Market Signal Briefing

Bitcoin Price Prediction Solana

Ad Disclosure

Ad Disclosure

We believe in full transparency with our readers. Some of our content includes affiliate links, and we may earn a commission through these partnerships. However, this potential compensation never influences our analysis, opinions, or reviews. Our editorial content is created independently of our marketing partnerships, and our ratings are based solely on our established evaluation criteria. Read More

Ad Disclosure

Ad Disclosure

We believe in full transparency with our readers. Some of our content includes affiliate links, and we may earn a commission through these partnerships. However, this potential compensation never influences our analysis, opinions, or reviews. Our editorial content is created independently of our marketing partnerships, and our ratings are based solely on our established evaluation criteria. Read More

Harvey Hunter

Content Writer

Harvey Hunter

Part of the Team Since

Apr 2024

About Author

Harvey Hunter is a Content Writer at Cryptonews.com. With a background in Computer Science, IT, and Mathematics, he seamlessly transitioned from tech geek to crypto journalist.

Has Also Written

Ad Disclosure

Ad Disclosure

We believe in full transparency with our readers. Some of our content includes affiliate links, and we may earn a commission through these partnerships. However, this potential compensation never influences our analysis, opinions, or reviews. Our editorial content is created independently of our marketing partnerships, and our ratings are based solely on our established evaluation criteria. Read More

Last updated: 

6 minutes ago

SOL is soaking up fresh liquidity amid a market-wide reversal, outperforming Bitcoin in a testament to bullish Solana price predictions.

As sentiment turns, capital is flowing selectively into top altcoins rather than the leading cryptocurrency, with Solana at the center of that rotation.

The first week of the year has pushed SOL up 10%, while Bitcoin lags at 6%, outperformance that could define investor positioning for the months ahead.

A trend that continues from 2025, with Solana leading the top altcoin cohort with a 1000% increase in inflows from the year prior, while Bitcoin lapsed 35%.

Solana outperforms in year-over-year inflows. Source: Coinshares.Although Bitcoin dominance rose during the long 2025 consolidation, investor appetite for altcoins never disappeared.

With sentiment now shifting, conditions are forming for a potential altcoin season, and Solana is positioning itself as the frontrunner.

Solana Price Analysis: Can SOL Overtake BTC?The 2025 consolidation materialized as a descending triangle structure, which could now be on the breakout path as sentiment drives fresh inflows.

Momentum indicators reflect the shift.

SOL / USD 1-day chart, year-long descending channel. Source: TradingView.The RSI has made a decisive cross above the 50 neutral line, at levels unseen since September at 57, before geopolitical uncertainty plunged the market into extreme fear conditions.

The MACD reads much the same with a wide lead above the signal line, suggesting bulls are back in control of the prevailing trend.

This bullish backdrop affirms the lower boundary of the triangle as a launchpad yet again, and with it, a breakout push may be underway.

The key breakout threshold is strong December resistance at $210. If flipped back into support, it could act as a firmer and higher footing for a confirmed 265% breakout push to $500.

And as the bull market matures and bullish sentiment grows, fundamental catalysts like the Alpenglow upgrade could push a bigger 625% move to $1000.

Still, while it is credible that Solana could go on to outperform Bitcoin again this year, flipping it in market cap is a distant goal.

Bitcoin Hyper: Bitcoin Could Still Beat Out SolanaThose who chose Solana as an alternative to the leading cryptocurrency may need to reconsider, as the Bitcoin ecosystem finally tackles its biggest limitation: scalability.

Bitcoin Hyper ($HYPER) is bridging Bitcoin’s security with Solana tech, creating a new Layer-2 network that unlocks scalable, efficient use cases Bitcoin couldn’t support on its own.

Whatever Solana does, Bitcoin will soon be able to do too.

The project has already raised over $30 million in presale, and post-launch, even a small fraction of Bitcoin’s massive trading volume could send its valuation significantly higher.

Bitcoin Hyper is fixing the slow transactions, high fees, and limited programmability that have long capped Bitcoin’s potential – just as the market turns bullish.

Investors appear to be shifting capital toward select altcoins and high-conviction opportunities, while remaining cautious with Bitcoin.

Visit the Official Bitcoin Hyper Website Here

Strange New Chinese AI Bot Predicts the Price of XRP, Solana and Dogecoin By the End of 2026 Dogecoin Solana XRP

Ad Disclosure

Ad Disclosure

We believe in full transparency with our readers. Some of our content includes affiliate links, and we may earn a commission through these partnerships. However, this potential compensation never influences our analysis, opinions, or reviews. Our editorial content is created independently of our marketing partnerships, and our ratings are based solely on our established evaluation criteria. Read More

Ad Disclosure

Ad Disclosure

We believe in full transparency with our readers. Some of our content includes affiliate links, and we may earn a commission through these partnerships. However, this potential compensation never influences our analysis, opinions, or reviews. Our editorial content is created independently of our marketing partnerships, and our ratings are based solely on our established evaluation criteria. Read More

Tim Hakki

Web 3 Journalist

Tim Hakki

Part of the Team Since

Feb 2024

About Author

A journalist and copywriter with a decade's experience across music, video games, finance and tech.

Has Also Written

Ad Disclosure

Ad Disclosure

We believe in full transparency with our readers. Some of our content includes affiliate links, and we may earn a commission through these partnerships. However, this potential compensation never influences our analysis, opinions, or reviews. Our editorial content is created independently of our marketing partnerships, and our ratings are based solely on our established evaluation criteria. Read More

Last updated: 

14 minutes ago

China’s mysterious KIMI AI, one of ChatGPT’s strongest rivals, has issued new cryptocurrency price outlooks for XRP, Solana, and Dogecoin as 2026 begins. According to the AI model, the year ahead could deliver extraordinary gains across all three assets, with the potential for fresh all-time highs (ATHs).

Below is how KIMI forecasts these three superb altcoins will perform in a 2026 bull market.

XRP (XRP): KIMI AI Projects a Bullish $8 for Ripple’s On-Chain Cross-Border Payments SolutionRipple’s XRP ($XRP) has kicked off the year with strong momentum, jumping 27% over the past week. KIMI AI suggests that if the trend continues, XRP could hit $8 by the end of 2026.

Source: KIMI AILast year, XRP appeared poised to become one of the best-performing major digital assets. In July, the token surged to a new seven-year high of $3.65 after Ripple secured a decisive court victory over the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

For most of 2025, however, XRP traded in a range between $2 and $3, even slipping below $2 after a broader crypto market correction late in the year.

Its Relative Strength Index (RSI) now sits near 76, a level that typically signals overbought conditions and an increased likelihood of immediate selling pressure as traders lock in profits. Although this indicates a likely dip as we head towards midweek, a brief pause on the rally will help XRP lock in its price advances over the last week.

From the current price of around $2.38, reaching KIMI’s upper forecast would equate to gains of roughly 236% for existing holders.

Institutional interest remains a major catalyst. The recent launch of U.S. spot XRP ETFs has already begun attracting large-scale investors, echoing the early days of Bitcoin and Ethereum ETF adoption. With further approvals expected, 2026 could mark a breakout period for XRP.

Solana (SOL): KIMI AI Predicts Solana will hit $400Solana ($SOL) enters 2026 as one of the fastest-growing smart contract ecosystems in crypto. The network hosts $9 billion in total value locked (TVL) and maintains a market capitalization of about $78.5 billion, while developer participation and user adoption continue to expand.

