BlackRock files for iShares Bitcoin Premium Income ETF to provide Bitcoin exposure with monthly income through a covered call strategy.

The post BlackRock files S-1 to launch Bitcoin income-focused ETF appeared first on Crypto Briefing.

CoreWeave teams up with NVIDIA, raising $2 billion to scale AI factories and strengthen its GPU-powered cloud platform.

The post NVIDIA injects $2B into CoreWeave, CRWV stock jumps 10% premarket appeared first on Crypto Briefing.

Strategy, led by Michael Saylor, bought 2,932 Bitcoin last week for $264M, continuing its treasury-focused BTC accumulation strategy.

The post Strategy acquires 2,932 Bitcoin at $90,000 appeared first on Crypto Briefing.

On January 28, 2026, Binance Futures will launch the TSLAUSDT perpetual contract with a maximum of 5x leverage.

The post Binance to launch Tesla perpetual contract with up to 5x leverage appeared first on Crypto Briefing.

Ethereum whale deposits 50,000 ETH into Gemini after 9 years, signaling strategic profit-taking amid market weakness.

The post Ethereum OG whale wakes up after nine years, deposits 50K ETH into Gemini appeared first on Crypto Briefing.

Bitcoin Magazine

U.S. Bitcoin Custody Concerns Rise After Alleged Insider Stole $40 Million In Digital Assets

All of the bitcoin held by the U.S. government has come under scrutiny after allegations surfaced that tens of millions of dollars in seized crypto were stolen through insider access at a federal custody contractor.

Blockchain investigator ZachXBT alleged over the weekend that more than $40 million in digital assets was siphoned from wallets linked to the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS), reportedly by the son of an executive at a firm contracted to manage seized crypto. 

The alleged theft centers on Command Services & Support (CMDSS), a Virginia-based technology firm awarded a USMS contract in October 2024 to manage and dispose of certain categories of seized digital assets. 

Those assets include crypto not supported by major exchanges and tied to high-profile criminal cases, including funds seized from the 2016 Bitfinex hack.

According to ZachXBT, an individual identified online as “Lick,” whom he claims is John Daghita, gained access to government-controlled wallets through insider channels. ZachXBT has further alleged that Daghita is the son of Dean Daghita, CMDSS’s president and chief executive.

The investigation began after a recorded dispute in a private Telegram chat surfaced online. During the exchange, the individual screen-shared a wallet showing millions of dollars in crypto and appeared to move funds in real time. 

On-chain analysis later linked those wallets to addresses known to hold government-seized assets.

A conflict of interest involving U.S. bitcoin 

One transaction trail cited by ZachXBT points to a government address that received roughly $24.9 million in bitcoin tied to Bitfinex-related seizures earlier in 2024. 

Additional blockchain data suggests that around $20 million was removed from USMS-linked wallets in October 2024. Most of those funds were returned within a day, though about $700,000 routed through instant exchanges was not recovered.

ZachXBT estimates that total suspected thefts could exceed $90 million when accounting for other wallet activity observed in late 2025. Some of the funds remain in compromised wallets, raising concerns that further losses could occur.

Neither the U.S. Marshals Service nor CMDSS has issued a public statement addressing the allegations.

Rightfully so, the investigation has renewed criticism on how the U.S. government manages its growing stockpile of seized crypto — especially its bitcoin. 

David Bailey, CEO of bitcoin-focused firm Nakamoto, posted on X after the report, “The son of the CEO of the company hired by the US Marshalls to safeguard the nation’s Bitcoin, stole $40m from it and now appears to be running. Treasury must secure the private keys from the Justice Department ASAP before more is stolen.”

The U.S. government holds a massive amount of Bitcoin seized through law enforcement actions, with some blockchain analytics estimating roughly 198,000 BTC under federal control with others projecting more than 300,000 BTC, worth tens of billions of dollars. 

If insiders can allegedly move millions from custodial wallets with minimal detection, it suggests current custody practices may leave portions of the government’s Bitcoin reserves exposed. 

Previous reports have found that the Marshals Service relied on manual tracking systems and struggled to provide precise estimates of its crypto holdings. CMDSS’s contract award also faced a protest in 2024 from a competing firm, which raised concerns about licensing and potential conflicts of interest. 

Did the United States sell bitcoin destined for the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve? 

Earlier this year, journalist Frank Corva published an investigation exploring the fact that prosecutors in the Southern District of New York and the U.S. Marshals Service may have sold bitcoin forfeited in the Samourai Wallet case, potentially in violation of President Trump’s Executive Order 14233, which dictates seized bitcoin be held in the U.S. Strategic Bitcoin Reserve rather than liquidated. 

There was on-chain evidence showing 57.55 BTC tied to the Samourai plea agreement moving through a Coinbase Prime address and later showing a zero balance, raising questions about whether the assets were improperly disposed of.

Shortly afterward, U.S. officials denied that any sale took place, affirming that the Samourai Wallet bitcoin will remain on the government’s balance sheet as part of the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve under the executive order.

U.S. officials failed to show blockchain evidence but the reports and overall sentiment relay controversy over how the U.S. handles seized bitcoin. The allegations from ZachXBT further push this sentiment. 

This post U.S. Bitcoin Custody Concerns Rise After Alleged Insider Stole $40 Million In Digital Assets first appeared on Bitcoin Magazine and is written by Micah Zimmerman.

Bitcoin Magazine

The 15 Types of Bitcoiners You’ll Definitely See at Bitcoin 2026

Loud. Friendly. Huggy. The Bitcoin Bro is your hype man for hyperbitcoinization. He doesn’t know what “joules per terahash” means, but he does know where the nearest bar is and will yell “Buy the dip!” during your panel Q&A.

They party hard, orange-pill harder, and are basically Bitcoin’s version of a frat brother with a bull market permanently tattooed on his soul.

Think this might be you? Take the “Which Bitcoin 2026 Persona Are You?” Quiz to find out. No halving knowledge required.

Slicker than a freshly backed-up seed phrase, this guy’s teeth are whiter than your Lightning wallet. He rented a Lambo for the afternoon and drops your first name way too often – like he’s trying to sell you a fractional NFT of a parking garage.

He doesn’t care about decentralization. He cares about gains. And tailoring. Always with the tailoring.

The apocalypse isn’t a threat – it’s a plan. This person hasn’t touched fiat since 2018 and bathes exclusively in non-KYC sats. They’ve learned to make soap, catch fish, and explain monetary collapse in a calm, reassuring tone.

They’re not paranoid. They’re prepared.

Are you spiritually prepared, too? Take the “Which Bitcoin 2026 Persona Are You?” Quiz and see where you land.

Lives in a van. Pays for tacos with Lightning. Might be hiding from the IRS (but only spiritually). They believe Bitcoin is peace, man. And also chaos. And also freedom.

Will fix your flat tire in exchange for a hammock spot and a cold yerba mate.

The unsung hero of Bitcoin. Speaks exclusively in thermodynamic math and obscure hardware specs. Makes ASIC firmware upgrades look like wizardry, but cannot explain their job to their mom without causing emotional distress.

Knows the exact BTU-to-wattage ratio of their off-grid setup. Does not know what “small talk” is.

Don’t understand them? That’s okay. Take the “Which Bitcoin 2026 Persona Are You?” Quiz anyway — they’re building the future while you click answers.

Yes, plural. Yes, anonymous.

They don’t want to talk to you. They don’t want to be on your podcast. They don’t even want you to know they’re here. Ask when something will be done and you’ll receive the sacred prophecy: “Two weeks.”

Shadowy super-coders, quietly pushing upgrades that will redefine monetary history – while actively avoiding eye contact.

Armed with a gimbal and a dream. Their camera roll is 80% memes, 20% selfies with CEOs. Some are spreading the signal. Some are chasing clout. All are uploading something right now.

Will say “Let’s run it back!” at least 17 times per day.

Identifiable by the gravity-defying stack of laminated badges swinging from his neck like a wearable timeline. He doesn’t say much – the passes do the talking.

He’s not here to attend panels. He’s here to assert conference dominance.

Is this your origin story? Take the “Which Bitcoin 2026 Persona Are You?” Quiz and confirm your status.

Branded polo. Branded backpack. Branded soul. You don’t remember agreeing to this conversation, but you’re holding his business card now.

Moves in packs. Wears the lanyard like a badge of honor. Will be back at the booth exactly 15 minutes after lunch.Doesn’t talk about Bitcoin. Is Bitcoin.

Old-school finance types who smelled smoke on Wall Street and walked toward the orange glow. Calm. Calculated. Dollar-cost-averaging into the sunset.

They don’t shill. They don’t yell. They just nod knowingly.

Same data. Two conclusions. Infinite confidence. 

They believe balance sheets are destiny – or disaster. One thinks corporate Bitcoin accumulation is inevitable, elegant, and inevitable again. The other thinks leverage is a ticking time bomb wrapped in a TradFi costume. 

Both have read the filings. Both have spreadsheets. Both will reference Michael Saylor – either as a visionary or as a cautionary tale – and neither will back down.

Sleeps three to a room and burned half their runway to get to the conference. They’re pitching a Lightning wallet-slash-social network-slash-AI-powered-something and just need one person to believe.

Respect the hustle.

Take the “Which Bitcoin 2026 Persona Are You?” Quiz before they raise your next round.

Absolute legends. They’ve stood beside their Bitcoin-obsessed partner for three straight days, nodding politely through debates about mining fees and custody models.

They are the backbone of the conference. The true MVPs. Quietly Googling spa availability.

Not who you expect. No megaphones. No flexing. Just quiet confidence and a phone that never leaves their hand.

Some got lucky. Some built empires. All will ignore your pitch deck.

Yes, they exist. Yes, they know more than you. And yes, they are already five steps ahead of your “Have you heard of Bitcoin?” opener.

Bonus: They will almost certainly explain immersion cooling better than you.

One Event. Endless Energy. Absolute Chaos.

Bitcoin 2026 isn’t just a conference – it’s a decentralized carnival of code, conviction, and characters. Whether you’re here to build, learn, argue, chill, or meme, there’s a place for you.

Ready to see where you fit in? Take the “Which Bitcoin 2026 Persona Are You?” Quiz and find out who you really are.

This article was inspired by the video “The People of Bitcoin 2022 Miami Conference” by SPACE DESIGN WAREHOUSE. We acknowledge and appreciate the original creative concept, which served as a foundation for this updated and expanded interpretation for Bitcoin 2025. We encourage readers to view the original video and support the creator on YouTube.

This post The 15 Types of Bitcoiners You’ll Definitely See at Bitcoin 2026 first appeared on Bitcoin Magazine and is written by Josh Plischke.

Bitcoin Magazine

Strategy ($MSTR) Sells $257 Million in Stock to Buy 2,932 Bitcoin

Bitcoin proxy Strategy announced Monday that it acquired an additional 2,932 bitcoin for approximately $264 million between Jan. 20 and Jan. 25, according to a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. 

The purchases were executed at an average price of $90,061 per coin, lifting the company’s total bitcoin holdings to 712,647 BTC.

At current market prices, Strategy’s bitcoin treasury is valued at roughly $62.5 billion, reinforcing its position as the world’s largest publicly traded corporate holder of the asset. 

