Market Signal Briefing

Bitcoin’s price could rise in 2026 as easing monetary policy injects “massive” liquidity into markets, according to Bill Barhydt, CEO of crypto exchange and wallet company Abra, though other analysts sound more cautious notes.

Speaking to the Schwab Network, Barhydt said he expects a “ton” of liquidity injections from the US Federal Reserve next year as policymakers continue cutting interest rates, potentially reviving quantitative easing and boosting risk assets such as Bitcoin, adding:

“We are seeing quantitative easing light right now. The Fed is starting to buy its own bonds. I think demand for government debt is going to fall significantly next year, along with lower rates. All of this bodes well for all assets, including Bitcoin.” Abra CEO Bill Barhydt offers a forecast for BTC and crypto markets in 2026. Source: Schwab NetworkRegulatory clarity in the US and growing institutional investment, combined with lower interest rates, likely mean BTC and the broader crypto market are in for “a great few years,” he added. 

Only 14.9% of investors expect an interest rate cut at the next Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting in January, down from the 23% of respondents polled in November, according to data from the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) Group.

Interest rate probabilities for the January FOMC meeting. Source: CME GroupThe bullish price forecast was countered by early Bitcoin adopters and analysts who say that 2026 will be another down year for BTC and that Bitcoin has entered a bear market that may last for months or years. 

Analyst says BTC could bottom out in 2026, and US midterm elections pose a risk2026 will likely be a bad year for Bitcoin prices, according to early BTC investor Michael Terpin, who forecast BTC could bottom out at about $60,000 in the last quarter of 2026.

A new Federal Reserve chair is also expected to ease interest rates, but better macroeconomic conditions may be offset by the results of the 2026 US midterm elections, he said.

“Anything other than a GOP sweep in the midterms will cripple further regulatory friendliness,” Terpin said.

2026 US midterm elections odds. Source: PolymarketThe odds of a GOP sweep on prediction market Polymarket were 19% at time of writing, with 47% of traders betting on each political party controlling one chamber of Congress.

Joe Doll, the general counsel at non-fungible token (NFT) marketplace Magic Eden, previously told Cointelegraph that the balance of power “almost always” flips in US midterm elections. 

Magazine: Bitcoin’s critical level is $82.5K, Ethereum ‘not done yet’: Trade Secrets

TLDR:

Bittensor TAO price reflects distribution after a failed rally above the $500 zone.
Subnets are evolving into early AI businesses serving practical, real-world use cases.
Volume contraction suggests reduced participation rather than aggressive panic selling pressure.
Technical bias remains cautious until TAO reclaims the $280–300 range with volume.

Bittensor TAO price remains under pressure as technical weakness contrasts with growing discussion around adoption-driven value. 

Market participants are balancing structural innovation against fading momentum after a failed expansion phase.

Intelligence Markets Reshape the Bittensor Narrative
Bittensor TAO price discussions increasingly center on its positioning as an intelligence market rather than a conventional blockchain. 

A widely shared analyst post described Bittensor as an open system where usefulness, not compute spending, drives incentives.

The commentary framed Bittensor as scaling through global talent participation instead of centralized hiring and capital expenditure. 

This structure allows contributors to compete openly, creating outputs aligned with real demand rather than internal roadmaps.

The same post noted that leading subnets already resemble early-stage AI firms. Areas such as fine-tuning, vision, detection, and forecasting were cited as examples of practical services emerging within the network.

I’m bullish on #Bittensor for a reason most people still miss.

What’s being built here is an intelligence market where incentives are aligned around usefulness, not headlines or raw compute spend.

That distinction matters far more in 2026 than any short-term narrative.… pic.twitter.com/L4Hf6wy9ZG

— Robin τ (@Robin_T100) December 31, 2025

As referenced in the tweet, the expectation is that mature subnets will increasingly target industry clients. 

Over time, marketing toward crypto-native audiences may diminish as commercial use cases expand organically.

Liquidity improvements and subnet-specific economics were also mentioned as reducing friction. Capital deployment becomes more flexible, while participant turnover slows as economic activity becomes more sustainable.

Bittensor TAO Price Shows Distribution and Weak Momentum
Despite the long-term narrative, Bittensor TAO price action reflects caution in the current market structure. 

The daily TAO/USDT chart shows a sharp peak near the $500–520 range, followed by sustained rejection.

That rally was accompanied by heavy volume, which later aligned with distribution rather than continued accumulation. 

Subsequent price action formed lower highs and lower lows, confirming a transition into a downtrend.

TAO now trades near $220, an area that previously acted as demand during mid-year consolidation. This retracement suggests the market has unwound much of the prior hype-driven advance.

Volume trends reinforce this assessment. Activity declined steadily after the rejection, indicating reduced engagement instead of forced selling pressure. 

Market participation appears selective rather than broad-based. Momentum indicators remain subdued. MACD continues below the zero line, with only limited signs of deceleration in bearish pressure. 

RSI readings near the mid-30s reflect exhaustion without confirmation of strength. Reclaiming the $280–300 zone with strong volume would be required to shift bias. 

TAO trades near $220 as momentum slows. Open intelligence markets and subnet growth point to long-term adoption. #Bittensor #TAO #Altcoins

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CFTC Chair Michael Selig has appointed Amir Zaidi as chief of staff at the start of his tenure. The decision represents an early leadership move as the agency prepares for shifting regulatory demands.

CFTC Past Roles and Expanding Crypto Mandate
Selig announced the appointment on Wednesday in a public statement. He referred to Zaidi serving in the commission before as one of the key considerations. Zaidi worked at the CFTC between 2010 and 2019. During that period, he held senior roles and later led the Division of Market Oversight.  His duties involved his work on big derivatives policy projects.

Among the most significant contributions of Zaidi was the introduction of Bitcoin futures contracts that were regulated by CFTC. The contracts marked a major step in bringing crypto-linked instruments under federal oversight. The contracts were introduced in the first term of Donald Trump.

The personnel shift comes as legislators shift towards reforming crypto regulation. Digital asset market structure legislation is under consideration by the Congress. The CFTC would increase its power over some crypto markets in draft proposals.

Leadership Appointment Focuses on Experience and Oversight
In an X post, Selig said he welcomed Zaidi back to the organization. He said the timing was key because of proposed legislation. Experience will count as the commission gears up for potentially new duties, Selig said.

Zaidi’s experience as a leader within the agency puts him in a pole position. He had previously headed up the Division of Market Oversight. That appointment happened under the time of Christopher Giancarlo, who led the commission.