Source: KIMI AINew Solana ETFs launched by issuers including Bitwise and Grayscale have reignited investor enthusiasm, drawing direct comparisons to the early ETF era for Bitcoin and Ethereum.

Following a steep correction in Q4 2025, SOL is currently trading near $139. In an extremely bullish outcome, KIMI AI estimates that Solana could soar as high as $400, representing a nearly 200% increase and a new ATH high beyond its last peak of $293 last January.

Earlier in 2025, SOL reached $250 before retracing to around $100 in April. Technical indicators now suggest the token may be emerging from a bullish flag pattern. Meanwhile, rising institutional interest in Solana’s real-world asset tokenization capabilities, led by asset management titans such as Franklin Templeton and BlackRock, further strengthens the long-term bullish case.

Dogecoin (DOGE): KIMI AI Projects an Easy 3x for the World’s First Meme CoinLaunched in 2013 as a light-hearted parody, meme coin forerunner Dogecoin ($DOGE) has evolved into a major cryptocurrency with a market cap of over $25 billion. It now makes up nearly half of the estimated $53 billion meme-coin market.

Source: KIMI AIDOGE formed several bullish technical structures during late summer and early autumn 2026, but momentum fizzled out after October’s sudden market crash.

Dogecoin last set an ATH of $0.7316 during the retail-driven wave of 2021. Despite years of speculation, the Doge Arm’s long-wished-for move to $1 has yet to occur. KIMI’s bullish scenario suggests the possibility is still remote, since the AI expects Doge to peak at $0.45 in 2026, an easy 3x from its current price around $0.15.

Adoption continues to grow in the real world. Tesla accepts DOGE for selected merchandise purchases, while payment services including PayPal and Revolut now support Dogecoin transactions.

Maxi Doge (MAXI): Early-Stage Meme Coin Not Included in KIMI’s ForecastWhile KIMI’s predictions focus on established cryptocurrencies, early-phase presale tokens continue to attract investors seeking higher-risk, higher-reward opportunities. Maxi Doge ($MAXI) is one such project, having raised more than $4.4 million as it positions itself as a next-generation alternative to Dogecoin.

The project centers around the character “Maxi Doge,” a meme-styled crypto enthusiast symbolizing intense leverage trading, strength, and community-driven hype.

MAXI operates as an ERC-20 token on Ethereum’s proof-of-stake blockchain, benefiting from greater energy efficiency and developer infrastructure compared to Dogecoin’s proof-of-work model.

The presale currently offers staking returns of up to 70% APY, with rewards gradually decreasing as more users join the ecosystem. MAXI is priced at $0.000277 during the latest presale phase, with automatic increases planned as new stages roll out. Purchases can be made via MetaMask or Best Wallet.

Dogecoin stands no chance!

Stay updated through Maxi Doge’s official X and Telegram pages.

Visit the Official Website Here

BitMEX co-founder Arthur Hayes is betting that U.S. politics, not crypto fundamentals, will drive the next major leg higher for Bitcoin (BTC)—arguing that a Republican (“Team Red” as he calls them) win in 2028 all but guarantees aggressive money printing, so long as gasoline prices stay in check.

Summary

Hayes lays out what he calls the “10% rule.” He links rising fuel prices to electoral losses. The conclusion: Trump’s political incentives point toward looser fiscal and monetary policy—conditions Hayes says are historically bullish for Bitcoin and other risk assets. Hayes’ thesis, detailed in a blog post, centers on U.S. gasoline prices. If the national average price of gas rises more than 10% in the three months before an election compared with January levels, control of one or more branches of government typically flips, he argues.

To avoid that outcome in 2028, Hayes says Trump must “run the economy hot” without allowing fuel prices to spike.

There are two elections that concern US President Trump: the November mid-term elections, and the 2028 presidential election. While he himself is not up for re-election in 2026 and cannot run for a third presidential term in 2028, the loyalty and obedience of his phalanx of political supporters depends on their chances of re-election. All the defections from the MAGA tattered tent are because of souring views on future electability should they continue to do what Trump demands. What can Trump do to ensure that the median voter, who hasn’t yet decided whether they are Team Blue Democrats or Team Red Republicans, will show up in November 2026 and 2028 and vote the “right way”?

Policymakers have a narrow path Legislators must expand credit and nominal GDP while keeping oil prices subdued, Hayes says. If oil rises too quickly, it risks pushing Treasury yields higher, increasing bond market volatility, and forcing politicians to rein in stimulus—something Hayes believes Trump is unwilling to do.

“The base case is oil prices remain subsided if not outright fall and Trump and Buffalo Bill Bessent print money like it’s 2020. This is because the market will initially believe US control of Venezuelan oil will cause a massive increase in the daily amount of pumped crude oil,” Hayes wrote.

Whether that supply materializes is secondary, he said, to the political imperative to keep inflation-sensitive voters calm.

Hayes pointed to the 10-year Treasury yield and the MOVE Index, a measure of bond market volatility, as key signals. When yields approach 5% and volatility spikes, leveraged financial markets tend to unravel, forcing policymakers to retreat. He cited last year’s tariff scare—when bond volatility surged and markets sold off—as an example of how quickly political pressure can reverse policy.

Bitcoin stands apart Against that backdrop, Hayes argues Bitcoin stands apart from traditional assets. Because all bitcoin miners face the same energy price shifts simultaneously, he says oil prices matter less directly to Bitcoin than to fiat markets. Instead, Bitcoin’s price responds primarily to liquidity expansion and currency debasement.

“Nothing stops this train,” Hayes wrote, echoing analyst Lyn Alden, as he described a cycle in which deficit spending, Treasury issuance, and central bank bond buying reinforce each other. As dollar supply grows, he expects Bitcoin—and select cryptocurrencies—to rise sharply.

Hayes also outlined his 2026 trading strategy, saying his firm Maelstrom is running near-maximum risk exposure with minimal stablecoin holdings. While continuing to accumulate BTC, he plans to rotate capital into privacy-focused tokens and decentralized finance plays, which he believes will outperform if credit expansion continues.

The bottom line, according to Hayes, is that political incentives favor stimulus over restraint, especially in an election cycle. For investors, he says, that makes the macro case straightforward—stay constructive on risk assets, and stay long Bitcoin.

Why Trust CoinGape

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

XRP price enters early 2026 after reclaiming levels lost during late-2025 selling pressure. Price currently trades above $2 following a majority of Q4 being trapped beneath the mark. This change occurs in the context of the overall crypto market recovery and the enhancement of regulatory clarity. The key analytical question centers on whether structure and momentum can sustain XRP price above reclaimed support.

XRP Price Builds Strength as 2026 Opens  XRP price opened 2026 with its strongest sessions in weeks after reclaiming the $2 level. This action is important since XRP spent the majority of the Q4 below that mark in the continuous risk-off environment. 

As broader crypto markets recovered, liquidity conditions improved, which encouraged directional participation. Bitcoin and Ethereum strength reinforced that environment, which in turn supported XRP price bids.

Regulatory tone also improved after Senator Kennedy confirmed progress on the CLARITY Act markup. That assurance lowered the uncertainty of market structure, which favored large-cap assets that are better positioned in terms of regulation. 

XRP price responded as traders adjusted exposure based on reduced legal overhang rather than speculative optimism. Flows favored assets tied to settlement use cases, which strengthened XRP price resilience.

