Market Signal Briefing

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The need for XRP Ledger (XRPL) to consider an automatic inheritance mechanism has again been reemphasized. A member of the community on X with the user name Leonidas noted that having this mechanism in place will prevent XRP from being permanently lost due to death or inactivity.

XRPL dead man's switch proposal to prevent loss of XRPLeonidas shed light on an earlier proposed XRP Ledger "dead man’s switch" amendment. He stated that the amendment is to guarantee an automatic transfer of assets to pre-set beneficiaries after an account has been inactive for a specified period of time.

This idea was originally suggested by XRPL contributor Kris Dangerfield in November 2024. Just like Leonidas, Dangerfield believes the dead man's switch will enhance user safety and adoption. After his suggestion, progress on implementation stalled until September 2025.

Currently, given the security associated with self-custody wallets, if someone loses their private keys or dies without sharing their details, the asset becomes permanently inaccessible. Hence, Leonidas believes activating the XRPL dead man’s switch could prevent associated loss of assets.

XRPL "dead man's switch" ☠️

⚠️One of the biggest concerns around crypto and self custody is the chance of losing your keys or failing to transfer ownership to an heir, in case of death.

There have been many examples of holders losing millions of tokens, including $XRP, due to…

— Leonidas (@LeoHadjiloizou) January 17, 2026 Notably, millions of dollars’ worth of crypto assets, including XRP, have already been lost due to the death of the holder or loss of the private key. However, if a "dead man's switch" is added to XRP Ledger, it will serve as a fail-safe mechanism.

The idea is that if the original account shows no activity for a predefined period, the system would automatically transfer the XRP to the beneficiary’s account. This will prevent the loss of XRP upon the death of the original holder.

Leonidas believes that the implementation of a dead man's switch could reduce the fear of losing funds forever. The feature will also make self-custody more attractive and increase long-term confidence in holding XRP outside exchanges.

XRPL utility push gains momentum You Might Also Like

In another development, a top Ripple developer Panos Mekras has advocated for a shift in speculative trading of XRP. Mekras charged the community to build network utility and make XRP Ledger a leading chain.

He opines that this will make for mass adoption and prevent XRPL from fading into irrelevance. Mekras insists that real usage and network activity will strengthen XRPL and stop it from underperforming relative to other blockchains.

Meanwhile, the COO of XRPL Labs and Xaman Wallet, Robert Kiuru, has said the next frontier of the XRP Ledger ecosystem will be batch transactions. According to Kiuru, to make XRPL more sustainable, there is a need to build and operate proper businesses on the ledger.

XRP is once again in focus as multiple market analysts turn increasingly optimistic about its price outlook, with some predicting that the token could reach $20 during the current market cycle.

After months of sideways movement, the Community believes XRP is building the foundation for a major rally. While short-term volatility remains possible, most experts agree that XRP’s long-term trend is still positive and that the current phase looks similar to past periods that came before strong price surges.

Analysts Predict Double-Digit XRP Prices This CycleTop XRP analysts believe the token is entering the final stage of its market cycle, which has historically produced the strongest price gains.

Market analyst EGRAG Crypto stated that XRP’s chart is “screaming $20,” pointing to repeated price behavior seen in previous cycles. He explained that XRP has completed several growth phases and is now in a temporary cooling period before the next major upward move begins.

Another analyst, Leb Crypto, highlighted XRP’s long-term base formation, saying the token is setting up for a major swing higher with targets at $7 and $19.50. He believes XRP has spent years building strength and that such long consolidation phases usually lead to powerful breakouts.

Charter, a technical analyst, compared XRP’s current structure to its 2017 bull run. He noted that XRP previously surged, paused for several months, and then delivered a second, much larger rally. According to him, XRP is now in a similar pause phase, which could be followed by a strong price expansion.

Why Analysts Believe a Major XRP Rally Is ComingXRP is following a familiar historical pattern. In previous cycles, XRP moved slowly at first, then rallied, paused again, and finally exploded higher when the broader altcoin market took off.

The altcoin already completed its first major breakout in late 2024. Since then, it has been moving in a tight range, which they view as a healthy reset rather than weakness.

Key price levels also support this view. Holding above the $2 area is a sign of strength. A break above the previous high near $3.65 could open the door for a much larger move.

However, on the bearish end,  XRP Price could briefly dip toward $1.65 if the wider market weakens. Such a drop would not damage the overall bullish structure and could act as a final shakeout before a rally.

On-Chain Data Shows Whales Quietly Accumulating XRPBlockchain data adds weight to the bullish case. According to data from CryptoQuant, large investors continue to buy XRP in both spot and futures markets. These “whales” are increasing their holdings while prices remain calm.

Historically, this type of accumulation has appeared before major price rallies, as large investors tend to position early before public interest returns.

Analysts say this behavior suggests that smart money views current XRP prices as attractive, expecting higher levels in the months ahead.

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

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

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PI seems stuck. What can get it out of its winter hibernation?

The cryptocurrency markets experienced a wild start to the new year, with BTC surging by almost ten grand to a two-month peak of $98,000 before it was stopped. Many altcoins posted even more impressive gains mid-week but have failed to double down.

Pi Network’s native token, though, cannot say the same. It has been stuck in consolidation for several weeks, without any clear indication whether it will be able to break out of the $0.20 and $0.22 range. As such, we decided to ask ChatGPT what is needed for PI to finally move out of this rather dull trading zone.

What’s Holding You Down, PI? The Core Team behind the controversial project already released its first major update for the year, which promises to slash the needed time for PI payment integrations under ten minutes. However, it failed to impact the underlying asset.

ChatGPT believes there’s reason to this (lack of) madness. First, it said supply overhang is crushing the momentum. Unlike most other liquid altcoins, PI is dealing with heavy unlock pressure. As more tokens become transferable, any upside attempt quickly runs into selling from early participants who had waited a long time for their assets.

Data from PiScanUnlock shows that over 4.5 million tokens on average will be freed in the next 30 days, which is expected to intensify the immediate selling pressure.

ChatGPT also said there are no external capital inflows. Most altcoin rallies have been fueled by new capital rotating out of BTC, but PI remains largely isolated. Lastly, the AI noted that the ecosystem growth hasn’t translated to price gains.

So, What Do You Need, PI? The AI solution believes PI will “require one or more major catalysts, not just routine updates” to break out of the $0.20-$0.22 range. It listed a clear, unavoidable use case that creates real demand, such as at least one of the following:

You may also like: Bitcoin (BTC) Plunges Before the FOMC Meeting, Pi Network (PI) Soars by 15%: Market Watch Large-scale merchant adoption using PI as payment A widely used PI-native application that requires the token to function Network mechanics that reduce circulating supply (burns, locks, staking) Second, ChatGPT outlined liquidity expansion beyond the Core Community. This doesn’t necessarily mean a listing from a big exchange, such as Binance or Coinbase, but it requires capital from outside the PI ecosystem.

