Market Signal Briefing

Bitcoin may already be several weeks into a bear market, according to CryptoQuant’s head of research, even as many analysts continue to forecast strong growth for the cryptocurrency in 2026.

Speaking on an episode of the Milk Road show on Thursday, CryptoQuant’s Julio Moreno said that most of the indicators he tracks through the firm’s bull score index turned bearish in early November and have not yet recovered.

The index, which ranges from 0 to 100, aggregates multiple metrics, including network activity, investor profitability, Bitcoin demand, and market liquidity, to assess overall market conditions.

Key metrics signal a bearish shift
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Moreno said the final confirmation, in his view, came from a technical signal: Bitcoin’s price falling below its one-year moving average.

This indicator, which reflects the average price of an asset over the past 12 months, is commonly used to identify long-term trends.

“For me the last confirmation, it’s a technical indicator, which is the price going below its one-year moving average,” Moreno said, adding that this move typically confirms a transition into a bear market.

Bitcoin began 2025 trading at around $93,000 and climbed to a peak of $126,080 in October, according to data from CoinGecko.

However, it ended the year below its starting level, challenging expectations that the post-halving period would sustain higher prices.

At the time of writing, Bitcoin was trading near $88,716.

If Bitcoin is indeed in a bear market, Moreno’s assessment runs counter to predictions from analysts who have pointed to 2026 as a potential growth year for the asset.

Potential bottom in the $56,000–$60,000 range
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Looking ahead, Moreno suggested that Bitcoin’s bear market bottom could fall between $56,000 and $60,000 over the coming year.

His estimate is based on Bitcoin’s realized price, which represents the average price at which current holders acquired their coins, and on patterns observed in previous bear markets.

“Historically, what happened in previous bear markets, you see the price coming down to what is called the realized price,” Moreno said.

During bull markets, prices tend to trade well above this level, but in bear markets, the realized price often acts as a baseline for potential lows.

A decline to the $56,000 level would represent a drawdown of roughly 55% from Bitcoin’s all-time high.

While significant, Moreno noted that this would be less severe than in past cycles, when Bitcoin has experienced drawdowns of 70% to 80%.

A more resilient bear market environment
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Moreno also argued that the current downturn appears more stable compared to previous bear markets.

Unlike 2022, which was marked by major industry collapses such as the Terra ecosystem, Celsius Network, and FTX, the current period has not seen similarly high-profile failures.

He pointed to structural changes in the market, including the presence of large institutional participants and exchange-traded funds that tend to buy on a more regular basis and are less likely to sell during downturns.

According to Moreno, this steady demand helps cushion price declines.

“There are other types of players now that buy more periodically,” he said, adding that demand in past bear markets typically contracted more sharply.

With a broader base of investors and more established companies in the sector, Moreno suggested that Bitcoin’s current bear market, if confirmed, may prove less volatile than those of the past.

Solana appears poised to expand from its memecoin-focused, retail-dominant network this year, after posting record real-world asset tokenization activity in December. 

Data from RWA.xyz shows the value of tokenized RWAs on Solana increased nearly 10% over the last month to a record-high $873.3 million, while the number of Solana RWA token holders rose over 18.4% to 126,236 over the same timeframe. 

The majority of these RWAs back US Treasuries, such as the BlackRock USD Institutional Digital Liquidity Fund and the Ondo US Dollar Yield, which boast market caps of $255.4 million and $175.8 million, respectively.

New tokenized stocks like Tesla xStock and Nvidia xStock are also rising, at $48.3 million and $17.6 million, respectively, while institutional funds are also being tokenized on Solana.

Source: Capital Markets
Solana is poised to become the third blockchain to exceed $1 billion in tokenized RWAs, behind Ethereum at $12.3 billion and BNB Chain, which recently passed $2 billion.

SOL will set a new high in 2026 if one thing happens: BitwiseLast month, crypto asset manager Bitwise predicted Solana would set a new all-time high should the US pass the market-structure-focused CLARITY Act in 2026.

If it passes, Bitwise expects crypto tokenization will take off, with Solana being one of the biggest winners from that upward trend: “We’re bullish on Ethereum and Solana. Really bullish. Primarily because we think stablecoins and tokenization are megatrends, and Ethereum and Solana are likely to be the biggest beneficiaries of that growth.”

SOL has some catching up to do on BTC, ETHSolana (SOL) enters 2026 at a significantly lower price than it began 2025, trading around $125 versus roughly $190 this time last year.

SOL is also over 57% off the $293.3 all-time high it set on Jan. 19, 2025, while Bitcoin (BTC) and Ether (ETH) set their all-time highs more recently — October and August — and are currently trading much closer to those prices.

ETFs, institutional payments also spurring SOL momentumSolana's legitimacy in the institutional space strengthened in late October when the US Securities and Exchange Commission approved the first lot of now six spot Solana exchange-traded funds. 

Those Solana products have combined for $765 million in inflows, Farside Investors data shows.

Also in October, international remittance giant Western Union chose Solana to build its stablecoin settlements platform on for its more than 150 million customers, spread across over 200 countries and territories. It is expected to roll out in the first half of 2026.

Solana’s onchain metrics look solidSolana is leading all blockchains in app revenue, proving it can generate high income even when memecoin activity slows. 

Over the past 30 days, it raked in over $110 million, far ahead of second-place Hyperliquid at $61.1 million and nearly double Ethereum’s $47.2 million, DeFiLlama data shows.

Blockchains by app revenue over the last 30 days. Source: DeFiLlama
Magazine: How crypto laws changed in 2025 — and how they’ll change in 2026

Crypto prices today appear to be recovering, easing some of the pressure that weighed on the market through late December.

Summary

Crypto markets opened the new year with improved sentiment as post-holiday trading resumed and risk appetite stabilized.
Derivatives data shows lower leverage and reduced liquidations, suggesting traders are resetting positions rather than chasing short-term momentum.
Analysts cite ETF flow stabilization and post-tax buying as key drivers

The total crypto market capitalization rose 1.2% to $3.08 trillion on Jan. 2. Bitcoin was trading at $88,678 at press time, up 1.3% over the past 24 hours, as price action remained range-bound but constructive.

The percentage moves for altcoins were higher. Leading the market amid renewed speculative interest were Cardano rising 6.3% to $0.3553, Sui gaining 4.5% to $1.46, and Pepe rising 21% to $0.0548.

The mood of the market also improved. Alternative’s Crypto Fear & Greed Index rose eight points to 28, moving from extreme fear into the fear zone. This implies that selling pressure has reduced since late December, but caution is still advised.

According to CoinGlass data, derivatives showed cooling leverage across the market. Open interest dropped 3.29% to $128 billion, indicating a decrease in speculative positioning, while 24-hour liquidations fell 46% to $126 million. The average relative strength index for the cryptocurrency market was 56, indicating neutral momentum.

January optimism returns, but volatility risks remain
The rebound comes as traders rotate back into risk assets following thin holiday liquidity. Historically, January has delivered stronger performance for crypto and equities alike, a pattern often referred to as the “January effect.”