This combination changed the supply behavior rather than causing momentum chasing. Buyers intervened with structure support and not emotional positioning. Therefore, XRP price strength reflects improving conditions that support continuation rather than short-lived enthusiasm.

XRP Price Structure Signals Breakout Potential XRP price trades near the upper boundary of a descending channel after rebounding from the $1.8 demand zone. That recovery was a structural change since the buyers were protecting the same territory which had led to the earlier accumulation. As of the writing date, XRP market value sits around $2.28.

With the rise in price, XRP recovered the supply zone of $2.2, which was defended by sellers in November and December. Any level above that implies that the previous resistance has begun to work as support, and that short-term control has been transferred to buyers.

The price action indicates that it is accepted at a price of above 2.2 and not rejected and this restricts the downside follow-through. Pullbacks are shallow meaning that sellers are no longer in control of momentum in the channel. 

XRP/USDT Daily Chart (Source: TradingView) This advance saw the parabolic SAR invert below price and this is consistent with sustained directional follow-through and not corrective rallies. Downside pressure is contained as long as price is above SAR.

Directional strength supports this structure since +DI around 37 is dominant over -DI around 10 indicating buyers control swing dynamics. The trend participation is validated in ADX near 28, and this is why higher lows are still observed. 

If buyers defend $2.2, price can rotate toward the $2.6 supply zone. Breakout above $2.6 would open up to the level of 3. A sustained loss of $2.2 would invalidate this structure and restore channel pressure.

Summary  XRP price structure favors continuation as long as reclaimed support remains intact. Momentum indicates the quality of participation, and not speculative excess. 

Provided that buyers can retain control above $2.2 and defeat the $2.6 supply zone, price creates a clear path towards the $3 level. However, a sustained breakdown below $2.2 would invalidate this structure and return control to sellers.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Improving liquidity and risk sentiment support sustained participation in large-cap digital assets like XRP.

The CLARITY Act aims to define crypto market structure and regulatory jurisdiction, reducing legal uncertainty.

Strong directional momentum reflects active buyer participation rather than short-term speculative trading.

Journalist

Posted: January 7, 2026

Token unlocks can be a double-edged sword for the market. 

From an economic standpoint, a high token supply can weigh on sentiment, especially if underlying bid pressure is weak. Yet, the upcoming $657 million in token unlocks couldn’t be arriving at a better time.

On the macro side, risk-on sentiment is back. Around $250 billion has flowed in since 2026 started, and only 40% went into Bitcoin [BTC]. Why it matters: This points to a “market-led” rally rather than a BTC-driven one.

Source: TradingView (OTHERS/BTC)

However, the question remains: Is this the start of a full-blown alt season? 

Historically, altcoin cycles tend to begin after ALT/BTC bottoms and breaks out.

Take the Q4 2016 cycle: ALT/BTC bottomed, broke its downtrend, and Q1–Q2 2017 saw a major alt run, pushing the Altcoin Season Index to 100.

Notably, a similar pattern appears to be forming now. ALT/BTC has been down for four years, RSI is extremely oversold, and MACD is finally turning green after 21 months.

It looks like the downtrend bottomed in Q4 2025.

Taken together, both the technical and macro setups indicate that the upcoming token unlocks could fuel more liquidity into altcoins. However, the question remains: Which altcoins will see the biggest supply hit?

Altcoins eye a rotation as major unlocks hit the market Over $657 million in token unlocks are scheduled for this week.

However, the timing differs: one-time unlocks, like HYPE and APT, could hit the market all at once. Meanwhile, linear unlocks, like SOL, TRUMP, and DOGE, release $1 million+ daily, gradually adding supply.

Among the one-time cliff altcoins, Hyperliquid [HYPE], for example, will see nearly $330 million worth of HYPE released. At the current market price, that amounts to roughly 12.7 million HYPE tokens entering the market.

Source: DeFilLama

On-chain, it looks well positioned to handle the pressure.

According to CoinGlass, Hyperliquid’s open interest (OI) sits at $8.79 billion, above 24h trading volume of $7 billion, with TVL at $4.30 billion. This also makes it the top DEX token, reinforcing a strong bid wall underneath.

Combined with the technical setup, this could push more capital into alts. If this trend holds, next week could finally see the Altcoin Season Index break out versus Bitcoin, potentially signaling the start of the next altcoin cycle.

Final Thoughts One-time cliff unlocks like HYPE and APT could hit the market all at once, while linear unlocks like SOL, TRUMP, and DOGE gradually add supply. Oversold ALT/BTC, green MACD, and strong on-chain metrics could fuel a market-led rotation, potentially breaking out the Altcoin Season Index versus BTC.

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.

TLDR: Whale wallets holding 10-10,000 BTC accumulated 56,227 coins since December 17 marking market bottom. Retail addresses with less than 0.01 BTC started selling over past 24 hours fearing bull trap rally. Santiment classifies whale accumulation with retail dumping as very bullish cryptocurrency configuration. Current market setup shows higher probability for continued crypto market capitalization growth ahead. Bitcoin market structure has evolved into its most favorable configuration in recent weeks. Santiment reports that large holders continue accumulating while small retail traders take profits. 

Wallets containing less than 0.01 BTC began selling over the past 24 hours. These investors believe the recent rally represents a temporary bounce or bull trap. 

Meanwhile, addresses holding 10 to 10,000 BTC maintain their buying pressure. This divergence creates what analysts classify as a very bullish setup for cryptocurrency markets.

Retail Traders Exit Positions Amid Rally Small Bitcoin holders have shifted to profit-taking mode following recent price strength. Addresses with less than 0.01 BTC now represent the selling side of market activity. 

These retail participants view current price levels as unsustainable. Their skepticism stems from concerns about a potential bull trap forming in the market.

The retail selling behavior marks a departure from patterns observed since mid-December. Previously, small holders maintained unpredictable movements without clear directional bias. 

Trading at $93,051.98, Bitcoin’s recent gains triggered profit-taking psychology among this cohort. Many retail investors entered positions during earlier price levels and now seek to lock in returns.

Santiment’s data tracks these movements through addresses classified as holding minimal amounts. The red line representing retail positions shows clear distribution activity. 

📊 Crypto markets typically follow the path of key whale & shark stakeholders, and move the opposite direction of small retail wallets. In our chart below:

🟥 Whales dumping, Retail accumulating (VERY BEARISH)
🟧 Whales dumping, Retail unpredictable (BEARISH)
🟨 Whales & Retail… pic.twitter.com/yoC0H1keBT

— Santiment (@santimentfeed) January 5, 2026

This selling pressure typically would weigh on markets under normal conditions. However, the current environment differs due to simultaneous whale behavior. The combination creates an unusual dynamic rarely seen in cryptocurrency trading.

Large Holders Capitalize on Retail Distribution Whales and sharks have absorbed the retail sell-off without hesitation. Addresses holding between 10 and 10,000 BTC added 56,227 coins since December 17. 

This accumulation continued through periods of market flatness and recent retail distribution. The green line tracking these large holders shows steady upward movement.

Santiment characterizes the current setup as entering a green zone. Whale accumulation combined with retail dumping ranks as the most bullish configuration in their framework. 

Historical patterns show this dynamic produces strong upward moves across cryptocurrency assets. The probability of continued market capitalization growth has increased materially.

