Market Signal Briefing

MIDLAND, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--New Era Energy & Digital, Inc. (Nasdaq: NUAI) (“New Era” or the “Company”), a developer and operator of next-generation digital infrastructure and integrated power assets in the Permian Basin, today announced that it completed its acquisition of Sharon AI’s (OTC: SHAZ) 50% ownership interest in Texas Critical Data Centers LLC (“TCDC”), previously announced on Dec. 23, 2025 (read here.) Sharon AI will have no continuing ownership interest, governance rights, or control provisions with respect to the project.

E. Will Gray II, CEO of New Era Energy & Digital, commented: “We appreciate the support of Sharon AI throughout the development phase of TCDC. Their partnership helped us move the project forward, and we are grateful for their collaboration. This buy-out agreement reflects a constructive outcome for both parties and positions TCDC for its next stage of development as we shift from planning to execution.”

Advisors

Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. served as legal counsel to New Era. Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP served as legal counsel to Sharon AI.

About New Era Energy & Digital, Inc.

New Era Energy & Digital, Inc. (Nasdaq: NUAI) is a developer and operator of next-generation digital infrastructure and integrated power assets. With a growing portfolio of strategically located, vertically integrated resources including powered land and powered shells, the Company delivers turnkey solutions that enable hyperscale, enterprise, and edge operators to accelerate data center deployment, optimize total cost of ownership, and future-proof its infrastructure investments. For more information, visit: www.newerainfra.ai, and follow New Era Energy & Digital on LinkedIn and X.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains “forward-looking statements.” Forward-looking statements reflect the current view about future events. When used in this press release, the words “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “future,” “intend,” “plan” or the negative of these terms and similar expressions, as they relate to us or our management, identify forward-looking statements. Such statements include, but are not limited to, statements contained in this press release relating to our business strategy, our future operating results and liquidity and capital resources outlook. Forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations and assumptions regarding our business, the economy and other future conditions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict. Our actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements. They are neither statements of historical fact nor guarantees of assurance of future performance. We caution you therefore against relying on any of these forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include, without limitation: (a) our ability to effectively operate our business segments; (b) our ability to manage our research, development, expansion, growth and operating expenses; (c) our ability to evaluate and measure our business, prospects and performance metrics; (d) our ability to compete, directly and indirectly, and succeed in a highly competitive and evolving industry; (e) our ability to respond and adapt to changes in technology and customer behavior; (f) our ability to protect our intellectual property and to develop, maintain and enhance a strong brand; and (g) other factors (including the risks contained in the “Risk Factors” section of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024). Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should the underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may differ significantly from those anticipated, believed, estimated, expected, intended or planned. Factors or events that could cause our actual results to differ may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all of them. We cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. Except as required by applicable law, including the securities laws of the United States, we do not intend to update any of the forward-looking statements to conform these statements to actual results.

More News From New Era Energy & Digital, Inc.

Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 16, 2026) - Scorpio Gold Corporation (TSXV: SGN) (OTCQB: SRCRF) (FSE: RY9) ("Scorpio Gold", or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it will be participating in the upcoming Metals Investor Forum in Vancouver on Friday, January 23rd and Saturday, January 24th at the Fairmont Pacific Rim. CEO and Director Zayn Kalyan will be giving a 10-minute corporate presentation on Friday at 11:30am PT, followed by a short Q&A. Scorpio Gold will be presenting as part of newsletter writer, Jeff Clark's panel of companies. VP Exploration, Harrison Pokrandt, will also be available to meet with investors at our booth. The conference agenda can be found here. We welcome the opportunity for attendees to reach out to management with any questions and review our updated corporate presentation here.

Scorpio Gold will also be hosting an open house at its office in Vancouver, BC during the AME Round Up and the Vancouver Resource Investment Conference on January 26, 2026, from 1-3pm PT. Welcoming shareholders and the investment community to meet with management, ask questions about our Manhattan District, preview our drill core and more. To learn more about the event, or to RSVP (by January 23rd, 2026), please email [email protected].

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9779/280728_8f0e12a094cb3bf3_002full.jpg

Stock Options

Scorpio Gold also announces that it has issued 6,465,000 incentive stock options ("Options") under the Company's stock option plan to directors, officers, and consultants of the Company. The options are exercisable at a price of $0.37 per share with an expiry date of January 16, 2031. 6,065,000 of the Options are to vest as to 25% every 6 months and 400,000 Options are to vest as to 50% in 4 months and 50% in 6 months from the grant date.

2,900,000 Options were granted to officers and directors of the Company and, accordingly, such grants were considered related party transactions under Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). Such grants were exempt from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 pursuant to sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101, given neither the fair market value of the securities issued nor the consideration provided therefor exceeded 25% of the Company's market capitalization.

About the Manhattan District

Manhattan, located in the Walker Lane Trend of Nevada, USA, is road accessible and lies approximately 20 kilometers south of the operating Round Mountain Gold Mine, which has produced more than 15 million ounces of gold. For the first time, the Company has consolidated Manhattan's past-producing mines under a single entity that holds valuable permitting and water rights. Historically, Manhattan has produced approximately 700,000 ounces of gold from high-grade placer and lode operations dating from the late 1890s through to the mid-2000s.¹ The maiden mineral resource estimate (the "Maiden MRE") covering the Goldwedge and Manhattan Pit areas of Manhattan is comprised of 18,343,000 tonnes grading 1.26 g/t gold for a total of 740,000 oz contained gold in the inferred category.²

A historical mineral resource estimate (the "Historical MRE") covers the Black Mammoth, April Fool, Hooligan, Keystone, and Jumbo areas of Manhattan and comprises 1,652,325 tonnes grading 5.89 g/t gold for a total of 303,949 oz contained gold.³ The deposit is interpreted as a low-sulfidation, epithermal, gold-rich system situated adjacent to the Tertiary-aged Manhattan caldera in the Southern Toquima Range of Nevada. A "Qualified Person" as defined in National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101") has not done sufficient work to make the Historical MRE current, and the Company is not treating the Historical MRE as current.