Lastly, the AI solution said PI needs a supply narrative shift as markets respond to strong changes in such dynamics. If the Core Team introduces slower unlock schedules, long-term lock incentives, or deflationary mechanics, then even modest demand can suddenly have a much larger price impact.

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When an asset jumps in just a few days, it's all too common for people to assume that they're simply too late to get any more upside. Worse, some investors treat an asset's price flying as a trigger to buy more than what's advisable. That reflex is especially dangerous in crypto, where prices frequently get quite far ahead of reality, only to trip over it and leave buyers with brutal losses.

On that note, the privacy coin Monero (XMR 11.57%) just delivered exactly that temptation on a silver platter, with a steep multi-day run. Monero's price rose by a shocking 19% on Jan. 12, and then jump again on Jan. 13, making for a 44% gain in just five days. (To be sure, the crypto surrendered some of those gains in the following days.) In the past, many commentators, including yours truly, have argued that it's a better idea to avoid this coin than to buy it. Is that still a smart move, or has something fundamentally changed about this asset that makes it a buy despite its soaring price?

Image source: Getty Images.

There's still no fix to this coin's most pressing problem So, what's making Monero's price go wild?

If you're looking for a major protocol upgrade, news of a major exchange relisting, or a sudden favorable change in the way regulators have tended to treat the coin and other privacy-focused crypto assets, you won't find it. There's not any obvious catalyst for the coin's rise, though there is a lot of chatter about privacy coins and privacy tech on social media, which, to be clear, does not count as a catalyst either. And thanks to the coin's privacy features, it's difficult to conclusively identify who is buying it, so there isn't necessarily a satisfying answer forthcoming.

Looking at its investment thesis, there also isn't any new wrinkle to justify its valuation rising higher. Monero's privacy-by-default design enables private transactions for everyone right out of the box, which is all well and good, but it's also the source of the asset's investability problem.

As long as financial regulators around the world view privacy tech as a threat to their ability to conduct oversight, this asset is going to be confined to the edges of the crypto-financial system, with exchanges consistently pressured to avoid listing it.

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The price climbing by a lot doesn't change that dynamic.

Privacy is still treated as a hazard It's easy to assume that the regulators who are skeptical today will eventually become more comfortable with privacy coins.

But financial regulation is not built around normal human needs like privacy, and you probably shouldn't hold your breath in hopes of that changing. Those regulations are built around promoting enforceability of laws by mandating anti-money laundering (AML) and know your customer (KYC) rules, not to mention other requirements about traceability and the ability to conduct forensic investigations of capital flows when something goes wrong.

The Dubai International Financial Center (DIFC), a critical global crypto-financial center, just provided a timely example of this posture as it relates to Monero specifically. Newly imposed rules in early January prohibit privacy coins for a wide range of purposes, though the regulations stop well short of an all-out ban on holding them. This isn't the only regulator with concerns by any means, but it's a fresh reminder that assets like Monero simply aren't fully legal in many important jurisdictions.

And that inevitably feeds directly into access. Even if you like Monero, you need a plan for getting your capital into the coin, and then how to take it out later, ideally after a gain. The major crypto exchange Kraken, for example, delisted Monero in 2024 for its clients in parts of Europe as a result of regulatory changes, which limits access for many mainstream investors and inflicted a headache on holders who purchased it before the delisting.

Could the situation improve? Sure; one bullish scenario would involve the implementation of more favorable rules that let crypto exchanges list privacy-preserving assets. A second scenario is if there's continued migration of purchasing activity to exchanges based in jurisdictions without any regulations prohibiting privacy coins. But neither of those scenarios make Monero an easy holding to feel good about buying right now.

So is Monero still something to avoid? For most long-term investors, yes, as it's simply not wise to invest in an asset that's in the process of being restricted in important places. Let the excitement pass, don't fall victim to crypto FOMO (fear of missing out), and keep your capital in assets you can easily access.

The time to buy and hold Monero for the long term may yet come, but for those who don't already own the coin, it probably isn't right now.

The privacy coin sector is witnessing a massive resurgence, and Dash (DASH) is leading the charge. Since the start of 2026, the asset has outperformed major players like $Bitcoin and $Ethereum, posting gains of over 90% in less than three weeks.

What is Dash? The "Digital Cash" ProtocolDash was launched to solve the scalability and privacy issues of earlier blockchains. It uses a unique Masternode system that allows for features like InstantSend (settling transactions in seconds) and PrivateSend. For investors tracking the latest crypto news, Dash is currently the hottest "legacy" project being rediscovered.

Why is DASH Surging in 2026?The 90% rally is driven by three core pillars:

Mass Adoption via Alchemy Pay: A major partnership in early 2026 allowed DASH to be used at millions of merchants worldwide, significantly increasing its "Real World Utility."Privacy Rotation: As regulators tighten rules on centralized exchanges, users are moving toward decentralized payment options.Short Squeeze: Heavy shorting at the $50 level led to a massive liquidation event once DASH broke resistance, catapulting the price toward the $100 mark.Dash Coin Chart Analysis & Future PredictionThe chart below shows a definitive breakout from a multi-year accumulation zone.

DASH/USD 4H - TradingView

Support: The previous resistance at $65 has now turned into a solid floor.Resistance: The next major hurdle is the psychological $120 level.2026 Target: If the current momentum holds, our Dash price prediction suggests a move toward $215 by mid-year.For those trading this volatility, it is essential to use the best crypto exchanges to ensure liquidity and low fees during high-traffic periods.

Weekend trading can flip fast, especially when momentum starts building, and liquidity is thinner than usual. Quant (QNT) price is stepping into that spotlight after a strong push higher, drawing fresh attention from traders looking for the next large-cap move. The key question now is whether this rally has enough strength to extend, or if it’s just a quick burst that fades once early buyers take profits.

With QNT approaching a psychologically important zone, the weekend setup comes down to one thing: can bulls keep pressure on and turn this move into a sustained run toward $100?

The current price action of Quant appears to be a mix of momentum buying and liquidity rotation into large-cap altcoins. As the Bitcoin price is consolidating after a significant upswing, the liquidity tends to shift to other altcoins, and Quant appears to have benefited. Here’s what is pushing the QNT price higher today.

