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Solana’s latest push into hardware-driven crypto took an unexpected turn this week after the token tied to its new Seeker smartphone, $SKR, surged more than 200% within days of launch, according to CoinGecko data.

The rally followed the long-awaited token generation event (TGE) and airdrop linked to Solana Mobile’s second-generation device, a $500 Android phone designed for on-chain use. While early volatility was expected, the scale and speed of the move drew attention across the crypto market.

A Phone Built for Crypto Users?

Solana Seeker is positioned as a Web3-native smartphone rather than a traditional flagship device. It integrates wallet security, identity, and staking features directly into the operating system.

The phone includes a built-in Seed Vault for private key storage, biometric transaction signing, and access to Solana’s dApp Store. 

Users can interact with dApps, stake tokens, and track rewards without relying on third-party wallets.

More than 150,000 units were preordered in the first sales wave, according to Solana Mobile. Additional devices are now shipping as the ecosystem enters its second reward season.

The SKR Token Launch

The Seeker ecosystem is powered by SKR, a Solana-based token with a fixed supply of 10 billion. Roughly 30% of the supply was allocated to users and developers through an airdrop tied to device ownership and on-chain activity.

Claims were processed directly through the Seeker wallet, with immediate staking enabled. Developers received some of the largest allocations, while heavy users earned six-figure token amounts.

Unlike many recent launches, $SKR debuted with a relatively low fully diluted valuation, limiting early sell pressure.

Seeker SKR Token Price Chart Since Launch. Source: CoinGecko Why SKR Rallied So Sharply

Several factors combined to push $SKR higher in its first two trading days. Initial staking removed a large share of tokens from circulation. Solana Mobile’s staking design incentivizes holders to lock tokens immediately, tightening supply during price discovery.

Also, early staking yields near 24% APY encouraged participation. These rewards come from token inflation rather than revenue, favoring early adopters and discouraging quick selling.

Seeker is Promising Nearly 24% APY for Staking SKR. Source: Solana Mobile

Meanwhile, fast exchange listings and high trading volume accelerated price discovery. Data shows daily volume exceeded $140 million at peak, a high figure relative to the token’s circulating market cap.Major exchanges like Coinbase and Kraken listed the token, despite a small market cap of nearly $200 million. 

These dynamics created a short-term supply squeeze during the launch window.

However, much of the initial demand was driven by airdrop dynamics, staking incentives, and low liquidity, rather than sustained revenue or usage metrics. 

As unclaimed tokens enter circulation and inflation declines, price pressure could re-emerge.

The Seeker launch represents Solana’s most ambitious attempt yet to tie physical hardware directly to tokenized incentives.

Whether that model can scale beyond early adopters remains an open question.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) announced the arrest of Ryan Wedding on charges of cocaine trafficking and murder. Wedding allegedly ran a transnational drug trafficking operation that relied on cryptocurrency to move and launder the proceeds. 

The event marked the continuation of the increasingly relevant role that digital assets, and stablecoin payments, in particular, play in facilitating illicit finance.

FBI Ends Decade-Long Manhunt

According to the FBI, authorities took Wedding, a 44-year-old former Canadian Olympic snowboarder, into custody on Thursday night. The arrest marked a decade-long manhunt of one of the Department of Justice’s most wanted fugitives. 

Wedding reportedly turned himself in at the United States embassy in Mexico City, revealed Mexican authorities.

The arrest stemmed from Wedding’s alleged role in a transnational drug trafficking operation under the wing of one of Mexico’s biggest criminal organizations. Authorities also alleged Wedding operated under several pseudonyms, including “El Jefe” and “Public Enemy.”

“He was allegedly running and participating in a transnational drug trafficking operation that routinely shipped hundreds of kilograms of cocaine from Colombia, through Mexico and Southern California to the United States and Canada – as a member of the Sinaloa Cartel,” said FBI Director Kash Patel in a social media post. 

In 2024, the FBI announced a $15 million reward for information leading to his capture. 

Two months ago, leading prosecutor Bill Essayli unveiled in a press conference that Wedding was also responsible for the murder of a witness who was shot five times in the head in a restaurant in Colombia last January. 

Authorities also highlighted that Wedding’s operations relied on cryptocurrencies to launder money and move proceeds across borders.

USDT Wallets Used to Obscure Proceeds

According to the indictment, Wedding’s enterprise would conceal a significant amount of the earnings made through cocaine sales using US and Canadian dollars, as well as cryptocurrencies. 

Authorities argued that the enterprise relied on a sophisticated Tether-based system to do so. 

The scheme involved splitting large sums into smaller transactions. These funds were then routed through multiple intermediary USDT wallets before converging in a central Tether wallet allegedly controlled by Wedding.

The indictment also revealed that in November 2024, another defendant received around 2 million Colombian pesos to advance operations. The pesos had allegedly been converted from cryptocurrency as payment for roughly 300 kilograms of cocaine. 

Wedding’s case is just one of several others that have surfaced recently. Earlier this month, the DOJ charged a Venezuelan national for allegedly using crypto in a $1 billion money laundering scheme.

Meanwhile, cryptocurrency crime reached an all-time high in 2025. 

According to blockchain analysis firm Chainalysis, illicit addresses received at least $154 billion last year, representing a 162% increase from 2024. 

Polymarket has become embroiled in a scandal regarding a social media post it made about Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. The prediction market claimed he had recently recommended younger entrepreneurs to work regular jobs before starting a business.

Bezos quickly refuted the claims. The exchange resurfaced concerns over prediction markets’ reiterated use of social media to disseminate unverified news and misinformation.

Polymarket Post Draws Bezos Rebuttal

On Thursday, Polymarket published an X post breaking the news that Bezos recently advised “aspiring Gen Z entrepreneurs” to start their careers working at “real-world jobs” like McDonald’s or Palantir before starting a business.

Hours later, the Amazon founder replied to the post, claiming he had never made such a claim, and wondered what prompted Polymarket to make up such a statement. 

Amid the scrutiny the exchange quickly drew, a video surfaced of Bezos delivering a talk at the Italian Tech Week, in which he offered advice to younger entrepreneurs. However, the conversation took place nearly three months ago, and Bezos mentioned neither of the companies referenced by Polymarket. 

“I always advise to young people— go work at a best practices company somewhere, where you can learn a lot of basic fundamental things,” he had said, adding, “I started Amazon when I was 30. Not when I was 20. That extra 10 years of experience actually improved the odds that Amazon would succeed.” 

The events this week stood out because Bezos explicitly took the extra step of denying Polymarket’s claims.

At the same time, the track record of prediction markets spreading misinformation to their social media audiences has been a growing concern.

Platforms such as Polymarket and Kalshi have faced increased scrutiny for publishing breaking news that distorted events or was outright false, spanning topics from sports betting to geopolitical tensions. 

Social media users were quick to point out specific examples.

Do Prediction Markets Amplify Global Misinformation?

In recent weeks, international tensions have risen sharply. Examples included the capture of Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro, widespread protests in Iran, and clashes between the United States and European countries over the prospect of buying Greenland.

Such events have introduced a flurry of bets across prediction markets. These platforms have also used social media to publish related alerts that did not accurately reflect reality. 

One such example occurred earlier this month, when Polymarket posted a “breaking” news post unveiling that the security forces of the Iranian regime had lost control of some of the country’s largest cities. 

While Iran’s government faces internal challenges, it remains in control through its military and security forces. The post, which contained disputed or inaccurate claims, nonetheless garnered nearly 7 million views, 17,000 likes, and 2,000 reposts.

Most of the comments targeted the betting platform for being a fake news website.

Kalshi published a related post addressing reported tensions between the United States and Denmark over Greenland. The prediction market stated that the two countries had formed a working group to discuss the US interest in purchasing Greenland. The post received 2.8 million views.