The Division of Market Oversight supervises futures, options, and swaps markets. It conducts market surveillance and monitors compliance. The division also oversees exchanges and clearing agencies.

Zaidi holds a Juris Doctor, earned cum laude at the University of Maryland School of Law. He also holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Boston University, where he graduated summa cum laude.

Zaidi in a statement said that he expects to bring stability at the commission. He observed the rate at which derivatives markets were changing. The dedication to bring the agenda of the chairman into practice was also highlighted.

In the role of chief of staff, Zaidi will be in charge of internal coordination within the agency. The position involves policy planning and operation oversight. Regulatory decision-making support will continue to be a fundamental role with the CFTC adapting to a more extended mandate.

BitMine's ETH stockpile swells over $12 billion as aggressive buying continues during holiday slowdown.

Ethereum treasury firm BitMine Immersion Technologies has continued to aggressively expand its ETH holdings even as prices struggle below $3,000.

In fact, blockchain tracker Lookonchain found that the company bought another 32,938 ETH, worth about $97.6 million.

Ethereum Stockpile
The data also shows BitMine staked an additional 118,944 ETH, which is roughly $352 million. The purchases were executed over a four-hour window on Tuesday and come as crypto markets remain subdued in the final stretch of 2025. The company appears to be using year-end softness to scale its Ethereum treasury and deepen its long-term exposure to the network.

BitMine’s latest acquisition brings its total Ether holdings to around 4.07 million ETH, which is valued at approximately $12 billion at current prices. The company has consistently staked a large portion of its reserves. The buying spree took place amid BitMine chairman Thomas “Tom” Lee’s statement that activity tends to slow as the market enters the final holiday weeks of a calendar year.

Lee also noted that BitMine added more than 44,000 ETH over the past week alone and has accumulated over 77,400 токенс since last Monday. He has repeatedly described the firm as the largest “fresh money” buyer of Ether in the world, while highlighting that BitMine has purchased more than 40,000 ETH per week for at least ten consecutive weeks. Lee said,

“Bitmine’s sole focus remains creating stockholder value, achieving this by accretively acquiring ETH per share, optimizing yield and income on its Ether holdings, and strategically investing the balance sheet on ‘moonshots’ and leveraging the company’s strong community and market position to generate additional returns.”

Institutional Flows and Technical Signals
Alongside corporate accumulation, institutional interest in Ethereum has also shown signs of strength. Data from Tuesday shows net inflows of about $67.9 million into spot ETH ETFs. Interestingly, Grayscale accounted for almost $64.2 million of that total.

Additionally, market watchers tracking ETH’s performance against BTC observed that longer-term indicators have begun to turn more constructive. Galaxy Trading points to improving momentum on higher timeframes, which means that Ethereum’s relative positioning versus Bitcoin may be stabilizing after a long period of weakness.

You may also like:

Crypto Derivatives Hit $85.7 Trillion in 2025 as Binance Tightens Its Grip on the Market

Ethereum Network Activity Hits All-Time High as Price Lags Far Behind

Ethzilla Stock Tanks 15% After DAT Dumps a Quarter of its ETH Stash

Tags:

Pi Network attempts to conquer Binance’s barriers: does Pi have a secured spot in Binance’s Spot offerings?

Market Sentiment:

Bullish

Bearish

Neutral

Published:
December 31, 2025 │ 6:26 PM GMT

Created by Gabor Kovacs from DailyCoin

Pi Network’s main token Pi Coin maintains a steady price just above the $0.20 major demand zone, but Pioneers are expecting bigger price appreciation in 2026. With the mobile-mining network’s recent push towards DeFi & real-world utility, major exchange listings are yet to come.

Binance & Pi Coin’s On-&-Off StoryBinance’s potential Pi coin listing was one of the most talked-about scenarios since Pi Network’s mainnet launch back in February, 2025. However, that didn’t happen, even though the Binance Square vote expressed unanimous approval. Now, social community votes are resurfacing, as Pi Coin’s one year anniversary is coming close.

The latest stats paint a bright picture: 19 million Pioneers have transitioned to the mainnet, meaning that they can use their decentralized crypto wallets to transfer Pi tokens & use it as a payment method where applicable. On the other hand, Pi Coin’s price took a massive beating from the $2.99 peak, inked a week into the mainnet launch.

What’s Slowing Down Pi’s Progress?While Pi Coin is available on a select number of major exchanges like OKX & MEXC, no response from Binance since the Square vote raised several implications. Pi Network’s code is not open-source yet, which could have put key obstacles in Binance’s Pi listing refusal. On the other hand, Binance might delay Pi listing until the unlocks slow down.

For now, the inflation rate for Pi Coin remains relatively high at 4.5 million Pi Coins a day. A slight relief period will follow in mid January 2026, witnessing just under 4 million Pi Network tokens unlocked on a daily average. As Binance’s Pi listing buzz resurfaces, the mobile-mining coin’s market sentiment in early 2026 will adjust the speed of adoption.

Delve into DailyCoin’s hottest crypto scoops today:
Beckham‑backed Prenetics Halts Daily Bitcoin Buying
Crypto Markets Quiet as 2025 Comes to a Close

People Also Ask:What is the current status of Pi Network’s mainnet?

Pi transitioned to Open Mainnet on February 20, 2025, enabling external connectivity, trading on exchanges like OKX/Bitget, and ecosystem apps.

Why hasn’t Binance listed Pi yet?

Binance cites needs for clear tokenomics, full decentralization, regulatory compliance (e.g., KYB verification), proven utility, and low risk—issues Pi has faced with delays and transparency.

What utility developments could push a 2026 listing?

2025 saw hackathons, 210+ live apps, AI integrations, node upgrades for smart contracts, and real-world commerce (e.g., PiFest)—aiming to boost adoption and prove value.

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

Market Sentiment

100% Bullish

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.

There is a particular kind of Bitcoin holder who only shows up when the noise gets loud.

They are the people who watched 2021 melt into 2022, who kept their keys anyway, who learned to live with the idea that the line on the chart can drop faster than their mood. When the price is ripping higher, they are treated like prophets. When price rolls over, they are treated like villains.

Over the past few weeks, the villain story has been everywhere, long-term holders are dumping, the old hands are cashing out, and the cycle is ending. The story makes emotional sense; it gives a clean reason for a messy market.

The problem is that the chain rarely gives clean answers, especially when big custodians are moving funds around.