Breakout-driven buying: Once QNT cleared nearby resistance, it likely triggered fresh entries from short-term traders and bots. That kind of move often snowballs quickly.Short covering: If traders were betting against QNT or hedging, a sharp push up forces them to close positions, adding extra fuel.Weekend positioning: Many traders place “weekend bets” on majors and strong mid/large caps because thinner liquidity can amplify moves.Narrative rotation: Quant tends to catch attention when markets lean into infrastructure/interoperability themes, even if there’s no single headline catalyst.What’s Next for the Quant Price?The Quant price has been maintaining a strong uptrend since the start of the year. With consecutive higher highs and lows, the bulls have gained significant dominance. The price has just risen over the 50-day MA, while a confirmation above this range could trigger a breakout above the ascending trend line. 

On the other hand, the supertrend has just flipped bullish, which is a potential trend reversal signal, indicating the start of a fresh upswing. On the other hand, the momentum indicators like RSI and MACD have also turned bullish. They have displayed a drop in the selling pressure as the buying momentum builds up. Although the bears are trying to keep the price restricted, the upcoming breakout may help the QNT price break above the crucial resistance close to $90. 

Can the Quant (QNT) Price Reach $100 This Weekend?The bullish momentum has just flipped and is believed to mount in the coming days. However, a bullish close above $85 to $88 could validate the reversal, attracting fresh liquidity onto the platform. With over a 200% rise in the 24-hour volume, the momentum is expected to persist for somemore time. In such a case, the Quant (QNT) price may achieve the threshold at $100. 

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

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

Sponsored and Advertisements:Sponsored content and affiliate links may appear on our site. Advertisements are marked clearly, and our editorial content remains entirely independent from our ad partners.

DOJ confirmed the U.S. has not sold the forfeited 57.55 BTC and will hold it in the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve. The statement reassures markets and signals continued government Bitcoin accumulation, not liquidation. The U.S. Department of Justice has confirmed that about 57.55 BTC, worth around $5.47 million, which was seized by the U.S. government from the founders of the Samourai wallet, has not been sold. 

On-Chain Movements Spark Debate Over U.S. Policy on Holding Seized Bitcoin The Samourai Wallet co-founders, Keonne Rodriguez and William Lonergan Hill, ran a cryptocurrency mixing service for illicit activities, and prosecutors said the service processed $200 million in illicit transactions. They pleaded guilty and agreed to give their 57.5 Bitcoin, which was worth around $5.47 million.

The confusion rises among the people because some reports said that Bitcoin had been moved on the chain and might have been sold. Some even suggested that this move has contradicted the whitehouse policy of holding the seized bitcoin. This creates massive pressure on the United States Marshal Service (USMS), which manages all the seized assets. 

The U.S. Marshals Service has denied the allegation of selling Bitcoin. They say no liquidation occurs, and it is not easy to sell the seized crypto, as it has multiple levels of approvals. Only assets that meet strict criteria under Executive Order 14233 can be sold. 

On Jan 16, the White House digital assets advisory team shared a direct DOJ confirmation that Bitcoin has not been liquidated and it will instead be kept on the U.S. government’s balance sheet, which means it is being held as part of the U.S. Strategic Bitcoin Reserves. 

This removes the fear that the government will dump Bitcoin in the market, and it shows the U.S. government is seeing Bitcoin as a valuable asset, and it also makes the Bitcoin price stable in the long run.  

Highlighted Crypto News:

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Bitcoin price is showing signs of strength this week as it holds key support levels, signaling potential upside for the coming days. Here’s a breakdown of the current market situation and what traders might expect.

Currently, the Bitcoin price is holding above the crucial $94,630 support zone. This area has been tested recently, and buyers have stepped in to keep the price stable. If this support continues to hold, the market could see a new upward run toward $100,000 in the coming week.

#Bitcoin looks really good for upside.

It's currently holding above a crucial resistance zone for support, which means that we're finding buyers here.

If this continues to hold, I would assume that we're seeing a new run in the coming week towards $100K.

Expecting a very… pic.twitter.com/zoYXcgzCDE

— Michaël van de Poppe (@CryptoMichNL) January 17, 2026 Weekend Bitcoin Price Action and LiquidityAs we approach the weekend, the Bitcoin price is likely to move sideways, ranging between the key support and resistance levels. Traders often see this as a period of consolidation, where the market gathers momentum for the next major move.

For long positions, a break above $95,820 could trigger a push toward the monthly high of $97,960, with the potential for further gains if momentum continues. Conversely, a break below the current support could lead to a sharper drop.

Stablecoin Flows Indicate Market StrengthThe stablecoin market is nearing its all-time high, showing increased liquidity. More funds entering the market often lead to higher demand for Bitcoin, as investors look for opportunities in digital assets. The current trend of fund inflows aligns with Bitcoin’s price movement, hinting at the start of a potential new uptrend.

Institutional Interest Supports UpsideIndividual investors appear cautious, with low funding rates and mixed market sentiment. Meanwhile, institutions are gradually returning, adding Bitcoin to spot ETFs and company balance sheets. This renewed interest could accelerate Bitcoin’s climb toward $100,000 in the near future.

Bitcoin Price Forecast For The Coming WeekAccording to the analyst, Bitcoin is also holding above $89,326, and as long as it stays above this level, the uptrend remains possible. The next significant resistance to watch is around $98,200, which, if breached, could open the path to $107,500.

At $107,500, a key decision point will occur: either the uptrend continues, or Bitcoin could face a rejection and fall back toward support zones around $83,822–$82,477. A break below $82,477 could see Bitcoin testing strong support levels in the $74,496–$71,237 area.

Bullish Bias, But Watch Key LevelsSupport: $94,630 (short-term), $89,326 (longer-term)Resistance: $95,820, $97,960, $98,200, $107,500Upside Potential: $100,000 and beyond if momentum holdsDownside Risk: Daily close below $93,347 or $82,477Overall, Bitcoin is positioned for a potential bullish continuation, but traders should watch key support and resistance levels closely. Weekend movements may remain range-bound, but a breakout early next week could set the stage for higher prices.

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

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

Sponsored and Advertisements:Sponsored content and affiliate links may appear on our site. Advertisements are marked clearly, and our editorial content remains entirely independent from our ad partners.

Peloton Interactive (PTON 5.52%) provides a valuable case study of the wild distortions the COVID-19 pandemic caused in the business world. With people spending more time at home, this company benefited from the perfect tailwind to boost sales of its at-home fitness equipment. As the economy normalized, though, Peloton struggled to navigate a new reality.

The market has lost confidence. The consumer discretionary stock trades an alarming 96% below its peak (as of Jan. 12). Is Peloton a high-risk turnaround or long-term fitness opportunity?

Image source: Peloton.

Cost cuts can only get you so far Peloton deserves credit for getting its finances in order. It started with Barry McCarthy, who was the CEO from 2022 to 2024. The current CEO, Peter Stern, has continued the right-sizing focus.