Notes

Adjacent Properties: The Company has no interest in, or rights to, any of the adjacent properties mentioned, including the Round Mountain Gold Mine, and exploration results on adjacent properties are not necessarily indicative of mineralization on the Company's properties. Any references to exploration results on adjacent properties are provided for information only and do not imply any certainty of achieving similar results on the Company's properties.Historical Data: This news release includes historical information that has been reviewed by the Company's qualified person. The Company's review of the historical records and information reasonably substantiate the validity of the information presented in this presentation. The Company encourages readers to exercise appropriate caution when evaluating these data and/or results.Third-Party Mineral Projects: These deposits are cited solely for geological context. The Company cautions that these properties are not necessarily adjacent to, nor does the Company or have any interest in or control over them. Although certain geological features may be similar, there is no assurance that mineralization comparable to these deposits will be discovered on any of the Company's properties. Information regarding the aforementioned deposits is taken from publicly available sources and technical reports believed to be reliable, but has not been independently verified by the Company. The Company encourages readers to exercise appropriate caution when evaluating these data and/or results.Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE): All scientific and technical information relating to Manhattan pertaining to Maiden MRE contained in this news release is derived from the Technical Report dated October 23, 2025 (with an effective date of June 4, 2025) titled "Mineral Resource Estimate and NI 43-101 Technical Report" (the "Technical Report") prepared by Matthew R. Dumala, P.Eng (BC) of Archer Cathro Geological (US) Ltd., Patrick Loury, M.Sc., CPG (AIPG) of Daniel Kunz & Associates, Annaliese Miller, LG (WA) of Geosyntec Consultants, Inc. and Art Ibrado, PhD, PE (AZ) of Fort Lowell Consulting PPLC. The information contained herein in respect of the Maiden MRE is subject to all of the assumptions, qualifications and procedures set out in the Technical Report and reference should be made to the full text of the Technical Report, a copy of which has been filed with the applicable securities regulators and is available under the Company's profile on www.sedarplus.ca.Historical MRE: A Qualified Person has not done sufficient work to make the Historical MRE current, and the Company is not treating the Historical MRE as current. The Company considers the Historical MRE relevant as it demonstrates the presence of significant gold mineralization across multiple zones within Manhattan; however, its reliability is uncertain because it was prepared prior to the adoption of the current CIM Definition Standards and current QA/QC practices. The Historical MRE provides limited disclosure of assumptions, parameters, estimation methods, cutoff grades, and QA/QC protocols, and therefore these cannot be fully verified by the Company. The categories used in the historical estimate predate, and are not directly comparable to, current CIM Definition Standards, and the Company is not treating the Historical MRE as a current Mineral Resource Estimate. To upgrade and verify the Historical MRE in order to make it a current Mineral Resource Estimate, the Company would be required to undertake confirmatory drilling, modern QA/QC sampling, validation and digitization of historical datasets and updated geological modeling followed by the preparation of a new Mineral Resource Estimate in accordance with CIM Definition Standards and NI 43-101. The Company encourages readers to exercise appropriate caution when evaluating the Historical MRE.

All scientific and technical information relating to Manhattan pertaining to the Historical MRE contained in this news release is derived from the Technical Report dated May 1997 titled "Exploration and Pre-Production Mine Development, Manhattan District Project, Nye County" (the "Historical Technical Report") prepared by New Concept Mining, Inc. The information contained herein in respect of the Historical MRE is subject to all of the assumptions, qualifications and procedures set out in the Historical Technical Report and reference should be made to the full text of the Historical Technical Report.

References: (1) Strachan, D. G., and Master, T. D., 2005: Update and Revision of the Gold Wedge Project Development, Nye County. Report prepared for Nevada; Royal Standard Minerals, Inc. and dated March 31, 2005; (2) Dumlala, M. R., and Lowry, P., 2025: Mineral Resource Estimate and NI 43-101 Technical Report, Manhattan Property, Nye County, Nevada. Report prepared for Scorpio Gold Corporation and dated October 23, 2025 (with an effective date of June 4, 2025); and (3) Berry, A., and Willard, P., 1997: "Exploration and Pre-Production Mine Development, Manhattan District Project, Nye County". Report prepared for New Concept Mining, Inc. and dated May 1997. About Scorpio Gold Corp.

Scorpio Gold holds a 100% interest in two past producing projects, the Manhattan District and the Mineral Ridge Mine, both located in the Walker Lane Trend of Nevada, USA. Scorpio Gold's Manhattan District is ~4,780-hectares and comprises the advanced exploration-stage Goldwedge Mine, with a 400 ton per day maximum capacity gravity mill, and four past-producing pits that were acquired from Kinross in 2021 (see March 25, 2021 news release). The consolidated Manhattan District presents an exciting late-stage exploration opportunity, with over 100,000 metres of historical drilling, significant resource potential, and valuable permitting and water rights.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF SCORPIO GOLD CORPORATION

Connect with Scorpio Gold:
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To register for investor updates, please visit: scorpiogold.com
(TSXV: SGN) (OTCQB: SRCRF) (FSE: RY9)

Forward-Looking Statements

The Company relies on litigation protection for forward-looking statements. This news release contains forward-looking statements that are based on the Company's current expectations and estimates. Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "suggest", "indicate" and other similar words or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur, and include, without limitation, statements regarding: the Transaction and the terms thereof, including the consideration payable to the Company; the Company retaining certain assets associated with the Project; the benefits of the Transaction and the Company's plans following completion of the Transaction; the Company's strategic plans; the Company's intention to define a mineral deposit at its Manhattan project; the Company's plans for the incoming funds from the Transaction; the conditions to closing and timing of the Transaction; and the approval of the TSXV of the Transaction. There is significant risk that the forward-looking statements will not prove to be accurate, that the management's assumptions may not be correct and that actual results may differ materially from such forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from estimated or anticipated events or results implied or expressed in such forward-looking statements, including those risk factors outlined in the Company's Management Discussion and Analysis as filed on SEDAR+. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and accordingly undue reliance should not be put on such statements due to the inherent uncertainty thereof.

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

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/280728

Source: Scorpio Gold Corp

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

New York, New York--(Newsfile Corp. - January 16, 2026) - WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, announces a class action lawsuit on behalf of purchasers of securities of Varonis Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: VRNS) common stock between February 4, 2025 and October 28, 2025, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"). A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than March 9, 2026.

SO WHAT: If you purchased Varonis 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 Varonis class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=50337 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 March 9, 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. 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 the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company at the time. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs' Bar. Many of the firm's attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers.

DETAILS OF THE CASE: According to the lawsuit, defendants made materially false and/or misleading statements and or failed to disclose that: (1) Varonis would not be able to maintain ARR projections while converting both its federal and non-federal existing on-prem customers to the software-as-a-service ("SaaS") alternative offering; (2) Varonis was not equipped to convince existing users of the benefits of converting to the SaaS offering or otherwise maintain these customers on its platform, resulting in significantly reduced ARR growth potential in the near-term; and (3) as a result of the foregoing, defendants' positive statements about Varonis' business, operations, and prospects were materially misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages.

To join the Varonis class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=50337 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.

-------------------------------

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/280730

Source: The Rosen Law Firm PA

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NEW YORK, Jan. 16, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --

WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of securities and sellers of put options of Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc. (NASDAQ: SFM) between June 4, 2025 and October 29, 2025, both dates inclusive (the “Class Period”), of the important January 26, 2026 lead plaintiff deadline.

SO WHAT: If you purchased Sprouts securities and/or sold put options 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 Sprouts class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=48630 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 26, 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 achieved, at that time, the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs’ Bar. Many of the firm’s attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers.

DETAILS OF THE CASE: According to the lawsuit, defendants provided investors with material information concerning Sprouts’ growth potential for the fiscal year 2025. Defendants’ statements included, among other things, confidence in Sprouts’ customer base to remain resilient to macroeconomic pressures and that Sprouts would instead benefit from the perceived tailwinds from a more cautious consumer. Defendants provided these overwhelmingly positive statements to investors while, at the same time, disseminating materially false and misleading statements and/or concealing material adverse facts concerning the true state of Sprouts’ growth potential; notably, that a more cautious consumer could result in significant slowdown in sales growth and the purported tailwinds would be unable to dampen the slowdown or would otherwise fail to manifest entirely. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages.