The company’s aggregate purchase price for its holdings stands at approximately $54.2 billion, including fees and expenses, translating to an average acquisition price of $76,037 per bitcoin.

The latest purchases were funded through proceeds generated under Strategy’s at-the-market (ATM) offering program. According to the filing, the firm sold 1,569,770 shares of its Class A common stock, MSTR, for approximately $257 million in net proceeds during the five-day period. 

It also sold 70,201 shares of its perpetual preferred stock, STRC, raising an additional $7 million, bringing total ATM proceeds to roughly $264 million.

As of Jan. 25, Strategy said it still has substantial capacity remaining across its ATM programs, including approximately $8.17 billion available for future issuance under its common stock offering. The company also maintains multiple preferred stock programs, including STRK, STRF, STRC and STRD, which collectively represent tens of billions of dollars in potential future capital raises.

With more than 712,000 BTC now on its balance sheet, Strategy controls roughly 3.4% of bitcoin’s fixed 21 million supply. 

At current prices, the company is sitting on an estimated $8.3 billion in unrealized gains.

Strategy’s MSCI inclusion 

Earlier this month, Strategy was relieved of some selling pressure when MSCI concluded its review of digital asset treasury companies and decided not to exclude them from its major global equity indexes.

The index provider said bitcoin-heavy firms will remain eligible under existing rules while it conducts further research on how to distinguish operating companies from investment-like entities.

The decision eased months of market anxiety after MSCI had proposed reclassifying companies with more than 50% of assets in digital assets as fund-like and therefore ineligible for inclusion.

Companies like Strategy, along with industry groups, pushed back strongly, warning that exclusions could trigger billions of dollars in forced passive selling.

At the time of writing, Bitcoin is trading near $89,000. 

This post Strategy ($MSTR) Sells $257 Million in Stock to Buy 2,932 Bitcoin first appeared on Bitcoin Magazine and is written by Micah Zimmerman.

Bitcoin Magazine

Oklahoma Introduces Bill Allowing State Employees and Vendors to Be Paid in Bitcoin

Oklahoma lawmakers introduced legislation this week that would allow state employees, vendors, private businesses, and residents to negotiate and receive payments in bitcoin.

Senate Bill 2064, introduced by Senator Dusty Deevers during the 2026 legislative session, establishes a legal framework for the use of bitcoin as a medium of exchange and compensation without designating it as legal tender.

The bill explicitly states that it does not conflict with the U.S. Constitution’s prohibition on states coining money or declaring legal tender other than gold and silver, instead recognizing bitcoin as a financial instrument operating within existing legal frameworks.

If enacted, the bill would permit Oklahoma state employees to elect to receive salaries or wages in bitcoin, either based on the asset’s market value at the start of a pay period or at the time of payment. 

Employees would be allowed to revise their payment preference at the beginning of each pay period and could choose to receive compensation in bitcoin, U.S. dollars, or a combination of both. 

Payments would be deposited either into a self-hosted wallet controlled by the employee or into a third-party custodial account designated by the employee.

The legislation would also allow vendors contracting with the state to opt into receiving payment in bitcoin on a per-transaction basis. The bitcoin value of those payments would be determined by the market price at the time of the transaction unless otherwise agreed upon in writing.

Beyond state payroll and procurement, the bill broadly authorizes private businesses and individuals in Oklahoma to negotiate and receive payments in bitcoin, reinforcing its use as a voluntary medium of exchange across the state economy.

SB 2064 includes provisions aimed at reducing regulatory friction for bitcoin-native businesses. Firms that deal exclusively in digital assets and do not exchange them for U.S. dollars would be exempt from Oklahoma’s money transmitter licensing requirements, according to legislation text. 

The bill directs the Oklahoma State Treasurer to issue a request for proposals for a digital asset firm to process bitcoin payments for state employees and vendors.

In selecting a provider, the Treasurer must consider factors including fees, transaction speed, cybersecurity practices, custody options, and any relevant state licenses. The Treasurer would be required to finalize a contract with a provider by January 1, 2027, and is authorized to promulgate rules to implement the program.

Back in January 2025, Oklahoma State Senator Dusty Deevers introduced a similar initiative called the Bitcoin Freedom Act (SB 325). It was a bill designed to let employees, vendors, and businesses voluntarily receive and make payments in Bitcoin while creating a legal framework for its use in the state’s economy.

Oklahoma’s bitcoin adoption echoes other U.S. states

This move follows other states like New Hampshire and Texas in exploring ways to integrate Bitcoin into public finance. 

New Hampshire passed the nation’s first Strategic Bitcoin Reserve law, allowing the state to hold up to 5% of its funds in high-market-cap digital assets and even approve a bitcoin-backed municipal bond.

Texas, meanwhile, has paired legislation with action, creating a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve and making the first U.S. state Bitcoin ETF purchase of around $5 million, framing it as both a hedge against economic volatility and a step toward modernizing state finances. 

If passed, SB 2064 would take effect on November 1, 2026, positioning Oklahoma among a small but growing number of U.S. states exploring direct integration of bitcoin into government payment systems.

The Oklahoma Tax Commission would also be required to issue guidance on the tax treatment of digital assets received as payment by January 1, 2027, addressing an area that has often created uncertainty for employees and employers alike.

This post Oklahoma Introduces Bill Allowing State Employees and Vendors to Be Paid in Bitcoin first appeared on Bitcoin Magazine and is written by Micah Zimmerman.

Bitcoin Magazine

UBS Plans Bitcoin Trading for Select Wealth Clients

UBS Group AG is preparing to offer bitcoin trading to a select group of private banking clients in Switzerland.

According to a Bloomberg report citing people familiar with the matter, the Swiss banking giant has been in discussions for several months about launching a cryptocurrency trading offering and is currently in the process of selecting external partners. 

The service would initially be limited to a small subset of Swiss private banking clients, with a broader rollout possible at a later stage.

UBS has not made a final decision on implementation, the people said, and the plans remain subject to regulatory, operational, and risk considerations.

Rather than building a full digital asset stack in-house, the banks is reportedly evaluating partnerships with third-party providers that could handle trading execution, custody, and compliance. 

A partner-led model would allow the bank to offer crypto exposure while limiting balance sheet risk and operational complexity.

Such an approach mirrors strategies adopted by other major financial institutions entering the digital asset space, particularly those seeking to comply with stringent capital requirements under the Basel III framework.

Under the proposed structure, the company would initially allow eligible clients to buy and sell bitcoin (BTC) and ethereum (ETH), the two largest digital assets by market capitalization. 

Additional assets have not been discussed.

Possible UBS expansion beyond Switzerland

While the initial rollout would focus on Switzerland, Bloomberg reported that UBS is considering expanding the service to other regions, including Asia-Pacific and the United States, depending on regulatory clarity and client demand.

UBS currently manages approximately $4.7 trillion in wealth assets as of September 30, making it the largest wealth manager globally, according to Bloomberg. Even a limited crypto offering could represent a meaningful step toward broader institutional adoption of bitcoin within traditional private banking.

The bank has historically maintained a cautious stance on cryptocurrencies. 

In November 2023, UBS allowed wealthy clients in Hong Kong to trade cryptocurrency-linked exchange-traded funds, joining competitors such as HSBC, but stopped short of offering direct spot crypto trading.

A UBS spokesperson declined to comment on the specifics of the Bloomberg report but confirmed that the bank continues to explore digital asset initiatives.

“As part of UBS’s digital asset strategy, we actively monitor developments and explore initiatives that reflect client needs, regulatory developments, market trends and robust risk controls,” the spokesperson said. “We recognize the importance of distributed ledger technology like blockchain, which underpins digital assets.”

This post UBS Plans Bitcoin Trading for Select Wealth Clients first appeared on Bitcoin Magazine and is written by Micah Zimmerman.

One thing we rarely think about is how bad weather can affect Bitcoin's security, but it happens fairly regularly. Snow can legitimately pose a risk to Bitcoin miners who secure the blockchain.

The snow shows up on the weather map first, a fat smear of color stretching across state lines. Then it turns into the stuff you actually feel: power lines dancing in the wind, crews on standby, households trying to keep the heat on.

Somewhere behind that very normal human scene is a different kind of appliance: rows of Bitcoin miners that do one job when electricity is cheap and plentiful, then sometimes stop on purpose when the grid is under stress.

That is the backdrop for two things that happened close together and are easy to misread if you only look at the headline numbers: a sharp shift at the largest Bitcoin mining pool in the US, Foundry, and a broad dip in network hashrate that showed up in the charts.

Related Reading

How long can miners hold out as revenue hits record lows while Bitcoin’s security is at record highs?

The zettahash era highlights strong Bitcoin security, yet underlying mining sector upheaval signals structural distress.

Nov 27, 2025 · Oluwapelumi Adejumo

The hashrate dip everyone sees

If you follow mining data day to day, you probably saw the same thing: hashrate suddenly printing lower, with a big red percentage next to it.

BitInfoCharts, a chart many people screenshot and share, showed a notable 24-hour drop in its daily estimate at the time of writing. That is where the “nearly 10%” chatter comes from, and the swing can print even larger depending on the exact moment you check.

The first thing to keep in mind is that “hashrate” on these dashboards is rarely a direct reading of machines. It is an estimate inferred from blocks found over a period of time.

That sounds academic until you remember how Bitcoin works. Blocks come in bursts and then dry spells, even when nothing changes in the real world.

Providers like Blockchain.com have long noted that short windows can be noisy for exactly that reason, and using a 7 or 14-day average is often less sensationalist.

So a one-day drop is a clue. It is not a conviction.

When the dip is real, you usually see it somewhere else too. Block times stretch out, difficulty estimates roll over, and the mempool can start to feel tighter if demand is there.

In fact, on the day in question, mempool data did show slower block production, with average block time prints around the 11-minute range in a snapshot view on mempool.space.

Still, that kind of reading does not prove a specific percentage drop on its own. But it does rhyme with a period where a chunk of mining capacity is actually offline, not just shuffled between pools.

The storm, the grid, and the part people forget

Now we add the human part back in: the US is heading into a major winter system.

Reporting from AP described a massive storm setup with widespread impacts and large numbers of customers losing power in some regions.

When storms like that hit, the grid becomes the story, not Bitcoin. It is easy to see miners as bystanders.

In the US, they are often wired into the plot.

A growing slice of industrial-scale mining in places like Texas behaves like an interruptible load. Miners sign agreements; they can curtail quickly, they can earn credits, and the grid operator has a lever to pull when demand spikes.

You can see this concept described in government language too. The US EIA has discussed large loads, including crypto mining, participating in voluntary curtailment arrangements with ERCOT.

On the corporate side, the speed is not hypothetical.

CleanSpark has described curtailing hundreds of megawatts across multiple sites within minutes in response to a TVA request, as covered by DataCenterDynamics.

That is the kind of capability that can show up on a chart as a cliff, because it is a cliff.

This is why a big storm and a sudden hashrate dip can be related, even if you never see a miner in a snowbank.

Weather drives demand. Demand stresses the grid. Miners either lose power or choose to sell power back to the grid.

The network feels it as fewer hashes per second.

There is another layer too: grid operators often telegraph the stress windows.