During the last two fiscal quarters (Q4 2025 and Q1 2026), Peloton reported positive GAAP net income. This was pleasant news for longtime followers of the company. That's because Peloton has a history of registering sizable net losses.

Peloton posted a negative gross margin on the sale of its hardware products in fiscal 2022 and fiscal 2023. This part of the business has returned to gross profitability. And it helps that 72% of revenue now comes from high-margin subscriptions.

Operational efficiencies have been driven by workforce reductions, shrinking the physical retail footprint, and cutting product development outlays. But these cost reductions, aimed at achieving $100 million in savings this fiscal year, can only go so far. Eventually, Peloton needs to get back to growth.

This is where it struggles mightily. Connected-fitness subscribers totaled 2.7 million as of Sept. 30, down 6% year over year. And analysts project revenue to decline 0.5% between fiscal 2025 and fiscal 2026.

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Fitness is a risky business The stock is certainly cheap, as shares trade at a price-to-sales ratio of 1.1 that's near historically low levels. Some market participants might view Peloton as a long-term opportunity in the fitness industry.

I take a different view. Peloton is a high-risk turnaround story. While the stock could provide short bursts of positive gains, it's not a smart long-term opportunity. That's the right perspective to have until subscriber gains resume, if they ever do.

Fitness is a difficult market to find lasting success in. Companies are banking on people to stick to their workout plans. But these consumers always seem to be drawn to the shiny new thing. And in Peloton's case, it faces immense competition with its subscription apps, as there are unlimited free workout videos and content online. The target market for households that want to spend four-figure sums on exercise equipment is also limited.

Investors are better off avoiding this stock.

Oil traders Vitol and Trafigura and Greek tanker owners are diving back into the country after Nicolás Maduro's ouster.

Looking for hot plays in the crypto market? It's probably best to avoid these two tokens.

The overall cryptocurrency market has been on an impressive winning streak over the last five years, with leading tokens Bitcoin, Ethereum, and XRP posting winning streaks that made fortunes for patient investors. While valuations for cryptocurrencies have continued to see high levels of volatility, it's generally been a winning move to take a buy-and-hold approach to established tokens.

Even though some tokens have managed to serve up incredible gains, the broader crypto market is still filled with risk -- and investors have to be careful about what tokens they back. With that in mind, read on for a look at two tokens that could crash the value of a $100,000 investment.

Image source: Getty Images.

Shiba Inu Shiba Inu (SHIB +0.58%) launched in August 2020 and quickly became one of the hottest meme coins on the market. Despite huge volatility, investors who bought the token near its launch and maintained their holdings wound up seeing incredible returns.

On the other hand, Shiba Inu has gradually been losing share in the crypto market over the last few years. The token is down roughly 90% from the valuation peak it reached in 2021.

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While the Shiba Inu project has rolled out burning mechanisms that reduce the total outstanding coin supply, an almost vanishingly small portion of the outstanding supply has been taken out of the market. The project's layer-2 network has spurred little in the way of bullish momentum for the cryptocurrency, and it also doesn't seem to have much for add-on developer projects built around the token.

Shiba Inu's metaverse project also appears to be pretty much a complete flop at this point. After numerous delays, SHIB: The Metaverse had an early access launch late in 2024 -- but it never progressed to an active virtual world and sported pitifully low levels of engagement. Interest in the overall metaverse trend has waned considerably, and SHIB: The Metaverse can now probably be safely written off as another dud among attempts to create a more active ecosystem surrounding the Shiba Inu coin.

As of this writing, Shiba Inu still has a market capitalization of roughly $5 billion and ranks as the 24th-largest cryptocurrency by valuation. Shiba Inu is a meme coin that is seemingly losing relevance, and the lack of other fundamental catalysts likely to propel its valuation higher over the long term makes it an unadvisable bet for 2026.

Bitcoin Cash Bitcoin Cash (BCH 0.93%) got its start by forking off the Bitcoin blockchain and started trading as its own cryptocurrency in August 2017. Bitcoin Cash can offer lower transaction fees and payment processing times compared to Bitcoin, and some investors have been piling into the token in hopes that it will continue to gain market share.

Over the last year, the price of Bitcoin has actually fallen 6%. Meanwhile, Bitcoin Cash is up approximately 44%. With a market cap of approximately $12.7 billion, Bitcoin Cash ranks as the 11th-largest cryptocurrency by valuation -- and some investors are betting that ramping adoption will help the token continue to climb the ranks.

On the other hand, investors should view Bitcoin Cash's adoption trends and fundamentals in context before betting big on the cryptocurrency. While Bitcoin Cash has gained ground over the last year, its market capitalization still comes in at just a small fraction of Bitcoin's $1.8 trillion market cap. When looking at the difference in scale, Bitcoin Cash really hasn't gained meaningful ground against Bitcoin over the last year.

Institutional adoption for Bitcoin Cash remains relatively low, and long-term staying power could prove much weaker than the market-leading cryptocurrency it was forked from. While Bitcoin Cash may offer some benefits in terms of transaction fees and payment speeds, Bitcoin's bullish momentum has hinged more around its potential as a speculative asset than its status as a widely adopted means of payment. As a payments mechanism, there really isn't much that sets Bitcoin Cash apart from a large number of other coins on the market.

With that in mind, there's a risk that Bitcoin Cash will wind up trading like a meme coin over the long term. The cryptocurrency could potentially see some valuation gains in conjunction with trends shaping the broader market, but investors could lose big betting on its long-term staying power.

Rainbow Rare Earths Ltd (LSE:RBW, OTC:RBWRF, FRA:RR1) this week highlighted strong progress on its flagship project as it advances toward a final investment decision, following the successful commissioning of a continuous pilot plant.

Chief executive George Bennett said, in a Proactive interview, that the pilot plant marked a key milestone, allowing the company to confirm final design parameters for the leach circuit after more than a year of optimisation work. He explained that the pilot results will feed directly into the definitive feasibility study, which is scheduled for completion later this year.

Here, we take a closer look at what was discussed.

Proactive: You’ve certainly hit 2026 with the ground running, switching on the pilot plant. In practical terms, what does this mean for the project?

George Bennett: Happy New Year to you, Stephen, and to all investors watching. Rainbow continues to move forward.

Running the continuous pilot confirms the design parameters of the leach circuit we’ve optimised over the past 12 to 18 months.

This provides design input for the final DFS due later this year and produces material to confirm the solvent extraction process, which was a major de-risking step announced late last year.

Proactive: What’s the single most important change investors should understand from this latest pilot work?

