Market Signal Briefing

Japan’s 2026 tax reform will cut crypto rates to 20%, enable XRP and other crypto ETFs, and let traders carry losses forward three years.

Summary

Japan will tax specified crypto assets like Bitcoin and Ethereum at a flat 20% from 2026, aligning them with stocks and investment trusts.​
New rules allow three-year loss carryforwards and pave the way for XRP and additional crypto ETFs under the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act.​
Officials expect lower taxes and clearer oversight to draw investors, lift trading volumes, and support Japan’s regulated digital asset market.

Japan announced plans to reduce taxes on certain cryptocurrencies to a flat 20%, down from the current rate of up to 55%, as part of the country’s 2026 tax reform blueprint, according to government officials.

Japan slashes crypto taxes
The measure aims to encourage domestic crypto trading and align profits from specified digital assets with equities and investment trusts, officials stated.

The tax reduction will apply only to “specified crypto assets” managed by businesses registered under the Financial Instruments Business Operator Registry. Major cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and Ethereum are expected to qualify, though the exact criteria for businesses and assets remain under review, according to the announcement.

Under the new rules, losses from trading these virtual currencies can be carried forward for up to three years starting in 2026, allowing investors to offset future gains.

The law also permits investment trusts that include cryptocurrencies and coincides with Japan’s first XRP exchange-traded fund launch. Authorities plan to introduce two additional ETFs offering exposure to selected crypto assets, officials said.

Government officials and financial firms stated the revised framework aims to increase investor confidence and streamline regulatory oversight under the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act.

Analysts noted that the tax change may attract new participants to Japan’s crypto market while supporting the growth of regulated trading platforms.

Investors have responded positively, signaling potential increases in trading volume and broader adoption of digital assets in the country, according to market observers.

The reform is part of Japan’s broader effort to modernize its financial sector and provide clearer rules for emerging investment opportunities, officials said.

Jessie A Ellis
Jan 02, 2026 14:10

SHIB price prediction shows potential 22% upside to $0.0000085 resistance level, with bullish MACD momentum supporting near-term recovery despite neutral RSI conditions.

SHIB Price Prediction Summary
• SHIB short-term target (1 week): $0.0000078 (+12% from current levels)
• Shiba Inu medium-term forecast (1 month): $0.0000085-$0.00001019 range

• Key level to break for bullish continuation: $0.0000085
• Critical support if bearish: $0.000007

Recent Shiba Inu Price Predictions from Analysts
The latest SHIB price prediction consensus among major analysts reveals a cautiously optimistic outlook for the meme token. Blockchain.News leads with the most conservative near-term target of $0.0000085 by end of January 2026, citing golden cross patterns and bullish MACD indicators as primary drivers.

Shiba Inu forecast models show significant variation in longer-term projections. MEXC News targets $0.00001019 by December 2025, while CoinCodex and DigitalCoinPrice converge around $0.000012-$0.0000124 for end-2026 predictions. The most aggressive forecast comes from CoinLore, projecting $0.0000935 in 2026 - representing a potential 1,150% increase that carries low confidence given its extreme deviation from consensus.

The SHIB price target convergence around $0.0000085 for January suggests this level represents meaningful technical resistance that multiple analysts recognize as achievable in the near term.

SHIB Technical Analysis: Setting Up for Cautious Recovery
Current Shiba Inu technical analysis reveals a mixed but improving picture. The RSI reading of 51.88 positions SHIB in neutral territory, indicating neither overbought nor oversold conditions - creating room for movement in either direction.

The MACD histogram showing 0.0000 with noted bullish momentum suggests the recent 9.18% daily gain may have legs for continuation. The Stochastic indicators paint a more aggressive picture, with %K at 93.81 indicating potential overbought conditions in the short term, though the %D at 60.24 suggests the momentum shift is still developing.

SHIB's position at 0.79 within the Bollinger Bands indicates the token is trading closer to the upper band, suggesting recent buying pressure. The 24-hour volume of $15.4 million on Binance provides adequate liquidity for the predicted moves, though this volume needs to increase to confirm any sustained rally toward analyst targets.

The distance of -54.72% from the 52-week high indicates substantial room for recovery if broader market conditions remain supportive.

Shiba Inu Price Targets: Bull and Bear Scenarios
Bullish Case for SHIB
The primary SHIB price prediction for the bullish scenario targets $0.0000085 within the next 3-4 weeks. This represents the first major resistance level identified by multiple analysts and aligns with technical patterns suggesting a golden cross formation.

For this target to materialize, SHIB needs to maintain momentum above current levels and break through immediate resistance. The bullish MACD histogram supports this scenario, and a sustained break above $0.0000085 could open the path toward the $0.00001019 level predicted by MEXC News.

Extended bullish targets for Q1 2026 range from $0.000010 to $0.000012, contingent on broader crypto market recovery and potential catalysts within the Shiba Inu ecosystem.

Bearish Risk for Shiba Inu
The bearish scenario for our SHIB price prediction centers on a failure to hold current support levels. Critical support sits at $0.000007, representing a key psychological level that has historically provided buying interest.

A break below this level could trigger further selling toward $0.0000068, representing approximately 15% downside risk from current levels. The elevated Stochastic %K reading of 93.81 warns of potential short-term correction pressure that could test these support zones.

Risk factors include broader cryptocurrency market weakness, regulatory concerns affecting meme tokens, or failure to sustain the current bullish MACD momentum.

Should You Buy SHIB Now? Entry Strategy
Based on current Shiba Inu technical analysis, the buy or sell SHIB decision depends on risk tolerance and time horizon. For aggressive traders, current levels offer entry opportunity targeting the $0.0000085 resistance.

Conservative buyers should wait for a pullback toward $0.0000072-$0.0000075 range, providing better risk-reward ratios. This approach allows for tighter stop-losses below the critical $0.000007 support level.

Position sizing should reflect the high volatility nature of meme tokens. Risk management requires stop-loss placement below $0.000007 for any positions taken above current levels. Target profit-taking at $0.0000085 offers approximately 22% upside potential with clearly defined risk parameters.

SHIB Price Prediction Conclusion
Our Shiba Inu forecast anticipates a measured recovery toward $0.0000085 within the January timeframe, representing a medium-confidence prediction supported by improving technical indicators and analyst consensus.

The bullish MACD momentum and neutral RSI provide the technical foundation for this move, while the multiple analyst targets around this level offer fundamental validation. However, the elevated Stochastic readings suggest potential near-term volatility that could create better entry opportunities.

Key indicators to monitor include MACD signal line crossovers, RSI breaking above 60 for sustained bullish momentum, and volume confirmation above $20 million daily averages. Invalidation of this SHIB price prediction occurs on a decisive break below $0.000007 support, which would shift the bias toward the $0.0000068 bearish target.

Timeline for target achievement extends through January 2026, with potential extension into February if broader market conditions remain supportive.

Image source: Shutterstock

shib price analysis
shib price prediction

Felix Pinkston
Jan 02, 2026 14:16

Toncoin shows bullish momentum with MACD histogram turning positive and RSI at 62.34. Analysts target $2.28 within 30 days, representing 32% upside from current $1.73 level.

Toncoin (TON) is displaying compelling technical signals that suggest a significant price breakout could be imminent. With the cryptocurrency trading at $1.73 and showing bullish momentum indicators, our comprehensive TON price prediction analysis reveals multiple catalysts pointing toward substantial upside potential in the coming weeks.

TON Price Prediction Summary
• TON short-term target (1 week): $1.91 (+10.4%)
• Toncoin medium-term forecast (1 month): $2.15-$2.28 range (+24% to +32%)
• Key level to break for bullish continuation: $1.74 (immediate resistance)
• Critical support if bearish: $1.42 (strong support level)

Recent Toncoin Price Predictions from Analysts
The latest analyst forecasts paint a notably optimistic picture for Toncoin's near-term trajectory. Peter Zhang from Blockchain.News has issued the most aggressive TON price prediction, targeting $2.28 within 30 days based on bullish MACD signals and oversold RSI conditions that have since improved. This represents a potential 40% upside from recent lows.

Additional predictions from Blockchain.News converge around the $1.75-$2.15 range, with analysts citing the critical $1.69 resistance level as a key breakout point. The consensus among these recent Toncoin forecast reports suggests medium confidence in a recovery scenario, with technical indicators providing the primary justification for bullish sentiment.

What's particularly noteworthy is the alignment between multiple analysts on similar price targets, indicating a shared interpretation of the technical setup. The $1.91-$2.15 range appears multiple times across predictions, suggesting this could be a realistic medium-term price corridor for TON.

TON Technical Analysis: Setting Up for Breakout
The current technical landscape for Toncoin presents a compelling case for upward momentum. With TON's RSI sitting at 62.34, the cryptocurrency has moved well above oversold conditions while remaining below overbought territory, providing room for additional gains. This neutral RSI reading supports the medium-term bullish thesis without suggesting immediate exhaustion.

The MACD histogram reading of 0.0309 represents a crucial bullish signal, indicating that momentum is shifting in favor of buyers. When combined with the MACD line at 0.0162 crossing above the signal line at -0.0147, this creates a classic bullish crossover pattern that often precedes significant price moves.

Toncoin's position relative to its Bollinger Bands is particularly revealing. Trading at 1.0308 times the upper band indicates the price is testing resistance but hasn't yet experienced the rejection that would signal distribution. The middle band at $1.55 has been convincingly reclaimed, providing a foundation for the current rally.

Volume analysis shows $7.96 million in 24-hour Binance spot trading, which while moderate, has been sufficient to drive price discovery above key moving averages. The fact that TON is trading above its 7, 12, and 26-period moving averages suggests the short-term trend remains intact.