On-chain analysts like Darkfrost have been watching “LTH supply change,” basically a way of tracking whether coins that have sat still for months are starting to move.

They see the dump coming to a close, as we saw the first small green candle since mid-July. CryptoQuant founder Ki Young Ju highlighted the end of long-term holder sell pressure on X, but can we be sure?

The data got spooked by a giant Coinbase shuffleIn late November, Coinbase moved large amounts of crypto between internal wallets as part of a planned migration. Coinbase said the transfers were scheduled, not related to a breach, and meant to rotate legacy internal wallets into new ones as a security best practice, with no impact to customer deposits or product uptime.

That matters because internal wallet migrations can look like real selling on-chain, coins move, age resets, dashboards light up, and people start drawing conclusions.

It is movement without a change in ownership.

So when analysts say they “fixed” long term holder data by isolating the Coinbase effect, they are trying to remove a giant operational fingerprint from the chart.

What the long-term holder signal is saying right nowBitcoin long-term holder supply change (Source: CryptoQuant)The most careful takeaway from the adjusted charts floating around is simple: long-term holders appear to be easing off the sell button, and the shift is small.

That lines up with the broader idea that the market is trying to find a floor, but the confirmation is still thin. Even Glassnode, which uses an entity-adjusted cohort model and defines long-term holders using the ~155-day threshold, describes long-term holders as “heavy net distributors” at roughly 104K BTC per month in late October, in its Week On-Chain report, Lacking Conviction.

The same report also makes the key point traders forget in the heat of a drawdown, major expansions in Bitcoin’s history have tended to begin after long term holders shift from distribution into sustained accumulation, it is a regime change that takes time to prove itself.

Glassnode’s definition and methodology matter here too. Their documentation explains that the LTH, STH split is centered on 155 days, and that the metric suite is entity-adjusted, rather than a raw address count.

So the best way to read today’s “LTH stopped selling” narrative is as an early nudge, not a victory lap.

Even if long-term holders relax, ETF flows can still swing the weekThere is a second reality sitting on top of on-chain behavior now, ETFs have turned Bitcoin into something closer to a daily mood ring for risk appetite.

A single big ETF day can also dwarf a modest shift in long-term holder behavior, such as the roughly $523 million one-day outflow from BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust, IBIT, in November.

These flows are not the same thing as an old holder selling coins, but they land on the same market, at the same time, in the same order book. That is why Bitcoin can feel calm on-chain and still trade like a stressed-out tech stock.

The macro backdrop is shifting, but it is still not “easy mode”Bitcoin’s biggest rallies tend to happen when liquidity is rising, and buyers feel safe taking risks. That is why the Federal Reserve keeps showing up in crypto conversations, even when nobody wants it to.

In December, the Fed cut its target range by 25 basis points to 3.5% to 3.75%. Around the same time, the New York Fed announced it would begin purchasing Treasury bills under its reserve management program, with the first schedule totaling about $40 billion and purchases starting Dec. 12.

Those are plumbing moves, they help explain why risk markets can stabilize even when sentiment is bruised, and why the next few months could hinge on whether buyers step back in consistently.

Three paths from here, and what would confirm each oneA real reset, then a recovery.
Long-term holder selling continues to fade; it stays that way for weeks, ETF flows stop bleeding and turn mixed to positive, and volatility cools. In that environment, Bitcoin often does what it does best, it bores people first, then it moves.A wide, frustrating range.
Long-term holders reduce selling, but do not accumulate in a sustained way. ETFs stay choppy, and macro headlines keep flipping the market’s mood. This is the outcome where Bitcoin spends more time rebuilding confidence than breaking records.Distribution returns, and the market tests patience again.
If long-term holder distribution ramps back up, and ETFs see another stretch of heavy outflows, the price can remain under pressure. Glassnode’s Week On-chain view points to key cost basis levels and highlights how overhead supply can cap rallies when conviction is low, in Lacking Conviction.The human part of the chartFor the people who have held through multiple regimes, the most important change is rarely the one-day candle. It is the moment the urge to sell fades, and the urge to wait returns.

If long-term holders are truly stepping back from distribution, the market gets a little less fragile. It does not guarantee higher prices next week, it does not protect anyone from a macro shock, it does not erase the power of ETF flows.

It does something quieter.

It changes who is willing to be the marginal seller, and in Bitcoin, that is often how the next chapter starts.

Mentioned in this article

Solana has attempted a modest recovery after extended weakness, supported by rising on-chain activity. Increased network usage has translated into stronger performance metrics, helping stabilize price action.

While SOL remains under pressure, expanding transaction volume could position the altcoin for a short-term rally if demand sustains.

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Solana Is Shaming CEXesSolana’s 2025 performance has outpaced several centralized exchanges by trading volume. According to Artemis researcher ZJ, decentralized exchange activity on Solana reached $1.6 trillion this year. That figure ranks Solana second overall, behind only Binance, which posted $7.2 trillion in volume.

Want more token insights like this? Sign up for Editor Harsh Notariya’s Daily Crypto Newsletter here.

Solana vs Cex. Source: ZJThe data highlights rapid growth in on-chain trading. Solana surpassed Bybit, Coinbase Global, and Bitget in total volume. ZJ noted on X that Solana ranked fifth among major trading venues just one year ago.

“just a year ago, solana was 5th among major CEXes. today in 2025, it’s 2nd – only behind Binance, having just overtaken Bybit. with propAMMs and CLOBs being a major growth story in recent months for solana. its hard not to be bullish looking into 2026 (sic),” ZJ noted.

Solana Investors Are Grounding The TokenDespite strong volume metrics, valuation indicators raise caution. Solana’s Network Value to Transactions ratio has climbed steadily and now sits at a seven-month high. Historically, rising NVT readings signal bearish risk, as market value grows faster than actual transaction demand.

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This divergence suggests hype may be outpacing real economic activity. When network valuation expands without matching usage growth, prices often face correction. Elevated NVT levels tend to precede bearish breaks, placing near-term pressure on SOL’s recovery attempts.

Solana NVT Ratio. Source: GlassnodeLong-term holder behavior offers a counterbalance to bearish signals. The HODLer net position change shows a notable shift over the past week. After nearly four months of distribution, long-term holders have returned to accumulation.

This transition is significant because long-term holders often stabilize the price during volatile periods. Their renewed accumulation suggests confidence in Solana’s longer-term prospects. This support could help absorb selling pressure and limit downside risk despite mixed short-term indicators.

