Market Signal Briefing

Ethereum scalability was boosted on Wednesday with the second Blob Parameter-Only hard fork, raising the blob limit from 15 to 21, the first of many improvements aimed at scaling the Ethereum ecosystem in 2026.

The second BPO hard fork, which took effect on Wednesday at 1:01:11 UTC, further increases Ethereum’s data throughput by allowing more transactions to be batched via rollups.

The BPO hard fork also raised the blob target from 10 to 14, which is widely seen as the more important metric to watch, as consistently approaching the 21-blob limit could overload node bandwidth and storage.

One blob unit fits 128 kilobytes of data, meaning Ethereum can now store up to 2,688 KB in a single block. 

Source: Terence ChanBlobs help keep Ethereum mainnet steadyWhile blobs boost transaction throughput on Ethereum layer 2s, they also help stabilize gas fees on the Ethereum mainnet as the network becomes less congested.

YCharts data shows that Ethereum transaction fees have been far more stable since the first BPO hard fork on Dec. 9, 2025.

Change in Ethereum fees over the last 12 months. Source: YCharts
Gas limit raise also on the radarParticipants in the Ethereum All Core Developers meeting on Dec. 15 also discussed the idea of raising the network gas limit from 60 million to 80 million once the second BPO hard fork was implemented.

Doing that would directly increase the number of transactions and smart contract operations that can fit in each Ethereum block — further boosting overall throughput while potentially lowering fees.

Glamsterdam hard fork is also focused on scalabilityLater in 2026, the Glamsterdam hard fork will allow the gas limit to ratchet up to 200 million and introduce “perfect parallel processing.”

Perfect parallel processing will become feasible on Ethereum through Block Access Lists under Ethereum Improvement Proposal-7928, which seeks to transform Ethereum’s single-lane mode of transaction processing into a multi-lane highway, further increasing transaction throughput.

Magazine: How crypto laws changed in 2025 — and how they’ll change in 2026

Yen Carry Trade Risk Edges Toward Bitcoin as Investors Underprice Japan’s Bond Market ShockJapan bond yields surge, signaling historic repricing and tightening liquidity after decades of ultra-loose policy.Rising yields threaten the yen carry trade, a key funding source for global risk assets.Bitcoin faces volatility risk if carry trade unwinds quietly drain global liquidity.Japan’s bond market is undergoing one of its most dramatic repricing events in modern history.

The implications may extend far beyond domestic fixed income, potentially spilling into global risk assets, including Bitcoin.

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Liquidity Tightening Raises Pressure on the Yen Carry TradeJapanese government bond (JGB) yields have surged sharply since the start of 2026. The 10-year yield has climbed to around 2.12%, its highest level since 1999, while the 30-year yield has reached a record of nearly 3.5%.

10-Year JGB yield reaches highest level since 1999 at 2.12%In total, yields have risen by roughly 104 and 120 basis points, respectively, a scale of adjustment rarely seen in Japan’s long era of ultra-low rates.

The repricing reflects mounting concern over Japan’s fiscal and monetary trajectory. The government recently approved a record $780 billion budget for fiscal year 2026. This move intensified fears over deficit expansion at a time when inflation pressures are no longer purely theoretical.

Persistent yen weakness has further raised doubts over whether the Bank of Japan (BoJ) is falling behind the curve on inflation control.

Analysts at the Kobeissi Letter see the move as one of the most dramatic bond market repricings in Japanese history. They note that losses are accelerating as investors price in higher deficit spending and policy uncertainty.

Japan’s bond market situation is getting worse:

Japan's 10Y government bond yield has surged to 2.12%, the highest since 1999.

At the same time, the 30Y yield is up to 3.46%, the highest on record.

Since the start of 2025, both yields have skyrocketed +104 and +120 basis… pic.twitter.com/HiOSRpEluH

— The Kobeissi Letter (@KobeissiLetter) January 5, 2026 Sponsored

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For decades, Japan’s bond market was defined by stability and central bank dominance. That assumption is now being challenged.

At the same time, signs of genuine liquidity contraction are emerging. Market commentator Money Ape warned that Japan’s liquidity is “drying up fast,” pointing to a 4.9% drop in cash in circulation in 2025, the first decline in 18 years.

🇯🇵 JAPAN LIQUIDITY IS DRYING UP FAST

Japan’s 30Y yield just hit 3.5% ATH as the Bank of Japan exits stimulus.

Cash in circulation fell 4.9% in 2025, first drop in 18 years.

Monetary base now ¥594T, below ¥600T for first time since 2020.

This is REAL tightening.
RECESSION ? 😢 https://t.co/OFYGQzo5bg pic.twitter.com/3ZR0gitDsf

— Money Ape (@TheMoneyApe) January 6, 2026 For a system built on abundant liquidity, the shift is significant.

Yen Carry Trade Unwinds Pose a Slow-Burning Risk to Bitcoin and CryptoThis tightening dynamic raises concerns about the global yen carry trade, a cornerstone of international risk-taking for years. Investors have long borrowed cheaply in yen to fund positions in higher-yielding assets across equities, emerging markets, and crypto.

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As Japanese yields rise and funding conditions tighten, those trades become increasingly vulnerable to forced unwinds.

RadarHits noted that the jump in the 30-year yield to record highs is placing direct pressure on carry trade positioning.

“Japan’s 30-year yield rises to 3.5%, the highest level ever. Pressure building on the yen carry trade,” they wrote.

If unwinding accelerates, risk assets that benefited from yen-funded liquidity, including Bitcoin, could face renewed volatility.

Some analysts argue that the danger lies in how slowly the stress is unfolding. Among them, JustDario, who described the situation as a “boiling frog syndrome,” where structural pressure builds gradually enough that investors fail to react until instability becomes unavoidable.

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The Japan financial system, upon which the ginormous JPY carry trade global structure lies, is imploding in real time but is doing that at a slow pace trapping most of the investors in a “boiling frog syndrome” – don’t be surprised if a regional financial crisis similar to the… https://t.co/X8SwrZ3fdw pic.twitter.com/99hQg40bCU

— JustDario 🏊‍♂️ (@DarioCpx) January 7, 2026 In this view, Japan’s financial system, which forms the foundation of the global JPY carry trade, is weakening in real-time, even if a crisis has not yet fully materialized.

However, the picture is not one-dimensional. Despite higher nominal rates, Japan’s real interest rates remain negative, a factor that continues to support liquidity and risk-taking.

Capital Flows highlighted that this dynamic helps explain why Japanese equities remain near all-time highs and why global capital continues to flow through Japan’s markets.

“This means there is a TON of liquidity in their market. You think the Fed is accommodative? It’s nothing compared to BoJ,” the analyst wrote.

This paradox, where tightening signals run alongside negative real rates, complicates the outlook. The risk is less about an immediate shock and more about whether a prolonged unwind of the carry trade could quietly remove a key source of global liquidity.

As of early January 2026, Japanese yields remain volatile and unsettled. Whether the BoJ can engineer a soft landing or whether bond market stress triggers wider financial dislocations may prove critical for Bitcoin’s macro backdrop, just as it would for Japan in the months ahead.

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Solana reported approximately $1.4 billion in revenue for the year, a figure reflecting a debated metric of user-generated value. This financial update comes as the network successfully reduced its average transaction fees. On 2026-01-06, this development is viewed as significant within the cryptocurrency sector as Solana continues to position itself as a major player in the blockchain market.

The reported revenue number is derived from a measure that some industry observers question, yet it indicates the network’s growing user engagement and potential market influence. Solana’s efforts to lower network fees align with its strategy to attract more users and enhance its competitive edge against other blockchain platforms.

In recent years, Solana has emerged as a prominent blockchain known for its high-speed and low-cost transactions. Its architecture supports a wide range of decentralized applications and services, making it a favored choice among developers and users seeking efficiency and scalability. The network’s ability to process thousands of transactions per second distinguishes it from other blockchain networks like Ethereum, which has historically faced congestion and higher fees.

Ethereum, in contrast, has been working on transitioning to a more sustainable and scalable model through its Ethereum 2.0 upgrade. The upgrade aims to improve transaction speeds and reduce costs, addressing some of the challenges that have led users to explore alternative platforms like Solana. This competitive landscape underscores the ongoing evolution in the blockchain space.