Toncoin Price Targets: Bull and Bear Scenarios
Bullish Case for TON
Our primary TON price target focuses on the $2.28 level identified by analyst Peter Zhang, which aligns with technical resistance zones from previous price action. For this scenario to unfold, Toncoin needs to break convincingly above the immediate resistance at $1.74, which would likely trigger algorithmic buying and potentially short covering.

The path to $2.28 would involve several interim targets. First, the $1.91 level represents a logical pause point, roughly 10% above current levels. This coincides with previous support-turned-resistance zones. Breaking $1.91 with volume would open the door to the $2.15-$2.28 range, where we expect the next major resistance cluster.

Key technical requirements for the bullish scenario include maintaining support above $1.65 (the 7-day SMA) and seeing the MACD histogram continue expanding. Additionally, the RSI would need to remain below 80 to avoid short-term overbought conditions that could trigger profit-taking.

Bearish Risk for Toncoin
The primary risk to our Toncoin forecast lies in a failure to hold current support levels. If TON breaks below $1.65, it would signal that the current bounce is merely a dead-cat bounce rather than a genuine recovery. This would likely target the $1.42 support level, representing an 18% decline from current levels.

A more severe bearish scenario would involve breaking the $1.42 support, which could open the door to a retest of the 52-week low at $1.44. Given that Toncoin is still trading 51.54% below its 52-week high of $3.56, there remains significant technical damage that needs to be repaired through sustained accumulation.

Warning signs to monitor include a MACD histogram rollover, RSI breaking below 50, or a decisive break of the 20-day SMA at $1.55. Any of these developments would necessitate a reassessment of the bullish thesis.

Should You Buy TON Now? Entry Strategy
Based on our Toncoin technical analysis, the current price level around $1.73 presents a reasonable entry point for those seeking exposure to the anticipated rally. However, more conservative traders might consider waiting for a slight pullback to the $1.67-$1.69 range, which would provide a better risk-reward ratio.

For immediate entries, implementing a stop-loss at $1.60 (just below the 50-day SMA) would limit downside risk to approximately 7.5% while maintaining exposure to the potential 32% upside to our $2.28 target. This creates an attractive 4:1 risk-reward ratio that justifies the position.

Position sizing should account for TON's daily ATR of $0.08, which indicates relatively high volatility. Conservative investors should limit TON exposure to 2-3% of their portfolio, while more aggressive traders comfortable with cryptocurrency volatility could consider 5-7% allocation.

The question of whether to buy or sell TON ultimately depends on individual risk tolerance, but the technical evidence suggests the path of least resistance is higher, particularly if broader cryptocurrency market conditions remain supportive.

TON Price Prediction Conclusion
Our comprehensive analysis supports a bullish TON price prediction with a primary target of $2.28 within the next 30 days, representing 32% upside potential from current levels. This forecast carries medium confidence based on the alignment of multiple technical indicators and analyst consensus.

Key indicators to monitor for confirmation include the MACD histogram maintaining positive momentum, RSI holding above 50, and most critically, a decisive break above the $1.74 resistance level with accompanying volume expansion. Invalidation signals would include a break below $1.60 or a MACD bearish crossover.

The timeline for this Toncoin forecast extends through the end of January 2026, with interim checkpoints at the $1.91 level expected within 7-10 days if momentum continues. Traders and investors should prepare for volatility along the way, as cryptocurrency markets rarely move in straight lines, even during strong trending periods.

Image source: Shutterstock

ton price analysis
ton price prediction

Bitcoin miner Bitfarms exiting Latin America with $30M sale of Paraguay siteThe company is selling the site to the Sympatheia Power Fund, managed by Singapore-based Hawksburn Capital. Jan 2, 2026, 1:24 p.m.

Bitcoin miner Bitfarms (BITF) is set to exit Latin America with the sale of its site in Paso Pe, Paraguay.

The company is selling the site to the Sympatheia Power Fund (SPF), managed by Singapore-based Hawksburn Capital, for up to $30 million, the company announced on Friday.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW

The transaction, which is subject to customary closing conditions, is expected to close within the next 60 days, Bitfarms said.

Bitfarms will receive $9 million upfront and up to $21 million over the subsequent 10 months based on certain payment milestones.

"This transaction brings forward an estimated two to three years of anticipated free cash flows from operations to be reinvested into our North American HPC/AI energy infrastructure in 2026, where we believe we will be able to generate much stronger returns on our invested capital with HPC/AI," Bitfarms CEO Ben Gagnon said.

The deal follows Bitfarms' sale of a site in Yguazú, Paraguay to bitcoin mining company Hive Digital Technologies (HIVE) just under a year ago.

BITF shares were up around 4% at $2.45 in pre-market trading, coinciding with a lift in BTC's price to just under $90,000.

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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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Coinbase’s Base faces builder backlash over creator coin push

Dec 31, 2025

Builders on Base are pushing back against the network’s close alignment with Zora, arguing the creator-coin narrative sidelines established projects.

What to know:

Base has seen a surge in creator-coin issuance via Zora, with daily token mints surpassing Solana in August, boosting onchain activity and attention.Some Base-native projects say marketing and social support has become narrowly focused on Zora-linked initiatives, leaving other established communities without recognition.While Base continues to process more than 10 million transactions per day, critics warn that deteriorating builder sentiment could push projects toward rival chains like Solana or Sui.Read full story

Co-founder urges community to strengthen both blockchain and application layers for a resilient “world computer.”

Published:
January 2, 2026 │ 12:32 PM GMT

Created by Kornelija Poderskytė from DailyCoin

Ethereum (ETH) made significant technical progress in 2025, yet co-founder Vitalik Buterin warns the network still has critical work ahead.

Despite improvements to gas limits, node software, and zkEVM performance, Ethereum must continue enhancing usability and decentralization across both the blockchain and application layers to achieve its vision as a resilient, censorship-resistant “world computer.”

Sponsored

In a New Year’s post on X, Buterin urged the Ethereum community to return to its founding principles, framing the platform as a safeguard against the growing centralization in technology.

Welcome to 2026! Milady is back.

Ethereum did a lot in 2025: gas limits increased, blob count increased, node software quality improved, zkEVMs blasted through their performance milestones, and with zkEVMs and PeerDAS ethereum made its largest step toward being a fundamentally…

— vitalik.eth (@VitalikButerin) January 1, 2026
Decentralization Under the “Walkaway Test”Central to his message is the “walkaway test”, a benchmark for decentralization. Projects that pass it should operate independently, without ongoing intervention from developers. 

While Ethereum has made notable strides in 2025, including gas optimizations and zkEVM upgrades, Buterin argued that technical improvements alone are not enough; user experience and true decentralization must advance in parallel.

According to him, Ethereum must continue advancing to fulfill its stated mission: building a “world computer” to serve as central infrastructure for a freer, open internet.

Scaling Usability Without Compromising DecentralizationEthereum co-founder stressed that for Ethereum to reach its full potential, it must be both easy to use at scale and genuinely decentralized.

That means improving every layer of the system: from the blockchain itself, including the software that runs and interacts with it, to the applications built on top. 

While progress is already underway, he stressed that more work is needed. “Fortunately, we have powerful tools on our side – but we need to apply them, and we will,” Vitalik Buterin added, expressing confidence that the network can meet its goals.

Why This MattersAchieving both usability and decentralization is crucial for Ethereum to serve as a resilient, censorship-resistant infrastructure capable of supporting a free and open internet.

Stay in the loop with DailyCoin’s top crypto news:
SWIFT Exec Shades XRP & Cardano: Utility Or Bust?
Crypto Markets Quiet as 2025 Comes to a Close

People Also Ask:How does Ethereum improve usability for everyday users?

Ethereum usability improvements include faster transaction processing, lower gas fees, and user-friendly wallets and dApps. Better usability helps more people interact with the blockchain without technical barriers.

What is the “walkaway test” in Ethereum projects?

The “walkaway test” is a benchmark for true decentralization: projects should continue running even if the original developers leave or stop supporting them. Passing this test ensures dApps are self-sustaining and resilient.

How do zkEVMs enhance Ethereum’s performance?

zkEVMs (zero-knowledge Ethereum Virtual Machines) improve scalability and transaction efficiency while maintaining Ethereum’s security and decentralization. They allow more complex applications to run faster and at lower cost.

Why is Ethereum considered a “world computer”?

Ethereum aims to be a “world computer” by providing a global, decentralized platform for finance, governance, identity, and other civilizational infrastructure, accessible to anyone without relying on centralized services.

How can users benefit from a more decentralized and usable Ethereum?

A truly decentralized, usable Ethereum protects privacy, resists censorship, reduces reliance on third-party services, and allows users to interact with financial, governance, and identity applications safely and efficiently.

DailyCoin's Vibe Check: Which way are you leaning towards after reading this article?

Market Sentiment

0% Neutral

This article is for information purposes only and should not be considered trading or investment advice. Nothing herein shall be construed as financial, legal, or tax advice. Trading forex, cryptocurrencies, and CFDs pose a considerable risk of loss.

Grayscale has taken another major step in crypto investing by filing an S-1 registration statement for its Grayscale Bittensor Trust. If approved, this move would bring the market closer to the very first $TAO ETP in the United States.
The filing shows that Grayscale is continuing its push to turn more crypto trusts into regulated products, such as a $TAO ETP.

What Did Grayscale File?
Grayscale announced that it has officially filed an initial S-1 registration statement with the U.S. SEC for the Grayscale Bittensor Trust, which trades under the ticker $GTAO.

An S-1 filing is a key regulatory step companies take when they plan to offer a product more broadly to the public.

In this case, it moves the trust closer to conversion into an exchange-traded product (ETP). If successful, this would make Grayscale’s product the first $TAO ETP in the U.S., another milestone for the firm.