Solana HODLer Position Change. Source: GlassnodeSOL Price May Find A BreachSolana price is trading near $126 at the time of writing, meeting resistance at this level. Even with recent stabilization, SOL is on track to close 2025 down roughly 33%. This context frames the current recovery as corrective rather than trend-defining.

In the short term, Solana could test resistance near $130 if long-term holder support persists. Without stronger inflows from broader investors, upside may remain capped. Consolidation below $126 appears likely if momentum weakens.

Solana Price Analysis. Source: TradingViewDownside risk remains present. A failure to maintain support at $123 could expose SOL to a decline toward $118. Such a move would invalidate the bullish thesis and reinforce the broader bearish structure until stronger demand returns.

Bitcoin is on track to post its first annual loss since 2022, as macroeconomic pressures and fading momentum weighed on the world's largest cryptocurrency.

With gold soaring in value, is now the time to consider gold-backed cryptocurrencies?

While Bitcoin has easily been the top-performing cryptocurrency of the past decade, it's not the best cryptocurrency to buy right now.

Instead, that distinction belongs to Pax Gold (PAXG 0.84%), a stablecoin that is pegged 1-to-1 to the price of gold. Just as gold is up 74% this year, so is Pax Gold. If you're looking to put $500 to work right now, gold is the place to be.

What is a gold-backed stablecoin?
While the majority of stablecoins are pegged 1-to-1 to the U.S. dollar, there are some stablecoins that are pegged to other fiat currencies, such as the euro or yen. In addition, it's possible to peg a stablecoin to the price of a commodity or precious metal.

That's where gold-backed stablecoins enter the picture. Right now, there are two gold-backed stablecoins that rank among the top 50 cryptocurrencies in the world by market cap: Tether Gold and Pax Gold. Both now have market caps in excess of $1.6 billion. My personal preference is Pax Gold, simply because Tether Gold is not available on every U.S.-based cryptocurrency trading platform.

Image source: Getty Images.

What makes these two stablecoins so interesting is that they don't trade for $1, as you might expect with a traditional dollar-pegged stablecoin. Instead, they trade for the price of gold. Thus, the current price of Pax Gold is $4,563. As the price of gold continues to soar, so should the price of Pax Gold.

The easiest way to think about Pax Gold is that it is physical gold, held and managed on a blockchain. That's because Pax Gold is actually a crypto token on the Ethereum blockchain. Each Pax Gold token is backed by 1 fine troy ounce of gold, stored in a London gold vault.

If you own PAXG, you own the underlying physical gold, held in custody by Paxos Trust Company, which is a New York-regulated financial institution. That means that you should be able to exchange Pax Gold for physical gold at any point in time, no questions asked.

Why not just buy a gold ETF?
Of course, there are different ways to get exposure to gold these days. You could, for example, walk into a Costco Wholesale and pick up a gold bar.

But far more likely, you'd simply buy a share in a gold exchange-traded fund (ETF), such as the iShares Gold Trust or SPDR Gold Shares. Why go to all the hassle, expense, and security risk of hiding a gold bar under your bed when you can simply get exposure to gold via the SPDR Gold Shares ETF?

Theoretically, investing in a gold-backed stablecoin is even better than investing in a gold ETF. For example, if you acquire PAXG, you're no longer paying annual management expenses on an ETF. PAXG offers direct ownership of physical gold, the potential for fractional ownership, as well as 24/7 trading. Over time, these advantages can really add up, leading some to think that gold ETFs could face a real competitive threat from gold-backed stablecoins.

Before you invest in Pax Gold
Just keep in mind: As gold goes, so goes Pax Gold. Yes, gold is having a banner year in 2025, but there are no guarantees that this same kind of performance will repeat in 2026. Simply put, Pax Gold may not be a world-beater for much longer.

Today's Change

(

-0.84

%) $

-36.81

Current Price

$

4328.21

If you look at a long-term chart for Pax Gold, this becomes apparent immediately. Almost out of nowhere, Pax Gold has been skyrocketing in price since 2024. Just as gold is soaring to new all-time highs, so is Pax Gold.

That's why I can't emphasize enough: Pax Gold is a cryptocurrency to buy right now. Almost every major cryptocurrency -- including both Bitcoin and Ethereum -- is down for the year. That means investors need to be creative heading into 2026.

Pax Gold is a rarity in the crypto world -- it's an asset that's capable of soaring in value, while also offering the same type of downside risk protection as gold. At a time when Bitcoin has disappointed crypto investors, it might be worth a closer look at Pax Gold, the real "digital gold."

The fallout from the Dec. 27 exploit on the Flow blockchain continues to weigh on the ecosystem, with the most acute disruption hitting NFT-backed loans that matured while the network was frozen.

The Flow Foundation has said no user balances were impacted by the incident, but its decision to pause the network’s Cadence execution environment until the morning of December 29 prevented users from repaying loans as they came due.

Flow-based NFT lending platform Flowty said 11 loans matured during the pause, a period when borrowers were unable to transact or move tokens. One loan was repaid via autopay, eight defaulted, and two failed to settle due to account restrictions tied to the exploit.

Although the blockchain is technically back online, much of the Flow ecosystem remains partially impaired. Token swapping is still largely unavailable, leaving many borrowers unable to acquire the assets needed to repay loans even after the pause was lifted.

In response, Flowty said it paused settlement on all loans as of 2:15 p.m. ET on December 30. Loans that mature during this period will not settle or default and will instead remain outstanding in what the platform has described as “in limbo.” Flowty said it plans to open a defined repayment window once broader ecosystem functionality stabilizes, though no timeline has been set.

The move effectively freezes both sides of the market: lenders will not accrue additional interest on paused loans, while borrowers who may already have sufficient funds remain unable to repay and reclaim their NFTs. Flowty said it opted for the approach to avoid forced defaults driven by network-wide limitations and the potential loss of irreplaceable NFTs.

Flowty has also disabled new loan listings and removed existing listings from its marketplace to limit further exposure.

The network's native FLOW token dropped roughly 40% in price immediately following the initial incident and has shed a further 17% to $0.086 as of press time, according to The Block price data.

Flow (FLOW) price chart. Source: The Block/TradingView

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

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

Ethereum nears $4,800 resistance with $8,500 target in sight as traders monitor key patterns, whale accumulation, and declining short interest.

Ethereum (ETH) is nearing key resistance levels as the market watches for a breakout. The price is trading around $2,970 at press time, showing little change over the past day.