To join the Sprouts class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=48630 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.
        Phillip Kim, Esq.
        The Rosen Law Firm, P.A.
        275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor
        New York, NY 10016
        Tel: (212) 686-1060
        Toll Free: (866) 767-3653
        Fax: (212) 202-3827
        [email protected]
        www.rosenlegal.com

Polygon Labs, the company behind the Ethereum scaling network Polygon, has laid off around 60 employees following its recent acquisitions of Coinme and Sequence, which together were valued at more than $250 million. According to a source familiar with the situation, the layoffs are part of a broader restructuring effort as Polygon pivots toward becoming a payment-focused blockchain platform.

The workforce changes impacted teams across the organization rather than targeting a specific department. While rumors circulated this week suggesting Polygon Labs had reduced its workforce by as much as 30%, a company spokesperson denied that figure. The spokesperson emphasized that Polygon Labs still employs close to 200 people after integrating staff from the two acquired companies and described the layoffs as a balancing measure rather than a downsizing.

“Ahead of integrating employees from Coinme and Sequence into Polygon Labs, we've made adjustments to keep our overall headcount consistent,” the spokesperson said. “These changes are intended to balance additions from recent acquisitions, not to reduce the size of the company.”

This marks the third significant round of layoffs for Polygon Labs in recent years. In early 2023, the company cut roughly 100 jobs, about 20% of its workforce at the time, as it consolidated multiple business units. Another reduction followed in February 2024, when approximately 60 employees, or 19% of staff, were laid off in a move aimed at improving operational efficiency and performance.

Polygon CEO Marc Boiron also addressed the restructuring in a post on social media platform X, noting that overlapping roles emerged after acquiring Coinme and Sequence. He said the teams are being integrated to advance Polygon’s vision of “moving all money onchain,” while expressing gratitude to departing employees and committing to support them through the transition.

Despite the layoffs, Polygon Labs stated it remains financially strong, holding more than $200 million in treasury reserves and over 1.9 billion MATIC tokens. Polygon, originally launched as Matic Network in 2017 and rebranded later, is a proof-of-stake Ethereum scaling solution designed to enable faster and cheaper transactions.

Following the news, the MATIC token fell about 6% over 24 hours, underperforming the broader crypto market, which declined roughly 1% over the same period.

<Copyright ⓒ TokenPost, unauthorized reproduction and redistribution prohibited>

Journalist

Posted: January 17, 2026

Memecore [M] saw a 1.9% price bounce and was trading at $1.60, at the time of writing. Since hitting a low of $1.22 on 08 December, the memecoin has climbed by nearly 31% in six weeks. The Layer 1 blockchain has a perpetuals decentralized exchange, MemeMax, built on it.

Expectations associated with the perp DEX going live might fuel gains for M in the coming weeks. The 100% fee buyback program during the pre-launch phase that MemeMax has committed to can also fuel demand for M.

Assessing Memecore’s price trends MemeMax’s MaxPack Airdrop Campaign has been extended till the DEX officially launches. A 400% hike in network transactions reflected strong community participation and necessitated the extension. At press time, the fee buyback program was still in effect too.

Source: M/USDT on TradingView

M prices saw a pullback after testing the $2-supply zone in mid-December. This pullback halted at the 61.8% Fibonacci retracement level plotted based on the rally from $0.36-$2.99 in August-September 2025.

So long as this key retracement level is held as support, M would continue to have a bullish higher timeframe bias. For now, swing traders can be cautiously bullishly inclined.

Warning for M traders The trading volume has been relatively flat in recent weeks compared to the aforementioned rally. The DMI did not show a strong trend in progress at the time of writing, and the RSI stubbornly clung to the neutral 50 line.

The momentum indicator tried and failed to break the 60-level in December. If it had, it would have signaled strong upward momentum.

Traders’ call to action – Wait for these triggers The lack of a decisive trend means that lower timeframe traders might get chopped out of a move. Swing traders have two triggers to buy M. A breakout past $2 would be one, and a retracement to the $1.35 demand zone would be another.

The latter scenario would imply the bulls would be weakened. A fall below $1.2 would invalidate the idea.

The volume trends were nothing to get excited about though. As it stands, a breakout past $2 is not guaranteed and it might be affected by Bitcoin’s [BTC] price action.

Final Thoughts M traders and investors can have long-term bullish expectations due to MemeMax’s pending launch. A breakout past $2 is needed to convince swing traders of a sustained rally. Disclaimer: The information presented does not constitute financial, investment, trading, or other types of advice and is solely the writer’s opinion.

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.

The cryptocurrency market experienced a notable pullback today, with major digital assets including Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Dogecoin (DOGE), and Cardano (ADA) trading in the red. Over the past 24 hours, the total crypto market declined by 1.72%, although it still maintains a weekly gain of 3.14%. This downturn reflects a shift in investor sentiment after recent price rallies, as traders opted to lock in profits amid regulatory uncertainty and heavy liquidations.

One of the primary drivers behind the decline was large-scale liquidations across the market. Ethereum led the way, recording total liquidations of $61.6 million, with long positions accounting for $40.4 million. Bitcoin followed closely, seeing $53.64 million in liquidations, largely from leveraged long trades. These forced sell-offs increased downward pressure on prices and accelerated the broader market correction. Dogecoin and Cardano were also impacted, dropping approximately 4% and 3% respectively, as speculative interest cooled.

Regulatory concerns further weighed on crypto prices. Bitcoin and other major tokens fell after a key U.S. Senate committee delayed an important crypto market structure bill. This postponement extended regulatory uncertainty, prompting investors to reduce exposure to risk assets. At the same time, the Crypto Fear & Greed Index slipped back to neutral territory, signaling growing caution among traders as global markets delivered mixed signals.

Bitcoin was trading around $94,773 at the time of writing, down 2% on the day. While BTC recently tested resistance near $95,000, failure to decisively break higher has left the outlook uncertain. A sustained move above this level could open the door to $96,000 and potentially $100,000, while continued bearish pressure may result in a pullback toward the $90,000 range. Ethereum similarly struggled after facing resistance near $3,400, falling to around $3,276, with downside risk toward $3,100 if weakness persists.

Dogecoin traded near $0.1362 after its pullback, hovering near key support, while Cardano fell to approximately $0.3830. For ADA to regain bullish momentum, a breakout above $0.40 with strong volume would be required. Until then, the broader crypto market remains cautious as traders navigate profit-taking, regulatory delays, and shifting sentiment.

<Copyright ⓒ TokenPost, unauthorized reproduction and redistribution prohibited>

Chainlink price has been compressing for several months following a period of managed downside, signaling a transition away from trend continuation and toward a condition-building phase. Rather than aggressive selling or speculative surges, the LINK price action now reflects balance and consolidation. After breaking out of its downward channel, Chainlink has moved into a clearly defined trading range, suggesting that market structure, not momentum spikes, is currently driving performance.

A key structural catalyst supporting this environment is CME Group’s announcement of regulated LINK futures. While this development does not automatically trigger upside, it significantly alters how institutions can interact with Chainlink. Regulated futures provide compliant access for institutional participants who typically engage through derivatives before committing capital to the spot market. This shift can improve liquidity quality, promote hedging, and reduce reactive selling near key support levels.

Futures markets tend to influence price behavior indirectly through positioning rather than immediate demand. As a result, Chainlink price may begin to respect technical levels more consistently, reducing the risk of disorderly breakdowns. This is particularly relevant given that LINK has shown reduced downside follow-through, with buyers successfully absorbing supply around the $12 level. That zone has become the foundation of the current consolidation phase.

