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SummaryHealthcare Realty Trust remains a compelling value and income play, trading at a forward P/FFO of 10.6 and yielding 5.7%.HR demonstrates robust fundamentals with 5% YoY FFO/share growth, 5.4% same-store NOI growth, and near-record tenant retention at 89%.Favorable demographics and secular demand for outpatient medical space underpin HR’s growth, with occupancy and leasing pipelines showing continued strength.I maintain a ‘Buy’ rating on HR, citing discounted valuation, strong balance sheet, and potential for double-digit total returns.Looking for a portfolio of ideas like this one? Members of iREIT®+HOYA Capital get exclusive access to our subscriber-only portfolios. Learn More » Vertigo3d/E+ via Getty Images

Having grit and intellect are admirable attributes, but for investors, patience is an oft overlooked attribute that can pay off over the long run. That’s because it can take time for market to appreciate a stock’s underlying value. As

Analyst’s Disclosure:I/we have a beneficial long position in the shares of HR 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.

I am not an investment advisor. This article is for informational purposes and does not constitute as financial advice. Readers are encouraged and expected to perform due diligence and draw their own conclusions prior to making any investment decisions.

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.

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Michael Williams |
Dec 31, 2025 at 11:08 AM EST

Global X Blockchain ETF Is The Best Way to Bet on Blockchain In 2026 | BKCH
Blockchain investing has always presented a dilemma: buy individual mining stocks and risk catastrophic losses, or spread exposure across an…

Sam Daodu |
Jan 1, 2026 at 9:05 AM EST

3 Cryptos That Could 5x in 2026 If Trump Delivers on Pro-Crypto Promises: XRP, BTC, and One Surprise
The Trump administration spent 2025 building crypto infrastructure. Now comes the payoff. After a year of policy groundwork—from signing the…

Sam Daodu |
Nov 29, 2025 at 1:28 PM EST

Why Gold Shines at +55% While Bitcoin Tanks: The Great Divergence of 2025
In 2025, precious metals and crypto took radically different paths. Gold closed the year up over 55%, its strongest performance…

Austin Smith |
Dec 30, 2025 at 10:16 AM EST

Despite Bitcoin Falling 7%, Amplify Blockchain Technology’s ETF has Soared 32% | BLOK
When Bitcoin slips 7% and your blockchain ETF jumps 32%, you’re not betting on Bitcoin. Amplify Transformational Data Sharing ETF…

Ben Briody |
Oct 30, 2025 at 9:15 AM EDT

Bitcoin and Ethereum Continue Slide, Despite End of QT and 25bps cut from Fed
With October 2025’s FOMC, the Fed’s announcement of the expected 25bps rate cut along with announcing the end of the…

Marc Guberti |
Jan 22, 2025 at 9:47 AM EST

5 ETFs Betting Big on Michael Saylor’s Bold Bitcoin Strategy
Michael Saylor’s Bitcoin strategy has attracted plenty of fanfare. Basically, MicroStrategy (NASDAAQ:MSTR) borrows money to buy more Bitcoin. The publicly-traded…

Rich Duprey |
Sep 9, 2025 at 7:33 AM EDT

Crypto Treasury Companies: The Next Big Investment or a Meme-Stock Trap?
In 2020, Michael Saylor’s Strategy (NASDAQ:MSTR) (formerly MicroStrategy) pioneered the crypto treasury company model by acquiring 21,454 Bitcoin (CRYPTO:BTC) for…

Michael Williams |
Dec 30, 2025 at 9:29 AM EST

After Getting Wrecked, Bitcoin ETFs like BITO May Be Screaming Buys If You’re Careful
Bitcoin has tumbled roughly 25% from its November 2025 peak of $116,410, now trading around $87,300. For the ProShares Bitcoin…

Rich Duprey |
Dec 9, 2025 at 12:30 PM EST

Strategy (MSTR) Turned $1,000 Into $637 in 2025: 4D Chess or Checkmate?
Strategy (NASDAQ:MSTR) has bet everything on Bitcoin (CRYPTO:BTC), transforming from a software firm into the world’s largest corporate holder of…

Charlie Garcia responds to readers' concerns about China's control of silver and other critical metals used in technology and defense.

In 2025, small-cap stocks underperformed. The Russell 2000 Index tracks the performance of 2,000 U.S. small-cap stocks, delivering a total return of around 13% in 2025. This was significantly below the S&P 500 Index’s total return of around 18%, which tracks U.S. large-cap stocks.

Despite small caps lagging behind in general, three names stood out for their exceptional performance in 2025. Below, we’ll detail three small-cap stocks that put up a return of 300% or more. This analysis will focus on stocks that started 2025 in small-cap territory. However, due to their stellar gains, they have transitioned into mid-cap stocks.

Get GRAIL alerts:

GRAL Catapults on Early Cancer Detection Enthusiasm
Healthcare stock GRAIL NASDAQ: GRAL rose by approximately 380% in 2025. The company’s market capitalization moved from well below $1 billion to around $3.3 billion. GRAIL’s main product is its Galleri Multi-Cancer Early Detection test.

GRAIL, Inc. (GRAL) Price Chart for Saturday, January, 3, 2026

Early detection greatly improves the chances of cancer survival, leading to significant intrigue around the product. Notably, only around five types of cancer have standardized screening methods, yet 70% of deaths come from cancers other than these five. This is why GRAIL designed Galleri to detect over 50 different types of cancer. In a recent study, GRAIL said that Galleri increased early cancer detection by more than seven times when added to traditional screening methods.

At this point, Galleri mostly generates sales from out-of-pocket payments. However, GRAIL expects to apply for Premarket Approval (PMA) from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in the first quarter of 2026. If granted, this would greatly increase the likelihood of commercial insurers covering the test. This could unlock a huge new sales channel. Overall, the potential approval of Galleri is leading to significant excitement among investors.

The MarketBeat consensus price target of $97.50 indicates optimism among analysts, implying around 14% upside.

PL Blasts Off, Combining AI with Geospatial Imagery
Planet Labs PBC NYSE: PL had a monstrous 2025, with shares rising just under 390%. Planet Labs uses hundreds of satellites to collect medium to high-resolution images of Earth. By integrating this data with artificial intelligence, Planet Labs seeks to help its customers make better decisions in a changing world. The company generates sales through subscriptions to its cloud-based software platform and satellite services.

Planet Labs PBC (PL) Price Chart for Saturday, January, 3, 2026

Demand is certainly materializing, especially among governments. Its Dec. 10 earnings report led shares to rise 35% in one day, with defense and intelligence revenue up over 70%. The firm also held a backlog of around $735 million. That’s about 2.6 times higher than the company’s last 12 months' revenue of $282 million, providing an opportunity for significant growth. Planet Labs also posted positive free cash flow for the second quarter in a row.

The MarketBeat consensus price target of $14.74 implies 25% downside in shares. However, the average of targets updated after the company’s latest earnings report is $18.19. This figure implies around 7.7% downside. Overall, Planet Labs is a name worth watching, as a significant sell-off may make the stock more attractive.

Updated Targets Eye Strong Upside in VSAT After Huge 2025 Run
Last up is Viasat NASDAQ: VSAT. Shares gained by approximately 305% in 2025, leaving the stock with a market cap of around $4.7 billion. Viasat is another satellite company, but focuses on internet and data connectivity. This makes the company somewhat similar to AST SpaceMobile NASDAQ: ASTS. However, instead of mainly targeting telecom operators that serve consumers, Viasat targets aviation, maritime, and government customers.