Today we filed the initial S-1 for Grayscale Bittensor Trust (ticker: $GTAO) with the @SECGov

This milestone is the next step in converting $GTAO to an ETP, which would make it the first $TAO ETP in the U.S. and another first for Grayscale.

Read the S-1:… pic.twitter.com/2qg6AgqYOg

— Grayscale (@Grayscale) December 30, 2025

Bittensor is a decentralized network focused on machine intelligence, and its native token is $TAO. It has not been possible to get regulated exposure to $TAO so far. An available $TAO ETF would allow the traditional investors to more readily access Bittensor without actually holding the token. It implies increased accessibility, greater credibility, and possibly increased adoption.

How This Builds on the Form 10 Filing
This S-1 filing was not an isolated incident. It is after Grayscale’s previous Form 10 filing that made the Grayscale Bittensor Trust an SEC reporting company.

Form 10 also had many significant modifications:

The trust commenced trading publicly.
SEC reporting brought about transparency.
They reduced the holding period of private placements.

All this puts the groundwork in becoming a $TAO ETF.

Key Things to Know If the Registration Is Effective
If the registration statement becomes effective, here’s what investors should expect:

Public Quotation: Grayscale would seek to have $GTAO shares publicly quoted on OTC Markets.
SEC Registration: The trust would register its shares under Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act.
Regular Reporting: Grayscale would file annual and quarterly reports, including audited financials.
Shorter Holding Period: The private placement holding period would go from 12 months to 6 months upon meeting regulatory conditions.
Closer to an ETP: The trust would move one step closer to becoming a full $TAO ETP.

1️⃣ We would seek to publicly quote the Grayscale #Bittensor Trust’s $TAO (the “Trust”) shares on OTC Markets, as we’ve done for other products.

2️⃣ The Trust shares would be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act.*

3️⃣ The Trust would file 10-Ks, 10-Qs, and…

— Grayscale (@Grayscale) October 10, 2025

Important Clarification
Grayscale made it clear that this filing does not automatically make the trust an ETP.

The trust:

Will not add a redemption program
It will not trade on a national securities exchange at this time.
Does not currently meet the listing standards for commodity-based ETPs.

Grayscale says it would seek an ETP listing only if they meet those standards.

Today’s filing follows the recent initiation of $GTAO publicly trading and the effectiveness of its Form 10, which made it an SEC reporting company and reduced the holding period.

Read the thread from our previous Form 10 filing ⬇️ https://t.co/Gz0yin2kTA

— Grayscale (@Grayscale) December 30, 2025

While a $TAO ETP is not guaranteed yet, the regulatory groundwork is clear. Grayscale’s S-1 filing is a significant move toward institutional crypto adoption and Bittensor.

Polymarket traders are giving Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) just a 31% chance to hit $100,000 in January, while Ethereum (CRYPTO: ETH) sits at 8% for $4,000 and XRP (CRYPTO: XRP) at 14% for $2.40—signaling traders expect volatility without breakouts.

Bitcoin: Stuck In A $5,000-$15,000 Range
Bitcoin conviction is strongest near current levels and deteriorates rapidly above key thresholds.

Upside probabilities:

$90,000: 99%
$95,000: 60%
$100,000: 31%
$105,000: 14%
$110,000+: single-digit odds

The steep decay above $95,000 signals traders don’t expect buyers to absorb supply at higher levels.

Downside probabilities:

$85,000: 61%
$80,000: 26%
$75,000: 12%

Taken together, Polymarket traders are pricing a $5,000–$15,000 trading band, not a directional push as the market expects turbulence without escape velocity.

Ethereum: Range-Bound, No Acceleration
Ethereum’s Polymarket ladder mirrors Bitcoin’s restrained outlook, with highest conviction clustered around mid-range prices.

Polymarket assigns 76% odds to ETH holding above $3,200, but only 27% for $3,600 and just 8% for $4,000.

Downside probabilities remain material, with $2,800 at 57% and $2,600 at 31%, reinforcing expectations of consolidation rather than acceleration.

The distribution implies Ethereum will remain range-bound, with neither bulls nor bears displaying urgency.

XRP: Narrow Path, No Breakout
XRP traders are even more conservative, pricing stability over volatility.

Markets price a 76% chance of holding above $1.80 and $2.00, but only 14% odds for $2.40 and single-digit probabilities beyond $2.60.

January 15 MSCI Ruling And CLARITY Act: Catalysts That May Not Matter
Jan. 15 looms as the MSCI decision date on excluding companies with 50%+ digital asset holdings—directly targeting Strategy Inc. (NASDAQ:MSTR) and its 672,497 BTC.

Polymarket traders price MSTR delisting at 75% probability, with JPMorgan estimating $2.8 billion to $8.8 billion in forced outflows from passive index funds.

Meanwhile, the CLARITY Act enters Senate markup this month, with White House crypto czar David Sacks calling passage likely in Q1 to divide SEC and CFTC oversight.

However, prediction markets aren’t pricing upside on regulatory hope—they’re waiting for proof it matters.

Additionally, Texas holds $5 million in Bitcoin ETF exposure with plans for another $5 million direct purchase, while Arizona and New Hampshire passed similar bills.

Still, those are breadcrumbs, not the institutional wave bulls expected.

What Happens Next
Longer-term Polymarket contracts show delayed optimism:

New Bitcoin all-time high by March 31: 9%
By June 30: 20%
By December 31: 34%

Another contract reinforces short-term caution: Bitcoin hits $80,000 before $150,000 is at 83% probability.

BTC Technical Analysis

Bitcoin is roughly 12% up from the December low near $80,000, but the broader structure still looks heavy.

Price is capped below the falling 20 and 50-day EMAs, keeping short-term momentum tilted bearish. 

The Supertrend remains firmly negative, signaling rallies are corrective rather than impulsive.

The descending trendline from October continues to act as dynamic resistance near $91,500–$92,000. 

As long as BTC stays below that zone, downside risk toward $85,000 remains active.

A daily close above $92,000 would be the first signal that sellers are losing control.

Read Next: Top 3 Energy Stocks That May Explode This Month

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

Prediction markets and analyst desks are sending different signals about Bitcoin’s near-term path. Traders on Polymarket appear cautious, while some big-name firms keep calling for big gains in 2026.

Market Odds And Trader Caution
According to Polymarket prices, Bitcoin has just a 23% chance of reaching $150,000 before 2027. The odds are higher at lower targets: 47% for $120,000, 35% for $130,000 and 29% for $140,000.

Traders are most comfortable with $100,000, which carries about an 80% chance. That spread shows bettors are pricing risk tightly as the clock runs toward the new year.

Bitcoin closed 2025 in the red, a fact that has likely cooled some enthusiasm. Reports have disclosed that gold and silver hit fresh highs in the fourth quarter of 2025, while crypto prices held mostly flat. The old four-year halving cycle that many chartists relied on is being questioned, and that doubt is being priced in.

Source: Polymarket
Technical Signals
Based on the latest Bitcoin price outlook, BTC is expected to climb 3% to about $91,815 by February 1, 2026. Technical signals point to a Bearish mood, while the Fear & Greed Index stands at 28, reflecting Fear. Over the past 30 days, Bitcoin posted gains on 15 of those days, or 50%, with price swings averaging 2%.

Policy Shifts Could Change The Math
US President Donald Trump is expected to name a new Federal Reserve chair soon, and many market participants are betting that interest rates will be cut afterward.

That idea has already helped send precious metals higher. At the same time, regulators in Washington are pushing crypto bills such as the GENIUS Act and the CLARITY Act, which backers say could give clearer rules and, in time, more institutional interest.

Bitcoin is now trading at $89,605. Chart: TradingView
Analysts Still Offer Bullish Targets
Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse has publicly predicted that Bitcoin could reach $180,000 by the end of 2026, citing stronger institutional interest and better regulatory clarity as reasons for his bullish outlook.

Analysts at JPMorgan have suggested a theoretical Bitcoin price around $170,000 in 2026, based on a model comparing Bitcoin’s behavior to gold and assuming continued capital flows into the crypto market.

Grayscale’s 2026 digital asset outlook expects Bitcoin to exceed its previous all-time high in the first half of 2026, implying a move above its record peak of around $126,000 (though not giving a specific numerical target, the implication is toward significant upward momentum).

Policymakers, traders and analysts are all weighing different risks. Market prices reflect caution today, while forecasts offer a brighter view for the months ahead. Which one proves right will depend on policy moves, investor appetite and whether new trading patterns replace the cycle many thought they could count on.

Featured image from Unsplash, chart from TradingView

Bitcoin strutted into 2026 like it owned the cryptosphere, posting a price of $89,431, a 24-hour range between $87,742 and $89,778, and a market cap nearing $1.78 trillion. Yet, beneath the surface of this glittering price tag lies a market simmering with conflicting signals.

Bitcoin (BTC) price is entering 2026 in a quiet phase, but the market underneath is far from inactive. After falling from the $110,000 area, the price has moved into a tight range. At the same time, large new buyers are steadily building positions, and trading activity is picking up again. This mix of calm price action and growing interest usually signals accumulation, not weakness. For traders, it suggests Bitcoin may be preparing for a bigger move rather than fading out.

Bitcoin Price Action: Compression, Not BreakdownOn the daily chart, Bitcoin is trading within a symmetrical triangle, formed after the rejection from the $110,000 region. Price is compressing between descending resistance and rising support near $88,000–$90,000, signaling declining volatility rather than panic selling.