At present, Chainlink is trading within a well-established range between approximately $12 and $14.65. The midpoint near $13 has emerged as an important short-term control zone. Holding above this level reflects healthy rotational behavior rather than weakness. As long as buyers defend this area, price pressure remains biased toward a test of the upper range.

A clean break and hold above $14.65 would confirm expansion conditions, opening potential upside toward the $18 and $20 levels. Technical indicators such as the Parabolic SAR remaining below price further support a recovery scenario. However, a decisive move below $12 would invalidate this structure and restore downside control.

Overall, Chainlink price is signaling stability rather than speculative excess. The introduction of CME LINK futures enhances market structure and participation quality, supporting a slow and sustainable recovery driven by fundamentals and technical balance rather than hype.

<Copyright ⓒ TokenPost, unauthorized reproduction and redistribution prohibited>

The Executive Director of the President’s Council of Advisors for Digital Assets has confirmed on X that no government BTC was sold, despite recent reports. 

Patrick Witt posted an update on X regarding the sale of 57.55 BTC forfeited by Samourai Wallet developers Keonne Rodriguez and Will Lonergan Hill. 

Did the SDNY violate Presidential orders? Cryptopolitan reported earlier this month that the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) had sold approximately $6.3 million worth of Bitcoin. The Bitcoin was handed over by Samourai Wallet developers Keonne Rodriguez and William Lonergan Hill as part of a guilty plea. 

On November 3 last year, on-chain data recorded a transfer of the seized 57.55353033 BTC from a government-controlled address (bc1q4pntkz06z7xxvdcers09cyjqz5gf8ut4pua22r) to a Coinbase Prime deposit address.

The Coinbase address soon showed a zero balance, causing many analysts to believe that the assets had been sold for cash, directly violating Executive Order 14233, signed by President Trump in March 2025. 

The order specifically mandates that any “Government BTC” acquired through criminal or civil forfeiture “shall not be sold” and must instead be held in the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve (SBR).

Patrick Witt, the Executive Director of the President’s Council of Advisors for Digital Assets, took to X (formerly Twitter) to clarify the situation. 

“We have received confirmation from (the) DOJ that the digital assets forfeited by Samourai Wallet have not been liquidated and will not be liquidated, per EO 14233. They will remain on the USG balance sheet as part of the SBR,” he said. 

Will the SDNY continue to defy the White House? Despite Todd Blanche’s memo from May 2025 that instructed the DOJ to only go after cases where there’s evidence of “knowing and willful” criminal intent by the developers themselves, the SDNY went ahead to successfully secure convictions for Roman Storm, a co-founder of Tornado Cash. In August 2025, a jury found him guilty of conspiring to operate an unlicensed money-transmitting business.

The SDNY also sentenced Rodriguez and Hill in November 2025 to five and four years in prison, respectively. President Trump told reporters in December last year that he is “looking into” a pardon for Rodriguez.

Tim Scott, the Senate Banking Committee Chair, was forced to postpone a high-profile hearing for the CLARITY Act after Coinbase’s CEO, Brian Armstrong, announced on social media that he would no longer be supporting the current draft. 

Armstrong said he is concerned that the bill gives too much authority to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) over stablecoins and DeFi protocols. 

And without the backing of the largest U.S. crypto exchange, the bipartisan consensus led by Senator Cynthia Lummis has begun to fracture. Despite this, she has so far stated that lawmakers are “closer than ever” to a final deal. 

The current draft of the CLARITY Act includes rules that ban platforms like Coinbase from offering interests or rewards on stablecoins. 

The ban is a major win for traditional banking platforms, which claim that high stablecoin returns were taking away trillions of dollars from their sector. 

If these issues aren’t resolved, the bill could fail to pass before the 2026 election cycle starts and freeze all legislative processes.

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Vitalik Buterin has pledged that 2026 will be the year the Ethereum community begins to reverse the “backsliding” of personal autonomy in crypto. 

“2026 is the year that we take back lost ground in terms of self-sovereignty and trustlessness,” Buterin said in an X post on Friday. 

In addition to boosting onchain privacy, in part through the Kohaku effort at the Ethereum Foundation that is already underway, Buterin wants developers to make it easier to run a full node, use dapps, and take control over personal data.

“It will be a long road,” Buterin said. “We will not get everything we want in the next Kohaku release, or the next hard fork, or the hard fork after that. But it will make Ethereum into an ecosystem that deserves not only its current place in the universe, but a much greater one.”

To some extent, Ethereum developers have been laying out the groundwork for many of these improvements in recent years — and targeting upcoming upgrades like Glamsterdam to roll them out.

One aim for UX improvement is to roll out social recovery wallets and timelocks, or “wallets that don't make you lose all your money if you misplace your seedphrase,” Buterin notes. Having been an advocate for social recovery wallets since at least 2021, Buterin has seen that dream start to live last year following the introduction of EIP-7702 during Ethereum’s Pectra upgrade. 

Likewise, Buterin has become an outspoken booster for privacy at both the personal and network level. “Privacy UX: make private payments from your wallet, with the same user experience as making public payments,” he wrote on Friday.

The Ethereum Foundation has taken steps to boost privacy, in part by refocusing its so-called “Privacy Cluster” and starting to work on the Kohaku wallet framework. Other network improvement proposals, like ERC-4337 for account abstraction, and FOCIL, could further boost “censorship resistance.”

“Use more dapps from an onchain UI with IPFS, without relying on trusted servers that would lock you our of practical recovery of your assets if they went offline, and would give you a hijacked UI that steals your funds if they get hacked for even a millisecond,” Buterin added. 

When it comes to data sovereignty, Buterin credited the lightweight Helios client, which enables users to interact trustlessly with the Ethereum blockchain without running a full node, “verify the data you're receiving from RPCs instead of blindly trusting it.”

Likewise, cryptographic techniques like Oblivious RAM (ORAM) and Private Information Retrieval (PIR) help prevent privacy leakage when using dApps, so users aren't surveilled or censored by RPC middlemen.

“In many of these areas, over the last ten years we have seen serious backsliding in Ethereum,” Buterin noted. “Nodes went from easy to run to hard to run. Dapps went from static pages to complicated behemoths that leak all your data to a dozen servers. Wallets went from routing everything through the RPC, which could be any node of your choice including on your own computer, to leaking your data to a dozen servers of their choice. Block building became more centralized, putting Ethereum transaction inclusion guarantees under the whims of a very small number of builders.”

“In 2026, no longer. Every compromise of values that Ethereum has made up to this point - every moment where you might have been thinking, is it really worth diluting ourselves so much in the name of mainstream adoption - we are making that compromise no longer,” he added.

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.

© 2026 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.

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A few days ago, the price of Bitcoin experienced a bounce after weeks of trading below the $91,000 mark. However, this renewed momentum appears to be gradually fading as the crypto market slowly shifts toward a bearish state, with large and retail BTC investors moving in a distinct direction.

What’s Happening Behind The Bitcoin’s Rise Bitcoin may have slightly pulled back from its most recent bounce, but the price is still holding strong above the $95,000 level. Meanwhile, the latest jump has attracted significant attention in the broader cryptocurrency market, with the move being increasingly viewed as well-justified rather than speculative.

Currently, on-chain and market data are showing a clear divergence in who is driving the ongoing move. Santiment, a leading market intelligence and on-chain data analytics platform, disclosed that itcoin’s surge to a high of $97,800 on Wednesday seemed more than warranted due to the behavior of large and retail investors.