While Solana’s reported revenue reflects its growth, the cost of transactions remains a critical factor for users deciding among blockchain options. Lower fees not only benefit users but also encourage more frequent transactions, contributing to the overall activity on the network. This strategy helps Solana maintain its market position amidst a rapidly evolving industry.

Critics, however, have raised concerns about the transparency and consistency of the metrics used to report financial performance in the blockchain sector. The method of calculating user-generated value can vary, leading to different interpretations of what constitutes true revenue. Such debates highlight the need for standardized reporting measures across the industry to ensure clarity and comparability.

Despite these challenges, Solana’s financial performance indicates its potential for further expansion and innovation. The platform’s growth trajectory suggests it could continue to attract investment and development in the coming years. Yet, the landscape remains dynamic, with regulatory scrutiny and technological advancements influencing the direction of blockchain networks.

The broader regulatory environment for cryptocurrencies is characterized by a patchwork of national approaches. While some countries have embraced blockchain technology and digital assets, others have imposed stringent regulations, creating complexity for global operators. The evolving legal frameworks will likely impact how platforms like Solana navigate compliance and strategic growth.

As 2026 progresses, market participants will be closely monitoring Solana’s developments, alongside those of its competitors. The ongoing competition in transaction speed, cost efficiency, and user experience will shape the future positioning of blockchain networks. For now, Solana’s focus on reducing fees and enhancing user value stands as a noteworthy approach in the pursuit of increased market adoption.

Further financial performance details and specific strategic initiatives from Solana remain undisclosed.

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Skip to the content Home Finance News Morgan Stanley’s Bitcoin and Solana ETF Filings Indicate Institutional Interest

Maheen Hernandez January 7, 2026

Morgan Stanley has filed for Bitcoin and Solana ETFs, indicating a significant move towards cryptocurrency by major financial institutions. This development, reported on 2026-01-06, may influence other large investment firms to consider similar offerings, according to industry experts.

The application marks a crucial step by Morgan Stanley in the digital asset space, reflecting growing institutional interest. This interest is seen as part of a broader acceptance of cryptocurrencies within traditional finance sectors. Morgan Stanley’s filings could potentially encourage similar actions from other financial giants.

Market analysts suggest that such filings demonstrate an increasing belief in the long-term viability of digital assets. While Bitcoin has been a focal point for investment, Solana’s inclusion is notable due to its growing ecosystem and technological capabilities. Morgan Stanley’s decision underscores a strategic interest in diversifying its crypto offerings.

The potential launch of these ETFs comes amid ongoing regulatory discussions surrounding digital assets. Regulators worldwide have been cautious about approving cryptocurrency-related products, focusing on investor protection and market stability. The approval of these ETFs would mark a regulatory milestone in the integration of crypto into mainstream finance.

Despite the optimism surrounding these filings, there are inherent risks and uncertainties in the crypto market. Price volatility and regulatory hurdles remain significant challenges. Analysts caution that the success of such financial products depends heavily on market conditions and regulatory clarity.

As the situation develops, Morgan Stanley and other institutions may release further details on their crypto strategies. The financial industry will closely monitor regulatory responses and market reactions to these proposed ETFs. Further information from Morgan Stanley is awaited as the market assesses the implications of this move.

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Maheen Hernandez A finance graduate, Maheen Hernandez has been drawn to cryptocurrencies ever since Bitcoin first emerged in 2009. Nearly a decade later, Maheen is actively working to spread awareness about cryptocurrencies as well as their impact on the traditional currencies. Appreciate the work? Send a tip to: 0x75395Ea9a42d2742E8d0C798068DeF3590C5Faa5

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James Ding Jan 07, 2026 04:37

Ethereum trades at $3,259 as institutional staking inflows hit record levels, with technical indicators suggesting a breakout above key resistance could target $4,000.

Ethereum's staking ecosystem is experiencing its most dramatic transformation since the Merge, with institutional validators locking up over 1.2 million ETH in early January while the network prepares for a critical scaling upgrade today that could reshape Layer 2 economics.

The second-largest cryptocurrency trades at $3,259, up nearly 1% in the past 24 hours, as BitMine's unprecedented $1 billion staking commitment signals a structural shift in how institutions view ETH as infrastructure rather than speculation. According to data from AInvest, the validator entry queue now exceeds the exit queue for the first time in six months, creating deflationary pressure that technical analysts say could propel prices toward the $4,000 psychological barrier.

Network Upgrade Catalyzes Institutional Interest Today's Ethereum network upgrade represents more than routine maintenance—it fundamentally alters the economics of Layer 2 solutions by increasing "blob" data capacity in each block. Market participants note this enhancement could reduce transaction costs on Arbitrum, Optimism, and Base by up to 40%, potentially triggering a new wave of DeFi adoption that has been constrained by high gas fees.

"We're seeing institutions finally treat Ethereum staking like Treasury bills—a foundational holding rather than a trading vehicle," explains a derivatives trader at a major crypto fund, who notes that options positioning heavily favors calls above $3,500 through March. The Pectra upgrade, which allows validators to manage 2,048 ETH instead of the previous 32 ETH limit, has streamlined institutional operations and reduced overhead costs by an estimated 60%.

Regulatory clarity from the SEC and IRS in late 2025 removed key compliance barriers, enabling asset managers like BlackRock and Grayscale to integrate staking directly into their exchange-traded products. Binance spot data shows Ethereum's 24-hour volume of $1.34 billion reflects sustained institutional accumulation rather than retail speculation, with large block trades dominating the order book.

Technical Picture Points to Decisive Breakout Ethereum's technical setup resembles the consolidation pattern that preceded its rally from $1,800 to $4,800 in 2021, with several key indicators aligning bullishly. The RSI sits at 64.83—comfortably in the neutral zone with room to run higher—while the MACD histogram at 41.7 shows the strongest bullish momentum in three months.

Most significantly, ETH trades at 0.99 on the Bollinger Band scale, meaning it's testing the upper resistance band at $3,264 that has contained price action since late December. A sustained break above this level would target $3,447 initially, with technical analysts projecting a move toward $4,000 by March if the broader crypto rally maintains momentum.

The 200-day moving average at $3,615 represents the next major hurdle, but shorter-term averages show clear bullish alignment. The 7-day SMA at $3,169 recently crossed above the 20-day at $3,034, creating what technicians call a "golden cross" formation that historically precedes sustained uptrends.

Analyst Targets Range from Conservative to Aggressive Institutional research presents a wide range of price targets reflecting uncertainty about how quickly ETH can close the performance gap with Bitcoin. The ETH/BTC ratio has languished below 0.05 for 14 consecutive months, suggesting Ethereum has significant catching up to do.

Optimistic analysts point to network activity surging past 2.1 million daily transactions in December—the highest level in over a decade—as evidence that fundamental demand supports higher valuations. Smart contract deployments hit a record 8.7 million in Q4 2025, driven by real-world asset tokenization and enterprise adoption that should continue supporting the platform's growth trajectory.

However, skeptics warn that Ethereum faces headwinds from layer-one competitors gaining market share and the potential for profit-taking if Bitcoin's rally stalls. One quantitative researcher at a multi-billion-dollar hedge fund argues that ETH's underperformance relative to BTC reflects structural issues with gas fees and scalability that today's upgrade may not fully address.

The Trade Setup For bulls, the setup appears compelling: enter on any dip below $3,200 with a target of $3,800 by February and a stop-loss at $2,950. The risk-reward ratio favors upside, particularly given the deflationary impact of increased staking participation and the potential for Layer 2 growth to drive fee revenue.

Bears should watch for failure to hold the $3,180 support level, which would suggest the rally lacks institutional conviction and could trigger a retest of the December lows around $2,900. The key risk for bulls remains Bitcoin's ability to sustain its own rally above $95,000—a failure there would likely drag all risk assets lower regardless of Ethereum-specific fundamentals.

Ethereum appears poised for a decisive move higher as institutional staking dynamics converge with today's network upgrade to create the most bullish setup in months. The path to $4,000 looks increasingly clear if ETH can break definitively above $3,300 in the coming week.

Image source: Shutterstock

eth price analysis eth price prediction

Advances in quantum computing doesn’t just threaten Bitcoin wallet security, it could also undermine its economic and security model as it could be used to mine Bitcoin blocks far more efficiently, according to Coinbase’s head of investment research, David Duong.

Quantum computing continues to be debated as a potential threat to the crypto industry, as more advanced computers that could break encryption have been theorized to have the capability to reveal user keys and expose sensitive data.