The duration of these favorable conditions remains uncertain. Some bullish zones persist for weeks while others last only days. Whales can reverse course rapidly based on changing market conditions. 

Santiment advises monitoring the divergence between green and red lines representing different holder cohorts. This tracking method reveals positioning that most market participants cannot access. 

The firm cautions that favorable probabilities do not guarantee outcomes despite improved market structure.

Arkham Intelligence data shows that crypto wallets linked to the US Government reportedly moved out more than $225 million worth of USDT. These funds were allegedly seized in connection with so-called “pig butchering” schemes.

XRP XRP News XRP Price Prediction

Ad Disclosure

Ad Disclosure

We believe in full transparency with our readers. Some of our content includes affiliate links, and we may earn a commission through these partnerships. However, this potential compensation never influences our analysis, opinions, or reviews. Our editorial content is created independently of our marketing partnerships, and our ratings are based solely on our established evaluation criteria. Read More

Ad Disclosure

Ad Disclosure

We believe in full transparency with our readers. Some of our content includes affiliate links, and we may earn a commission through these partnerships. However, this potential compensation never influences our analysis, opinions, or reviews. Our editorial content is created independently of our marketing partnerships, and our ratings are based solely on our established evaluation criteria. Read More

Alejandro Arrieche

Author

Alejandro Arrieche

Part of the Team Since

Dec 2024

About Author

Alejandro is a seasoned financial analyst and adept business expert with over seven years of experience in dissecting complex business topics and vital market trends. His insightful writing, which has...

Has Also Written

Ad Disclosure

Ad Disclosure

We believe in full transparency with our readers. Some of our content includes affiliate links, and we may earn a commission through these partnerships. However, this potential compensation never influences our analysis, opinions, or reviews. Our editorial content is created independently of our marketing partnerships, and our ratings are based solely on our established evaluation criteria. Read More

Last updated: 

6 minutes ago

XRP has jumped 10% in the past 24 hours as a surge in trading volume sparks renewed bullish momentum.

A breakout above the $2.13 level and out of a key high-probability pattern supports a bullish XRP price prediction in the short term.

Trading volumes soared by 130% in just one day, with $7.8 billion in XRP changing hands, a figure that represents 5.5% of the token’s circulating market cap.

This spike signals aggressive buying interest and points to the possibility of a short squeeze unfolding.

According to CoinGlass, $438 million in XRP short positions were liquidated yesterday as crypto markets roared back to life.

Meanwhile, XRP’s climb pushed short liquidations to $24 million, the highest level on record since November 16 and the 6th highest short squeeze of the past 6 months.

Interestingly, XRP’s gains exceeded by a long shot those of other altcoins during this same period. At the time of writing, Ethereum (ETH), Solana (SOL), and BNB Coin (BNB) have booked 1.7%, 1.7%, and 0.9% price increases, respectively.

XRP Price Prediction: Positive Momentum Accelerates as XRP Books 6-Day Winning StreakStrong inflows toward XRP-linked exchange-traded funds (ETFs) may have played a key role in shaping the token’s latest price action.

Source: TradingViewData from SoSoValue shows that the total assets managed by these vehicles have surged from $861 million to $1.2 million in just a month, while XRP ETFs have not yet booked their first day of positive net outflows since the first fund was launched in the United States.

The daily chart shows that XRP has been rising for 6 days in a row now and has broken out of a bullish falling wedge pattern.

The Relative Strength Index (RSI) is already entering overbought territory after this strong spike, reflecting growing positive momentum.

A move to $3 seems highly likely as long as the price can stay above the 200-day exponential moving average (EMA).

As altcoins begin to recover, top crypto presales like Bitcoin Hyper ($HYPER) will benefit from this trend. This project leverages the power of the Solana blockchain to launch the first real Bitcoin L2.

Bitcoin Hyper ($HYPER) Raises Over $30M to Kickstart a New Era for BTCFiBitcoin Hyper ($HYPER) brings Solana’s low fees and fast transaction settlement speeds to the Bitcoin ecosystem through its highly efficient layer-2 scaling solution.

BTC holders will now be able to access top DeFi applications to earn yield, stake, and lend their tokens safely and cheaply.

Developers can easily deploy these dApps and no longer have to force investors to move their BTC tokens out of the Bitcoin OG blockchains to access them.

As top wallets and exchanges embrace the solution, the price of its native asset, $HYPER, should rise rapidly. With $30 million in its war chest already, the Hyper L2 is rapidly moving forward with its ambitious roadmap.

To buy $HYPER, simply head to the official Bitcoin Hyper website and link up a compatible wallet (e.g. Best Wallet).

You can either swap USDT or SOL for this token or use a bank to complete your purchase.

Visit the Official Bitcoin Hyper Website Here

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

Bitcoin and Ethereum are showing renewed momentum after recovering and rising by more than 7% in the past week. As bearish trends slowly reverse, a crypto analyst has shared a detailed analysis of the ETH/BTC chart, predicting the trading pair’s next moves. The analysis highlights key upside targets and identifies a specific sell zone, signaling when traders may consider taking profits.

Ethereum Approaches Key Sell Zone Against Bitcoin Crypto market technician John Carter has illustrated a bullish setup for the ETH/BTC pair in one of his latest chart analyses on X. According to Carter, Ethereum is reaching a critical decision point against Bitcoin, with price hovering near an important technical level within a Broadening Wedge pattern. The setup points to a potential breakout, highlighting a clearly defined resistance zone where selling pressure is expected to emerge. 

Notably, Carter has stated that Ethereum is currently approaching the upper boundary of the long-term Broadening Wedge on the weekly chart. This structure has guided Ethereum’s performance relative to BTC for several years, with prices expanding between widening trendlines.

Source: X Recently, ETH/BTC bounced from the lower support zone of the Broadening Wedge, confirming that buyers are defending that level. The rebound from support was sharp and well defined, and after touching the lower boundary of the wedge, the pair launched a strong recovery leg. This upward move pushed the price back into the upper half of the wedge, setting ETH/BTC on a direct path toward resistance. 

According to Carter, ETH/BTC is now completing its final phase of consolidation within the wedge. As a result, breakout signals are emerging as price tightens near resistance, and the trading pair holds higher lows. If ETH/BTC confirms a breakout above the wedge’s upper boundary, Carter predicts that it will climb to an initial target of $0.041, aligning with a previous consolidation area. 

Beyond that, price could advance upward $0.051 and $0.060. The final upside target has been set at $0.081, which overlaps with the broader resistance zone on the chart. The analyst marks this resistance as a sell zone, showing when traders can begin taking profit.  

Analyst Outlines Critical Support Levels For ETH/BTC In his analysis, Carter also identified several support zones that could act as key defense levels if Ethereum faces a pullback against Bitcoin. The first major support zone lies near the upper boundary of the Broadening Wedge pattern, around $0.031. Below that, the analyst has pinpointed another support level at $0.026. 

If the price falls below $0.026, the next notable support is around $0.022, representing a roughly 35% decline from current levels above $0.034. In the event of an even deeper correction, Carter forecasts that ETH/BTC could drop to $0.0185, a level marked on the chart as the Broadening Wedge’s “support zone.” Any move below this support would likely push ETH/BTC toward the lower boundary of the wedge, which extends down to $0.010. 

