation of XRP issued via Flare’s FAssets system and deployed as a LayerZero Omnichain Fungible Token. This setup allows FXRP to move across chains, trade on Hyperliquid’s orderbook, and later be redeemed back to XRP on the XRP Ledger. Flare said a dedicated FXRP bridge powered by Flare Smart Accounts is expected to launch later, enabling one-click withdrawals from Hyperliquid back to the XRP Ledger.

Beyond trading, the FXRP spot market ties into Flare’s broader XRPFi strategy. After trading on Hyperliquid, FXRP can be bridged back to Flare to access DeFi use cases such as lending, staking, and other applications. Shah said the goal is to make FXRP the preferred XRP representation across DeFi ecosystems.

"Flare will always be the home chain for FXRP," Shah said, adding that Hyperliquid was chosen as the first expansion venue due to its orderbook-based design and the absence of an existing XRP spot pair. He said Flare is working with builders across the Hyperliquid ecosystem to integrate FXRP further and plans to expand FXRP to additional DeFi platforms over time.

Flare has been involved in several recent efforts to grow its XRPFi ecosystem. Last month, Flare, alongside Upshift Finance and Clearstar, launched earnXRP, a yield product designed to bring XRP into DeFi. Separately, Firelight Finance launched an XRP staking protocol on Flare, introducing a liquid staking token called stXRP.

Disclaimer: The Block is an independent media outlet that delivers news, research, and data. As of November 2023, Foresight Ventures is a majority investor of The Block. Foresight Ventures invests in other companies in the crypto space. Crypto exchange Bitget is an anchor LP for Foresight Ventures. The Block continues to operate independently to deliver objective, impactful, and timely information about the crypto industry. Here are our current financial disclosures.

© 2026 The Block. All Rights Reserved. This article is provided for informational purposes only. It is not offered or intended to be used as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice.

Bitcoin ETFs grabbed $1.2 billion in the first two trading sessions of 2026, coinciding with BTC's climb to $94,000, a 7% gain in just days. The narrative wrote itself: institutional money flooded in, prices followed.

Yet, that correlation masks a more complex structural shift unfolding across options markets, on-chain flows, and derivatives positioning, suggesting the rally's foundation runs deeper than spot demand alone.

Paying up for convexityJeffrey Park, CIO at ProCap BTC, flagged that Bitcoin options call skew flipped positive on Jan. 1 for the first time since October. He surfaced a signal institutional traders watch more closely than AUM tallies: the cost of upside protection relative to downside hedges.

Call skew measures the difference between the implied volatility of out-of-the-money calls and that of comparable puts, typically expressed as a 25-delta risk reversal.

When that spread turns positive, traders bid more aggressively for upside exposure than for downside insurance. The market charges a premium for convexity in one direction, which functions as a live vote on where participants expect the price to break.

Positive call skew reflects genuine demand for leverage on the upside, such as institutions positioning for breakouts, retail chasing momentum, or structured products needing call inventory.

The mechanical effect compounds this: when dealers sell those calls, they hedge by buying spot or futures as prices rise, creating a feedback loop that amplifies rallies.

The January flip in Bitcoin options skew didn't just reflect sentiment; it reconfigured the derivatives landscape in a way that makes upside moves self-reinforcing through delta-hedging flows.

Bitcoin options call skew turned positive on Jan. 1 for the first time since October, signaling traders are paying more for upside protection. Image: Amberdata/Jeff ParkSupply redistribution and leverage dynamicsCheckonchain framed the rally through a different lens on Jan. 5, pointing to “massive supply redistribution happening under the hood.”

Top-heavy supply dropped from 67% to 47%, while profit-taking gradually collapsed from 30,721 BTC on Nov. 23 to just 3,596 BTC by Jan. 3.

The market wasn't simply rising: it was rebalancing, with concentrated holders distributing to buyers willing to absorb supply without immediately flipping for profit.

When profit-taking evaporates while price climbs, it suggests new entrants are accumulating with longer time horizons.

The drop in realized profit removes sell-side pressure that typically caps rallies. Recent buyers entered at prices closer to current levels, creating a cohort less incentivized to exit on marginal gains.

BTC-denominated realized profit fell from 30,721 BTC on Nov. 23 to 3,596 BTC by Jan. 3, per Checkonchain data.The futures market added another layer. CoinGlass data showed $530 million in liquidations over 24 hours, with $361 million from shorts, a classic short squeeze that is helping the recent rally.

However, the squeeze occurred within a low-leverage environment. Checkonchain data shows that crypto-native leverage fell from 5.2% to 4.8% between Dec. 31 and Jan. 5, while global leverage dropped from 7.2% to 6.6%. Futures leverage inched up slightly to 3.3% but remained well below historical peaks.

When shorts get squeezed in a low-leverage regime, the unwind removes resistance without creating systemic fragility on the long side.

The lack of excessive leverage means the rally isn't built on borrowed capital that would have to be deleveraged at the first sign of weakness. Spot-driven rallies don't face the same reflexive deleveraging risk as futures-heavy moves.

Crypto-native leverage ratio declined from 5.2% to 4.8% between Dec. 31 and Jan. 5, per Checkonchain data.The interplay between the mechanics of call skew repricing upside risk, supply consolidating into stronger hands, and leverage staying compressed creates a setup where catalysts like ETF inflows amplify rather than initiate the move.

The ETFs provided a narrative anchor and liquidity entry point, but the structural conditions that allow prices to hold gains were already in place.

Bitcoin's breach of $94,000 marked the convergence of multiple structural indicators that suggest more conviction behind the move than spot flows alone would imply.

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TL;DR

CNBC called XRP the hottest crypto trade as it surged over 25% in January 2026 amid capital rotation. XRP ETF inflows since Jan. 1 neared $100M, taking totals to $1.15B with no outflow days, while Bitcoin and Ether saw Q4 outflows. Reserves on exchanges hit two-year lows as XRPL activity rose over 50%; partnerships, OCC approval, and an August 2025 lawsuit resolution fed targets up to $10. XRP is grabbing early 2026 attention after CNBC labeled it the “hottest crypto trade,” pointing to explosive gains and a growing institutional bid that sets it apart from Bitcoin and Ether. In the first week of January 2026, XRP surged more than 25% as capital rotated into what was described as a less crowded trade. The segment framed a deeper structural shift rather than a quick speculative pop, arguing the rally reflects repositioning that began in late 2025. The question now is whether those catalysts can last all year.

Capital Rotation Puts XRP in Focus CNBC pointed first to ETFs as the surprise engine of the move. During the quieter market in Q4 2025, investors accumulated spot XRP ETFs while Bitcoin and Ether products saw net outflows. Since Jan. 1, 2026, XRP ETFs pulled in nearly $100 million, lifting aggregate inflows to $1.15 billion, and the segment noted there has been not a single day of outflows. That steady bid matters because it suggests positioning was built before price accelerated, giving the breakout a sturdier base than a pure momentum chase. XRP looks like a rotation target, not an afterthought.

The second and third drivers were behavioral and on-chain. CNBC said social and investor mood has turned decisively bullish, with “smart money” sentiment near peak levels. Exchange data was cited as reinforcing that view: XRP reserves on major venues, including Binance, fell to two-year lows, implying holders are moving coins into longer-term storage. On the network side, activity accelerated too, with transactions and usage on the XRP Ledger up more than 50% over the past two weeks. Together, declining reserves plus rising activity reinforced the rally’s narrative. That combination reads like demand, not froth today.