However, Duong said in a LinkedIn post on Monday that another possible issue is on the horizon. He argues that the core risks on “Q-day” are cryptographically relevant quantum computers running “Shor’s and Grover’s Algorithms to undermine bitcoin’s cryptographic signature.”

“That is, bitcoin's security relies primarily on two cryptographic pillars: the Elliptic Curve Digital Signature Algorithm (ECDSA) for transaction signatures and SHA-256 for the proof-of-work mining processes,” he said.

“That means quantum computers actually pose two separate threats. They could potentially break the cryptographic security of private keys, allowing attackers to steal funds from vulnerable addresses, and they could potentially mine blocks more efficiently, disrupting Bitcoin’s economic and security model.” Coinbase’s head of investment research, David Duong speculates that quantum computing could pose two threats to the Bitcoin network. Source: David DuongMore computing power could upset miner balanceBitcoin miners utilize computational power and energy to solve complex mathematical problems, which add transaction blocks to the network. Quantum computers are speculated to be able to perform exponentially faster than current computers.

Attacks such as a 51% attack require a massive amount of computing power and could allow one miner or a group to control more than half of Bitcoin’s total mining power and manipulate the blockchain.

“That said, we think quantum mining itself remains a lower-priority concern for now given scaling constraints, making signature migration the central issue,” Duong said.

“Overall, we do not view quantum computing as an imminent threat because today’s machines are orders of magnitude too small to break Bitcoin’s cryptography. That said, we are glad that the open-source community remains vigilant about engineering post-quantum migration paths.”Skeptics say quantum computing threat decades awaySceptics, such as cypherpunk Adam Back, argue the threat posed by quantum computing is overblown, and the technology is likely decades away from being viable.

Meanwhile, those on the other side of the debate, such as Charles Edwards, the founder of quantitative Bitcoin and digital asset fund Capriole, argue that the threat is more imminent, and steps need to be taken much sooner to keep the network secure.  

Magazine: Bitcoin vs. the quantum computer threat: Timeline and solutions (2025–2035)

Bitcoin is attempting to extend its recovery after reclaiming the $90,000 level, a move that has brought cautious optimism back into the market following weeks of consolidation and selling pressure. While price action alone still falls short of confirming a renewed uptrend, on-chain data suggests that underlying market conditions may be stabilizing beneath the surface.

According to top analyst Axel Adler, the On-Chain Pressure Oscillator is offering an important lens into current market dynamics. The indicator, which aggregates exchange netflows, short-term holder realized profit and loss, and long-term coin spending into a single percentile-based signal, is currently sitting around the 46 level. Historically, this zone has been associated with accumulation phases rather than distribution.

On-Chain Pressure Oscillator v2 | Source: Axel Adler What stands out in the current reading is the absence of aggressive sellers. Exchange inflows remain muted, indicating that investors are not rushing to move coins to trading venues. At the same time, older coins are largely dormant, suggesting that long-term holders are not capitulating despite recent volatility. Short-term holders remain under pressure, but their losses appear contained, limiting forced selling.

Together, these factors point to a market that is deleveraged and relatively balanced, with sell-side pressure constrained more by a lack of supply than by surging demand.

Short-Term Holder Stress Keeps Sell-Side Pressure Contained Adler adds that recent movements in the On-Chain Pressure Oscillator reinforce the idea that Bitcoin is still locked in a consolidation regime. While the daily readings of the oscillator have softened over the past few sessions, the smoothed trend remains broadly stable.

Historically, similar configurations have tended to appear during pause phases, when the market digests prior moves before committing to a new direction. Importantly, this stability suggests that sell-side pressure from key cohorts remains muted, even as demand has yet to show a decisive expansion.

The main risk to this structure would be a sustained breakdown in the smoothed oscillator below neutral levels. Such a move would indicate a shift away from accumulation toward distribution, signaling that sellers are regaining control.

This dynamic is closely linked to Bitcoin’s position relative to the Short-Term Holder (STH) realized price. With BTC trading below the average cost basis of holders who entered within the last five months, most short-term participants are currently underwater. This limits their ability to take profits and reduces immediate selling incentives. As a result, sell pressure remains constrained despite recent price weakness.

Bitcoin STH Realized Price | Source: Axel Adler However, this balance may change if Bitcoin approaches the $100,000 area. A return to breakeven for short-term holders could unlock supply and create resistance. A healthier signal would be price reclaiming the STH realized level while the oscillator strengthens, confirming renewed demand rather than mere absence of selling.

Bitcoin Rebounds From December Lows but Faces Heavy Overhead Resistance Bitcoin is trading near the $94,000 area after rebounding sharply from the December lows around $82,000–$84,000. The chart shows a clear recovery leg following a steep corrective phase that unfolded after the October peak near $125,000. While the bounce has restored short-term momentum, the broader structure remains technically constrained.

BTC testing critical resistance | Source: BTCUSDT chart on TradingView Price is currently reclaiming the short-term moving average, which has started to curl upward and act as dynamic support. This is a constructive development, suggesting that downside momentum has eased and buyers are regaining some control.

However, Bitcoin remains below the mid- and long-term moving averages, which are still sloping downward. These levels, clustered between roughly $100,000 and $105,000, represent a significant overhead resistance zone that bulls must clear to reestablish a bullish trend.

Selling pressure peaked during the November–December breakdown, while the current rebound has occurred on more moderate volume, indicating stabilization rather than aggressive accumulation.

Structurally, the market appears to be transitioning from a sharp sell-off into a consolidation and recovery phase. Holding above the $90,000–$92,000 region is critical to maintain this constructive setup. A failure to defend this zone would expose Bitcoin to renewed downside risk, while a sustained move above the declining moving averages would signal a more durable shift in market direction.

Featured image from ChatGPT, chart from TradingView.com 

Bitcoin steadied this week after a brief pullback, with analysts saying the broader price structure still points to higher levels if key support zones continue to hold.

The world’s largest cryptocurrency has been moving higher since its late-November lows, and recent price action suggests buyers remain active during dips.

Short-Term Pullback Seen as Normal CorrectionAfter rising strongly from its November 21 swing low, Bitcoin entered a short-term consolidation phase, followed by a modest pullback. The price briefly dipped into an important support band before stabilizing, suggesting buyers stepped in quickly.

“This was not an aggressive sell-off,” one analyst said, adding that the move looked more like a routine correction within an ongoing uptrend.

Support Zone Holds Between $90,850 and $92,900Bitcoin’s pullback found support between $90,850 and $92,900, an area which has been important in the past week.

Prices briefly touched the lower end of this range before rebounding, reinforcing the view that bulls are still defending the trend. Analysts said holding above this zone is critical for maintaining the short-term bullish outlook.

So far, price action within this range has followed expectations, with no signs of panic selling.

Resistance at $94,780 Could Signal Next Move HigherOn the upside, experts are watching $94,780, the week’s recent high. A clear break above this level could confirm the next upward leg in Bitcoin’s rally.

If that happens, analysts see potential upside targets near $97,000, which marks a retracement level, and $98,400, a technical extension zone.

Downside Risk Remains if Support BreaksDespite the positive outlook, analysts warned that a decisive move below $90,850 would weaken the bullish case.

A breakdown below that level could shift focus toward deeper consolidation or even a retest of December lows. Such a move would suggest the current recovery phase has stalled.

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Gemini’s Director of Institutional, Patrick Liou, believes 2026 will represent a major structural shift for the crypto market, signaling the end of several long-standing narratives around Bitcoin cycles, regulation, and capital flows. In a recent set of industry predictions, Liou outlined how crypto is moving away from speculative boom-and-bust dynamics toward a more institutional, macro-driven framework shaped by policy, liquidity, and sovereign interest.

According to Liou, the traditional four-year Bitcoin cycle may already be obsolete. He argues that if Bitcoin finishes 2026 in negative territory, it would invalidate the historical cycle model that investors have relied on for more than a decade. Unlike previous drawdowns of 75–90%, Bitcoin is currently about 30% below its highs, reflecting a more mature and resilient market structure. The rise of spot Bitcoin ETFs, deeper derivatives markets, and institutional-grade custody solutions have helped absorb supply shocks that once caused extreme volatility. Options markets support this view, with implied volatility holding between 25% and 40%, far below historical peaks near 80%. As a result, Bitcoin increasingly trades like a macro asset, responding to global liquidity conditions rather than halving-driven speculation.