Although the White House asserted such a claim, Denmark offered a different account. It stated that it had agreed to “address the American security concerns in relation to Greenland.”

Neither Polymarket nor Kalshi immediately answered BeInCrypto’s request for comment. 

Similar reports have surfaced about Kalshi affiliates posting fake sports news on their social media accounts.

According to Front Office Sports, despite being confronted about these fake posts, both Kalshi and Polymarket will not back down from using affiliate badges.

As prediction markets are expected to grow exponentially in the coming year, their use of social media to share unverified or misleading information has drawn increasing attention.

Silver surged to a fresh all-time high today at $101. The rally has been building for months and accelerating sharply in January 2026. Silver has now surpassed gold as the best-performing asset in the current macro environment.

Bitcoin, however, has not followed the same trajectory — at least not yet. The divergence raises a key question for crypto markets: what does silver’s breakout say about where Bitcoin could head next?

Why Silver Is Surging

Silver’s rally is not being driven by speculation alone. It reflects a broader shift in how global capital is positioning amid rising uncertainty.

Silver Price Chart in January 2026. Source: TradingView 1. Risk-Off Demand Is Dominating Markets

Over the past few months, and especially in January, investors have increasingly moved into defensive assets.

Key drivers include:

Escalating geopolitical tensions, including renewed trade disputes and unresolved conflicts in Eastern Europe and the Middle East.

Concerns over US fiscal sustainability and rising government debt.

Growing unease around tariffs and global trade fragmentation.

In this environment, capital typically flows first into hard assets perceived as stable stores of value, with gold and silver historically at the top of that list.

Silver’s all-time high reflects this defensive positioning.

2. Falling Real Rate Expectations Are Supporting Metals

Markets are pricing in multiple US Federal Reserve rate cuts later in 2026. That expectation has pushed real yields lower and weakened the US dollar.

For precious metals, this is a powerful tailwind. Silver does not yield interest, so lower real rates reduce the opportunity cost of holding it.

Also, a weaker dollar makes dollar-denominated metals cheaper for international buyers. This dynamic has been one of the strongest contributors to silver’s momentum in January.

US Dollar Dominance Continues to Fall in January 2026. Source: TradingView 3. Structural Supply Story Is Amplifying the Move

Unlike gold, silver is facing real-world supply constraints.

The silver market has been in a structural deficit for several consecutive years. Most silver production comes as a by-product of mining other metals, limiting supply flexibility.

The US recently designated silver as a critical mineral, prompting strategic stockpiling and tighter inventories.

As demand rose, available supply failed to keep pace — pushing prices higher faster.

Silver Supply Demand Imbalance Over the Last Decade. Source: Visual Capitalist 4. Industrial Demand Adds a Strategic Layer

Silver’s role in the global energy transition has become increasingly important. It is a critical input for solar panels, electric vehicles, Power grids, data centers and advanced electronics

This industrial utility makes silver both a safe haven and a strategic commodity, strengthening its appeal in a world focused on energy security and infrastructure resilience.

Why Bitcoin Has Not Rallied Alongside Silver

Despite sharing some macro tailwinds, Bitcoin has lagged silver’s move. That gap is not unusual — and it is historically consistent.

While Bitcoin is increasingly viewed as “digital gold,” markets still classify it differently during periods of stress.

When uncertainty rises, capital first flows into traditional safe havens (gold and silver). Bitcoin often consolidates as investors reduce risk exposure.

Historically, Bitcoin tends to move later, once fear turns into concerns about currency debasement and liquidity expansion.

January 2026 appears to be firmly in phase one of that cycle.

Bitcoin Price Chart in January 2026. Source: CoinGecko What Silver’s All-Time High Signals for Bitcoin

Silver’s breakout is still meaningful for Bitcoin — just not immediately bullish. If Bitcoin were to react only to the same forces driving silver:

Capital would continue favoring metals over risk assets.

Bitcoin would remain range-bound.

Downside tests toward key support zones would remain possible.

This is because capital flows choose safety first.

Historically, silver’s sustained strength has often preceded Bitcoin rallies — not coincided with them.

If silver continues to attract defensive capital, then the narrative typically shifts from risk avoidance to monetary debasement protection.

That is where Bitcoin has historically performed best.

In previous cycles, Bitcoin has followed gold and silver with a lag of weeks to months, once liquidity expectations replace immediate fear.

The Key Trigger to Watch for Bitcoin Breakout

For Bitcoin to turn decisively bullish based on silver’s signal, one of the following must occur:

Actual Fed rate cuts, not just expectations.

A sustained decline in the US dollar.

Escalating fiscal stress that reframes Bitcoin as a monetary hedge rather than a risk asset.

Silver’s all-time high suggests these conditions may be forming. But they are not fully priced into Bitcoin yet.

Again, historically, gold and silver absorb the first wave of defensive capital. Bitcoin tends to follow later, once fear evolves into concerns about currency debasement and liquidity expansion.

Silver’s all-time high may not mark Bitcoin’s breakout, but it could be quietly setting the stage for it.

Ethereum appears to be stabilizing after a sharp correction. ETH is trading near $2,950 after falling roughly 15.6% from its January highs before bouncing off key support. While the Ethereum price action still looks weak on the surface (11% down weekly), several underlying signals suggest conditions may be shifting.

A completed bearish momentum reset, aggressive whale accumulation, and a sudden recovery in network usage are now lining up. Together, these signals raise an important question: is Ethereum setting up for a stronger rebound, or is this only a short-term bounce?

Bearish Breakdown Plays Out as Volume Diverges and Whales Step In

Ethereum’s recent weakness did not come out of nowhere. Between January 6 and January 14, ETH printed a bearish RSI (relative strength index) divergence on the daily chart. While price pushed to a higher high, the RSI, a momentum indicator, formed a lower high, a setup that often signals trend exhaustion.

That signal played out cleanly. Ethereum corrected about 15.6%, sliding into the $2,860 support zone before stabilizing.

What changed at support is important.

As prices trended lower (between January 20 and January 21), On-Balance Volume (OBV) formed a higher low, indicating that selling pressure was weakening and that larger buyers were absorbing supply rather than exiting. OBV tracks volume flow, and this type of divergence often appears near local bottoms.

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Bullish ETH Structure: TradingView

Whales appear to have reacted to that shift.

Over the past 24 hours, Ethereum supply held by whales (excluding exchanges) increased from 103.73 million ETH to 104.08 million ETH. That is an addition of roughly 350,000 ETH in a single day.

ETH Whales: Santiment

At the current ETH price, that accumulation is worth just over $1.03 billion.

This suggests whales did not buy the top. They stepped in after the momentum reset and price tested major support, treating the correction as an entry rather than an exit. But that might not be the only reason.

Ethereum Reclaims No. 2 in Daily Unique Addresses, Beating SEI

The technical setup is not the only thing improving.

At press time on January 23, Ethereum has reclaimed the No. 2 spot in Layer-1 DUAs (daily unique addresses) behind BNB, as identified exclusively by BeInCrypto analysts. It just overtook SEI (another layer-1), which has seen strong activity recently due to gaming-related growth. opBNB (layer-2 for BNB), another frequent competitor, still remains higher.

ETH Reclaims Number 2 Position: Dune

This matters because daily unique addresses reflect actual network usage, not price speculation. Ethereum reclaiming this position signals that on-chain activity as a layer-1 is recovering even as price remains below recent highs. SEI has been Ethereum’s nemesis for quite some time now.

Sei Was Beating Ethereum Earlier: Dune

Plus, Ethereum still outpaces all major layer-2 ecosystems in terms of address growth.

That recovery has already started to spill into social chatter.