First, post–tax-loss harvesting flows are returning to the market. Analysts note that aggressive selling into year-end, particularly from U.S. investors, often reverses in early January as portfolios are reset. Bitwise analysts described the late-2025 drawdown as “mechanical rather than fundamental,” arguing that forced selling created short-term mispricing.

Second, exchange-traded fund flows have also started to settle. Spot Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs saw small outflows in mid-December, but those movements have since slowed, with late December and early January sessions showing much lighter redemptions.

Coinbase Institutional said many allocators chose to pause instead of fully exiting, preferring to wait for clearer macro signals before adding exposure again.

At the same time, sentiment has picked up as broader macro pressure eased. With no fresh geopolitical shocks and growing expectations for U.S. rate cuts later in 2026, risk appetite has begun to return, although cautiously.

Short-term outlook and analyst views
Analysts see Bitcoin consolidating between $85,000 and $93,000, with downside risk toward $84,000–$87,000 if liquidity thins again.

The leading cryptocurrency may move toward $100,000–$105,000 later in January if it can stay above $90,000, especially if ETF inflows rise and the macro environment stabilizes further. A break above that threshold might indicate that the market is gaining strong momentum again. 

Analysts from Grayscale, Bitwise, Coinbase Institutional, and Galaxy Research are all optimistic about 2026. They see the late 2025 correction, in which Bitcoin ended the year about 6% lower, as a temporary reset rather than a reversal of the larger uptrend.

Bitcoin's squeeze sets stage for major price swingBTC's volatility bands have compressed to levels that have historically paved the way for a renewed price turbulence.Updated Jan 2, 2026, 5:15 a.m. Published Jan 2, 2026, 5:10 a.m.

Bitcoin's BTC$88 576,03 price chart looks super calm via Bollinger Bands, a volatility gauge, hinting at a massive swing ahead.

BTC has traded in a tight range between $85,000 and $90,000 for the past two weeks. As a result, the gap between its Bollinger Bands, volatility bands placed two standard deviations above and below the 20-day simple moving average of the asset's price, has narrowed to less than $3,500, the lowest since July, according to data source TradingView.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW

This so-called Bollinger Bands squeeze indicates a low-volatility period in which the market is building energy for the next big move. History confirms massive price swings often follow these squeezes.

BTC's daily chart. (TradingView)

For instance, the last Bollinger Band squeeze in late July capped a two-week sideways grind between $115,000 and $120,000. The squeeze paved the way for a three-month expansion, with prices swinging wildly from $100,000 to $126,000.

A similar pattern unfolded in late February: a range between $94,000 and $98,000 tightened into Bollinger Band squeezes, followed by a slide to $80,000 by month-end.

Bollinger Bands have accurately signaled volatility explosions since at least 2018.

The latest squeeze, therefore, calls for trader vigilance as prices could soon move rapidly in either direction. The latest squeeze, therefore, calls for trader vigilance, as prices could soon move rapidly in either direction. As of writing, bitcoin traded around $88,600, up just over 1% on a 24-hour basis.

AI Disclaimer: Parts of this article were generated with the assistance from AI tools and reviewed by our editorial team to ensure accuracy and adherence to our standards. For more information, see CoinDesk's full AI Policy.

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KuCoin Hits Record Market Share as 2025 Volumes Outpace Crypto Market

22 déc. 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.

Ce qu'il:

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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Cardano's ADA pops 7%, bitcoin, ether show steady gains as traders enter 2026

il y a 1 heure

ADA outperforms as traders return from the holiday break, but analysts say the market is still far from a broad altcoin season.

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Bitcoin and major tokens began 2026 with gains, as ADA led among large caps with a 7% rise.Analysts note that investors are favoring liquid majors like Bitcoin and Ethereum, with targeted exposure to some large caps.A global risk-on move supported the crypto rebound, but traders remain cautious after a period of thin liquidity.Lire l'article complet

January 2, 2026 05:49:30 UTC Bitcoin Whales Load Up as Big Rally Brews New data shows Bitcoin whales quietly accumulated a large amount of BTC throughout 2025. Despite heavy buying, prices stayed mostly flat, suggesting these large holders were still building their positions. The reason is simple: they are preparing for the next major move.

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The crypto market kicked off the new year with a strong rebound, led by AI coins and Dogecoin (DOGE). The total crypto market cap jumped nearly 2% to $3.1 trillion over the past 24 hours. The gains come as Elon Musk praised Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang.

Elon Musk-Nvidia CEO Exchange Praise
Elon Musk replied to DogeDesigner‘s X post in which Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang praised Musk and the Tesla Optimus humanoid robot. He said “Jensen rocks!,” sparking speculation in the AI coins and Dogecoin communities.

In a recent interview, Nvidia CEO mentions Elon Musk as “extraordinary engineer” and highlighted that they will continue to work together. He highlighted that the Optimus robot is right around the corner for high-volume production.

“It’s very likely that human robots are going to be robots that we can deploy into the world relatively easily & this is the first robot that really has a chance to achieve the high volume and technology scale necessary to advance technology and I think this is likely to be the next multi trillion dollar industry.”

In October, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang appeared on CNBC’s “Squawk Box” and said “he wants to be part of almost everything Elon Musk is involved in.” He discussed details of the company’s latest $2 billion investment in Elon Musk’s xAI as part of the $20 billion financial round.

Earlier, Huang remarked Elon Musk as “the most world-class builder we have in the country.” Positive interactions between Elon Musk and Nvidia CEO have historically sparked short-term pumps in Dogecoin and AI coins due to community hype around AI-crypto convergence.

AI Coin and Dogecoin Surge
Top AI coins such as Chainlink (LINK), Bittensor (TAO), Near Protocol (NEAR), Story (IP) and Render (RNDR) rebounded significantly amid Elon Musk’s praising Nvidia CEO. Story (IP) jumped more than 32% to $2.22 over the past 24 hours, extending its weekly rally to over 52%.

Filecoin, IP, RENDER, INJ, and TURBO posted double-digit gains in the past 24 hours. Analysts attribute the rally to growing institutional interest in AI-blockchain convergence, with decentralized computer networks and AI agents gaining traction.

Bittensor (TAO) jumped 8%, with the price currently trading at $235. The 24-hour low and high are $220.02 and $237.69, respectively. Furthermore, trading volume has increased further by 7% over the last 24 hours amid buzz around the Grayscale Bittensor ETF filing with the U.S. SEC.

Meanwhile, Dogecoin skyrocketed more than 8% over the past 24 hours, currently trading at $0.1275. The intraday low and high are $0.1181 and $0.1289, respectively. Trading volume has jumped by more than 35% over the last 24 hours.

As the new year began, PEPE, the popular meme coin inspired by Pepe the Frog, surprised the market with a sharp rally. On January 2, 2026, PEPE coin price jumped around 26%, trading near $0.000005106, while its 24-hour trading volume surged past $800 million. 

This sudden move caught many traders off guard, raising questions about what sparked the rally.

Strong Retail Buying MomentumOne key reason behind PEPE’s rise is strong buying from small investors. Data shows that Robinhood users now hold around 8.3% of PEPE’s total supply. This means many retail traders are still buying and holding the token instead of selling during short-term price moves.

Additionally, social media hype played a big role. The official PEPE account posted the message “We ride at dawn,” which quickly spread across crypto Twitter and helped boost market confidence.