Institutions, long-term investors, and big wallets, together referred to as smart money, have been discreetly accumulating while retail traders have been gradually lowering their exposure and selling into strength. With the rotation of supply from weaker hands to more conviction-driven investors reducing selling pressure, the rally’s foundation is being strengthened.

Source: Chart from Santiment on X When whales are buying more BTC, and retail investors are dumping, it reflects a very bullish market outlook. Since January 10, whales and sharks, particularly wallets holding between 10 and 10,000 BTC, have been amassing BTC, collectively scooping up more than 32,693 BTC. This massive purchase represents a +0.24% rise to their collective holdings.

On the other hand, retail or shrimp holders, those holding less than 0.01 BTC, have collectively offloaded over 149 BTC since January 10. Data shows that the dump represents a 30% decline in their holdings altogether.

Santiment highlighted that the key signal underneath the action is that smart money is finally buying consistently, while micro money bows out. Furthermore, it is considered an ideal setup for a bull run. However, how long retail doubts the formed tiny rally will determine how long it lasts, and the “Very Bullish” green zone is still in place for the time being.

Ongoing FUD In The Market Set To Propel BTC’s Price Even with the recent recovery, Bitcoin is seeing negative interactions from crypto enthusiasts and analysts on social media platforms. This behavior implies that the crowd is not entirely confident in the BTC rally that occurred on Wednesday. Although the development may seem present itself as negative, it is actually a good sign that the rally might extend.

Social data reveals that commentary toward BTC across social media platforms has sharply leaned to a bearish outlook as prices have bounced this week. With markets often moving in the opposite direction of retail sentiment, Santiment noted that the most FUD in 10 days is likely to propel BTC to its first return above the $100,000 mark, which was last seen on November 13, 2025.

BTC trading at $95,712 on the 1D chart | Source: BTCUSDT on Tradingview.com Featured image from Pngtree, chart from Tradingview.com

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Ethereum is showing bullish technical strength, with momentum indicators beginning to tilt back in favor of buyers. After weeks of uneven price action, the ETH/USD chart on the 3-day timeframe is now printing a MACD bullish crossover, a signal that has preceded some of Ethereum’s rallies in the past. 

The setup is notable because it proposes a situation where Ethereum is laying the groundwork for another sustained rally that plays throughout the entirety of 2026.

Bullish MACD Crossover For Ethereum The latest analysis shared by Javon Marks points to Ethereum climbing steadily following another MACD bullish crossover in December 2025. This bullish crossover is visible on the 3-day chart, where the MACD line crossed above the signal line from below. 

This is a change that shows downside momentum has faded and bullish pressure is starting to rebuild among Ethereum traders. At the time of writing, Ethereum is trading around the $3,300 region, about 33% below its August 2025 peak, but holding above swing lows in November 2025.

According to Javon Marks, this recent price action is potentially the early stages of a much larger bull wave. This projection is based on the fact that the current crossover looks like an earlier crossover that occurred before Ethereum transitioned into an extended upside move in early 2025.

Source: Chart from Javon Marks on X Back in April 2025, the 3-day MACD also recorded a bullish crossover after an extended period of consolidation and pullbacks that lasted for a few months. That signal was the start of a multi-month rally that steadily pushed Ethereum higher, eventually culminating in a new all-time high in August 2025.

Price action following that April crossover did not explode immediately. Ethereum first stabilized for a few days, then began forming higher lows above $1,500. Once resistance at $2,000 gave way, the rally gained much momentum and carried Ethereum from the mid-$2,000 range all the way above $4,800, broke above its old record of $4,878 that had stood since Nov. 2021, before finally peaking at $4,946 in late August.

Price Targets To Look Forward To The final message of this technical analysis is that Ethereum is about to embark on a comparable rally and break out to new all-time highs. According to the updated outlook by Javon Marks, the first major level that defines this potential continuation is $4,811.71. This price acted as an important resistance level during the previous rally in 2025.

A decisive break and sustained hold above $4,811.71 would confirm that Ethereum has exited its corrective phase and re-entered into a broader expansion move. If that breakout unfolds as expected, the measured move projected from the chart points to $8,557.68 as a target to look forward to. This target is based on the magnitude of Ethereum’s last MACD-driven advance and would translate to a 160% increase from current price levels.

ETH rading at $3,299 on the 1D chart | Source: ETHUSDT on Tradingview.com Featured image from iStock, chart from Tradingview.com

TL;DR

Bitcoin trades near a critical convergence zone where on-chain data and technical levels meet, historically influencing short-term direction. The realized price of short-term holders sits close to current levels, signaling limited panic selling and controlled positioning. Technical charts point to a potential reversal toward $110,000 if key resistance breaks, while ETF inflows and stable liquidity continue to support Bitcoin’s broader bullish structure.
Bitcoin is approaching a zone that traders and analysts closely monitor, as price action, on-chain data, and technical signals align. This convergence increases pressure on short-term holders, while long-term investors remain largely inactive, reinforcing market stability. The next moves may determine whether Bitcoin resumes its upward trend or extends consolidation.

📊 Today, the average realized price of short term holders (STHs) sits around $102,000.

— 💡You may find slightly different values on other platforms, but the realized price shown on this chart is an adjusted calculation that removes the 800,000 BTC movement from Coinbase. —… pic.twitter.com/dJPJKCOx1h

— Darkfost (@Darkfost_Coc) January 16, 2026

On-Chain Signals Put Bitcoin Under The Microscope Bitcoin’s short-term holder realized price near $102,000 reflects the average acquisition cost of recently moved coins. This level often acts as a behavioral pivot, where selling pressure can rise if holders aim to exit near break-even. Current data shows short-term holders slightly underwater, yet without signs of broad distribution.

Refined on-chain models that exclude large historical exchange-related movements offer a clearer view of current positioning. During previous bullish phases, similar setups often aligned with accumulation rather than prolonged declines. At the same time, long-term holder supply remains stable, indicating continued conviction among strategic investors despite short-term volatility.

Technical Charts Show Bitcoin Testing Key Resistance From a technical perspective, Bitcoin is forming a potential double bottom on the daily chart, a structure associated with weakening downside momentum. Analysts identify the $102,000 level as the confirmation zone, where a sustained breakout could open a path toward $110,000.

Support remains defined near $95,500, an area that has absorbed recent pullbacks and preserved the broader structure. As long as price holds above this level, the technical outlook stays constructive. A move below $87,500 would weaken this setup, although current indicators do not point to rising downside pressure.

Market liquidity adds another supportive layer. Spot Bitcoin ETFs continue to post steady inflows, while derivatives funding rates remain balanced, suggesting measured positioning rather than excessive leverage.

Bitcoin stands at a critical price crossroads, where on-chain behavior and technical structure reinforce each other. Market participants show discipline rather than fear, with short-term pressure contained and long-term conviction intact. A recovery above key resistance could restart upward momentum, while further consolidation would still align with a market that remains structurally strong.

Riot Platforms has entered into a ten-year agreement with semiconductor company AMD. The deal, which may generate as much as $1 billion in revenue if extended, is aimed at bolstering Riot’s capabilities in the competitive field of Bitcoin mining.