Momentum indicators reinforce this view. The RSI (14) is stabilizing around the 50 level, showing balance after extended bearish momentum, while Chaikin Money Flow (CMF) remains slightly negative but flat, suggesting selling pressure is no longer accelerating. Historically, similar structures following strong trends have resolved with expansion rather than prolonged drift.

New Whales Are Absorbing SupplyOne of the strongest signals supporting the current structure comes from on-chain data. The realized cap of new Bitcoin whales has surged to record highs, indicating that recently formed large holders are aggressively accumulating at elevated price levels.

This matters because it shows new capital entering the market, not old whales rotating out. In previous cycles, sharp increases in new whale realised cap during consolidation phases often aligned with trend continuation, as these participants tend to defend downside rather than exit quickly.

Open Interest Rises as Price Stays FlatAt the same time, Bitcoin open interest across all exchanges has rebounded sharply toward $30.5 billion, even as spot price remains trapped in a narrow range. This divergence suggests fresh positioning is building, rather than leverage being flushed out.

When open interest rises during price compression, it typically signals that traders are positioning for volatility expansion, not chasing direction blindly. This increases the probability of a sharp move once the price exits the current structure.

Key Levels Traders Are WatchingFrom a tactical perspective, the range is clearly defined:

Immediate resistance: $90,400–$91,000: A breakout and acceptance above this zone would expose $98,000–$100,600, where prior demand sits.Critical support: $88,000: A loss of this level could trigger a liquidity sweep toward $83,000–$85,000, where stronger demand is expected.Conclusion: Bitcoin Is Being Positioned, Not SoldBitcoin’s current consolidation is not showing signs of distribution. Rising new-whale accumulation, recovering open interest, and neutralising momentum all point toward absorption and positioning. While direction is still unresolved, the structure favors a decisive move rather than prolonged weakness. As long as the Bitcoin (BTC) price holds above key support, the market appears to be building energy for the next leg, not rolling over.

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.

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January 02, 2026 08:00 ET

 | Source:

Robinhood Markets, Inc.

MENLO PARK, Calif., Jan. 02, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, Robinhood Markets, Inc. (“Robinhood”) (NASDAQ: HOOD) announced that it will release its fourth quarter and full year 2025 financial results on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, after market close. Robinhood will host a video call with Chairman & Chief Executive Officer Vlad Tenev and incoming Chief Financial Officer Shiv Verma to discuss its results at 2:00 PM PT / 5:00 PM ET on the same day. The video call and supporting materials will be available at investors.robinhood.com. The event will also be live streamed to YouTube and X.com via Robinhood’s official channels, @RobinhoodApp, and within the Robinhood mobile app. Following the call, a replay and transcript will also be available at investors.robinhood.com.

Ahead of the call, Robinhood shareholders can visit https://app.saytechnologies.com/robinhood-markets-2025-q4 to submit and upvote questions for management using the Q&A platform developed by Say Technologies. The Q&A platform will be open for question submission starting Tuesday, February 3, 2026, at 2:00 PM PT / 5:00 PM ET. Shareholders will be able to submit and upvote questions until Monday, February 9, 2026, at 2:00 PM PT / 5:00 PM ET. Management will address a selection of the most upvoted questions relating to Robinhood’s business and financial results on the earnings call. Shareholders can email [email protected] for any support inquiries.

About Robinhood

Robinhood Markets, Inc. (NASDAQ: HOOD) transformed financial services by introducing commission-free stock trading and democratizing access to the markets for millions of investors. Today, Robinhood, through its subsidiaries, lets you trade stocks, options, futures (which includes event contracts), and crypto, invest for retirement, earn with Robinhood Gold, and access an expert-managed portfolio with Robinhood Strategies. Headquartered in Menlo Park, California, Robinhood puts customers in the driver’s seat, delivering unprecedented value and products intentionally designed for a new generation of investors. Additional information about Robinhood can be found at www.robinhood.com.

Robinhood uses the “Overview” tab of its Investor Relations website (accessible at investors.robinhood.com/overview) and its Newsroom (accessible at newsroom.aboutrobinhood.com), as means of disclosing information to the public in a broad, non-exclusionary manner for purposes of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) Regulation Fair Disclosure (Reg. FD). Investors should routinely monitor those web pages, in addition to Robinhood’s press releases, SEC filings, and public conference calls and webcasts, as information posted on them could be deemed to be material information.

“Robinhood” and the Robinhood feather logo are registered trademarks of Robinhood Markets, Inc. All other names are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their respective owners.

Contacts

Investor Relations: [email protected]

Press: [email protected]

Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - January 2, 2026) - Bold Ventures Inc. (TSXV: BOL) (the "Company" or "Bold") is pleased to announce that further to its news release of December 16, 2025, it has closed its non-brokered private placement offering for gross proceeds of $776,800, through the placement of 6,000,000 working capital units (the "WC Units") of the Company at a price of $0.08 per WC unit for $480,000 (the "WC Offering") and 3,297,776 Flow Through units (the "FT Units") at a price of $0.09 per FT Unit for $296,800 (the "FT Offering", and together with the WC Offering, the "Offering").

The Company paid cash finder fees in the aggregate of $36,719.99 and issued an aggregate of 454,333 compensation warrants (the "Compensation Warrants") to two eligible finders. 37,333 of the Compensation Warrants entitle the holder to acquire one (1) common share at a price of $0.12 until December 31, 2027. 417,000 of the Compensation Warrants entitle the holder to acquire one (1) common share at a price of $0.12 until December 31, 2028.

All the securities issued pursuant to the Offering are subject to a hold period expiring on May 1, 2026.

Bruce MacLachlan, President and COO of Bold Ventures, stated: "We wish to thank our existing shareholders for their continued support of the Company and welcome the participation by new investors. We look forward to seeing the results from our drilling programs in 2026."

Insider Subscriptions

Three insiders subscribed for 420,000 FT Units for gross proceeds of $37,800. The insider private placements are exempt from the valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of Multilateral Instrument 61-101 ("MI 61-101") by virtue of the exemptions contained in sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(1) (a) of MI 61-101 in that the fair market value of the consideration for the securities of the Company issued to the insiders does not exceed 25% of its market capitalization.

The Offering

Each WC Unit comprises one (1) common share of the Company priced at $0.08 and one full common share purchase warrant (a "WC Warrant") entitling the holder to acquire one (1) common share at a price of $0.12 until December 31, 2028. The proceeds from the WC Units will be used for general working capital, property maintenance, exploration and expenses of the offering.

Each FT Unit comprises one common share of the Company priced at $0.09 and one half (1/2) of a common share purchase warrant. One full common share purchase warrant (a "FT Warrant") and $0.12 will acquire an additional common share until December 31, 2027. The proceeds from the sale of the FT Units will be used for exploration work that qualifies for Canadian Exploration Expenses (CEE).

Bold Ventures management believes our suite of Battery, Critical and Precious Metals exploration projects are an ideal combination of exploration potential meeting future demand. Our target commodities are comprised of: Copper (Cu), Nickel (Ni), Lead (Pb), Zinc (Zn), Gold (Au), Silver (Ag), Platinum (Pt), Palladium (Pd) and Chromium (Cr). The Critical Metals list and a description of the Provincial and Federal electrification plans are posted on the Bold website here.

About Bold Ventures Inc.

The Company explores for Precious, Battery and Critical Metals in Canada. Bold is exploring properties located in active gold and battery metals camps in the Thunder Bay and Wawa regions of Ontario. Bold also holds significant assets located within and around the emerging multi-metals district dubbed the Ring of Fire region, located in the James Bay Lowlands of Northern Ontario.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements: This Press Release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, which may cause actual results to differ materially from the statements made. When used in this document, the words "may", "would", "could", "will", "intend", "plan", "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements reflect our current views with respect to future events and are subject to such risks and uncertainties. Many factors could cause our actual results to differ materially from the statements made, including those factors discussed in filings made by us with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities. Should one or more of these risks and uncertainties, such actual results of current exploration programs, the general risks associated with the mining industry, the price of gold and other metals, currency and interest rate fluctuations, increased competition and general economic and market factors, occur or should assumptions underlying the forward looking statements prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as intended, planned, anticipated, or expected. We do not intend and do not assume any obligation to update these forward-looking statements, except as required by law. Shareholders are cautioned not to put undue reliance on such forward-looking statements.

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/279349

Source: Bold Ventures Inc.

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, /PRNewswire/ -- Seeing Machines, a global leader in vision-based monitoring technology, has established a dedicated Future Mobility Group to support increasing demand from the autonomous driving sector and to advance new commercial opportunities as automated vehicle programs scale globally.

Autonomous vehicle programs worldwide are now beginning to transition from large-scale development into commercial deployment, leading the industry into a new phase, which now requires production-ready, human-centered safety systems capable of scaling with global operations. Seeing Machines has consistently worked with the world's leading autonomous-driving companies to deploy its Guardian based solution, now installed in over 1,000 self-driving development vehicles.

As this industry transitions from development to commercial deployment, demand has grown for deeper commercial and technical engagements to deliver embedded solutions that will support scale safely and effectively. To support this, Seeing Machines has established its Future Mobility Group, a dedicated team within Seeing Machines focused on supporting autonomous vehicle programs across development, deployment and commercial scale. This team will work collaboratively with global customers to embed Seeing Machines' next-generation driver and occupant monitoring system (DMS/OMS) technology into their autonomy products and services through a more structured engagement model aligned with the needs of next-generation mobility platforms.

"Future Mobility is not just about autonomy, it's about building transport systems that understand people as well as they understand the road," said Paul McGlone, CEO at Seeing Machines. "As automated driving technologies scale, interior sensing becomes a foundational capability, enabling safer, more reliable automation and greater trust between humans and machines. The establishment of our Future Mobility Group, which leverages existing Seeing Machines resources and platform technology, reflects our long-term strategy to embed human understanding at the centre of next-generation vehicle platforms as our customers in Automotive, Aftermarket and Aviation move towards this."