PEPE Trading Volume Explodes by 370% In the past 24hours, PEPE’s trading volume jumped more than 370% in 24 hours, crossing $805 million. This kind of volume spike usually points to new buyers entering the market, not just slow price movement caused by low liquidity.

Another factor pushing PEPE higher is short liquidations. After weeks of sideways price action, many traders were betting on a drop. When PEPE suddenly moved up, these short positions were forced to close, creating extra buying pressure. Nearly $2.65 million worth of short positions were liquidated in the last 24 hours.

Overall, PEPE saw total liquidations of about $3.13 million, with around 83% coming from short traders. This wave of forced buying helped fuel the sharp price jump.

PEPE Price Prediction Recently, James Wynn, a well-known trader on Hyperliquid, made a bold prediction about PEPE’s future. He believes the meme coin’s market cap could climb to $69 billion by the end of 2026, a nearly 32x jump from its current level of around $2.14 billion.

According to Wynn, PEPE’s social metrics are significantly stronger, suggesting it could achieve a similar performance.

“Now, I’m calling PEPE to go from $1.7 billion to $69 billion in 2026, or I delete my account.” 

If Wynn’s forecast plays out, PEPE’s price could rally toward $0.000163 by the end of the year.

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Story HighlightsThe Kusama Price today is $  $ 7.12093786KSM could attempt a move toward $14.89 by the end of January 2026.Looking ahead to 2030, the KSM price will depend on the mainstream adoption of its Parachains, the Polkadot ecosystemThe Kusama (KSM) network remains a vital component of the Polkadot (DOT) chain, a layer-0 blockchain. Built as a live testing ground for Polkadot, Kusama allows developers to deploy and experiment with new ideas faster, with lower barriers and higher risk tolerance.

Many of Polkadot’s major upgrades, governance changes, and parachain innovations first appear on Kusama before reaching the main Polkadot network. This makes KSM less of a passive token and more of a high-risk, high-innovation asset tied to Web3 experimentation.

Its relatively low circulating supply has also helped attract investor interest in past cycles. 

With this in mind, this Kusama price prediction for 2026, 2027, and 2030 explores whether ongoing innovation can turn into long-term value.

Kusama Price TodayCryptocurrencyKusamaTokenKSMPrice$7.1209 -0.25% Market Cap$ 124,932,337.7524h Volume$ 5,230,844.9176Circulating Supply17,544,365.6657Total Supply17,544,365.6657All-Time High$ 623.7528 on 18 May 2021All-Time Low$ 0.9158 on 14 January 2020Kusama Price Targets For January 2026With the start of the new year, Kusama (KSM) has already gained around 11% on January 1, 2026. This early rally was driven by Kusama’s recent runtime upgrade, which introduced Elastic Scaling, cutting block times from 6 seconds to under 2 seconds and improving overall network speed.

The upgrade also launched Revive, a unified smart contract platform that supports both the Polkadot Virtual Machine (PVM) and the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM). This makes it easier for developers to build and deploy applications across ecosystems.

If this development-driven momentum continues, KSM could reclaim double-digit price levels by the end of January.

Technical AnalysisLooking at the KSM/USDT 4-hour chart, Kusama remains in a short-term downtrend. As the price is trading below the moving average, it keeps the trend bearish. 

Meanwhile, Bollinger Bands are tightening, which shows low volatility and a possible bigger move ahead. A higher resistance sits near $14.89, where heavy selling previously occurred.

The RSI is near 49, showing neutral momentum.

MonthPotential Low ($)Potential Average ($)Potential High ($)Kusama Crypto Price Prediction January 2026$6.447$9.935$14.89The year 2026 may represent a reset phase for Kusama. Instead of broad hype, KSM’s value will depend on developer activity, parachain launches, and governance experiments. Historically, KSM tends to move sharply when new Polkadot-related upgrades are tested on the network.

Key factors shaping KSM in 2026 include:

Continued relevance of parachain auctionsGovernance experimentation and upgradesPolkadot ecosystem expansionIf Kusama retains its role as the preferred experimental network, KSM could see a gradual recovery.

YearPotential Low ($)Potential Average ($)Potential High ($)KSM Price Prediction 2026$4.58$17.07$48.67Kusama (KSM) Price Prediction 2026 – 2030YearPotential Low ($)Potential Average ($)Potential High ($)2026$4.58$17.07$48.672027$16.47$35.08$87.502028$31.20$65.91$204.522029$49.38$184$432.452030$86.02$513.10$718.58Kusama Price Prediction 2026In 2026, Kusama’s outlook hinges on whether developers continue to use it as a testing ground. Under favorable conditions, KSM could trade around $48.67.

Kusama Price Prediction 2027By 2027, Kusama could gain long-term value from Polkadot’s growth. As JAM systems and scalable coretime models improve, Kusama’s role as an early testing network may become more useful.

Kusama Price Prediction 2028As Web3 experimentation matures, Kusama’s value as a sandbox network may grow. This could support prices near $204.52.

Kusama Price Prediction 2029In 2029, long-term investors may reward networks with proven innovation histories. Under this scenario, KSM could approach $432.45.

Kusama Price Prediction 2030By 2030, Kusama’s success will depend on Polkadot’s relevance as a layer-0 network. If adoption remains strong, Coinpedia predicts that the KSM price may reach $718.58.

What Does The Market Say?Year202620272030CoinCodex$19$31.43$73.37priceprediction.net$43.19$67.03$229.90Godex$65.32$459.12$4855CoinPedia’s Kusama (KSM) Price PredictionAccording to CoinPedia analysts, Kusama remains a high-risk, innovation-driven network rather than a mainstream smart contract platform. Its long-term value depends less on users and more on builders and protocol experimentation.

As per Coinpedia’s formulated prediction, KSM to recover cautiously in 2026, with a potential high near $18.00 if developer activity remains strong..

YearPotential Low ($)Potential Average ($)Potential High ($)2026$4.58$17.07$48.67Never Miss a Beat in the Crypto World!Stay ahead with breaking news, expert analysis, and real-time updates on the latest trends in Bitcoin, altcoins, DeFi, NFTs, and more.

FAQsIs Kusama (KSM) a good investment for 2026?

Kusama can be a high-risk, high-reward investment in 2026, especially if developer activity and Polkadot ecosystem upgrades remain strong.

What could drive Kusama’s price growth in the future?

KSM’s price depends on Polkadot upgrades, parachain launches, governance experiments, and continued use as a Web3 testing network.

What is Kusama price prediction for 2027?

Kusama’s 2027 price could range between $16 and $87 if Polkadot adoption grows and Kusama remains the primary testing network.

What is Kusama price prediction for 2028?

In 2028, Kusama may trade between $31 and $204 as Web3 experimentation matures and developer demand strengthens.

What is Kusama price prediction for 2030?

By 2030, Kusama could reach up to $718 if Polkadot stays relevant and Kusama continues leading innovation and governance testing.

Disclaimer and Risk WarningThe price predictions in this article are based on the author's personal analysis and opinions. CoinPedia does not endorse or guarantee these views. Investors should conduct independent research before making any financial decisions.