Coverage from Axios flagged the strain risk across systems like ERCOT and PJM during the storm period.

Local reporting has also pointed to emergency measures and backup generation being considered, including reporting from the HoustonChronicle on steps taken around extreme cold.

This is where we need to ground the narrative without overselling it. Storms create the conditions for curtailment and outages.

Curtailment and outages can create a real hashrate drawdown. The drawdown can show up as slower blocks and a dip in daily hashrate estimates.

Related Reading

Lower your power bill with Bitcoin – Why the grid needs to welcome miners

Flexible mining load could cut costs and stabilize increasingly volatile power markets.

Nov 17, 2025 · Liam 'Akiba' Wright

Foundry, and why this one pool matters

Foundry is a lightning rod in mining discourse because it is big, US-linked, and coordinates a meaningful chunk of block production.

Depending on the lookback window, Foundry’s block share often sits in the high 20s to low 30s. The Hashrate Index currently has it around 22% over the past 3 days, down from 30% over the month.

When Foundry shows a sharp move, it starts conversations that go way beyond Foundry.

During the recent cold snap, reporting from TheMinerMag, described Foundry’s hashrate falling from roughly 340 EH/s at a peak to around 242 EH/s, a drop of around 30%.

It also cited Luxor dropping, with more than 110 EH/s taken offline across those two pools.

As of press time, Foundry's 3-day average market share has fallen to 21.95% with its hashrate at just 185.9 EH/s.

The reason this matters is that Foundry can function as a proxy for US mining behavior.

If a lot of US-based capacity is clustered in the same weather system, connected to the same power market logic, and coordinated through a few major pools, a storm does not just knock on one door.

It knocks on the same hallway.

Related Reading

Bitcoin hashrate at record, margins pinched: Will miners sell or pivot amid AI power land‑grab?

Margins vanish as difficulty hits 136 trillion and power costs surge worldwide.

Sep 12, 2025 · Liam 'Akiba' Wright

The risk that matters

This is where we get out of the day-to-day churn and into something we can hold onto.

The mining system has two kinds of concentration that matter during stress: geographic concentration and coordination concentration.

Geographic concentration means a bunch of machines sit under the same sky, exposed to the same cold front, the same ice, the same grid-operator notices.

Coordination concentration means a lot of those machines point at the same pool, so the public dashboard moves in a way that feels like a single organism.

When both are true, weather becomes a trigger for a sudden and visible hashrate shock.

Even if the wider network does not lose 30%, the public sees a big pool wobble, and that has its own consequences.

The technical consequences are straightforward. If miners truly go offline, blocks slow until difficulty adjusts.

The economic consequences depend on demand. If blocks slow and the mempool is busy, fees rise.

If blocks slow and the mempool is quiet, the fee impact is muted.

Right now, the “busy mempool” part is not guaranteed.

Recommended fee levels have been sitting low at times on mempool.space, so you can frame fee impact as conditional, tied to whether demand spikes during a supply shock.

The narrative consequence is bigger. Every time a big US-linked pool moves sharply, people start asking questions about resilience, decentralization, and who really steers block production.

Related Reading

Texas wants to use bitcoin miners for grid stability as power demand soars

The CEO of ERCOT advocated for increasing Bitcoin miners' participation as Controllable Load Resources to enhance stability of Texas power grid.

Jun 13, 2024 · Oluwapelumi Adejumo

Miner behavior when the lights flicker

There is another reason storms matter to mining: they intersect with a quieter story about miner balance sheets and survival.

If a miner curtails for a few hours or a day, revenue drops, and fixed costs keep ticking. Management has to decide what to do.

Some miners will monetize power markets, some will sell Bitcoin, and some will do both, and those choices show up downstream.

Riot’s updates are a useful example of how active treasury management has become.

Riot disclosed selling 1,818 BTC in December 2025 for $161.6 million in net proceeds, according to the company’s own release at Riot.

CleanSpark also reported sales activity in its own updates, with industry coverage summarizing those figures, including Blockspace.

This matters because a storm-driven curtailment window can become a cash-flow event.

If miners can earn credits by turning off, they have a cushion. If they cannot, they may lean harder on treasury sales.

We all understand what happens when the income clock pauses, but the bills do not.

Related Reading

Energy companies are ignoring Bitcoin’s stabilization benefits to chase a wealthier, less flexible buyer

Cambridge pegs median power-only costs near $45/MWh, and miners already curtailed 888GWh in 2023. The real fight is who wins “good electrons.”

Jan 13, 2026 · Gino Matos

The macro layer, why this keeps coming back

Storms are episodic. The system design is ongoing.

Mining has been moving toward regions where power is plentiful, flexible, and market-based. That often means being closer to grids that can ask for curtailment when demand spikes.

That is part of why US mining has become both influential and exposed.

Commentary from mining analytics shops has also highlighted winter energy dynamics and curtailment as a recurring driver behind hashrate weakness, as discussed by HashrateIndex.

JPMorgan’s view points to the other side of the coin: when hashrate falls, profitability for the remaining miners can improve.

That creates a perverse incentive loop where some miners benefit from others being forced offline.

Then you have longer-range forecasts that put more weight on the supply side: more hashrate coming online over time, more competition for megawatts, and more pressure on margins.

Hashlabs, for example, has modeled a wide range of end-2026 hashrate outcomes, with estimates in the 1.7 ZH/s neighborhood depending on assumptions.

Storms punch harder in a tight-margin environment.

When miners have room, they absorb downtime. When they are squeezed, every curtailment window is a financial decision.

So is the storm related to the hashrate drop?

Here is the honest version: yes, it could be.

You can build a credible case without pretending you have a meter on every ASIC in America.

A strong linkage looks like this: storm warnings intensify, grid operators brace, outages spread, miners curtail or lose power, network block times drift up, difficulty expectations tick down, daily hashrate estimates print lower, and big pools with US exposure show a visible drop.

We have several of those elements: storm severity and outages from AP, grid-stress framing from Axios, and curtailment capability and incentives from the EIA and DataCenterDynamics.

We also have Foundry’s drawdown during cold conditions.

What we should avoid is treating the loudest 24-hour number as the whole story.

Daily hashrate charts are useful. They are also jumpy, and that caveat is documented by Blockchain.com.

How this impacts everyday holders

The real theme is the idea that a network people call unstoppable is still plugged into the same messy world as everyone else.

Bitcoin runs on math, and it also runs on electricity. Electricity runs on weather, politics, and infrastructure that can fail.

When a storm barrels toward the US, families stock up on batteries, utilities position trucks, and miners decide whether to keep hashing or cash in their flexibility.

In the middle of all that, the blockchain keeps moving, sometimes a little slower, and the charts twitch like a seismograph.

Foundry’s shift is part of that picture. It is a reminder that mining coordination has gravity, that big pools reflect big concentrations of power, and that extreme weather can turn that concentration into a sudden shock you can see from your phone.

The broader hashrate dip is the other half. It is the network-level pulse check, and it raises a question readers can understand even if they never cared about hashrate before:

How fragile is this system when the weather gets weird?

Where this goes next

The forward-looking takeaway is simple: extreme weather is becoming a recurring stress test for US mining, and US mining has become a stress test for Bitcoin’s visible decentralization story.

If miners keep leaning into grid programs, expect more short-lived cliffs during heat waves and freezes.

If hashrate keeps trending upward over the long run, the cliffs may get sharper when margins are tight. That is where treasury behavior starts to matter, as shown by Riot and others.

The next storm will be a systems story, not just a weather story.

That is what makes this interesting, even when the hashrate line bounces back a day later.

The post Bitcoin hashrate collapses weakening security as major mining pool drops 30% of its power appeared first on CryptoSlate.

The crypto market is flashing a rare signal for XRP, suggesting the asset may be undervalued and presenting a potential buying opportunity for investors.

Data from blockchain analytical firm Santiment shows that XRP’s 30-day Market Value to Realized Value (MVRV) is at -5.7%, a level the analytics firm characterizes as a potential “buy zone.”

This metric indicates that the average recent buyer is currently underwater, a condition that historically precedes price rebounds as selling pressure from profit-taking evaporates.

With XRP trading near $1.88 at the time of writing, the data implies a distinct positioning reset rather than a mere dip.

However, the narrative is deeper than a simple discount. While the negative MVRV reading suggests a “spring-loaded” market where the 30-day cohort’s breakeven point sits near $1.99, the broader context involves a collision of record liquidity, surging institutional flows, and a fundamental reshaping of Ripple’s corporate footprint.

Liquidity signals and XRP derivatives risks

The dominant backdrop to this on-chain valuation signal is not price action but liquidity, which remains resilient even as XRP has struggled to build momentum.

Stablecoins function as the crypto market’s working capital, and their presence at record levels suggests dry powder is accumulating. Notably, DeFiLlama data shows that the total stablecoin market capitalization recently reached a new high of over $311 billion.

That cash build supports two competing interpretations. It can be read as capital positioning to rotate back into large, liquid assets such as XRP. Or it can be read as investors choosing to sit in cash, preserving optionality rather than taking immediate directional exposure.

Meanwhile, that tension is the point. A negative 30-day MVRV is not a guarantee of safety. It is a signal that the trade is less crowded than it would be if recent buyers were sitting on broad, mark-to-market profits.

Over that liquidity, however, sits a derivatives market that looks more fragile than the on-chain “value” framing implies.

CoinGlass data puts XRP futures open interest at roughly $3.3 billion. That is large enough for forced liquidations to steer price action over short windows, particularly if a move gains speed.

The result is a market where spot and on-chain signals can argue for value, while leverage argues that any break in either direction can be mechanically amplified.

Santiment flagged another volatility marker in XRP earlier this month, pointing to a three-month high in transactions above $100,000. It recorded 2,802 such transfers in a single day.

That level of whale activity indicates large players are active within the market. In practice, that tends to accelerate volatility, regardless of whether the next impulse is up or down.

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Institutional inflows remain strong

A primary differentiator in this cycle compared to previous XRP downturns is the presence of regulated access points and verified institutional demand.

Data from CoinShares shows that XRP has seen institutional inflows of approximately $90 million this year, placing it among the top three assets by inflows.

This institutional appetite is corroborated by the performance of spot exchange-traded funds. XRP ETFs have recorded $68 million in inflows this month alone, pushing their total flows to $1.23 billion since their launch last November.

The emergence of these products has changed the composition of the marginal buyer as XRP demand has shifted from crypto-native reflexes, where traders buy dips because indicators are oversold, to flows-based allocation driven by mandates and rebalancing.

This transition supports the thesis that the current undervaluation may be a prelude to a more sustained recovery driven by sticky institutional capital rather than fleeting retail speculation.

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Dec 16, 2025 · Oluwapelumi Adejumo

XRP exchange reserves and market depth

Under the hood of the spot market, XRP is flashing an early liquidity signal on the world’s largest venue.

CryptoQuant data shows Binance’s XRP reserve has climbed to about 2.74 billion tokens, the highest level since last November.

This move reverses a long stretch of drawdowns that pushed reserves to roughly 2.63 billion XRP in December, marking a pivot away from the late-2025 pattern of steady depletion.

That earlier decline fit a familiar repositioning phase, with investors moving inventory off-exchange into external wallets.