Ethereum’s social dominance jumped sharply from around 0.37% to 4.43% since yesterday, briefly peaking near 5.8% before cooling. Historically, local peaks in social dominance have preceded short-term price advances for ETH. This is the same timeframe when whales picked up over $1 billion in ETH.

Social Volume Surges: Santiment

For example:

On January 17, a local social dominance spike was followed by a 2.1% ETH move higher over the next sessions.

On January 21, another spike preceded a 3.4% upside move within 24 hours.

This does not guarantee a rally, but it shows that renewed network relevance has previously translated into short-term price follow-through. The return to No. 2 in L1 daily unique addresses (at press time) provides a fundamental reason for the rise in attention.

Ethereum Price Levels Now Hold The Key

From here, Ethereum’s structure is clear.

On the downside, $2,860 remains the critical support. This level marked the end of the 15.6% correction and is where whales stepped in aggressively. A clean loss of this zone would weaken the bullish case and open downside toward lower supports.

On the upside, ETH needs to clear $3,010, a level just 2.6% above the current price, to confirm short-term strength. A sustained move higher would then bring $3,350 into focus, a resistance zone that has capped price since mid-January.

Ethereum Price Analysis: TradingView

If that level breaks, the Ethereum price could target higher extensions near $3,490 and $3,870. However, failure to hold $2,860 would shift focus back toward $2,770, invalidating the rebound thesis.

Welcome to the US Crypto News Morning Briefing—your essential rundown of the most important developments in crypto for the day ahead.

Grab a coffee and settle in—Binance is quietly making moves in a corner of Europe that might reshape how crypto operates across the continent.

Crypto News of the Day: Binance’s Greek Gambit Is A Late Entry But With Big Ambitions

Fortune reported that Binance has formally applied for the European Union’s pan-European MiCA license via its newly established Greek subsidiary, Binary Greece.

The move positions Binance for full compliance with the Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) framework ahead of the critical July 1, 2026, deadline. After this date, unlicensed platforms risk restrictions or exclusion from serving EU and EEA users.

“Crypto-asset service providers that provided their services in accordance with applicable law before December 30, 2024, may continue to do so until July 1, 2026, or until they are granted or refused an authorization pursuant to Article 63, whichever is sooner,” said the European Securities and Markets Authority.

The decision to base the application in Greece, rather than traditional crypto-friendly hubs like Malta or Luxembourg, is a surprising strategic play.

With a registered capital of €25,000 (almost $30,000) and a single-shareholder public limited company structure, Binary Greece signals Binance’s long-term commitment to establishing a European footprint.

The Greek authorities, while not historically the fastest in issuing licenses, offer a potentially streamlined approval process and a less saturated regulatory environment. This makes the country an emerging hub for crypto operations.

MiCA, which entered into force in 2023, provides a unified regulatory framework across all 27 EU member states plus EEA countries. This is roughly 450 million potential users.

By securing a license from any member state, exchanges can passport their services across the continent. This eliminates the need for fragmented national registrations and eases compliance costs.

For Binance, MiCA approval would unlock pan-European operations, including trading, custody, and compliant stablecoin offerings. At the same time, it would address prior scrutiny in countries such as France.

Catching Up in a Crowded Field: Binance’s Race to MiCA Compliance

Several other major exchanges have already secured MiCA or equivalent CASP licenses, including:

Kraken via Ireland

Coinbase via Luxembourg

Bybit EU through Austria

OKX in Malta

Crypto.com, Bitpanda, and Gemini.

These licenses enable seamless EU-wide operations and position holders ahead in a regulated environment.

Binance’s late entry, however, leverages the company’s scale and operational expertise to catch up. With this, it could reclaim market share in Europe, where prior restrictions limited its reach.

The Greek subsidiary has been incorporated for an indefinite duration, signaling a long-term strategic presence rather than a temporary arrangement.

The July 2026 deadline adds pressure on Binance and other global operators. The full MiCA compliance is mandatory for offering services such as:

Stablecoin issuance

Exchange trading, and

Custody across the bloc.

Notably, some EU countries (France, Italy, and Austria) have expressed concerns over MiCA’s passporting mechanism.

They suggested greater centralization under the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA). However, upending the framework at this stage would be disruptive.

Binance’s prospective approval would not make it uniquely superior in licensing, as it would be joining a competitive arena of MiCA-compliant exchanges.

However, the move would eliminate a major regulatory overhang, enhance credibility, and enable cost-efficient pan-European expansion.

With Binary Greece, Binance is staking a strategic claim in both the EU market and the nascent Greek crypto ecosystem.

Byte-Sized Alpha

Here’s a summary of more US crypto news to follow today:

Ledger to turn crypto security into Wall Street gold in $4 billion IPO.

Bitcoin warning: Selling pressure spikes 61% in a day as 3 other risks stack up.

The Sandbox (SAND) rallies 60% in January — but a major supply risk looms.

SEC and CFTC chairs to have a sit-down as Trump’s crypto vision takes shape.

Can XRP HODLer conviction beat profit booking and the 18% price breakdown risk?

Monero holds $500, but rising risk emerges as traders pull back.

Crypto Equities Pre-Market Overview

CompanyClose As of January 22Pre-Market OverviewStrategy (MSTR)$160.98$160.65 (-0.20%)Coinbase (COIN)$223.14$223.00 (-0.063%)Galaxy Digital Holdings (GLXY)$30.92$30.76 (-0.52%)MARA Holdings (MARA)$10.92$10.25 (-0.39%)Riot Platforms (RIOT)$17.08$17.00 (-0.47%)Core Scientific (CORZ)$18.08$18.10 (+0.11%)

Crypto equities market open race: Google Finance

The final weekend of the month is expected to be relatively calm as geopolitical tensions ease. With concerns surrounding Greenland subsiding, crypto markets may regain stability and find clearer direction.

BeInCrypto has analyzed three altcoins that appear positioned for a potentially positive weekend ahead.

Tezos (XTZ)

XTZ enters the weekend with a major catalyst ahead as the Tallinn upgrade goes live. The update aims to enhance network efficiency, speed, and security. Protocol upgrades often influence short-term price action, making Tezos a closely watched asset as traders position for potential volatility.

Technical indicators support the possibility of a breakout. Bollinger Bands are converging, signaling compressed volatility. If expansion coincides with the Tallinn upgrade, the XTZ price could push above $0.59 and $0.62. A successful breakout may drive Tezos toward the $0.66 resistance level.

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XTZ Price Analysis. Source: TradingView

The bullish scenario depends on market reaction. If traders fail to respond positively, the price may remain range-bound. Under that outcome, XTZ would likely continue consolidating between $0.55 and $0.62, reflecting neutral sentiment despite the protocol upgrade.

Seeker (SKR)

SKR delivered a strong performance this week, surging 335% after launch and setting a new all-time high at $0.0597. The rapid rally attracted speculative interest before profit-taking emerged. Early momentum positioned SKR as a high-volatility asset, drawing active participation from short-term traders.

After the peak, SKR corrected 23.6% and now trades near $0.0390, holding above the $0.0385 support. Selling transactions currently outweigh buying activity. If this imbalance persists into the weekend, downside pressure could intensify, sending SKR toward the next major support level near $0.0205.

SKR Price Analysis. Source: TradingView

A reversal remains possible if sentiment shifts. Renewed buying interest could stabilize price action and trigger a rebound. Reclaiming $0.0517 would mark a decisive move, opening the door for SKR to retest the previous high and potentially establish a new all-time high.

Canton (CC)

CC is among the few altcoins showing bullish momentum heading into the weekend. The Money Flow Index indicates strengthening buying pressure, signaling rising investor interest. This accumulation phase suggests CC may sustain upward movement as market conditions stabilize and traders rotate into assets showing relative strength.