Ethereum Virtual Machine-compatible crypto wallets have been drained through an attack that has siphoned more than $107,000, according to blockchain investigator ZachXBT.

The crypto security investigator has traced malicious attacks that began in late December, where a hacker has made away with small thefts of under $2,000 per victim. 

“It appears hundreds of wallets are currently being drained on various EVM chains for small amounts (<$2k total per victim) with a root cause not yet unidentified,” ZachXBT wrote on his Investigations Telegram channel.

Source: Investigations by ZachXBT on Telegram.

The wallets are being funneled into the address identified as 0xAc2e…ad8Bf9bFB, which on-chain data shows is holding assets from nearly 20 different blockchains.

Ethereum, BNB, Avalanche, Arbitrum among EVM chains affected
According to blockchain information from Debank, shared by the 2D investigator on Telegram, the attacker’s accumulated assets include about $54,655 worth of assets on Ethereum, accounting for 51% of its total balance. The BNB Chain follows with approximately $25,545, or 24%.

At the time of this reporting, smaller but still notable balances were also recorded from layer-2 and alternative chains like Base ($8,688), Arbitrum ($6,273), Polygon ($3,498), Optimism ($1,480), Zora ($994), Linea ($909), and Avalanche ($386).

EVM Hacker’s portfolio. Source: Debank.io

Investors on Crypto Twitter suggest that the hacker may have used fake MetaMask emails sent during the holidays to trick traders to hand them their wallet seed phrases.

However, per an analysis from Nansen, the address has been confirmed as one of the attacker wallets connected to the Trust Wallet Chrome Extension “Shai- Hulud” Supply Chain Attack, the security incident that began over the Christmas period.

As reported by Cryptopolitan on Christmas Eve, a malicious code compromised Trust Wallet’s browser extension version 2.68, resulting in an estimated $7 million in losses. 

“Our Developer GitHub secrets were exposed in the attack, which gave the attacker access to our browser extension source code and the Chrome Web Store (CWS) API key,” Trust Wallet explained in a post-mortem published last Tuesday. “The attacker obtained full CWS API access via the leaked key, allowing builds to be uploaded directly without Trust Wallet’s standard release process, which requires internal approval/manual review.”

They used that access to register the domain “metrics-trustwallet[.]com” and distributed a trojanized version of the extension, with a backdoor that could harvest users’ wallet mnemonic phrases and transmit them to “api.metrics-trustwallet[.]com.”

Trust Wallet said about one million users of its Chrome extension were asked to update to version 2.69 after the compromised update was pushed to the browser’s extension marketplace on December 24.

“Sha1-Hulud was an industry-wide software supply chain attack that affected companies in several sectors, including but not limited to crypto,” the company said. The disclosure brought light to Shai-Hulud 3.0, a newer iteration of the malware that researchers believe is a stealth version of the original code. 

“The primary difference lies in string obfuscation, error handling, and Windows compatibility, all aimed at increasing campaign longevity rather than introducing novel exploitation techniques,” Upwind researchers Guy Gilad and Moshe Hassan said.

Nansen expects the stolen tokens to be routed through Tornado Cash, eXch, Railgun, THORChain, Debridge, and TRON OTC venues.

Holiday email scams takeover Christmas in record 2025
At the start of December, the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center sent warnings to Americans about fraudulent and phishing emails, saying citizens had lost more than $785 million annually to non-payment and non-delivery scams during holidays, with credit card fraud adding another $199 million. 

Moreover, blockchain-monitoring firms Chainalysis and TRM Labs estimate that cybercriminals stole $2.7 billion in crypto last year, the highest annual total on record. The largest by far was the breach of Dubai-based exchange Bybit, where attackers stole about $1.4 billion. 

That attack surpassed previous record-setting crypto heists, including the $624 million Ronin Network breach and the $611 million Poly Network hack in 2022. 

North Korean state-linked hackers were the perpetrators of most crypto theft incidents, stealing at least $2 billion during the year, according to Chainalysis and Elliptic. Since 2017, those groups are estimated to have taken around $6 billion in crypto supposedly used to fund the country’s sanctioned nuclear weapons program.

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Filecoin price has broken out of a bullish reversal pattern as the balance of FIL tokens held on exchanges has fallen over the past month. 

Summary

Filecoin price shot up nearly 20% on Friday.
The balance of FIL tokens held on exchanges has fallen over the past month.
A descending broadening wedge pattern has been confirmed on the daily chart.

According to data from crypto.news, Filecoin (FIL), rose nearly 20% to an intraday high of $1.54 on Friday, Jan. 2, before settling at $1.47 at press time. At this price, the token stands nearly 25% above its December dip but nearly 60% lower than its Nov. 8 high of $3.56.

Filecoin’s rally has been supported by investor anticipation of the upcoming launch of Filecoin Onchain Cloud, expected to debut this month.

The initiative, first revealed in December 2025, matters as it expands Filecoin from storage provisioning into programmable storage and retrieval, and positions the protocol as infrastructure aligned with AI-ready data pipelines. As such, it would cement Filecoin’s ties to the broader DePIN and AI narrative.

Investors also seem to be increasing their bets on the long-term growth of the project. This is evident from the fact that investors have moved more tokens off exchanges, possibly into self-custody wallets or cold storage. 

Data from Nansen shows that the total balance of tokens held by exchanges has dropped over 10% in the past 30 days and now lies at 3.91 million.

Source: Nansen
When such a trend occurs, it is potentially seen as commitment from investors holding the token, which in turn can reduce selling pressure and support long-term price appreciation.

Meanwhile, derivative traders have also shown more interest in the token. Per data from CoinGlass, Filecoin futures open interest has increased by 38% to $210 million in the past 24 hours. This came as the weighted funding rate turned negative.

As such, if Filecoin price continues its uptrend, it could potentially lead to a short squeeze, which could force short-sellers to buy back tokens, exacerbating the rally.

Filecoin price analysis
On the daily chart, Filecoin price has confirmed a breakout from a descending broadening wedge pattern, which is a bullish reversal pattern formed by two descending and diverging trendlines. A breakout from such a pattern has historically been followed by sustained gains over the following sessions.

Filecoin price has confirmed a descending broadening wedge pattern on the daily chart — Jan. 2 | Source: crypto.news
Technically, the price also stands at a key inflection point where previous resistance could now flip into support, further validating the strength of the breakout.

The MACD lines have pointed upwards and are approaching a break above the zero level, while the Aroon Up indicator value at 92.86% stands far above the Aroon Down, indicating strong momentum.

Hence, Filecoin is likely to rally to as high as $2.03 over the coming days. The target, which lies 38% above the current price, has been calculated by adding the maximum height of the wedge to the level at which the breakout happened.

Disclosure: This article does not represent investment advice. The content and materials featured on this page are for educational purposes only.

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Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin rang in 2026 by switching his X profile image back to a Milady-style avatar and pairing it with a manifesto-like post that re-centers Ethereum’s identity around a single, old-school ambition: becoming “the world computer” for an open internet.