Liou also expects crypto regulation to become a bipartisan issue ahead of the 2026 US midterm elections. While Republicans initially led pro-crypto outreach, Democrats are increasingly engaging as market structure legislation such as the CLARITY Act continues to move through bipartisan negotiations. Crypto policy is also emerging as a campaign topic in key swing states, signaling growing political relevance.

Another major trend Liou highlights is the rapid expansion of crypto-powered prediction markets. Platforms like Polymarket have demonstrated how blockchain-based markets can aggregate real-time information more efficiently than traditional polls. This momentum has attracted major players, including Coinbase, reflecting broader demand for market-based forecasting tools tied to politics and macroeconomic events.

Liou further predicts consolidation among digital asset treasury companies, as many publicly listed crypto treasury vehicles now trade below their net asset value. Finally, he forecasts that at least one nation-state will sell part of its gold reserves to buy Bitcoin, reinforcing BTC’s role as “digital gold” and cementing its place in global reserve discussions.

Together, these trends suggest 2026 could mark crypto’s transition into a fully institutional and sovereign-driven era.

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Regulated ethereum investors are now earning on-chain yield as Grayscale pushes staking rewards directly into a U.S.-listed spot crypto ETP, marking a first-of-its-kind distribution that links ethereum staking income to traditional investment access. Grayscale Delivers First US Spot Ethereum ETP Staking Payout Yield generation reached regulated ethereum investment products through a new distribution milestone.

XRP could outperform bitcoin as XRP/BTC chart shows rare Ichimoku breakout since 2018Traders are watching if XRP can reclaim the $2.31-$2.32 range or remain in a descending channel. Jan 7, 2026, 4:44 a.m.

XRP slid to $2.27 after breaking below $2.32 support, but a high-volume flush into $2.21 drew bids and stabilized the move — leaving traders focused on whether the bounce can reclaim $2.31-$2.32 or if the market remains stuck in a descending channel.

News backgroundXRP traders are weighing a short-term breakdown in spot price against a longer-term bullish setup on the XRP/BTC ratio.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW

Chartist “The Great Mattsby” said XRP/BTC is close to breaking above the monthly Ichimoku cloud for the first time since 2018, a shift that historically signals XRP is positioned to outperform bitcoin if confirmed. The setup is drawing attention as cross-asset rotation narratives start to re-emerge early in the year, even as spot markets stay sensitive to liquidity pockets and stop-driven moves.

That relative-strength framing matters because XRP’s latest selloff came with evidence of forced selling rather than a slow bleed — the kind of move that often resets positioning and sets up a cleaner technical base if buyers can hold key levels.

Technical analysisXRP fell 5% over the 24-hour period ending Jan. 7 at 02:00, dropping from $2.39 to $2.27 after losing $2.32 support and extending a descending channel that has capped recent rebounds.

The key event came at 16:00 on Jan. 6, when volume surged to 256.3 million (142% above the 24-hour SMA) and price printed the session low at $2.21. That spike behaved like a capitulation-style flush: aggressive selling hit the tape, but follow-through failed to push the market materially below $2.21, implying demand absorbed the move.

From there, XRP attempted to recover but stalled near $2.31, reinforcing that zone — along with the broken $2.32 level — as the first meaningful resistance band. The inability to reclaim that range keeps the near-term structure bearish, even as the market shows signs of stabilizing after the high-volume low.

Short-term action suggests the base is trying to form. The 60-minute structure showed multiple defenses of the $2.258-$2.260 area, with higher lows developing after the 01:33 low at $2.257. Buying volume concentrated on pushes higher, while pullbacks came on lighter activity — a constructive look, but still inside a broader downtrend until $2.31-$2.32 is reclaimed.

Price action summaryXRP fell from $2.39 to $2.27, breaking below $2.32 supportThe session low printed at $2.21 during a 256.3M volume surge (142% above average)Recovery attempts have repeatedly stalled near $2.31, keeping the descending channel intactIntraday stabilization formed around $2.258-$2.260, with buyers defending the range multiple timesWhat traders should knowThe trade is clean right now: $2.21 is the line, and $2.31-$2.32 is the gate.

If $2.21 holds and XRP can reclaim $2.31-$2.32, the move starts to look like a high-volume shakeout followed by a trend resumption attempt — opening the path back toward $2.39, where overhead supply from the breakdown sits.If $2.21 fails, the capitulation low stops being a floor and turns into a trigger. That would likely invite another wave of liquidation-style selling into the next demand pocket (which traders will typically map using prior consolidation zones and market structure rather than a single indicator).The other layer to watch is XRP/BTC: the monthly Ichimoku setup getting circulated by Mattsby is a relative-strength signal, not a spot-price guarantee — but if XRP/BTC confirms the breakout, it increases the odds that dips in XRP are bought more aggressively than dips in bitcoin, especially during risk-on rotation windows.

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KuCoin Hits Record Market Share as 2025 Volumes Outpace Crypto Market

Dec 22, 2025

KuCoin captured a record share of centralised exchange volume in 2025, with more than $1.25tn traded as its volumes grew faster than the wider crypto market.

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KuCoin recorded over $1.25 trillion in total trading volume in 2025, equivalent to an average of roughly $114 billion per month, marking its strongest year on record.This performance translated into an all-time high share of centralised exchange volume, as KuCoin’s activity expanded faster than aggregate CEX volumes, which slowed during periods of lower market volatility.Spot and derivatives volumes were evenly split, each exceeding $500 billion for the year, signalling broad-based usage rather than reliance on a single product line.Altcoins accounted for the majority of trading activity, reinforcing KuCoin’s role as a primary liquidity venue beyond BTC and ETH at a time when majors saw more muted turnover.Even as overall crypto volumes softened mid-year, KuCoin maintained elevated baseline activity, indicating structurally higher user engagement rather than short-lived volume spikes.More For You

Asia Morning Briefing: Bitcoin holds steady above $90K as fresh money returns to crypto

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New-year allocations support bitcoin prices as leverage cools and volatility expectations rise.

What to know:

Bitcoin remains stable above $90,000, reflecting consolidation rather than renewed selling pressure.Ethereum shows resilience with strong weekly and monthly performance, despite a cooling in futures positioning.Gold is expected to reach new highs in 2026 due to falling rates, central bank buying, and geopolitical risks.

Shalini Nagarajan

Crypto Reporter

Shalini Nagarajan

Part of the Team Since

Jan 2024

About Author

Shalini is a crypto reporter who provides in-depth reports on daily developments and regulatory shifts in the cryptocurrency sector.

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Bitcoin traded near $92,000 in early Asia on Wednesday, while regional equities eased after a record start to the year and traders shifted focus back to data risk and geopolitics.

Japan set the tone for the pause. The Nikkei slipped in early trade and helped drag the MSCI Asia Pacific Index lower after four straight days of gains, while the yen stayed steady against the dollar.

Tension between Asia’s two biggest economies gave investors an extra reason to take some risk off.

China imposed new controls on exports to Japan with potential military uses, and the Ministry of Commerce said all dual-use items were banned from being exported to Japan for military use effective immediately, with the export control list spanning more than 800 items.

In crypto, the price action stayed contained even as the macro headlines kept coming.

Market snapshot Bitcoin: $92,788, down 0.9% Ether: $3,259, up 1.4% XRP: $2.27, down 5.4% Total crypto market cap: $3.27 trillion, down 0.8% Energy Weighs On Markets As Wall Street Shrugs Off Venezuela ShockOil stayed heavy as traders kept one eye on Venezuela after the US move that upended the weekend narrative. Brent and WTI extended losses after President Donald Trump said Venezuela would turn over as many as 50M barrels of crude to the US, adding another twist to supply expectations.

Wall Street had delivered the handoff overnight. US stocks ended higher on Monday, with financials lifting the Dow to a record close and energy shares jumping after the US military strike that captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, as investors bet the move could open access to Venezuela’s vast oil reserves.

FTSE Hits New High As Tech And AI Themes Stay StrongThe broader risk bid has also travelled into Europe. London’s FTSE 100 climbed to a record this week, helped by energy and defence stocks as markets digested the Venezuela shock.

Tech remained the market’s favourite story, especially after CES updates kept the AI trade in motion.