Over the past week, ETH has gained close to 2%. Technical charts and trading activity suggest a larger move may be forming.

Market Watches $4,800 as a Decisive Level
Analyst Javon Marks has pointed to $4,800 as a major resistance zone. His earlier price call from around $1,215 to this level played out with a gain of over 300%. “Bitcoin led the way, breaking multiple resistance points,” he wrote, adding that Ethereum could follow with a move toward $8,500 if it clears the $4,800 level. That area is being treated as a natural barrier in the current trend.

$ETH near +300% callout from ~$1,215 to $4,811.71 target, 🎯, and now, sights on $8,500+.

This target, another anticipated resistance point so seeing prices treat it just as is not much of a surprise.

Bitcoin led the way, breaking multiple resistance points, and we are watching… https://t.co/i6CamFCqxK pic.twitter.com/EROBIRsczd

— JAVON⚡️MARKS (@JavonTM1) December 30, 2025

Recent chart behavior shows ETH holding steady rather than breaking out or falling back. Traders are now watching for a shift in momentum. The long-term trend still leans upward, but the market has yet to decide on a clear direction above this resistance level.

In addition, ETH is trading near the top of a descending channel on the daily timeframe. According to Clifton Fx, a strong daily close above the channel could send Ethereum toward $5,000. He described the setup as a breakout watch, with the market looking for a clear signal before confirming direction.

Elsewhere, a weekly chart shared by Trader Tardigrade shows a large Inverse Head and Shoulders pattern forming. The neckline sits close to the $4,800 level. This type of pattern is known for signaling trend reversals when confirmed. Currently, the price is in the right shoulder zone, and the pattern remains valid while that structure holds.

You may also like:

BitMine Doubles Down on Ethereum as Markets Cool into Year-End

Crypto Derivatives Hit $85.7 Trillion in 2025 as Binance Tightens Its Grip on the Market

Ethereum Network Activity Hits All-Time High as Price Lags Far Behind

Support Holds as Short Interest Declines
On shorter timeframes, $2,800 is acting as the key support. According to CryptoWZRD, a move above $3,060 could open the way toward $3,230. A drop below $2,880 would shift the short-term outlook. “More price action from ETHBTC is needed,” the analyst stated, tying Ethereum’s next move to broader market behavior.

Recent data shows short positions on ETH have fallen sharply. This suggests growing pressure on bearish traders. CW posted,

“Most short positions will be liquidated if the price reaches just $3,080.”

As we reported, addresses holding 10,000 to 100,000 ETH now control over 21 million tokens. Exchange reserves have fallen by more than 4 million ETH this year, suggesting reduced supply on the market. Meanwhile, Large holders have increased their positions throughout 2025, while smaller investors have reduced theirs.

Tags:

Journalist

Posted: January 1, 2026

Bitcoin [BTC] continued to meander within the $85k-$90k range. The leading crypto’s price action has been bearish since the 10/10 crash.

The trend has not been as strongly bearish in December, as downward momentum appeared to stall at the $84.5k support.

Source: BTC/USDT on TradingView

Though there wasn’t a defined trend, the volatility has been sharp in recent weeks. Each foray toward the $90k resistance zone has been met with a sharp rejection since the 15th of December.

At the time of writing, Bitcoin was hovering around the $88.3k level as regional stock market indices showed a little movement during the thin-liquidity conditions at the year’s end.

Data showed that the S&P 500, the SSE Composite Index, and the KOSPI Composite Index had all moved 0.15% or less for the day. The Nikkei 225 saw a slightly bigger drop of 0.37%, or 187 points, which was still minor.

This hinted at caution in the stock market. Combined with the lack of demand in the Bitcoin market and spooked investors, it was possible that a bearish turn could descend into a liquidation cascade.

What to expect from Bitcoin in the coming week
Thin liquidity meant that price moves will continue to lack a trend over the next week.

Magnetic zones with dense liquidation levels will be targets for bull or bear squeezes. More of the kind of price action of the past month is expected.

This expectation would change if the $94.5k or $$85k levels are breached on significant trading volume.

The spot ETF flows showed seven consecutive trading days of ETF outflows, from the 18th to the 29th of December. This finding supported the idea that demand was weak.

The realized volatility of Bitcoin has increased dramatically since October, nearing the March-April figures. Higher values mean higher risk in the market, and is measured using log returns over a fixed time period.

It is not clear which way the next move would go, but one thing is clear. The price action was getting compressed within a tight range, with swift rallies and full retracements. An explosive move is imminent.

Final Thoughts

The Bitcoin price action did not show a clear short-term trend yet, but the realized volatility has picked up over the past two months.
The spot ETF outflows and prices bottled below the $90k resistance highlighted bearish dominance.

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

TL;DR

Lighter carried out a $675 million airdrop in LIT and ranked tenth in crypto history, surpassing 1inch and trailing LooksRare.
The DEX distributed the tokens to early users and showed strong retention: only $30 million left the protocol and 75% of recipients held their tokens.
The tokenomics allocate 50% to the ecosystem and 50% to the team and investors, raising questions about balance.

Lighter executed a $675 million airdrop in LIT tokens and entered the top 10 largest events in crypto history by dollar value. Data from Bubblemaps and CoinGecko place it in tenth position, above the 1inch Network airdrop and below LooksRare’s. Uniswap retains the top spot, with $6.43 billion distributed in 2020.

$LIT just went live

• $675M airdropped to early participants
• $30M withdrawn from Lighter (only)

gud tech pic.twitter.com/WeszphP8G1

— Bubblemaps (@bubblemaps) December 30, 2025

Users Show Strong Retention
The project is a decentralized exchange focused on perpetual futures. It distributed the tokens to the protocol’s early users. According to Bubblemaps, of the total amount distributed, around $30 million was withdrawn directly from Lighter, a relatively small figure compared to the overall volume. This data point is critical, as it highlights the high level of token retention among users.

The day after the airdrop, around 75% of recipients were still holding their LIT tokens. In addition, roughly 7% had purchased more tokens on the open market. This behavior is unusual for an airdrop of this magnitude, where immediate selling and quick profit-taking typically dominate. Some of these early users, such as the investor known by the pseudonym Didi, reported receiving six-figure allocations in dollar terms.

Concerns Over Lighter’s Distribution
However, the size of the airdrop did not go unnoticed by market critics. Lighter’s tokenomics sparked a broad debate within the community. The structure reserves 50% of the supply for the ecosystem and allocates the remaining 50% to the team and investors, with a one-year cliff and a multi-year vesting schedule. For part of the market, the share allocated to the team appears excessive for a DeFi protocol. Others point to similarities with the model adopted by Hyperliquid, one of its main competitors.