“Welcome to 2026! Milady is back,” Buterin wrote, before ticking through what he framed as Ethereum’s 2025 progress: higher gas limits, a larger blob count, better node software quality, and zkEVMs hitting major performance milestones. He also argued that “with zkEVMs and PeerDAS ethereum made its largest step toward being a fundamentally new and more powerful kind of blockchain.”

Ethereum Must Deliver The World Computer
But the post’s center of gravity wasn’t a victory lap. It was a warning that the network is still falling short of its own stated goals and that chasing whatever narrative is currently printing attention is not the point.

Buterin drew a bright line between Ethereum’s long-term mission and trend-driven incentives that often dominate crypto cycles. “Ethereum needs to do more to meet its own stated goals,” he wrote. “Not the quest of ‘winning the next meta’ regardless of whether it’s tokenized dollars or political memecoins, not arbitrarily convincing people to help us fill up blockspace to make ETH ultrasound again, but the mission: To build the world computer that serves as a central infrastructure piece of a more free and open internet.”

From there, he offered a description of what “world computer” should mean in practice: decentralized applications that can’t be quietly altered or shut off, and that remain usable even when the companies and infrastructure most users take for granted fail.

“We’re building decentralized applications. Applications that run without fraud, censorship or third-party interference,” he wrote. “Applications that pass the walkaway test: they keep running even if the original developers disappear. Applications where if you’re a user, you don’t even notice if Cloudflare goes down — or even if all of Cloudflare gets hacked by North Korea.”

Buterin extended that same set of expectations beyond finance, explicitly name-checking identity, governance, and “whatever other civilizational infrastructure people want to build,” and he emphasized privacy as a core property rather than a nice-to-have.

A notable thread in the post is that Buterin refuses to treat usability-at-scale and decentralization as a trade-off Ethereum can punt on. “To achieve this, it needs to be (i) usable, and usable at scale, and (ii) actually decentralized,” he wrote, arguing those requirements apply both to the base layer—“including the software we use to run and talk to the blockchain” and to the application layer.

That framing implicitly puts pressure on multiple constituencies at once: core protocol work, client diversity and quality, infrastructure that doesn’t centralize around a few providers, and dapp architectures that can survive developer abandonment while still meeting user expectations.

Buterin closed on a note of resolve rather than specifics, saying Ethereum has “powerful tools” but needs to apply them more aggressively. “All of these pieces must be improved — they are already being improved, but they must be improved more,” he wrote. “Fortunately, we have powerful tools on our side — but we need to apply them, and we will.”

At press time, ETH traded at $3,030.

ETH holds above the 0.5 Fib, 1-week chart | Source: ETHUSDT on TradingView.com
Featured image from YouTube, chart from TradingView.com

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These pick-and-shovel AI plays are growing faster than some realize.

Last week, news circulated that Sam Altman's OpenAI had assigned itself a valuation of $830 billion.

However, that nosebleed valuation was challenged by analysts who pointed to competition from rivals like Anthropic and Alphabet's Google and asked whether the current breakneck pace of artificial intelligence (AI) spending is sustainable.

Given the challenges of trying to pick a winner in this space, investors might be better off looking at pick-and-shovel plays in the AI space. Surprisingly, many of them seem to be faring even better than the marquee AI companies right now. Is the real money in AI in the power cooling and connectivity space?

Image source: Getty Images.

Where the revenue is growing
If you look at revenue growth for some of the biggest AI-focused companies -- those developing AI-powered software and solutions -- you'll see some impressive numbers.

Alphabet, maker of Gemini and a heavy investor in AI features, has increased its trailing-12-month (TTM) revenue by 37.3% over the last three years. And Microsoft (MSFT 0.79%), which has been integrating AI applications like Copilot into its products, has grown TTM revenue by 44% during that same period.

Those are stellar growth numbers, particularly from such massive companies. Yet they pale in comparison to the revenue growth being experienced by some of the AI industry's pick-and-shovel plays.

Vertiv Holdings (VRT 1.42%), a maker of industrial cooling and electrical systems, including those used by data centers, has seen its TTM revenue grow by 70.4% over the last three years. TTM revenue at Arista Networks (ANET 1.06%), which manufactures electrical switches and networking infrastructure that are also critical for data centers, has grown by 92.8% over that period.

The AI infrastructure plays seem to be smoking the more traditional AI companies when it comes to revenue growth.

Profits are growing even faster
It would be one thing if the companies were growing their revenue but not their profits, indicating that most of the revenue growth was being eaten up in increased expenses. However, the opposite appears to be happening. All of these companies have grown their net income much faster than their revenue over the last three years.

Microsoft's net income has grown by 55.5% since December 2022, while Alphabet's has more than doubled, with three-year growth of 107.2%. But once again, that pales in comparison to Arista Networks' 148.2% net income growth and Vertiv's jaw-dropping 1,250% growth in net income over the same time period.

To be fair, both Vertiv and Arista have much smaller net incomes -- of $1 billion and $3.4 billion, respectively -- than the $100 billion-plus net incomes of the tech giants, but the point is that not only are Vertiv and Arista growing revenue faster than Alphabet and Microsoft, they're also growing their profits more quickly.

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If power cooling and connectivity are where the money is, the market seems to have already caught on. Arista and Vertiv may be growing faster than their AI-wielding counterparts, but that faster growth is also baked into their share prices.

Looking at the forward price-to-earnings ratio -- which accounts for near-term growth -- we find that Microsoft and Alphabet are practically identically valued at 30 times forward earnings and 29.7 times forward earnings, respectively. Compare them to Vertiv, which is trading at 40.6 times forward earnings, and Arista, which is trading at 45.8 times forward earnings. The difference is even more stark if we look at trailing earnings, with Vertiv's 63.2 and Arista's 50.2 sharply higher than Microsoft's 34.7 and Alphabet's 30.9.

Of course, the fact that the market is assigning a higher valuation to makers of network switches, power connectors, and integrated cooling equipment than it is to the makers of AI tools like Gemini and Copilot says a lot about where investors see the best odds for growth.

While you should expect to pay a premium for these kinds of companies as the AI buildout continues, smart investors will put together a watchlist of pick-and-shovel AI companies and keep an eye out for potential short-term dips in share price that might offer more attractive buying opportunities.

Baidu stock price exploded higher in Hong Kong, reaching its highest level since 2024. It jumped to a high of H$143.4, up by over 93% from its lowest level in 2025. This rally happened as the company filed for an initial public offering for Kunluxin, its artificial intelligence and robotics business.

Kunluxin files for an IPO
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Baidu, the biggest search engine company in China, started the year well as it filed for an IPO for Kunluxin in Hong Kong. The management believes that spinning it off as an independent company will help to reflect its real valuation better.

For one, the listing will make the business available to investors seeking to invest in AI chips and related software and hardware. This is notable as Kunluxin has positioned itself as a viable alternative to other large chips companies like Nvidia.

Analysts believe that the ideal valuation for Kunluxin could top $3 billion. However, recent IPOs for Chinese companies have been highly successful, meaning that the real valuation may be bigger than that.

A good example of this is Moore Threads and MetaX, whose shares went parabolic after their IPOs recently. Other companies, including Shanghai Iluvatar CoreX Semiconductor and Biren Technology have also surged after their IPOs. 