CNBC’s fourth driver was institutional traction and legal clarity. Ripple announced partnerships in Japan with Mizuho Bank, SMBC Nikko, and Securitize Japan to drive XRP Ledger adoption. In the U.S., Ripple received approval in December 2025 from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency to charter the Ripple Trust Bank. CNBC also said XRP shed its legal overhang after the SEC lawsuit was resolved in August 2025. On valuation, Standard Chartered projected $8 by end-2026 with $4 to $8 billion in ETF inflows, while targets from $3.66 to $10 were discussed if momentum persists.

Bitcoin and Ethereum are rising in early 2026, but policy decisions in Washington could define the uptrend's future.

Crypto markets have opened 2026 on a strong footing. Top assets such as Bitcoin and Ethereum, as well as speculative tokens such as Dogecoin, have posted even sharper gains, according to a report by Bitwise Chief Investment Officer Matt Hougan.

For the 2026 rally to continue, the market needs to cross three hurdles.

Factors Influencing 2026 Outlook In a market outlook published this week, Hougan said the rally could extend further this year if three key conditions are met. The first hurdle was the lingering fallout from October 10, 2025, when crypto assets suffered the largest liquidation event on record and wiped out almost $19 billion in futures positions in a single day.

Following that event, concerns emerged that major market makers or hedge funds may have been severely damaged, potentially forcing them to wind down operations and sell assets, a scenario that typically weighs on prices. Hougan said these fears contributed to crypto’s inability to rally in the fourth quarter, as the possibility of forced selling “hung over the market like a heavy fog.”

However, he noted that if such wind-downs were going to occur, they would most likely have taken place by the end of the year. As such, the absence of visible fallout into early 2026 means that investors have put the October event behind them. The Bitwise exec said that two hurdles remain.

The second centers on regulation, specifically the crypto market structure bill known as the CLARITY Act, which is currently moving through Congress. The Senate is targeting January 15 for markup, a process that involves aligning drafts in the Senate banking and agriculture committees before pushing the final bill toward a vote. Hougan said challenges such as differing views on how to regulate decentralized finance, stablecoin rewards, and issues around political conflicts of interest persist, but added that clearing the markup stage would represent a major step forward.

He stated that passage of the bill is critical for the long-term future of crypto in the United States, as it would “enshrine” core regulatory principles into law and reduce the risk that the current pro-crypto stance at agencies such as the SEC and CFTC could reverse under a future administration.

You may also like: Why Bitcoin’s Recent Recovery Is Being Called ‘Structurally Healthy’ Analyst: $100K Level Holds Fate of Bitcoin Trend Bitcoin Shows Bullish Signals Despite ‘Fragile Consolidation Phase’ – Glassnode White House crypto czar David Sacks has said the industry is “closer than ever” to passing the bill. Meanwhile, prediction market Kalshi places the odds at 46% by May and 82% by year’s end, which Hougan characterized as a reason for cautious optimism.

The third hurdle involves the broader equity market, which the exec said does not need to be in a raging bull phase for crypto to perform well. But it must avoid a sharp decline, such as a 20% pullback in the S&P 500, that could hurt all risk assets in the short term.

He noted that prediction markets currently see a low probability of a recession in 2026 and roughly an 80% chance of gains for the S&P 500.

Rocky Months Ahead? Despite Hougan’s hopeful outlook, some industry experts feel a little differently on BTC’s near- to medium-term trajectory. Pseudonymous analyst Doctor Profit has repeatedly said Bitcoin is still in a bear market that began in September and has not completed its bottoming process.

While he expects no major crash in early 2026 and sees room for a short-term rally toward the $97,000-$107,000 range, the analyst asserted that he remains fully bearish on BTC overall and continues to target prices below $70,000 in the coming months.

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TLDR Table of Contents

TLDRIBIT Tops Bitcoin ETFs Inflow With $228M While FBTC Records Sharp $312M OutflowGBTC, BTC, ARKB, and HODL See Outflows as EZBC Records Modest Bitcoin ETF InflowBITB, BTCO, BRRR, BTCW, and DEFI Record No Change in Daily Flows Total daily net outflow across all Bitcoin ETFs reached $243.24 million on January 6. BlackRock’s IBIT led inflows with $228.66 million and the highest trading volume at $998.89 million. Fidelity’s FBTC posted the largest single-day outflow at $312.24 million, with a 1.19% price decline. Grayscale’s GBTC, BTC, ARKB, and HODL recorded combined outflows, while Franklin’s EZBC gained $4.92 million in inflows. BITB, BTCO, BRRR, BTCW, and DEFI showed no change in daily flows, maintaining steady net asset levels. As of January 6, the total daily net inflow across all listed Bitcoin ETFs stood at a negative $243.24 million. SoSoValue update indicates that the cumulative total net inflow remains positive at $57.54 billion, while total net assets across all funds reached $120.85 billion. The total daily trading volume for the day was $4.33 billion.

IBIT Tops Bitcoin ETFs Inflow With $228M While FBTC Records Sharp $312M Outflow BlackRock’s IBIT led inflows with $228.66 million, bringing its cumulative net inflow to $62.98 billion and net assets to $72.15 billion. IBIT also recorded the highest trading volume with $998.89 million and over 19.26 million shares traded. Its price declined 1.22% to $51.81.

Source: SoSoValue (Bitcoin ETFs) Fidelity’s FBTC reported the largest single-day outflow at $312.24 million and a 1.19% price drop to $79.59. The fund’s cumulative net inflow stood at $12.08 billion with $18.61 billion in net assets. Trading volume reached 1.94 million shares worth $154.91 million.

GBTC, BTC, ARKB, and HODL See Outflows as EZBC Records Modest Bitcoin ETF Inflow Grayscale’s GBTC posted $83.07 million outflow and a 0.05% discount. It held $15.17 billion in net assets, with a daily price change of -1.15%. BTC, another Grayscale product, experienced a $32.73 million outflow and a 1.12% price drop. ARKB by Ark & 21Shares experienced a $29.47 million outflow and ended the day with $3.50 billion in assets.

VanEck’s HODL reported $14.38 million in outflows and $1.46 billion in net assets. Its price fell by 1.15% to $25.84, with 379.44K shares traded. EZBC by Franklin generated $4.92 million in inflows and concluded with $556.26 million in net assets. Its price declined 1.43% to $52.73, with $5.41 million traded.

BITB, BTCO, BRRR, BTCW, and DEFI Record No Change in Daily Flows Bitwise’s BITB recorded no daily inflow or outflow and maintained net assets of $3.64 billion. It traded $56.41 million in value across 1.14 million shares, with a price decline of 1.20%. BTCO by Invesco showed no activity, with net assets holding at $594.16 million.

BRRR by Valkyrie showed no daily flow but held $554.54 million in net assets. WisdomTree’s BTCW posted no change in net inflow and closed with $147.75 million in assets, priced at $97.07. DEFI by Hashdex experienced no daily inflow, maintaining a balance of $12.55 million with zero daily trading volume recorded.