From a market perspective, the Lighter token (LIT) posted a market capitalization close to $678 million and is trading above $2.71, according to data from Nansen. The price reflects the initial impact of the airdrop. Some traders warn that, at these levels, the opportunity may be limited to short-term trades.

The airdrop put Lighter on the market’s radar and achieved strong initial retention. The next phase will depend on trading volume, real activity within the DEX, and the protocol’s ability to turn that massive distribution into active, recurring users. Without that, the airdrop’s impact will fade quickly

Kitco News

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Kitco NEWS has a diverse team of journalists reporting on the economy, stock markets, commodities, cryptocurrencies, mining and metals with accuracy and objectivity. Our goal is to help people make informed market decisions through in-depth reporting, daily market roundups, interviews with prominent industry figures, comprehensive coverage (often exclusive) of important industry events and analyses of market-affecting developments.

Will they or won't they? Stocks have moved higher in the last quarter of 2025 as the Federal Reserve started to cut interest rates.

Jared Holz, Mizuho health care equity strategist, joins 'The Exchange' to discuss the surge in pharma M&A in 2025, ACA subsidies expiring, and more.

Tesla (NASDAQ: TSLA) has rolled out its latest Full Self-Driving (FSD) version FSD v14.2.2.2 – touting smoother lane changes and improved decision-making.

Yet despite billionaire Elon Musk’s bold promises, the system remains classified as Level 2 driver-assist technology, meaning human supervision is still required.

Meanwhile, Alphabet’s self-driving unit “Waymo” has already launched a driverless fleet in several US cities – raising questions about whether TSLA can truly claim leadership in autonomy.

For now, there are ample reasons (discussed below) to believe Tesla is significantly behind Waymo in robotaxi services.

Scale of deployment
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Waymo already runs hundreds of driverless vehicles across Phoenix, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Austin.

Tesla’s robotaxi fleet in Austin launched with about 30 cars only. The disparity in scale highlights how far Tesla must go before it can match Waymo’s operational footprint.

Driverless capability
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Waymo already offers rides with no human driver at all, while Tesla’s FSD still requires constant supervision.

TSLA’s system is marketed as “autonomous,” but regulators classify it as driver-assist. This further suggests Waymo is more advanced in autonomous driving than the Elon Musk company.

Regulatory approval
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Waymo has secured permits to operate commercial driverless services in over 20 markets already.

In comparison, Tesla has regulatory approval for robotaxi services in only two states. Even in those markets, it faces investigations into safety incidents involving its FSD system.

Without regulatory trust, TSLA can’t expand its robotaxi services widely – limiting its ability to compete head-to-head with Waymo.

Technology approach
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Waymo relies on lidar, radar, and high-definition mapping to ensure redundancy and safety. Tesla has chosen a vision-only approach – betting cameras and neural networks can replicate human perception.

Critics argue this leaves a TSLA robotaxi less reliable in complex urban environments compared to Waymo’s multi-sensor system.

Operational experience
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Waymo has logged millions of driverless rides since 2017, building customer trust and gathering vast amounts of data.

Tesla Inc. is only beginning to test robotaxis with consumers, meaning its real-world experience is far behind. This operational gap is critical in proving safety and scalability.

Reliability gap
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Former Tesla board member Steve Westley has pointed to a stark reliability difference: Waymo vehicles average about 17,000 miles between critical interventions, while Tesla manages around 1,500 miles only.

This highlights why Tesla’s system still demands frequent human oversight, undermining its claim to autonomy.

Conclusion: Tesla has scale but lags in readiness
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Wedbush’s senior analyst Dan Ives believes Tesla is better positioned than Waymo is in robotaxis due to its sheer scale, with millions of cars already equipped for software updates.

But scale alone is not enough. Tesla must first fix reliability, regulatory, and technological hurdles before its massive fleet can truly deliver on Musk’s vision.

Until then, Waymo remains ahead in the race for autonomy.

Ann Winblad, Hummer Winblad Venture Partners co-founder and managing partner, joins 'The Exchange' to discuss Warren Buffett's legacy and last day at Berkshire Hathaway.

Calgary, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - December 31, 2025) - Hemostemix Inc. (TSXV: HEM) (OTCQB: HMTXF) (FSE: 2VF0) (the "Company" or "Hemostemix"), an autologous stem cell company treating those who suffer in pain from peripheral arterial disease, chronic limb threatening ischemia, angina, ischemic cardiomyopathy, dilated cardiomyopathy, total body ischemia, and vascular dementia, is pleased to announce that it has closed a non-brokered private placement for aggregate gross proceeds of CDN$480,000, through the issuance of 4,000,000 common shares of the Company at a price of $0.12 per common share.

The proceeds from the private placement will be used for general working capital purposes, including advancing the Company's regulatory, clinical, and commercialization initiatives related to ACP-01 (VesCell), Hemostemix's autologous angiogenic cell therapy platform.

All securities issued pursuant to the private placement are subject to a statutory hold period in accordance with applicable securities laws and the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange ("TSXV"). The private placement remains subject to final acceptance by the TSXV.

ABOUT HEMOSTEMIX

Hemostemix is an autologous stem cell therapy platform company, founded in 2003. A winner of the World Economic Forum Technology Pioneer Award, the Company has developed, patented, is scaling and selling autologous (patient's own) blood-based stem cell therapy, VesCell™ (ACP-01). Hemostemix has completed seven clinical studies of 318 subjects and published its results in eleven peer reviewed publications. ACP-01 is safe, clinically relevant and statistically significant as a treatment for peripheral arterial disease, chronic limb threatening ischemia, non ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy, ischemic cardiomyopathy, congestive heart failure, and angina. Hemostemix completed its Phase II clinical trial for chronic limb threatening ischemia and published its results in the Journal of Biomedical Research & Environmental Science. As compared to a five year mortality rate of 50% in the CLTI patient population, UBC and U of T reported to the 41st meeting of vascular surgeons: 0% mortality, cessation of pain, wound healing in 83% of patients followed for up to 4.5 years, as a midpoint result. For more information, please visit www.hemostemix.com.