Nvidia said the upbeat revenue outlook it delivered in October has only grown more bullish, and it reiterated its view tied to roughly $500B of data center chip revenue by the end of 2026.

The next catalyst sits on the calendar. Investors are lining up for US business activity updates and Friday’s jobs report, since a softer run of data has kept rate cut expectations alive and helped markets keep their footing.

After a phase of net Bitcoin selling, on-chain data suggests institutional entities have started accumulating the cryptocurrency once more.

Bitcoin Rose Over 41% The Last Time Institutions Turned Into Net Buyers As pointed out by Capriole Investments founder Charles Edwards in an X post, institutions have once again turned into net buyers of Bitcoin. Below is the chart shared by Edwards that shows the trend in institutional behavior over the last few years.

The value of the metric appears to have turned green in recent days | Source: @caprioleio on X From the graph, it’s visible that institutional investors switched their behavior to selling back in October as Bitcoin observed a bearish shift following its price top above $126,000.

The distribution calmed down as the cryptocurrency stabilized into a phase of consolidation in December, with a turn to positive levels starting to appear. The metric has now grown further in the new year, a potential sign that institutional behavior may really be changing to one of net accumulation.

In the chart, the analyst has highlighted the price moves that followed shifts to net buying from these humongous traders in the past. It would appear that, on average, Bitcoin rose 109% after this signal appeared.

Though the individual outcomes have seen high variance, ranging from a rally of 390% after the 2020 signal to a drop of 13% in 2024. The last time that the signal appeared was in the first half of 2025 and what followed was a price surge of 41%. It now remains to be seen how the cryptocurrency’s price will be affected this time around.

A notable pillar of institutional buying in the sector today is represented by the treasury companies. Like the wider institutional behavior, these entities were also net sellers of Bitcoin late last year, as Edwards has highlighted in another X post.

How the 30-day rate of change in the Buy-Sell Ratio of BTC treasuries has changed | Source: @caprioleio on X The above chart shows the trend in the 30-day rate of change in the Buy-Sell Ratio associated with BTC treasuries, a metric that compares their cumulative USD buying against selling. It would appear that the indicator has just flipped positive in 2026. “Bitcoin treasury companies just flipped to net buying again,” noted the analyst.

Strategy, the largest corporate treasury holder of the cryptocurrency in the world, kept accumulating even as the asset observed its bearish shift. But the buying from the firm wasn’t enough, as the rate of change in the Buy-Sell Ratio still plunged into the negative zone In November.

BTC Price Bitcoin has shown a move away from stagnation during the last few days as its price has climbed back to the $93,800 level.

The trend in the price of the coin over the last five days | Source: BTCUSDT on TradingView Featured image from Dall-E, charts from TradingView.com

Journalist

Posted: January 7, 2026

As 2026 kicks off, the market is taking stock of 2025.

Despite all the volatility, there were some clear divergences that set the stage for renewed rallies. Solana [SOL] is a perfect example. Last year, SOL showed a big disconnect between its fundamentals and price action. 

While it closed 2025 as the “worst-performing asset” with a 34.16% pullback, it still dominated Layer 1s across key on-chain metrics, highlighting strong underlying activity that the market didn’t fully price in.

Source: DeFi Development Corp.

Take transactions per second (TPS), for instance. SOL averaged 1.1k TPS.

As the chart above shows, Solana led the L1 pack, marking a 34% YoY increase from 2024. Zooming in further, that’s a nearly 160% gap versus Binance Smart Chain [BSC], which came in second at roughly 130 TPS.

Yet, BNB still closed the year up 24%, clearly outperforming SOL on price. This raises the obvious question: Can Solana’s price finally catch up to its fundamentals in 2026? Notably, one key divergence suggests it might.

Solana’s L1 dominance shines amid memecoin resurgence  Memecoins are making a clear comeback this cycle.

Less than a week into 2026, the combined market cap of memecoins has jumped roughly 30%, pointing to renewed risk appetite. Naturally, with Solana hosting top memes, the network is seeing strong capital inflows.

Technically, Bonk [BONK] is leading with a 58% weekly gain, but the real momentum is on the launchpad side. Volumes have hit a three-month high of $228 million, with LetsBonk.fun driving almost 73% of the inflows.

Source: Blockworks

Put simply, Solana is seeing a solid memecoin resurgence.

Why does it matter? Solana makes up about 15% of the total memecoin market cap, and its top two launchpads alone saw $220 million in trading volume. That’s nearly 97% of memecoin activity on the network.

Solana’s TPS is key here. After dominating in speed through 2025, this memecoin rally isn’t a fluke. Instead, it underscores SOL’s L1 strength in throughput and execution, making it a key divergence for the 2026 cycle.

Final Thoughts Despite a 34.16% pullback in 2025, Solana led in TPS, showing strong on-chain fundamentals. With $228 million in launchpad volume and top memes like BONK driving inflows, SOL’s network activity highlights Layer 1 strength.

Ritika Gupta is a Financial Journalist and Geopolitical Analyst at AMBCrypto, specializing in the critical intersection of world politics, economic policy, and the cryptocurrency markets. Her analysis is informed by her distinguished background, which includes professional experience at major news network. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Political Science and Psychology from Gargi College, University of Delhi. This academic training provides her with a sophisticated framework for dissecting complex issues such as international regulations, government fiscal policies, and the geopolitical forces that directly influence asset valuations. At AMBCrypto, Ritika applies this expert lens to synthesize macroeconomic data and political developments, offering readers a deeper context for market movements. She excels at explaining not just what is happening in the market, but why it is happening. Her work is dedicated to providing strategic insights that empower readers to understand the complex relationship between global events and their digital assets.

The head of global investment research at Coinbase says that quantum computing poses significant risks to Bitcoin's security.

Bitcoin holders can now tap liquidity without selling, as Tim Draper backs Sats Terminal's non-custodial bitcoin-backed lending marketplace designed to preserve long-term upside while avoiding custody risks and forced exits.

Tether has introduced a new fractional unit for Tether Gold aimed at making on-chain gold easier to price, transfer, and use as a payment asset.

Summary

Tether introduced Scudo, a new unit equal to one-thousandth of a troy ounce of gold, for XAUT. The change aims to simplify pricing and everyday transactions using gold-backed tokens. Scudo does not alter XAUT’s physical gold backing, custody model, or issuance structure. Tether has launched a new unit of account for Tether Gold aimed at making on-chain gold easier to price and use in everyday transactions.

The update was announced on Jan. 6 by Tether in an official statement outlining the launch of Scudo, a fractional denomination designed specifically for Tether Gold (XAUT).

A smaller unit to make gold usable on-chain Scudo is defined as one-thousandth of a troy ounce of gold, or one-thousandth of a single XAUT token. The change does not alter how Tether Gold is issued or backed. Instead, it introduces a simpler way to measure and transfer value as gold prices continue to rise.

Tether said its goal is to reduce the friction associated with pricing assets in small decimal fractions of an ounce. While XAUT already tokenizes physical gold, everyday use has been limited by unintuitive denominations. Scudo is meant to solve that problem by allowing users to transact in whole or partial units that are easier to understand.

The company compared the approach to Bitcoin’s (BTC) use of satoshis, where smaller denominations make the asset more practical for payments rather than just long-term storage.

No change to backing or custody structure Tether emphasized that Scudo does not affect XAUT’s underlying structure. Tether Gold remains fully backed by physical gold held in secure vaults, with ownership verifiable on-chain using Tether’s asset reporting tools.

There are no new recurring fees tied to Scudo. XAUT continues to carry only standard issuance and redemption costs, with no ongoing custodial charges. The new unit is purely a denomination layer, not a new token or product.

The launch also fits into Tether’s wider move toward strengthening self-custody tools. The company pointed to its Wallet Development Kit, which gives developers and businesses an easier way to build wallets that support XAUT alongside other assets.

The move comes as gold prices reached record highs in 2025, driven by inflation concerns, central bank accumulation, and demand for safe-haven assets. Tether said interest in tokenized gold has increased alongside these trends.

XAUT’s market capitalization doubled in late 2025, reaching roughly $2.3 billion, making it the largest gold-backed token by supply. Analysts say introducing smaller units could help expand on-chain gold use in payments, lending, and cross-border settlement, where transaction size has been a barrier.