TL;DR

Morgan Stanley filed an S-1 with the SEC to launch a spot Ethereum ETF with staking, structured as MSET and backed by ETH held on the balance sheet. The fund will allocate a portion of its ETH to staking and reflect the rewards in the NAV, without distributing staking income directly to shareholders. The firm had already filed for spot Bitcoin and Solana ETFs. Morgan Stanley filed with the SEC to launch a spot Ethereum ETF with a staking component. The registration was submitted through an S-1 form and proposes the creation of the Morgan Stanley Ethereum Trust, a vehicle that would hold ETH on its balance sheet and track its market price.

The defining feature of the product lies in its staking structure. The fund plans to allocate part of its ETH holdings to staking and reflect the resulting rewards directly in the net asset value (NAV). There will be no direct distribution of staking income to shareholders. This structure sets it apart from other Ethereum ETF issuers that chose to pass staking returns explicitly to investors.

Morgan Stanley Has Three Crypto ETF Filings The Ethereum filing came just 24 hours after Morgan Stanley submitted applications to launch spot Bitcoin and Solana ETFs. Within that time frame, the bank accumulated three crypto-related filings. This is an unusual sequence for an institution of this size and points to a concrete expansion of its crypto product offering.

Morgan Stanley is one of the largest wealth managers globally and the sixth-largest U.S. bank by assets under management. Bloomberg Intelligence analysts noted that the initial Bitcoin and Solana filings were unexpected, both in terms of timing and the speed with which Ethereum was added to the lineup.

Activity in the crypto ETF market remains strong. Since their launch in early 2024, U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs have surpassed $2 trillion in cumulative trading volume. These products have become the primary channel for institutional access to Bitcoin.

ETH Funds Manage Over $20 Billion The Ethereum segment is smaller, but it already shows a meaningful base. Spot ETH ETFs hold around $20,000 million in assets under management, according to data from SoSoValue. The inclusion of staking in new proposals has become a key variable in this market.

Morgan Stanley has set limits on crypto exposure for certain portfolios and is working to expand access to these products across client accounts, including retirement plans

XRP is back in focus after macro analyst Jim Willie said the token’s neutral positioning and deep liquidity could make it more attractive for large financial players, as speculation grows about closer ties between Ripple and BlackRock.

Speaking in a recent discussion, Willie described XRP as “neutral” compared with other cryptocurrencies, saying this quality gives it broader flexibility. He said XRP’s liquidity stands out because its underlying infrastructure is already widely distributed across global markets.

Talk of Behind-the-Scenes CollaborationWillie also suggested there may be more happening privately between Ripple and BlackRock than is publicly known. He said that these comments were speculative and not based on official announcements, but said discussions he had heard about pointed to cooperation that he viewed as positive for XRP’s long-term role in finance.

“I heard something and I don’t want to make a big thing of it, but it could be that Ripple had a lot of its development behind BlackRock walls, and Ripple is now the public face while BlackRock is the private equity face,” he said.

He described a possible structure where Ripple acts as the public-facing technology company, while BlackRock operates more quietly as an institutional partner. Neither Ripple nor BlackRock has confirmed any such arrangement.

Why BlackRock’s Name MattersBlackRock is the world’s largest asset manager and has steadily expanded its presence in digital assets, including crypto-related investment products. Any deeper involvement with XRP-linked infrastructure would be closely watched, given BlackRock’s influence across global capital markets.

Willie said that if major institutions eventually support XRP-based systems, it could significantly affect how the token is used in payments and settlement over time. He warned, however, that such outcomes remain hypothetical.

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

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

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A businessman accused by U.S. authorities of overseeing a sprawling crypto-fraud network has been detained in Cambodia and deported to China, according to a report from the Cambodia China Times, months after Washington moved to seize billions of dollars in bitcoin allegedly tied to his operations.

Cambodia’s information ministry confirmed Wednesday that Chen Zhi, founder and chairman of the Prince Group conglomerate, was arrested earlier this week and transferred to China at Beijing’s request following a joint investigation by the two countries. Officials did not disclose whether he faces charges in China.

U.S. prosecutors allege Chen directed the operation of forced-labor scam compounds across Cambodia that generated billions of dollars through cryptocurrency investment-and-romance fraud schemes commonly known as "pig-butchering" scams.

In October, the U.S. Department of Justice said it filed its largest-ever forfeiture action, seeking to seize roughly $15 billion worth of bitcoin linked to the alleged scheme, along with hundreds of millions of dollars in real estate and other assets.

Cambodian authorities said Chen's citizenship was revoked late last year.

Bitcoin seizure The case has also become entangled in a broader geopolitical dispute over the seized bitcoin.

In November, China’s National Computer Virus Emergency Response Center accused the U.S. government of orchestrating a separate, earlier cyber theft involving more than 120,000 bitcoin, now worth around $11 billion, from a Chinese mining pool in 2020, according to a report by Bloomberg.

Chinese officials claimed some of those coins later surfaced in U.S. custody as part of the case tied to Chen.

U.S. authorities maintain that the bitcoin they seized represents proceeds of fraud and money laundering connected to Chen and entities tied to Prince Group.

Disclaimer: The Block is an independent media outlet that delivers news, research, and data. As of November 2023, Foresight Ventures is a majority investor of The Block. Foresight Ventures invests in other companies in the crypto space. Crypto exchange Bitget is an anchor LP for Foresight Ventures. The Block continues to operate independently to deliver objective, impactful, and timely information about the crypto industry. Here are our current financial disclosures.

© 2026 The Block. All Rights Reserved. This article is provided for informational purposes only. It is not offered or intended to be used as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice.

Bitcoin moved lower in intraday trading as a short-term pullback continued. The current focus is on whether important support levels can hold after the recent rally.

The latest move follows a strong rise from late December, which had already met expectations for a short-term bounce before a pause.

Short-Term Correction Still Playing OutBitcoin is currently in what appears to be a short-term corrective phase after climbing sharply from its December 31 low. The pullback was widely expected after the fast move higher earlier this month and does not yet signal a broader trend reversal.

So far, the decline looks orderly, hinting at consolidation rather than panic selling.

Support Levels Under WatchPrices are now testing an important support zone between $90,400 and $90,800. A decisive break below this area would increase the risk of a deeper move toward late-December lows.

For now, Bitcoin remains above those levels, keeping the broader recovery structure intact. Small moves below individual technical levels are still considered acceptable within a normal pullback.

Sideways Trading Possible Before Next MoveThe current phase could last several days, with Bitcoin potentially moving sideways as the market looks for direction. Similar pauses have occurred earlier in the rally and helped reset momentum before further advances.

There is also the possibility of choppy price action, which often appears during these consolidation periods.

Upside Still Open if Resistance BreaksOn the upside, a clear move above $94,850, the recent weekly high, would mean the pullback has ended. In that case, Bitcoin could target the $97,000 to $98,000 range.

Until then, price action is expected to remain sensitive to support levels, with traders watching closely for signs that the market has found a short-term low.

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

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

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After failing to break resistance around $94,500, Bitcoin price pulled back, dragging the broader crypto market with it.

Altcoins followed Bitcoin’s lead, and most traded sideways through the day.

Total crypto market cap dropped nearly 3% over the past 24 hours before stabilising near the $3.2T mark as investors began locking in gains.