CC trades near $0.142 at the time of writing, just below the $0.148 resistance level. A successful breakout could push the price toward $0.164. Such a move would place CC closer to its $0.177 all-time high, which remains about 24% above current levels.

CC Price Analysis. Source: TradingView

The bullish outlook depends on clearing resistance. Failure to breach $0.148 could trigger renewed selling pressure. Under that scenario, CC price may retreat toward the $0.133 support level, invalidating the bullish thesis and postponing any attempt to approach the all-time high.

Hedera has struggled to regain momentum after a recent dip, leaving price action range-bound. HBAR attempted to stabilize, but recovery has stalled as holder behavior weighs on sentiment. 

This hesitation could still benefit futures traders, as positioning suggests a sharp move may follow if key levels break.

Hedera Traders Have A Lot To Lose

Derivatives data show that short HBAR traders are exposed to meaningful risk if the price rises. The liquidation map indicates the largest cluster of short positions sits near the $0.114 level. A move to that price would trigger approximately $4.5 million in short liquidations, forcing rapid buybacks.

Current positioning remains skewed toward shorts rather than longs. This imbalance reflects negative sentiment across derivatives markets. Crowded short exposure increases the probability of volatility spikes, especially if the price pushes through resistance and forces traders to exit losing positions quickly.

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HBAR Liquidation Map. Source: Coinglass

Macro indicators point to weakening investor participation. The Chaikin Money Flow has trended lower for nearly two weeks, forming consecutive lower lows. CMF tracks capital moving in and out of an asset using price and volume, making it a key demand signal.

The indicator slipping below the zero line confirms net outflows are dominating HBAR. This behavior suggests investors are reducing exposure rather than accumulating. Persistent outflows typically pressure the price and delay recovery attempts unless sentiment shifts decisively.

HBAR CMF. Source: TradingView HBAR Price Needs To Secure This Critical Support

HBAR trades near $0.108 at the time of writing, hovering around the 23.6% Fibonacci retracement level. This level acts as a critical pivot for trend direction. Securing it as support would improve recovery odds and challenge the prevailing bearish bias.

If outflows continue, HBAR may fail to defend this zone. Under that scenario, price could slip back toward the 2026 low near $0.102. Such a move would extend the downtrend and reinforce bearish momentum across spot and derivatives markets.

HBAR Price Analysis. Source: TradingView

A bullish scenario requires a confirmed reclaim of the 23.6% Fibonacci level. Flipping it into support could lift HBAR toward the 38.2% Fib near $0.112. Clearing the $0.115 resistance would likely trigger short liquidations, invalidate the bearish thesis, and support a broader recovery.

Rain has extended its upward trend, reaching a fresh all-time high over the past two days. The rally has been driven largely by long-term holders, whose sustained accumulation pushed the RAIN price to new records. 

While the breakout reflects strong demand, the underlying price structure suggests the move may be part of a broader advance.

Rain Whales Move To Buy

Whale activity has played a decisive role in Rain’s recent surge. Over the last 48 hours, addresses holding between 1 million and 100 million RAIN accumulated a combined 165 million tokens. At current prices, this buying is valued at roughly $1.66 million, highlighting growing conviction among large holders.

This accumulation trend has provided consistent support during the rally. Large holders often influence short-term price direction by absorbing supply. If this behavior continues, it could sustain upward momentum and reduce the risk of abrupt pullbacks, reinforcing Rain’s bullish structure.

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RAIN Whale Holding. Source: Santiment

Momentum indicators align with the positive sentiment. The Money Flow Index has trended higher and remains above the neutral 50 level. MFI measures buying and selling pressure using both price and volume, offering insight into demand strength.

The indicator’s position in the positive zone signals that RAIN selling pressure has largely faded. Buying interest now dominates market activity. Such conditions often support trend continuation, especially when accompanied by steady accumulation from larger market participants.

RAIN MFI. Source: TradingView RAIN Price Could Be Looking At a Breakout Rally

RAIN trades near $0.0100 at the time of writing after setting a new all-time high at $0.0105 within the last 48 hours. In reaching that level, the altcoin confirmed a bullish price pattern, reinforcing the broader upside narrative forming on the chart.

The developing, broadening ascending wedge points to expanding volatility with a bullish bias. This pattern suggests a potential 15% upside upon confirmation. A successful breakout could lift RAIN beyond its current high, provided investor support and capital inflows remain consistent.

RAIN Price Analysis. Source: TradingView

The bullish outlook weakens if momentum stalls. A lack of fresh inflows or profit-taking by holders could pressure price action. Under that scenario, RAIN may slip below the $0.0100 support. A breakdown could send the token toward $0.0090, invalidating the bullish thesis and delaying further upside.

SENT launched on January 22 and immediately grabbed attention. Since the post-launch candle opening point near $0.010, the SENT price is up roughly 140%, even as the broader market stayed shaky. That strength matters. But short-term charts show something critical beneath the surface.

This price move is being driven by fast trades, not steady conviction. For now, SENT looks like a momentum playground, not a clean trend.

15-Minute Chart Shows Momentum Bursts, Not Follow-Through

On the 15-minute timeframe, SENT formed a clear double-bottom structure after launch. The neckline sits near $0.030, which is why traders are watching that level closely. A break above it would normally suggest continuation.

The problem is volume behavior. After the initial post-TGE surge, Sentient volume steadily faded. The only exception was one large green volume pillar, followed almost immediately by a smaller but still meaningful red pillar. That sequence is key.

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The green candle shows aggressive buyers stepping in, likely chasing a breakout or a quick price surge. The red candle that followed shows fast profit-taking. This is classic short-term behavior, likely by smart money or scalpers. Buyers push price, sellers respond quickly, and the move stalls.

15-Minute Sentient Chart: TradingView

In simple terms, momentum exists, but it is being sold into almost immediately. That is why the price keeps moving sideways instead of expanding higher. This is ideal for scalpers, but risky for traders expecting smooth continuation.

30-Minute And 1-Hour Data Point To Rotation, Not Conviction

When we zoom out slightly, the story becomes clearer.

On the 30-minute chart, the Chaikin Money Flow, or CMF, the big money tracker, has dropped below the zero line, while the price moves mostly sideways. Below zero means more capital is leaving than entering. Even though the price is holding, larger money or big SENT wallets are not committing yet.

For now, CMF needs to hold above the descending trendline to avoid a breakdown and massive capital outflow.

Big Money Not Convinced Yet: TradingView

At the same time, the 1-hour On-Balance Volume, or OBV, is trying to break above a descending trendline. OBV tracks whether volume confirms price. Right now, OBV is rising (buyers supporting with the flattish price), but it still needs to push above roughly 1.09 billion to confirm buyers are in control (make a higher high). Until that happens, the breakout remains tentative.

Buying Pressure Remains On SENT: TradingView

When CMF weakens while OBV tries to break out, it usually means short-term buying is active, but larger capital is not committing yet. And even possibly selling the airdrop stash into strength, which explains the drop below the zero line.

The Smart Money Index adds another layer. While price drifted lower, the smart money line kept moving up. That usually signals quick entries and exits. That also explains the surging volume pillars on the 15-minute chart.

Smart Money Movements: TradingView

These momentum-driven theory lines up with exchange data as well. Exchange volume jumped about 384% in the past 24 hours. That level of activity points to heavy rotation as rising OBV confirms buying, and exchange inflows confirm selling intent and possible airdrop-led profit booking.

Selling Pressure Remains: Nansen

Together, these signals suggest that SENT is being actively traded, but conviction buying has not taken over yet.

2-Hour SENT Price Trend Defines The Levels That Matter Next

The higher timeframe keeps the analysis grounded.