Viasat Inc. (VSAT) Price Chart for Saturday, January, 3, 2026

For example, the company provides in-flight wireless connectivity services to thousands of commercial and business aircraft. The U.S. government was the firm’s largest customer in fiscal year 2025, accounting for 18% of revenue. Note that Viasat is currently in its fiscal year 2026. Revenues grew by only 2% last quarter. However, the company’s awards rose 17% to nearly $1.5 billion, and its backlog rose to almost $3.9 billion.

The MarketBeat consensus price target of $32.75 implies 5% downside in shares. However, targets updated after the company’s Nov. 7 earnings report have flipped the script. They average to $49, suggesting around 37% upside potential.

GRAL, PL, VSAT: Deep Research Is Paramount
Overall, GRAL, PL, and VSAT had incredible 2025s. While these stocks are exciting, investors should understand that smaller stocks, especially those experiencing such large gains, are risky. They can see dramatic volatility. This makes having confidence in their long-term outlook critical to achieving investment success. Thus, investors should perform robust due diligence on such stocks before making decisions.

Should You Invest $1,000 in GRAIL Right Now?Before you consider GRAIL, you'll want to hear this.

MarketBeat keeps track of Wall Street's top-rated and best performing research analysts and the stocks they recommend to their clients on a daily basis. MarketBeat has identified the five stocks that top analysts are quietly whispering to their clients to buy now before the broader market catches on... and GRAIL wasn't on the list.

While GRAIL currently has a Hold rating among analysts, top-rated analysts believe these five stocks are better buys.

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Recent market data suggesting aggressive Bitcoin accumulation by large investors appears to be a misinterpretation of internal exchange housekeeping.

BlackRock clients acquired 3,199 BTC valued at $280M via Coinbase Prime.
The transfers are pegged to the ETF custody flows.
Further institutional accumulation could reduce the liquidity of Bitcoin’s supply over time.

The clients associated with BlackRock amassed 3,199 Bitcoins on the first day of the newfound institutional buying in the crypto markets on January 3. The total purchases estimated at $280 million were processed via the settlement infrastructure linked to the custodian services of the famous US crypto exchange, Coinbase Prime.

The transactions had a pattern related to exchange fund activity. It is observed from on-chain data transactions involving entry of funds into accounts designated for exchange fund holding instead of trading. The pattern is indicative of structured purchases based on client deposits.

ETF demand continues to drive flows
The current accumulation is in line with the demand for spot ETF products for Bitcoin offered by BlackRock. There were several transactions that were seen in batches, which is common in cases involving ETF creation. While the individual transactions were of varying amounts, the total movement was well over 3,000 BTC in a small period of time.

The buying at prices near $90,000 marked one of the largest single-day accumulation events so far in early 2026. According to market participants, ETF-driven purchases are usually beholden to long-term asset allocation models. Unlike retail trading, these flows respond to client subscriptions and portfolio mandates, which often persist well through periods of sideways or corrective price action.

This means that, as opposed to retail participation, institutional demand has been a bit steadier, even while the broader crypto sentiment fluctuates in line with macroeconomic headlines and rate expectations.

On-chain data shows a growing institutional footprint
While the blockchain analytics companies tracking the addresses related to BlackRock estimate hundreds of thousands of Bitcoin to be held in these addresses related to the company, these still remain spread across a series of custody addresses and not within a single wallet.

Analysts meanwhile noticed parallel inflows into Ethereum ETF wallets linked to BlackRock in the same period. Even so, Bitcoin dominated by value and volume in the latest batch, reinforcing its position as the number one institutional crypto allocation.

Crucially, net accumulations via ETFs and other long-term investment vehicles effect a reduction in money on the liability side of exchanges. As a consequence, if Bitcoin flows into these vehicles, it becomes less sensitive to short-term changes in price, until such a time as redemptions take place.

Market context and broader implications
The buying wave came along as Bitcoin started the year 2026 during a phase of consolidation. After the recent volatility, prices appear to have stabilized. This is despite the sentiments remaining mixed. Institutional flows appear to have been more consistent than the retail flows.

Some observers warn against attributing too much significance to any one day’s flows. Nonetheless, recurring accumulation notices of comparable magnitude typically represent much more than just passing curiosity. Should ETF investment continue at this level, it could ultimately begin to decrease the circulating supply, especially if long-term holders remain inactive.

The current situation is that the latest figures are just reinforcing the same message. Institutional money is flowing into Bitcoin through regulated products despite the lack of clarity regarding the future direction of prices. Whether this will have the effect of pushing prices higher will be dependent on market conditions.

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Bitcoin dips, but quickly recovers as U.S. captures Venezuela's MaduroThe U.S. overnight launched a military strike against Venezuela, capturing President Nicolas Maduro and his wife and extracting them from the country.Updated Jan 3, 2026, 1:52 p.m. Published Jan 3, 2026, 1:50 p.m.

The U.S. carried out a "large scale" strike against Venezuela and its President Nicolas Maduro, Donald Trump announced early Saturday morning. Maduro and his wife, Trump continued, were captured and flown out of the country.

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi later announced that Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, had each been indicted in the Southern District of New York over various drug trafficking and weapons charges.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW

Crypto prices took a modest hit around 2 a.m. ET on reports of military operations in Venezuela, with bitcoin BTC$89,931.10 dipping about 0.5% to $89,300. At press time, just shy of 9 a.m. ET, BTC had returned to just below $90,000.

President Trump has scheduled a news conference for 11 a.m. ET.

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KuCoin Hits Record Market Share as 2025 Volumes Outpace Crypto Market

Dec 22, 2025

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

What to know:

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

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What next for Ripple-linked XRP as price zooms above $2

28 minutes ago

Traders are watching if XRP can maintain above $2.00, with $1.96 as a critical support level to avoid a return to previous trading ranges.

What to know:

XRP surged to $2.02 after breaking through the $1.96 resistance level with strong volume, indicating potential for further gains.The breakout was supported by sustained volume, suggesting larger market participants are involved.Traders are watching if XRP can maintain above $2.00, with $1.96 as a critical support level to avoid a return to previous trading ranges.Read full story

Cardano users are currently being targeted in a new wallet phishing campaign. According to reports, the sophisticated phishing campaign is currently circulating within the community, posing significant risks to users intending to download the newly announced Eternl Desktop application.

The hackers craft professional emails claiming to promote a legitimate wallet solution designed for secure Cardano staking and governance participation. The announcement uses terms related to users earning rewards, including NIGHT and ATMA token rewards through the current crypto giveaway program, to establish credibility and drive user engagement.

Hackers are targeting Cardano wallet users
According to reports, the hackers were able to create a replica of the official Eternl Desktop announcement, complementing it with a message about hardware wallet compatibility, local key management, and advanced delegation control.

The email shows a polished, professional tone with proper grammar and no visible spelling errors, making it very effective at deceiving Cardano community members. Meanwhile, it distributes malware to any system it enters.

Reports mentioned that the campaign uses a newly registered domain, download(dot)eternldesktop(dot)network, to distribute a malicious installer package without the need for an official verification or digital signature validation.

In the detailed technical analysis carried out by Anurag, an independent threat hunter and malware analyst, the legitimate Eternl.msi file contains a hidden LogMeIn Resolve remote management tool bundled within its installation package.

The discovery exposed a supply chain abuse attempt aimed at establishing persistent unauthorized access on victim systems. The malicious MSI installer, with a size of 23.3 megabytes and with hash 8fa4844e40669c1cb417d7cf923bf3e0, drops an executable called unattended updater.exe, which uses the original filename GoToResolveUnattendedUpdater.exe.

