Market Signal Briefing

Bitcoin climbed past the $92,000 mark on Monday, driven by a mix of strong buying and fresh geopolitical noise. Traders watched as BTC moved toward $93,000 after brief gains in global markets, hitting roughly $92,800 in early US trading.

Geopolitical Jitters And Market Moves
According to market reports, comments from US President Donald Trump about potential action in Colombia added to market uncertainty, helping send flows into risk assets like Bitcoin.

Traders sold some positions and then bought back into BTC as prices steadied near the highs. ETF inflows were also cited as supporting demand, with one report noting about $645 million in net flows into Bitcoin spot ETFs around the same session.

BTCUSD trading at $92,800 on the 24-hour chart: TradingView
Bitcoin’s climb was modest in percentage terms, but the dollar amounts grabbed attention. Data showed BTC trading in the low $92,000s before attempts to push higher toward $93,000. Reports have also pointed to liquidations and futures activity that rearranged short positions, prompting quick moves in both directions.

PRESIDENT TRUMP JUST NOW:

Trump: “Colombia is run by a sick man, he’s not going to be doing it for very long.”

Reporter: “So there will be an operation by the US in Colombia?”

Trump: “Sounds good to me.” pic.twitter.com/66fQM7cEIY

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

Colombia On Trump’s Crosshairs
Based on reports, the recent US operation in Venezuela and wider tensions in Latin America had a role in shifting sentiment.

Speaking on Sunday, Trump took aim at Colombia over cocaine trafficking, saying a fresh US military operation tied to the country “sounds good to me,” according to Reuters. He also warned that action may be needed in Mexico.

Trump described Colombia as “very sick” and accused its leader of fueling the cocaine trade into the United States, saying that situation “won’t last very long.”

Total crypto market valuation at $3.12 trillion on the daily chart: TradingView

Institutional Flows And Market Structure
Meanwhile, spot ETF purchases and macro traders were active during the move higher. The inflows cited in market pieces suggest institutions continued to add exposure, even as headline risk rose. At the same time, derivatives desks reported notable liquidations that briefly amplified volatility.

Some analysts told outlets they see technical hurdles near the current range that could cap gains without fresh catalysts. Others said the next key levels to watch are the area around $93,000 and the lows near the $88,000s to $90,000s, where stop orders and margin calls could trigger sharper swings.

Mixed Signals
Market signals remain mixed. While ETF inflows point to steady interest from larger pools of capital, geopolitical headlines from the region keep a risk premium live in prices. Traders are watching US economic data this week as well, since work on jobs and inflation prints could alter the tone for both stocks and crypto.

Bitcoin’s push above $92,000 came at a moment of heightened news flow — where comments from US President Donald Trump and big institutional buying intersected. Prices moved quickly, numbers mattered, and traders now watch whether demand can hold near current levels or if headline risk will force a pullback.

Featured image from Britannica, chart from TradingView

Strengthening sentiment bolstered risk assets including bitcoin.

getty

Bitcoin climbed alongside other risk assets like stocks on Monday, January 5, as rising optimism in the new year fueled gains.

The price of bitcoin rallied above $94,000, according to Coinbase data provided by TradingView. At this point, the digital currency was trading at its highest value since roughly mid-November.

Major stock indices were also up, with the S&P 500 Index, the Dow Jones Industrial Average and the Nasdaq Composite Index all posting gains for the day, according to Google Finance data.

When asked to explain this upward movement in the values of risk assets, several analysts pointed to the improving mindset of investors.

“This rally looks like classic risk-on positioning after the holidays,” Joe DiPasquale, CEO of cryptocurrency hedge fund manager BitBull Capital, stated via email. “The main fuel is likely improving sentiment around the first quarter growth outlook, which is translating into higher equity valuations and pulling crypto higher alongside,” he added.

“Also, with the new year, we often see fresh capital inflows into the crypto space, especially if ETF flows remain positive,” the analyst continued.

Tim Enneking, managing partner of Psalion, also weighed in, clarifying through emailed commentary that “The wonderfully steady (but still tentative) move up since Christmas Eve is almost certainly a reflection of New Year’s optimism and a desire to put a horrible Q4 behind us more than anything else – and is certainly not a function of any fundamental change in the trading or economic landscape.”

He noted that “In the same way that there was no fundamental reason for BTC to lose over 35% of its value between Oct. 6 and Nov. 21, there is no fundamental reason driving the recovery now.”

Macro Variables Other market observers focused on the key role played by macro variables, weighing in on developments such as the expectations surrounding Federal Reserve policy. The U.S. central bank has generated significant visibility in recent years after hiking the target range for the benchmark federal funds rate to its highest point in over a decade and then slowly lowering it.

President Donald Trump has spoken to these matters, articulating his preference for Federal Open Market Committee members to lower rates. While Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s term ends later this year, there is significant interest in who the president will nominate to hold this position next.

Several front-runners, including Kevin Hassett, director of the National Economic Council, have been named in recent reports, but Trump has not announced his nominee.

Greg Magadini, director of derivatives for digital asset data provider Amberdata, commented on such matters, as well as other macro developments, stating via email that “Crypto markets are rallying alongside tech and precious metals after underperforming in 2025," adding that "2026 has big themes around easy money, fiat debasement and global deficits.”

“Since Jan 2023, the US treasury yield curve has steepened as the Fed moved away from a hawkish rate-cycle to a dovish one,” he noted. “This balance between easy money and inflation has been threaded carefully by Jerome Powell to the frustration of the Trump administration.”

“Trump is expected to announce the next Fed chairman appointment in January (although if confirmed, the change will take place in May 2026),” added Magadini. “The market expects a very Dovish appointment.”

The market expert added further detail, weighing in on how these developments could affect the price level. “Combine lower rates with geopolitical demands for deficit spending and we can see how inflation could become sticky if the US finds itself financing regime changes," he stated. “Precious metals have begun to telegraph geopolitical shifts as sovereign FX reserves have moved out of USD into various alternatives.”

“Historically geopolitical spending has been the greatest driver of deficit expansion,” he claimed. “This weekend’s geopolitical risks are likely to tilt towards inflationary despite the hope for lower oil prices. Fiat hedges rallied today and the UST curve steepened.”

Crypto Reporter

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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Last updated: 

January 6, 2026

Bitcoin nudged higher toward $93,000 on Tuesday as Asian equities pushed deeper into record territory, picking up Wall Street’s momentum after energy and financial shares helped lift the Dow Jones Industrial Average to a fresh all-time high.

Traders kept one eye on Venezuela after a US weekend operation captured President Nicolás Maduro, a jolt that initially boosted oil and energy stocks, then faded into the background as markets refocused on the week’s macro calendar.

Market snapshot

Bitcoin: $93,787, up 0.9%
Ether: $3,220, up 1%
XRP: $2.40, up 12.1%
Total crypto market cap: $3.29 trillion, up 1.4%
Oil Pulls Back As Traders Weigh Venezuela Risks And Next US StepsOil cooled after Monday’s jump. Brent slipped $0.19 to $61.57 a barrel and West Texas Intermediate eased $0.22 to $58.10 as traders weighed what Washington’s next steps could mean for Venezuelan crude flows over time.