George Bennett: We focused on optimising the front-end leach circuit, where about 85% of capex sits. We reduced leach stages from three to two, cut leach time from 32 hours to eight hours, halved the number of belt filters and reduced power requirements.

These changes lead to major capex savings and keep overall capital in line with what we published in December 2024.

Proactive: Why is turning a waste product into rare earths such a big deal?

George Bennett: Traditional projects involve mining, crushing, milling and cracking concentrate. Rainbow starts with chemically cracked gypsum waste, meaning no mining costs and around 60% of the flow sheet is already complete at zero cost, which drives very low capital intensity and operating costs.

Proactive: What key steps should investors watch ahead of a final investment decision?

George Bennett: Pricing has improved due to export bans and strong demand. Investors will see financing announcements, DFS completion and further updates on the Brazil project as we move toward FID in the last quarter of 2026, construction in 2027 and production in 2028.

New York, New York--(Newsfile Corp. - January 17, 2026) - WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of securities of DeFi Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: DEFT) between May 12, 2025 and November 14, 2025, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"), of the important January 30, 2026 lead plaintiff deadline.

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

WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the DeFi Technologies class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=48771 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than January 30, 2026. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation.

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

DETAILS OF THE CASE: According to the lawsuit, defendants throughout the Class Period made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) DeFi Technologies was facing delays in executing its DeFi arbitrage strategy, which at all relevant times was a key revenue driver for DeFi Technologies; (2) DeFi Technologies had understated the extent of competition it faced from other digital asset treasury ("DAT") companies and the extent to which that competition would negatively impact its ability to execute its DeFi arbitrage strategy; (3) as a result of the foregoing issues, DeFi Technologies was unlikely to meet its previously issued revenue guidance for the fiscal year 2025; (4) accordingly, defendants had downplayed the true scope and severity of the negative impact that the foregoing issues were having on DeFi Technologies' business and financial results; and (5) as a result, defendants' public statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages.

To join the DeFi Technologies class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=48771 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] for information on the class action.

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

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To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/280622

Source: The Rosen Law Firm PA

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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 HOOW 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.

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.

These players may help you along the path to wealth.

Investors always are searching for the next big hit in the world of technology -- and this is a wise move, considering how such innovations have resulted in soaring earnings and stock prices. Great examples are iPhone giant Apple and artificial intelligence (AI) chip designer Nvidia. They've created game-changing products that individuals or companies need, and this has helped their growth explode over time.

Right now, quantum computing is an area of such potential. Quantum computers, guided by the principles of quantum mechanics, work differently from classical computers and are complicated to build and scale -- but they hold enormous potential as they may allow us to solve problems deemed impossible today. That's why, if you're a growth investor looking for the next big boom, it's a great idea to add a few of these shares to your portfolio.

Here, we'll check out two players that are well-positioned for success in the field. One makes a great investment for investors who are comfortable with a bit of risk; the other is a buy for any investor interested in betting on quantum computing. These stocks, in the context of a diversified portfolio, could become potential millionaire-makers.

Image source: Getty Images.

1. IonQ IonQ (IONQ +6.81%) is a pure play quantum computing company, meaning it focuses specifically on this technology. This could result in enormous gains if the company makes it to the finish line, but it also implies more risk. Since IonQ truly depends on success in quantum computing, any setback or failure could seriously hurt stock performance. So the stock is right for you only if you can accept that risk.

IonQ stands out thanks to its way of constructing qubits, or the elements that power a quantum computer's computations. (Classical computers rely on bits for that.) The company uses trapped ion technology, a method that results in a lower error rate -- this is key because error rates have been a challenge in quantum computing. And trapped ions remain in quantum states longer, offering more computing time. These are significant advantages that could make this company a winner down the road.

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Today, IonQ offers access to its quantum computers primarily through major cloud service providers and generates some revenue, but as the company itself says, "we are still in the early stages of commercial growth." That's why now is a good time for aggressive investors to get in on this story and hold on as the technology progresses.

2. Alphabet Alphabet (GOOG 0.85%) (GOOGL 0.83%) is a company most of us are in contact with on a daily basis. That's because it's the owner of the world's No. 1 search engine, Google. And the Google platform, through advertising, generates billions of dollars in revenue quarter after quarter.

Alphabet's second major moneymaker is its cloud unit, known simply as Google Cloud. This business has been growing in leaps and bounds, and demand from AI customers has added to the momentum.

These two businesses make Alphabet a solid buy for any investor, whether you're cautious or aggressive. But what's even better is that the company also offers you the opportunity to benefit from the high-potential field of quantum computing.

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This is because Alphabet is working intensely in this area, developing its own quantum chip. In late 2024, the company introduced Willow, saying the chip can cut errors exponentially as systems are scaled up with more qubits -- this is a huge milestone. And this past fall, Alphabet ran a verifiable algorithm on its Willow platform, surpassing the performance of the most powerful supercomputers. This brings quantum computing a step closer to real-world usefulness.

So, Alphabet offers investors the strength of a long-established, highly profitable business along with the opportunity to potentially benefit from success in quantum computing. And if the company wins in quantum, it may help deliver million-dollar returns for early investors.

These consumer names could experience a significant stock recovery, along with continued dividend growth.

Dividend investing requires a different approach than investing in the growth stocks that attract significant investor attention. Instead of seeking the highest returns, dividend investors focus on steady, growing income from a company's payouts.

Despite this focus, some stocks are in a position to pay a dividend far above the S&P 500's average dividend yield of 1.1% and possibly benefit shareholders from a rising stock price. Knowing that, if an investor has $5,000 to buy shares, they can likely earn significant returns from these consumer names. Here's a look at two of them.

Image source: Getty Images.

Clorox Investors know Clorox (CLX 1.12%) best for its bleach. However, the company owns other well-known consumer brands such as Pine-Sol, Hidden Valley, and Burt's Bees.

It benefited during the COVID-19 pandemic when consumers obsessed over cleanliness. Since that time, inflation, a cyberattack, and steps to transition to new enterprise resource planning (ERP) software weighed on the stock, leading it to lose around half of its value over the last five years.

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Still, the lower stock price has taken its dividend yield to 4.4%. Also, the annual payout of $4.96 per share has risen for 49 straight years. Companies tend to maintain such streaks if possible, making it unlikely the annual dividend hikes will stop.

Fortunately, Clorox's well-known brands should bolster the company. Moreover, the investment in the ERP software should improve efficiency. At the current price, an investor can pick up 22 shares for around $2,450.

Ultimately, between that high dividend yield and its P/E ratio of 17, Clorox appears poised to offer its shareholders dividend growth and after a long wait, possibly a rising stock price as well.

Target Like Clorox, multiple missteps have hurt omnichannel retailer Target (TGT +0.14%). Target is one of America's more prominent retailers by virtue of its approximately 2,000 stores across the 50 states and its significant online presence.