During runtime analysis, the executable creates an identified folder structure under the system’s Program Files.

Once it creates the Program Files, it creates a directory and writes multiple configurations, including unattended.json, logger.json, mandatory.json, and pc.json. The unattended.json configuration file enables remote access functionality without needing the user to interact.

The dropped executable attempts to establish connections to infrastructure associated with legitimate GoTo Resolve Services, including devices-iot.console.gotoresolve.com and dumpster.console.gotoresolve.com.

Malware provides hackers with remote access
According to network analysis, the malware sends information to the hackers in JSON format. It also uses remote servers to establish a communication channel for command execution and system monitoring.

Security researchers say this behavior is important because remote management tools allow hackers to carry out remote command execution and steal credentials once the malware is installed on a victim’s system.

The Cardano phishing campaign also shows how hackers use crypto and the branding of legitimate platforms to distribute tools that have been infected with malware. This means that users need to verify the authenticity of the software they use through official channels. In addition, they must also avoid downloading wallet applications from unverified sources or newly registered domains, irrespective of how good their distribution emails appear.

This Cardano phishing campaign is similar to the one that targeted customers using Meta for advertisements last year. Users are lured with emails that claim their ads have been temporarily suspended due to violations of advertising policies and EU regulations.

The scammers even go as far as making it appear legitimate by adding the official Instagram branding and official-sounding language about policy violations. However, closer inspection showed that the emails were from a different domain.

Researchers mentioned that upon clicking the link, users are redirected to a fake Meta Business page that looks convincing. The website mimics the real support site, opening up with a page that warns the user that their account faces termination if they do not take action immediately.

Users are tricked into inputting their Ad login into the spaces provided, with the customer support guiding them with a provided step-by-step instruction to restore their accounts.

Want your project in front of crypto’s top minds? Feature it in our next industry report, where data meets impact.

In brief
Pudgy Penguin’s approach to consumer packaged goods is changing.
A veteran of the toy industry is behind the NFT project’s shift.
He wants to strike strategic deals with big-box stores.
If the Pudgy Penguins brand was an island like Hawaii, then it would be toward the beginning of a years-long phase, where molten lava erupting from the ocean’s floor has started cooling and forming newly habitable land.

That’s according to Steve Starobinsky, at least. With decades of experience in the toy-making world, Starobinsky was tasked in March with refining Pudgy’s approach to consumer packaged goods. But he acknowledged in a recent interview with Decrypt that Honolulu’s iconic beaches didn’t form overnight.

As Pudgy’s director of business development and partnerships, Starobinsky said his newest role requires a relatively methodic approach to the reactionary sprints that many crypto-native projects embark on, especially when dealing with big-box stores.

For example, he said the purchase orders that will put goods in front of consumers during the next holiday season have already been signed, following a Los Angeles-based event that takes place annually in September for manufacturers and retailers.

“They saw the boxes, they saw the licenses, they saw the piece counts,” Starobinsky said. “But if you miss that September cycle, you have missed [the following year’s] Christmas.”

Pudgy Penguins has managed to establish itself as a leader in the once-hyped NFT space since the project was acquired by CEO Luca Netz in 2022. But as the company searches for dollars beyond the cryptosphere, it’s placing more power in Starobinsky’s toy-making hands—and betting on his ability to navigate an industry that’s foreign to most of his peers.

The company’s push with consumer packaged goods currently involves collaborations with name brands like Bearbrick, PEZ, and book publisher Penguin Random House, but Starobinsky said the company’s bet will appear bigger next year.

“Most of my efforts will showcase themselves in 2026,” he said. “We have a lot of physical merchandise that’s available for this Christmas, but it’s nowhere where I think we can be, considering the amount of eyeballs that we capture.”

As of December, Pudgy Penguins’ namesake NFT collection was the third most-valuable overall, with a market capitalization of around 47,000 ETH, worth $159 million, according to NFT Price Floor. It has also released two other collections worth more than $50 million combined. 

In addition to that, Pudgy released a token on Solana last year called Pengu. The token was recently valued around $818 million, according to CoinGecko. The company has also released a blockchain-based mobile game in tandem with Mythical Games.

That’s a far different world than plushies and keychains.

Starobinsky described himself as “a kid at heart,” with experience on teams that crafted goods for brands like Paw Patrol and Minecraft. He said he also worked on the team that launched PopSockets, the collapsible phone accessories that come in countless colors.

In that sense, he said he’s familiar with how Pudgy’s playful, hand-drawn look can resonate with younger generations and adults alike. Accordingly, the children’s book released this year is targeted at readers aged four through eight.

“Playful brands are dominating pop culture,” he said. “I’ve been very fortunate to work on a lot of intellectual property right at that moment where it goes from niche to mass.”

Winter is comingThen again, Starobinsky and Netz, whose real name is Luca Schnetzler, have been friends for years. The two worked alongside each other at a company called Gel Blaster, where Netz served as chief marketing officer. Satorbinsky worked as the company’s head of sales.

“We created a new category, something between Nerf guns and paintball,” he said. “The hottest thing on the internet—Luca was a huge part of that, driving that narrative.”

Starobinsky’s work hinges on Pudgy’s ability to make inroads with the physical world, but at this point, the company is no stranger to shopping carts across the country.

Pudgy Penguins began selling toys in 2023, and its products have been available in several stores, including Walmart, Target, and Walgreens. As of last October, the company said that it had generated more than $13 million in total sales across over 1 million units.

This year, Starobinsky said “a proper refresh of new goods at retail” wasn’t achievable, chalking it up to the company’s lack of experience regarding physical goods.

Looking to 2026, a Pudgy spokesperson told Decrypt that the firm is aiming for over $20 million in retail sales between licensed and self-sourced products. They added that Starobinsky currently oversees six people, who work in business development, events, and public relations.

Starobinsky has been impressed by Pudgy’s foray into physical goods, but he said the company can do more to compete with established names. That involves spending money on marketing and advertising at a time when competitors usually would not, he explained.

Starobinsky said that manufacturers typically help retailers advertise their toys during the final months of the year, but that commitment often ends on Dec. 26, as stores markdown costs to motivate shoppers and make room for fresh inventory. From his perspective, that creates a 45-day “dead zone” that Pudgy can capitalize on as a winter-themed brand.

Starobinsky said that striking deals with retailers, with the prospect of bigger advertising commitments, can help it bridge the gap between the New Year and Valentine’s Day. Moving forward, he said one of the Pudgy’s’s biggest goals is to “own winter.”

For example, Pudgy could go to a retailer, commit to running an extra month-and-a-half of advertising, and as a result, stores might not have to “take a price reduction,” Starobinsky said. He floated the prospect of bigger bonuses at retailers for employees that improve margins.

“We thematically make sense to be marketing during the time when others would feel like a price play,” he said. “That is a deep strategic advantage for our brand.”

In the last two months of 2023, hobby, toy and game stores generated 26.2% percent of their annual sales, compared to 18% across all categories, according to Statista. But it’s not about avoiding the holiday season, Starobinsky said—it’s about extending it.

“Whenever you’re building go-to-market strategies, it’s a lot better when you don’t have to ram up against some competition,” he said. “When you're actually attacking white space, you have much more likelihood of success.”

Allowing companies to plan promotions around Pudgy’s products is key, he added, as the company devises its own campaigns that stack on top of each other. Still, Starobinsky underscored that post-New Year’s and Valentine’s Day will stay as priorities.