President Donald Trump said he would put Venezuela under temporary American control and warned he could order another strike if the country does not cooperate with US efforts to open up its oil industry and curb drug trafficking.

In equities, the rally broadened across Asia. MSCI’s index of Asia Pacific shares outside Japan rose again, Japan’s Topix hit a record, and Hong Kong and mainland Chinese stocks added to gains as investors leaned into the same risk bid that carried US benchmarks higher overnight.

Wall Street set the tone overnight, closing higher as financial stocks powered the Dow Jones Industrial Average to an all-time high and energy firms rallied after a US military strike captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.

Investors bet Washington’s move could unlock access for US companies to Venezuela’s vast oil reserves, and Trump’s administration plans to meet oil executives this week to discuss boosting production.

The gains capped a third straight year of double-digit advances for major US indexes, a streak last seen in 2021.

Markets Juggle Calm FX With Busy Commodities And CryptoCurrencies told a calmer story. The US dollar held steady ahead of Friday’s jobs report after a sharp intraday swing a session earlier, when weaker factory data pulled the rug from under a short-lived dollar pop.

Commodities stayed busy even without a new shock. Copper set a record amid disruptions in Chile, and gold hovered near all-time highs at about $4,449 an ounce, keeping the hedge trade in the conversation as geopolitics stays unpredictable.

Crypto traders largely treated the Venezuela headlines as another catalyst for positioning rather than a thesis on its own.

Some analysts also linked the Venezuela story to mining economics through energy.

“Cheaper and more abundant energy would improve miner margins globally and could unlock a new phase of mining expansion, particularly in regions able to secure long-term power contracts,” Bitfinex analysts said.

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Decentralized perpetuals exchange Lighter's native token saw a notable price increase on Monday as onchain data showed signs that a token buyback program may be underway.

According to The Block's price page, Lighter's LIT rose 13.9% in the past 24 hours to trade at roughly $3.04. This price surge came as speculation circulated within the crypto community that the perps DEX started buying back its LIT token.

The price surge was bolstered by Lighter addressing the speculations via its official X account, stating that "fees generated and protocol buybacks can be tracked with the treasury account in the block explorer." The post linked to the onchain treasury address and referenced earlier commitments to allocate revenues between ecosystem growth and token buybacks based on market conditions.

While the platform has not formally confirmed the buyback, onchain treasury data shows an increase in its LIT balance. As of 10:00 p.m. ET Monday, the treasury account (Account #0) held 180,588 LIT, worth around $548,987.

The Block has reached out to Lighter for confirmation of the buyback and further comment on the matter.

The Ethereum-based DEX unveiled its native token last week, with a commitment to allocate 50% of the 1 billion supply to the ecosystem. It said that revenues from the platform and future products will be used for growth initiatives and token buybacks, depending on market conditions.

"The value created by all Lighter products and services will fully accrue to LIT holders," the team wrote at the time.

Lighter, which launched its public mainnet in October, quickly became one of the most popular perps exchanges. In December, it reported over $200 billion in monthly trade volume, outperforming Aster's $177.5 billion and Hyperliquid's $169.3 billion, according to The Block's data dashboard. Lighter recently raised $68 million at a $1.5 billion valuation, led by Founders Fund and Ribbit Capital.

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

© 2025 The Block. All Rights Reserved. This article is provided for informational purposes only. It is not offered or intended to be used as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice.

Bitmine Immersion Technologies (BMNR) announced Monday that its Ethereum holdings have reached 4.14 million ETH, valued at approximately $13.2 billion. The company now owns 3.43% of the total Ethereum supply, with 779,000 ETH already generating staking yield.

The aggressive accumulation contrasts sharply with Strategy Inc. (MSTR), which disclosed a $17.44 billion unrealized loss in the fourth quarter on the same day.

Sponsored

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Bitmine Bets On Staking YieldBitmine Chairman Tom Lee said the company acquired 32,977 ETH in the final week of 2025, maintaining its status as the largest “fresh money” buyer of Ethereum globally. The company aims to accumulate 5% of the total supply, a target Lee calls the “Alchemy of 5%.”

“We are excited about the prospects for Ethereum in 2026 given the multiple tailwinds of US government support for crypto, Wall Street embracing stablecoins and tokenization,” Lee said.

Meanwhile, Onchain Lens data showed that Bitmine staked an additional 186,336 ETH, worth $604 million, bringing total staked holdings to 779,488 ETH, valued at $2.52 billion.

Bitmine’s staking strategy addresses a core weakness of digital asset treasuries. Crypto holdings generate no income, while companies must service debt and pay dividends. The company plans to launch its Made in America Validator Network (MAVAN) in Q1 2026. At full deployment, Bitmine projects annual staking revenue of $374 million—over $1 million daily.

Strategy’s Losing Streak DeepensStrategy, the pioneering Bitcoin treasury company led by Michael Saylor, faces mounting pressure. Its stock tumbled 48% in 2025, plunging nearly 70% from the November 2024 peak. The company posted $17.44 billion in unrealized losses in the fourth quarter alone. The full-year 2025 figure came in at $5.4 billion—far smaller because gains earlier in the year partially offset the Q4 collapse.

Its stock tumbled 48% in 2025, plunging nearly 70% from the November 2024 peak. The company’s mNAV—the ratio of market cap plus debt to token holdings—has fallen to just above 1, eroding the premium investors once paid for leveraged Bitcoin exposure. Strategy established a $2.25 billion cash reserve in December to address concerns about servicing obligations, but it generates no yield from its 673,783 Bitcoin, which are worth approximately $63 billion.

Two Models, One QuestionBoth companies remain exposed to crypto volatility, but their diverging approaches—yield-generating staking versus pure price appreciation—may determine which treasury model proves sustainable as institutional adoption accelerates.

contributor

Posted: January 6, 2026

Bitcoin’s rally to $93,000 – a new yearly high has been impressive, but there are questions about its sustainability. 

Whale activity, including purchases from Binance, Coinbase, Bybit, and Wintermute, fueled this price surge. Bitcoin ETFs saw their highest inflows since October, while Japan announced its plans to embrace blockchain technology fully. 

Japan’s Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama dubbed 2026 “Digital Year One,” emphasizing Japan’s commitment to cryptocurrency with its first Bitcoin ETF.

“I think this year will be a year of digitalisation,”

However, with growing investor uncertainty, will the rally continue, or is it time to be cautious? What’s next for Bitcoin’s price? Can James Wynn’s strategy win the first time in 2026?

Whale purchases and Bitcoin’s surge
Bitcoin’s [BTC] rise was largely driven by whales, including Binance and Coinbase, who purchased over $3.5 billion worth of Bitcoin in just 10 hours on the 5th of January. With Bitcoin ETFs seeing significant inflows, including $458 million last week, it was clear that institutional interest was growing.

Source: SoSoValue

However, the big question remains: Can this bullish momentum continue, or is the market nearing a pullback?