Market sentiment stayed neutral in the meantime, with the crypto fear and greed index at 49 at the time of writing. 

With no major catalysts to move markets, investors look undecided and appear to be in wait and see mode, especially after what many would view as a Bitcoin fake-out rally that failed to clear $95,000.

Markets are also watching an array of US economic data due later this week.

Why is Bitcoin price down today? Copy link to section

Bitcoin price opened near an intraday high of $94,140 and drifted lower through the session as repeated failures to reclaim the $94,500 to $95,000 resistance zone encouraged short-term profit taking. 

With BTC still up roughly 12% from its December lows near $84,500, many traders appeared inclined to lock in gains rather than press fresh longs ahead of key macro events.

Selling pressure picked up noticeably during Asian trading hours, where traders appeared to initiate a fresh round of sell orders once it became clear that momentum was fading at resistance. 

Adding to the downside, the sell-off triggered widespread long liquidations across the derivatives market. 

Over the past 24 hours, total crypto market liquidations came in at approximately $449.34 million, with Bitcoin alone accounting for $151.91 million. 

Longs made up the overwhelming bulk of these liquidations, $362.24 million, versus only $87.10 million in shorts, suggesting that many traders had bet on a breakout that didn’t materialise.

As price slipped below short-term support levels, forced long liquidations added to selling pressure and amplified the downside move.

Altcoins like Ethereum also contributed to the cascade with over $99 million in total liquidations, while other major names like XRP and DOGE saw $26.8 million and $11.8 million wiped out, respectively.

Momentum on the institutional side has also started to cool, with inflows into US spot Bitcoin ETFs slowing from the strong pace seen at the start of the year. 

Without that steady stream of fresh capital to absorb selling pressure, the market has struggled to maintain upward traction, particularly near key resistance levels where conviction remains weak.

Then on the macro side, traders are also bracing for several high-impact data prints out of the US this week. 

Key releases include the ADP employment report, JOLTS job openings, and Friday’s nonfarm payrolls, all of which could shape expectations around interest rates and alter risk appetite.

For now, the uncertainty seems to have contributed to the “risk-off” tone, as investors are pulling back exposure across risk assets, including crypto.

At the same tine, geopolitical tensions, such as fresh scrutiny around US policy on Venezuela’s oil exports, have only added to the caution.

Will Bitcoin price go up? Copy link to section

Bitcoin has been repeatedly testing the the $91k floor which has been acting as a major support area throughout the day. 

If Bitcoin price fails to hold above this last line of defence before the $90,000 psychological level, it could spook markets even further and invalidate the entire bullish setup that has been built over the past few days.

On the other hand, a recovery back above $92,000, which is the next key support area, could provide a sold ground for attacking the $94,500 ceiling with strong conviction.

When consulting the 24-hour Bitcoin liquidation heatmap, a few key patterns emerge that help shed light on near-term price dynamics in both directions.

Bitcoin 24-hour liquidation heatmap. Source: Coinglass.On the downside, the chart reveals dense liquidation clusters just above the $91,000 level, confirming it as a critical support zone that Bitcoin has tested multiple times in the last 24 hours.

A breakdown below this threshold could expose the next major band of liquidations forming just above $90,000, a psychologically important round number.

If that level fails to hold, the heatmap suggests a pocket of high leverage positions extending down toward $88,000.

To the upside, the heatmap indicates persistent liquidation leverage stacked near the $94,000 to $95,000 region, the same resistance band where Bitcoin was repeatedly rejected earlier in the session.

The density of liquidation levels in this range suggests that any breakout above $95,000 could trigger a short squeeze, especially if BTC reclaims $94,500 with strong spot volume.

Commenting on the current situation, crypto analyst Byzantine General braced for more volatilty ahead as he pointed out that Bitcoin open interest has been rising rapidly. See below.

$BTC open interest has been rising quickly. Volatility coming.

Other well-followed traders like Kaleo have also weighed in on the current price action. In a recent post on X, he said he is eyeing a potential pullback toward the $84,500 region before Bitcoin eventually bounces back and climbs above six figures.

At the time of publication, Bitcoin was changing hands at $91,223, with losses of over 3% on the day.

Altcoin prices today Copy link to section

In the past 24 hours, the altcoin market cap initially sharply fell by nearly 5% to $1.36 trillion before recovering and settling at $1.41 trillion at the time of writing.

Ethereum (ETH), the largest altcoin by market cap, seesawed between the $3,200-$3,300 range through the day before stabilizing around $3,180, down 3.3% over the past day.

Other major cryptocurrencies, such as BNB (BNB), Solana (SOL), and Dogecoin (DOGE), saw losses ranging from 2-5% while XRP (XRP) and Cardano (ADA) were hit harder with losses of 7% each.

Even as most of the market traded in the red, a handful of tokens managed to hold their ground.

MemeCore (M) and MYX Finance (MYX) held gains of around 2% to 3%, while Tron (TRX) followed with gains of a little over 1%.

Source: CoinMarketCap

Chainlink has started this year on a bullish note as the SEC finally approved the Bitwise Chainlink ETF, allowing it to enter US equity markets. As a result, whales have been consistently withdrawing LINK from exchanges over the last few days, hinting at a quiet accumulation ahead of a breakout. Additionally, several on-chain metrics have turned positive, which might trigger a 50% surge on the LINK price chart.

LINK’s 10% Weekly Gain Attracts Altcoin InvestorsChainlink has seen heavy accumulation by large investors in recent days. Big holders pulled about 4.5 million LINK tokens, worth around $62 million, from exchanges this week.

This buying trend looks similar to late 2025, just before LINK jumped 20% in December. Exchange balances are now at multi-year lows, which could limit supply and push prices higher. Additionally, data from CryptoQuant shows this is one of the largest recent accumulations, suggesting smart investors may be preparing for a price rise.

Also read: Chainlink Price Prediction 2026, 2027 – 2030: Will LINK Price Reach $100?

The reason behind the strong accumulation is the strong ETF inflows and recent approval of Bitwise LINK ETF. Grayscale’s new LINK ETF has brought in about 42 million since launching in December. Hence, the SEC’s approval of spot LINK ETFs from Bitwise and Grayscale is a big step forward, even though trading activity is still much lower than Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs. 

LINK OIData from Coinglass shows a sharp increase in Chainlink’s open interest in recent days. LINK’s OI jumped from the low of $510 million to a recent high above $700 million. This suggests that trading activity is increasing with a rise in volatility, which might help LINK breaking above immediate resistance levels.  

Additionally, Chainlink has crossed a major milestone, with total fees surpassing 6.9 million. This shows strong real usage across apps and enterprise projects. This means that more smart contracts rely on Chainlink’s data services, making it a key part of Web3. Rising fees highlight growing demand, preparing LINK price for a significant rally ahead.

Chainlink is trading near its short-term moving averages, suggesting the downtrend is losing strength. As of writing, LINK price trades at $13.3, declining over 5% in the last 24 hours.

LINK/USDT ChartThough Chainlink is declining in recent hours, it is holding above the 20-day EMA around $13.28, while the 50-day and 100-day EMAs remain overhead, acting as resistance near the $13.6–$13.8 zone.

The RSI has declined sharply and is currently hovering below the midline at level 46, showing bearish momentum with strong pressure from sellers. A sustained move above the descending resistance line could open the door for a push toward higher levels. On the upside, LINK price might head toward $20 before facing any significant selling pressure.