2 mins mins

Key Points:

Unverified reports claim Coinbase to list Brevis on January 6, 2026.No official statements from Coinbase or Brevis leaders.Market response speculative due to unclear confirmation. Coinbase plans to list Brevis (BREV) on January 6, 2026, pending liquidity conditions, with spot trading potentially commencing via the BREV-USD pair later today.

The listing could influence Brevis’s market presence, potentially affecting trading volumes and liquidity dynamics, though no primary confirmation is available from Coinbase or other official entities.

Brevis Listing Rumors Trigger Market Speculation In a recent report by BlockBeats News, Coinbase is rumored to list Brevis (BREV) with spot trading commencing on January 6, 2026, if liquidity conditions are met. However, no official announcements from Coinbase or Brevis have verified these claims, leading to uncertainty in the crypto community.

If the listing occurs, it could offer increased exposure for Brevis and potentially boost its market presence. Traders remain cautious due to the absence of verified details from primary sources, which keeps the current situation speculative.

Community speculation has been rampant on social media, driven by unconfirmed reports. While the crypto community is monitoring for credible updates from leading exchanges, the absence of official commentary leaves the situation unsettled, fueling continued market gossip.

Brevis Market Data Reflects Uncertainty Amid Listing Reports Did you know? Unverified exchange listing rumors historically cause temporary price surges, yet can lead to volatility once official positions are clarified.

Based on CoinMarketCap data, Brevis (BREV) sees a price of $0.34, a market cap of $85.89 million, and a 24-hour trading volume of $231.75 million—a decline of 17.36% in the past 24 hours. The BREV market performance over 90 days reflects a continued downturn.

Brevis(BREV), daily chart, screenshot on CoinMarketCap at 00:18 UTC on January 7, 2026. Source: CoinMarketCap According to Coincu’s research, the absence of credible confirmation from official sources presents challenges in assessing Brevis’s future direction. Historically, regulatory clarity and technological advancements play a critical role in realizing potential outcomes for speculative assets like Brevis.

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

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The company also announced it would discontinue monthly production updates and move to quarterly disclosures beginning in 2026. Key Takeaways Riot Platforms sold 1,818 Bitcoin in December for around $161 million. The company currently holds 18,005 BTC worth $1.7 billion. Riot Platforms, a Bitcoin mining and data center company, sold 1,818 Bitcoin in December 2025 for approximately $161 million, reducing its total holdings to 18,005 Bitcoin, valued at $1.7 billion at current market prices.

The sale represents part of the company’s ongoing strategy to fund operational expansions through Bitcoin liquidation. Riot has historically utilized Bitcoin sales and stock offerings as part of its business financing approach.

Riot also reported mining 460 Bitcoin during this period, up 8% from November but down 11% from a year earlier, according to the monthly operating data released Tuesday.

The miner expanded its deployed hash rate to 38.5 EH/s and benefited from higher power and demand response credits, which totaled $6.2 million in December. Riot’s all-in power cost edged down to 3.9 cents per kilowatt hour, while fleet efficiency improved year over year.

Riot said December marked its final monthly production update, with future disclosures shifting to quarterly reporting focused on business performance and data center strategy.

Disclaimer

Trump announced Venezuela's interim authorities will hand over 30-50 million barrels of oil to the United States.Venezuela's rumored Bitcoin holdings could be next, potentially filling Trump's planned strategic reserve at no taxpayer cost.Unlike oil, seizing Bitcoin requires private keys—without them, even capturing Maduro won't unlock any crypto assets.President Donald Trump announced Tuesday that Venezuela’s “interim authorities” would transfer 30 to 50 million barrels of oil to the United States, days after US forces captured Nicolás Maduro in a military raid.

The announcement has fueled speculation about what other Venezuelan assets might be next—including the country’s rumored Bitcoin holdings.

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Oil Seizure Sets the ToneTrump posted on Truth Social that the oil would be “sold at its market price,” with proceeds “controlled by me, as President of the United States.” At roughly $56 per barrel, the transaction could be worth up to $2.8 billion.

The White House has scheduled an Oval Office meeting on Friday with executives from Exxon, Chevron, and ConocoPhillips to discuss Venezuela’s oil sector, signaling that Washington’s interest extends beyond a one-time transfer. Venezuela holds the world’s largest proven crude reserves.

Trump ordered Energy Secretary Chris Wright to execute the plan “immediately,” with storage ships to transport the oil directly to US ports.

Sponsored

Bitcoin Speculation IntensifiesWith physical assets now flowing to Washington, attention has turned to Venezuela’s alleged cryptocurrency holdings. Some reports claim the Maduro regime accumulated a “shadow reserve” of Bitcoin to circumvent international sanctions.

Estimates vary wildly. Project Brazen reported Venezuela could hold roughly $60 billion in Bitcoin, citing unnamed sources. Bitcointreasuries.net puts the figure at just 240 BTC, worth approximately $22 million.

Neither estimate has been verified through on-chain analysis. No wallets have been publicly identified, and no custodians have been named.

Experts say it is reasonable to assume Venezuela sought Bitcoin exposure given its exclusion from global financial markets. The country has a documented history of experimenting with cryptocurrencies, including the failed petro token launched in 2018.

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Why Bitcoin Is DifferentUnlike oil tankers that can be redirected to US ports, Bitcoin cannot be physically seized. Confiscating cryptocurrency requires either private keys or cooperation from custodians within the US jurisdiction.

Venezuela would not have used American or allied custody services given its sanctions status. Maduro’s inner circle is likely to have spread any holdings across numerous wallets, making them extremely difficult to track.

However, the same properties that make Bitcoin hard to seize also make it remarkably easy to move—for anyone who obtains the correct information. Unlike gold bars or oil barrels that require physical logistics, anyone with the private keys can move Bitcoin anywhere in the world within minutes. If US authorities extract private keys from Maduro or his associates, they could confiscate billions in cryptocurrency instantly.

This creates a high-stakes dynamic. The assets are either completely inaccessible or trivially easy to seize, with nothing in between.

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Strategic Reserve ImplicationsThe speculation carries added weight given Trump’s executive order to create a strategic Bitcoin reserve “at no cost to taxpayers.” Critics have questioned how the government could accumulate such a reserve without making purchases.

Seizing Venezuelan Bitcoin—if it exists in meaningful quantities—could theoretically address this challenge. However, prosecutors would need to directly link any holdings to criminal charges filed in US courts.

Some crypto market observers see long-term bullish implications regardless of the outcome. The administration would likely hold any Bitcoin it acquires rather than sell, given its stated commitment to building a strategic reserve.

For now, Venezuela’s oil is headed to American ports. Its Bitcoin, if any, remains locked behind unknown keys—beyond the reach of even the most aggressive enforcement actions.

Disclaimer

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

Leading cryptocurrencies halted their rally on Tuesday, even as stocks and precious metals kept climbing.

CryptocurrencyGains +/-Price (Recorded at 8:20 p.m. ET)Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC)-1.69%$92,350.09Ethereum (CRYPTO: ETH)
               +0.57%$3,247.04XRP (CRYPTO: XRP)                         -5.03%$2.26Solana (CRYPTO: SOL)                         +1.24%$139.66Dogecoin (CRYPTO: DOGE)                         -3.20%$0.1474Crypto Rally StallsBitcoin fell sharply to $91,280 in early-afternoon trading before rebounding to around $93,500 by evening.

Ethereum took a breather, settling around the $3,300 region after days of upward momentum. Meanwhile, XRP and Dogecoin fell sharply.

Shares of cryptocurrency-linked stocks Strategy Inc. (NASDAQ:MSTR) and Coinbase Global Inc. (NASDAQ:COIN) closed down 4.10% and 1.71%, respectively, during the regular trading session.

Benzinga Edge delivers real-time stock alerts, trade ideas, and professional investing tools to help you navigate the market. Find out more about MSTR and COIN here.

Nearly $450 million was liquidated from the cryptocurrency market in the last 24 hours, according to Coinglass, with 65% accounting for long liquidations.

Bitcoin's open interest fell 2.97% in the last 24 hours. Notably, more than 60% of Binance top traders i.e, the top 20% users with the highest margin balance, were long on Bitcoin.

The "Fear sentiment prevailed in the market, according to the Crypto Fear and Greed Index.