James Wynn’s high-leverage position
James Wynn, despite being ranked among the best losers of 2025 and alongside Machi Big Brother in terms of trading performance, increased his BTC long position to $14 million, using 40x leverage.

Source: Onchain Lens

With over $750K in floating profits, his risky strategy could either pay off big or lead to significant losses if the market reverses. His decision to double down on Bitcoin positions, despite a mixed track record last year, raised doubts.

Was this the moment to fade his trades or follow his lead?

Is Bitcoin’s $93K rally sustainable?
Bitcoin recently crossed $93,000, pushing through a significant resistance level. However, a look at the RSI and MACD indicators suggested caution.

The RSI sat at 74.68, signaling potential overbought conditions, while the MACD showed signs of slowing momentum. If Bitcoin failed to break through this resistance, a correction to the $90K level could have followed.

Source: TradingView

On the other hand, breaking the $93K resistance could send BTC to $95K, easing selling pressure and perhaps even reclaiming the $98K zone, which could signal a return of confidence in the market.

Final Thoughts

Bitcoin’s rally is at a crossroads as it hits $93K. Breaking this resistance could push it to $95K or $98K, but with overbought signals, a pullback to $90K is possible.
Wynn’s high-leverage bets could lead to big gains or losses. Traders must decide whether to follow his risky moves or fade them as market sentiment shifts.

Venezuela may have quietly built a Bitcoin stash of roughly 600,000 to 660,000 BTC. That number would be worth about $56 billion to $67 billion at recent prices, intelligence reports cited by Whale Hunting analysts Bradley Hope and Clara Preve disclose.

TLDR:

Bitcoin surpassed $94,600 this Monday, reaching its highest price point in the last 30 days.
Coinbase and Robinhood recorded increases of 8% and 7% respectively, driven by high trading volumes.
Mining companies Iris Energy and Hut 8 led the sector with 13% jumps following massive AI infrastructure deals.

Digital financial markets have been marked by widespread euphoria at the start of the week. Crypto stock prices in 2026 have experienced remarkable growth in just the first few days of the year, synchronized with Bitcoin’s ascent above the $94,000 threshold. 

This move, representing a 30-day high for the pioneer cryptocurrency, also pulled up key assets like XRP, which surged 11% to $2.34, and Ethereum, which reclaimed the $3,250 level.

Institutional Momentum and AI Diversification
Coinbase (COIN) closed the trading session with a gain of nearly 8%, reaching $255 per share. Meanwhile, Robinhood (HOOD) rose 7%, leveraging the success of its new prediction markets. 

However, the most pronounced gains occurred among mining companies, whose crypto stock prices in 2026 no longer depend exclusively on token extraction, but rather on their processing capacity for Artificial Intelligence.

Iris Energy (IREN) and Hut 8 (HUT) both recorded increases exceeding 13%. This optimism responds to massive strategic moves, such as Iris Energy’s $9.7 billion agreement with Microsoft and the Google-backed partnership secured by Hut 8. 

These contracts position former miners as critical infrastructure providers for high-performance computing and data centers, diversifying their revenue streams and reducing direct exposure to the volatility of the traditional crypto market.

This landscape reinforces the narrative that the Web3 sector and conventional tech infrastructure are converging.

 With Bitcoin maintaining its momentum and industry firms signing multibillion-dollar deals with “Big Tech,” the financial ecosystem appears to be entering a phase of maturity where the utility of physical infrastructure is valued as much as the price of the digital assets that originated it.

Supply-demand squeezes and progress toward crypto-friendly legislation are two crucial price catalysts, supporting the bullish short- to medium-term price outlook.

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.

XRP-Spot ETFs Report Record Trading Volumes
The US XRP-spot ETF market took center stage on January 5, as daily trading volumes reached $72.15 million, its highest since launch on November 14. XRP-spot ETF issuers saw net inflows of $46.1 million, taking total net inflows since November 14 to $1.23 billion.

Importantly, the US XRP-spot ETF market has yet to report outflows, underscoring robust demand for the token.

XRP-spot ETF market flows, surging trading volumes, and sharply lower exchange balances fueled FOMO. According to XRP Scan, the number of active user accounts (unique senders) surged from 15,571 on January 1 to 22,567 on January 5, the highest level since December 4.

Analysts view the Market Structure Bill as the final step to legitimizing XRP as a non-security following the resolution of the SEC vs. Ripple case.

In July 2023, Judge Analisa Torres ruled that programmatic sales of XRP did not satisfy the third prong of the Howey Test. The SEC filed an appeal against the ruling before withdrawing its legal challenge in early 2025. The US Court of Appeals approved the SEC and Ripple’s appeal withdrawal requests in August 2025, enforcing Judge Torres’ ruling on the programmatic sales of XRP.

The 2023 ruling and the appeal withdrawals paved the way to the US XRP-spot ETF market, given the absence of clear rules and regulations for the US digital asset space.

An XRP Decoupling from Bitcoin in View
Crucially, analysts expect the Market Structure Bill to untap a new investor pool, more akin to trading products under robust regulatory oversight. Given XRP’s real-world utility, crypto experts predict a decoupling in 2026 from Bitcoin (BTC) and the broader crypto market.

Steven McClurg, Canary Funds CEO, recently discussed a potential decoupling, stating:

“XRP, I believe, is going to be a divergent asset, actually. […] Altcoins typically follow Bitcoin, but there are a handful of assets that I do believe will diverge in this manner and just watching XRP perform as everything’s going straight down and we continue to get inflows every day and continue to hold up, I believe that it could look like another peak in XRP in 2026, when most of other crypto assets are going to be down.”

Notably, XRP has rallied 29.13% year-to-date, while BTC has risen by a more modest 7.38%, supporting McClurg’s prediction.

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

XRP Bullish Outlook Intact
Resilient 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, hopes for Fed rate cuts, and expectations of the Senate passing the Market Structure Bill reinforced 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 events could derail the positive outlook. These include:

The Bank of Japan announces a neutral interest rate of between 1.5% and 2.5%, indicating multiple rate hikes. A higher neutral rate may incite a yen carry trade unwind, which would weigh on risk assets.
US economic indicators and the Fed are tempering expectations of a March rate cut.
The MSCI delists digital asset treasury companies (DATs). Delistings are likely to temper interest in XRP as a treasury reserve asset.
Partisan opposition to the Market Structure Bill.
XRP-spot ETFs report outflows.

These events would likely trigger a reversal, pushing XRP below $2, which would signal a bearish trend reversal.

Technical Indicators Continue to Signal Caution
XRP rallied 12.25% on Monday, January 5, following the previous day’s 3.59% gain, closing at $2.3470. The token mirrored the broader crypto market cap, which climbed 2.67%.

A five-day winning streak and early gains on Tuesday, January 6, sent XRP above its 200-day EMA. Currently trading above the 50-day and 200-day EMAs, the technical indicators align with the fundamentals, signaling bullish momentum.