Nonetheless, since just after the pandemic, rising inventories, falling sales, and unpopular political stances prompted investors to sell Target shares. Also, trying to solve this issue with a new CEO led to renewed selling when investors learned an internal candidate, COO Michael Fiddelke, would become the new CEO.

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But the stock has begun to recover from its November low. Moreover, its depressed stock price has boosted its dividend yield to 4.1%, and it is a Dividend King by virtue of its 54 years of payout hikes. With the latest increase, the annual dividend is now $4.56 per share.

Additionally, the stock sells at a 13 P/E ratio, far below its retail industry peers, Walmart and Costco, which trade at 42 times and 51 times earnings, respectively.

At today's prices, one can buy 23 shares for about $2,525. Now that Target stock has begun to recover, its low valuation could foster a stock price recovery as it delivers rising dividend payments.

There's one Vanguard bond ETF that Buffett would love.

Even though Warren Buffett is now retired as the chief executive officer of Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A +0.28%)(BRK.B +0.14%), his lessons on investing will live on. He's now handed the company's reins over to new CEO Greg Abel. However, we have more than enough history through what Berkshire is invested in and his past comments to understand the Buffett investing style.

Berkshire Hathaway's current largest holdings include Apple (AAPL 0.93%), American Express (AXP +2.08%), Bank of America (BAC +0.81%), Coca-Cola (KO 0.06%), and Chevron (CVX +0.07%). Buffett has long favored individual companies backed by strong cash flows, durable balance sheets, economic moats, and some degree of value.

He's not an exchange-traded fund (ETF) investor, but what if he were?

For this, we need to sift through his public comments and past actions to get a sense of where he would put his money. In some cases, he's been quite specific. And that leads me to one Vanguard ETF I think Buffett would buy.

Image source: Getty Images.

Warren Buffett advocates for a 90/10 portfolio Buffett has always favored an approach that emphasizes simplicity, low fees, and a long-term time horizon. This was clear in a 2013 letter to shareholders at the annual Berkshire Hathaway shareholder meeting.

In discussing what he plans to do with the portion of his estate that will go to his wife upon his passing, he plans on taking an old-school approach:

My advice to the trustee could not be more simple: Put 10% of the cash in short-term government bonds and 90% in a very low-cost S&P 500 index fund. (I suggest Vanguard's.)

In a past article, I wrote about how this statement serves as a de facto endorsement of the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO 0.08%). That covers the 90% part of the 90/10 portfolio. Now, let's take a look at the Vanguard ETF that can fit the 10% part.

Buffett would look for a Treasury Bill ETF The ETF that Buffett would likely look to add is the Vanguard 0-3 Month Treasury Bill ETF (VBIL +0.04%). The fund tracks the Bloomberg U.S. Treasury Bills 0-3 Months Index. As the name suggests, it invests in a portfolio of U.S. Treasury bills that have maturities of three months or less. It offers a dividend yield of 3.67% (as of Jan. 9, 2026) and comes with an expense ratio of 0.07%.

NASDAQ: VBILVanguard Institutional Index Fund - 0-3 Months Treasury Bill ETF

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It's not a terribly exciting fund by any stretch, but it fits in exactly with the Buffett investing style. In true Vanguard fashion, it's one of the cheapest ETFs in this category, something Buffett advises investors to seek out whenever possible.

We know from the Berkshire portfolio that Buffett is quite comfortable keeping large amounts of cash on hand to help take advantage of opportunities when they come up or when he doesn't find any particularly attractive investments. Pairing a Treasury bill ETF with an S&P 500 ETF lets investors keep some dry powder on hand in case stock prices pull back to more attractive levels.

And let's not discount the return that investors can still get with Treasury bills. It's not the 5% that they were paying a year or two ago, but the current 3.7% yield is more than adequate right now for a risk-free investment. In the post-COVID era, holding Treasury bills was essentially a sunk cost for a diversified portfolio because it offered no yield. Now, investors can capture a reasonable return that's above the current inflation rate while waiting on the sidelines.

In summary, Buffett's recent statements and actions suggest there are two types of ETFs he would buy -- the ultra-cheap S&P 500 ETF and a Treasury bill ETF. The Vanguard S&P 500 ETF is perhaps the best in the business for investing in that index. Pairing it with the Vanguard 0-3 Month Treasury Bill ETF, an arrangement that Buffett has already said he would set up for his wife, looks like a winning combination.

Bank of America is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. American Express is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. David Dierking has positions in Apple. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Apple, Berkshire Hathaway, Chevron, and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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

I am not a registered investment, tax, or legal advisor or broker and therefore cannot promise or guarantee any financial returns from my opinions on this page or site. The content of this article is based on my own personal thoughts and research, and you should do your own due diligence before making any investment decisions. This article may be structured as such, but it is not financial or investment advice. While I do make my best effort to ensure that all information in my articles is accurate and up-to-date, occasionally unintended errors or misprints may occur. Remember that all investments in the market face the risk of going to $0. The writer of this article has no business or personal relationship with any company mentioned in the above article.

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

This company is already scoring an AI win.

The Nasdaq has climbed in recent years thanks to excitement about game-changing technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and quantum computing. Investors have wanted to get in on potential winners earlier to maximize their gains once these technologies are fully developed and become anchored in our daily lives.

The AI boom and the interest in quantum computing are far from over. If we look at AI alone, analysts predict that today's $300 billion market will reach into the trillions by the end of the decade. Considering this and the solid earnings we've seen from tech companies, my prediction is the Nasdaq will soar in 2026. And here's one AI stock to buy now before it does.

Image source: Getty Images.

A modest 2025 gain This particular player saw its stock rise only about 5% last year, even as it reported growth from AI -- and from its well-established e-commerce and cloud computing businesses. I'm talking about Amazon (AMZN +0.40%), a leader in these key growth areas.

Amazon is a great buy for both aggressive and cautious investors, and here's why. Cautious investors will like the fact that Amazon has demonstrated its strength and ability to grow well before the emergence of AI. This means that if AI spending slows, Amazon can rely on other parts of its business for growth. Even Amazon Web Services (AWS), which offers AI chips and platforms, also provides a broad range of products and services outside of the AI space.

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Aggressive investors will appreciate Amazon because, on top of this already strong business, it's also benefiting from the AI boom. Amazon uses AI to improve its operations, for example, streamlining processes at fulfillment centers. And AWS is delivering tremendous growth thanks to the successes of its AI offerings -- from its own in-house designed chips to top Nvidia chips and a fully managed AI service called Amazon Bedrock. All of this has helped the unit reach an annual revenue run rate of $132 billion.