ETH price pushes toward $3,500 | Source: ETHUSDT on Tradingview.com Featured image created with Dall.E, chart from Tradingview.com

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

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

I'm Sandra White, a writer at Bitcoinist, and I provide the latest updates on the world of cryptocurrencies. I believe crypto a gateway to a new order and I have made it my life's mission to help educate as much people as possible. When I'm not at work, I love listening to music, learning new things, and dream of traveling around the world.

Ethereum released a long post on X to recount the high points of its year 2025, a year that its DeFi TVL reportedly grew up to 9 times as much as any competing networks in terms of DeFi.

The crypto market has entered 2026 with renewed momentum, but investors are now asking whether this rally can continue throughout the year. According to a recent blog post by crypto asset management firm Bitwise, early indicators suggest a constructive outlook, though several key conditions must remain in place for digital assets to reach new all-time highs.

Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH), the two largest cryptocurrencies by market capitalization, are both up roughly 7% year-to-date just six days into 2026. Risk appetite has clearly returned, with speculative tokens posting even stronger gains. Dogecoin (DOGE), for example, has surged nearly 29%, highlighting growing investor confidence across higher-risk segments of the crypto market.

Bitwise Chief Investment Officer Matt Hougan outlined three major factors that will determine whether the crypto rally can be sustained. The first appears to be largely resolved: the absence of another major market shock. Hougan pointed to the October 10, 2025 liquidation event, when approximately $19 billion in crypto futures positions were wiped out in a single day. In the months that followed, fears of forced liquidations by large market participants weighed on sentiment. However, Bitwise believes any significant unwinding would have occurred by the end of 2025, and the strong start to 2026 suggests that overhang has faded.

The second critical factor is regulatory clarity in the United States. Proposed crypto market structure legislation is moving through Congress, with a Senate Banking Committee markup expected in mid-January, though timelines remain subject to change. While debates continue around decentralized finance regulation, stablecoin incentives, and political disagreements, Bitwise views progress on legislation as essential. Without clear rules, a future administration could reverse the current pro-crypto regulatory stance.

The final consideration is the broader macro environment. While crypto assets are not perfectly correlated with equities, a sharp stock market downturn—such as a 20% drop in the S&P 500—would likely pressure all risk assets. Prediction markets currently signal low recession risk and potential equity gains, but this remains an external uncertainty.

Overall, Bitwise sees the crypto market outlook for 2026 as cautiously optimistic, supported by rising institutional adoption, increased use of stablecoins and tokenization, and the delayed benefits of a more supportive regulatory environment that began in early 2025.

<Copyright ⓒ TokenPost, unauthorized reproduction and redistribution prohibited>

XRP price enters early 2026 on firmer footing after reclaiming critical levels that were lost during the late-2025 selling pressure. After spending most of Q4 trading below the psychologically important $2 mark, XRP price has now moved decisively above it, signaling a potential structural shift. This development comes alongside a broader crypto market recovery and improving regulatory clarity, both of which have helped restore confidence across large-cap digital assets.

As liquidity conditions improved toward the end of 2025, renewed participation from traders supported higher prices across the market. Strength in Bitcoin and Ethereum created a supportive backdrop, allowing XRP price to attract sustained bids rather than short-term speculative flows. At the same time, regulatory sentiment improved following confirmation of progress on the CLARITY Act markup, easing long-standing uncertainty around market structure. This shift particularly benefited assets like XRP that are closely tied to settlement and payments use cases.

XRP price reacted to these changes with measured accumulation rather than emotional momentum chasing. Buyers stepped in around the $1.8 demand zone, a level that previously acted as an accumulation area, and successfully defended it once again. This defense marked a structural change and pushed price back toward the upper boundary of its descending channel. At the time of writing, XRP trades around $2.28, firmly above the former resistance zone near $2.2.

The recovery of the $2.2 level is significant, as it was heavily defended by sellers in November and December. Acceptance above this area suggests that resistance has flipped into support, limiting downside risk and reinforcing buyer control. Technical indicators support this view, with trend strength and directional momentum favoring continued upside as long as price remains above reclaimed support.

If buyers continue to defend the $2.2 level, XRP price could rotate toward the $2.6 supply zone, with a breakout opening a potential path toward $3. However, a sustained move back below $2.2 would invalidate the current structure and shift momentum back in favor of sellers. Overall, XRP price action entering 2026 reflects improving market conditions and a structure that favors continuation rather than a temporary relief rally.

<Copyright ⓒ TokenPost, unauthorized reproduction and redistribution prohibited>

Bittensor (TAO) recorded a strong price rally on Tuesday, surging nearly 10% to move above the $290 level following Grayscale’s official launch of the Grayscale Bittensor Trust (GTAO). The announcement marked a major milestone for the decentralized AI network, as it represents one of the earliest regulated investment products offering institutional-style exposure to TAO without direct token ownership.

The price surge pushed TAO to its highest level in several weeks, supported by a notable increase in market activity. According to market data, 24-hour trading volume exceeded $230 million as investor interest intensified. The rally reflects growing confidence in AI-focused crypto assets, especially projects with improving supply dynamics and expanding institutional accessibility.

Grayscale confirmed that the Grayscale Bittensor Trust allows accredited investors to gain exposure to TAO through a traditional securities structure. This removes the need for investors to directly buy, store, or manage the native token themselves. Shares of the Trust trade on OTC Markets under the ticker symbol GTAO, further aligning the product with conventional investment channels.

The Trust is designed to track the market price of TAO using the Coin Metrics Real-Time Bittensor Reference Rate, adjusted for fees and expenses. As of January 5, the Trust reported a net asset value of $7.96 per share and a total expense ratio of 2.5%. These details provide investors with greater transparency as interest in regulated crypto products continues to rise.

The launch also follows important structural changes within the Bittensor ecosystem. In mid-December, the network completed its first halving event, cutting daily TAO emissions by approximately 50%. This reduction in token issuance has lowered inflation and introduced tighter supply conditions, drawing comparisons to Bitcoin’s scarcity-driven economic model.

In addition, Grayscale has filed with U.S. regulators to convert the Bittensor Trust into a spot ETF. While approval timelines remain unclear, the filing has strengthened expectations of broader institutional access to TAO in the future.

Bittensor operates as a decentralized marketplace for machine intelligence, rewarding participants with TAO for contributing compute power and AI services. With reduced supply growth, increasing staking participation, and new regulated investment pathways, TAO’s recent price movement suggests that markets are reassessing its long-term potential within the evolving AI and crypto landscape.

<Copyright ⓒ TokenPost, unauthorized reproduction and redistribution prohibited>

SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- #CES--Niterra Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Nagoya, Japan) today announced its participation in the $9M growth funding round for Sibros, a leader in Software-Defined Vehicle (SDV) platforms. Niterra is also sponsoring Sibros' invite-only 4th Annual Magic of Mobility Cocktail Reception at Spago by Wolfgang Puck during CES 2026, which will be held January 6-9 in Las Vegas. SDVs combine advanced software and hardware to enhance vehicle performance, compliance, and safety.

By Reuters

January 6, 202611:01 PM UTCUpdated ago

Trading information for KKR & Co is displayed on a screen on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York, U.S., August 23, 2018. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid Purchase Licensing Rights, opens new tab

Jan 6 (Reuters) - Global investment firm KKR (KKR.N), opens new tab has agreed to acquire Arctos Partners in a deal that values the sports-focused private equity firm at about $1 billion, Bloomberg News reported on Tuesday.

Sign up here.