This development, announced on January 16, marks a significant step for Riot, which seeks to expand its influence and effectiveness within the cryptocurrency mining sector. The collaboration with AMD, known for its advanced microprocessor technologies, is expected to enhance Riot’s operational efficiencies.

The agreement with AMD underscores the ongoing trend of partnerships between technology firms and cryptocurrency companies. As both industries continue to grow, such collaborations aim to leverage technological advancements to improve performance in cryptocurrency mining.

Bitcoin mining requires substantial computing power. As the largest cryptocurrency by market value, Bitcoin’s mining operations involve solving complex mathematical problems to validate transactions on its blockchain, which in turn consumes significant energy and resources. Companies in this space, like Riot, continually seek efficient solutions to maintain profitability amidst fluctuating Bitcoin prices and regulatory conditions.

Strategic partnerships with technology firms enable cryptocurrency companies to access cutting-edge resources. These resources can reduce energy consumption and enhance the speed of mining operations, thus offering a competitive edge. Riot’s alliance with AMD is part of a broader effort to solidify its position in the market.

In recent years, the Bitcoin mining landscape has seen increased competition, prompting companies to adapt swiftly. Efforts to improve technological infrastructure and reduce operational costs have become crucial strategies for survival and growth.

Riot is not alone in its pursuit of technological partnerships. Other companies within the sector have been forging similar alliances to optimize their operations. These collaborations typically focus on improving the efficiency and scale of mining activities.

Meanwhile, Galaxy Digital has also announced plans for expanding its mining operations in Texas. The company aims to capitalize on the state’s favorable energy prices to enhance its mining efforts. This expansion is part of a larger trend of companies seeking out cost-effective regions for their energy-intensive mining operations.

Texas has become a hub for cryptocurrency mining due to its lower electricity costs and supportive regulatory environment. This has drawn various companies to consider the state as a strategic location for their mining activities.

While the potential financial benefits of these expansions and partnerships are significant, they also come with inherent risks. The volatile nature of cryptocurrency markets, regulatory uncertainties, and technological challenges all pose potential hurdles. Furthermore, the environmental impact of energy consumption in mining operations remains a concern for stakeholders.

Regulatory bodies continue to scrutinize the cryptocurrency industry, emphasizing the importance of market integrity, surveillance, and investor protection. Companies like Riot must navigate these regulatory landscapes while pursuing growth opportunities.

Additionally, the competitive nature of the market means that timelines for new products and expansions can be subject to change. Various stakeholders, including investors and industry analysts, watch these developments closely for potential impacts on the market.

Looking forward, the industry anticipates further advancements in mining technology and regulatory clarity. These elements will likely shape the future landscape of cryptocurrency mining. Riot’s agreement with AMD and Galaxy Digital’s Texas expansion highlight the industry’s ongoing evolution and the strategies companies are employing to remain competitive.

As these developments unfold, industry participants continue to monitor technological innovations and regulatory updates. The outcomes of these initiatives could set new standards for efficiency and sustainability in cryptocurrency mining operations worldwide.

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XRP steadied after defending key support, signaling easing selling pressure as the token consolidates from recent highs, with technical momentum stabilizing and Ripple ecosystem developments offering a supportive backdrop. XRP Holds Key Support While Ripple Expands Real-World Use Cases At 5:35 p.m. on Jan. 16, XRP is trading at $2.

Published: Jan 16, 2026 at 23:24

Chainlink's (LINK) price has remained positive, rising above the moving average lines.

LINK price long-term analysis: bullish The cryptocurrency is trading in a narrow range above the moving average lines but below the resistance level of $15. In the previous price movement, the altcoin traded above the $11 support but below the $15 resistance. The LINK price is likely to rise as it trades above the moving average lines. If buyers break through the resistance at $15, LINK's price will rise to $17 or higher. The positive momentum will continue up to the high of $19.

However, if the altcoin falls below the moving average lines, the bullish scenario is invalidated and it will revert to its previous low of $11.77. The altcoin is trading at $13.61.

Technical indicators:   Resistance Levels – $25 and $27

Support Levels – $10 and $5

LINK price indicators reading The price is above the horizontal moving averages. The upward trend has been hampered by the resistance at $15. On the 4-hour chart, the moving average lines are sloping upwards, but the price bars are sandwiched between them. This suggests that the LINK price will be forced to fluctuate within a range for a few days.

What is the next move for LINK? The LINK price has continued to rise above the $13 support. On the 4-hour chart, the price is trading above the 50-day SMA support but below the 21-day SMA resistance. When the moving averages are breached, the cryptocurrency will trend in either direction. Meanwhile, the price remains steady between the moving average lines.

Disclaimer. This analysis and forecast are the personal opinions of the author. The data provided is collected by the author and is not sponsored by any company or token developer. This is not a recommendation to buy or sell cryptocurrency and should not be viewed as an endorsement by Coinidol.com. Readers should do their research before investing in funds.

Ripple recently unveiled the results of its inaugural University Digital Asset Xcelerator (UDAX) program at UC Berkeley, where nine startups graduated after developing advanced applications on the XRP Ledger. This strategic initiative aims to bridge academic innovation with the institutional adoption of Ripple, enabling capital market and decentralized insurance projects to reach enterprise-grade standards.

Introducing the University Digital Asset Xcelerator (UDAX). 🎓@UCBerkeley and Ripple's University Blockchain Research Initiative launched a pilot program to accelerate the transition from academic innovation to institutional XRP utility: https://t.co/KMyVjPvXT2

The UDAX – UC…

— Ripple (@Ripple) January 16, 2026 The program proved successful with participants such as CRX Digital Assets, which increased its tokenized volume to $58 million, and Blockroll, which utilizes the RLUSD stablecoin for global remittances. Ripple reported that the startups saw a 67% increase in product maturity, consolidating the XRP Ledger as a robust infrastructure for real-world financial solutions.

The ecosystem is expected to launch new calls for future UDAX cohorts, targeting mission-driven founders. Analysts will need to monitor how these new applications drive ecosystem liquidity and whether they successfully attract further venture capital—a determining factor for the long-term institutional adoption of Ripple.

Source:https://x.com/Ripple/status/2012224638420431134

Disclaimer: Crypto Economy Flash News is prepared from official and verified public sources by our editorial team. Its purpose is to provide rapid information on relevant events in the crypto and blockchain ecosystem. This information does not constitute financial advice or investment recommendations. We always recommend verifying the official channels of each project before making related decisions.

Monero price remains in a blue-sky breakout after clearing the $670 Fibonacci extension, with strong momentum keeping the next upside target near $930 in focus.

Summary

$670: reclaimed extension level now acting as support $930–$939: next Fibonacci extension target zone (2.618 extension) Volume: should remain elevated to confirm continuation strength Monero (XMR) price continues to trade in a powerful breakout structure, with price action holding firm in what can be described as a blue-sky breakout environment. In this type of market condition, upside resistance becomes limited because the asset is trading into areas where it has not recently formed major consolidation zones.

As a result, Fibonacci extension targets often become the most reliable technical reference points for tracking upside continuation.

Monero price key technical points XMR remains in blue-sky breakout conditions, limiting overhead resistance Price reclaimed and closed above the $670 (0.618 extension) level Next upside Fibonacci target sits near $930–$939 (2.618 extension) XMRUSDT (2D) Chart, Source: TradingView Blue-sky breakouts are typically defined by two key characteristics: strong upward momentum and limited historical resistance overhead. When an asset breaks above key levels and begins trading into fresh territory, price can accelerate quickly because there are fewer sellers positioned at those levels, and liquidity becomes thinner.