Core advertising business is slowing
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The Kunluxin IPO will help Baidu to monetize its business at a time when its advertising business is slowing as Chinese companies preserve cash.

The most recent results showed that Baidu’s revenue dropped by 7% in the third quarter to RMB 32.7 billion, which is equivalent to $4.37 billion.

Baidu’s profits have also slumped, with the net income coming in at RMB 7.32 billion, down from the RMB 7.633 billion it made in the same period a year earlier. 

The slowdown in the advertising business is significantly different from what Google is doing. Google has continued to fire on all cylinders recently, which helped to push its market cap to over $3.7 trillion.

Baidu’s ad business is usually limited by its geography since it mostly caters to Chinese customers. Google, on the other hand, is a more global company that serves advertisers from around the world.

The deteriorating ad business was offset by its AI cloud business, whose revenue rose by 33% to RMB 4.2 billion. 

On the positive side, analysts are optimistic that the company will return to growth this year. Yahoo Finance data shows that the average estimate is that its revenue will jump to RMB 136 billion this year, up sharply from the 129 billion it made in 2025.

Baidu stock price technical analysis 
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BIDU stock chart | Source: TradingViewThe daily timeframe chart shows that the Baidu share price bottomed at $74.20 in 2024 and then started a bull run. It peaked at $141.1 in October last year and then retreated to $105 as its advertising woes continued. 

Baidu has now rebounded and moved to the highest point in years. It has remained above the 50-day and 100-day Exponential Moving Averages (EMA).

The stock formed an inverse head-and-shoulders pattern, a common bullish reversal sign. It has also moved above the weak, stop & reverse level of the Murrey Math Lines tool. 

Therefore, the most likely forecast is where it jumps to the ultimate resistance at $150, which is up by 7.2% from the current level. A surge above that will push it to the extreme overshoot level at $175. 

, /PRNewswire/ --

Why: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of securities of Stride, Inc. (NYSE: LRN) between October 22, 2024 and October 28, 2025, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"), of the important January 12, 2026 lead plaintiff deadline.

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

What to do next: To join the Stride class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=30689 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than January 12, 2026. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation.

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

Details of the case: According to the lawsuit, during the Class Period, defendants made misleading statements and omissions regarding Stride's products and services to public and private schools, school district, and charter boards. Throughout the Class Period, Stride represented to investors that "[t]hese products and services, spanning curriculum, systems, instruction, and support services are designed to help learners of all ages reach their full potential through inspired teaching and personalized learning." Unbeknownst to investors, Stride was inflating enrollment numbers, cutting staff costs beyond required statutory limits, ignoring compliance requirements, and losing existing and potential enrollments.  When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages.

To join the Stride class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=30689 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] for information on the class action.

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

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Visa continues to generate some of the most consistent double-digit earnings growth among megacap companies.

Technip Energies (PARIS:TE) announces completion of its acquisition of the Advanced Materials & Catalysts (AM&C) business from Ecovyst Inc. (NYSE: ECVT), a global leader in specialty catalysts and advanced materials.

This strategic transaction expands Technip Energies’ portfolio by broadening its capabilities in advanced catalysts. It supports its disciplined growth strategy for the Technology, Products & Services (TPS) business segment in established markets by increasing recurring revenues while accelerating opportunities in sustainable fuels, circular chemistry, and carbon capture - key drivers of long-term value creation and critical areas for the energy transition.

Following completion, the AM&C business will continue to operate under its existing leadership team, supported by dedicated R&D, manufacturing and commercial teams across its three facilities in the US and Europe. 330 employees will join Technip Energies. The portfolio includes Advanced Silicas, a leading supplier of specialty silica-based materials and catalysts, as well as Zeolyst International, a joint venture with Shell Catalysts & Technologies focused on custom zeolite-based materials and catalysts for hydrocracking, sustainable fuels, and advanced recycling.

With over 40 years of proven expertise, AM&C is expected to deliver immediate earnings and cash flow accretion, reinforcing Technip Energies’ financial profile and unlocking new value-creation opportunities.

Arnaud Pieton, CEO of Technip Energies, commented: “Closing this transaction is an important milestone in the evolution of Technip Energies. With Advanced Materials & Catalysts, we are combining a differentiated catalysts and advanced materials platform with our process technologies and engineering expertise, creating an integrated offering that helps our customers to improve efficiency, reliability and emissions performance across their assets. Advanced Materials & Catalysts’ strong recurring revenue base, attractive margins and long-standing customer relationships are fully aligned with our disciplined capital allocation strategy to drive long-term value creation and to grow the TPS segment. We are very happy to welcome Advanced Materials & Catalysts teams and look forward to working together to deliver the next phase of growth for our customers and stakeholders.”

Kurt Bitting, CEO of Ecovyst, commented: “As a leading provider of technologies that are highly-valued by the energy industry, we believe Technip Energies provides the scale and technology development expertise that will further enhance product development and market reach for the Advanced Materials & Catalysts business. We want to thank our Advanced Materials & Catalysts colleagues for their dedication and contributions over their tenure with Ecovyst, and we wish them continued success in the future as part of the Technip Energies organization.”

Paul Whittleston, President of Advanced Materials & Catalysts, said: “With the completion of this transaction, we reach an important milestone for Advanced Materials & Catalysts. As part of Technip Energies, we can now scale, accelerate innovation and deliver even greater value for our customers, while contributing together to a more sustainable future. We are excited to enter this next phase as part of Technip Energies and to build the next chapter of growth together.”

Evercore acted as financial advisor, Gibson Dunn served as legal counsel and EY-Parthenon as accounting and tax advisor to Technip Energies in connection with this transaction.

About Technip Energies

Technip Energies is a global technology and engineering powerhouse. With leadership positions in LNG, hydrogen, ethylene, sustainable chemistry, and CO2 management, we are contributing to the development of critical markets such as energy, energy derivatives, decarbonization, and circularity. Our complementary business segments, Technology, Products and Services (TPS) and Project Delivery, turn innovation into scalable and industrial reality.

Through collaboration and excellence in execution, our 17,000+ employees across 34 countries are fully committed to bridging prosperity with sustainability for a world designed to last.

Technip Energies generated revenues of €6.9 billion in 2024 and is listed on Euronext Paris. The Company also has American Depositary Receipts trading over the counter.

For further information: www.ten.com

About Ecovyst Advanced Materials & Catalysts

Ecovyst Inc. and subsidiaries is a leading integrated and innovative global provider of virgin sulfuric acid and sulfuric acid regeneration services. We support customers globally through our strategically located network of manufacturing facilities. We believe that our products and services contribute to improving the sustainability of the environment.

Ecovyst continues to operate Ecoservices, which provides sulfuric acid recycling to the North American refining industry for the production of alkylate, and provides high quality and high strength virgin sulfuric acid for industrial and mining applications. Ecoservices also provides chemical waste handling and treatment services, as well as ex-situ catalyst activation services for the refining and petrochemical industry.

Advanced Materials & Catalysts (“AM&C”) was formerly part of Ecovyst’s portfolio and has been purchased by Technip Energies following completion of this transaction. AM&C, through its Advanced Silicas business, provides finished silica catalysts, catalyst supports and functionalized silicas necessary to produce high-performing plastics and to enable sustainable chemistry, and through its Zeolyst Joint Venture, innovates and supplies specialty zeolites used in catalysts that support the production of sustainable fuelsand that are broadly applied in refining and petrochemical processes.