Top Gainers (24 Hours) 

Cryptocurrency (Market Cap>$100 M)Gains +/-Price (Recorded at 8:20 p.m. ET)JasmyCoin (JASMY )   +24.07%    $0.009330Rain (RAIN )                 +12.03%    $0.009131River (RIVER )          +11.53%    $18.32The global cryptocurrency market capitalization increased to $3.19 trillion, following a modest drop of 0.93% in the last 24 hours.

Stocks Notch Record HighsStocks extended their rally on Tuesday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 484.90 points, or 0.99%, to close at a record high of 49,462.08. The S&P 500 gained 0.62%, also closing at a record high at 6,944.82. The tech-focused Nasdaq Composite lifted 0.65% to finish at 23,547.17.

Precious metals also continued their upward momentum, as spot gold climbed to $4,485 per ounce and spot silver advanced 0.78% to $81.90 per ounce.

What Is This Positive Signal For Crypto?Blockchain analytics firm CryptoQuant stated that the Bitcoin-to-stablecoin ratio on Binance, used for gauging the buying power on the platform, has started to increase.

"This shift could mark the early stages of a gradual deployment of sidelined liquidity, which would represent a very positive signal for the market," the research firm added.

Rekt Capital, a widely followed cryptocurrency analyst, said that Bitcoin needs to hold $93,500 as support for "mid-term bullish bias."

The analyst further noted that Bitcoin breaking the $94,384 range high resistance and subsequently retesting it as support would signal the end of the multi-month downtrend that started in October.

Photo Courtesy: vinnstock on Shutterstock.com

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Bitcoin is trading comfortably above the $90,000 level and is now attempting to reclaim the $94,000 zone, offering the market a sense of relief after weeks of tight consolidation and persistent sell-side pressure. While broader sentiment remains cautious, recent price stability suggests that downside momentum has slowed, allowing buyers to re-enter with more confidence.

According to a recent analysis by Darkfost, one of the most relevant indicators to track in this environment is the Bitcoin-to-stablecoin ratio on Binance. This metric provides a direct view into the amount of potential buying power sitting on the exchange, which continues to host a dominant share of centralized exchange liquidity. When stablecoins represent a larger portion of the ratio, it implies that capital is sidelined and ready to be deployed if conditions improve.

Current readings point to a constructive setup. Despite recent price gains, stablecoin balances remain elevated relative to Bitcoin holdings, suggesting that the rally has not been driven by exhaustion of buying power. Instead, it indicates that liquidity is still available to support further moves if confidence continues to build.

While this does not guarantee an immediate breakout, it reduces the risk of a sharp reversal. As long as Bitcoin holds above key psychological levels, the presence of undeployed capital may act as a stabilizing force in the near term.

Stablecoin Reserves Suggest Latent Buying Power Darkfost’s analysis highlights an important nuance behind Bitcoin’s recent rebound. Although BTC has rallied roughly $8,000 over the past week—supported by a near $4 billion expansion in open interest—the Bitcoin-to-stablecoin ratio on Binance continues to send a notably constructive signal. In previous cycles, sharp price recoveries were often accompanied by an immediate drawdown in stablecoin reserves. That is not what is happening now.’

Binance Bitcoin/Stablecoin Reserve Ratio | Source: CryptoQuant A similar setup last appeared during the March 2025 correction, when Bitcoin fell from $109,000 to $74,000. At that time, the ratio remained compressed before reversing higher, a move that preceded a strong expansion phase and a push toward new all-time highs near $126,000. The current structure closely resembles that period.

At present, the ratio is still hovering around the 1 level following a pronounced contraction. This implies that stablecoins account for a relatively large share of exchange balances. Data shows that stablecoin reserves grew by roughly $1 billion as prices fell, either through defensive positioning or fresh capital entering the platform. Meanwhile, Bitcoin’s USD value declined, mechanically increasing the purchasing power of those reserves.

What stands out now is the early turn higher in the ratio. If sustained, this shift may signal the gradual deployment of sidelined liquidity rather than speculative exhaustion. In practical terms, it suggests that the market may be transitioning from capital preservation to selective risk re-engagement, a dynamic that often supports further upside if price structure confirms.

Bitcoin Attempts Recovery Below Key Moving Averages Bitcoin is currently trading near the $93,800 level after bouncing from December lows around the mid-$80,000s, signaling a short-term relief phase following weeks of heavy selling pressure. The chart shows a clear rebound from the local bottom, with price reclaiming horizontal support near $92,000–$93,000, an area that previously acted as resistance during the breakdown. This level now represents a critical pivot for market structure in the near term.

BTC testing critical resistance | Source: BTCUSDT chart on TradingView Despite the recovery, Bitcoin remains below its declining short-term and mid-term moving averages. The blue moving average (short-term) is still sloping downward and acting as immediate dynamic resistance, while the green and red longer-term averages remain overhead, reinforcing a broader corrective structure.

Until price can reclaim and hold above these levels—particularly the zone between $97,000 and $100,000—the move should be viewed as corrective rather than trend-confirming.

While selling pressure has eased compared to the capitulation phase seen in late November and early December, the rebound has not been accompanied by a decisive surge in volume. This suggests that buyers are selective rather than aggressive, consistent with a market in stabilization rather than expansion.

Structurally, Bitcoin is forming a short-term higher low, which reduces immediate downside risk. However, the broader trend remains vulnerable. A failure to hold above $92,000 could reopen the path toward range continuation, while a clean break above the descending moving averages would be required to shift momentum decisively back in favor of the bulls.

Featured image from ChatGPT, chart from TradingView.com 

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Sebastian's journey into the world of crypto began four years ago, driven by a fascination with the potential of blockchain technology to revolutionize financial systems. His initial exploration focused on understanding the intricacies of various crypto projects, particularly those focused on building innovative financial solutions. Through countless hours of research and learning, Sebastian developed a deep understanding of the underlying technologies, market dynamics, and potential applications of cryptocurrencies. As his knowledge grew, Sebastian felt compelled to share his insights with others. He began actively contributing to online discussions on platforms like X and LinkedIn, focusing on fintech and crypto-related content. His goal was to expose valuable trends and insights to a wider audience, fostering a deeper understanding of the rapidly evolving crypto landscape. Sebastian's contributions quickly gained recognition, and he became a trusted voice in the online crypto community. To further enhance his expertise, Sebastian pursued a UC Berkeley Fintech: Frameworks, Applications, and Strategies certification. This rigorous program equipped him with valuable skills and knowledge regarding Financial Technology, bridging the gap between traditional finance (TradFi) and decentralized finance (DeFi). The certification deepened his understanding of the broader financial landscape and its intersection with blockchain technology. Sebastian's passion for finance and writing is evident in his work. He enjoys delving into financial research, analyzing market trends, and exploring the latest developments in the crypto space. In his spare time, Sebastian can often be found immersed in charts, studying 10-K forms, or engaging in thought-provoking discussions about the future of finance. Sebastian's journey as a crypto analyst and investor has been marked by a relentless pursuit of knowledge and a dedication to sharing his insights. His ability to navigate the complex world of crypto, combined with his passion for financial research and communication, makes him a valuable asset to the industry. As the crypto landscape continues to evolve, Sebastian remains at the forefront, providing valuable insights and contributing to the growth of this revolutionary technology.

Despite Tuesday’s loss, the short- to medium-term outlook for XRP remains bullish, given the prospect of the Senate passing crypto-related legislation.

Below, I will explore the key drivers behind recent price trends, the medium-term (4-8 weeks) outlook, and the key technical levels traders should watch.

Market Structure Bill Markup Looms Anticipation of a Market Structure Bill markup in January lifted sentiment at the start of 2026. XRP rallied from $1.8103 on December 31, 2025, to the January 6 high of $2.4154 after reports of the US Senate Banking Committee announcing a markup date of January 15, 2026.

Eleanor Terrett, Crypto in America host, shared the latest news on the Market Structure Bill markup, which stated:

“Senator Tim Scott, Chairman of the Senate Banking Committee, announced that the Committee will be holding a market structure markup on Thursday, 1/15.”

Senator Scott reportedly stated:

XRPUSD – Daily Chart – 070126 – Market Structure Bill Markup Rally Analysts expect the Market Structure Bill to further legitimize XRP as a non-security following the resolution of the SEC vs. Ripple case in August 2025.

Crucially, clear rules of the road for the US digital asset space would likely boost institutional demand for XRP, given its real-world utility. XRP remains highly sensitive to crypto-related legislative developments, following the SEC lawsuit and Judge Torres’ ruling on programmatic sales of XRP.