For Monero, this breakout structure remains healthy as long as price holds above major extension levels on a closing basis. In bullish continuation phases, the market often pauses briefly at key Fibonacci extensions, consolidates, and then continues higher once the level is accepted. This sequence is currently evident in XMR’s recent behavior.

The ability to push beyond the initial extension and maintain higher price acceptance indicates that buyers are still in control and that demand has not been exhausted.

$670 reclaim confirms acceptance above the 0.618 extension The first major Fibonacci extension target near $670 acted as a key checkpoint for the breakout. After reaching this level, the price briefly consolidated, which is a normal and healthy behavior during trend continuation. Rather than rejecting sharply, Monero stabilized and then pushed higher, confirming that the market accepted the level as support.

The most important detail is that XMR has now closed above $670 on multiple daily candles. Daily closes are a strong confirmation signal because they reflect sustained participation over longer time frames. This reduces the likelihood that the breakout was simply an intraday liquidity spike or a temporary overextension.

By closing above the extension level, Monero effectively flipped $670 into a structural support zone, increasing the probability that price continues trending higher rather than rotating back into the prior range.

Next fibonacci target: $930 to $939 comes into focus With the $670 extension level now reclaimed, Monero’s next major upside target is the $930 region, with the broader objective aligning near $939, which corresponds to the 2.618 Fibonacci extension.

This target becomes relevant because Fibonacci extensions often act as upside magnets in breakout conditions. When price is in discovery mode, extension levels provide structured targets where traders expect either continuation pauses or profit-taking zones.

The move from $670 to $930 is a significant leg, but in blue-sky breakout conditions, price can travel quickly between targets if momentum remains strong and volume supports continuation.

Importantly, until price reaches the $930–$939 area, there is limited overhead structure to act as major resistance, which supports the idea of continued breakout expansion.

Volume influx supports breakout continuation Volume remains one of the most important indicators for validating whether a breakout is sustainable. In strong bullish breakouts, volume typically expands during impulsive legs and remains stable during consolidation phases. This signals that demand is still present and that buyers are willing to transact at higher prices.

Monero’s breakout continues to look constructive because the move higher has been supported by strong volume inflows, signaling ongoing market participation. Healthy volume during expansion helps reduce the risk of a failed breakout and increases the probability that price continues to chase higher extension targets.

If volume remains elevated as price approaches the next Fibonacci objective, it would reinforce the bullish trend and support the probability of continuation beyond the $930 region.

What to expect in the coming price action Monero remains in a technically strong breakout environment, with price holding above the $670 extension level and momentum still pointing higher. As long as daily closes remain above reclaimed support and volume stays constructive, the probability favors continuation toward the next Fibonacci extension target near $930 to $939.

In the near term, traders should monitor whether XMR continues to maintain breakout structure without heavy rejection. Any brief consolidation below $930 would be normal, but sustained acceptance and strong follow-through would confirm that the breakout remains active.

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Ethereum is struggling to push above critical supply levels after a brief surge above $3,300, as the market attempts to stabilize following weeks of sustained selling pressure. While the rebound has sparked renewed optimism, price action remains fragile, with bulls still needing clear confirmation before a broader recovery can take hold. Still, the fact that ETH is holding near key levels has led some analysts to start calling for higher prices, arguing that the market may be entering a new phase after the recent downtrend.

Supporting this view, a CryptoQuant analyst highlighted Ethereum Exchange Netflow spot data showing persistent ETH outflows from spot exchanges during price pullbacks, while inflows during upward moves remain relatively limited. This pattern suggests a more disciplined supply environment, where holders are reluctant to sell into weakness and are not aggressively distributing during rallies.

In other words, sell-side pressure appears to be easing, even as Ethereum remains capped below major resistance. If demand returns, this type of netflow structure can support sharper upside moves, as fewer coins are available on exchanges to meet new buying interest. For now, Ethereum is caught between fading fear and unfinished recovery, with the next breakout attempt likely to define the short-term trend.

Ethereum’s recent Exchange Netflow behavior suggests that the latest pullbacks have been met with holding and accumulation rather than broad-based distribution. Instead of rushing to send ETH onto exchanges during weakness, many participants appear willing to sit through volatility, reducing the immediate sell pressure that typically accelerates downtrends. This supports the idea that supply is gradually stepping back, even as price remains capped below key resistance zones and market sentiment stays cautious.

Ethereum Exchange Netflow | Source: CryptoQuant However, Exchange Netflow alone is not enough to define direction. A favorable supply structure can still fail if demand remains weak, or if macro conditions deteriorate and force investors back into risk-off positioning. In that scenario, downside continuation cannot be ruled out, even if exchange balances remain constrained.

That said, in the absence of major systemic stress, the current netflow profile offers a constructive backdrop for upside. The lack of supply expansion during drawdowns and the restrained profit-taking during rebounds imply that sellers are not in control. If demand rotates back into Ethereum, price could respond more efficiently because there is less readily available liquidity sitting on exchanges.

In this sense, the on-chain data is not signaling an immediate breakout. Instead, it highlights a market structure that appears increasingly prepared for upward price action once broader conditions align and buyers regain conviction.

Editorial Process for bitcoinist is centered on delivering thoroughly researched, accurate, and unbiased content. We uphold strict sourcing standards, and each page undergoes diligent review by our team of top technology experts and seasoned editors. This process ensures the integrity, relevance, and value of our content for our readers.

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Sebastian's journey into the world of crypto began four years ago, driven by a fascination with the potential of blockchain technology to revolutionize financial systems. His initial exploration focused on understanding the intricacies of various crypto projects, particularly those focused on building innovative financial solutions. Through countless hours of research and learning, Sebastian developed a deep understanding of the underlying technologies, market dynamics, and potential applications of cryptocurrencies. As his knowledge grew, Sebastian felt compelled to share his insights with others. He began actively contributing to online discussions on platforms like X and LinkedIn, focusing on fintech and crypto-related content. His goal was to expose valuable trends and insights to a wider audience, fostering a deeper understanding of the rapidly evolving crypto landscape. Sebastian's contributions quickly gained recognition, and he became a trusted voice in the online crypto community. To further enhance his expertise, Sebastian pursued a UC Berkeley Fintech: Frameworks, Applications, and Strategies certification. This rigorous program equipped him with valuable skills and knowledge regarding Financial Technology, bridging the gap between traditional finance (TradFi) and decentralized finance (DeFi). The certification deepened his understanding of the broader financial landscape and its intersection with blockchain technology. Sebastian's passion for finance and writing is evident in his work. He enjoys delving into financial research, analyzing market trends, and exploring the latest developments in the crypto space. In his spare time, Sebastian can often be found immersed in charts, studying 10-K forms, or engaging in thought-provoking discussions about the future of finance. Sebastian's journey as a crypto analyst and investor has been marked by a relentless pursuit of knowledge and a dedication to sharing his insights. His ability to navigate the complex world of crypto, combined with his passion for financial research and communication, makes him a valuable asset to the industry. As the crypto landscape continues to evolve, Sebastian remains at the forefront, providing valuable insights and contributing to the growth of this revolutionary technology.