“The way to win at retail—how to go from good to great—is to win promotional space,” he said. “Thats how you go from millions of dollars to hundreds of millions of dollars in retail sales.”

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BitMine Immersion Technologies, a public digital asset company, has expanded Ethereum’s staking system with an additional 82,560 Ether, valued at around $259 million.

This move has contributed to congestion in the network’s validator entry queue, driven by rising institutional demand for staking yields. Regarding the situation, Arkham released recent data reporting several significant deposits made by the Ether treasury firm to Ethereum’s BatchDeposit contract. These deposits were made in the past few hours.

Following the new stake, a report from on-chain analyst Lookonchain revealed that the total number of ETH staked now amounts to 544,064 Ether, worth approximately $1.62 billion, according to current prices. 

BitMine kicks off major ETH staking push
BitMine implemented its decision to stake additional ETH on December 26, 2025, and transferred almost $219 million in ETH into contracts related to staking on the Ethereum network. 

Before carrying out this move, BitMine initially made clear its intentions to begin staking Ether in the first quarter of 2026 in a statement published in November.  The statement also noted that this staking process will take place using the company’s internal infrastructure, known as the Made-in-America Validator Network (MAVAN).

It was also confirmed that BitMine selected three institutional staking providers for a pilot initiative. Apart from this, sources disclosed that the firm intended to deploy a limited amount of ETH meant to evaluate performance, security, and reliability before executing their motive to add new stakes.

Meanwhile, reports highlighted that BitMine’s intensified effort into staking led to Ethereum’s validator entry queue reaching around 977,000 ETH. Due to this congestion, the Ethereum Validator Queue, a blockchain explorer, indicates that new validators are expected to wait approximately 17 days to become active.

On the other hand, analysts conducted research and discovered that the amount of exit activity is relatively low, with slightly more than 113,000 ETH awaiting withdrawal. 

At this point, data from Ethereum’s network showed that more than 35.5 million ETH, which approximately accounts for 29% of the total supply, is currently staked. For the annual staking yield, the report noted that it had amounted to about 2.54%.

Abdul Rehman, who holds the title of Head of Decentralized Finance (DeFi) at the Monad Foundation and leads DeFi at the layer one blockchain Monad, commented on the situation. He shared an X post last week, highlighting that “when the entry and exit queue changed back in June, Ether’s price doubled shortly after.”

Rehman also predicted that 2026 would be an inspiring year.

Lee calls on shareholders to increase BitMine’s shares
BitMine’s decision to stake an additional $259 million in ETH coincided with the Chairman of BitMine, Tom Lee’s proposal to shareholders, urging them to significantly increase the firm’s authorized share count to approximately 50 billion. According to Lee, this move is important for future stock splits in the event Ether’s price enhances the valuation of BitMine.

Lee further explained that the stock price of BitMine keeps pace with ETH and establishes scenarios where Ether could reach an all-time high of $250,000, provided that Bitcoin records a new level of around $1 million. If this happens, the chairman stated that he is certain prices for BitMine shares will be too expensive for many retail investors.

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The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has revealed that Bitcoin ATM fraud reached new highs in 2025. According to the report, scammers stole close to $33 million from victims. The FBI noted that in most cases, scammers impersonated either a company or a bank to carry out their illicit activities.

The FBI claimed that some bad actors went as far as calling their victims and advising them to deposit money into a Bitcoin ATM to protect their funds. The criminals would tell them that their accounts have been compromised, riding on the panic to push them into sending the funds via a Bitcoin ATM for safekeeping.

Instead, the money goes to a wallet or account maintained by the hacker or another person in their network.

Bitcoin ATM fraud hits a new record in 2025
Bitcoin ATMs increased in popularity in the United States, with more than 30,000 machines in the state in 2024. The figure represents 81.27% of the total Bitcoin ATMs in the world, according to Finance Magnates.

The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) mentioned that more than 10,000 people were victims of Bitcoin ATM fraud in 2025 alone. The agency mentioned that there were over 12,000 complaints from January to December in 2025.

In its statement, the FBI also mentioned that the monetary value lost to criminals reached $333.5 million, an increase compared to the same time span last year.

In 2024, the FTC reported that digital assets scams in particular were more financially devastating than other types of fraud, noting that midway through the year, the median loss reported by individuals related to crypto fraud was $5,400. The median individual loss tied to reports of general fraud stood at $447.

The FBI mentioned that the amount lost to the criminals has been on the rise with each passing year. Data from the FTC showed that Bitcoin ATMs were responsible for $114 million in reported losses in 2023 and $78 million in losses in 2022. This means that the reported losses due to Bitcoin ATM fraud more than doubled in the last two years.

Notably, these are figures of reported losses, with the FTC not accounting for losses that were not reported.

FTC urges users to be cautious
The FTC has advised people to pay close attention to all red flags when making transactions with Bitcoin ATMs. They have also advised people to double-check with their financial officer or banks whenever they are contacted by someone they do not know to deposit funds in a Bitcoin ATM.

The agency also advised individuals to slow down and not allow the other person at the end of the line to rush them into making payments, noting that they should discuss things with people around them before making any payment.

Bitcoin has been one of the few instruments used to carry out fraud, with criminals choosing to use the asset because of its privacy-focused transactions.

The FTC has also warned that government agencies and legitimate businesses will not contact users and ask them to pay for services in Bitcoin. Except otherwise stated, users should not pay for any service or goods using Bitcoin ATMs. In a case where someone is hounding them, they should report to the police.

While fraud does not only affect certain demographics, scammers have been targeting the older generations more. This is because they are susceptible to crypto crimes, the data shows.

In the report, victims 60 and above account for 715 of the reported losses using Bitcoin ATMs during the first half of 2024, losing $46 million according to the FTC. In some cases, the criminals used AI deepfakes of a family member, asking the elderly person to pay Bitcoin in exchange for their release from the police station.

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Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by our writers are their own and do not represent the views of U.Today. The financial and market information provided on U.Today is intended for informational purposes only. U.Today is not liable for any financial losses incurred while trading cryptocurrencies. Conduct your own research by contacting financial experts before making any investment decisions. We believe that all content is accurate as of the date of publication, but certain offers mentioned may no longer be available.

Shiba Inu (SHIB) has registered an over 5.17% spike in open interest in the last 24 hours. CoinGlass data reveals that over 12.9 trillion SHIB have been committed by investors to the futures derivatives market of the meme coin.

Shiba Inu open interest distributionFor clarity, open interest refers to the cumulative amount of unsettled positions in the derivatives market.

It is an indication of a fresh injection of capital by investors betting on a possible price uptick for an asset, in this case, Shiba Inu. With increased liquidity, SHIB may experience a price gain in the cryptocurrency market.

As per data, the surge in open interest saw $104.05 million committed to Shiba Inu by these traders within the time frame. The development signals that Shiba Inu traders are rearranging their positions in preparation for possible positive moves in the market.

The largest percentage of these traders optimistic about a bullish SHIB are on the Gate exchange. Notably, 41.08% of the total open interest, or 5.43 trillion SHIB worth $42.75 million, was committed by traders on the exchange.

Three other exchanges, namely, LBank, Bitget and OKX, bet 13.04%, 11.16% and 10.99%, respectively, of the total open interest. This corresponds to $13.57 million, $11.62 million and $11.44 million, in that order, to SHIB’s future price outlook.

As of this writing, Shiba Inu is changing hands at $0.000007884, which represents a 3.84% increase in the last 24 hours. The dog-themed meme coin surged from a low of $0.000007513 to peak at $0.000008287 amid a broader meme coin rally.