However, the recent rise points the other way, suggesting liquidity is gradually migrating back onto the exchange.

In most cycles, rising reserves can be read as a potential supply returning to the market. But the framing here is more nuanced.

In this case, the reserve rebuild looks less like a blunt distribution signal and more like a market transitioning out of a liquidity-scarce regime, into one defined by measured reinvestment and readiness for higher activity.

Meanwhile, that shift is also showing up in XRP's microstructure.

CryptoQuant’s data indicates that the asset's 30-day Price–Cumulative Volume Delta (CVD) correlation on Binance is around 0.61, a moderate-to-strong positive relationship between price action and net volume flows.

In plain terms, recent price moves are being accompanied by supportive flow behavior rather than drifting independently of it, which is often read as a form of structural confirmation.

Essentially, this positive correlation argues that the market is building a base, with flows and price increasingly moving in the same direction.

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Jan 1, 2026 · Gino Matos

Ripple's corporate expansion

Beyond market mechanics, XRP’s valuation is no longer just a function of spot flows and derivatives positioning.

Instead, it is increasingly being framed through Ripple’s corporate buildup, a campaign that looks less like a payments company scaling a product suite and more like a crypto-native investment firm assembling distribution, custody, and prime-brokerage plumbing.

Over the years, that strategy has produced a long shopping list, including the acquisitions of Palisade, Metaco, GTreasury, Rail, and Hidden Road, which has since been rebranded as Ripple Prime.

Alongside the acquisition push, the firm has also pursued a licensing strategy to expand its addressable market.

Ripple has aggressively targeted regulatory footholds in the UK and Liechtenstein, positioning those approvals as a framework it can use to passport services across the European region and extend into additional jurisdictions over time.

This corporate trajectory means Ripple’s enterprise push can be read as a bullish signal for the broader platform. Yet, XRP remains the liquid proxy most exposed to retail sentiment and reflexive positioning.

For value-focused investors, that gap is increasingly the point. With XRP trading at $1.88, the divergence between Ripple’s expanding footprint and the token’s distressed pricing is being used to reinforce an “undervalued” narrative.

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The near-term question is whether leverage allows the market to clear this “undervalued” tag cleanly.

If traders can absorb $3.3 billion in open interest without triggering a liquidation cascade, the next move looks less like a breakout and more like a reset completing itself.

In that scenario, the path of least resistance becomes a mean reversion toward the $1.99 breakeven zone.

Beyond that, proponents argue that record stablecoin dry powder and steady ETF inflows could make the current repricing more durable.

The post Traders panic sell XRP even though a rare “buy signal” reveals Wall Street is buying up the distressed supply appeared first on CryptoSlate.

Gold just did what safe havens are supposed to do: it went vertical.

On Jan. 26, bullion surged past the psychological $5,000 barrier and briefly topped $5,100 an ounce as investors stampeded toward insurance. This move extends a historic run that saw the precious metal rise 64% in 2025, marking the metal's biggest annual gain since 1979.

The increase shows that investors are moving aggressively against a trifecta of modern anxieties: increasing geopolitics, policy unpredictability, and an eroding sense of fiscal and institutional steadiness.

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Oct 18, 2025 · Oluwapelumi Adejumo

Bitcoin, meanwhile, is still wearing the “digital gold” label without getting paid like one. The largest cryptocurrency is trading around $87,950 today, down by around 2% year-to-date.

This divergence we are seeing today is not a failure of the asset class. Instead, it is simply a reflection of its current maturity. Gold has had thousands of years to build its resume as a store of value. Bitcoin has had less than two decades.

So, this is asking a lot for a teenage asset to behave with the same gravitas as a millennia-old metal during a genuine global crisis.

However, the market is watching closely. Every time gold spikes and Bitcoin falls, the correlation data gets updated. And right now, the data says the two assets are not yet speaking the same language.

The weight behind the gold rally

Gold’s rally is a flow story with deep “institutional inertia” behind it.

Market observers frame the current price action as a classic safe-haven response to geopolitical tensions and fiscal uncertainty.

This can be linked to the weakening dollar and to central banks' increased diversification away from the US, which helps keep the bid persistent rather than event-driven.

Crucial details reinforce the forward-looking framing: this is not only a retail panic. The rally is reinforced by ongoing central bank buying and substantial inflows into gold-backed ETFs.

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Analysts are now floating scenarios in which the metal crosses $6,000 in 2026, with upside forecasts reaching as high as $7,150 if uncertainty remains elevated.

JPMorgan’s own model has been explicit about this structural tailwind. The bank expects gold to average approximately $5,055 an ounce by the fourth quarter of 2026.

This projection assumes investor demand and central-bank buying will hold around 566 tonnes per quarter in 2026.

Furthermore, JPMorgan has reiterated a $ 6,000-per-ounce target by 2028 as a longer-term objective.

The bottom line is clear. Gold is behaving like a neutral reserve asset amid credibility stress.

The buyer base, which includes central banks, traditional allocators, and ETFs, already knows how to size it in a crisis. This is a mature market reacting efficiently to stress signals.

Market plumbing gates Bitcoin’s haven status

Bitcoin’s haven narrative overlaps significantly with gold on paper. It offers scarcity, non-sovereign money status, and a theoretical hedge against debasement.

However, the transmission mechanisms for both assets differ significantly.

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The divergence is most visible in the ETFs' flow data.

Data from SoSo Value shows that the 12 US spot BTC ETFs kicked off 2026 with roughly $1.2 billion in net inflows across the first two trading days, a volume that suggests institutions will deploy capital into BTC when the macro backdrop feels constructive.

But the subsequent activity was the opposite of “safe haven” behavior. The spot BTC ETFs posted $1.33 billion in net outflows for the week ended Jan. 23, their worst week since February 2025.

This outflow represents a classic de-risking behavior. It shows capital leaving as uncertainty rises, which is exactly the pattern gold is currently replacing.

Then there is the matter of derivatives positioning. Data from Deribits also showed that BTC markets flipped from early-year call interest back to defensive hedging. Specifically, 7-day smiles priced a premium of roughly 2.8% toward out-of-the-money puts.

This is a quantitative shorthand for the fact that traders want protection. True havens do not require investors to pay up for downside convexity every time headlines flare.

So why the difference? Because in times of stress, BTC still functions like a liquidity release valve. It trades 24/7, is easy to sell, and is often used to raise cash quickly. Gold, by contrast, is where cash hides.

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How Bitcoin can flip gold

If the market is eventually going to reward “digital gold” with gold-like behavior, a few measurable shifts need to appear. These shifts ideally should occur during the next risk-off impulse, not after it has passed.

First, ETFs must turn counter-cyclical. The haven version of BTC is one where ETF flows increase during equity drawdowns and macro fear weeks. This would be a marked change from the current dynamic of swinging from early-year inflows to major weekly outflows.

Second, the options market skew must normalize. A persistent put premium (like the 2.8% near-term tilt seen recently) signals the market still expects BTC to amplify volatility rather than absorb it. A haven regime looks like a flatter skew and significantly less demand for crash insurance.

Third, volatility needs to compress structurally rather than temporarily. Gold can rally because it is “boring.” Bitcoin cannot credibly serve as the internet's reserve asset if it still behaves like a levered macro trade whenever policy risk spikes.

Fourth, the buyer mix must broaden beyond opportunistic risk capital. Gold’s marginal buyer today includes reserve managers and long-duration allocators. BTC’s marginal buyers are still heavily influenced by ETF momentum and derivatives positioning, which can reverse quickly.

What next for Bitcoin and gold?

Looking ahead, we can identify three distinct scenarios for how this relationship between Bitcoin and gold evolves.

• Scenario A: “Gold keeps the crown; BTC stays a liquidity proxy.”
  If geopolitical tension and fiscal credibility concerns persist, gold remains the first-choice hedge. BTC may grind higher on its own adoption cycle, but it won't reliably rally on fear days. This scenario is consistent with today’s divergent flows and defensive options pricing.

• Scenario B: “Policy easing lifts BTC, without making it a haven.”
  If growth slows and markets begin pricing easier financial conditions, BTC can outperform as liquidity improves and ETF demand returns. However, the driver here is still risk appetite, not capital preservation. Think of this as a “high-beta rebound” rather than a “storm shelter.”

• Scenario C: “Credibility shock plus regulatory maturity equals partial haven bid.”
  The most interesting forward case is where gold’s credibility story intensifies, and BTC’s market structure matures enough that large allocators treat it as insurance rather than a trade.

Notably, Standard Chartered cut its 2026 BTC forecast from $300,000 to $150,000. The bank cited slower institutional buying through ETFs as the reason. This implies the path to “digital gold” runs through steadier institutional demand, not just narrative strength.

For now, gold is being bought as protection against institutions. Bitcoin is still being priced as a bet on them.

The moment those roles invert, when BTC attracts steady inflows because headlines are ugly and options stop charging a premium for survival, that is when “digital gold” starts tracking the real thing.

The post Gold’s vertical surge toward $7,150 exposes Bitcoin but there’s 4 ways the narrative could flip fast appeared first on CryptoSlate.

Wall Street’s next leap may look boring from the outside, but it's a huge development that's shrouded in corporate speak: T+0 settlement, shorthand for settling a trade the same day it happens.

Deloitte’s 2026 outlook flags it as one of the main themes of the year, alongside signals that regulators want to streamline rules, encourage experimentation, and open paths for blockchain-based products. The report’s message is blunt: if faster settlement arrives, companies should evaluate what it enables, including T+0 products “such as tokenized securities and stablecoins.”

A tokenized security is a familiar asset, like a bond or stock, represented in a digital form that can move on modern rails. The promise of tokenization is simple: fewer handoffs, faster movement of assets and cash, and clearer records.

But, its hurdle is also simple: the real world still runs on settlement cycles, reconciliations, and reporting. If settlement speeds up, tokenization stops being a niche experiment and becomes a practical upgrade everyone has to do.

Roy Ben-Hur and Meghan Burns, the managing director and manager at Deloitte & Touche LLP, told CryptoSlate the most realistic path for tokenization isn't a sweeping flip of the entire market. The path will most likely start with contained pilots that reveal tradeoffs before anything becomes mandatory.

“Signals point towards initial market experimentation via pilots rather than a full market shift.”

That matters because pilots determine whether tokenization becomes a cleaner, safer version of today’s system or a fragmented maze of new venues and rule interpretations.

Why T+0 matters

T+0 changes the financial system in the same way instant delivery changes retail. The faster the delivery, the more pressure on inventory, quality control, and logistics. In financial markets, “inventory” means liquidity and collateral.

When trades settle faster, there's less time to fix errors, source cash, locate securities, or manage margin calls. While that can reduce some risks, like counterparty exposure, it can increase others, like operational failure and sudden liquidity needs.

Deloitte ties this to a broader 2026 shift in market structure. Ben-Hur and Burns expect the cash portion of the US Treasury central clearing initiative to end, and it says “other changes could emerge,” while the SEC signals it intends to propose changes to Regulation NMS. The theme here is plumbing: clearing, settlement speed, and how orders route through a growing number of venues.

The main issue for crypto is where stablecoins and tokenized collateral fit. Ben-Hur and Burns expect early traction in collateral workflows because collateral is a daily, intraday problem for large firms. If collateral can move faster in a reliable dollar-linked form, it reduces friction in the parts of the system where time is money.