Seeing Machines is the first in its category to establish a dedicated team focused on supporting the full lifecycle of autonomous vehicle programs, leveraging the success from its Guardian Back-up Driver Monitoring System. With the newly formed Future Mobility Group, the Company is proactively aligning its technology, roadmap, and commercial activities with existing and new customers to support the deployment of new fully autonomous robotaxi services, logistics and delivery fleets, and remotely supervised, tele-operated vehicle platforms at scale.

About Seeing Machines (LSE: SEE)

Seeing Machines is a global company founded in 2000 and headquartered in Australia, is an industry leader in vision-based monitoring technology that enable machines to see, understand and assist people. Seeing Machines is revolutionising global transport safety. Its technology portfolio of AI algorithms, embedded processing and optics, power products that need to deliver reliable real-time understanding of vehicle operators. The technology spans the critical measurement of where a driver is looking, through to classification of their cognitive state as it applies to accident risk. Reliable "driver state" measurement is the end-goal of Driver Monitoring Systems (DMS) technology. Seeing Machines develops DMS technology to drive safety for Automotive, Commercial Fleet, Off-road and Aviation. The company has offices in Australia, USA, Europe and Asia, and supplies technology solutions and services to industry leaders in each market vertical. www.seeingmachines.com

SOURCE Seeing Machines Limited

Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 2, 2026) - Burcon NutraScience Corporation (TSX: BU) (OTCQB: BRCNF) ("Burcon" or the "Company"), a global technology leader in plant-based protein innovation, is pleased to announce the closing of the first tranche of a non-brokered private placement of convertible debentures (the "Convertible Debentures") for an aggregate principal amount of up to $6.3 million (the "Private Placement"). Insiders of the Company and Burcon's manufacturing partner owners are committed to participating at a minimum of $5.0 million in principal amount. The Private Placement has been conditionally approved by the Toronto Stock Exchange ("TSX") subject to Burcon complying with the terms of such conditional approval, including receipt of disinterested shareholder approval.

"The strong support for this financing, particularly from our insiders and manufacturing partner owners, reflects confidence in Burcon's strategy and progress," said Kip Underwood, Burcon's Chief Executive Officer. "The closing of this first tranche strengthens our financial position and enables us to accelerate production and ingredient sales to meet increasing customer demand."

The Company will close the Private Placement in two tranches and has closed the first tranche of the Private Placement through a direct investment from its manufacturing partner owners for gross proceeds of $1.25 million. Shareholder approval is required prior to closing the final tranche of the Private Placement. Pursuant to sections 604 and 607 of the TSX Company Manual, shareholder approval will be required given the expected aggregate participation levels by insiders in the Private Placement, the consideration provided to insiders under the Private Placement, the aggregate size of the private placement overall and the expected aggregate participation by Mr. John Vassallo, a director of the Company, resulting in Mr. Vassallo and his associates and affiliates owning or controlling, directly or indirectly, greater than 20% of the outstanding shares of the Company after the Private Placement. The Company expects to close the final tranche of the Private Placement following the special meeting of shareholders scheduled for February 20, 2026. Full details of the shareholder approvals required will be disclosed in the materials for the shareholder meeting which will be mailed in due course and filed on SEDAR+.

Convertible Debenture Details

Each Convertible Debenture will consist of $1,000 principal amount, bear interest at a rate of 15% per annum, payable in full upon maturity, and be unsecured. The principal amount outstanding under the Convertible Debentures and all accrued and unpaid interest thereon will be payable in cash forty-eight (48) months from the date of issuance of the Convertible Debentures (the "Maturity Date"). The Convertible Debentures will be convertible at the option of the holder, in whole or in part, into common shares of the Company (the "Shares") at a conversion price of $1.60 per Share (the "Conversion Price") and certain holders will have the option to convert their Convertible Debentures, in whole or in part, into pre-funded warrants of the Company (the "PF Warrants") at the Conversion Price per PF Warrant. Each PF Warrant is exercisable to acquire one Share (the "PF Shares") at an exercise price of $0.00001 per PF Share.

Accelerated Prepayment or Conversion Option

At any time after the first anniversary of the issuance date of the Convertible Debentures, if the volume weighted average price of the Shares on the TSX (or such other stock exchange where the Shares principally trade) is above $3.20 (200% of the Conversion Price) for a period of 14 consecutive trading days, the Company may prepay the principal amount outstanding under the Convertible Debentures and any accrued and unpaid interest thereon to the holders of the Convertible Debentures. Upon written notice from the Company of such prepayment, a holder will have thirty (30) days from the date of such notice to accept the prepayment, failing which, the Company may accelerate the conversion of the Convertible Debentures held by such holder into Shares or PF Warrants, as applicable, at the Conversion Price.

The Convertible Debentures, the Shares issuable upon conversion of the Convertible Debentures and the PF Shares issuable upon the exercise of the PF Warrants will be subject to a four month and one day statutory resale restriction pursuant to applicable Canadian securities laws.

The Company has not registered the issuance or resale of the Convertible Debentures, the Shares, the PF Warrants or the PF Shares under the U.S. Securities Act. The Convertible Debentures, the PF Warrants and the Shares or the PF Shares issued in the United States or to U.S. Persons will be "restricted securities" and will be subject to certain additional resale restrictions.

The Company may pay a cash finder's fee in connection with the Private Placement to certain finders not to exceed 4.0% of the gross proceeds received from investors introduced to the Company by the finders.

The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the Private Placement to (a) accelerate growth through investments in: (i) inventory, labor and production capability; (ii) plan future infrastructure investments in anticipation of accelerating customer demand; (b) for general corporate purposes and (c) repay the short-term Loan announced in November 12, 2025 press release.

The Private Placement is expected to close on or about February 24, 2026 and is subject to execution of subscription agreements by the placees and to certain conditions including, but not limited to, the receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals, including disinterested shareholder approval.

The issuance of Convertible Debentures to insiders under the Private Placement will be considered a related party transaction under Multilateral Instrument 61-101. The Company intends to rely on exemptions from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements provided under sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(1)(a) of Multilateral Instrument 61-101 on the basis that the participation in the Private Placement by insiders does not exceed 25% of the Company's market capitalization.

The securities being offered under the Private Placement have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor will there be any sale of the securities in any State in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

About Burcon NutraScience Corporation

Burcon is a global technology leader in high-performance plant-based proteins for the food and beverage industry. Our commercial ingredients offer superior taste, texture, and functionality-ideal for formulators seeking next-generation protein solutions. Backed by over two decades of innovation, Burcon holds an extensive patent portfolio covering novel proteins derived from pea, canola, soy, hemp, sunflower, and other plant sources. As a key player in the rapidly growing plant-based market, Burcon is committed to sustainability and to creating best-in-class protein solutions that are better for people and the planet. Learn more at www.burcon.ca.

Forward-Looking Information Cautionary Statement

The TSX has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy of the content of the information contained herein. This press release contains forward-looking statements or forward-looking information within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and applicable Canadian securities legislation, including statements relating to insider participation in the private placement. Forward-looking statements or forward-looking information involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results, performances, prospects and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements or forward-looking information can be identified by words such as "anticipate," "aim", "intend," "plan," "goal," "project," "estimate," "expect," "believe," "future," "likely," "may," "should," "could," "will" and similar references to future periods. All statements included in this release, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements or information. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from Burcon's plans and expectations include the implementation of our business model and growth strategies; trends and competition in our industry our future business development, financial condition and results of operations and our ability to obtain financing cost-effectively; potential changes of government regulations, and other risks and factors detailed herein and from time to time in the filings made by Burcon with securities regulators and stock exchanges, including in the section entitled "Risk Factors" in Burcon's annual information form for the year ended March 31, 2025 and its other public filings with Canadian securities regulators on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect any of the Company's forward-looking statements or information. Any forward-looking statement or information speaks only as of the date on which it was made, and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, Burcon disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Although Burcon believes the assumptions inherent in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, and, accordingly, investors should not rely on such statements.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/279357

Source: Burcon NutraScience Corporation

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ROBESONIA, Pa., Jan. 02, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BLAQclouds, Inc. (OTC: BCDS), a Web3 infrastructure, fintech, and digital asset company, today announced the commercial rollout of ApolloCASH, its advanced global remittance platform designed to outperform traditional money transfer providers by delivering near-instant settlement, materially lower fees, and enterprise-grade security.

The global remittance market now exceeds $1.2 trillion annually, supporting hundreds of millions of households worldwide. While legacy and fintech competitors dominate the space, most still rely on shared liquidity pools, batch settlement, correspondent banking, and opaque reconciliation processes, resulting in delayed transfers, elevated fees, and counterparty risk.

ApolloCASH was purpose-built to eliminate these structural inefficiencies.

Autonomous Protocol for One-Time Liquidity & Ledger Operations using CASH Rails

Why ApolloCASH Exceeds Traditional and Fintech Remittance Platforms

Single-Use Liquidity Pools (SULPs)

Unlike traditional remittance systems that rely on shared liquidity pools or pre-funded nostro/vostro accounts, ApolloCASH utilizes Single-Use Liquidity Pools, which are created exclusively for each individual transaction.

This architecture:

Eliminates liquidity fragmentation and cross-transaction exposureRemoves slippage and pooled riskEnables atomic, transaction-specific settlementGives recipients full control over redemption timing Each remittance is isolated, auditable, and settled independently—dramatically reducing operational and counterparty risk.