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The meme coin’s trading volume has also climbed by a massive 66.55% to $218.92 million as the ecosystem recorded reduced exchange supply.

Interestingly, a mysterious Shiba Inu billionaire holder stunned the market after it rose from a 30-day pause to withdraw 39.92 billion SHIB from the Coinbase exchange. The monetary value of the transaction was put at about $244,470.

Can Shiba Inu sustain bullish recovery?It appears Shiba Inu is determined to make a bold start to 2026. On the first trading day of 2026, SHIB registered a 20% surge in open interest.

Barely 48 hours later, another 5.7% jump in the same metric suggests that investors appear bullish.

The meme coin has also shown promise with its uptick in price. The price gain supported its move against Toncoin as Shiba Inu edged it away from the 25th position in terms of ranking by market capitalization.

If the meme coin sustains its current bullish momentum, it might begin its recovery journey toward the $0.00001 price level.

Cryptocurrency

XRP

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Crypto Writer

Arslan Butt

Crypto Writer

Arslan Butt

Part of the Team Since

Sep 2022

About Author

Arslan Butt is an experienced webinar speaker, market analyst, and content writer specializing in crypto, forex, and commodities. He provides expert insights, trading strategies, and in-depth analysis...

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Last updated: 

January 3, 2026

XRP’s price is currently trading at $2.01 and is continuing to ride the momentum from an impressive 24hr rebound of nearly 6%. Trading volume has followed that move, and it’s now notched a daily high of over $4.19 billion.

This isn’t just a flash in the pan; that’s an awful lot of buying activity. XRP has now become the 4th largest crypto by market cap, valued at roughly $121.9 billion. Of its nearly 62 billion tokens in circulation, you can only make 100 billion in total.

Despite the move, the market’s underlying tone remains measured. While things are certainly looking up, traders are keeping a close eye on whether XRP can hold onto its gains and avoid being a fleeting high.

XRP/USD Technical Outlook: Fibonacci Retracement in PlayFrom a technical perspective, XRP price prediction has turned bullish as XRP has undergone a significant shift lately.

For most of last December, the price was stuck inside a clear downtrend channel, just chugging away lower and lower. But now the price has finally broken above the upper boundary of that channel after violating the $1.80 resistance zone.

That breakout came after it built a solid foundation between $1.81 and $1.85, where buyers absorbed sellers and used those low points to build a series of higher lows.

XRP/USD Price Chart – Source: TradingviewLooking at the 2-hour chart, some pretty convincing bullish candles drove the breakout; they were solid, with little wick on the tops. This marks a clear sign of absolute conviction behind the price move, not just some short-lived short covering.

The brief pause at $2.05 has seen some smaller candle bodies, which isn’t really a sign that the market is rejecting the price just yet.

#XRP breaks its December downtrend and holds near 2.01. EMAs turn higher, RSI cools after strength, and structure favors continuation. Above 2.00, 2.13–2.20 comes into focus. pic.twitter.com/I9uvNgSnyi

— Arslan Ali (@forex_arslan) January 3, 2026
Key Levels and Momentum SignalsSeveral indicators reinforce the improving structure:

XRP is holding above the 0.618 Fibonacci retracement near $1.90, with price consolidating above the 0.382 level around $1.96.
The 50-period EMA has crossed above the 100-period EMA, and both are turning higher beneath the price.
RSI has cooled slightly after reaching the low-70s, pointing to strong momentum without clear bearish divergence.
These signals suggest the move higher is being absorbed rather than faded.

XRP Price Prediction: What Comes NextIf XRP continues to hold above the $2.00 psychological level, the technical roadmap points toward $2.13 as the next resistance, followed by a potential extension into the $2.17–$2.20 zone. A sustained move below $1.96 would slow the bullish case and bring $1.90 back into focus.

Maxi Doge: A Meme Coin Built Around Community and CompetitionMaxi Doge is gaining traction as one of the more active meme coin presales this year, combining bold branding with community-driven incentives. The project has already raised more than $4.39 million, placing it among the stronger early performers in the meme token category.

Unlike typical dog-themed tokens that rely purely on social buzz, Maxi Doge leans into engagement. The project runs regular ROI competitions, community challenges, and events designed to keep participation high throughout the presale phase. Its leverage-inspired mascot and fitness-themed branding have helped it stand out in a crowded meme market.

The $MAXI token also includes a staking mechanism that allows holders to earn daily smart-contract rewards. Stakers gain access to exclusive competitions and partner events, adding a passive earning component while encouraging long-term participation rather than short-term speculation.

Currently priced at $0.000276, $MAXI is approaching its next scheduled presale increase. With momentum building and community activity remaining strong, Maxi Doge is positioning itself as a meme coin focused on sustained engagement rather than one-off hype.

Click Here to Participate in the Presale

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The crypto market continues to move higher, with $Bitcoin reaching the $90,000 level and pushing total crypto market capitalization upward. The broader market tone remains risk-on, supported by strong momentum and renewed capital inflows with the new year.

Crypto market cap in USD over the past week - TradingView

At the same time, geopolitical developments are adding another layer of uncertainty to global markets.

Venezuela War Adds a Geopolitical CatalystAccording to statements from Donald Trump, the United States has captured Nicolás Maduro and his wife and launched what were described as large-scale strikes against Venezuela. If tensions continue or escalate further, markets could increasingly price in geopolitical risk.

Historically, periods of conflict and capital controls have pushed individuals and businesses toward alternative financial systems. In such environments, cryptocurrencies are often viewed as a hedge against instability, currency restrictions, and disrupted banking access.

How Markets Could React NextIf the situation in Venezuela worsens:

Crypto demand could increase, particularly in regions facing currency or banking stressBitcoin may benefit as a neutral, borderless asset, especially during heightened uncertaintyVolatility is likely to rise, with fast reactions across risk assetsCombined with already strong momentum, geopolitical stress could act as an additional short-term tailwind for crypto prices.

Memecoins are back in focus as the crypto markets begin to thrive soon after the start of the year. Over the last 24 hours, the memecoin market added more than $8 billion in value, with several popular tokens, like PEPE and DOGE, posting double-digit gains. This shows that market confidence is improving and traders are willing to speculate again. With this, the possibility of a memecoin mania has emerged, which may further push the altcoins harder as well. 

Dogecoin Price Preparing for a Massive UpswingDogecoin is back in focus as memecoins regain momentum across the market. DOGE is trading near $0.142, posting a strong weekly bounce after weeks of consolidation. With risk appetite improving and Bitcoin holding key levels, traders are now watching whether Dogecoin can hold its long-term support and build a base for a larger move. The weekly chart highlights the DOGE price attempting to secure levels above the multi-year trend line. A bullish move could be imminent if the token materialises this move. 

On the weekly chart, DOGE is holding above a key demand zone around $0.10–$0.12, supported by a rising long-term trendline. Price remains below major Fibonacci resistance levels, with $0.21 (0.236) and $0.32 (0.382) acting as upside hurdles. The weekly RSI displays bullish divergence that suggests the rally is gaining momentum, while the weekly MACD shows a drop in selling pressure. Moreover, the levels are heading for a bullish crossover that may help the token to reach local highs above $0.2. 

Pepe Price Enters a Strong Bullish RangeThe Pepe price broke above the consolidation and surged by more than 50% in the past couple of days. The price is trading near $0.00000598, attempting to rebound after a prolonged downtrend. The recent bounce comes with a noticeable increase in volume, suggesting short-term buying interest. With risk appetite improving, traders are now watching whether PEPE can reclaim key resistance levels or if this move remains a temporary relief rally.