However, if LINK slips below the 20-day EMA, the price may retest lower support areas near $13. Overall, the trend is bullish and slightly improving as buyers accumulate around the dip.

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Prediction market hub Polymarket and real estate trading platform Parcl have teamed up to launch a new suite of markets designed to bring daily pricing on housing markets into the evolving world of event-based trading.

The partnership pairs Parcl’s real-time housing price indices with Polymarket’s on-chain prediction market infrastructure, allowing traders and analysts to express their views on future home price movements without the complexity of direct property ownership or long holding periods.

Parcl will supply independent index data and settlement reference values, creating an objective benchmark that markets on Polymarket will use to settle outcomes, offering a verifiable and auditable source of truth for participants.

Says Trevor Bacon, CEO of Parcl,

“Prediction markets are gaining substantial momentum and represent a paradigm shift in how views are expressed, and truth is identified…

Parcl is the source of truth for real-estate pricing, and we believe real estate should be a major category within the prediction-market ecosystem. Polymarket is a pioneer in the space, and we’re excited to partner with them.”

Both teams expect the framework to scale as demand grows, rolling out additional cities and standardized tooling to streamline market creation.

Polymarket’s chief marketing officer emphasized the value of clear data and transparent resolution in building trust and expanding the use of prediction markets into real estate.

“Prediction markets work best when the data is clear, and the outcome can be verified without debate… Parcl’s daily housing indices give us a strong foundation to launch housing markets that settle transparently and consistently. Real estate should be a first-class category in prediction markets, and this partnership is how we get there.”

Generated Image: Midjourney

In brief Rumble launched Rumble Wallet, a non-custodial crypto wallet built with help from Tether and MoonPay. The wallet will support Tether's dollar-backed and gold-backed tokens, USDT and XAUT, as well as Bitcoin. Shares of RUM have dipped slightly on the day and are down more than 50% in the last year. Publicly traded video streaming firm Rumble rolled out its crypto wallet—called Rumble Wallet—on Wednesday to support crypto payments and tipping for its creator economy. 

Built with stablecoin issuer Tether’s wallet development kit and using payments infrastructure from MoonPay, the non-custodial wallet is directly embedded within the Rumble platform and initially supports dollar-backed stablecoin USDT, Tether’s Gold-backed token (XAUT), and Bitcoin (BTC). 

“Rumble represents free speech and liberty the same way that cryptocurrency and a decentralized internet represent freedom, and Rumble Wallet is the natural combination of those things,” said Rumble founder and CEO Chris Pavlovski in a statement. 

At Tether, we champion technologies that promote freedom, decentralization, and the fundamental right to free speech.
Rumble Wallet brings those ideals together into one product that will give tens of millions of users more control than any platform has offered before, even in… https://t.co/sItznc8IH6 pic.twitter.com/UEaCq5ncnV

— Paolo Ardoino 🤖 (@paoloardoino) January 7, 2026

“We are putting more power into the hands of users and creators so they can engage with and financially support the content they like,” he added. “That’s another parallel to free expression, and it’s all unique to Rumble.”

First detailed in July, the wallet plans were bolstered with the October news of Tether’s involvement and crypto tipping support. Now, the Rumble Wallet becomes the first real-world installment of the Tether Wallet Development Kit (WDK), according to the announcement. 

“At Tether, we champion technologies that break boundaries and promote freedom, decentralization, and the fundamental right to free expression. Rumble Wallet brings those ideals together into one product that will give tens of millions of users more control than any platform has offered before, even in the United States,” said Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino in a statement.

The stablecoin giant has a vested interest in Rumble’s success, as its connections to the firm run far deeper than the wallet integration. In 2024, Tether committed $775 million to invest in the video-sharing firm. In November, Tether added another 1 million shares and financially backstopped a Rumble acquisition. 

Shares in Rumble (RUM) have dropped around 0.5% so far on Wednesday, recently changing hands at $6.69. The stock has dropped more than 50% in the last year of trading, according to Yahoo Finance. 

A representative for Rumble did not immediately respond to Decrypt’s request for comment. 

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XRP gets the much-needed mainstream glow-up with a feature on CNBC’s round-table discussion.

Market Sentiment:

Bullish Bearish Neutral

Published: January 7, 2026 │ 3:07 PM GMT

Created by Kornelija Poderskytė from DailyCoin

Overviewing the current crypto market tendencies, CNBC’s journalists have concluded that XRP, formerly known as Ripple coin, might be the hottest trade in 2026. CNBC’s MacKenzie Sigalos even stated that XRP coin is trying to become the default exchange layer between different crypto & fiat currencies.

CNBC Just Praised XRP For a Flurry Of ReasonsWhile deeming XRP “the hottest crypto trade of the year”, CNBC’s review also stated that Solana is way more cost-effective than Ethereum (ETH), putting SOL token on the pedestal along with Ripple’s XRP due to the rising Wall Street interest. Both OG altcoins received their ETFs last year, becoming the next big thing since BTC & ETH ETFs.

CNBC recognized the ETF appetite to be a key driver for XRP’s price rise, already hitting the 25% mark Year-to-date (YTD). The ability to tokenize money market funds (MMF) or various real-world assets (RWA) gives an advantage to Ripple (XRP) & Solana (SOL) in terms of utility against Bitcoin (BTC), which went mainstream before stablecoins.

XRP May Be More Attractive To Retail Than BTCNow, with both Genius & Clarity Acts intact, “times are changing”, agreed CNBC’s newsroom. This is particularly great for Ripple’s own RLUSD. The evolution of the market comes alive with mass appeal on “less-crowded” major-cap coins, as most investors expect to make bigger gains on XRP coin & Solana (SOL) in comparison to the well-established Bitcoin (BTC).

Following the bullish XRP news, the popular remittance altcoin pulled back 5.7% to trade at $2.24, says SoSoValue. In spite of reclaiming the $2 psychologically-decisive territory, XRP’s bulls are having a hard time to push the digital asset back to $3, named by multiple analysts as the next target storming into 2026.

Stay in the loop with DailyCoin’s hottest crypto news:
Morgan Stanley Moves Deeper into Crypto, Proposes BTC and SOL ETFs
Meme Coins Kick Off 2026 Strong As Big Capital Rolls In

People Also Ask:What did CNBC exactly say about XRP?

In a Power Lunch segment, host Brian Sullivan stated: “The hottest crypto trade of the year is not Bitcoin, it is not Ether, it is XRP,” while reporter MacKenzie Sigalos called it the “new cryptocurrency darling” and breakout trade of 2026.

How much has XRP gained so far in 2026?

XRP surged 25% in the first week of January, outperforming Bitcoin (up ~6%) and Ether (up ~10%), pushing it to around $2.25-$2.40.

Is this rally sustainable?

Strong institutional demand and supply tightness support more upside, but risks include broader market corrections, profit-taking, or regulatory shifts – past pumps have cooled without sustained catalysts.

What other factors are driving the hype?

Bullish social sentiment, declining exchange balances (reduced selling pressure), on-chain activity spikes, and renewed focus on XRP’s cross-border payments utility.

DailyCoin's Vibe Check: Which way are you leaning towards after reading this article?