Key technical levels to watch include:

Support levels: $2.0, $1.75, and then $1.50.
50-day EMA support: $2.0674.
200-day EMA support: $2.3481.
Resistance levels: $2.5, $3.0, and $3.66.

Viewing the daily chart, a sustained break above the 200-day EMA would signal a bullish trend reversal, bringing the $2.5 resistance level into play.

Crucially, the breakout above the EMAs reinforced the bullish medium-term outlook and the longer-term (8-12 weeks) $3.66 price target.

Bitcoin price started a fresh increase above $92,000. BTC is now showing bullish signs but might struggle to clear the $95,000 resistance zone.

Bitcoin started a fresh increase above the $92,200 zone.
The price is trading above $92,500 and the 100 hourly Simple moving average.
There is a key bullish trend line forming with support at $92,650 on the hourly chart of the BTC/USD pair (data feed from Kraken).
The pair might continue to move up if it stays above the $92,000 zone.

Bitcoin Price Reaches Key Resistance
Bitcoin price remained supported above the $91,200 zone and started a fresh increase. BTC gained pace for a move above the $92,000 and $92,200 resistance levels.

It even surpassed $94,000. A new multi-week high was formed at $94,783 and the price is now consolidating gains. There was a minor decline below the 23.6% Fib retracement level of the recent upward move from the $90,805 swing low to the $94,783 high.

Bitcoin is now trading above $92,500 and the 100 hourly Simple moving average. Besides, there is a key bullish trend line forming with support at $92,650 on the hourly chart of the BTC/USD pair.

If the price remains stable above $92,500, it could attempt a fresh increase. Immediate resistance is near the $94,200 level. The first key resistance is near the $94,500 level. The next resistance could be $95,000. A close above the $95,000 resistance might send the price further higher.

Source: BTCUSD on TradingView.com
In the stated case, the price could rise and test the $95,800 resistance. Any more gains might send the price toward the $96,500 level. The next barrier for the bulls could be $97,000 and $97,200.

Downside Correction In BTC?
If Bitcoin fails to rise above the $94,500 resistance zone, it could start another decline. Immediate support is near the $93,200 level. The first major support is near the $92,800 level or the 50% Fib retracement level of the recent upward move from the $90,805 swing low to the $94,783 high.

The next support is now near the $92,500 zone. Any more losses might send the price toward the $91,200 support in the near term. The main support sits at $90,000, below which BTC might accelerate lower in the near term.

Technical indicators:

Hourly MACD – The MACD is now losing pace in the bullish zone.

Hourly RSI (Relative Strength Index) – The RSI for BTC/USD is now above the 50 level.

Major Support Levels – $92,800, followed by $92,500.

Major Resistance Levels – $94,500 and $95,000.

Filecoin (FIL) recorded a strong price performance on Monday, climbing nearly 6% to trade around $1.59 over a 24-hour period, outperforming the broader cryptocurrency market. While the CoinDesk 20 index rose a more modest 2.2% during the same timeframe, FIL’s rally highlighted renewed short-term interest in storage-focused blockchain assets rather than a market-wide surge.

During the session, Filecoin advanced from approximately $1.51 to $1.59, marking a trading range of about $0.21, or nearly 14%. Despite this notable price movement, trading volume remained measured at roughly 91% of its 30-day average. According to CoinDesk Research’s technical analysis model, this volume profile suggests disciplined participation by informed traders instead of speculative excess. The activity also fell below the 110% threshold typically associated with heightened institutional involvement, reinforcing the view that the rally was driven by efficient positioning rather than aggressive accumulation.

The model indicated that Filecoin’s outperformance relative to the broader crypto benchmark reflects rotational interest into decentralized storage and infrastructure tokens, rather than any Filecoin-specific news or fundamental catalyst. With no major protocol updates or ecosystem announcements during the period, technical dynamics appeared to be the dominant force behind the move. Algorithmic and momentum-based trading strategies likely responded to short-term breakout signals, pushing prices higher in the absence of fundamental repricing.

From a technical perspective, the $1.58–$1.59 zone now serves as immediate support. A sustained move below $1.575 would undermine the current bullish structure and expose the price to a pullback toward the $1.52–$1.54 region. Below that, a broader support base remains intact in the $1.50–$1.52 range, which previously saw high-volume accumulation. On the upside, Filecoin faces resistance near $1.63, a level that must be reclaimed with stronger volume to confirm continuation. A successful breakout above $1.63 could open the door for a retest of the $1.68 session high, which stands as the next key upside target.

<Copyright ⓒ TokenPost, unauthorized reproduction and redistribution prohibited>

Journalist

Posted: January 6, 2026

Virtual [VIRTUAL] continues to attract investors. The asset traded above $1 at the time of writing, with a price of $1.05.

The year started on a low note for the memecoin, opening at $0.64. It has since risen 70%, with the gain representing about one-third of the total increase.

The trend is noteworthy, but it remains to be seen whether demand will continue driving the price higher.

Spot investors back out first
VIRTUAL has attracted many investors over the past day, prompting some to take profits.

CoinGlass Spot Exchange Netflow, which tracks whether investors are depositing or withdrawing assets from exchanges, showed that more VIRTUAL had been deposited to exchanges.

Typically, this behavior is associated with potential selling pressure, as a higher supply becomes available for sale.

Source: CoinGlass

During this period, approximately $2.95 million worth of VIRTUAL was deposited, reflecting a slight shift in investor sentiment that could influence short-term price action.

This sell-off does not yet imply a bearish outlook for VIRTUAL. Data showed that memecoin dominance reached 11% of the total market capitalization, a level previously seen before major sector gains.

So, VIRTUAL could continue benefiting from its leading performance in the memecoin sector.

Bullish outlook remains firm
Indicators showed that the bullish outlook for VIRTUAL remained strong, supporting the potential for a solid rebound.

The Average Directional Index (ADX), used to assess the strength of a trend, looked strong. When the ADX rises while the price moves upward, it signals a high likelihood that the trend will persist.

Source: CoinMarketCap

The Bull-Bear Power (BBP), which identifies whether buyers or sellers dominate, aligned with this outlook.

The BBP was 0.21% and trended upward at the time of writing, indicating more buyers than sellers and a potential continuation of upward momentum.

Fundamentals remain solid
Market fundamentals for VIRTUAL remained strong at press time, with trading volume up 15% at $325 million. The simultaneous rise in volume and price reinforced the bullish sentiment.

CoinMarketCap’s Community Sentiment, which tracks investor sentiment, confirms this bullish trend as well. About 86% of 104,000 surveyed investors hold a bullish view on VIRTUAL.

While this does not represent actual buyers, it reflects overall market sentiment.

Positive sentiment, combined with solid fundamentals and growing token utility, has helped VIRTUAL maintain a strong upward trajectory.

Continued bullish fundamentals would strengthen VIRTUAL’s position in the market.

Final Thoughts

Spot investors see recent gains as a potential profit-taking opportunity, with $2.95 million worth of the asset sold.
Investors maintain a bullish outlook, with the count rising and indicators supporting further upside.