On the daily chart, PEPE has bounced from a strong demand zone around $0.0000050–$0.0000055, an area that previously acted as support. Price is still below the Supertrend resistance, keeping the broader trend cautious. However, the sharp volume spike and rising Accumulation/Distribution line suggest active buying at lower levels. Immediate resistance sits near $0.0000065, while failure to hold above $0.0000055 would weaken the recovery and reopen downside risk.

What to Expect from DOGE & PEPE This MonthThe recent memecoin rebound—with Dogecoin, PEPE, BONK, SHIB and others all posting double-digit gains—shows risk appetite has returned to speculative segments. For this month, traders should expect continued volatility rather than a clear, sustained mania. If Bitcoin stays stable and liquidity remains supportive, these high-beta assets can extend upside—especially near breakout and volume confirmation levels. 

However, meme coins historically move fast both ways, and this move still lacks broader structural support, meaning any sharp shift in BTC or sentiment could unwind gains quickly. In other words, we may be seeing a speculative bounce and rotation, not yet a full-blown “memecoin mania.”

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Here's how Ethereum could reach $25,000 or more.

In August 2025, analysts at Standard Chartered raised their forecasts for Ethereum (ETH +1.60%). The firm published a note saying it could reach $25,000 by the end of 2028 -- an upside of over 730% on today's price. I'm going to give them some leeway and say Ethereum might get there in five years.

Image source: Getty Images.

Even that may seem inconceivable given its recent disappointing performance. However, with a positive wind and a lot of caveats, it is more achievable than it may seem.

Could Ethereum reach $25,000 in five years?
There are several factors that could drive Ethereum to the moon. For example, in 2025, Ethereum treasury companies like SharpLink Gaming started aggressively building stashes of the second-biggest crypto. There's been a surge in interest in stablecoins following the passing of the Genius Act. Ethereum continues to attract the largest number of developers, per Electric Capital.

However, none of narratives have helped Ethereum maintain this year's gains. So, rather than beefing out those scenarios, here are some numbers that show how Ethereum could generate enough total value locked (TVL) -- the amount of funds on its blockchain -- to reach $25,000 by the end of 2030. TVL isn't the be-all and end-all, but it gives us a way to project how Ethereum might grow.

Ethereum was the first cryptocurrency to introduce smart contracts, tiny pieces of blockchain code that make cryptocurrencies programmable. They are at the heart of the decentralized finance (DeFi) industry. Ethereum's first-mover advantage and reputation for reliability mean it still dominates in terms of TVL.

There's also a strong correlation between TVL and price. Ethereum has grown over 300% since the end of 2020 when the coin's price was $738 and its TVL was around $15 billion. Today its TVL is almost $68 billion, per DeFi Llama -- up over 350%. If we assume that correlation continues, Ethereum would need its TVL to increase by 850% for its price to reach $25,000. That would translate to a TVL of around $650 billion.

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What would it take for Ethereum's TVL to reach $650 billion?
For Ethereum's TVL to grow that dramatically, a lot more of our finances would need to move on-chain and Ethereum would have to continue to be the blockchain of choice. As traditional financial institutions look for ways to integrate blockchain technology, stablecoins and real-world asset tokenization offer considerable advantages.

Real-world asset tokenization is a way to record ownership of all kinds of assets on the blockchain. It makes trading easier and more efficient. It also enables fractional ownership on a much greater scale than we see today. Stablecoins are a form of tokenization, as they are blockchain versions of existing currencies.

A TVL of $650 billion would put Ethereum in line with major financial institutions. For example, Capital One (COF +2.30%) has about $652 billion in consolidated assets, according to the latest data from the Federal Reserve. For context, JPMorgan Chase (JPM +0.81%) tops the list with $3.8 trillion in assets.

A recent Deutsche Bank (DB +2.67%) report predicted that tokenized assets will become the default infrastructure in the coming decades. It estimates the market for tokenized real-world assets, excluding stablecoins, could grow from around $33 billion today to between $1.5 trillion and $2 trillion by 2030. That's growth of almost 4,500%.

Citibank (C +1.72%) has similar forecasts for stablecoins. It thinks the stablecoin market could grow from $280 billion today to between $1.6 trillion and $4 trillion in 2030. That's potential growth of over 1,300%.

That puts the combined potential tokenization market at between $3.1 trillion and $6 trillion. Data from rwa.xyz shows that over 75% of the value of the two segments combined are based on Ethereum. Even if Ethereum loses market share and those two markets don't perform as well as expected, there's still a pretty clear path to a TVL of $650 billion or more.

We've been here before
No matter how strong the potential, cryptocurrencies are high-risk investments that should only make up a small percentage of your portfolio. Its blockchain may run into technical difficulties or be overtaken by other smart-contract cryptos. Banks and brokerages may build their own blockchains. It is an exciting space, but there's still a lot we don't know.

The figures above set out a plausible route for Ethereum's TVL to grow and support a $25,000 price hike. However, tokenization is something that crypto enthusiasts have been talking about for years and it hasn't yet taken hold. The coming years may be different, particularly if regulators set clear frameworks. If they are, Ethereum is well positioned to soar.

Journalist

Posted: January 3, 2026

Amid a broader crypto market recovery, Aerodrome Finance [AERO] staged a strong rebound, erasing most of its December losses. The altcoin held firm at the $0.40 support level and climbed to a local high of $0.59 before easing slightly.

At the time of writing, AERO was trading at $0.558, marking an 18.75% daily gain. This surge was supported by a 70% increase in trading volume and a 17% rise in market capitalization, signaling stronger on‑chain activity.

Dip buyers drive Aerodrome Finance recovery
After AERO breached $0.4 support days ago, the team stepped in with buybacks, inspiring buyers to return. Aerodrome Finance purchased and max locked 940k AERO as part of its programmatic market-aware buyback model.

The move incentivized other market participants and stepped in to purchase the altcoin at a discount. 

As such, buyers returned across the futures and spot markets. On the spot side, the altcoin recorded 27.1 million in Buy Volume compared to 24.2 million in Sell Volume, at press time. 

Source: Coinalyze

For that reason, the marker recorded a positive Delta of 2.9 million, a clear sign of aggressive spot accumulation. 

Furthermore, the exchange activities also echoed this accumulation trend. According to CoinGlass, Aerodrome’s Spot Outflows jumped to $4.06 million, while Inflows dipped to $2.9 million. 

Source: Coinglass

As a result, the altcoin’s Spot Netflow declined 421% to -$1.16 million, suggesting increased accumulation. Often, increased spot buying rises scarcity, which in turn accelerates upward momentum, leading to higher prices. 

Futures sentiment flips bullish
Open Interest (OI) surged 32% to $35.4 million, as of writing, while derivatives volume jumped 92% according to CoinGlass data.

When OI and volume rise in tandem, it signals increased participation in the Futures market, whether taking short or long positions. 

Source: CoinGlass

Coupled with that, significant capital was deployed into futures, resulting in $37.6 million in Inflows. 

Meanwhile, AERO’s Long Short Ratio jumped to 1.0, indicating a higher demand for long positions. Increased demand for longs suggests that investors were bullish and anticipate more gains.

Can AERO’s momentum hold?
Aerodrome Finance rallied as buyers stepped in, bought the dip, and successfully defended a key support level.

As a result, the altcoin’s Relative Strength Index (RSI) jumped to 54, then fell to 50 at press time, indicating strong buyer momentum.