Zero-Knowledge Proof (ZKP) Transaction Verification

ApolloCASH integrates Zero-Knowledge Proof (ZKP) logic to cryptographically verify payment authenticity, compliance signals, and transaction integrity without exposing personal or transactional data.

This provides:

Privacy-preserving complianceReduced fraud vectorsStronger regulatory alignmentSecure validation without centralized data honeypots ZKP enables ApolloCASH to exceed both legacy compliance models and conventional fintech privacy standards.

APUSD — A Settlement-Optimized Digital Dollar

At the core of ApolloCASH is APUSD, a settlement-optimized digital dollar designed for speed, predictability, and capital efficiency.

APUSD enables:

Instant value transfer across bordersElimination of FX uncertainty during settlementStable, deterministic transaction outcomesSeamless integration with liquidity and off-ramp providers By decoupling settlement from legacy banking delays, APUSD ensures consistent and transparent remittance execution.

Customizable Global Off-Ramp with Real-Time Payment (RTP) Providers

ApolloCASH features a modular off-ramp framework integrated with global Real-Time Payment (RTP) networks, allowing recipients to receive funds via their preferred local rails.

Supported pathways include:

Bank depositsMobile walletsInstant RTP networksLocal clearing systems This flexibility enables same-day or real-time settlement in markets where traditional providers still operate on multi-day cycles.

Shannon Hill, CEO of BLAQclouds, Inc., commented: “ApolloCASH is fundamentally different by design. Single-Use Liquidity Pools, zero-knowledge verification, and real-time settlement rails allow us to deliver what legacy systems cannot—speed without compromise, lower costs without hidden risk, and security without sacrificing privacy. This is the future of global remittance.”

Dr. Todd Zang, BLAQclouds Board of Directors, added: “I have worked one-on-one with the ApolloCASH development team to ensure the platform delivers this advanced infrastructure through a user interface that feels familiar, intuitive, and aligned with traditional money transfer experiences. The goal is powerful technology that remains simple, accessible, and trusted by everyday users.”

Go-To-Market Expansion and Growth Incentives

Blaqclouds also announced the launch of targeted in-house email marketing campaigns, beginning today, reaching:

14,000+ registered check-cashing stores40,000+ unregistered money services businesses46,000+ developers across India and Singapore In parallel, the Company has activated affiliate partnerships with multiple banking institutions in Switzerland, Germany, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Mexico, Costa Rica, and Panama, extending invitations to over 9 million international account holders who currently rely on Western Union, Revolut, WISE, and UPI-based solutions.

To accelerate adoption and reward community growth, ApolloCASH now includes a referral rebate program that allows customers to earn a 20% rebate in perpetuity on all fees generated by users they refer.

About BLAQclouds, Inc.

BLAQclouds bridges traditional finance and decentralized ecosystems, building seamless, real-world blockchain applications that simplify commerce and payments. Its mission is to make spending crypto as easy, trusted, and usable as traditional currency.

Flagship consumer applications include:
- ShopWithCrypto.io – Crypto-to-gift card commerce
- ZEUSxPay.io – Web3 payments and merchant plugins
- DEX.ZEUSx.io – EVM-compatible decentralized exchange
- ApolloWallet.io – Secure, consumer-grade blockchain wallet

For a full list of platforms and solutions from BLAQclouds Nevada and Wyoming, visit: www.BLAQclouds.io. For official BLAQclouds updates and information, please join https://www.thealley.io/group/BLAQclouds-inc/discussion.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, which are intended to be covered by the safe harbors created thereby. Investors are cautioned that, all forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, including without limitation, the ability of BLAQclouds, Inc. to accomplish its stated plan of business. BLAQclouds, Inc. believes that the assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements contained herein are reasonable, any of the assumptions could be inaccurate, and therefore, there can be no assurance that the forward-looking statements included in this press release will prove to be accurate. In light of the significant uncertainties inherent in the forward- looking statements included herein, the inclusion of such information should not be regarded as a representation by BLAQclouds Inc. or any other person.

This press release also contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements involve certain risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially. BLAQclouds, Inc. assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements.

Media Contact
BLAQclouds, Inc.
c/o www.theAlley.io
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 610-621-4804
Website: www.BLAQclouds.io

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/cfeefb03-f2fa-4270-8214-a749e91baf89

BLAQclouds launches ApolloCASH, delivering near-instant, low-cost global remittances with privacy-first, real-time settlement

Takeways:

BLAQclouds positions ApolloCASH as a next-generation remittance platform built for speed, privacy, and capital efficiency.
ApolloCASH uses single-use liquidity, zero-knowledge proofs, and a digital dollar to reduce fees and settlement risk.
BLAQclouds accelerates ApolloCASH adoption through global RTP off-ramps, banking partners, and perpetual referral incentives.

ROBESONIA, Pa., Jan. 02, 2026 – PRISM MediaWire (Press Release Service – Press Release Distribution) – BLAQclouds, Inc. (OTC: BCDS), a Web3 infrastructure, fintech, and digital asset company, today announced the commercial rollout of ApolloCASH, its advanced global remittance platform designed to outperform traditional money transfer providers by delivering near-instant settlement, materially lower fees, and enterprise-grade security.

The global remittance market now exceeds $1.2 trillion annually, supporting hundreds of millions of households worldwide. While legacy and fintech competitors dominate the space, most still rely on shared liquidity pools, batch settlement, correspondent banking, and opaque reconciliation processes, resulting in delayed transfers, elevated fees, and counterparty risk.

ApolloCASH was purpose-built to eliminate these structural inefficiencies.

Autonomous Protocolfor One-Time Liquidity & Ledger Operations using CASH Rails
Why ApolloCASH Exceeds Traditional and Fintech Remittance Platforms

Single-Use Liquidity Pools (SULPs)

Unlike traditional remittance systems that rely on shared liquidity pools or pre-funded nostro/vostro accounts, ApolloCASH utilizes Single-Use Liquidity Pools, which are created exclusively for each individual transaction.

This architecture:

Eliminates liquidity fragmentation and cross-transaction exposure
Removes slippage and pooled risk
Enables atomic, transaction-specific settlement
Gives recipients full control over redemption timing

Each remittance is isolated, auditable, and settled independently—dramatically reducing operational and counterparty risk.

Zero-Knowledge Proof (ZKP) Transaction Verification

ApolloCASH integrates Zero-Knowledge Proof (ZKP) logic to cryptographically verify payment authenticity, compliance signals, and transaction integrity without exposing personal or transactional data.

This provides:

Privacy-preserving compliance
Reduced fraud vectors
Stronger regulatory alignment
Secure validation without centralized data honeypots

ZKP enables ApolloCASH to exceed both legacy compliance models and conventional fintech privacy standards.

APUSD — A Settlement-Optimized Digital Dollar

At the core of ApolloCASH is APUSD, a settlement-optimized digital dollar designed for speed, predictability, and capital efficiency.

APUSD enables:

Instant value transfer across borders
Elimination of FX uncertainty during settlement
Stable, deterministic transaction outcomes
Seamless integration with liquidity and off-ramp providers

By decoupling settlement from legacy banking delays, APUSD ensures consistent and transparent remittance execution.

Customizable Global Off-Ramp with Real-Time Payment (RTP) Providers

ApolloCASH features a modular off-ramp framework integrated with global Real-Time Payment (RTP) networks, allowing recipients to receive funds via their preferred local rails.

Supported pathways include:

Bank deposits
Mobile wallets
Instant RTP networks
Local clearing systems

This flexibility enables same-day or real-time settlement in markets where traditional providers still operate on multi-day cycles.

“ApolloCASH is fundamentally different by design. Single-Use Liquidity Pools, zero-knowledge verification, and real-time settlement rails allow us to deliver what legacy systems cannot—speed without compromise, lower costs without hidden risk, and security without sacrificing privacy. This is the future of global remittance.”

Shannon Hill, CEO of BLAQclouds, Inc.

“I have worked one-on-one with the ApolloCASH development team to ensure the platform delivers this advanced infrastructure through a user interface that feels familiar, intuitive, and aligned with traditional money transfer experiences. The goal is powerful technology that remains simple, accessible, and trusted by everyday users.”

Dr. Todd Zang, BLAQclouds Board of Directors
Go-To-Market Expansion and Growth Incentives

Blaqclouds also announced the launch of targeted in-house email marketing campaigns, beginning today, reaching:

14,000+ registered check-cashing stores
40,000+ unregistered money services businesses
46,000+ developers across India and Singapore

In parallel, the Company has activated affiliate partnerships with multiple banking institutions in Switzerland, Germany, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Mexico, Costa Rica, and Panama, extending invitations to over 9 million international account holders who currently rely on Western Union, Revolut, WISE, and UPI-based solutions.

To accelerate adoption and reward community growth, ApolloCASH now includes a referral rebate program that allows customers to earn a 20% rebate in perpetuity on all fees generated by users they refer.

About BLAQclouds, Inc.

BLAQclouds bridges traditional finance and decentralized ecosystems, building seamless, real-world blockchain applications that simplify commerce and payments. Its mission is to make spending crypto as easy, trusted, and usable as traditional currency.

Flagship consumer applications include:
– ShopWithCrypto.io – Crypto-to-gift card commerce
– ZEUSxPay.io – Web3 payments and merchant plugins
– DEX.ZEUSx.io – EVM-compatible decentralized exchange
– ApolloWallet.io – Secure, consumer-grade blockchain wallet

For a full list of platforms and solutions from BLAQclouds Nevada and Wyoming, visit: www.BLAQclouds.io. For official BLAQclouds updates and information, please join https://www.thealley.io/group/BLAQclouds-inc/discussion.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, which are intended to be covered by the safe harbors created thereby. Investors are cautioned that, all forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, including without limitation, the ability of BLAQclouds, Inc. to accomplish its stated plan of business. BLAQclouds, Inc. believes that the assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements contained herein are reasonable, any of the assumptions could be inaccurate, and therefore, there can be no assurance that the forward-looking statements included in this press release will prove to be accurate. In light of the significant uncertainties inherent in the forward- looking statements included herein, the inclusion of such information should not be regarded as a representation by BLAQclouds Inc. or any other person.