On the 2-hour chart, SENT is still in an uptrend from the post-launch low. That trend has not broken yet, which is important. As long as it holds, upside attempts remain valid.

The first key support sits near $0.025. This level has held multiple tests. If price loses $0.025 with volume, the next downside target comes in near $0.021. If selling pressure accelerates and CMF continues to fall, a deeper move toward $0.010 cannot be ruled out.

SENT Price Analysis: TradingView

On the upside, everything hinges on $0.030. SENT needs both a 15-minute and a 2-hour close above that level. Just wicking above it is not enough. The move must come with expanding volume.

If that confirmation appears, the measured move from the 15-minute structure points toward $0.036 (also present on the 2-hour chart), roughly a 20% upside from the breakout zone. Beyond that, higher resistance levels sit near $0.043 and $0.048.

Until then, the market remains range-bound and fast.

Bottom line: SENT’s post-TGE strength remains, but for now, price is controlled by speed, not conviction. The next direction will not be decided by hype or patterns alone. Volume will decide whether SENT breaks higher or stays a scalper’s game.

According to accounting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), regulatory clarity is no longer the central barrier in the crypto ecosystem’s evolution.

In its latest report, the firm observed that global crypto regulation is moving toward greater alignment and identified 6 major trends for 2026.

PwC Identifies Key Global Regulatory Trends for the Crypto Industry in 2026

The first key trend concerns stablecoins. PwC highlighted that the industry is shifting focus from drafting frameworks to enforcing them. Regulators are imposing binding rules around reserves, redemption rights, governance, and disclosures.

In some regions, authorities are also introducing holding limits to reduce risks associated with rapid outflows. 

“Central banks will begin testing interoperability between systemic stablecoins and payment systems,” the report read.

Second, the report highlighted growing momentum around tokenized money. Tokenized bank deposits, tokenized cash equivalents, and wholesale central bank digital currencies are moving beyond pilot programs toward broader deployment. 

PwC observed that policymakers are prioritizing cross-border settlement systems that combine tokenized assets with interoperable national payment networks.

More broadly, real-world asset (RWA) tokenization has emerged as a key theme in 2026, with industry participants projecting significant growth. This trend was also evident at the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland, where tokenization of RWAs stood out as the most consistent and prominent theme across crypto-related discussions.

Third, PwC identified consumer protection as another major regulatory focus. The report stated that licensed firms will face stricter expectations around marketing practices, product suitability, and customer outcomes. 

“Financial-promotion and product-governance obligations are being integrated into crypto licensing. Licensed firms will be required to demonstrate fair-value outcomes, transparent marketing, appropriateness testing and customer redress mechanisms,” PwC stated.

Fourth, at the institutional level, use cases are also expanding as regulators clarify how digital assets can be approved as eligible collateral under frameworks such as UMR.

As long as these assets meet requirements around liquidity, valuation, custody, operational resilience, and legal enforceability, approval is becoming more achievable. This supports wider institutional use of tokenized and select crypto assets in collateral and derivatives markets.

Fifth, the report also signals tougher expectations for crypto intermediaries. According to PwC,

“Crypto exchanges, custodians and stablecoin issuers are being brought within comprehensive prudential and operational resilience regimes. Supervisors are applying requirements on capital, segregation, liquidity and recovery planning equivalent to financial market infrastructure standard.”

Finally, PwC added that decentralized finance is increasingly being assessed through the same lens as traditional markets. Regulators are extending expectations around market integrity, transparency, surveillance, and conflict management to both centralized and on-chain trading environments, signaling a convergence toward global conduct norms.

The Forces Influencing Crypto Beyond Regulation

Beyond regulatory trends, the report also draws attention to the non-regulatory forces shaping the current state of crypto:

Ondo (ONDO) is creating a striking paradox. The token price has fallen more than 80% from its all-time high (ATH), yet total value locked (TVL) has reached a new record.

This divergence raises questions about the project’s true potential. At the same time, industry leaders are projecting a positive outlook for the tokenization sector in 2026.

Ondo Prices Drop Sharply After Unlocking

Ondo is a decentralized finance (DeFi) protocol focused on the tokenization of real-world assets (RWAs). The protocol allows users to access traditional financial products. These include US Treasury bonds, credit funds, and tokenized equities on the blockchain.

BeInCrypto Price data shows that ONDO fell from a peak above $2.1 to around $0.35. This represents a decline of more than 80%. In early 2026, ONDO continued to set lower lows and showed no clear signs of recovery.

Ondo (ONDO) Price Performance. Source: BeInCrypto Price

The negative price action may stem from token unlock pressure. Ondo recently completed an unlock of 1.94 billion tokens on January 18. This amount accounted for 57.23% of the issued supply.

The sudden increase in circulating supply added selling pressure and heightened investor concerns. Since the unlock, ONDO has dropped another 10%.

Ondo’s January Paradox: Is The Project Undervalued?

However, Token Terminal data shows strong momentum in the tokenized equity sector. The total market value of tokenized stocks has reached a new ATH of $441.2 million. Ondo Finance leads the sector with a 54.4% market share.

The Total Market Value of Tokenized Stocks. Source: Token Terminal

Charts indicate that tokenized equity market capitalization has surged since September last year. This expansion occurred even as the broader crypto market entered a downturn over the same period.

The data suggests that while many retail investors have withdrawn capital, enterprises continue to allocate funds to tokenized equities.

In addition, Ondo’s TVL increased sharply in January. It reached an ATH above $2.5 billion, according to DefiLlama data.

Ondo’s Total Value Locked. Source: DefiLlama

TVL represents the total value of assets that users lock in a protocol. It reflects user participation and confidence. The contrast between falling market prices and rising capital inflows has led analysts to suspect that Ondo is undervalued. Sentiment and emotion often drive market prices, causing retail investors to overlook fundamentals.

“The current fear in the markets is a blessing in disguise, especially for projects like Ondo,” investor Kyren said.

This paradox becomes more pronounced as tokenization emerged as a central theme at Davos 2026. Global leaders expressed optimism about asset tokenization. They described it as a bridge between traditional finance and DeFi.

Exchange trading data also shows that despite declining prices, many whale investors are treating the pullback as an opportunity.

Ondo Spot Average Order Size. Source: CryptoQuant.

CryptoQuant’s spot average order size data highlights the dominance of large whale orders in recent months, shown in green on the chart.

This pattern suggests that ONDO may face a strong recovery once selling pressure from unlock concerns fades and market fear subsides.

Monero has entered a volatile phase after retreating from a newly set all-time high. XMR price pulled back sharply, triggering mixed reactions across the market. 

While the asset has stabilized above the $500 level, downside risks remain elevated. Technical and derivatives data suggest caution despite short-term price resilience.

Monero Traders Are Pulling Back

Derivatives data show waning trader conviction. Monero’s open interest dropped nearly 20% over the past 72 hours, falling from $272 million to $217 million. This reduction indicates traders are closing positions rather than adding exposure, reflecting rising uncertainty about near-term price direction.

Interestingly, the funding rate has remained positive despite the exit of leveraged traders. A positive funding rate suggests long positions still dominate shorts. This imbalance implies traders expect a rebound, yet the reduction in open interest shows they are unwilling to maintain risk during heightened volatility.

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XMR OI. Source: Coinglass Long XMR Traders Under Threat

The liquidation map highlights significant downside risk below current levels. Long positions hold greater exposure than shorts, increasing vulnerability if the price weakens. Even a modest decline below the $500 support could trigger forced liquidations, amplifying selling pressure.

Data shows that a 3% drop below $489 could liquidate approximately $3.62 million in long positions. Such a move would likely accelerate losses as cascading liquidations unfold. This setup suggests XMR remains susceptible to sharp downside moves despite its current stabilization.