Likewise, AERO jumped above its short-term moving average, EMA20, suggesting strong upward momentum.

Source: TradingView

Notably, the altcoin was testing the EMA50 at $0.61, a move that could signal trend strength and its continuation if successful. If buyers pressure hold, AERO will flip these levels and target $0.73.

Conversely, if sellers cash out, the altcoin could retrace and fall below $0.5 again.

Final Thoughts

AERO rallied 18% to $0.63 after successfully defending the $0.4 support level. 
Dip buyers stepped into the spot and futures market, incentivized by the recent token buyback. 

Dogecoin ($DOGE) is back in focus after posting a sharp 15% gain in the past 24 hours. The move comes as the broader crypto market continues to trend higher, led by strength in Bitcoin and large-cap altcoins.

Rising market confidence has created a risk-on environment — one where high-beta assets like memecoins tend to attract outsized attention and capital.

Broader Market Strength Lifts DOGE$Dogecoin rally is not happening in isolation. Crypto markets as a whole are moving higher, supported by strong momentum, expanding liquidity, and renewed speculative interest.

DOGE/USD 1D - TradingView

When $Bitcoin and the total crypto market cap push higher, memecoins often follow — but with much larger percentage moves, both up and down.

Geopolitical Tensions Add FuelOngoing geopolitical tensions, including the conflict involving Venezuela, are adding another layer of uncertainty to global markets. Historically, such environments have driven capital toward alternative assets, including cryptocurrencies.

This combination of market momentum and geopolitical stress has helped accelerate short-term moves across volatile tokens like Dogecoin.

Why Memecoins Tend to Outperform in Bull MarketsMemecoins are among the most volatile assets in crypto. In bearish conditions, they usually underperform. In bullish phases, however, they often outperform the broader market due to:

High retail participationStrong speculative demandRapid momentum-driven tradingThe DOGE chart below shows a clear rebound from local lows, confirming aggressive dip-buying and fast rotation into higher-risk assets.

Dogecoin Price Prediction: What to Watch Next for DogecoinFrom here, DOGE’s direction will largely depend on overall market conditions:

Continued market strength could support further upsideSharp pullbacks remain likely due to elevated volatilityMomentum-driven rallies can reverse quickly if sentiment shiftsAs long as the broader crypto market remains strong, Dogecoin is likely to stay highly reactive — and highly volatile.

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Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by our writers are their own and do not represent the views of U.Today. The financial and market information provided on U.Today is intended for informational purposes only. U.Today is not liable for any financial losses incurred while trading cryptocurrencies. Conduct your own research by contacting financial experts before making any investment decisions. We believe that all content is accurate as of the date of publication, but certain offers mentioned may no longer be available.

Ripple Labs has, in the last 24 hours, minted 68 million RLUSD stablecoins in three batches. A signal that there has been significant activity taking place in the ecosystem within this period. According to Ripple stablecoin tracker, a total of 68,000,000 RLUSD were freshly minted at Ripple’s treasury.

Are exchange listings driving RLUSD minting?The minting event occurred at three separate intervals with 39,000,000 RLUSD being the largest minted.

Notably, the other batches saw 19,000,000 RLUSD and 10,000,000 RLUSD also minted by the ecosystem. The action aligned with Ripple’s expansion in the stablecoin market and demand for the dollar-pegged digital currency.

With the minting, it appears the Ripple USD stablecoin is preparing liquidity for exchange listing or on-demand capital for cross-border payment use. Given that the minted RLUSD are in Ripple’s treasury, it suggests that the ecosystem might be planning systemic release based on market demand soon.

It is likely that there are signs of increased adoption across different exchanges and this is a preparatory move to ensure seamless delivery. It could also be a proactive strategy in anticipation of a bullish rally in some notable cryptocurrencies.

Despite just one year since its launch, the Ripple USD stablecoin has forged strategic partnerships with traditional financial institutions like Switzerland's AMINA Bank. In July 2025, following AMINA Bank's integration of RLUSD, its volume recorded an over 20% spike.

Notably, this came as Switzerland's AMINA Bank became the first traditional institution to offer RLUSD custody and trading services to its clients.

It is worth mentioning that the Ripple USD stablecoin with the minting now holds $1.33 billion in reserves. Similarly, its trading volume is up by 129.11% at $95.9 million.

RLUSD adoption growingIn the broader cryptocurrency market, the Ripple USD stablecoin has continued to gain traction among users.

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This adoption has helped the stablecoin climb from the 104th position in ranking by market capitalization sometime in August 2025 to the 55th position currently. As of last August, RLUSD was struggling to break into the top 100 crypto assets with a market cap of about $602 million.

As adoption continues to grow, Ripple remains strategic in controlling RLUSD in circulation. It is aware that if the market is overwhelmed with supply, it could negatively impact the stablecoin’s value.

Hence, it eliminates this risk using its burn mechanism. About three weeks ago, $500,000 worth of RLUSD was removed from circulation through this means.

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James Thorp

January 3, 2026

The price of Internet Computer’s cryptocurrency, ICP, has risen above the $3 mark following a surge in trading activity. This movement indicates traders are reevaluating the asset’s short-term trajectory. The increase reflects broader interest and speculation in the cryptocurrency market as investors reassess their positions.

The recent uptick in ICP’s value is notable within the volatile cryptocurrency space, where prices can fluctuate significantly based on market sentiment and trading volume. As of now, ICP maintains its recent gains, suggesting a potential shift in momentum that market observers are closely watching.

Internet Computer is a blockchain project that aims to extend the functionality of the public internet by enabling smart contract capabilities and decentralized applications. Its native token, ICP, plays a crucial role in the network’s operations, including governance and transaction facilitation.

The cryptocurrency market is known for its rapid changes and the influence of various factors, including technological developments, regulatory announcements, and macroeconomic trends. Traders in this space often react swiftly to news and emerging patterns, which can lead to sharp price movements.

As ICP’s value hovers above $3, the market is paying attention to potential risks that could impact its future performance. Regulatory scrutiny is a constant factor in the cryptocurrency industry, with authorities worldwide examining the sector to ensure compliance with financial laws and protect investors.

While the current price trend for ICP is upward, it remains uncertain whether this momentum will sustain in the long term. The market’s inherent volatility makes it challenging to predict future movements accurately, and participants must remain informed about ongoing developments.

Looking ahead, stakeholders await further data and potential announcements that could influence ICP’s market dynamics. The cryptocurrency’s performance will continue to be monitored as part of the broader evaluation of digital asset trends and their implications for investors.

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James Thorp

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Posted: January 3, 2026

Dogecoin [DOGE] has rallied 11.6% in the past 24 hours and was trading at $0.142 at the time of writing. CoinMarketCap data showed that the Daily Trading Volume for the leading memecoin was up 118%.

The move made DOGE the best performer among the top 10 crypto assets for the day. The move also lent the sector strength, with memes being some top-performing assets in the short term.

Bitcoin [BTC] managed to climb above the $90k level, reaching $90.9k on Friday before falling lower. A recent AMBCrypto report noted that Dogecoin showed accumulation on-chain, but was also trading within a range.

This lower timeframe range has been broken. Should traders and investors bet on more gains for DOGE, or should they look to take profits?

Exploring the CVDD channel and its Dogecoin signal for investors
In a post on X, founder and CEO of analytics platform Alphractal, Joao Wedson, observed something interesting about Dogecoin. Using the Cumulative Value Days Destroyed metric, the analyst pointed out that Dogecoin was entering “its most important accumulation zone”.