A reasonable valuation Meanwhile, Amazon stock remains very reasonably priced. It trades for about 30x forward earnings estimates, down from more than 50x a few years ago.

This valuation could attract investors right now as they shift out of AI players that have reached lofty price levels. In recent times, concern has grown about the formation of an AI bubble, so investors may prefer buying AI stocks with proven strengths -- and for reasonable prices. This could work in Amazon's favor in the new year as potential AI winners and losers begin to emerge.

Amazon has already scored AI victories, such as AWS revenue growth, so it's on track to become a true AI winner. And that's why it's a great idea to buy this stock before the Nasdaq climbs in 2026.

Adria Cimino has positions in Amazon. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Amazon and Nvidia. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Analyst’s Disclosure:I/we have a beneficial long position in the shares of WDAY either through stock ownership, options, or other derivatives. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.

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.

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

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.

Things are beginning to look up for the artificial intelligence (AI) chipmaker.

Last year was a bit unnerving for Nvidia (NVDA 0.29%) stock investors. After a blistering run that lasted more than two years, the stock plunged 37% from an all-time high in early 2025, before rebounding and ascending new heights. The ongoing battle with inflation, concerns about the impact of tariffs on the economy, and uncertainty about the future of artificial intelligence (AI) led to significant volatility for the chipmaker last year.

Nvidia gained 977% over the past three years (as of this writing), as its graphics processing units (GPUs) have become the gold standard for AI processing. After its relentless run, however, the stock is taking a well-deserved breather and currently sits 12% below its peak hit in early November.

A new year represents new opportunities for Nvidia, and the stock could be setting the stage for the next leg of its ascent. At an annual trade event last week, CEO Jensen Huang made an announcement that could have significant implications for Nvidia stock investors and sets the stage for 2026.

Image source: Nvidia.

You want chips with that? CES (formerly the Consumer Electronics Show) is the premier technology event, taking place in Las Vegas every January and showcasing product innovations, futuristic gadgets, and advancements in AI. Huang, who is something of a rock star in tech circles, is frequently the event's keynote speaker, and this year was no different.

In a surprise development, Huang announced that Nvidia's next-generation AI chip -- Vera Rubin -- is now in full production, a full six months ahead of schedule:

Vera Rubin is designed to address this fundamental challenge that we have: The amount of computation necessary for AI is skyrocketing. Today, I can tell you that Vera Rubin is in full production.

Nvidia says its Rubin architecture reduces AI token processing costs by as much as 90%, using 75% fewer GPUs.

The company already has a significant competitive advantage in the semiconductor industry, with an aggressive one-year release cadence, bucking the existing industry practice of releasing new processors every two years. This relentless pace of innovation, announced in late 2023, has catapulted Nvidia ahead of the competition, making it even more difficult for rivals to gain ground.

The revelation that the company's next-generation processor was already rolling off the production line caught industry watchers off guard, as it extends Nvidia's already sizable advantage. The company had previously announced that Rubin would reach full production in the second half of 2026.

While this might not seem like a big deal, it has significant implications for Nvidia investors.

The growing specter of competition The rapid adoption of AI has led to a persistent and ongoing shortage of chips with the necessary computational horsepower for AI processing. Nvidia's state-of-the-art chips have long been in short supply, forcing customers to seek viable alternatives.

In fact, one of the biggest risks to Nvidia is the threat of growing competition, particularly from well-heeled technology companies, many of whom are already developing rival processors.

Advanced Micro Devices is Nvidia's most recognized competitor, making a splash with its MI350X data center GPU. The company just announced the MI440 series, which will begin shipping early this year. Broadcom is the leader in application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), which can be customized to perform specific tasks more efficiently. The company has been making inroads as a more energy-efficient alternative to Nvidia's GPUs. Alphabet has been developing its custom Tensor Processing Units (TPUs) for internal use for more than a decade. The company turned heads this week on reports that it may lease its chips to Meta Platforms, which would be a first for the company. Late last year, Amazon announced the latest version of its Trainium chip, which it says provides 30% to 40% lower AI training costs than GPU-based alternatives. There are more potential competitors, but you get the point.

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The implications for Nvidia investors Despite fierce competition in the AI chip market, Nvidia has maintained its lead by providing its best-in-class chips long before its rivals. The announcement that Vera Rubin chips are at full production only increases that advantage.

Nvidia also has clear visibility into its future sales. Late last year, Huang stated that the company's backlog exceeded $500 billion, which would be filled over the six quarters ending in early 2027.

Since that announcement, Nvidia has reported revenue of $57 billion, and forecast $65 billion for its soon-to-be-reported fourth quarter. That suggests potential sales of as much as $378 billion next year, which would represent growth of 155%.

Even that might be conservative. At an investor event last week, CFO Colette Kress said demand has only increased since Nvidia provided its $500 billion estimate, and the company would "definitely" surpass its previous outlook.

Nvidia's industry-leading position, relentless innovation, and growing backlog suggest the runway ahead is long. And at just 24 times next year's expected sales, I'd argue the stock is a steal.

Danny Vena, CPA has positions in Alphabet, Amazon, Broadcom, Meta Platforms, and Nvidia. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Advanced Micro Devices, Alphabet, Amazon, Meta Platforms, and Nvidia. The Motley Fool recommends Broadcom. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Star fund manager Stanley Druckenmiller sold Broadcom and bought Sandisk in the third quarter.

Billionaire Stanley Druckenmiller ran Duquesne Capital between 1981 and 2010. The hedge fund returned 30% annually without a single down year during that period, which qualifies him as one of the most successful money managers in history. Druckenmiller does not take clients anymore, but he still manages his own wealth through Duquesne Family Office.

In the third quarter, Druckenmiller sold his position in semiconductor company Broadcom (AVGO +2.53%) and started a position in flash memory maker Sandisk (SNDK +1.07%), a stock that has added 1,050% since it was spun off from Western Digital in February 2025.

Here's what investors should know about these artificial intelligence stocks.

Image source: Getty Images.

Broadcom Broadcom has a dominant position in three semiconductor markets: wireless networking, wired (Ethernet) networking, and application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs). Strength in Wi-Fi chips is important, as the market is forecast to grow at 15% annually until 2030, according to Grand View Research, but leadership in the other two end markets is more consequential, as it makes Broadcom a key supplier of artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure.

Particularly important is that Broadcom has about 75% market share in AI ASICs, custom chips that are purpose-built to accelerate training and inference workloads. The company has long designed AI ASICs for Alphabet's Google and Meta Platforms, and it more recently started designing custom accelerators for OpenAI and Anthropic.