“The CFTC is exploring the use of stablecoins and tokenized collateral, so this may be an early use case that gains traction, the main benefits being instant settlement in a liquid, dollar-linked asset. The intra-day nature of collateral commitments makes it an attractive use case for an asset with these features and liquidity commitments. Custody and clearing will help it to scale.”

That's why T+0 can make tokenization mainstream without requiring retail users to change behavior. If large institutions adopt tokenized assets because it improves collateral movement and settlement certainty, the market can shift from the inside out. The thing retail users see and interact with, like an app or exchange listing, often comes later.

Deloitte also points to competition pressure. It says the current approach favors experimentation and could “lead to new entrants and greater competition,” and it notes that “a preponderance of venues” may create new opportunities for order routing and execution.

Faster settlement can amplify that effect. When money and securities move faster, venue design and routing incentives matter more, not less.

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Pilots, no-action letters, and the new risks

Pilots are so much more than just technical tests. If executed correctly, they can become a subtle form of policy, especially as regulators keep deferring to the industry via things like no-action letters, self-certification, and staff non-objections, as Deloitte’s outlook puts it.

No-action letters are especially important because they can allow a market practice to proceed without waiting for full rulemaking, as long as it fits within guardrails.

Ben-Hur and Burns said this tool has already been central to tokenization progress:

“So far, the main tool the SEC has been using to enable tokenization, aside from staff guidance, is the no-action letter. In this context, it is a powerful tool to quickly enable changes in industry practice or available marketplace offerings, and we are seeing this already with approvals the SEC has granted recently.”

However, that speed comes with a price. Pilots can create a temporary world where the same asset exists in two forms, one tokenized and one conventional, and the market has to decide how to price them, where liquidity gathers, and how order routing evolves. Ben-Hur and Burns described that transition as a likely reality in equities.

“As the markets transition to tokenized versions of what we think of as traditional assets (equities, bonds, deposits, etc.), we’re likely to temporarily live in a world where there are tokenized and non-tokenized versions of the same asset. This raises a lot of questions about how these assets trade and are priced.”

In that world, the key question is where liquidity will move, and who will benefit from that movement. If liquidity concentrates in a new, possibly crypto-native venue with faster settlement, it can pull price discovery away from legacy pools. If it splits across multiple venues, spreads can widen, and market depth can thin, even if the technology is better.

Deloitte flags a second risk that's easy to miss in all of the excitement surrounding “streamlining.” It warns that efforts to reduce reporting burdens can increase opacity, leaving markets blind.

Faster settlement with weaker visibility is a dangerous combination. It compresses the time available to detect manipulation, reconcile discrepancies, and react to stress.

Deloitte’s answer to this is to build better controls, not slow down development. It urges companies to streamline reporting in ways that improve “auditability,” and it frames the broader environment as market-based experimentation with an “eye toward fraud” through enforcement and exams.

Ben-Hur and Burns put this in practical terms: compliance programs, supervision, documentation, audit trails, surveillance, and cybersecurity become more important as systems speed up.

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The best way to think about 2026 is this: faster settlement is a stress test for how markets handle information, liquidity, and trust.

If pilots prove that tokenized assets can improve settlement and collateral workflows without reducing transparency, tokenization will stop being a shiny new idea and become a part of the infrastructure.

If pilots increase fragmentation and cut visibility, regulators will tighten the leash, and the mainstream rollout will slow down or even completely stop.

Either way, T+0 is the hinge. It's the upgrade that makes tokenization either useful at scale or stuck in the demo phase.

The post Deloitte warns of dangerous “blind spot” in tokenized settlement that will make market manipulation nearly impossible to stop appeared first on CryptoSlate.

Tokenized US Treasuries crossed $10 billion in total value this week, a milestone that confirms the category has moved from proof-of-concept to operational infrastructure.

Yet, something happening underneath this achievement is just as important: Circle's USYC has edged past BlackRock's BUIDL as the largest tokenized Treasury product, signaling that distribution rails and collateral mechanics now matter more than brand recognition in determining which on-chain cash equivalents win.

As of Jan. 22, USYC holds $1.69 billion in assets under management compared to BUIDL's $1.684 billion, a gap of roughly $6.14 million, or 0.36%.

Over the past 30 days, USYC's assets grew 11% while BUIDL's contracted 2.85%, a divergence that reads less like marketing success and more like net creation flowing in one direction while redemptions drain the other.

This isn't a story about Circle beating BlackRock in a brand war. It's about collateral workflow design outperforming logo recognition.

Additionally, it maps directly onto the infrastructure question that regulators and institutions are now asking out loud: who shapes the stack that turns idle crypto capital into productive, yield-bearing collateral?

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Distribution plus collateralization beats brand

USYC's clearest structural advantage is distribution through exchange collateral rails.

On July 24, Binance announced that institutional customers could hold USYC and use it as off-exchange collateral for derivatives, with custody handled through Banking Triparty or Ceffu and near-instant redemption into USDC.

Binance added BUIDL to its off-exchange collateral list on Nov. 14, four months after USYC.

That sequencing matters. If the cash collateral stack is built first inside prime brokerage and derivatives workflows, the product that integrates earlier captures the flow.

USYC didn't just get listed, it got embedded into the operational layer where institutions manage margin and collateral automation.

Circle positioned USYC explicitly as yield-bearing collateral that travels alongside USDC rails, meaning institutions that already route stablecoin flows through Circle's ecosystem can onboard USYC without building new operational pathways.

BlackRock's BUIDL entered the market with brand authority but without the same plug-and-play integration into crypto-native collateral systems.

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Product mechanics suit trading collateral

RWA.xyz labels the two products differently under “Use of Income.” USYC is marked as “Accumulates,” meaning interest accrues within the token balance. BUIDL is marked as “Distributes,” meaning returns are paid out separately.

This distinction is mechanical, not cosmetic. Collateral systems, especially automated margin and derivatives infrastructure, prefer set-and-forget balances where value compounds without requiring operational handling of payouts.

An accumulating structure integrates more cleanly into collateral automation than a distributing one.

For institutions building collateral rails that need to scale across multiple venues and counterparties, the simpler the structure, the lower the operational drag.

RWA.xyz lists materially different entry requirements for the two products.

BUIDL restricts access to US Qualified Purchasers, requiring a minimum investment of $5 million in USDC. USYC targets non-US investors with a minimum of $100,000 USDC.

The funnel difference is structural. Qualified Purchaser status in the US requires $5 million in investable assets for individuals or $25 million for entities, a narrow gate that excludes most crypto-native funds, prop desks, and smaller institutional players.

USYC's $100,000 minimum and non-US eligibility open access to a broader set of offshore institutions, family offices, and trading firms that operate outside US regulatory perimeters but still need dollar-denominated, yield-bearing collateral.

BlackRock's brand carries weight, but the brand doesn't override access constraints. If a fund can't meet the Qualified Purchaser threshold or operates outside the US, BUIDL isn't an option. USYC is.

The addressable market for on-chain collateral skews heavily toward non-US entities and smaller institutions, exactly the segment USYC is designed to serve.

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Net creation versus net redemption

The simplest explanation for the flip is the cleanest: flows moved.

USYC grew by 11% over the past 30 days, while BUIDL shrank by 2.85%. That's not a marketing differential. It's net issuance into one product, offset by net outflows from the other.

The recent flip suggests a discrete event or allocation decision rather than gradual drift. USYC's Binance integration, its accumulating income structure, and its lower entry threshold all reduce friction. BUIDL hasn't added comparable distribution momentum in the same window.

Tokenized Treasuries at $10 billion remain a small fraction of the $310 billion stablecoin market, but their role is shifting from niche experiment to operational default.

The International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) noted in recent guidance that tokenized money market funds are increasingly used as stablecoin reserve assets and as collateral for crypto-related transactions. This is precisely the interlinkages driving USYC's growth.

JPMorgan framed tokenized money market funds as the next frontier after stablecoins, centered on portability and collateral efficiency.

The bank's analysis treats tokenized Treasuries not as an alternative to stablecoins but as an evolution of them. They are programmable cash equivalents that settle faster, move across blockchains more easily, and integrate into collateral systems with less operational overhead than traditional custody arrangements.

With stablecoin yields near zero, tokenized Treasuries offer a risk-free on-chain rate without requiring users to exit crypto rails.

Instead of parking cash in non-yielding stablecoins or moving it off-chain to earn returns, institutions can now hold yield-bearing collateral on-chain that functions like cash but compounds like Treasuries.

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What happens next

The $10 billion milestone is less important than the capture rate it represents.

Tokenized Treasuries currently account for roughly 3% to 4% of the stablecoin float. If that rate doubles over the next 12 months, which is a conservative assumption given current flow momentum and collateral integrations, tokenized Treasuries could reach $20 billion to $25 billion.

If collateral flywheels accelerate and more venues replicate Binance-style off-exchange rails, the range stretches to $40 billion to $60 billion.

The metrics that matter are all measurable: net issuance trends, collateral integration announcements, changes to eligibility requirements, and shifts in income-handling preferences.

USYC's 30-day growth rate and BUIDL's contraction are early signals. The Binance integration timeline is another. The funnel gap is a third.

USYC didn't flip BUIDL because Circle outspent BlackRock on marketing. It flipped because distribution, mechanics, and access constraints aligned with how institutions actually use on-chain collateral.

The category crossed $10 billion not because one flagship product dominated, but because multiple products are now competing on infrastructure terms: who integrates faster, who reduces friction, who widens the funnel.

Brand recognition opened doors. Collateral workflow design is keeping them open.

The post How BlackRock lost control of the $10B tokenized Treasury market to Circle for one simple, mechanical reason appeared first on CryptoSlate.

Strategy continued buying Bitcoin last week, but the company’s latest acquisition marked a deceleration from the previous two additions.

Publicly traded Ethereum treasury firm BitMine Immersion Technologies added to its stash with its largest ETH acquisition of the year so far.

Gold smashed past $5,100 as Ethereum falters below $3,000—and prediction market users called it months ago.

Extreme cold led miners to curb their electricity use, briefly cutting hashrate as grid stress spread across several regions.

The Ethereum Foundation is starting to prepare one of the biggest risks facing the crypto industry: quantum computing.

With Bitcoin trading in red for most days during the past few weeks, institutions are beginning to move with caution and Bitcoin ETFs have recorded the highest weekly outflow so far in 2026.

Does the rate of Bitcoin (BTC) have enough strength to test the $90,000 zone?

Details about Cardano's biggest address emerge with massive ADA stake unveiled.

Can the bounce off Ethereum (ETH) continue to the $3,000 zone?

Anonymous wallet cycled 61.6 billion SHIB, worth half a million dollars, through Coinbase and then disappeared just days before the start of Shiba Inu's most bullish month.

The crypto market is gripped by fear. Bitcoin has slipped below $90,000 to trade near $87,400. Ethereum is down 7% and hovering around $2,860. The Fear & Greed Index has dropped to 20 — deep in extreme fear territory — as traders brace for Federal Reserve commentary and potential government shutdown disruptions.