Market Sentiment

0% Neutral

This article is for information purposes only and should not be considered trading or investment advice. Nothing herein shall be construed as financial, legal, or tax advice. Trading forex, cryptocurrencies, and CFDs pose a considerable risk of loss.

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.

XRP’s weekly rally of 18% might be under threat as a liquidation storm has hit the largest cryptocurrency exchange, Binance. As per CryptoQuant insights, XRP has experienced a two-sided liquidation trap and punished every investor that was over-leveraged, regardless of direction.

Binance bears and bulls caught in liquidation squeezeNotably, within 48 hours, the XRP liquidation cascade on Binance triggered over $4.4 million losses for traders betting short on the asset on Jan. 5, 2026.

After their bet, the price climbed rapidly, leaving these investors in the red. Out of the $4.4 million, Binance alone accounted for approximately $3.09 million of the liquidations as the risky short bets were on the exchange.

This short squeeze made traders chase the rally and opened long leveraged positions near $2.40. However, the market witnessed a pullback in price, and this was enough to trigger long liquidations on Jan. 6.

About $4.4 million longs were also wiped out in addition to another $1.5 million spike shortly thereafter, as late buyers were trapped at the top.

On both occasions, the Binance exchange was hit the hardest. The liquidation pattern did not spare any investor, as it first cleared short traders before moving against long positions as well.

Binance Leads XRP Liquidation Storm as Both Longs and Shorts Get Hit

“These liquidation waves often fuel aggressive price reversals, especially when both sides get trapped.” – By Amr Taha pic.twitter.com/aV328lkuJ1

— CryptoQuant.com (@cryptoquant_com) January 7, 2026 This development has sparked concerns about the price outlook for XRP and its volatility pattern.

If market participants sense that this volatility will linger, it might cause a pullback of interest, and XRP’s previous gains will be eliminated.

As of this writing, XRP is changing hands at $2.22, which represents a 6.35% decline in the last 24 hours. The coin plunged from an intraday peak of $2.39 to the current level as investors engaged in profit taking following the volatility flash.

This has also affected trading volume, which plunged by 30.42% to $5.73 billion within the same time frame. With the $2.30 support already breached, there are concerns that XRP could slip further to $2.02 unless the market quickly recovers.

card

Can XRP avoid decline amid bearish signals?As U.Today reported, XRP has the likelihood of slipping below $2 again. This is because the altcoin has hit a classic Bollinger Bands rejection zone, which signals that the coin could stray into sub-$2 before any sustainable breakout in price.

Despite these bearish concerns, Ripple executive Reece Merrick believes that institutional interest in XRP is growing due to the asset’s utility.

He believes that in the long term, it will trigger a price gain for the altcoin.

Wed, 7/01/2026 - 16:20

Cardano rockets 25,084% in futures activity even as the crypto market sees profit taking.

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 saw a surge in futures activity even as ADA price tested a crucial support level amid the ongoing price drop in the markets.

The broader crypto market saw selling pressure on Wednesday amid increased risk-off sentiment among traders. U.S. equities also fell alongside the Nasdaq 100 futures. A total of $465 million was liquidated in positions across the crypto market, with longs accounting for over half of this figure.

Amid the market drop, Cardano futures volume has risen 25,084% on the Bitmex exchange to reach $162 million in the last 24 hours, according to CoinGlass data.

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Cardano tests $0.4At the time of writing, Cardano (ADA) was down 4.60% in the last 24 hours to $0.40 amid the current market drop, but up 17% weekly.

ADA/USD Daily Chart, Courtesy: TradingViewCardano started rising from a low of $0.331 on Jan. 1. The sustained rise produced a crucial breakout for Cardano, allowing it to surpass the daily MA 50 (currently at $0.40) for the first time since October.

The cryptocurrency rose to a high of $0.437 after four days of increases at 2026's start, but resistance was encountered and ADA price promptly declined.

In a second day of drop since Tuesday, Cardano is testing support at the $0.4 level, which coincides with the daily MA 50, having touched this level in early Wednesday session. If the daily MA 50 can act as short-term support, it will boost the chances of ADA continuing its price climb.

In positive news for Cardano, Leios might be journeying its way toward mainnet launch. IOG’s public Leios tracker shows the Cardano Improvement Proposal is 67% complete, and delivery work is actively progressing across specs, simulations and implementation.

Expectations are also in place for the first Cardano spot ETF in the U.S. as Grayscale's spot Cardano remains under SEC review, with a decision now expected in early 2026.

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Low volumes and mixed sentiment keep market on edge ahead of post-holiday activity.

Market Sentiment:

Bullish Bearish Neutral

Published: January 7, 2026 │ 3:30 PM GMT

Created by Gabor Kovacs from DailyCoin

Bitcoin whales are on the move, withdrawing hundreds of millions in BTC as the market hovers near the critical $100K cost basis. While signs of a rebound are emerging, weak on-chain demand keeps the broader trend uncertain

Whales Make Moves  Bitcoin whales have withdrawn a total of $278.7 million in BTC from BitGo wallets today, according to the comment from prominent investor Ted Pillows. 

Such large-scale movements are often interpreted as accumulation, suggesting that institutional or high-net-worth investors may be positioning for potential upside. Yet, despite these notable withdrawals, the broader market shows mixed signals.

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On-chain demand remains weak, even with Bitcoin’s price rebounding above $93,000, highlighting that overall investor engagement has yet to fully recover, as per CryptoQuant’s analysts.

On-Chain Demand Remains Weak and Needs to Recover

“Even with the price returning above $93k, apparent on-chain demand remains weak and needs a more intense recovery to support a return to $100k.” – By @caueconomy pic.twitter.com/rHJ3smuK5Y

— CryptoQuant.com (@cryptoquant_com) January 7, 2026 Market sentiment remains mixed and trading volumes are low, with little sign of increased on-chain activity. That could change once the holiday period ends and investors return to the market.

$100K Cost Basis Holds the Key However, Bitcoin is currently trading below the cost basis of coins last moved six to twelve months ago. This cost basis currently sits around $100,000, according to CryptoQuant.

Historically, when the price remains below this level, the broader market structure tends to stay bearish, and downside risk remains elevated.

After weeks of sideways movement, Bitcoin is showing early signs of a rebound. But it still needs to reclaim the six- to twelve-month holder cost basis for the market structure to shift

The Key Condition for a Trend Reversal in the Crypto Market

“If Bitcoin can reclaim the 6–12 month holder cost basis (~100K), the market structure shifts. That break typically marks a transition toward a bullish trend and opens room for additional upside. – By @DanCoinInvestor pic.twitter.com/1m7CQ38OLv

— CryptoQuant.com (@cryptoquant_com) January 6, 2026 Why This Matters The market is at a delicate crossroads. Whale accumulation could be an early signal of renewed momentum, but weak on-chain demand underscores that broader participation has yet to follow.

Discover DailyCoin’s hottest crypto news today:
Meme Coins Kick Off 2026 Strong As Big Capital Rolls In
MSCI Pauses Crypto Exclusions, Shielding $113 Billion in DAT Firms

People Also Ask: What does Bitcoin whale accumulation mean?

Whale accumulation occurs when large holders or institutional investors buy or move significant amounts of Bitcoin, often signaling confidence in potential price increases.