For more information, see our website at https://www.ecovyst.com.

Contacts

Investor Relations
Phillip Lindsay
Vice-President Investor Relations
Tel: +44 207 585 5051
Email: Phillip Lindsay 

Media Relations
Jason Hyonne
Press Relations & Social Media Manager
Tel: +33 1 47 78 22 89
Email: Jason Hyonne 

Important Information for Investors and Securityholders

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements that reflect Technip Energies’ (the “Company”) intentions, beliefs or current expectations and projections about the Company’s future results of operations, anticipated revenues, earnings, cashflows, financial condition, liquidity, performance, prospects, anticipated growth, strategies and opportunities and the markets in which the Company operates. Forward-looking statements are often identified by the words “believe”, “expect”, “anticipate”, “plan”, “intend”, “foresee”, “should”, “would”, “could”, “may”, “estimate”, “outlook”, and similar expressions, including the negative thereof. The absence of these words, however, does not mean that the statements are not forward-looking. These forward-looking statements are based on the Company’s current expectations, beliefs and assumptions concerning future developments and business conditions and their potential effect on the Company. While the Company believes that these forward-looking statements are reasonable as and when made, there can be no assurance that future developments affecting the Company will be those that the Company anticipates.

All of the Company’s forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, some of which are significant or beyond the Company’s control, and assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company’s historical experience and the Company’s present expectations or projections. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements.

For information regarding known material factors that could cause actual results to differ from projected results, please see the Company’s risk factors set forth in the Company’s 2024 Annual Financial Report filed on March 10, 2025, with the Dutch Autoriteit Financiële Markten (AFM) and the French Autorité des Marchés Financiers (AMF) and in the Company’s 2025 Half-Year Report filed on July 31, 2025 with the AFM and the AMF, which include a discussion of factors that could affect the Company’s future performance and the markets in which the Company operates.

Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties and speak only as of the date they are made. The Company undertakes no duty to and will not necessarily update any of the forward-looking statements in light of new information or future events, except to the extent required by applicable law.

Technip Energies completes acquisition of Ecovyst’s Advanced Materials & Catalysts business

Technip Energies completes acquisition of Ecovyst’s Advanced Materials & Catalysts business

Technip Energies completes acquisition of Ecovyst’s Advanced Materials & Catalysts business
Technip Energies completes acquisition of Ecovyst’s Advanced Materials & Catalysts business

Oil prices edged up on the first day of trade in 2026 after last year posting their biggest annual loss since 2020, as Ukrainian drones targeted Russian oil facilities and a U.S. blockade pressured Venezuela's exports.

HomeStock IdeasLong IdeasHealthcare 

SummaryAbbVie earns a buy rating, with strong 2025 EPS growth driven by Skyrizi and Rinvoq, despite pipeline concerns and a higher P/E.ABBV’s valuation remains attractive; a 14.4x FY 2027 multiple is compelling if earnings materialize, with technicals supporting a bullish breakout.Risks include Humira revenue erosion, pipeline uncertainty, and debt burden, but ABBV’s clean loss-of-exclusivity profile and robust FCF yield support GARP status.Technical setup shows consolidation; a breakout could target $270, while downside risk exists below $220, with long-term support near $200. hapabapa/iStock Editorial via Getty Images

Biotech stocks scored solid gains in 2025. An equal-weight basket—the State Street SPDR S&P Biotech ETF (XBI) --clocked a 36% total return last year. Shares of one of the largest American biotech companies, AbbVie (

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

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

India's KFC and Pizza Hut operator Devyani International climbed 7.3% on Friday after striking a long-anticipated $934 million merger deal with peer Sapphire Foods , creating a fast-food major poised to challenge market leader Jubilant Foodworks.

Baidu's AI chip unit Kunlunxin has confidentially filed an application to list on the Hong Kong stock exchange, the latest company to capitalize on the frenzy surrounding artificial intelligence.

By

:

Published: Jan 2, 2026, 05:05 GMT+00:00

Gold and silver prices softened at the end of 2025 due to thin liquidity and Fed uncertainty, but strong 2025 gains, ongoing geopolitical risks, and supportive technical structures suggest the consolidation may set the stage for further upside in 2026.

Gold (XAU) and silver (XAG) prices dropped during the last day of 2025. This drop was developed due to the thin liquidity at the end of the year and Federal Reserve uncertainty. Moreover, the FOMC minutes showed mixed opinion about the rate path, with some members supporting a pause, and others willing to make further cuts if inflation continues to ease. This uncertainty led to a slight drop in gold ,and the price of gold traded at around $4,320 at the end of the year.

However, the gold market experienced a good year with a strong year-on-year growth in 2025. This high gain was triggered by the fact that U.S. President Donald Trump introduced a sweeping global tariff policy in April. These policies induced demand for safe haven assets, which was aided by record buying by central banks and surging demand for gold-backed ETFs.

The price action in the gold market is still constructive, which indicates further upside in 2026. On the other hand, geopolitical tensions are still an underlying support in the precious metals market. Hopes for peace in the Russia-Ukraine conflict are lowered amid reports of attacks on Russian leadership sites. Meanwhile, Middle East instability increased with the declaration of full-scale war by Iran and the Saudi air strikes in Yemen. These risks are still not resolved, and gold’s consolidation at high levels indicates more upside for 2026.

Gold Technical Analysis
The daily chart for spot gold shows that the price has reached the support for an ascending broadening wedge pattern. The price continued to fall during the last week of 2025 as a result of profit-taking and thin liquidity.

However, the year 2026 starts with strong support in the gold market. A break below $4,200 would signal further downside to the $4,000 level. On the other hand, a respect of support at $4,300 and a break above $4,400 would put buying pressure towards $4,600 region. As long as the price is above $4,000, the gold market is likely to continue in a bullish trend in 2026.

The 4 hour chart for spot gold shows the price has broken the red support zone at the $4,360 level. However, the price is consolidating above the black dotted trendline support. This support is holding in the $4,200 to $4,250 region and a break below this zone would likely lead to another decline in early 2026. However, the respect of support is likely and will induce another buying momentum.

Silver Technical Analysis
The daily chart for spot silver indicates the price reached strong resistance at $84 on 29 December 2025. The price continued to fall from this resistance because of the importance of this area of resistance. However, the price is testing good support around $70.

A break below $70 will signal further downside to the strong support zone between the $60 to $65 region. As long as support at $60 holds, the price of silver will probably move toward the $100 region in 2026.

The 4 hour chart for spot silver shows that the price reached the strong resistance area of $83 to $85 and continued to consolidate above the $70 area. A break below $70 will cause another drop towards the $60 region. However, the overall picture is still bullish and this correction is due to the profit-taking during the holidays.

Us Dollar Technical Analysis
The daily chart of the USD Index shows that the index continues to trade below the 50 and 200-day SMA’s. However, the 50-day SMA is now meeting the 200-day SMA, pointing to price uncertainty. The intersection of the moving averages is a suggestion of a pending move in the USD Index. However, the overall picture is still bearish and it will take a break below 96.50 to trigger further downside in the USD Index.