This content is provided by a sponsor. As regulators, institutions, and innovators converge in Seoul, KBW2025 reveals how Asia has become the engine driving crypto's next global chapter.

Housing prices are heading to prediction markets, as real-time data firm Parcl partners with Polymarket to let traders wager on real estate trends.

Summary

Polymarket will roll out a new suite of real estate-focused prediction markets that settle using Parcl’s daily housing price indices.
The partnership gives traders a standardized, data-driven way to take a view on housing price movements without owning property or using leverage.
The rollout will take place in phases, marking one of the first efforts to bring housing into prediction markets in a structured, data-driven format.

The collaboration brings Parcl’s housing indices onto Polymarket, the largest prediction market platform, allowing users to trade contracts tied to whether home prices in specific cities rise or fall over defined periods such as a month, quarter, or year. Some markets will also be structured around price thresholds, settling against published index values.

Polymarket will operate the markets, while Parcl will supply the independent pricing data and settlement references used to resolve outcomes. Each market will link to a dedicated Parcl resolution page that shows final index values, historical context, and the methodology used to generate the data, to ensure transparent and verifiable settlements.

Supporters of the partnership say it addresses a long-standing challenge in real estate investing: expressing a clear view on housing prices without the complexity of buying property, using leverage, or committing capital for long-term horizons.

“Prediction markets are gaining substantial momentum and represent a paradigm shift in how views are expressed,” Parcl CEO Trevor Bacon said, adding that housing should be a core category within prediction markets.

Polymarket CMO Matthew Modabber said the use of Parcl’s daily indices provides a clear and auditable basis for resolving markets, a key requirement for scalable prediction products.

The first markets will focus on a select group of high-liquidity U.S. cities, with additional metros and market types expected to be added over time based on user demand. Parcl and Polymarket also plan to collaborate on standardized market templates to streamline market creation and improve consistency for traders.

The rollout will take place in phases, marking one of the first efforts to bring housing—often described as the world’s largest asset class—into prediction markets in a structured, data-driven format.

Zcash price action remains constructive despite recent weakness, with ZEC still up nearly 40% over the past 30 days after rebounding strongly from early December lows. This performance highlights a broader recovery trend, even though momentum has cooled in the short term. Over the past seven days, Zcash has declined around 8%, underperforming Bitcoin, which has continued to push higher. This divergence is important, as Zcash has historically shown a negative correlation with Bitcoin, often delaying near-term breakouts when BTC strength dominates the market.

Despite the pullback, Zcash’s overall bullish structure remains intact. Price action continues to consolidate following a strong impulse move from early December, forming a bull flag rather than a topping pattern. As long as this structure holds, the broader breakout thesis, including the projected 85% upside move, remains valid. However, underlying momentum indicators suggest caution. The Chaikin Money Flow (CMF), which measures capital inflows and outflows, has trended lower even as price attempted to stabilize. Between December 24 and January 5, ZEC moved higher while CMF declined, signaling weakening buying pressure.

CMF is now hovering near the zero line, a critical threshold. A sustained move below zero would suggest capital outflows, increasing the risk of short-term downside. This risk is amplified by the recent unshielding of approximately 202,000 ZEC, representing about 1.2% of the circulating supply. While unshielding does not automatically imply selling, it does increase visible supply and can weigh on price if demand softens.

Derivatives data reinforces the idea of near-term pressure but longer-term support. Short-term liquidation data shows heavier short exposure, increasing volatility risk, while the 30-day view favors long positions, indicating continued confidence among longer-term traders. Bitcoin’s strength remains a key variable, as Zcash’s negative correlation continues to suppress upside momentum.

From a technical perspective, ZEC must reclaim higher resistance levels to confirm a breakout. A decisive move above $519 would signal renewed strength, while clearing $541 could trigger short liquidations and accelerate gains. On the downside, $404 remains the critical support level. Losing it would invalidate the bullish structure and suggest a deeper correction. Overall, Zcash remains structurally bullish, but patience may be required as short-term pressures play out.

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TL;DR

American Bitcoin Corp. (ABTC) holds 5,427 BTC, ranking 19th among global corporate Bitcoin treasuries.
Its shares have returned ~105% in BTC terms since its Nasdaq debut in September 2025.
The stock trades at a premium to its asset value (mNAV), reflecting investor demand for direct Bitcoin equity exposure.

American Bitcoin Corp. (ABTC), a Hut 8 subsidiary based in Miami, reports a reserve of 5,427 BTC, placing the company as the 19th-largest corporate Bitcoin treasury worldwide. The company shared the figure on X and reported a ~105% BTC return from its Nasdaq debut on September 3, 2025, through January 2, 2026. Investors now read a clearer balance-sheet signal from a miner that pairs production with steady accumulation.

Midday on January 5, 2026, ABTC trades 13.33% higher versus the dollar. The share price rises 19% over five days and shows a decline a little above 9% over 30 days. Shares continue to trade at a premium to mNAV, pointing to demand for bitcoin-linked equity with balance-sheet exposure to the asset.

Race inside the corporate Bitcoin treasury ranks
A reserve near 5,427 BTC lifts American Bitcoin above KindlyMD in public rankings and leaves a gap of roughly 407 BTC to Next Technology Holdings (NXTT) at ~5,833 BTC. Closing in on Galaxy Digital Holdings at 6,894 BTC would require about 1,467 BTC. Treasury tables matter because they convey accumulation capacity, cash discipline, and funding access for growth during volatile cycles.

American Bitcoin has increased its total Bitcoin reserve to ~5,427 BTC and achieved a BTC Yield of ~105.0% from its Nasdaq debut on September 3, 2025 through January 2, 2026. pic.twitter.com/KbEujDVriw

— American Bitcoin (@ABTC) January 5, 2026

Among 34 public miners, ABTC posts the third-strongest Monday gain, trailing only Soluna Holdings (SLNH) and Argo Blockchain (ARBK). Flows favor issuers with rising BTC inventories and operating metrics that support competitive extraction costs.

American Bitcoin continues to build a model centered on mining and accumulation, using a treasury in Bitcoin as part of liquidity management. A larger reserve strengthens the equity cushion, expands operating torque when BTC rallies, and supplies liquid collateral for power deals, equipment orders, and expansion plans.

Management emphasizes BTC-denominated performance and disciplined adds. Measuring returns in Bitcoin reduces dollar-noise and helps investors track relative efficiency versus peers. A premium to mNAV also implies confidence in asset quality, cost structure, and governance after the Nasdaq listing under ticker ABTC.

Elevated BTC dominance favors names with on-balance-sheet exposure. Investors track hash rate durability, power agreements, and capex prudence. American Bitcoin scores well across those points by reporting a 5,427 BTC vault and by posting a BTC-based return that stands out inside the miner cohort.

XRP and Dogecoin have emerged as early leaders in the crypto market in the first week of 2026, driven by renewed risk-on sentiment and fresh inflows into U.S. spot ETFs. Data from SoSoValue highlights a clear divergence in investor behavior, with XRP attracting steady institutional capital while Dogecoin benefits from momentum-driven and leveraged trading activity.