The United States Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Marshals Service (USMS) clarified that they have not sold the 57.55 BTC seized from Samourai Wallet. The clarification arises following conflicting information that suggested a possible liquidation of these assets—valued at over $6 million—after Keonne Rodriguez and William Hill pleaded guilty to operating an unlicensed money transmitting business.

UPDATE: we have received confirmation from DOJ that the digital assets forfeited by Samourai Wallet have not been liquidated and will not be liquidated, per EO 14233. They will remain on the USG balance sheet as part of the SBR. https://t.co/v2GchC3vk8

— Patrick Witt (@patrickjwitt) January 16, 2026 This clarification is crucial for the market, as it dispels rumors of selling pressure and reaffirms compliance with current directives. The decision to keep these assets under state custody aligns with the White House policy of strengthening the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, avoiding rushed liquidations that could affect price stability and institutional trust in the sector.

Investors should only heed official transparency reports from the USMS and any movements in identified government wallets. The integrity of the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve will remain a central theme in the regulatory debate, especially as the final destination of assets seized under Executive Order 14233 and the legal evolution of crypto privacy tools are defined.

Source:https://x.com/patrickjwitt/status/2012209807327891575

Disclaimer: Crypto Economy Flash News is prepared from official and verified public sources by our editorial team. Its purpose is to provide rapid information on relevant events in the crypto and blockchain ecosystem. This information does not constitute financial advice or investment recommendations. We always recommend verifying the official channels of each project before making related decisions.

When it comes to long-time behemoths in the financial sector, The Goldman Sachs Group NYSE: GS put up a standout performance in 2025. Overall, the stock’s total return was nearly 57%. Among more than 20 U.S. financial stocks with market capitalizations above $100 billion, Goldman provided a top-five return last year.

The stock’s rally isn’t letting up so far in 2026. As of the Jan. 15 close, Goldman shares have already risen 11% year-to-date (YTD). The company’s latest earnings report, released on Jan. 15, has a lot to do with the stock’s sustained success, shooting shares up 4.6%. A deep dive into Goldman’s financials and commentary provides optimism around the stock’s potential going forward. 

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Goldman’s Q4: Revenue Falls, Profit Booms During Q4 2025, Goldman Sachs posted revenue of $13.45 billion, equating to a drop of 3% from the prior year quarter. The figure significantly missed analyst projections of $14.3 billion.

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GS

The Goldman Sachs Group

$961.54 -14.33 (-1.47%)

As of 03:59 PM Eastern

This is a fair market value price provided by Massive. Learn more.

52-Week Range$439.38▼

$984.70Dividend Yield1.66%

P/E Ratio19.53

Price Target$861.16

But, counterintuitively, Goldman smashed expectations on earnings per share (EPS).

The figure came in at $14.01, increasing 17% from a year ago and beating expectations of $11.52 by a wide margin.

The divergence in Goldman Sachs' revenue and EPS was due to an important transition in its Apple NASDAQ: AAPL credit card business.

On Jan. 7, Goldman announced that it would sell the Apple Card business to JPMorgan Chase & Co. NYSE: JPM over the next 24 months.

Pursuant to accounting rules, this decision negatively impacted revenue by $2.26 billion, but positively impacted profit by $2.48 billion. The recent decision threw Wall Street forecasts out of whack, impacting the company’s results compared to expectations.

The decision is likely the right move for Goldman, as consumer lending is outside of its core competencies. In fact, RBC analyst Gerald Cassidy estimates that the firm has recorded about $7 billion in consumer lending losses since 2020.

Global Banking and Markets is by far Goldman’s most important segment, accounting for over 77% of total revenue last quarter. Here, Goldman shone. Revenue rose by 22%, with investment banking fees and net equity revenues both up 25%.

Price Targets Paint a Mixed Picture Around GS The consensus price target on Goldman sits near $850. This figure does not look promising, implying around an 11% downside for the stock.

The Goldman Sachs Group Stock Forecast Today12-Month Stock Price Forecast:
$861.16
-10.91% Downside

Hold
Based on 24 Analyst Ratings

Current Price$966.61High Forecast$1,087.00Average Forecast$861.16Low Forecast$600.00The Goldman Sachs Group Stock Forecast Details

Some analysts updated their price targets following the release—Wells Fargo & Company raised its target from $970 to $1,050, while Autonomous Research lowered its target from $1,047 to $960. 

Generally, targets on Goldman Sachs range widely. HSBC released a $604 target on Jan. 7, while Jefferies Financial Group issued a $1,087 target on Jan. 6. These figures imply that shares could trade down 38%, or rise 11%. 

Given the market’s reaction to Goldman’s results, it's likely that other analysts will move their price targets in the coming days.

Investors will want to watch these price target updates to understand where the experts see GS stock going in 2026. 

Investment Banking Could Propel GS Further, But Valuation Risk Looms Importantly, Goldman is bullish on its investment banking business in 2026. After seeing “high levels of client engagement” last year, the company expects activity to accelerate in 2026. Goldman says its investment banking backlog is its highest in four years, replenishing itself even after a very impressive Q4 and 2025. Goldman CEO David Solomon suggested that businesses are much more optimistic about potential mergers and acquisitions (M&A) under Trump than under Biden.

Large M&A deals typically require regulatory approval, and many view the Trump administration as more willing to grant it. This is an important tailwind for Goldman, as an easier regulatory backdrop in M&A is driving greater interest in its advisory services. Solomon implied that company CEOs see a window of opportunity to consider large deals under Trump. This comes as the next administration may scrutinize these deals more intensely.

Overall, the explosion in Goldman’s valuation during 2025 creates some trepidation going forward. However, the company is seeing considerable momentum in investment banking. Solomon’s comments suggest this can continue, especially given the urgency that the current regulatory environment could perpetuate. This creates a positive outlook for Goldman's shares going forward.

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NEW YORK, Jan. 16, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --

WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, announces a class action lawsuit on behalf of purchasers of securities of Smart Digital Group Ltd. (NASDAQ: SDM) between May 5, 2025 and September 26, 2025 at 9:34 AM EST. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than March 16, 2026.

SO WHAT: If you purchased SDM 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 SDM class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=50638 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 March 16, 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. 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: Smart Digital describes itself as a company that provides digital marketing services. According to the lawsuit, defendants throughout the Class Period made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) Smart Digital was the subject of a market manipulation and fraudulent promotion scheme involving social-media based misinformation and impersonators posing as financial professionals; (2) insiders and/or affiliates used and/or intended to use offshore or nominee accounts to facilitate the coordinated dumping of shares during a price inflation campaign; (3) Smart Digital’s public statements and risk disclosures omitted any mention of realized risk of fraudulent trading or market manipulation used to drive Smart Digital’s stock price; (4) as a result, Smart Digital securities were at unique risk of a sustained suspension in trading by either or both of the SEC and NASDAQ; and (5) as a result of the foregoing, defendants’ positive statements about Smart Digital’s business, operations and prospects were materially misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages.

To join the SDM class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=50638 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.
        Phillip Kim, Esq.
        The Rosen Law Firm, P.A.
        275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor
        New York, NY 10016
        Tel: (212) 686-1060
        Toll Free: (866) 767-3653
        Fax: (212) 202-3827
        [email protected]
        www.rosenlegal.com

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