The CVDD metric uses the age and price that tokens last moved at to estimate the lowest value Dogecoin can go to, which can help identify market bottoms. Recently, it entered the blue zone (less than 1.5x CVDD), which has been a buying opportunity historically.

Investors should note that Dogecoin tends to bounce from the lower CVDD channel multiple times, reaching the 2.8x-3.618x CVDD channel levels. If this comes true once again, DOGE could rally to $0.28-$0.3.

Don’t forget to take profits
The memecoins were outperforming and could continue higher, driven by the sudden sentiment flip around Dogecoin. It presented a buying opportunity for the coming days, but traders must remember to set clear invalidation levels and profit targets.

As crypto trader Mercury remarked, “any upside is strictly relief”, but don’t cash out on a mere 10% bounce. Aim higher, but don’t expect ATHs or $1 for DOGE anytime soon.

Final Thoughts

The Dogecoin descent into a critical area on the CVDD channel represented a long-term buying opportunity.
The current rally could go to the $0.26-$0.28 area later this month before falling lower.

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

Crypto Journalist

Anas Hassan

Crypto Journalist

Anas Hassan

Part of the Team Since

Jun 2025

About Author

Anas is a crypto native journalist and SEO writer with over five years of writing experience covering blockchain, crypto, DeFi, and emerging tech.

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Last updated: 

January 3, 2026

Crypto analytics platform Santiment has cautioned that retail FOMO could emerge if Bitcoin climbs above $92,000.

The warning comes as Bitcoin trades near $90,000 early in 2026, with social sentiment showing its strongest bullish spike in six months despite modest trading volumes during the post-holiday period.

Source: TradingViewBrian, Santiment’s head of content, noted during a January 2nd livestream that Bitcoin’s approach toward the psychological $90,000 threshold typically triggers retail buying pressure.

“Usually when we see something like 89.9K, there’s a bit of a retail push to at least hit that milestone,” he explained, adding that such moves often precede increased volatility as limit sells activate and FOMO intensifies.

Mixed Signals as New Year Trading BeginsMarket data reveals a complex picture as 2026 opens.

Bitcoin’s social volume remained flat, with just a 0.06% change from the previous week, while Ethereum saw a minimal increase of 1%.

Mid-cap altcoins attracted more attention, with Dogecoin discussions jumping 57% and Cardano rising 19%, suggesting retail interest may be shifting toward smaller assets after what traders called “the bloodbath that was the end of 2025.“

Source: X/@santimentfeedSantiment’s positive-versus-negative sentiment ratio for Bitcoin reached nearly 2:1 on January 1st, the highest reading since early October.

This marks the strongest bullish sentiment shift in over six months, though analysts remain cautious about interpreting the surge.

“I’m not necessarily going to be too worried about a lot of FOMO going on right now,” Brian stated, noting the timing coincides with traders returning from holidays rather than genuine conviction.

The sentiment spike appears exclusive to Bitcoin, with Ethereum and XRP showing more neutral readings.

Mentions of “higher or above” also outweighed “lower or below” references, reinforcing the optimistic tone among retail traders.

However, historical patterns suggest extreme bullish sentiment often precedes corrections as markets move contrary to crowd expectations.

Whale Accumulation Provides Bullish FoundationOn-chain metrics paint a more encouraging picture beneath the surface noise.

Wallets holding 10 to 10,000 Bitcoin accumulated approximately 65,500 BTC since November 30th, with 55,400 BTC added in just the past two weeks alone.

This represents the highest percentage of supply held by whales and sharks since November 10th.

Maxim Balashevich, Santiment’s founder and CEO, suggested the current price action could reflect anticipation of MicroStrategy’s expected weekend purchases.

“There could be some players betting on the Saylor,” he noted. “Maybe can engage some retail jump to the wagon of new year buying might work.“

The accumulation pattern contrasts with retail behavior, as smaller wallets holding less than 0.01 Bitcoin continued adding to positions throughout the recent volatility.

This simultaneous buying from both whales and retail investors creates uncertainty, as historical patterns favor rallies when large holders accumulate while small traders sell.

Choppy Waters Expected Before Directional MoveSantiment analysts expect sideways trading through the weekend before clearer signals emerge.

“We need to wait until Monday to get more data,” Balashevich stated, noting that many U.S. traders remain on holiday until next week.

He anticipates potential upside through Sunday, driven by speculation around institutional buying, followed by either downside on Monday or continued consolidation, depending on broader market conditions.

The 30-day market-to-realized-value ratio sits near breakeven, while the 365-day metric shows long-term holders down 11.5% from October’s all-time high of $126,000.

Network growth remained strong at year-end, though profit-taking spiked to six-week highs on January 2nd as traders capitalized on the move toward $90,000.

Looking ahead, Santiment emphasizes monitoring whether Bitcoin can break above $92,000 without triggering excessive retail enthusiasm.

The platform’s data suggests that while whale accumulation provides bullish underpinning, a FOMO-driven rally above key resistance levels could set up conditions for a sharper correction once speculative fever peaks.

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It won't happen overnight, but patience will be rewarded.

Programs like Social Security aren't designed to replace workers' entire income once they reach retirement age. So, it's important for everyone to plan ahead and build a nest egg for their golden years. Investing in stocks is a great way to do that.

There are plenty of companies to choose from in equity markets, but only a few can realistically help average investors become millionaires by the time they hang up the proverbial boots. Let's consider one healthcare stock that has what it takes: AbbVie (ABBV +0.36%).

Image source: Getty Images.

A rock-solid business
AbbVie is a pharmaceutical leader. When it comes to resilient industries, few can exceed or even match this one. Drugmakers like AbbVie sell products for which demand is consistent through the entire economic cycle. That means that even in recessions, the company tends to generate steady and predictable revenue and earnings. Of course, this factor alone doesn't make AbbVie a buy -- plenty of pharmaceutical companies aren't nearly as attractive.

AbbVie boasts several other good qualities, including a diversified portfolio across multiple therapeutic areas, such as immunology, neuroscience, and oncology. Within its most important area, immunology, AbbVie currently has some of the top-selling products: Skyrizi and Rinvoq. Both medicines have been growing their sales rapidly in the past few years and have filled Humira's big shoes. Humira was AbbVie's key growth driver for years until it lost patent exclusivity in 2023.

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The company's ability to overcome that challenge also speaks volumes about its underlying business. Furthermore, AbbVie has a robust pipeline and the ability to acquire smaller drugmakers or sign licensing agreements to acquire new, promising assets. So, the company offers consistency through good and bad times, has a vast lineup of products, and can overcome patent cliffs -- a significant danger for drugmakers -- through shrewd research and development spending. All these factors indicate a business that is well-positioned to perform consistently over the long term.

AbbVie's (not so) secret weapon
Another key reason AbbVie can deliver solid returns over the long run is that it has a terrific dividend program. The company is a Dividend King, or a corporation with at least 50 straight years of payout increases (it's currently at 54). Reinvesting a growing dividend can significantly boost long-term returns. Case in point: Consider AbbVie's returns over the past decade with and without dividends reinvested.

ABBV data by YCharts.

The difference is significant. Considering AbbVie's strong financial results and ability to generate solid cash flows, its days of increasing its payouts aren't over. For investors with a 30-year horizon, $50,000 invested today will grow to approximately $1,000,000 with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.5%. AbbVie is, in my view, capable of pulling that off.

Of course, it's important not to put all your eggs in one basket and to build a well-diversified portfolio of assets. However, AbbVie can help you become a millionaire retiree by being a large holding in your portfolio.