For further information, please contact:
Thomas Smeenk, President, CEO
EM: [email protected] / PH: 905-580-4170

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

Forward-Looking Information: This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein are forward-looking information. In particular, this news release contains forward-looking information in relation to a non brokered private placement and the treatment of conditions of ischemia including via the Phase I basket protocol clinical trial of ACP-01 as a treatment for multiple indications of ischemia including Vascular Dementia, and the treatment of pain in Florida related related to angina, peripheral arterial disease, chronic limb threatening ischemia, ischemic cardiomyopathy, non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy, congestive heart failure, and total body ischemia with Angiogenic Cell Precursors (ACP-01), in furtherance of sales of VesCell™ (ACP-01), and the commercialization of ACP-01 via the sale of compassionate treatments under Florida SB 1768. There can be no assurance that such forward-looking information will prove to be accurate. Actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking information. This forward-looking information reflects Hemostemix's current beliefs and is based on information currently available to Hemostemix and on assumptions Hemostemix believes are reasonable. These assumptions include, but are not limited to: the underlying value of Hemostemix and its Common Shares; the successful resolution of any litigation that Hemostemix is pursuing or defending (the "Litigation"); the results of ACP-01 research, trials, studies and analyses, including the analysis being equivalent to or better than previous research, trials or studies; the receipt of all required regulatory approvals for research, trials or studies; the level of activity, market acceptance and market trends in the healthcare sector; the economy generally; consumer interest in Hemostemix's services and products; competition and Hemostemix's competitive advantages; and, Hemostemix obtaining satisfactory financing to fund Hemostemix's operations including any research, trials or studies, and any Litigation. Forward-looking information is Subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of Hemostemix to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Such risks and other factors may include, but are not limited to: the ability of Hemostemix to complete clinical trials, complete a satisfactory analyses and file the results of such analyses to gain regulatory approval of a phase II or phase III clinical trial of ACP-01; potential litigation Hemostemix may face; general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; general capital market conditions and market prices for securities; delay or failure to receive board or regulatory approvals; the actual results of future operations including the actual results of future research, trials or studies; competition; changes in legislation affecting Hemostemix; the timing and availability of external financing on acceptable terms; long-term capital requirements and future developments in Hemostemix's markets and the markets in which it expects to compete; lack of qualified, skilled labour or loss of key individuals; and risks related to the COVID-19 pandemic including various recommendations, orders and measures of governmental authorities to try to limit the pandemic, including travel restrictions, border closures, non-essential business closures service disruptions, quarantines, self-isolations, shelters-in-place and social distancing, disruptions to markets, disruptions to economic activity and financings, disruptions to supply chains and sales channels, and a deterioration of general economic conditions including a possible national or global recession or depression; the potential impact that the COVID-19 pandemic may have on Hemostemix which may include a decreased demand for the services that Hemostemix offers; and a deterioration of financial markets that could limit Hemostemix's ability to obtain external financing. A description of additional risk factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from forward-looking information can be found in Hemostemix's disclosure documents on the SEDAR website at www.sedarplus.ca. Although Hemostemix has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. Readers are further cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information as there can be no assurance that the plans, intentions or expectations upon which they are placed will occur. Forward-looking information contained in this news release is expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking information contained in this news release represents the expectations of Hemostemix as of the date of this news release and, accordingly, it is Subject to change after such date. However, Hemostemix expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required by applicable securities law.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/279318

Source: Hemostemix Inc.

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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.

HomeETFs and Funds AnalysisETF Analysis

SummaryiShares MSCI Germany ETF (EWG) remains a hold, with valuation attractive but technicals and seasonality neutral.EWG's 2025 gain is less impressive after adjusting for the euro's 15% rally; relative strength to SPY has declined.The ETF is heavily weighted in cyclical value sectors, with Industrials and Financials comprising nearly half the portfolio.Key resistance stands at $43, with support around $38–$39; significant supply in this range limits near-term breakout potential. Horst Gerlach/E+ via Getty Images

Europe has broadly outperformed the US stock market in 2025. Arguably, the most important country overseas is Germany. I had a hold rating on the iShares MSCI Germany ETF (EWG) in the first quarter

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.

As I look ahead to 2026 and search for compelling investment opportunities, one productive place to focus is on stocks that lagged during an otherwise strong year for U.S. equities. The broader market notched its third consecutive double-digit gain, yet beneath the surface, performance was far from uniform. Several high-quality companies were left behind despite maintaining solid business models.

In many cases, the underperformance had less to do with deteriorating business conditions and more to do with valuation resets, sentiment shifts, or capital rotating toward more crowded themes. Those dynamics can create opportunities, particularly when durable franchises fall out of favor and trade down to more attractive risk-reward levels.

The Trade Desk ((TTD - Free Report) ), The Blackstone Group ((BX - Free Report) ), and Salesforce ((CRM - Free Report) ) fit that profile. Each is a market leader in its respective industry, each faced headwinds that weighed on share prices this year, and each could be positioned for a meaningful rebound as conditions evolve in 2026.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

The Trade Desk Shares Near All-Time Low ValuationThe Trade Desk was once one of the market’s premier high-growth stocks, but shares endured a brutal year, falling nearly 70% from their highs. I’ve long found the business compelling, yet for years the valuation was untenable. That dynamic has now changed. As concerns around AI disruption swept through the software sector, many companies were indiscriminately repriced lower. In the process, TTD stock has finally traded down to a valuation that is compelling.

The core business remains intact. The Trade Desk operates a leading independent demand-side platform (DSP) that allows advertisers to buy digital ad inventory across the open internet, connected TV, streaming, mobile, audio, and display, using data-driven targeting and real-time optimization. Its independence from the major “walled gardens” is a key differentiator, particularly as advertisers seek transparency, control, and cross-platform reach. Unified ID 2.0, TTD’s identity framework, further strengthens its position as privacy rules evolve and third-party cookies fade.

While growth has moderated from the 30–50% annual revenue expansion seen in earlier years, the outlook remains attractive. Revenue is expected to grow at a high teens pace this year and next, while earnings are projected to compound at roughly 20.4% annually over the next three to five years, reflecting improving operating leverage.

Against that backdrop, valuation now looks compelling. Shares trade at approximately 21.4x forward earnings, a stark contrast to the premium multiples investors once paid for the business. For a category leader with durable competitive advantages, a strong balance sheet, and solid long-term growth prospects, that multiple suggests much of the bad news is already priced in.