How does weak on-chain demand affect Bitcoin’s price?

Low on-chain activity suggests limited investor engagement, which can restrict price momentum and delay trend reversals despite bullish signals.

Why do trading volumes drop during the holiday season?

Investor activity often slows during holidays, reducing trading volumes and on-chain movement, which can temporarily dampen market trends.

Why is the $100K level critical for Bitcoin?

$100K aligns with the six- to twelve-month holder cost basis and represents a psychological and technical threshold that could confirm a trend reversal if surpassed.

DailyCoin's Vibe Check: Which way are you leaning towards after reading this article?

Market Sentiment

0% Neutral

This article is for information purposes only and should not be considered trading or investment advice. Nothing herein shall be construed as financial, legal, or tax advice. Trading forex, cryptocurrencies, and CFDs pose a considerable risk of loss.

Shares of Blink Charging Co. rose after the electric vehicle charging company disclosed that it has begun accepting cryptocurrency payments at a limited number of its U.S. fast-charging sites.

Blink Charging’s common stock closed at $0.8066, up by 12.43% on the day, before extending gains in pre-market trading. By 9:27 a.m. EST, the shares were quoted at $0.8280, representing an additional 2.65% increase from the prior close, according to price data reflected in market charts.

Crypto payments introduced at select U.S. charging sites The firm has introduced the initial step in cryptocurrency payments in some of the Blink-owned DC fast charging sites in the United States. In its initial implementation, drivers will be able to pay with USD Coin (USDC), a stablecoin pegged to the U.S. dollar, on various blockchain networks, including Ethereum, Arbitrum, Polygon, and Base.

The company has reported that the crypto payment option is already operational in two stores, 1680 Main Street, Chipley, Florida, and 145 SE Bandit Street, Madison, Florida. Blink claimed that it will increase the use of cryptocurrency payments at more Blink-owned charging locations by 2026.

The news marks the initial step of the company to open its doors to digital asset payments for EV charging services. Blink claimed that the feature only works with specific DC fast chargers and was not operational on its larger network at the time.

In addition, Blink Charging’s Chief Technology Officer, Harmeet Singh, noted that the shift is driven by customer demand for more payment options and aligns with broader trends of increased digital asset usage. 

Market reaction follows recent equity offering This stock action follows a public offering of common stock worth $20 million in shares that was floated by Blink several weeks ago. In December 2025, the company announced that it had sold 26,664,666 shares at a public offering price of $0.75 per share. 

The offering was registered on a Form S-1 that was declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 10, 2025. According to the report, H.C. Wainwright and Roth Capital Partners were the co-placement agents.

Blink reported that the net proceeds will fund capital expenditures, which will consolidate capital owned and operated DC fast charging systems, as well as assist with working capital and general corporate purposes. The offering was set to close on or around December 12, 2025.

Notably, Blink Charging has also announced a key expansion in the United Kingdom. Blink Charging UK was selected to undertake the first rollout of a £1.41 million EV charging station project in the West Yorkshire region, with installation scheduled to commence late in 2025.

The deal also involves the deployment of 716 public chargers in Bradford, Calderdale, Kirklees, Leeds, and Wakefield, an area that will be integrated with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority.

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Wed, 7/01/2026 - 16:30

Peter Schiff is calling a dip worth buying, but it is not what you think. While Bitcoin slides, he quietly skips it — and points to something else he says is now deeply mispriced.

Cover image via www.freepik.com Peter Schiff, the notorious Bitcoin critic and popular financial commentator, is once again telling investors to buy the dip. This time, however, the target of his attention is not cryptocurrency, gold or even silver. According to Schiff, equities tied to metals production are now trading at levels that make little sense given where the underlying commodities landed.

Gold finished the session at $4,443, down 1.14%, while silver dropped 4.71% to $77.34, extending the decline that has already put pressure on miners. Schiff believes these stocks have already absorbed downside risk from earlier sessions and are now trading at prices far below the current spot price.

Source: TradingViewIn the meantime, Bitcoin fell 2.14% to $91,742. This would normally trigger a round of commentary from Schiff, whose social media presence often pivots off crypto volatility. This time, however, he remained silent, keeping his message entirely within the realm of metals.

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What is Schiff talking about?He pointed out a specific valuation mismatch between physical pricing and publicly traded mining firms. With the S&P 500 flat at 6,947.39 and no major risk-off flows in play, the selling pressure on miners was not part of a broader equity unwind or cross-asset de-risking.

Schiff believes the sector sold off independently, driven by mechanical sentiment spillover from commodity price screens rather than any fundamental deterioration in forward demand, cost structure or production outlook.

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Neither is he offering a bullish call on metals nor repositioning his long-standing views on monetary policy. Rather, Schiff is pointing out a pricing inefficiency between two directly linked markets. And, for once, he let Bitcoin fall without using it to make his point.

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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.

The prices of the majority of the coins are falling today, according to CoinStats.

BTC chart by CoinStatsBTC/USDThe rate of Bitcoin (BTC) has fallen by 2.37% over the last day.

Image by TradingViewOn the hourly chart, the price of BTC keeps looking bearish. If the rate fixes below the local support at $91,302, traders may see a test of the $90,000 zone soon.

Image by TradingViewOn the bigger time frame, the decline of the main crypto continues after a false breakout of the resistance at $94,652. At the moment, one should focus on the nearest level at $90,536.

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If the candle closes below it, the accumulated energy might be enough for a move to the $89,000-$90,000 zone.

Image by TradingViewFrom the midterm point of view, the price of BTC has bounced off the resistance of $94,652. If buyers cannot seize the initiative and the candle closes far from that mark, traders may see a further correction.

Bitcoin is trading at $91,445 at press time.

Bitcoin (BTC) faces a new “battle” for control before bulls trigger the next round of BTC price gains — but the long-term outlook is grim.

Key points:

Bitcoin short-term and long-term perspectives contrast as bears stay in control on high timeframes.

A golden cross on the day chart does not cancel out short signals for the rest of the year.

A new all-time high is “not likely” as a result.

$87,500 retest next stop for BTC priceIn his latest X analysis on Wednesday, Keith Alan, cofounder of trading resource Material Indicators, forecast a retest of the 2026 yearly open.

Bitcoin price action is now caught in a tussle between buyers and sellers — but a return to $87,500 is “not a matter of if, but when,” Alan says.

BTC/USDT order-book data with whale activity. Source: Keith Alan/X
Pointing to Material Indicators’ proprietary trading tools, he revealed that bulls are trying to preserve support at $92,000.

“FireCharts shows a realtime battle unfolding in the $BTC order book,” he commented.

“Bulls are trying to defend support at the 2026-01-05 Timescape Level, but Whales appear to be looking for a support test closer to the Yearly Open before a Golden Cross forms on the D chart to trigger the next rally.” BTC/USD one-day chart. Source: Keith Alan/X
That cross involves the 21-day and 50-day simple moving averages (SMAs) — the former crossing above the latter would indicate renewed strength on lower timeframes.

Before that, however, a support retest of the yearly open is on the wall.

“The battle for it is happening right now,” Alan continued while discussing the situation.  

“If it doesn't happen in the next 24 hours, I expect it will happen after the Death Cross forms on the Weekly chart, around the middle of the month.” BTC/USD one-day chart with 21, 50-week SMA. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingView
Bitcoin, Ether at “critical inflection points”Zooming out, other findings had little inspiration for Bitcoin optimists on multimonth timeframes and further out.