Reporting by Harshita Mary Varghese in Bengaluru; Editing by Shilpi Majumdar

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

HomeMarketsU.S. & CanadaCommodities CornerCommodities CornerRefiners in the U.S. have the distinctive ability to handle the type of heavy crude that Venezuela claims to have in abundancePublished: Jan. 6, 2026 at 6:10 p.m. ET

Venezuela’s crude is very heavy, and requires more complex pumping and upgrading systems — which U.S. Gulf Coast refiners are already configured for. Photo: MarketWatch photo illustration/iStockphotoA lot of people have suggested that President Donald Trump got involved with Venezuela because it’s home to the world’s largest proven crude-oil reserves.

That might — or might not — end up being the case once more light is shined on Venezuela’s own oil-reserve estimates. But the not-so-obvious benefit of U.S. involvement in running the country might come from the distinctive ability of American refineries to handle the type of oil that Venezuela claims to have in abundance.

PASADENA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: ARWR) today announced its intention to offer, subject to market and other conditions, $500 million aggregate principal amount of convertible senior notes due 2032 (the “notes”) and $200 million of common stock in separate public offerings registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Arrowhead also expects to grant the underwriters of the note offering a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional $75 million aggregate principal amount of notes solely to cover over-allotments and expects to grant the underwriters of the common stock offering a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional $30 million of common stock. The completion of the note offering will not be contingent on the completion of the common stock offering, and the completion of the common stock offering will not be contingent on the completion of the note offering.

J.P. Morgan and Jefferies are acting as joint book-running managers for the note offering, and Jefferies and J.P. Morgan are acting as joint book-running managers for the common stock offering.

The notes will be senior, unsecured obligations of Arrowhead, will accrue interest payable semi-annually in arrears and will mature on January 15, 2032, unless earlier repurchased, redeemed or converted. Noteholders will have the right to convert their notes in certain circumstances and during specified periods. Arrowhead will settle conversions by paying or delivering, as applicable, cash, shares of its common stock or a combination of cash and shares of its common stock, at Arrowhead’s election.

The notes will be redeemable, in whole or in part (subject to certain limitations), for cash at Arrowhead’s option at any time, and from time to time, on or after January 16, 2029 and on or before the 30th scheduled trading day immediately before the maturity date, but only if the last reported sale price per share of Arrowhead’s common stock exceeds 130% of the conversion price for a specified period of time. The redemption price will be equal to the principal amount of the notes to be redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the redemption date.

If certain corporate events that constitute a “fundamental change” occur, then, subject to a limited exception, noteholders may require Arrowhead to repurchase their notes for cash. The repurchase price will be equal to the principal amount of the notes to be repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the applicable repurchase date.

The interest rate, initial conversion rate and other terms of the notes will be determined at the pricing of the note offering.

Arrowhead intends to use a portion of the net proceeds from the note offering to fund the cost of entering into the capped call transactions described below. Arrowhead intends to use the remainder of the net proceeds from the note offering, together with the net proceeds from the common stock offering, for general corporate purposes, including working capital, capital expenditures, research and development expenditures, clinical trial expenditures, commercialization activity expenditures and preparation for potential commercial launches of late stage products, including associated supply chain activities. A portion of the net proceeds may also be used to prepay the loans under Arrowhead’s credit facility with Sixth Street Lending Partners. If the underwriters of the note offering exercise their option to purchase additional notes, then Arrowhead intends to use a portion of the additional net proceeds from the note offering to fund the cost of entering into additional capped call transactions as described below.

In connection with the pricing of the notes, Arrowhead expects to enter into privately negotiated capped call transactions with one or more of the underwriters of the note offering or their affiliates or one or more other financial institutions (the “option counterparties”). The capped call transactions are expected to cover, subject to anti-dilution adjustments substantially similar to those applicable to the notes, the number of shares of Arrowhead’s common stock that will initially underlie the notes. If the underwriters of the note offering exercise their option to purchase additional notes, then Arrowhead expects to enter into additional capped call transactions with the option counterparties.

The capped call transactions are expected generally to reduce the potential dilution to Arrowhead’s common stock upon any conversion of the notes and/or offset any potential cash payments Arrowhead is required to make in excess of the principal amount of converted notes, as the case may be, upon conversion of the notes. If, however, the market price per share of Arrowhead’s common stock, as measured under the terms of the capped call transactions, exceeds the cap price of the capped call transactions, there would nevertheless be dilution and/or there would not be an offset of such potential cash payments, in each case, to the extent that such market price exceeds the cap price of the capped call transactions.

In connection with establishing their initial hedges of the capped call transactions, the option counterparties or their respective affiliates expect to enter into various derivative transactions with respect to Arrowhead’s common stock concurrently with or shortly after the pricing of the notes. This activity could increase (or reduce the size of any decrease in) the market price of Arrowhead’s common stock or the notes at that time.

In addition, the option counterparties or their respective affiliates may modify their hedge positions by entering into or unwinding various derivatives with respect to Arrowhead’s common stock and/or purchasing or selling Arrowhead’s common stock or other securities of Arrowhead in secondary market transactions following the pricing of the notes and prior to the maturity of the notes (and (x) are likely to do so during any observation period related to a conversion of notes after October 15, 2031 or following any repurchase of the notes by Arrowhead in connection with any fundamental change or redemption and (y) may do so following any repurchase of notes by Arrowhead other than in connection with any fundamental change or redemption). This activity could also cause or avoid an increase or decrease in the market price of Arrowhead’s common stock or the notes, which could affect the ability to convert the notes, and, to the extent the activity occurs during any observation period related to a conversion of notes, it could affect the number of shares and value of the consideration that noteholders will receive upon conversion of the notes.

The offerings are being made pursuant to an effective shelf registration statement on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Each offering will be made only by means of a prospectus supplement relating to that offering and an accompanying prospectus. An electronic copy of the preliminary prospectus supplement for each offering, together with the accompanying prospectus, is available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Alternatively, copies of each preliminary prospectus supplement, together with the accompanying prospectus, can be obtained by contacting: J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, c/o Broadridge Financial Solutions, 1155 Long Island Avenue, Edgewood, NY 11717, or by email at [email protected] and [email protected]; or Jefferies LLC, 520 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10022, Attention: Prospectus Department, or by telephone at (877) 547-6340 or by email to [email protected].

This press release does not constitute an offer to sell, or the solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities referred to in this press release, nor will there be any sale of any such securities, in any state or other jurisdiction in which such offer, sale or solicitation would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of such state or jurisdiction.

About Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals

Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals develops medicines that treat intractable diseases by silencing the genes that cause them. Using a broad portfolio of RNA chemistries and efficient modes of delivery, Arrowhead therapies trigger the RNA interference mechanism to induce rapid, deep, and durable knockdown of target genes. RNA interference, or RNAi, is a mechanism present in living cells that inhibits the expression of a specific gene, thereby affecting the production of a specific protein. Arrowhead’s RNAi-based therapeutics leverage this natural pathway of gene silencing.

Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act:

This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements include statements regarding the anticipated terms of the notes being offered, the completion, timing and size of the proposed offerings, the intended use of the proceeds and the anticipated terms of, and the effects of entering into, the capped call transactions described above. These statements are based upon Arrowhead’s current expectations regarding future events, speak only as of the date hereof and are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those implied by the forward-looking statements. Among those risks and uncertainties are market conditions, including market interest rates, the trading price and volatility of Arrowhead’s common stock, risks described under the caption “Risk Factors” in the preliminary prospectus supplement for each proposed offering and risks relating to Arrowhead’s business, including those described in periodic reports that Arrowhead files from time to time with the SEC. Arrowhead may not consummate the proposed offerings described in this press release and, if the proposed offerings are consummated, cannot provide any assurances regarding the final terms of the offerings or the notes or its ability to effectively apply the net proceeds as described above. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Arrowhead assumes no obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements to reflect new events or circumstances.

Source: Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

More News From Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

The final trades of the day with CNBC's Melissa Lee and the 'Fast Money' traders.

Analyst’s Disclosure:I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, but may initiate a beneficial Long position through a purchase of the stock, or the purchase of call options or similar derivatives in DALXF over the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.

Disclaimer: I am not an investment advisor, and this article is not meant to be a recommendation for the purchase or sale of stock. Investors are advised to review all company documents and press releases to see if the company fits its own investment qualifications.

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

HomeIndustriesInvesting/SecuritiesStrategy gets to stay in MSCI indexes for now — though the index provider says it will launch a more general review of whether investment-oriented companies can keep their spotsPublished: Jan. 6, 2026 at 6:21 p.m. ET

MSCI offered some relief to Strategy investors on Tuesday, as the cryptocurrency holding company will get to stay in various indexes — for now.

On paper, Strategy MSTR is a software business, even though in practice the company has essentially become a holding vehicle for bitcoin BTCUSD. There has been concern that Strategy’s unusual nature would jeopardize its position in stock indexes.

Palantir Technologies (NASDAQ:PLTR) ended 2025 as one of the most-searched tickers in Benzinga Pro thanks to a surge in interest from readers. The stock is seeing strong attention to start 2026 with a potential link to the recent military action carried out in Venezuela.

Here's a look at the members of Congress who own Palantir shares.

• Palantir Technologies stock is showing upward bias. Where are PLTR shares going?

Palantir Stock Gains on Potential LinkThe action completed by the U.S. government in Venezuela helped boost oil stocks to start 2026, which could benefit the members of Congress who own stocks like Chevron.

Palantir counts the U.S. government as one of its key customers and the company has been supportive of the country’s military in recent years. While no official link between the company and the actions that were recently carried out, some investors believe there could be a link.

Mizuho analysts said in a note that there could be a potential link and the surge in social media posts about the company being potentially involved made the stock worth watching, as reported by Barrons.

Here are the Palantir transactions made by members of Congress in 2025 as tracked by the Benzinga Government Trades page.

Rep. Rob Bresnahan (R-Penn.)

April 8: Bought $1,000 to $15,000 Feb. 26: Sold $1,000 to $15,000 Feb. 25: Bought $1,000 to $15,000 Feb. 25: Sold $1,000 to $15,000 Rep. Gilbert Cisneros (D-Calif.)

Nov. 18: Bought $1,000 to $15,000 Nov. 7: Bought $1,000 to $15,000 Oct. 9: Bought $1,000 to $15,000 March 31: Bought $1,000 to $15,000 Jan. 24: Bought $1,000 to $15,000 Rep. James Comer (R-Tenn.)

Jan. 21: Bought $1,000 to $15,000 Rep. Cleo Fields (D-La.)

Oct. 10: Bought $15,000 to $50,000 Aug. 13: Bought $50,000 to $100,000 July 28: Bought $50,000 to $100,000 July 18: Bought $100,000 to $250,000 June 30: Bought $50,000 to $100,000 June 25: Bought $1,000 to $15,000 Former Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.)

July 15: Bought $1,000 to $15,000 Apr. 9: Bought $1,000 to $15,000 Apr. 8: Bought $1,000 to $15,000 Feb. 12: Bought $1,000 to $15,000 Rep. Julie Johnson (D-Texas)

June 30: Sold $1,000 to $15,000 April 1: Sold $1,000 to $15,000 Feb. 12: Bought $1,000 to $15,000 Jan. 15: Bought $1,000 to $15,000 Rep. Lisa McClain (R-Mich.)

Oct. 31: Sold $1,000 to $15,000 Oct. 30: Sold $1,000 to $15,000 Oct. 30: Bought $1,000 to $15,000 June 17: Bought $1,000 to $15,000 Rep. Jefferson Shreve (R-Ind.)

May 12: Sold $50,000 to $100,000 While Greene recently stepped away from her role in Congress, these trades were made in 2025 when she was actively serving and had to disclose her transactions.

Benzinga previously shared that McClain reported several transactions late in 2025, potentially violating the STOCK Act. In August, the congresswoman disclosed selling $50,000 to $100,000 in Palantir stock on Oct. 23, 2024, and disclosed buying $100,000 to $250,000 in Palantir stock on Nov. 7, 2024.

Palantir Stocks Raise Red FlagsAlong with the late disclosure from McClain, who is one of the highest-ranking members of the Republican Party as the chair of the House Republican Conference, other trades involving Palantir have garnered attention.

Members of Congress who serve on defense committees have bought and sold the stock, which could create conflicts given the government contracts the company has.

With the potential that Palantir was involved in the action in Venezuela or is involved in other controversial actions of the administration that see one party disagreeing with, there could be conflicts in owning the stock.

Benzinga will closely monitor to see if members of either political party bought or sold Palantir stock shortly after the action in Venezuela.

Palantir stock closed up 3.26% to $179.71 on Tuesday, adding to a gain of 3.26% for shares on Tuesday. The gains on Monday snapped a five-day losing streak. Palantir stock has traded between $63.40 and $207.52 over the past 52 weeks. The stock was one of the top-performing S&P 500 stocks in 2025 with a gain of $134.8%

Photo by Mamun Sheikh via Shutterstock

Market News and Data brought to you by Benzinga APIs

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

The AI boom is only getting started, according to the industry's biggest players, with some predicting that the next wave of innovations will come in the physical world.

Strategic licensing agreement brings blockchain-based verification system to SBX product line, setting new standard for regulatory compliance and youth protection

, /PRNewswire/ -- IKE Tech LLC, the industry leader in age-verification technology for vapor products, today announced a strategic licensing agreement with Charlie's Holdings Inc. (OTCQB: CHUC) to integrate IKE's patented age-gating platform across Charlie's next-generation nicotine analogue and ENDS product lines.

Representing a watershed moment for the vaping industry, Charlie's SBX product line will become the first commercial vapor product to feature AI-powered, blockchain-based age verification that prevents device activation until user identity and age are confirmed in real-time.

"IKE is establishing the blueprint for responsible vaping globally," commented IKE Tech's President, John Patterson. "Our agreement with Charlie's represents an industry first in deploying proprietary technologies that protect public health, enable regulatory compliance, and drive sustainable industry growth. This partnership demonstrates that the industry can bring manufacturers, regulators and innovators together to protect youth, secure the supply chain, and ensure responsible access for adults."

Under the agreement, IKE Tech will provide its proprietary Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) chips and develop a customized, white-labeled web application specifically designed for Charlie's devices. The technology builds on IKE's FDA-submitted platform, which achieved 100% effectiveness in clinical validation studies at preventing underage activation, reinforcing its potential as a regulatory keystone across global nicotine markets.