Retail investors are exiting risk assets at an accelerating pace. Traditional finance products on crypto exchanges are seeing record volumes as traders seek shelter in Gold and indices. Yet behind the panic, institutional wallets are accumulating. Billionaire-level addresses are adding Bitcoin and Ethereum at these discounted levels, signaling that smart money sees opportunity where the crowd sees danger.

This same pattern is emerging around Zero Knowledge Proof (ZKP), which analysts are increasingly describing as the next crypto to explode once market conditions stabilize.

Why ZKP Could Be the Next Crypto To Explode

Predicting the next crypto to explode requires identifying asymmetry — situations where downside is defined but upside remains open-ended. ZKP fits that profile precisely.

The project uses a 450-day Initial Coin Auction across 17 stages. Stage 1 distributed 200 million tokens daily at an effective price near $0.001. Stage 2 is now live with supply capped at 190 million. Each stage reduces availability further while demand has room to grow.

Here is the math that matters. At current Stage 2 participation levels, effective pricing remains below $0.003. If the auction follows historical presale patterns where later stages see increased demand, pricing could reach $0.05 to $0.10 by Stage 15 or Stage 16.

Post-listing projections are where the explosive potential materializes. Comparable Layer-1 infrastructure projects have reached valuations between $0.50 and $2.00 once adoption curves steepen. If ZKP reaches $0.50 from a Stage 2 entry at $0.001, that represents a 500x return. A move to $0.60 delivers 600x.

This is why ZKP is being discussed as the next crypto to explode rather than just another presale.

The Mechanics That Make Explosive Moves Possible

Most tokens that deliver exponential returns share common characteristics: clean price discovery, no overhead resistance, and exposure to structural demand trends. ZKP has all three.

The token has not listed yet. There are no bag holders from previous cycles waiting to sell. No chart resistance levels to absorb buying pressure. When ZKP begins trading publicly, price discovery starts from zero history.

The project also targets a structural demand trend rather than a narrative cycle. Privacy-preserving computation is becoming essential as AI expands into regulated industries. ZKP’s zero-knowledge architecture allows data to be processed and verified without exposure. That capability aligns with regulatory direction globally.

For investors hunting the next crypto to explode, this combination of clean entry and structural tailwinds is rare.

Stage 2 Supply Reduction Changes the Equation

ZKP’s auction structure creates compounding pressure as stages progress. Stage 2 reduced daily supply from 200 million to 190 million tokens. Any unallocated tokens are burned permanently rather than rolled forward.

This means circulation tightens regardless of sentiment. By Stage 10, daily supply could drop below 120 million. By Stage 17, the final stage, availability will be at its narrowest point.

An investor entering at Stage 2 competes against today’s participation pool for 190 million tokens. An investor entering at Stage 14 competes against potentially larger participation for significantly fewer tokens. The math favors earlier positioning.

What the 600x Scenario Requires

A 600x outcome is not guaranteed. It requires ZKP to capture meaningful share of the privacy infrastructure market and for post-listing demand to reflect that positioning.

But the conditions are favorable. Over $100 million was self-funded into the network before public participation. The four-layer architecture is complete. Proof Pods are manufactured and ready for deployment. The system is built, not promised.

If privacy-first computation becomes a standard requirement for AI and enterprise systems — a trend already underway — then ZKP’s current presale pricing represents a significant discount to future utility value.

For investors searching for the next crypto to explode, ZKP offers defined downside, open upside, and a structure that rewards early positioning. Stage 2 is live. The window is narrowing by design.

Website: https://zkp.com/

Auction: http://buy.zkp.com/

X: https://x.com/ZKPofficial

Telegram: https://t.me/ZKPofficial

The post Extreme Fear Grips Markets But Smart Money Keeps Buying — Is ZKP the Next Crypto To Explode? appeared first on Blockonomi.

Gemini’s planned contribution of $40M toward making the Gemini Earn investors whole, after the Genesis bankruptcy, satisfied the SEC’s standards. Thus, the SEC decided to drop the long-standing civil lawsuit against the company.

While the project maintained a solid trajectory and raised millions, the IPO Genie launch date is still up to speculation. As such, traders are exploring DeepSnitch AI as another artificial intelligence presale that could yield asymmetric gains.

Having raised over $1.3M, the DeepSnitch AI presale is seeing a massive uptick in new allocations as it nears its late January launch. Much of this momentum is driven by the project’s aggressive new bonus structure.

SEC continues dismissing high-profile crypto cases

On January 23, the SEC dismissed the lawsuit against Gemini and Genesis over the “Earn” program with prejudice. The parties filed a joint stipulation to end the case in a Manhattan federal court.

The dismissal is another indicator that the regulatory battle that began during the Biden administration’s 2023 crypto crackdown is coming to an end.

SEC opted to drop the case following the 100% in-kind recovery for Earn users in mid-2024, which helped investors see a 232% gain in dollar value due to market appreciation.

With Genesis already paying a $21 million fine and Gemini contributing $40 million to ensure customers were made whole, the agency exercised its discretion to walk away.

This follows a broader 2025-2026 trend of the SEC dismissing cases against major players like Coinbase and Binance as the new administration shifts toward deregulation.

Meanwhile, traders anticipate a clear IPO Genie launch date as they are open to deepening their exposure to AI tools. However, DeepSnitch AI, with its late January launch, is in a much better position for immediate gains.

High-potential presales in 2026

1. DeepSnitch AI: Moonshot around the corner?

DeepSnitch AI is quickly becoming one of the most convincing presales of the current cycle. While the IPO Genie launch date is still unknown, many traders are diving into DeepSnitch AI.

The project is better positioned for immediate returns with its confirmed late January launch.

With over $1.30M raised, the project is hitting the market with a fully realized prediction and analytics suite. The ecosystem runs five specialized AI agents designed to help users spot breakout opportunities while dodging rugs and honeypots.

The LLM-style interface lets you paste a contract address for an instant risk assessment, saving you from the stress of manual due diligence.

Degens will also love the predictive capabilities, which can accurately predict rapid sentiment shifts and FUD, which are common in active trading and smaller tokens.

With the token currently priced at $0.03681 and the launch inching closer, traders are excited about the possibility of 100x gains.

Investing in DeepSnitch AI also allows you to apply coupon codes for bonuses that unlock 30% on investments above $2K, all the way to 300% on $30K.

2. IPO Genie: Is there a clear IPO Genie listing timeline?

IPO Genie is an AI-powered platform that democratizes access to private-market deals and pre-IPO startups once reserved for the elites.

With over 300K verified users already on board, the project’s market outlook is heating up. Token forecasts for IPO suggest the current presale price of $0.0001075 could target $0.01 after listing, with some moonshot scenarios even eyeing $1.00 as adoption scales.

Beyond the potential ROI, holding IPO unlocks tiered access to exclusive venture deals and staking rewards.

The IPO Genie roadmap is solid, and while the exact IPO Genie launch date is yet to be announced, the community speculates about a Q1 listing.

3. Bitcoin Hyper: Is HYPER launching soon?

Bitcoin Hyper has already proven its strength, raising over $29.7 million for its L2 rollup. By running alongside the main chain and using SVM technology to process transactions off-chain, it solves an existing issue that could propel the project to success.

The tech hit a major milestone in December as the testnet successfully processed over 5 million transactions. So, the price at $0.013625 seems like a steal considering what the project offers.

Similar to the IPO Genie launch date, the HYPER team has made no listing announcements.

Final words: DSNT for immediate gains?

While many traders are waiting to mark the IPO Genius launch date on their calendars, the real momentum for early 2026 is shifting toward high-utility AI presales.

DeepSnitch AI is currently outperforming broader market narratives, with its late-January launch expected to yield a potential 100x pump as its suite of five AI security agents goes fully live.

The project has already raised $1.3M, signaling high conviction from both retail and whale traders.

To accelerate this growth, the team has released a series of aggressive bonus codes: DSNTVIP30 (30% on $2K+), DSNTVIP50 (50% on $5K+), DSNTVIP150 (150% on $10K+), and the massive DSNTVIP300 (300% on $30K+).

Reserve your gains in the DeepSnitch AI presale and visit X and Telegram for top-tier community alpha.

FAQs

1. Has the official IPO Genie launch date been announced yet?

There is no confirmed IPO Genie launch date, though the community speculates a Q1 listing. In contrast, DeepSnitch AI has a confirmed launch set for late January 2026.

2. What recent SEC news has impacted the crypto market?

On January 23, the SEC dismissed its civil lawsuit against Gemini and Genesis with prejudice. This follows Gemini’s $40M contribution to repay Earn investors, reflecting a broader 2026 trend of deregulation.

3. How do the DeepSnitch AI agents help crypto traders?

The platform features five agents, some of which track smart money, detect wallet rotations, and identify rug pulls in real-time to provide an information advantage.

The post IPO Genie Launch Date: DeepSnitch AI Approaches Its Pre-Listing Week Amid 100x Runner Predictions, IPO and HYPER Launch Dates Unknown appeared first on Blockonomi.

Are you looking for the top cryptos to buy this month as capital flows back into high-utility assets like BlockchainFX (BFX), Zcash (ZEC), Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), and XRP (XRP)? Market momentum is shifting toward platforms with real products, real users, and near-term catalysts, and BlockchainFX is now entering its most critical phase.

BlockchainFX is currently in its presale stage with over $12.9 million raised, a current price of $0.031, and a confirmed $0.05 launch price. As one of the top cryptos to buy this month, BFX stands out for its imminent product launch, accelerating demand, and strong early adoption.

1. BlockchainFX ($BFX) Presale: $12.9M Raised as Price Moves Toward $0.05 Launch

BlockchainFX is building a unified trading platform designed to eliminate fragmentation across global markets. Instead of managing multiple apps, users can trade 500+ assets including crypto, forex, stocks, ETFs, bonds, and commodities from one platform. This solves a core problem for active traders seeking simplicity and liquidity.

Presale demand explains the steady price increases. With 21,100+ participants, BFX has moved to $0.031, rising next to $0.032, and launching at $0.05. This structured pricing rewards early buyers while funding growth. Investors using APP50 receive 50% extra BFX tokens, amplifying upside before launch.

Why Early Buyers Are Accumulating BFX Now

• Trade 500+ assets in one platform
• Earn daily staking rewards in BFX and USDT
• Receive up to 70% of trading fees redistributed to stakers
• Access referral rewards and presale-only bonuses

Revenue comes from trading fees, subscriptions, listing fees, and copy trading commissions. Projections show revenue growing from $30M in 2025 to $1.8B by 2030, backed by a leadership team with 25 years of fintech and trading experience.

BlockchainFX App V1.1 Launches January 31 With Global Rollout and APP50 Bonus

On January 31, BlockchainFX officially launches V1.1 of the BlockFX.com trading app, shifting from presale to live execution. The initial rollout spans 20+ countries, expanding to 50+ countries shortly after. Users can deposit and withdraw using all major cryptocurrencies.

The app includes live trading, 24/5 customer support, beginner-friendly training videos, and free demo accounts. To celebrate the launch, the APP50 bonus offers 50% extra BFX tokens. This launch marks the transition from speculation to real platform usage, a major catalyst for demand.