The Blackstone Group Remains a Stalwart Financial StockBlackstone is another high-quality franchise whose share price was pressured this year by a narrative that appears to have overshot reality. Private credit has been one of Blackstone’s most important growth engines in recent years, but concerns around the space intensified after the collapse of First Brands Group, an event tied to alleged fraud and more than $10 billion in liabilities. That episode sparked fears of broader stress across private credit markets.

While the failure was alarming and highlighted real risks within an emerging asset class, evidence so far suggests it was largely isolated. There has been no meaningful surge in private credit defaults, and underwriting standards among the largest, most sophisticated managers remain intact. Despite that, sentiment turned sharply negative, and leaders across the space, including Blackstone, were sold aggressively.

Fundamentally, the business looks as strong as ever. Blackstone remains the dominant player in alternative investments, with unmatched scale across private equity, real estate, infrastructure, hedge funds, and private credit. Its diversified platform, long-duration capital base, and global reach provide resilience across cycles and position the firm to capture fee growth as institutional allocations to alternatives continue to rise.

Valuation has also become more reasonable. At roughly 29x forward earnings, BX is not especially cheap, but it now trades below industry peers and is only modestly above its five-year median multiple of 25.6x. Meanwhile, fundamentals remain robust: revenue is projected to grow nearly 26% next year, with earnings expected to compound at 22.1% annually over the next three to five years. The stock also carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), reflecting improving analyst confidence.

Taken together, Blackstone’s recent underperformance appears driven more by narrative risk than by deterioration in the underlying business. For investors looking toward 2026, BX offers exposure to durable secular growth in alternatives at a valuation that is far more balanced than it had been at the start of the year.

Salesforce Stock Lagged Tech, But Outlook is StrongSalesforce is another category-leading business that lagged this year as investor sentiment shifted, particularly around how companies would monetize AI. As capital flowed toward more direct AI infrastructure plays, Salesforce was temporarily viewed as a secondary beneficiary. That framing overlooks how deeply embedded Salesforce’s products are in day-to-day enterprise workflows, and how much optionality AI introduces across its platform.

Salesforce sits on one of the richest datasets in enterprise software, spanning sales, marketing, service, and customer engagement. As AI becomes more tightly integrated into business processes, tools like Einstein, Data Cloud, and Agentforce have the potential to enhance productivity, automation, and decision-making across its customer base. Those benefits may be incremental rather than explosive, but they are durable and scalable, particularly at Salesforce’s size.

As the stock has sold off, valuation has reset to far more attractive levels. Salesforce now trades at roughly 22.6x forward earnings, while consensus forecasts still call for about 15% annual earnings growth over the next three to five years. That combination represents a solid growth profile for a company with Salesforce’s market leadership, recurring revenue base, and improving margin structure.

Furthermore, the broader digital transformation of business remains one of the most powerful secular trends in the global economy, and Salesforce remains at its center as the world’s leading CRM and SaaS platform. Wall Street expectations appear to have become overly cautious this year. The company has beaten earnings estimates in all four quarterly reports, most recently by 14%, signaling continued execution strength. Technically, the stock also appears to be forming a large, early-stage base, suggesting conditions may be aligning for a potential breakout as sentiment stabilizes.

Should Investors Buy Shares in BX, CRM and TTD?All three stocks share a common setup heading into 2026: high-quality businesses, reset valuations, and intact long-term growth drivers. This year’s underperformance appears driven more by sentiment, rotation, and narrative shifts than by fundamental deterioration. While near-term volatility is always possible, the combination of durable franchises, improving earnings visibility, and more reasonable valuations creates a favorable risk-reward profile for investors willing to look past recent weakness and position for a rebound next year.

HomeETFs and Funds AnalysisETF Analysis

SummarySchwab Emerging Markets Equity ETF (SCHE) offers a compelling 44% P/E discount to the S&P500, with broad exposure to China and Asia's growth engines.SCHE's top holdings include TSMC, Tencent, and Alibaba, providing access to leading tech and consumer platforms in emerging markets.Despite long-term volatility, SCHE and peers have recently outperformed the S&P500, driven by a falling U.S. dollar and global capital rotation.I rate both SCHE and IEMG a BUY for 2026, recommending gradual position building to capitalize on market volatility and attractive valuations. The Klang River fronting the Jamek Mosque in the heart of Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia

AsianDream/iStock via Getty Images

The S&P500 had another solid year in 2025, with at pixel time a YTD gain of 16.0%. However, there was a relatively strong

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

I am an electronics engineer, not a CFA. The information and data presented in this article were obtained from company documents and/or sources believed to be reliable, but have not been independently verified. Therefore, the author cannot guarantee their accuracy. Please do your own research and contact a qualified investment advisor. I am not responsible for the investment decisions you make.

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.

HomeStock IdeasLong IdeasTech 

SummaryAdvanced nodes now generate roughly 74% of wafer revenue, anchoring TSMC’s dominance in high-margin, hard-to-replicate manufacturing.AI-driven demand is accelerating faster than expected, supporting management’s mid-30% revenue growth outlook and sustained pricing power.Hyperscaler capital expenditures may exceed $600 billion in 2026, reinforcing a self-reinforcing cycle of scale, margins, and reinvestment.TSMC’s technology roadmap, including 3nm, 5nm, and upcoming N2 platforms, leaves major customers with limited viable alternatives.Despite muted recent stock performance, TSM stock valuation reflects high expectations, leaving upside dependent on consistent execution amid geopolitical risks. dem10/E+ via Getty Images

Investment Thesis Entering 2026, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (TSM) continues to have a competitive advantage due to the growing demand for AI technologies. As technologies in the 7nm node or better account for about

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

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

, /PRNewswire/ --

Why: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of common stock of Inspire Medical Systems, Inc. (NYSE: INSP) between August 6, 2024 and August 4, 2025, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"), of the important January 5, 2026 lead plaintiff deadline.

So what: If you purchased Inspire Medical common stock 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 Inspire Medical class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=21452 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] for information on the class action. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than January 5, 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 handle 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 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, throughout the Class Period, defendants misrepresented and failed to disclose key facts about Inspire V, a sleep apnea device, including the actual market demand for the device and whether Inspire Medical had taken the steps necessary to launch it. Defendants issued a series of materially false and misleading statements that led investors to believe that demand for Inspire V was strong and that Inspire Medical had taken the necessary steps for a successful launch. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages.

To join the Inspire Medical class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=21452 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.

Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm, on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/.

Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Contact Information:
      Laurence Rosen, Esq.
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      The Rosen Law Firm, P.A.
      275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor
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SOURCE THE ROSEN LAW FIRM, P. A.