XRP spot ETFs continued to extend their positive inflow streak, recording net inflows of $13.59 million on January 2 alone. This marked the 33rd consecutive day of inflows since these products launched in mid-November. Total net assets across XRP spot ETFs have now reached approximately $1.37 billion, underscoring persistent institutional demand even as other crypto ETFs experienced sporadic outflows toward the end of 2025. The consistent capital allocation suggests growing confidence in XRP as a long-term digital asset exposure within regulated investment vehicles.

Price action has reflected this trend. After trading in a narrow range earlier in the week, XRP pushed toward the $2.30 level, reclaiming key short-term support around $2. This move helped ease selling pressure that dominated late 2025 and reinforced a more constructive technical outlook as liquidity tightens through ETF accumulation.

Dogecoin ETFs, while smaller in scale, also showed renewed activity. After weeks of muted flows, spot Dogecoin ETFs recorded $2.3 million in net inflows on January 2, lifting total assets to $8.34 million. Although the absolute figures remain modest compared with XRP, the increase represents a clear acceleration from December’s low-volume conditions. DOGE prices responded accordingly, climbing from the low-$0.13 range to around $0.14, supported by broader memecoin strength and improving market sentiment.

Leverage has further amplified Dogecoin’s performance. According to Bloomberg ETF analyst Eric Balchunas, 2x leveraged Dogecoin ETFs ranked among the top-performing ETFs in the U.S. market during the opening days of 2026, posting outsized gains in a short period. Overall, the data points to XRP’s role as a steady institutional favorite and Dogecoin’s appeal as a high-beta, momentum-driven asset in the current crypto cycle.

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Bitcoin’s rebound above $94,000 on January 5 reignited bold price predictions across Crypto Twitter, including a fresh call from YoungHoon Kim, who claimed Bitcoin would hit $100,000 within 48 hours.

The comment quickly gained traction, partly due to timing and partly because of Kim’s controversial reputation for extreme Bitcoin forecasts.

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Self-Proclaimed Smartest Man Alive Keeps Getting Bitcoin Prediction Wrong?Kim, a South Korean online personality, rose to popularity in late 2025 after repeatedly describing himself as having an IQ of 276 and positioning his market views as superior to traditional analysis. 

His Bitcoin predictions often go viral, even as many traders view them with skepticism.

In November, Kim predicted Bitcoin would surge to $220,000 within 45 days, a forecast that failed to materialize. 

In December, he also claimed Bitcoin would break $100,000 within a week. 

Instead, Bitcoin spent most of December trading below $90,000, weighed down by macro uncertainty, year-end positioning, and fading momentum.

Didn't you just recently tweet that you are smarter then Michael as you have higher IQ, and you are bearish on Bitcoin?

Did you delete that tweet?

Are you a scammer, new mr. Ex Googl Ex Meta Tech Lead idiot?

— Plamen Andonov (@Plamen__Andonov) January 5, 2026
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That context matters. Kim’s earlier calls came during periods when Bitcoin lacked clear catalysts and broader risk sentiment remained fragile. The market simply did not support the kind of parabolic move his timelines required.

This week’s setup looks different, but not dramatically so.

Are Bitcoin Charts Turning Bullish Again?Bitcoin’s move back to $94,000 followed a risk-on open in US stock markets. Wall Street investors interpreted the weekend’s Venezuela escalation as contained and unlikely to disrupt global markets. 

Stocks moved higher, energy names outperformed, and crypto followed equities rather than acting as a safe haven.

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Still, the jump does not automatically justify a $100,000 breakout within 48 hours. Bitcoin remains sensitive to equity sentiment. 

While momentum has improved, there is no clear sign of panic buying, supply shock, or structural catalyst that typically drives rapid six-figure moves.

Also, on-chain data weakens the case for an imminent vertical breakout. 

Yes, Bitcoin long-term holders (LTH) have spent massive amount of coins, but not at new record levels as suggested by some data.

A significant portion of LTH spending was due to exchange internal transactions.

In November 26, 2025, the 30-day sum of LTH spending was a… pic.twitter.com/LAGroGNLdp

— Julio Moreno (@jjcmoreno) January 5, 2026
While long-term holder (LTH) spending spiked in late November, a large share of that activity came from exchange internal transfers—particularly Coinbase. They were not a genuine distribution into the market. 

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While long-term holders moved a large amount of Bitcoin in late November, much of that activity came from internal exchange transfers, especially from Coinbase, rather than real selling into the market. 

Once those internal movements are excluded, long-term holder behavior looks active but not extreme. This suggests repositioning rather than the kind of demand surge needed for a sharp breakout.

Derivatives funding remains stable. Exchange inflows are muted. Volatility has risen, but not explosively. In other words, the rally looks controlled rather than euphoric.

Kim’s latest prediction aligns with market optimism—but his timeline remains aggressive. Bitcoin could test psychological resistance near $100,000 in the coming weeks if risk appetite holds. 

A near-term breakout, however, would likely require a stronger catalyst than improved sentiment alone.

For now, the call sits somewhere between confidence and wishful thinking. Bitcoin is moving again, but the market is still trading structure, not slogans.

Bitmine Immersion Technologies said its combined crypto, cash and strategic holdings have climbed to $14.2 billion, underscoring the company’s aggressive push to become the world’s dominant Ethereum treasury.

Summary

Bitmine, a Bitcoin and Ethereum-focused firm, now holds more than 4.1 million Ether—about 3.4% of the total ETH supply.
Bitmine is the largest ETH holder globally and the second-largest crypto treasury overall.
“We are excited about the prospects for Ethereum in 2026 given the multiple tailwinds of US government support for crypto,” said Thomas “Tom” Lee of Fundstrat, Chairman of Bitmine.

As of Jan. 4, Bitmine reported crypto and cash holdings led by 4,143,502 ETH valued at roughly $13.2 billion, 192 bitcoin, $915 million in cash and a $25 million stake in Eightco Holdings. The company said it added nearly 33,000 ETH in the past week alone, even as broader market activity slowed into year-end.

Chairman Tom Lee of Fundstrat said Bitmine expects Ethereum to benefit in 2026 from growing institutional adoption, tokenization efforts and increased demand for digital authentication, adding that last year’s rally in commodities and precious metals could support higher crypto prices.

Bitmine has also ramped up staking activity, with 659,219 ETH—worth about $2.1 billion—currently staked, a sharp increase from the prior week. At scale, the company estimates staking fees could exceed $370 million annually, supported by its planned Made in America Validator Network, or MAVAN, slated for launch in early 2026.

The company is asking shareholders to approve an increase in authorized shares at its Jan. 15 annual meeting, a move Lee said would give Bitmine flexibility to raise capital, pursue acquisitions and manage future share splits while continuing to build ETH per share.

Bitmine said its growing profile has translated into heavy trading activity, with average daily dollar volume near $1 billion in early January, placing it among the most actively traded U.S. stocks.

Bitcoin once helped Venezuelans survive hyperinflation—and opposition leader María Corina Machado is hopeful that it one day could help rebuild the country’s economy.