The 4 hour chart for the US Dollar Index shows the formation of a double top pattern at the 100.50 level. The index broke the neckline of the double top pattern at the 99 level and continues to go lower.

A break below the 97.50 level will indicate further downside towards 96.50 level. However, a recovery above the 99 level will show more upside towards 100.50. The index is consolidating in a tight range and needs a breakout in any of this region to see the next move.

Related Articles

Gold (XAUUSD) & Silver Price Forecast: Fed Split Caps Gains as $4,360 and $72.90 Levels MatterNatural Gas and Oil Forecast: Bearish EIA Data vs OPEC+ Support Keeps Prices RangeboundOil and Natural Gas Analysis: Bearish Breakdown in 2025 Signals Weak Start to 2026

Muhammad Umair is a finance MBA and engineering PhD. As a seasoned financial analyst specializing in currencies and precious metals, he combines his multidisciplinary academic background to deliver a data-driven, contrarian perspective. As founder of Gold Predictors, he leads a team providing advanced market analytics, quantitative research, and refined precious metals trading strategies.

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Galaxy's 2026 outlook frames bitcoin's evolution beyond price cycles, arguing the asset is increasingly tracking gold's adoption curve as institutional access expands and long-term monetary hedge demand strengthens toward a $250,000 trajectory.

Prenetics Global Limited, a health sciences company linked to global football icon David Beckham, has announced it will stop acquiring Bitcoin in 2026, signaling a notable retreat from the corporate Bitcoin treasury strategy that gained momentum earlier in the market cycle. The company confirmed that it ended its daily Bitcoin purchases in December 2025 and has no plans to resume further acquisitions, although it will continue to hold its existing Bitcoin reserves.

This decision comes amid a broader reassessment by public companies following Bitcoin’s sharp drawdown in late 2025. The cryptocurrency’s decline in November and December placed significant pressure on firms that used their balance sheets to gain exposure to digital assets. That stress was most clearly reflected in MicroStrategy, whose stock price dropped far more aggressively than Bitcoin itself during the downturn. Over the past six months, MicroStrategy shares have fallen by more than 60%, underscoring how equity-funded Bitcoin strategies can amplify losses through leverage, dilution, and shifting investor sentiment.

The divergence between Bitcoin’s price action and the performance of companies holding large crypto treasuries has raised concerns among investors and corporate boards alike. For non-crypto firms, becoming a high-beta proxy for Bitcoin introduces governance, reputational, and capital allocation risks. Shareholders often prefer predictable use of cash over exposure to a volatile and cyclical asset, particularly during periods of market uncertainty.

Against this backdrop, Prenetics’ move appears less like a rejection of Bitcoin and more like a risk management decision. The company’s ties to David Beckham extend through IM8, a premium health and longevity brand co-founded with the former football star. IM8’s strong revenue growth and expanding operating opportunities have shifted Prenetics’ strategic focus toward business expansion rather than financial engineering via crypto assets.

By halting future Bitcoin purchases while retaining its current holdings, Prenetics reduces its exposure to crypto market volatility while preserving potential upside. The decision reflects a wider cooling of corporate enthusiasm for Bitcoin treasuries, highlighting how late-2025 market stress has prompted public companies to rethink the balance between innovation, risk, and shareholder expectations.

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Bitcoin entered 2026 trading sideways near the $88,000 level, extending a period of consolidation that has left many traders uncertain about the next major move. While short-term price action appears stagnant, on-chain data from CryptoQuant suggests that important structural changes may be unfolding beneath the surface. Several key indicators point to easing sell pressure, even as macroeconomic uncertainty continues to limit upside momentum for BTC.

Following a sharp correction in late 2025, Bitcoin has struggled to reclaim major resistance zones. The absence of aggressive follow-through buying has kept market sentiment fragile, with investors closely watching for confirmation that the pullback has fully played out. One of the most notable signals comes from long-term holder supply data. After months of decline, the 30-day net change in long-term holder supply has turned positive by approximately 10,700 BTC. This shift implies that long-term investors are no longer distributing coins at scale and are gradually accumulating again, a behavior typically associated with consolidation phases rather than market tops.

Additional confirmation comes from the long-term holder spent output profit ratio (SOPR), which is currently hovering near the neutral 1.0 level. This indicates that long-term holders are neither selling aggressively at a loss nor rushing to lock in excessive profits. Historically, such balanced behavior aligns with markets stabilizing after a correction, suggesting equilibrium rather than capitulation.

Another supportive signal is seen in Bitcoin exchange netflows. Recent data shows continued net outflows, meaning more BTC is being withdrawn from exchanges than deposited. This reduces immediate sell-side pressure in spot markets, as fewer coins are readily available for liquidation. However, despite this constructive supply-side setup, Bitcoin’s price has yet to respond decisively.

The lack of a strong rebound highlights the demand-side challenge facing the market. Tight global liquidity conditions, lingering macroeconomic uncertainty, and delayed expectations for U.S. interest rate cuts continue to cap upside momentum. As a result, a rapid move toward $100,000 in January appears unlikely without a clear catalyst.

Overall, on-chain metrics suggest that Bitcoin may be building a foundation rather than preparing for an immediate breakout. If accumulation trends persist, this extended consolidation could ultimately support a stronger recovery later in 2026, positioning BTC for renewed upside once macro conditions improve.

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Prediction market traders on Polymarket are tipping 21% odds of Bitcoin hitting $150,000 this year, despite man analysts seeing 2026 as a belated bull year for Bitcoin. 

According to the current market on “what price will Bitcoin hit before 2027?,” Polymarket shows 45% odds of Bitcoin reaching $120,000, a price point below its all-time high.

The odds fall further at $130,000, with just a 35% probability, while $140,000 has a 28% chance and $150,000 has a 21% chance. 

The safest bet traders are currently willing to place on overall is a mere $100,000 at 80%. 

Polymarket odds on BTC price by year end. Source: Polymarket While it’s not entirely clear what has made users so cautious, the ending of the four-year cycle may have something to do with it, after BTC closed 2025 in the red.

The four-year cycle was market pattern surrounding halving events that had played out several times over Bitcoin’s history, enabling chartists to plot future moves. With this coming to an end, it opens the door for new trading patterns to emerge.

Despite the bearish odds, analysts have been tipping a bullish year for Bitcoin.

President Donald Trump is set to announce a new US Federal Reserve chair in the coming weeks, which may be a boon for crypto as many expect interest rates to be slashed.

Such anticipation has in part already fueled a surge in the price of precious metals such as gold and silver, with both hitting new ATHs in the fourth quarter of 2025, despite digital commodities in crypto remaining flat. 

Meanwhile, major crypto bills — the GENIUS Act and CLARITY Act — are expected to bring more regulatory clarity, which may open the door for more institutional adoption.

Many analysts from firms such as Standard Chartered, Strategy, and Bernstein are predicting the price of BTC to hit $150,000 in 2026, while some on the more optimistic side, such as Fundstrat’s Tom Lee, are anticipating a price of around $200,000 to $250,000.

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