2. Zcash (ZEC): Privacy-Focused Blockchain With Proven Network Utility

Zcash focuses on secure and private transactions using zero-knowledge proofs. It allows users to protect financial data while maintaining optional transparency, making it relevant in an era of increasing data surveillance.

Zcash continues to evolve through upgrades and compliance-focused development. Its niche as a privacy layer keeps it relevant for users prioritizing confidentiality without sacrificing network credibility.

3. Bitcoin (BTC): Market Anchor With Institutional Adoption

Bitcoin remains the benchmark asset of the crypto market. With a fixed supply and global recognition, Bitcoin serves as digital gold for both retail and institutional investors.

ETF adoption and institutional inflows continue reinforcing Bitcoin’s long-term positioning. While growth may be steadier, its role in portfolio stability remains unmatched.

4. Ethereum (ETH): Smart Contract Leader Powering Web3

Ethereum underpins decentralized finance, NFTs, and Web3 infrastructure. Its proof-of-stake model improved efficiency while preserving developer dominance.

Ongoing Layer 2 integrations aim to lower fees and increase scalability, ensuring Ethereum remains central to blockchain innovation and enterprise adoption.

5. XRP (XRP): Cross-Border Payments Built for Speed and Scale

XRP is optimized for fast, low-cost international transfers. Its design targets real-world banking and remittance use cases where speed and liquidity matter most.

Despite regulatory challenges, XRP maintains strong global usage and liquidity, keeping it relevant for payment-focused adoption.

Are These the Top Cryptos To Buy This Month Before the Next Market Move?

Each asset plays a distinct role, but BlockchainFX stands out due to timing and execution. With BFX priced at $0.031, moving to $0.032, and launching at $0.05, early buyers gain exposure before the trading app goes live on January 31.

The BlockchainFX presale also unlocks 50% extra tokens with APP50, referral rewards, and entry into a $500,000 community giveaway. For investors seeking momentum, utility, and near-term catalysts, BlockchainFX fits naturally among the top cryptos to buy this month.

Join the BlockchainFX Presale Now

Secure BFX at $0.031 before the next price increase, activate the APP50 bonus, and position early ahead of the global app launch. Timing matters. This is where early access meets real execution.

Find Out More Information Here

Website: https://blockchainfx.com/

X: https://x.com/BlockchainFXcom

Telegram Chat: https://t.me/blockchainfx_chat

The post Top 5 Cryptos To Buy This Month as BlockchainFX App Launch Nears appeared first on Blockonomi.

In early 2021, Dogecoin traded near $0.01. Within months, it pumped to over $0.70, which basically turned a joke meme token into one of the most talked-about crypto success stories ever recorded. It remains one of the clearest examples of how early positioning can change outcomes in crypto history.

Markets today look very different. There is a lack of liquidity, risk appetite is low, and most retail investors are no longer chasing projects without any utility behind them. Now, capital is rotating toward projects with real products, real revenue, and clear downside protection.

In this environment, historical analogies matter, especially when looking for a crypto presale that is still early but already functional. Digitap ($TAP) is discussed in that context. Even though it does not mirror Dogecoin’s meme-driven rise, its early-stage positioning, combined with a live omni-bank product and defensive token mechanics, has placed it on the radar of investors searching for the best crypto to buy now during a high-fear market cycle.

Why Could Digitap Replicate Dogecoin’s Early Success

Digitap operates as a crypto-first financial platform. The app is already live and allows users to manage crypto and cash balances in one place, convert assets instantly, and move funds across banking rails like SEPA and SWIFT. In contrast to most crypto presales that launch with only a roadmap, Digitap’s token is built on top of an active product that already generates usage.

At its core, Digitap prioritizes utility before anything else. Users interact with the app for payments, settlements, and storage, while the $TAP token benefits indirectly from platform activity. Daily buy-back and burn mechanics funded by app revenue reduce circulating supply over time, creating a deflationary structure that contrasts with inflationary altcoins to buy that rely on constant token emissions.

Also, Solana is now fully live on the Digitap Banking App, an expansion of the platform’s multichain capabilities. Users can deposit SOL, USDT, and USDC directly on Solana, alongside existing Polygon support, enabling faster transactions, lower fees, and more flexible wallet funding.

New users receive supported wallets automatically at signup, while existing users can activate Solana wallets through the in-app multi-wallet setup in just a few easy steps. $TAP’s crypto presale numbers clearly show investors’ behavior. More than 200 million $TAP tokens have already been sold, with nearly $4.5 million raised.

The current crypto presale price sits at $0.0439, with the next increase scheduled at $0.0454 and a confirmed listing price of $0.14. Since early rounds priced tokens near $0.0125, this creates a widening gap for investors tracking crypto to buy opportunities with built-in price progression.

USE PROMO CODE “WALLET65” AT CHECKOUT TO RECEIVE A 65% BONUS

Why Digitap Shines in Bearish Markets

Bear markets change priorities. When portfolios bleed, investors stop looking for narratives and start looking for protection. Digitap’s fixed supply of 2 billion tokens removes dilution risk, while its buy-back and burn model actively reduces supply using real platform revenue rather than emissions.

The platform’s tiered KYC system also aligns with shifting demand for control and privacy. Users can choose a no-KYC wallet plan for instant access or upgrade to higher tiers for expanded banking features. This flexibility resonates in periods of financial uncertainty, when capital mobility and discretion become more valuable than aggressive yield chasing.

Real-world settlement adds another defensive layer. Digitap allows freelancers and merchants to convert incoming crypto into cash instantly, helping users lock in value during sharp market moves. In a downturn, the ability to dodge volatility is often more important than chasing upside, especially when evaluating a crypto presale positioned as a rational hedge.

Compliance further separates Digitap from vaporware projects. Sponsored banking partnerships, licensed financial institutions, and audited smart contracts reinforce trust at a time when fear dominates sentiment. Over 120,000 connected wallets indicate that adoption is quietly building while broader markets remain under pressure.

$TAP Tipped as the Best Altcoin to Buy Now

Historical analogies rarely repeat perfectly, but they often rhyme. Dogecoin rewarded early holders because they entered before the crowd arrived. Digitap’s setup shows evidence of a different era, one where infrastructure, compliance, and revenue matter more than hype. That is why some analysts see $TAP as one of the best cryptos to buy now among new altcoins to buy in 2026.

The crypto presale structure creates urgency for early buyers. Each round locks in a higher price, independent of broader market conditions. With the next increase already defined and the listing price set at $0.14, this presale clearly favors early involvement.

As capital rotates toward defensive plays with real utility, Digitap’s positioning stands out. For investors looking for the next crypto to buy through a bear-market lens, $TAP offers a combination of live infrastructure, real and useful utility, and controlled upside that few crypto presales currently match.

Presale https://presale.digitap.app

Website: https://digitap.app

Social: https://linktr.ee/digitap.app

Win $250K: https://gleam.io/bfpzx/digitap-250000-giveaway

The post Buying Digitap ($TAP) Now Feels Like Dogecoin Around $0.01 Before the Retail Rush: Crypto Presales 2026 appeared first on Blockonomi.

TLDR

• SoFi reports Q4 2025 earnings on January 30, with Wall Street expecting $0.12 per share and $977.42 million in revenue
• The stock has rallied 60.7% in 2025 and 355% over three years, adding 905,000 members in Q3 to reach 12.6 million total
• Q3 revenue hit a record $950 million, up 38% year-over-year, with adjusted earnings of 11 cents per share beating estimates
• Bulls point to expanding membership and improving profits, while bears worry about the forward P/E ratio of 71 versus sector average of 11
• Wall Street has a Hold rating with an average price target of $28.31, suggesting 8.34% upside from current levels

SoFi Technologies reports its fourth-quarter 2025 earnings on January 30. Investors are watching closely after a strong year for the digital bank.

SoFi Technologies, Inc., SOFI

The stock has climbed 60.7% in 2025. Over three years, shares are up more than 355%. That kind of performance draws attention and raises questions about what comes next.

Growth Numbers Tell a Strong Story

The third quarter showed the company hitting its stride. Revenue reached a quarterly record of $950 million, up 38% from the prior year. Adjusted earnings came in at 11 cents per share, beating the analyst consensus of 8 cents.

Loan originations increased. Fee income grew stronger. Deposits continued rising. The business model appears to be scaling.

SoFi added 905,000 new members in Q3. Total membership now stands at 12.6 million, a 35% jump from last year. The company also added 1.4 million new products, bringing the total to 18.6 million.

The financial services segment grew 76% year-over-year. All three business segments posted double-digit growth. The lending business benefited from lower interest rates.

Why Some Analysts Stay Bullish

Several Wall Street analysts maintain positive ratings. They point to management’s execution and the potential for easing interest-rate pressure to support loan demand in 2026.

The expanding member base provides room for cross-selling. More members means more opportunities to grow revenue per user over time. The digital-first model keeps costs down without physical branches to maintain.

The average analyst price target sits at $28.31. That suggests about 9% upside from current levels, even after the strong 2025 run.

Valuation Concerns Persist

Bears point to the stock’s forward price-to-earnings ratio of 71. The sector average hovers near 11. Investors are paying a steep premium for future growth.

Credit quality remains a watch point. While SoFi focuses on higher-quality borrowers, any weakness in economic conditions could lead to rising delinquencies. Loan losses would weigh on results and investor confidence.

The bar for earnings has been raised. SoFi has beaten EPS expectations for four straight quarters. Simply meeting expectations may not satisfy investors this time.

Wall Street expects earnings of $0.12 per share for Q4. That’s down 58.6% from the same period last year. Revenue projections sit at $977.42 million, compared with $1.008 billion in the prior-year quarter.

What Analysts Are Watching

The consensus rating on SoFi is Hold. Five analysts rate it a Buy, six say Hold, and three recommend Sell.

Management’s guidance for 2026 will matter more than the Q4 numbers. Investors want to hear about loan demand trends and credit quality. Any cautious tone could trigger volatility.

The company has beaten expectations recently, and product innovation announcements have drawn positive reactions. The odds favor another strong report, but the market can be unpredictable around earnings.

For the full year 2025, Wall Street expects earnings of $0.36 per share. The company’s ability to maintain profitability while growing the member base remains the key question.

SoFi has beaten EPS expectations for the past four quarters, with management continuing to guide toward accelerating growth across all business segments.

The post SoFi Stock: What Wall Street Expects from Earnings Friday? appeared first on Blockonomi.

Bitcoin (BTC) came under significant pressure over the weekend amidst deteriorating macro sentiment. Following the retrace, several crypto assets are back in undervalued territory.

Fresh data suggest that Ripple (XRP) and Cardano (ADA) are among the altcoins that are more undervalued than Bitcoin.

XRP Ahead of Bitcoin on Value Opportunity

According to the latest findings by Santiment, a coin’s 30-day Market Value to Realized Value (MVRV) can help gauge risk when opening or adding to a position. Lower readings indicate reduced risk. Hence, a negative 30-day MVRV means average traders are currently down money, which creates an opportunity to enter while profits remain below the typical “zero-sum game” level. Santiment added that the more negative the percentage, the safer it is to buy.

The lower a coin’s 30-day MVRV is, the less risk there is in opening or adding on to your position.