The agreement includes a limited exclusivity period for Charlie's nicotine analogue line, giving the company first-mover advantage in bringing age-gated products to market. The partnership also allows integration into Charlie's FDA-regulated ENDS devices upon receiving marketing authorization, positioning both companies to scale rapidly as regulatory frameworks evolve.

"There is a large un-met need for technologies that can satisfy or accommodate concerns the FDA has related to youth access… which means there is a multi-BILLION market opportunity for flavored vapes that are inoperable for underage individuals," explained Henry Sicignano, Charlie's President. "We believe Charlie's could become the first Company to demonstrate to the FDA that flavored vape products are indeed 'appropriate for the protection of public health.' Such a success would not only be game changing for Charlie's, but would also be transformational for the entire industry." 

IKE's age-gating system was the subject of the industry's first PMTA submission for standalone, interoperable blockchain-enabled verification technology. The technology provides manufacturers with a scalable solution that works across multiple device types, markets, and jurisdictions while maintaining rigorous security and compliance standards.

"We chose to partner with Charlie's because their non-nicotine SBX product line enables immediate deployment ahead of standard PMTA timelines," Patterson explained. "This proves the approach is commercially viable, technologically sound, and ready for widespread adoption."

The announcement arrives at a pivotal moment for the global nicotine industry. Governments in multiple jurisdictions are exploring or implementing mandated age-verification requirements for nicotine products, while regulators face mounting pressure to address youth vaping without eliminating harm reduction tools for adult smokers. IKE's platform, designed for interoperability, provides a pathway for manufacturers to meet these emerging standards while maintaining product security, supply chain integrity, and regulatory compliance.

The system's blockchain foundation ensures verification records are immutable and auditable, providing regulators with unprecedented visibility into compliance while protecting user privacy through cryptographic security. For manufacturers, this means defensible documentation of youth protection efforts, which remains a critical consideration as regulatory scrutiny intensifies.

Charlie's integration of IKE's technology will serve as a proof point for manufacturers evaluating age-verification solutions and demonstrates that advanced compliance technology can be implemented at commercial scale without compromising user experience or operational efficiency.

About IKE Tech LLC

IKE Tech LLC is a joint venture comprised of Ispire Technology Inc., Touch Point Worldwide Inc. d/b/a Berify, and Chemular Inc. Founded in 2024, IKE Tech is building the identity layer for the physical world. With patented technologies spanning blockchain authentication, secure BLE communication, and AI-enhanced access control, IKE powers secure, user-centric device interactions across regulated and high-risk sectors.

IKE's System-on-a-Chip allows manufacturers to embed customizable, interoperable access controls into vapor devices — ensuring authorized adult use and preventing youth access through real-time mobile and biometric authentication. Visit www.iketech.com

About Charlie's Holdings Inc.

Charlie's Holdings, Inc. (OTCQB: CHUC) is an industry leader in the premium vapor products space. The Company's products are sold around the world to select distributors, specialty retailers, and third-party online resellers through subsidiary company Charlie's Chalk Dust, LLC has developed an extensive portfolio of brand styles, flavor profiles, and innovative product formats. For additional information, please visit Charlie's corporate website at: Chuc.com and the Company's branded online websites: sbxvape.com, CharliesChalkDust.com, enjoypachamama.com, and Pacha.co.

SOURCE IKE Tech LLC/ KCSA

, /PRNewswire/ -- Astellas Pharma Inc. (TSE: 4503, President and CEO: Naoki Okamura, "Astellas") today announced it will present at the 44th Annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference, taking place January 12-15, 2026, in San Francisco, Calif. As a global leader in life sciences, Astellas will use this premier platform to highlight its key strategic focuses and the tangible progress achieved to date in support of delivering long-term impact for patients, partners, and shareholders.

During the conference, President and CEO Naoki Okamura will present Astellas' key growth drivers and commitment to disciplined execution. Chief Research & Development Officer Tadaaki Taniguchi will also join the session, and together, they will emphasize how Astellas is advancing transformative scientific breakthroughs for diseases with high unmet medical need and reinforcing its leadership in healthcare innovation and shaping the future of patient care.

Naoki Okamura, President and CEO, Astellas 
"Our focus is clear: we are working to turn innovative science into meaningful VALUE for patients and drive sustainable growth. The J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference provides an exceptional opportunity to engage with the global investment and healthcare community and demonstrate how our strategy and execution position Astellas for long-term success."

Presentation Details

Event: 44th Annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference Date & Time: January 12, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. PT Location: Westin St. Francis, San Francisco The presentation materials and a live webcast link will be available on the Investor Relations page of Astellas.com on the day of the presentation. A link to the on-demand replay will be made available shortly after the presentation.

As a distinguished sponsor of Biotech Showcase held in San Francisco the same week, Astellas is furthering its visibility in the global life sciences community. Chief Strategy Officer Adam Pearson will join a plenary session on partnering trends that are advancing emerging technologies and drug development innovation—underscoring Astellas' commitment to pioneering science and fostering collaborations to benefit patients worldwide.

About Astellas
Astellas is a global life sciences company committed to turning innovative science into VALUE for patients. We provide transformative therapies in disease areas that include oncology, ophthalmology, urology, immunology and women's health. Through our research and development programs, we are pioneering new healthcare solutions for diseases with high unmet medical need. Learn more at www.astellas.com.

Cautionary Notes
In this press release, statements made with respect to current plans, estimates, strategies and beliefs and other statements that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements about the future performance of Astellas. These statements are based on management's current assumptions and beliefs in light of the information currently available to it and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to: (i) changes in general economic conditions and in laws and regulations, relating to pharmaceutical markets, (ii) currency exchange rate fluctuations, (iii) delays in new product launches, (iv) the inability of Astellas to market existing and new products effectively, (v) the inability of Astellas to continue to effectively research and develop products accepted by customers in highly competitive markets, and (vi) infringements of Astellas' intellectual property rights by third parties. Information about pharmaceutical products (including products currently in development) which is included in this press release is not intended to constitute an advertisement or medical advice.

SOURCE Astellas Pharma Inc.

Coterra Energy Inc. (CTRA) Goldman Sachs Energy, CleanTech & Utilities Conference January 6, 2026 3:00 PM EST

Company Participants

Shannon Young - Executive VP & CFO
Corey Douglas Code

Conference Call Participants

Neil Mehta - Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., Research Division

Presentation

Neil Mehta
Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., Research Division

All right. Wonderful. Thanks, everyone, for being here. We've got an all-star panel here to talk about the diversified shale E&P business model Corterra, Devon, Ovintiv and Northern Oil and Gas. Thank you all for being here in Sunny Florida, and so much to talk about across the ecosystem. So I want to spend some time on the macro, then each of you guys have had some important capital projects. I want to unpack that and then get to whatever is on your mind as well.

And so one of the debates that we've heard around the conference is the idea of being pure play versus being diversified. And there were some at our special forum last night or even this morning who argue there's a lot of advantage to being concentrated in one basin. Each of you have had a slightly different business model where you have argued that there's advantage to having a portfolio. So maybe we start with you, Shane, and talk about the benefits of operating a diversified upstream portfolio. And -- and how do you think the -- what's needed to get the market to better appreciate operating in multiple basis?

Question-and-Answer Session

Shannon Young
Executive VP & CFO

Yes. Well, thank you. First of all, Happy New Year, and everybody up here, and thank you for having us at the conference again this year. Look, it's a great question. It's one we think about quite a bit at the management level. It's one that we review and talk about with the Board on a