Summary

Machado once pointed to Bitcoin as both a hedge against state mismanagement and a potential pillar of national recovery.
Venezuela’s opposition leader argues that digital assets offered ordinary citizens a rare escape from inflation, capital controls and financial censorship under successive authoritarian governments.
Prediction markets such as Kalshi place Machado’s odds of leading Venezuela by the end of 2026 at roughly 27%.

Machado has repeatedly cited Bitcoin’s role in helping Venezuelans protect their savings as the bolívar collapsed, losing 14 zeros since 1999. In 2024, she described Bitcoin as a “lifeline” that allowed citizens to bypass government-controlled exchange rates and preserve—sometimes even recover—their wealth amid economic freefall.

“We envision Bitcoin as part of our national reserves, helping rebuild what the dictatorship stole,” Machado said at the time.

Her comments came as Venezuela faced renewed turmoil following the disputed July 2024 presidential election.

Today, Venezuela’s economy is in more profound disarray. Nicolás Maduro, who claimed a third consecutive term in 2024 even though his opposition, Edmundo González, won by a landslide, has been arrested due to a U.S. military operation.

Maduro’s vice president and oil minister, Delcy Rodriguez, was formally sworn in on Monday, January 5, as the country’s interim president. Still, President Donald Trump insists that the U.S. is “in charge” of Venezuela following the capture of Maduro.

While Maduro was in power…
Venezuela has been suffering from a devastating economic squeeze — intensified by a government that restricted access to major crypto platforms, including Binance. Caracas also abandoned its state-backed cryptocurrency, the Petro, after years of scandals and operational failures.

Bitcoin and other crypto assets increasingly filled the gap. Machado’s fellow opposition figure. Leopoldo López, said in 2023 that crypto—particularly stablecoins—helped bypass banking controls and volatility, noting that digital assets were used to distribute aid to roughly 65,000 healthcare workers during the pandemic.

With Maduro reportedly captured by U.S. forces on Jan. 3, 2026, and prediction markets such as Kalshi placing Machado’s odds of leading Venezuela by the end of 2026 at roughly 27%, analysts say crypto could again feature prominently in the country’s recovery debate.

However, Machado was blocked from running in Venezuela’s 2024 presidential election after the country’s Supreme Tribunal of Justice upheld a 15-year political ban against her. The Maduro government justified the disqualification by accusing Machado of administrative violations and supporting international sanctions against the regime—claims she has denied as politically motivated.

The Organization of American States, the European Union and Human Rights Watch condemned the move as an effort to sideline the leading opposition candidate and undermine a free and fair election.

With Maduro now in a New York City prison for an alleged narco-terrorism conspiracy, it remains to be seen whether the ban against Machado will remain in place.

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Home Other-News Bitcoin Millionaire Addresses Decline Amid 2025 Market Shifts

Maheen Hernandez

January 6, 2026

In 2025, the number of Bitcoin addresses identified as holding at least $1 million dropped significantly, decreasing by approximately 7,485. This development coincided with an increase in Bitcoin wallets valued over $10 million, suggesting a concentration of wealth within fewer individuals or entities. This occurred despite notable growth in exchange-traded fund (ETF) inflows and early-year price gains.

Market analysts observe that the decline in millionaire addresses reflects shifting dynamics within the cryptocurrency market. The rise in wealth concentration may indicate that larger investors are consolidating their holdings, potentially influencing market movements. Some experts attribute this trend to Bitcoin’s volatile nature, which can result in rapid shifts in individual net worth and address statuses.

The broader context includes Bitcoin’s status as the pioneering cryptocurrency, often described as a digital gold due to its fixed supply and decentralized nature. Its market role is significant, influencing trends across the entire cryptocurrency sector. However, Bitcoin’s price can be highly volatile, impacted by various factors including regulatory developments, macroeconomic conditions, and technological advancements.

The increase in ETF inflows highlights growing institutional interest in the cryptocurrency sector, as these funds often offer a more regulated and accessible entry point for investors. ETFs can attract substantial capital, potentially affecting Bitcoin’s price stability and liquidity.

Despite the changing distribution of Bitcoin wealth, the cryptocurrency remains a key asset within the digital finance landscape. However, its volatility presents inherent risks, which can lead to fluctuating fortunes for investors. As larger Bitcoin holders consolidate wealth, smaller investors may face increased challenges in navigating this complex market.

Looking ahead, market participants will be monitoring regulatory developments, especially as governments worldwide consider frameworks for cryptocurrencies. The evolving regulatory landscape could have widespread implications for investor confidence and market participation.

No response has been released from Bitcoin’s largest holders regarding their increased concentration of wealth. The market remains attentive to upcoming data releases and potential regulatory announcements that may influence future trends.

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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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US companies moving into Venezuela to extract the country’s enormous crude oil reserves could lower electricity prices for Bitcoin miners and improve their profitability margins, analysts at crypto exchange Bitfinex said.

“Cheaper and more abundant energy would improve miner margins globally and could unlock a new phase of mining expansion, particularly in regions able to secure long-term power contracts,” the Bitfinex analysts said in a note on Monday.

The US started seizing Venezuelan oil tankers in December, and it is expected to start extracting Venezuela's 303 billion barrels worth of crude oil reserves after capturing Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro on Saturday.

Chevron is the only major US oil company currently operational in Venezuela, but US President Donald Trump is pushing for other big players to move into the country to start producing.

The intervention will have “immediate spillover effects” in the energy markets and second-order implications for Bitcoin (BTC) and the broader cryptocurrency market, the Bitfinex analysts said, while adding that only a fraction of Venezuela's oil reserves would need to be tapped to meaningfully impact energy prices. 

Source: The Kobeissi LetterIt could provide much-needed relief for Bitcoin miners, whose profitability has been squeezed by a 25% drop in Bitcoin from its all-time high, rising mining difficulty, and increasing electricity costs.

US may need a decade to make Venezuela a “production powerhouse”However, “Any meaningful increase in Venezuelan output would take years, not months,” the Bitfinex analysts said, adding that the pace will hinge on how the US handles Venezuela’s political transition and sanctions that linger over the South American country.

It may even take a decade for the US to make the most of Venezuela’s oil reserves, Matt Mena, crypto research strategist at crypto asset manager 21Shares, said in a note:

“While the long-term potential is vast, analysts estimate it would require a decade and over $100 billion in infrastructure investment to restore the country to its former status as a production powerhouse.”Venezuelan oil production has tanked over the decades In the 1970s, Venezuela produced around 3.5 million barrels per day — representing roughly 7% of global crude output — but that figure has since fallen to around 1 million barrels per day and now only accounts for about 1% of global production.

The collapse in economic output has largely occurred under the country’s socialist regime, with the Venezuelan bolívar losing 99.99% of its purchasing power since Maduro took over in 2013, while human rights and political freedoms have been severely repressed.

Crude oil prices fell following the US intervention, with the US benchmark dropping to roughly $58 per barrel, down 3% from December’s high of about $60 — a marginal relief for Bitcoin miners whose electricity costs rely on crude oil.