Broadcom CEO Hock Tan said AI revenue (from networking chips and ASICs) rose 65% to $20 billion in 2025. That figure will likely increase rapidly in coming years as hyperscalers and AI start-ups invest in data center infrastructure. Indeed, Beth Kindig at the I/O Fund expects AI sales to triple by 2027, and Harlan Sur at JPMorgan Chase estimates AI sales will increase more than 5x to $110 billion by 2027.

Wall Street estimates Broadcom's adjusted earnings will grow at 43% annually through 2027, which makes the current valuation of 51 times earnings look quite reasonable. Most analysts who follow the company agree. Broadcom has a median target price of $461 per share, which implies 34% upside from its current share price of $343. I think Druckenmiller sold this stock too soon.

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Sandisk: The AI stock Stan Druckenmiller bought in the third quarter Sandisk manufactures data storage solutions based on NAND flash technology for data centers, personal computers, mobile devices, video game consoles, and automotive systems. It benefits from a strategic partnership with Kioxia, a Japanese company with which it shares capital expenditures and research and development costs related to wafer fabrication and memory design.

Flash memory devices like solid-state drives (SSDs) are more expensive than hard-disk drives (HDDs), but they are also faster, more durable, and more efficient in their use of power. Therefore, SSDs are used when performance is the top priority, such as for training AI models and running AI applications. But HDDs are used when cost is the top priority, such as for long-term storage for large datasets.

Importantly, beyond its partnership with Kioxia, Sandisk also realizes cost efficiencies and supply chain security from vertical integration. The company designs process technology, manufactures flash memory wafers, packages wafers into chips, integrates chips into final products, and develops the associated firmware.

Sandisk is the fifth-largest NAND flash memory manufacturer behind Samsung, SK Hynix, Kioxia, and Micron Technologies, but the company gained a percentage point of market share during the first half of 2025, and investors have reason to think that momentum will continue. Two hyperscalers recently began testing Sandisk's enterprise SSDs, and a third hyperscaler (plus a major storage original equipment manufacturer) will begin testing the products in 2026, according to management.

Wall Street estimates Sandisk's adjusted earnings will grow at 79% annually through the fiscal year ending in June 2029. That makes the current valuation of 170 times earnings look high. Sandisk shares traded at an average price of $58 during the third quarter, when Druckenmiller bought the stock, but the price has since increased 7x and no longer looks attractive. The median target price of $307 per share implies 26% downside from its current share price of $415.

HomeStock IdeasLong IdeasTech 

SummarySolarEdge remains a BUY as fundamentals improve and sector trends stabilize, with a DCF-based target price of $41 indicating further upside.SEDG benefits from European market share gains, US commercial strength, and residential leasing tailwinds driven by ITC subsidies through 2027.Cost-cutting and working capital release have deleveraged the balance sheet; positive free cash flow is expected by FY2026, excluding inventory releases.Infineon partnership for next-gen data centers offers unmodeled upside, with management set to provide medium-term forecasts in 2026. Image Source/DigitalVision via Getty Images

My thesis SolarEdge (SEDG) stock has rallied and more than doubled since my previous article. A severe cost-cutting program combined with working capital release has helped deleverage the balance sheet. I expect the

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

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.

Itaconix PLC (AIM:ITX, OTCQB:ITXXF, FRA:18G0) John Shaw talked with Proactive about the company’s record revenue performance, growth drivers, and outlook as it enters 2026 with strong momentum.

Shaw highlighted that Itaconix PLC has delivered its third consecutive record half-year, with revenues rising 59% year on year to exceed $10 million for the first time, marking a major milestone for the specialty ingredients company. He said the result reflects years of development work to commercialise a fundamentally new class of chemistry focused on odour-neutralising and scale-inhibiting ingredients.

Shaw explained that demand is being driven by customers seeking safer, high-performance, and sustainable solutions across multiple consumer product categories, including automatic dish detergents, laundry detergents, pet products, and carpet cleaning. He noted that Itaconix PLC’s ingredients are plant-based, non-persistent in the environment, and often reduce production costs for customers while improving cleaning performance.

“What’s really changed,” Shaw said, is that the company now has “a strong balance sheet from our successful fundraise in 2023,” enabling it to build a broader customer base that recognises the value of its technology. He added that improved customer engagement and visibility have also contributed to accelerating adoption, particularly for the company’s scale inhibitor products.

Looking ahead, Shaw said Itaconix PLC is well-positioned operationally, with production capacity in place to meet demand through at least 2027, supported by ongoing investment at its Stratham facility. While he does not expect to repeat last year’s growth rate, Shaw believes the company will continue to grow strongly, stating that “2026 is going to be another milestone year for us” with a robust pipeline of customer projects.

Proactive: John, very good to speak with you and happy New Year. Positive news to start 2026. You’ve reported your third consecutive record half-year revenues, increasing 59% year on year to exceed $10 million for the first time.

John Shaw: You’re right, Steve, we are on quite a run right now. We’re in a great position to stay on this path for many more years.

Proactive: What were the key drivers of this revenue growth?

John Shaw: From our field work, we’ve known for many years that our scale and ambition in odour neutralising ingredients enable new, better consumer products in certain categories. These include automatic dish detergent, laundry detergents, pet products, and carpet cleaning. They’re better because they’re safe for consumers to use, do not persist in the environment, and deliver excellent cleaning performance. They’re also cost-effective, often reducing production costs.

They are better sustainably because they use plant-based ingredients. What’s really changed is having a strong balance sheet from our successful fundraise in 2023, which allowed us to create and develop a broad customer base that recognises the value we deliver. Over the last three years, we’ve focused on customers who value our ingredients and work with us to create new generations of better consumer products.

We’ve also improved how we work with the right customers, which you can see in our website resources and social media communications. Finally, customer success creates more success. Our scale inhibitors are becoming more prevalent in certain detergent classes and are increasingly seen as necessary for a brand to be competitive.

Proactive: As you continue to scale at pace, do you have the infrastructure in place to meet demand?

John Shaw: We’re in great shape to meet all of our needs through at least 2027. We have excellent production operations in Stratham and we’re continuing to invest to improve costs and capacity. We’re in an excellent position.

Proactive: Based on recent performance, what are your expectations for 2026 and how confident are you in the path to profitability?

John Shaw: We’re going to be a large, profitable specialty ingredients company. Reaching $10 million in revenues was a major milestone, but it took many years to get a fundamentally new class of chemistry into commercial use. 2026 is going to be another milestone year for us. We have great momentum coming out of 2025 and a strong pipeline of customer projects.

I don’t expect us to repeat last year’s growth rate, but I believe we will sustain growth rates that get us to our next $10 million in revenue much faster than the first.

Proactive: Congratulations again on that milestone, and thank you for your time.