Multiple “short” signals, trading tools stated, mean that BTC/USD is unlikely to make new all-time highs before 2027.

“A lot can happen in 6 months that could invalidate it, but at the moment, it’s easy to build a case for price to drop after this current pump loses momentum,” Alan wrote about the six-month chart.

The research held similar conclusions about largest altcoin Ether (ETH), describing both coins as being “at critical inflection points.”

For a true turnaround, one-week relative strength index (RSI) values above 41/100, along with weekly closes above the 50-week SMA at $101,500, are needed.

BTC/USD one-week chart with 50SMA, RSI data. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewThis article does not contain investment advice or recommendations. Every investment and trading move involves risk, and readers should conduct their own research when making a decision. While we strive to provide accurate and timely information, Cointelegraph does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information in this article. This article may contain forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Cointelegraph will not be liable for any loss or damage arising from your reliance on this information.

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

As XRP continues to gain attention amid its recent rapid price surge, debates about its regulatory status have resurfaced again, as recent developments from Ripple continue to put the asset in the spotlight.

The Medical group has plenty of great stocks, but investors should always be looking for companies that are outperforming their peers. Has Humacyte, Inc. (HUMA - Free Report) been one of those stocks this year? By taking a look at the stock's year-to-date performance in comparison to its Medical peers, we might be able to answer that question.

Humacyte, Inc. is a member of our Medical group, which includes 933 different companies and currently sits at #8 in the Zacks Sector Rank. The Zacks Sector Rank considers 16 different groups, measuring the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks within the sector to gauge the strength of each group.

The Zacks Rank is a proven system that emphasizes earnings estimates and estimate revisions, highlighting a variety of stocks that are displaying the right characteristics to beat the market over the next one to three months. Humacyte, Inc. is currently sporting a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy).

Within the past quarter, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for HUMA's full-year earnings has moved 15.9% higher. This shows that analyst sentiment has improved and the company's earnings outlook is stronger.

Based on the latest available data, HUMA has gained about 12.4% so far this year. At the same time, Medical stocks have gained an average of 7.6%. This shows that Humacyte, Inc. is outperforming its peers so far this year.

Acrivon Therapeutics, Inc. (ACRV - Free Report) is another Medical stock that has outperformed the sector so far this year. Since the beginning of the year, the stock has returned 24.9%.

The consensus estimate for Acrivon Therapeutics, Inc.'s current year EPS has increased 13.2% over the past three months. The stock currently has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).

Looking more specifically, Humacyte, Inc. belongs to the Medical - Biomedical and Genetics industry, which includes 454 individual stocks and currently sits at #106 in the Zacks Industry Rank. This group has gained an average of 18.6% so far this year, so HUMA is slightly underperforming its industry in this area.

Acrivon Therapeutics, Inc., however, belongs to the Medical - Drugs industry. Currently, this 141-stock industry is ranked #90. The industry has moved +3.1% so far this year.

Going forward, investors interested in Medical stocks should continue to pay close attention to Humacyte, Inc. and Acrivon Therapeutics, Inc. as they could maintain their solid performance.

For those looking to find strong Construction stocks, it is prudent to search for companies in the group that are outperforming their peers. Has Legence (LGN - Free Report) been one of those stocks this year? A quick glance at the company's year-to-date performance in comparison to the rest of the Construction sector should help us answer this question.

Legence is a member of the Construction sector. This group includes 93 individual stocks and currently holds a Zacks Sector Rank of #16. The Zacks Sector Rank gauges the strength of our 16 individual sector groups by measuring the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks within the groups.

The Zacks Rank emphasizes earnings estimates and estimate revisions to find stocks with improving earnings outlooks. This system has a long record of success, and these stocks tend to be on track to beat the market over the next one to three months. Legence is currently sporting a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy).

Within the past quarter, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for LGN's full-year earnings has moved 28.1% higher. This means that analyst sentiment is stronger and the stock's earnings outlook is improving.

According to our latest data, LGN has moved about 6.9% on a year-to-date basis. At the same time, Construction stocks have gained an average of 5.5%. This means that Legence is outperforming the sector as a whole this year.

Another stock in the Construction sector, Orion Energy Systems, Inc. (OESX - Free Report) , has outperformed the sector so far this year. The stock's year-to-date return is 16.4%.

In Orion Energy Systems, Inc.'s case, the consensus EPS estimate for the current year increased 57.1% over the past three months. The stock currently has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).

Looking more specifically, Legence belongs to the Engineering - R and D Services industry, a group that includes 19 individual stocks and currently sits at #109 in the Zacks Industry Rank. Stocks in this group have gained about 11.3% so far this year, so LGN is slightly underperforming its industry this group in terms of year-to-date returns.

In contrast, Orion Energy Systems, Inc. falls under the Building Products - Lighting industry. Currently, this industry has 2 stocks and is ranked #23. Since the beginning of the year, the industry has moved +1.2%.

Investors with an interest in Construction stocks should continue to track Legence and Orion Energy Systems, Inc.. These stocks will be looking to continue their solid performance.

Investors interested in Consumer Staples stocks should always be looking to find the best-performing companies in the group. Is Mission Produce, Inc. (AVO - Free Report) one of those stocks right now? By taking a look at the stock's year-to-date performance in comparison to its Consumer Staples peers, we might be able to answer that question.

Mission Produce, Inc. is one of 180 companies in the Consumer Staples group. The Consumer Staples group currently sits at #15 within the Zacks Sector Rank. The Zacks Sector Rank gauges the strength of our 16 individual sector groups by measuring the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks within the groups.

The Zacks Rank is a successful stock-picking model that emphasizes earnings estimates and estimate revisions. The system highlights a number of different stocks that could be poised to outperform the broader market over the next one to three months. Mission Produce, Inc. is currently sporting a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy).

Over the past three months, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for AVO's full-year earnings has moved 57.5% higher. This means that analyst sentiment is stronger and the stock's earnings outlook is improving.

According to our latest data, AVO has moved about 0.5% on a year-to-date basis. In comparison, Consumer Staples companies have returned an average of -3.4%. This means that Mission Produce, Inc. is performing better than its sector in terms of year-to-date returns.

One other Consumer Staples stock that has outperformed the sector so far this year is Black Rock Coffee Bar, Inc. (BRCB - Free Report) . The stock is up 3.4% year-to-date.

The consensus estimate for Black Rock Coffee Bar, Inc.'s current year EPS has increased 44.3% over the past three months. The stock currently has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).

Breaking things down more, Mission Produce, Inc. is a member of the Agriculture - Operations industry, which includes 13 individual companies and currently sits at #221 in the Zacks Industry Rank. This group has gained an average of 4.8% so far this year, so AVO is slightly underperforming its industry in this area.

In contrast, Black Rock Coffee Bar, Inc. falls under the Beverages - Soft drinks industry. Currently, this industry has 19 stocks and is ranked #205. Since the beginning of the year, the industry has moved +5.6%.

Mission Produce, Inc. and Black Rock Coffee Bar, Inc. could continue their solid performance, so investors interested in Consumer Staples stocks should continue to pay close attention to these stocks.