A coin having a negative percentage means average traders you’re competing with are down money, and there is an opportunity to enter while profits are below the normal… pic.twitter.com/YH8y4IzkWc

— Santiment (@santimentfeed) January 26, 2026

On the other hand, a positive 30-day MVRV means that average traders are up money, which increases the risk of entering while profits are above normal levels, with higher positive values described as more dangerous. In the latest data shared, Santiment listed XRP at -5.7%, which classified it as undervalued and more undervalued than Bitcoin, which was shown at -3.7% and labeled mildly undervalued.

Besides, several top altcoins were also flagged as undervalued in Santiment’s 30-day MVRV snapshot. For instance, Chainlink (LINK) posted the most negative reading at -9.5%, followed by Cardano (ADA) at -7.9% and Ethereum (ETH) at -7.6%.

Reaccumulation Phase

XRP sank nearly 4% over the past seven days after falling below $2. It briefly retested the $1.81 level before a modest rebound to $1.89 on Monday. Despite the short-term market weakness, certain market watchers say that the bigger picture remains intact.

Crypto analyst ChartNerd, for one, pointed to a longer-term technical setup for XRP. They noted that after an explosive breakout in December 2024, the crypto asset has spent the past year retesting its prior seven-year resistance trendline. The analyst described the move as a prolonged “reaccumulation” phase and said a similar formation unfolded in 2017 before XRP saw major upside. ChartNerd added that if the retest holds, it would support a continuation of the trend.

The post Ripple (XRP) and Cardano (ADA) Show Deeper Undervaluation Than Bitcoin (BTC) appeared first on CryptoPotato.

[PRESS RELEASE – Shibuya, Japan, January 26th, 2026]

RYO Digital Marks 2025 as a Defining Year for Regulated Infrastructure, Real-World Utility, and Global Adoption

RYO Digital concludes 2025 as a year of focused execution and measurable progress, anchored by the global rollout of LIFE Wallet and continued advancement of its regulated Web3 infrastructure. Rooted in Japan’s standards of trust, compliance, and consumer protection, RYO strengthened its position as a consumer-first, utility-driven digital ecosystem built for real-world use.

Throughout the year, RYO prioritized building secure, compliant, and accessible blockchain infrastructure designed to support everyday users, merchants, and global adoption – reinforcing its long-term vision as a Web3 infrastructure provider.

Key Highlights from 2025:

Core Infrastructure & Products

Global Product Launch – the LIFE Wallet was released on the Apple App Store (Sep 30th), making digital assets safer, simpler, and easier for everyday consumers.

Infrastructure & Payments – the Crypto ATM Network entered beta testing; RYOPAY and our RYO x GRNX Global strategic partnership was announced (Jun 10), advancing real-world payment and settlement use cases.

Regulatory & Institutional Leadership

Blockchain Legal Institute Partnership – Established on Mar 1 to advance compliance, education, and regulatory alignment across the Web3 sector.

Global Summits – Official Sponsor of the BLI Global Summit on Sandboxes, SROs & Economic Zones (Mar 21), and the Global Summit on Digital Assets, Blockchain & Technology for Consumers (Oct 23).

Ecosystem Growth & Community Engagement

RYO-CHAN Ecosystem Milestones – Launch of the RYO-CHAN Whitelist Pre-Sale (Apr 1), Phase 1 Pre-Sale (Apr 8), and Phase 2 Pre-Sale (Aug 23), alongside the release of the RYO-CHAN Adventure Novel, expanding community participation and ecosystem engagement.

REVIVAL Manga Series (Vol. 1) – Released Jul 7, supporting cultural storytelling and brand engagement aligned with RYO’s broader ecosystem narrative.

Market Recognition & Listings

Market Recognition – Featured in Coin Gabbar’s “Top 5 Hottest Crypto Listings of October 2025” (Oct 11); listed on Bitrue (Oct 15); and featured in Forbes Digital Assets (Mar 13).

Where Security, Utility, and Community Meet.

Across 2025, RYO Digital demonstrated disciplined execution through regulated infrastructure development, product launches, and ecosystem expansion. These milestones highlight the company’s ability to combine compliance, usability, and innovation – delivering blockchain solutions designed for real-world impact.

Looking ahead to 2026, RYO Digital is focused on scaling adoption, strengthening practical use cases, and continuing to build long-term Web3 infrastructure that supports global users, merchants, and partners.

About RYO Digital

RYO Digital is a global Web3 infrastructure company delivering secure, compliant, and user-focused blockchain solutions rooted in Japan’s regulatory and cultural standards. Its ecosystem includes LIFE Wallet, RYO Coin, Global Mall, a Crypto ATM Network, RYO-CHAN, and a growing suite of financial and technological products designed to bridge digital assets with real-world utility.

The post RYO Digital Announces 2025 Year-End Milestones Across Its Ecosystem appeared first on CryptoPotato.

[PRESS RELEASE – Naxxar, Malta, January 26th, 2026]

Crypto.Casino, a new independent review and feedback platform, today announced the official launch of its website, designed to help players navigate the crypto casino space with greater confidence, transparency, and trust.

As cryptocurrency-based gambling platforms continue to grow rapidly, players often face limited information, inconsistent standards, and a lack of reliable oversight. Crypto.Casino addresses this gap by providing in-depth reviews, user-submitted feedback, and community-driven ratings of crypto casinos from around the world.

“Trust is the biggest missing piece in the crypto casino industry,” said Lawrence W at Crypto.Casino. “Our goal is to give players a clear, unbiased view of platforms before they commit their time or funds—and to give reputable operators a way to stand out.”

Community-Driven Approach to Transparency

Crypto.Casino operates as a neutral, independent platform that evaluates crypto casinos based on key factors such as fairness, security practices, user experience, payment reliability, and customer support. In addition to expert reviews, the site empowers real users to share their firsthand experiences—positive or negative—helping create a more accountable ecosystem.

Key features of Crypto.Casino include

• Independent reviews of crypto casino platforms
• User-generated ratings and verified feedback
• Clear breakdowns of strengths, risks, and red flags
• Educational content to help users make informed decisions

Raising Standards Across the Industry

By aggregating real-world experiences and highlighting best practices, Crypto.Casino aims to encourage higher standards across the crypto casino sector. Platforms that treat players fairly gain visibility, while those that fall short are held accountable through transparent reporting.

Crypto.Casino is now live and accessible at https://crypto.casino

Finding the Best Crypto Casino Reviews

As part of its ongoing development, Crypto.Casino will be rolling out additional features that allow users to leave detailed feedback and reviews based on their overall experience with crypto casino platforms. Users will also be able to request independent audits of specific casinos, helping to surface concerns around fairness, transparency, and operational practices. These features are designed to give the community a stronger voice while encouraging higher standards and accountability across the industry.

About Crypto.Casino

Crypto.Casino is an independent online platform dedicated to reviewing cryptocurrency-based casinos and amplifying user feedback. With a focus on transparency, accountability, and consumer protection, Crypto.Casino helps players make informed choices in an industry where trust is often lacking.

Media Contact

team@crypto.casino

https://crypto.casino

https://x.com/cryptodotcasino

https://discord.gg/cryptodotcasino

The post Crypto.Casino Launches to Bring Transparency and Trust to Crypto Casinos appeared first on CryptoPotato.

Pi Network’s bulls suffered yet another setback as the token’s price plummeted to a new record low, further dampening market sentiment.

Additionally, some key indicators suggest the downturn could deepen in the short term.

Finding a New Bottom

Just hours ago, Pi Network’s PI tumbled to $0.17, which is the lowest level recorded since the token began trading in February last year. Its market capitalization fell under $1.5 billion, making it the 75th-largest cryptocurrency.

The latest move to the south could be partially driven by the broader market’s bearish environment, where Bitcoin (BTC) slipped below $88,000, and Ethereum (ETH) briefly plunged to $2,780.

Some important factors hint that PI’s price has yet to chart fresh lows. Data shows that almost 150 million coins are expected to be unlocked in the next 30 days, a development that could increase selling pressure, as it will give investors the opportunity to offload assets they have been waiting for a long time.

The average token unlocks are just south of 5 million, which is far more aggressive than those in the previous weeks and months. The record day will be February 7, when approximately 6.1 million tokens will be freed up.

Huge Adoption on the Way?

While PI’s price performance over the past several months indeed seems depressing, some X users remain optimistic about the project. Kosasi Nakomoto recently noted that the asset’s “earn while you wait” model looks “childish” to many crypto natives, but predicted that in a couple of years, most people in emerging markets will probably have a Pi wallet.

Meanwhile, PI’s Relative Strength Index (RSI) suggests that the worst might be over and could be time for a short-term rebound. The metric ranges from 0 to 100 and shows whether the asset is overbought or oversold. Ratios below 30 indicate the valuation has slipped too much in a short period and might be due for a rally, while anything above 70 is considered bearish territory.

Recently, the RSI fell below 30 and has since increased to 38.

The post Pi Network (PI) Collapses to a New All-Time Low: More Pain Ahead? appeared first on CryptoPotato.

Ethereum is currently in a broad sideways structure, with the spot price trading below the main trend-defining moving averages while on-chain activity shows early signs of stabilization. The market is in a neutral-to-cautious state. Downside risk remains present on the charts, but structural support zones and improving network usage keep the medium-term outlook open for a potential recovery once selling pressure exhausts.

Ethereum Price Analysis: The Daily Chart

On the daily timeframe, ETH has been rejected lower from the recent consolidation below the declining 100-day moving average, with the 200-day moving average still positioned higher and confirming a medium-term downtrend. The price is trading around the $2,900 region after another decisive rejection from the $3,400–$3,500 supply band, leaving the $2,600–$2,700 zone as the first major demand zone.

A sustained loss of the $2,700 area would increase the risk of a deeper move toward the $2,200 support area. The daily RSI has pulled back from neutral levels and is drifting toward oversold territory, signalling that momentum is bearish but also that the market is approaching a zone where downside extension may begin to slow if fresh sellers do not appear.

ETH/USDT 4-Hour Chart

The 4-hour chart shows ETH breaking below the rising trendline that had connected higher lows since the November bottom, effectively breaking the symmetrical triangle structure. The asset is now consolidating just under the former $3,000 support band, which has turned into short-term resistance. Repeated failures to reclaim this area would keep intraday pressure skewed toward the $2,800 level and, if weakness persists, down toward the major $2,500-$2,600 demand zone.

The 4-hour RSI has already printed oversold readings and is attempting to stabilize, suggesting that while intraday momentum is negative, the market may transition into a choppy consolidation phase rather than an immediate impulsive leg lower if the current short-term support zone holds.

On-Chain Analysis

Looking at on-chain activity, Ethereum’s total transaction count and its 30-day EMA have been trending higher from the depressed levels seen in early 2025, even as the price has recently corrected from all-time highs back toward $2,900. This combination of declining price and rising transactional activity often reflects a shift from speculative excess toward more organic network usage, as weaker hands reduce exposure while a base of active users remains engaged.

If the current upturn in transaction counts persists or accelerates while price consolidates above the main demand zones, it would signal that fundamental network demand is absorbing supply. This is historically a constructive backdrop for a medium-term recovery. Failure of activity to hold these gains, by contrast, would argue for viewing the recent bounce as primarily technical rather than fundamentally supported.

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