XMR Liquidation Map. Source: Coinglass

On-chain flow indicators reinforce this cautious outlook. The Chaikin Money Flow has recorded a sharp downtick over the past several days. CMF measures capital inflows and outflows using price and volume, offering insight into investor behavior.

The indicator slipping below the zero line signals that outflows are now dominating Monero. This shift shows investors are reducing exposure rather than accumulating. Sustained negative CMF often precedes continued price weakness, especially when combined with fragile derivatives positioning.

Monero CMF. Source: TradingView XMR Price Could Lose Its Support

Monero trades near $524 at the time of writing, holding above the psychologically important $500 support. This level has acted as a key defense zone, attracting buyers during recent pullbacks. Maintaining it remains critical for preventing deeper losses.

The 23.6% Fibonacci retracement sits near $503, often referred to as a bear market support floor. Staying above this zone has so far limited downside. However, rising liquidation risk and weakening inflows suggest a break remains possible. A decisive drop below $500 could push XMR toward $450.

Monero Price Analysis. Source: TradingView

A bullish reversal cannot be ruled out. If positive funding and trader optimism overpower selling pressure, XMR could regain momentum. Under that scenario, Monero price may advance toward the $560 resistance. A sustained breakout could extend gains toward $606, invalidating the bearish thesis.

The US Department of Justice (DOJ) is signaling a major shift in its approach to crypto enforcement.

Authorities frame digital assets not as standalone “crypto scams” but as a central tool in modern, industrial-scale fraud operations.

DOJ Recasts Crypto as Fraud Infrastructure as AI Turns Scams into Industrial Operations

In its 2025 Year in Review, the DOJ highlighted three high-profile cases that illustrate how crypto has become embedded in traditional crimes, citing:

Medicare fraud

Multi-million-dollar investment schemes, and

Asset laundering.

According to the DOJ, prosecutors charged 265 defendants in 2025 with an aggregate intended loss exceeding $16 billion. This is more than double the previous year.

The Fraud Section operates through specialized units, including the Health Care Fraud Unit, which oversees seizures of crypto alongside cash, luxury vehicles, and other assets.

Medicare Fraud: Elderly Targeted in $1 Billion Graft Fraud, Crypto Seized

One of the most striking cases involved Tyler Kontos, Joel “Max” Kupetz, and Jorge Kinds, charged with a $1 billion amniotic wound allograft fraud.

The scheme targeted elderly and terminally ill patients with medically unnecessary grafts, generating over $600 million in improper Medicare payments.

Authorities later seized more than $7.2 million in assets, including crypto.

Wolf Capital CEO Sentenced in $9.4 Million Crypto Investment Scam

In another case, Travis Ford, former CEO of Wolf Capital, was sentenced to five years in prison for a $9.4 million crypto investment fraud promising 547% annual returns to roughly 2,800 investors.

These cases illustrate a broader DOJ strategy: crypto is increasingly treated like traditional forms of illicit value like cash, cars, or luxury goods, rather than as a novel, speculative asset.

Enforcement is no longer focused on price manipulation or retail hype but on asset recovery and dismantling criminal infrastructure.

It aligns with a recent DOJ move to charge a Venezuelan national over alleged $1 billion crypto laundering spanning the US and high-risk jurisdictions.

AI Turns Crypto Schemes into High-Speed Crime Networks

This industrialization of fraud has aligned with broader US policy priorities. The DOJ’s “America First” enforcement posture dovetails with the recently introduced bipartisan SAFE Crypto Act, which would establish a federal task force within 180 days to coordinate efforts to combat crypto scams.

“To establish a task force for recognizing and averting cryptocurrency scams, and for other purposes,” read a text in the bill.

Meanwhile, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg has urged states to criminalize unlicensed crypto operations. He warned that a $51 billion criminal economy is thriving in regulatory blind spots.

The DOJ and other regulators are likely to focus on AI-driven schemes ranging from synthetic tokenized investments to scams built around AI trading narratives.

Crypto’s regulatory trajectory is increasingly shaped by its role as systemic financial plumbing rather than by market volatility. This brings digital assets closer to the compliance, oversight, and enforcement expectations long associated with TradFi.

As the DOJ recasts crypto as core infrastructure for modern fraud, regulatory and enforcement attention will increasingly target the speed, scale, and operational sophistication of crypto-enabled crime.

After briefly surging above $3,000 yesterday, Ethereum (ETH) has slipped back below the mark amid broader market volatility.

Analysts are now assessing where Ethereum could find a bottom. Drawing on technical analysis, on-chain data, and market cycle theory, several scenarios are emerging that suggest how ETH’s next major move could unfold.

Analysts Outline Bottom Scenarios For Ethereum

Ethereum’s recent price action reflects the uncertainty gripping the broader cryptocurrency market, with escalating and easing geopolitical tensions driving notable volatility.

According to BeInCrypto Markets data, the second-largest cryptocurrency has declined 1.67% over the past 24 hours. At the time of writing, Ethereum was trading at $2,970.87.

Ethereum (ETH) Price Performance. Source: BeInCrypto Markets

Analyst Ted Pillows suggested that a successful move above the $3,000 to $3,050 range could open the path toward the $3,200 zone. However, failure to reclaim this area could expose Ethereum to new yearly lows.

Amid this backdrop, other analysts are also outlining their bottom hypotheses for Ethereum. A CryptoQuant analyst CW8900 observed that the realized price of Ethereum accumulation addresses, a metric that reflects the average cost at which long-term holders acquired their ETH, continues to rise and is now approaching the spot market price.

This trend suggests that large investors, often referred to as whales, are still adding to their positions rather than exiting.

“Furthermore, the realized price is a strong support level for accumulation whales,” the analysis read.

The analyst added that Ethereum has not traded below this cost basis, suggesting that whales tend to defend this price zone by increasing buying activity. Based on this data, CW estimates that even if Ethereum experiences further downside, a potential bottom could form around $2,720.

“In other words, even if further declines occur, the bottom is likely to be around 2.72k. This represents a difference of approximately 7% from the current price,” CW wrote.

From a technical standpoint, trader Kamran Asghar claimed that ETH has formed its third “huge weekly rounded bottom.” The previous two formations were followed by price rallies, potentially signaling further upside.

On higher timeframes, other analysts are pointing to similar reversal structures. According to the analyst Bit Bull, ETH appears to be forming a double bottom structure, alongside an inverse head-and-shoulders pattern on the monthly chart. Both of these are commonly viewed as bullish reversal signals in technical analysis.

“I think ETH will surprise everyone in 2026,” Bit Bull remarked.

Lastly, analyst Matthew Hyland pointed to historical cycle patterns. He suggested Ethereum may be transitioning into a new phase of its market structure.

This approach argues that Ethereum follows a 3.5-year pattern, unlike Bitcoin’s four-year halving cycle. The analyst stated the cyclical bottom formed in the fourth quarter of 2025.

“3.5 year cycle decline right into months 40-42 after making new all time highs just like the prior two cycles. The next cycle for ETH has begun,” he said.

Overall, analyst views remain mixed, but several indicators suggest Ethereum may be approaching an important inflection point. While short-term volatility persists, on-chain data, technical structures, and historical cycle patterns point to areas where downside could attract renewed demand, potentially setting the stage for Ethereum’s next directional move.

Ledger, a French crypto hardware wallet provider, is reportedly planning an initial public offering (IPO) in the United States.

The move would place Ledger among a growing group of digital asset companies pursuing public listings in the US amid a favorable regulatory environment.

Crypto Wallet Maker Ledger Considers US IPO

According to the Financial Times, Ledger has engaged investment banks Goldman Sachs, Jefferies, and Barclays to explore a potential listing that could value the company at more than $4 billion.