As for the broader crypto market, the Bitfinex analysts said prices are “likely to be driven less by energy fundamentals and more by shifts in macro risk appetite, volatility and cross-asset positioning.”

Magazine: Quantum attacking Bitcoin would be a waste of time: Kevin O’Leary

In the latest close session, Western Union (WU - Free Report) was up +2.17% at $9.43. This move outpaced the S&P 500's daily gain of 0.64%. Meanwhile, the Dow gained 1.23%, and the Nasdaq, a tech-heavy index, added 0.69%.

Coming into today, shares of the money transfer company had gained 2.1% in the past month. In that same time, the Business Services sector gained 1.24%, while the S&P 500 gained 0.55%.

The investment community will be paying close attention to the earnings performance of Western Union in its upcoming release. The company is expected to report EPS of $0.43, up 7.5% from the prior-year quarter. Alongside, our most recent consensus estimate is anticipating revenue of $1.05 billion, indicating a 1.14% downward movement from the same quarter last year.

WU's full-year Zacks Consensus Estimates are calling for earnings of $1.73 per share and revenue of $4.09 billion. These results would represent year-over-year changes of -0.57% and 0%, respectively.

Investors should also pay attention to any latest changes in analyst estimates for Western Union. Recent revisions tend to reflect the latest near-term business trends. Hence, positive alterations in estimates signify analyst optimism regarding the business and profitability.

Based on our research, we believe these estimate revisions are directly related to near-term stock moves. To take advantage of this, we've established the Zacks Rank, an exclusive model that considers these estimated changes and delivers an operational rating system.

The Zacks Rank system, running from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), holds an admirable track record of superior performance, independently audited, with #1 stocks contributing an average annual return of +25% since 1988. Over the last 30 days, the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has witnessed an unchanged state. Western Union currently has a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold).

With respect to valuation, Western Union is currently being traded at a Forward P/E ratio of 5.17. This represents a discount compared to its industry average Forward P/E of 12.55.

One should further note that WU currently holds a PEG ratio of 2.78. The PEG ratio bears resemblance to the frequently used P/E ratio, but this parameter also includes the company's expected earnings growth trajectory. WU's industry had an average PEG ratio of 0.92 as of yesterday's close.

The Financial Transaction Services industry is part of the Business Services sector. This industry currently has a Zacks Industry Rank of 198, which puts it in the bottom 20% of all 250+ industries.

The Zacks Industry Rank evaluates the power of our distinct industry groups by determining the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks forming the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.

You can find more information on all of these metrics, and much more, on Zacks.com.

MPLX LP (MPLX - Free Report) closed at $53.30 in the latest trading session, marking a -1.06% move from the prior day. The stock's change was less than the S&P 500's daily gain of 0.64%. Meanwhile, the Dow gained 1.23%, and the Nasdaq, a tech-heavy index, added 0.69%.

Prior to today's trading, shares of the company had lost 3.56% lagged the Oils-Energy sector's gain of 1.8% and the S&P 500's gain of 0.55%.

Market participants will be closely following the financial results of MPLX LP in its upcoming release. The company's earnings per share (EPS) are projected to be $1.1, reflecting a 2.8% increase from the same quarter last year. Meanwhile, our latest consensus estimate is calling for revenue of $3.4 billion, up 10.97% from the prior-year quarter.

Looking at the full year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates suggest analysts are expecting earnings of $4.75 per share and revenue of $13.15 billion. These totals would mark changes of +12.83% and 0%, respectively, from last year.

Any recent changes to analyst estimates for MPLX LP should also be noted by investors. Recent revisions tend to reflect the latest near-term business trends. As a result, upbeat changes in estimates indicate analysts' favorable outlook on the business health and profitability.

Our research shows that these estimate changes are directly correlated with near-term stock prices. To benefit from this, we have developed the Zacks Rank, a proprietary model which takes these estimate changes into account and provides an actionable rating system.

The Zacks Rank system, spanning from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), boasts an impressive track record of outperformance, audited externally, with #1 ranked stocks yielding an average annual return of +25% since 1988. Within the past 30 days, our consensus EPS projection remained stagnant. MPLX LP currently has a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold).

Valuation is also important, so investors should note that MPLX LP has a Forward P/E ratio of 12.24 right now. This denotes a discount relative to the industry average Forward P/E of 15.65.

The Oil and Gas - Production and Pipelines industry is part of the Oils-Energy sector. This industry currently has a Zacks Industry Rank of 42, which puts it in the top 18% of all 250+ industries.

The Zacks Industry Rank evaluates the power of our distinct industry groups by determining the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks forming the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.

Be sure to follow all of these stock-moving metrics, and many more, on Zacks.com.

In the latest close session, Snap (SNAP - Free Report) was up +1.48% at $8.25. The stock's performance was ahead of the S&P 500's daily gain of 0.64%. Elsewhere, the Dow saw an upswing of 1.23%, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq appreciated by 0.69%.

The stock of company behind Snapchat has risen by 2.78% in the past month, leading the Computer and Technology sector's loss of 0.21% and the S&P 500's gain of 0.55%.

Analysts and investors alike will be keeping a close eye on the performance of Snap in its upcoming earnings disclosure. The company is forecasted to report an EPS of $0.15, showcasing a 6.25% downward movement from the corresponding quarter of the prior year. Meanwhile, our latest consensus estimate is calling for revenue of $1.7 billion, up 9.12% from the prior-year quarter.

For the annual period, the Zacks Consensus Estimates anticipate earnings of $0.32 per share and a revenue of $5.91 billion, signifying shifts of +10.34% and 0%, respectively, from the last year.

Additionally, investors should keep an eye on any recent revisions to analyst forecasts for Snap. These revisions help to show the ever-changing nature of near-term business trends. Therefore, positive revisions in estimates convey analysts' confidence in the business performance and profit potential.

Our research reveals that these estimate alterations are directly linked with the stock price performance in the near future. To take advantage of this, we've established the Zacks Rank, an exclusive model that considers these estimated changes and delivers an operational rating system.

The Zacks Rank system ranges from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell). It has a remarkable, outside-audited track record of success, with #1 stocks delivering an average annual return of +25% since 1988. Within the past 30 days, our consensus EPS projection remained stagnant. Snap is currently sporting a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold).

In terms of valuation, Snap is currently trading at a Forward P/E ratio of 16.68. This indicates a discount in contrast to its industry's Forward P/E of 24.2.

Meanwhile, SNAP's PEG ratio is currently 0.77. Comparable to the widely accepted P/E ratio, the PEG ratio also accounts for the company's projected earnings growth. SNAP's industry had an average PEG ratio of 1.54 as of yesterday's close.

The Internet - Software industry is part of the Computer and Technology sector. Currently, this industry holds a Zacks Industry Rank of 58, positioning it in the top 24% of all 250+ industries.

The Zacks Industry Rank evaluates the power of our distinct industry groups by determining the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks forming the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.

Ensure to harness Zacks.com to stay updated with all these stock-shifting metrics, among others, in the next trading sessions.