This press release also contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements involve certain risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially. BLAQclouds, Inc. assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements.

Media Contact
BLAQclouds, Inc.
c/o www.theAlley.io
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 610-621-4804
Website: www.BLAQclouds.io

Source: Blaqclouds, Inc.

Boeing stock price bounced back in December, soaring from November’s low of $176 to the current $217. It has jumped by ~68% from its lowest level in April, and JPMorgan analysts anticipate the trajectory to continue this year if the company remains out of trouble.

Boeing stock has potential catalysts in 2026
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Boeing shares performed well in 2025, mirroring the performance of the broader stock market. Its gains also happened as its planes continued to perform well, a sign that it had moved out of trouble after the woes it experienced in the previous years.

The company continued to narrow the backlog gap with Airbus, which faced more challenges. Its backlog stood at 5,900 planes worth over $535 billion. Most of these orders came from Qatar, Emirates, and Turkish Airlines, with their 787 Dreamliners, 777, and 737 seeing traction. FlyDubai recently made an order of 75 737 planes.

Boeing also received the approval to increase production of its 737 planes, a process that will continue this year. Therefore, the most recent results showed that its business continued thriving, a process that will continue in the near term. 

Boeing’s revenue rose to $23.333 billion in the third quarter, a big increase from the $17.8 billion it made in the same period last year. It also improved its operating margin from minus 32.33% to minus 20.5%, and its loss per share to $7.47 from the previous $40.4.

Most importantly, the company turned a profit in terms of its free cash flow, which jumped to $200 million. The only blemish in its results was the 777x program, which has been delayed for years. On the positive side, the company expects that the plane will enter service this year, which will help to boost its numbers. 

READ MORE: Boeing stock dubbed a ‘top pick’ for 2026, Dan Niles explains why

Boeing growth to continue this year
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Wall Street analysts believe that the company will continue doing well this year. The average estimate is that its fourth-quarter revenue will be $22.4 billion, up by 47% from the same period in 2024. This revenue will bring its annual figure to $87 billion, up by 32% from a year earlier. 

The company is then expected to make $96 billion this year, a figure that will likely be better than expected. A potential catalyst is that Donald Trump will visit China in April, a move that may result in a big order from the country’s airlines. These orders will be notable as Chinese airlines have avoided Boeing for years.

Boeing will also turn a profit this year. Analysts see the loss per share moving from $20.38 in 2025 to a profit of $2.34. Chances are that the company will do better than these expectations. 

Wall Street analysts are optimistic that the Boeing stock will rise this year. For example, Deutsche Bank sees it rising to $245, while JPMorgan sees it hitting $240. Other companies with an overweight rating are RBC Capital and Barclays.

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BA stock chart | Source: TradingView

The daily chart shows that the BA share price has done well in the past few months. It has rebounded from a low of $176 in November to the current $217.

The stock is trading at the 23.6% Fibonacci Retracement level. Also, the 50-day and 100-day moving averages are about to cross each other. 

There are also early signs that it has formed an inverted head-and-shoulders pattern. Therefore, the most likely scenario is where it pulls back a bit and then resumes the uptrend, potentially to last year’s high of $243. A move above that level will point to more gains to the key resistance at $240.

HomeMarket OutlookToday's Market

SummaryFor gold, the consensus price target among major institutions is $4,800-5,000 per ounce by year-end. My personal target is more optimistic, as I believe the gold price will climb to at least $5,500 per ounce during 2026.Analysts are mixed but modestly bullish on silver for 2026, with consensus forecasts pointing to year-end prices in the $70-80 per ounce range. I think these forecasts are way too conservative, as I see silver climbing above $100 per ounce in the short term and eventually challenging $150 per ounce during the upcoming year.As long as global liquidity (including stablecoin issuance) continues to trend higher, I expect Bitcoin price to follow. So, while 2025 was disappointing, I think we will see some pent-up demand/momentum unleashed in 2026 that pushes the price above $150,000.I expect another solid year for the Nasdaq but for gains to moderate again, with the index ending the year up 10-15%. We are likely to see high volatility and at least one major corrective move over the next 12 months, but momentum from artificial intelligence should continue to lift the sector. Nuthawut Somsuk/iStock Editorial via Getty Images

Originally published on December 31, 2025

As 2025 comes to a close, I wanted to share my thoughts about what 2026 may have in store for investors. 2025 was a breakout year for precious metals, while

Key Takeaways NKE rose 4.1% on Dec. 31 after its CEO bought roughly $1 million of shares in the open market.Nike's insider buy reassured investors as the company navigates shifting demand and competition.NKE ended 2025 down 13.5%, but easing supply chains and cost discipline helped stabilize sentiment.
NIKE, Inc.’s (NKE - Free Report) shares edged 4.1% higher on the last working day of 2025 after it was reported that its chief executive officer Elliott Hill purchased roughly $1 million worth of company shares in the open market recently. While the broader market traded in subdued, holiday-thinned conditions in the session, the insider buying stood out as a company-specific catalyst, helping Nike outperform parts of the consumer discretionary sector. NKE is part of the Zacks Shoes and Retail Apparel industry, a subset of the broader consumer discretionary sector.

Insider purchases by senior executives are often closely watched on Wall Street because they can signal management’s belief that the stock is undervalued or that the company’s long-term prospects remain intact despite near-term challenges. In Nike’s case, the CEO’s purchase was interpreted as a vote of confidence at a time when the company had been navigating a complex operating environment marked by shifting consumer demand and competitive pressures. The buying helped reassure investors that leadership remains committed to executing its strategy and believes in a recovery in brand momentum, which in turn supported demand for the shares into year-end.

The modest gain on Dec. 31 came against the backdrop of a mixed but evolving year for Nike’s stock in 2025. Over the course of the year, Nike shares experienced periods of volatility as investors weighed slower growth in certain key markets, inventory normalization efforts and changing consumer spending patterns. The company has been working to rebalance its product portfolio, refine its direct-to-consumer approach and reinvigorate innovation across footwear and apparel, all while facing intense competition from both established rivals and newer athletic brands.

At the same time, Nike benefited in 2025 from easing supply chain pressures compared with prior years and a renewed focus on cost discipline. Management’s efforts to streamline operations and sharpen brand storytelling helped stabilize sentiment after earlier weakness, even if growth remained uneven across regions. Investor confidence gradually improved as the year progressed, supported by expectations that product launches tied to major global sporting events and renewed wholesale partnerships could drive better traction going forward.

NKE’s stock price declined 13.5% in 2025 and currently hovers around the $64 mark. It currently has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Adidas AG (ADDYY - Free Report) and Birkenstock Holding plc (BIRK - Free Report) , both peers from the same industry, lost 18.4% and 28.6%, respectively, in the same period. The industry’s price performance in general has gone down 15.2%. Both ADDYY and BIRK also carry a #3. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

Bottom LineThe CEO’s late-December share purchase reinforced the view that Nike is positioning itself for longer-term improvement. While the stock’s year-end move was relatively small, the signal it sent resonated with investors looking ahead to 2026, adding a constructive note to Nike’s finish to 2025.

The rally in precious metals resumed on Friday, with silver and gold both moving closer to recent record highs and gold mining stocks surging.

This post may contain links from our sponsors and affiliates, and Flywheel Publishing may receive compensation for actions taken through them.

© 2015 Getty Images / Getty Images News via Getty Images

Shares of Palantir (NASDAQ:PLTR) have been turbulently climbing back in the past month, and while the latest 7% slip in the face of what seems to be a Santa Claus slump, especially for tech stocks, investors might not wish to bet against CEO Alex Karp and company as they look to drive a comeback and bring the pain to Michael Burry, who’s likely hanging onto his big bearish bets against the firm going into the new year.

Though it’s impossible to tell whether an AI bubble burst, bear market moment or violent correction will be in store for 2026, or if Burry will be proven far too early (or maybe even wrong) to be such a big bear at this pivotal moment in the AI trade, I do find that Palantir has many serious growth drivers that might just convince the short-sellers to run for cover, especially if enterprise AI adoption is poised to have another massive year.

It’ll probably be tougher sledding for Palantir in 2026, even as AI momentum picks up
Even if Palantir is poised for more performance as its AI Platform (AIP) continues to fire on all cylinders, my bet is that it’s going to continue to be hard to gauge how a good quarterly number will be taken by investors. In short, it may be incredibly difficult to tell how shares of Palantir will react in 2026, even to a blowout number that surpasses bullish estimates in place by sell-side analysts. Undoubtedly, the last great quarter was met with a negative reaction.

And the big question for the new year, I think, is how big a beat it takes to drive a positive reaction. Is it even possible to spark a post-earnings rally anymore, given how much the multiple has climbed over the past year? Even with the most recent wave of volatility (1.50 beta), the stock is still poised to finish 2025 with a close to 140% gain.

Will a big chunk be given back as Burry looks to prove he’s right once again?

It might not take much to knock Palantir shares off the podium. In any case, there’s not much room for anything short of an applause-worthy result, especially as investors become tired of the higher-multiple names in their portfolio as momentum runs its course.

In my view, Palantir stock is more than expensive at over 400 times trailing price-to-earnings (P/E). Any metric you look at, it’s tough to find any AI-driven growth play that’s pricier, especially if Palantir stock looks to continue its recovery from the vicious November dip. As turbulence picks up, there are two specific drivers that I think make Palantir stock a dangerously risky name to short, even if you’re in good company alongside the likes of Michael Burry.