This would represent a significant increase from Ledger’s $1.5 billion valuation in 2023, following a funding round backed by investors including True Global Ventures and 10T Holdings. The FT, citing sources familiar with the matter, said the IPO could take place as early as this year.

Still, the plans remain subject to change. BeInCrypto also reached out to Ledger, but they declined to comment on the matter.

Ledger has previously signaled its interest in tapping US capital markets. In November 2025, CEO Pascal Gauthier suggested the company was considering future fundraising options. This included a public listing in New York or a private funding round.

“Money is in New York today for crypto, it’s nowhere else in the world, it’s certainly not in Europe,” he stated.

The potential listing comes as the company sees strong revenue growth. Gauthier revealed that Ledger’s revenues reached triple-digit millions as of November 2025.

This shift was likely driven by a major rise in crypto hacks. As crypto-related crime continues to increase, more investors have turned to hardware wallets to protect their assets.

According to estimates from Chainalysis, crypto scams and fraudulent activity may have resulted in more than $17 billion in losses in 2025.

Nonetheless, the announcement has drawn criticism from crypto investigator ZachXBT. He raised concerns over Ledger’s past security incidents and product issues.

“Ledger, a French security company has been breached multiple times which resulted in its customers private data being leaked has lead to targeted thefts and millions stolen. Current products have major issue like the battery for the Ledger Nano X. Now Ledger plans to max extract more via US IPO after recently announcing they will also charge a % for clear signing,” he wrote.

Earlier this month, BeInCrypto reported that Ledger experienced a data breach in which customer information was exposed through a third-party processor, Global-e. The company had previously suffered a separate security incident in 2020 that also resulted in the exposure of customer data.

Meanwhile, Ledger’s plans come shortly after BitGo’s debut as the first major crypto IPO of 2026. The crypto custody firm listed on the New York Stock Exchange on January 22, pricing its shares at $18.

The stock opened 24.6% higher at $22.43, valuing BitGo at approximately $2.2 billion. This follows a wave of crypto listings in 2025, when Circle, Figure Technology, Gemini, and Bullish went public. Grayscale and Kraken have also filed for IPOs.

XRP price attempted a rebound a few sessions back, but the move failed to hold. After bouncing from January 20 to January 21, XRP stalled near $1.98 and rolled over again. It now trades close to $1.90, slipping back toward a zone where downside risk is starting to dominate.

The chart shows a clear bearish structure forming. Under the surface, capital flows, holder behavior, and exchange activity all point in the same direction. While long-term holders (HODLers) are still buying, profit-taking from other groups is keeping XRP under pressure. The question now is whether conviction alone is enough to prevent a deeper breakdown.

XRP Chart Signals Breakdown Risk as Capital Flows Turn Negative

On the 12-hour chart, XRP is close to forming a head-and-shoulders pattern. The neckline of this structure sits near $1.80.

If XRP loses that neckline, the projected move points to an 18% decline.

Capital flows support this risk. Between January 19 and January 22, the Chaikin Money Flow (CMF) continued trending lower, along with the price. CMF tracks whether large players are moving money into or out of an asset using price and volume. When CMF falls alongside price, it signals capital outflows rather than organic consolidation.

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XRP Structure: TradingView

That weakness lines up with ETF data. On January 20, XRP ETFs recorded a sharp net outflow of about $53.3 million. This single day outweighed surrounding inflows, keeping the ETF balance net negative for the period. While the last two days showed modest positive numbers, they have not been strong enough to push CMF back above its falling trendline.

Weak ETF Performance: SoSo Value

As long as CMF remains below that line, the breakdown risk stays active. But other risks remain active as well.

Short-Term Holders Exit Aggressively, Capping Rebound

The failure near $1.98 was not random. Holder data explains why upside attempts have struggled.

HODL Waves, a metric segregating wallets based on time, show that one of the most speculative cohorts, wallets holding XRP for one week to one month, has been selling steadily since January 8. Over that period, their supply share dropped from roughly 4.77% to about 2.24%. That is a reduction of more than 50% in just two weeks.

Short-Term Holders Keep Selling: Glassnode

This group typically buys dips and sells rebounds. Their aggressive selling during every bounce helps explain why XRP could not hold above $1.98, even during short-lived recovery attempts.

This selling pressure is also visible in exchange flow data. XRP exchange balances flipped from persistent net outflows (7.68 million XRP) earlier in the month to net inflows (201,000 XRP) by January 23. That shift signals more tokens moving onto exchanges, consistent with profit-taking rather than accumulation.

Exchange Inflows Start: Santiment

In short, speculative sellers have been front-running every rebound. But why are we just blaming the short-term cohort?

Long-Term Holders Still Accumulate — The Only Line of Defense

Not all holders are selling.

Long-term XRP holders have continued to accumulate steadily since around January 10. Their net position change shows no sharp drawdowns, even as the XRP price weakens. This cohort has acted as a stabilizing force, helping XRP avoid an immediate collapse despite heavy selling elsewhere.

This proves that long-term holders are not contributing to exchange inflows, suggesting conviction rather than short-term trading.

HODLers Keep Buying: Glassnode

However, this support has limits. Long-term accumulation can slow a decline, but it does not guarantee a reversal if capital outflows and profit-taking continue. Without stronger inflows from ETFs or a shift in speculative behavior, conviction alone may only delay the breakdown.

XRP Price Levels Flag The Risk

The XRP price structure now comes down to clear levels.

On the downside, $1.80 is critical. A confirmed break below this level would validate the head-and-shoulders pattern and open the door toward $1.46, completing the projected 18% move.

On the upside, XRP must reclaim $2.02 on a sustained close to invalidate the right shoulder. That would signal that profit-taking is losing control. A stronger bullish shift would follow above $2.19, while the broader bearish structure only fully dissolves above $2.41.

XRP Price Analysis: TradingView

For now, the XRP price sits in between. Long-term holders are buying, but speculative sellers and capital outflows are still dictating price action. Unless flows improve and selling pressure fades, hodler conviction may slow the fall, but it may not be enough to stop it.

The Sandbox (SAND) is a blockchain-based metaverse platform where users can create, own, and monetize digital assets. SAND recorded a 60% price increase in January, even as the broader market corrected and fear sentiment returned.

The following article examines the factors that signal both opportunities and risks for SAND traders in January.

What Is Driving SAND’s Price in January?

The Sandbox (SAND) has climbed above $0.17, rising more than 60% since the start of the year. Its upward momentum closely resembles the recent rally seen in Axie Infinity (AXS).

Data shows that traders on Upbit are among the main forces behind this surge.

The Sandbox Markets. Source: Coingeko

SAND trading volume on Upbit accounts for more than 23% of total volume. Prices on Upbit also trade at a premium compared with other exchanges. AXS experienced a similar Upbit-driven effect, which pushed its price up more than threefold in January.

Korean investors appear to be showing renewed interest in the gaming theme. Artemis data indicates that the gaming sector has led overall market performance since the beginning of the year.

Crypto Sector Performance. Source: Artemis.

With capital continuing to flow into this sector and dynamics similar to those of AXS, SAND could extend its rally further. Compared with AXS’s gain of more than 200%, SAND’s performance still looks relatively modest.

Analysts expect SAND to break above the $0.20 resistance zone. Some projections suggest a move toward $1 if GameFi interest continues to build.

What Risks Should Traders Watch?

Although price action has not yet shown clear signs of exhaustion, several concerning signals have emerged.

CryptoQuant data shows that SAND reserves on spot centralized exchanges have reached a one-year high. Around 1 billion SAND is currently held on exchanges, representing more than 33% of the total supply.

The Sandbox (SAND) Exchange Reserve. Source: CryptoQuant.