In July 2023, Judge Torres ruled that programmatic sales of XRP did not satisfy the third prong of the Howey Test. The SEC, under previous Chair Gary Gensler, filed an appeal against the ruling. However, the SEC, under Chair Paul Atkins, withdrew its appeal in 2025, cementing Judge Torres’ ruling.

Crucially, the US Court of Appeals approved the SEC and Ripple’s appeal withdrawals in August 2025, paving the way for a US XRP-spot ETF market.

XRP-Spot ETFs See Robust Trading Volumes The US XRP-spot ETF market continued to underscore strong demand for XRP on January 6, with trading volumes of $58.11 million. While down on the previous day’s record $72.15 million, trading volumes remained elevated, setting the stage for a breakout year for XRP. Total net inflows of $19.12 million on the day ensured the US XRP-spot ETF market has yet to report an outflow day.

Notably, XRP-spot ETF issuers have reported $1.25 billion collectively in net inflows since launching in November 2025, outperforming the BTC-spot, ETH-spot, and SOL-spot ETF markets.

For context, the US SOL-spot ETF market has seen total net inflows of $793.56 million, despite launching in October 2025. Meanwhile, the US BTC-spot ETF market has total net outflows of $1.7 billion since XRP-spot ETFs launched on November 14.

Robust demand for XRP-spot ETFs and the progress of the Market Structure Bill reinforce the bullish short- to medium-term price outlook.

XRP Bullish Outlook Intact Strong demand for XRP-spot ETFs and the progress toward crypto-friendly legislation reaffirmed the bullish short-term (1-4 weeks) outlook, with a $2.5 price target. Meanwhile, increased utility, expectations of Fed rate cuts, and optimism over the Senate passing the Market Structure Bill reaffirmed the positive longer-term price trajectories:

Medium-term (4-8 weeks): $3.0. Longer-term (8-12 weeks) $3.66. Key Risks Challenge Bullish Outlook Several scenarios could unravel the positive outlook. These include:

The Bank of Japan declares a neutral interest rate of between 1.5% and 2.5%, signaling multiple rate hikes. A higher neutral rate may trigger a yen carry trade unwind, which would weigh on XRP. US economic data and the Fed are dampening bets on a March rate cut. US lawmakers stall the progress on the Market Structure Bill. XRP-spot ETFs report outflows. These scenarios would likely trigger a sell-off, sending XRP below $2, which would indicate a bearish trend reversal.

Technical Indicators Continue to Signal Caution XRP fell 1.88% on Tuesday, January 6, partially reversing the previous day’s 12.25% rally to close at $2.3028. The token underperformed the broader crypto market cap, which advanced 0.26%.

Tuesday’s pullback left XRP trading below the 200-day EMA, while remaining above the 50-day EMA. While the EMAs indicate a bullish near-term but bearish longer-term bias, the fundamentals remain positive.

Key technical levels to watch include:

Support levels: $2.0, $1.75, and then $1.50. 50-day EMA support: $2.0735. 200-day EMA resistance: $2.3469. Resistance levels: $2.5, $3.0, and $3.66. Viewing the daily chart, a breakout above the 200-day EMA would indicate a bullish trend reversal. Buying momentum would pave the way to the $2.5 resistance level.

Crucially, a sustained move through the 200-day EMA would reinforce the bullish medium-term outlook and the longer-term (8-12 weeks) $3.66 price target.

Journalist

Posted: January 7, 2026

Dogecoin [DOGE] fell below a two-week range formation at the end of December but made a V-reversal.

At the time of writing, it was challenging the highs from December and could see a much bigger rally than it had already witnessed.

Source: DOGE/USDT on TradingView

Dogecoin fell below the $0.13 low in December. This had been a low that the memecoin previously visited in April, before rebounding higher.

January saw DOGE prices take a quick upward turn, but there was no denying the longer-term trend.

The OBV and CMF showed that the selling pressure in recent weeks has begun to ease. Demand needs to be sustained to bring about Dogecoin’s uptrend.

The DMI also signaled a strong downtrend in progress, but it too was relaxing.

Consider the downtrend in its depths in the first week of April. A month later, DOGE had rallied above the previous lower high at $0.205, set in March.

By mid-May, the $0.250-$0.265 supply zone from February was tested, even though the CMF remained below +0.05.

This highlights how memecoin rallies tend to be quick, and traders need to change their bias quickly to catch these impulse moves.

Managing the bullish DOGE expectations Investors cannot expect Dogecoin to set new all-time highs or reach $1 in the coming months. The more likely scenario to unfold is a rally to the local highs, such as $0.21 and the $0.275-$0.290 supply zones.

The sellers could take control afterward, especially if the Bitcoin [BTC] momentum falters, setting a macro lower high as part of a bear market.

Traders’ call to action – Buy

Source: DOGE/USDT on TradingView

Though not immediately. Dogecoin was at a local supply zone that stretched back to late November, which could see a price pullback. The technical indicators were strongly bullish on this timeframe.

Bulls can use a breakout past $0.156 and a subsequent retest to buy DOGE. Alternatively, a pullback to $0.135-$0.140 would also offer a buying opportunity.

The $0.185 and $0.210 levels would be the next targets following a breakout, while a price drop below $0.124 would invalidate the bullish bias.

Final Thoughts The Dogecoin rally could go as high as $0.3, even though the 3-day structure was technically bearish at the time of writing. Bulls can wait for a minor price dip to $0.135 to buy, or use a breakout past $0.156 as confirmation of buyer dominance. Disclaimer: The information presented does not constitute financial, investment, trading, or other types of advice and is solely the writer’s opinion.

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

Journalist

Posted: January 7, 2026

Uniswap [UNI] is setting up either for a massive rally or a breakdown.

While Uniswap’s price has been stagnant since late December, the activities on the chain have given mixed sentiments.

Impact of massive token movement The Uniswap Governance Timelock transferred about 5 million UNI tokens worth around $30 million to a new wallet address. This led to high speculation around UNI’s price because the wallet’s activity had been quiet since receiving these funds.

There were a couple of reasons for such mass token movement. A planned token unlock for operational requirements is one example. As such, it would create selling pressure due to increased circulating supply.

Furthermore, it could be a regular move for their treasury. Alternatively, they may be preparing for future actions like staking, distribution, or governance proposals.

It is interesting to note that this same address was used to burn 100 million UNI tokens after a vote to turn on protocol fees. This suggested that deflationary measures may also be a possibility.

Source: EyeOnChain

Still, there was no evidence of malicious intent. It could just be how Uniswap is run from the inside. More transactions from this wallet would give a clearer picture.

At the same time, institutions were moving their UNI holdings. Galaxy Digital moved about 292K UNI worth $1.83 million from Binance. Consequently, they transferred about $3 million in UNI to CoinShares.

Source: The Data Nerd

This indicated that institutions were positioning themselves in expectation of a price rally.

Can UNI break past resistance? On the daily charts, the Uniswap price was holding above a key support level around $5.70. This came after the price bounced from the $5 level twice in early November and mid-December.

While UNI had not reacted the same way as other cryptos during the year’s start, a break above minor resistance at $6.25 could change this outlook.

This could pave the way for a surge towards $9 or higher.

Source: TradingView

Conversely, a breakdown below $5.70 would invalidate a move toward $9. This is especially true if the 5 million UNI were set for unlocking rather than burning, as in the previous incident.

More on fees and exchange listings! Additional factors are shaping UNI’s trajectory. According to Dune Analytics, Uniswap’s annualized fees after the fee switch totaled $23 million, roughly 240x in run‑rate fees against its $5.4 billion FDV.

This suggests Uniswap could face losses of about $100 million annually, even with a 20 million UNI grant valued at $123 million at press time.

If expenses continue to exceed revenue, the system may prove unsustainable. Still, these grants could provide crucial support to stabilize operations.

Source: Dune Analytics

Meanwhile, UNI’s liquidity was improving with the listing of the UNI/USD1 pair on Binance.

This happened alongside other cryptos like Avalanche [AVAX] and Bitcoin Cash [BCH]. In all of them, bot trading was enabled.

Final Thoughts Uniswap Governance Timelock moves 5 million UNI, leading to speculation on whether this would add or remove sell pressure.  UNI price rally was dependent on breaking a minor resistance as liquidity and trading activity on exchanges improved.