Palantir’s AI Platform might face a bigger boom in 2026
The AI Platform has been a phenomenal growth driver for Palantir, but the best might be yet to come, especially if enterprise adoption approaches some form of inflection point. It’ll be interesting to see how the commercial demand fares, especially as firms look for proven results as they look to commit more of their budget towards AI-related spend.

Of course, AIP’s incredible revenue growth can’t last forever, but 2026 might not be the year when things decelerate drastically. If last year’s strength begets even more strength, Palantir bulls may very well get the shocker of a quarterly surprise that’s needed to power Palantir higher from here. At the end of the day, it still might be early days for AIP adoption. If 2026 is the year agentic AI really takes off, perhaps Palantir has several more good days ahead it.

Though I think it’s getting harder to impress the crowd, Palantir might just have strong enough AI tailwinds to power further appreciation, and that’s a top fear I’d have if I were short the stock. At the same time, more margin gains might just allow the firm to grow into its obscenely high multiple. In any case, there’s a ton of room to expand as Palantir looks to make a case for why AIP ought to be the go-to operating system for AI and why it might be deserving of a $1 trillion market cap, something that Dan Ives thinks is possible.

In short, AIP is a source of a big growth surprise that might make Palantir well worth the sky-high premium. It’s gaining speed, and if there’s more acceleration to be had, investors might not wish to stand in the way of the freight train of growth as it effectively monetizes AI like few others can. 

Key Takeaways PSX may benefit from WTI crude trading below $60, as its refining business buys oil at lower costs.EIA expects inventories to rise and sees lower WTI prices in 2026, supporting a softer crude setup for PSX.Phillips 66 shares rose 15.4% in a year and trade at an EV/EBITDA multiple above the industry average.
With West Texas Intermediate (WTI) oil prices currently trading below $60 per barrel, according to data from Oilprice.com, which is significantly lower than a year ago, the overall energy business is now highly uncertain. However, unlike many other energy players, Phillips 66 (PSX - Free Report) is likely to gain from the ongoing crude pricing environment.

This is because Phillips 66 is a leading refining company. As a refining player, PSX is now able to purchase oil at a lower cost, enabling the production of end products. Additionally, crude prices are likely to remain soft in the coming days, as the U.S. Energy Information Administration (“EIA”) expects global oil inventories to continue increasing. 

EIA projects the spot average West Texas Intermediate price for 2026 at $51.42 per barrel, lower than the estimated $65.32 per barrel for 2025. Thus, Phillips 66, which generates significant margin from its refining activities, is likely to benefit from soft oil prices.

VLO & PARR Also Poised to GainValero Energy Corporation (VLO - Free Report) and Par Pacific Holdings Inc. (PARR - Free Report) , two other well-known refiners, are also likely to benefit from the ongoing relatively low oil prices.

Valero Energy, with 15 refineries, has a throughput capacity of 3.2 million barrels per day. VLO mentioned that its refining activities are capable of generating sufficient cash flows to support shareholders’ returns along with growth.   

Par Pacific is mainly a refining company with the capacity to process 219,000 barrels of oil daily. Notably, having exposure to Canadian heavy oil, which is cheaper than lighter crude, Par Pacific is likely to have been enjoying a cost advantage.

PSX’s Price Performance, Valuation & EstimatesShares of PSX have gained 15.4% over the past year compared with the 16.2% rise of the composite stocks belonging to the industry.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

From a valuation standpoint, PSX trades at a trailing 12-month enterprise value to EBITDA (EV/EBITDA) of 13.57X. This is above the broader industry average of 4.34X.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for PSX’s 2025 earnings has seen downward revisions over the past 30 days.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

PSX currently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

The AI trade proved its worth again last year, as tech stocks finished with a more than 22% gain. That led to the sector outperforming the broad S&P 500 for the 11th time in the past 12 years.   

When it comes to pure-play AI stocks, NVIDIA NASDAQ: NVDA receives the lion’s share of attention. The Magnificent Seven mainstay and the largest publicly traded company by market cap gained nearly 36% in 2025, and is up 1,336% over the past five years.

However, despite its accolades, NVIDIA actually played second fiddle to another AI-leveraged semiconductor company last year: Micron Technology NASDAQ: MU, which arguably won 2025’s AI race with an impressive gain of more than 235%. 

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But for investors on the hunt for the next big semiconductor stock, the best approach likely is not putting your hopes into one individual company. Rather, a thematic ETF that provides exposure to the broad industry may be the key to identifying up-and-coming semi stocks.

The U.S. Semiconductor Market Is Rapidly Expanding
According to industry consultancy firm Grand View Research, the U.S. semiconductor market size, which was estimated at $9.17 billion in 2024, is forecast to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.3% from 2025 through 2030. 

Grand View’s report noted that much of that growth will be driven by rising demand for applications in wired and wireless communications, consumer electronics, industrial electronics, automotive electronics, computing, and data storage among others. 

Specific to the United States, the report finds that the “semiconductor devices industry is witnessing a surge in the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) and Internet-of-Things (IoT)-driven chip designs.” 

Those findings are underscored by a McKinsey report published in November 2025 that found that by 2030, the global semiconductor market could be worth as much as $1 trillion, with the United States accounting “for 30% of advanced-node semiconductor fabrication capacity.”

However, amid a landscape rife with startups looking to take market share from dominant players like NVIDIA and Micron, picking the next big winning semiconductor stock is akin to taking a shot in the dark. 

But for ETF investors, one fund’s holdings have the ability to indicate which companies are most likely to come out on top. 

A One-Stop-Shop Thematic Semiconductor ETF
SPDR S&P Semiconductor ETF Today

XSD

SPDR S&P Semiconductor ETF

$321.60 -3.58 (-1.10%)

As of 12/31/2025 04:10 PM Eastern

52-Week Range$156.77▼

$358.86Dividend Yield0.25%

Assets Under Management$1.61 billion

The SPDR S&P Semiconductor ETF NYSEARCA: XSD provides broad exposure to the industry. Managed by State Street, the fund “allows investors to take strategic or tactical positions at a more targeted level than traditional sector-based investing.”

The XSD commands $1.61 billion in assets under management while carrying a net expense ratio of 0.35%, which is nearly offset by its dividend, which currently yields 0.25%, or 82 cents per share annually.  

What may come as a surprise to many is that while NVIDIA is part of the XSD’s holdings, by weight it only ranks 19th. That is because the passively managed fund aims to replicate, as closely as possible, the performance of the S&P Semiconductor Select Industry Index. 

That benchmark is a modified equal weight index, meaning that despite beginning as an equally weighted index, it can cap allocations of the largest stocks in order to ensure smaller companies receive significant and warranted exposure.

Currently, that index favors companies like Micron, Rigetti Computing NASDAQ: RGTI, Intel NASDAQ: INTC, SiTime NASDAQ: SITM, and MACOM Technology Solutions NASDAQ: MTSI, which together comprise the ETF’s top-five holdings. For good measure, Advanced Micro Devices NASDAQ: AMD, which gained nearly 79% last year, comes in with the sixth largest allocation.  

The XSD’s Strong Performances Are Likely to Continue 
In 2025, the ETF gained more than 29%—better than the tech sector (22.3%) as well as the broad S&P 500 (17.51%).

Given the semiconductor industry’s numerous tailwinds heading into the new year, it isn’t surprising that Wall Street expects another strong performance in 2026. 

Based on 675 analyst ratings of the top 25 companies in the SPDR S&P Semiconductor ETF—or more than 75% of its portfolio—the fund receives a Moderate Buy rating, with the majority of its holdings receiving Moderate Buy, Buy, or Strong Buy ratings, and only one company receiving a Sell rating. 

Underscoring Wall Street’s view of the XSD, current short interest heading into 2026 stands at just 2.22% of the float, or $34 million worth of shares, markedly down from the $4.97 billion worth of shares that were shorted on June 30. 

SPDR S&P Semiconductor ETF (XSD) Price Chart for Friday, January, 2, 2026

Should You Invest $1,000 in SPDR S&P Semiconductor ETF Right Now?Before you consider SPDR S&P Semiconductor ETF, you'll want to hear this.

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GOLDEN, CO / ACCESS Newswire / January 2, 2026 / Golden Minerals Company ("Golden Minerals," "Golden" or the "Company") (OTCQB:AUMN)(TSX:AUMN) announced that it has completed the sale of its wholly owned Mexican subsidiaries, Servicios Velardeña S.A. de C.V. and GMC Equipos S.A. de C.V., to a privately held Mexican group. The transaction was completed on December 30, 2025, for total consideration of approximately US$65,000.

Upon consummation of the transaction, Servicios Velardeña S.A. de C.V. and GMC Equipos S.A. de C.V. held net operating losses, inflation-adjusted capital contributions, several liabilities including approximately US$60,000 in past-due accounts payable, the remaining labor claim in Mexico of approximately US$56,000, and the Rodeo mining concession, a mined-out project that includes an associated asset retirement obligation with a book liability value of approximately US$450,000. Under Mexican law, the balance of the subsidiaries' capital contribution accounts ("CUCAs") may be bought and sold. All funds related to the sale have been received.

This transaction represents a significant step forward in the Company's planned exit from Mexico, allowing Golden Minerals to substantially eliminate its liabilities in the country and reduce ongoing overhead and administrative costs to a minimum, while enabling the Company to focus on other regions.

For additional information, please visit http://www.goldenminerals.com/ or contact:

Golden Minerals Company
(303) 839-5060

SOURCE: Golden Minerals Company