Rising exchange reserves often imply a higher risk of price dumps, as tokens become easier to sell on the open market. This dynamic threatens the current uptrend. It suggests that the SAND breakout could turn into a trap if new capital inflows are insufficient to absorb selling pressure.

In addition, Altcoin Vector, Swissblock’s institutional altcoin report, notes that the metaverse and gaming narrative—once considered dead—is making a comeback. However, the rebound appears to rely more on speculation than on sustainable growth.

Altcoin Vector’s Altcoin Quadrant shows that most altcoins remain in the “Accumulation” phase. By contrast, metaverse assets such as AXS and SAND have jumped directly into the “Scalp” zone, a rare exception.

“Ride the META narrative, but proceed with caution. For a sustained long-term rally, growth must stem from infrastructure and adoption, not just narrative. Without a solid base in core assets, this remains a speculative play,” Altcoin Vector concluded.

Altcoin Quadrant. Source: Altcoin Vector.

The report also explains that small-cap tokens often lead market performance when fast-moving capital seeks short-term profits. A lasting rally requires real infrastructure growth, genuine adoption, and a broader recovery led by Bitcoin and Ethereum.

Pi Network’s Pi Coin (PI) posted modest gains as the team unveiled new App Studio updates alongside a survey that offers Pi credits as rewards.

These changes aim to expand access, encourage creativity, and increase Pi’s utility in applications, even for users without technical backgrounds.

What Are The New Pi App Studio Updates?

In a recent blog post, the Pi Core Team announced two major updates. The first update introduces Pi payment integration through the App Studio.

It allows Pioneers to add in-app Pi payments without technical expertise. The payments are limited to Test-Pi for now and apply within a single active session. It enables features such as unlocking extra in-app features or purchasing items.

“With the current version of the feature, creators can add Test-Pi payment interactions that apply during a single active session (while the app is in use)… A single “session” refers to one self-contained instance of activity in an app, such as a round, task, or experience,” the blog read.

In parallel, the team rolled out an option that lets Pioneers deploy app iterations by watching ads instead of paying Pi. The update is intended to broaden access for non-migrated users and those with limited Pi balances.

“The feature will be available if Pioneers have a balance in the App Studio that goes below 0.25 Pi. Note that these ads do not cover the actual cost of deploying an app on Pi App studio, but rather expands accessibility for creators and lowers costs for app iterations while preventing spamming and exploitation,” the team added.

Alongside these updates, Pi App Studio launched a community survey. The initiative invites Pioneers to share feedback and highlight useful applications built on the platform.

The team revealed that the first 1,000 qualified responses will receive 5 Pi credits, which respondents can use exclusively in the Pi App Studio for app creation and customization.

The credits are intended to reduce the friction associated with AI-generated iterations and deployments, which typically require Pi.

Pi Coin Price Sees Modest Recovery

The updates come amid a modest rally in Pi Coin. It’s worth noting that the price increase coincides with a broader market recovery.

The total cryptocurrency market capitalization increased by $4.58 billion, reflecting a cautious improvement in overall investor sentiment.

According to BeInCrypto Markets data, Pi Coin’s price rose 0.7% over the past 24 hours. At the time of writing, it was trading at $0.18.

Pi Coin Price. Source: BeInCrypto Markets

Despite this short-term recovery, Pi’s broader trend remains negative. The token has declined nearly 10% over the past month, with its current price down more than 78% since its exchange debut in February.

Low trading volumes, weak retail interest, and ongoing token unlocks continue to weigh on market sentiment and price performance.

The App Studio initiatives aim to convert passive users into active participants by removing technical hurdles and offering incentives. While these steps may boost application development and utility, it remains uncertain if they can revive engagement amidst a deep market collapse.

Farcaster, a once-promising social protocol, has changed hands, with venture-backed startup Neynar now steering the ship.

Meanwhile, founders Dan Romero and Varun Srinivasan slip away like ghosts in the blockchain.

The Future of Farcaster: Infrastructure, Community, or Rebirth?

Announced on January 21, 2026, the deal’s valuation reportedly hovers near $1 billion, shrouded in secrecy. Meanwhile, daily active users (DAU) have plunged by 40%, and revenue has cratered by 85%.

Farcaster DAU. Source: Dune Analytics

However, amid the whispers of failure, a more pressing question lingers: Is this the death of Web3 social ambitions, or a stealthy rebirth?

Farcaster’s saga began in 2021, when Romero, fresh off Coinbase’s IPO windfall, envisioned a social network free from platform risk.

Users would own their identities, apps would rise and fall on Ethereum (later shifting to Optimism), and the community would guide growth.

Farcaster Revenue. Source: Dune Analytics

Partnering with Varun Srinivasan, Romero raised $30 million in a 2022 seed round led by a16z, launching Warpcast as the flagship client for a crypto-native crowd.

Growth was steady through 2023, boasting fewer bots than X (Twitter). By 2024, a $150 million Series A led by Paradigm catapulted Farcaster to a $1 billion valuation, fueling sky-high expectations.

Innovations like Frames (mini-apps that enable on-chain actions inside posts) sparked buzz and drew developers eager to experiment.

Then came 2025. Spam surged, Frames were abused, power badges ignited controversy, and channel confiscations alienated users.

Even the October acquisition of Clanker, a social trading protocol generating over $50 million in fees, couldn’t reverse the decline.

Costs soared, engagement stalled, and reality collided with hype. As tech commentator Bayomi noted, Farcaster raised $180 million but generated just $2.8 million in revenue over five years before the sale.

Farcaster Isn’t Shutting Down: Founders Emphasize Protocol Survival and Investor Stewardship

Addressing rumors of a shutdown, Romero stated that Farcaster was not shutting down.

“The protocol works and will continue… with 250,000 MAU in December and over 100,000 funded wallets,” he indicated.

Neynar aims to pivot toward developers, while Merkle Manufactory returns the full $180 million to investors in a rare act of fiscal responsibility.

Romero, who purchased his house with Coinbase proceeds, emphasized stewardship over the course of five grueling years.

Praise, Criticism, and the Web3 Stakes: Crypto Divided Over Farcaster’s Future

Investors rallied behind the founders. Chris Dixon expressed gratitude for the “five-year partnership” and excitement for Neynar’s stewardship.

Kyle Samani proudly affirmed he would back Romero again “in a heartbeat.” Balaji Srinivasan hailed the team for building one of the best decentralized social protocols, prioritizing Internet freedom over easy gains.

Yet criticism persists. Liron Shapira dismissed Farcaster as the “last gasp” of Dixon’s “Read/Write/Own” thesis, calling it “logically incoherent gaslighting.”

Hishboy declared the era over, insisting crypto is for “Internet Capital Markets. Period.” Tervelix criticized early missteps, like forcibly seizing the Bankless channel, and resented what they saw as a “bailout.”

Even builders voiced frustration: one developer relayed friends’ disillusionment with constant ecosystem churn, pleading for fair amplification, transparent processes, and technical improvements.

Defenders fired back. User Chaskin argued it’s no scam as most startups fail, and lauded Romero’s relentless public grind.

Meanwhile, Foobar praised the “respectable wind-down,” highlighting the absence of token grifts or vaporware.

Robin condemned the “character assassination,” emphasizing Farcaster’s decentralization, user-friendly UX, and inspirational impact on crypto entrepreneurs.

Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin framed the story in a broader context. In his 2026 pledge to decentralized social, he praised Farcaster alongside Lens, urging platforms to serve long-term user interests instead of speculative bubbles.

“We need mass communication tools that surface the best information and arguments… not corposlop,” he wrote, advocating competition through shared data layers.

So, what’s truly at stake? Farcaster’s fate tests Web3’s soul. Can it transcend infrastructure to rival mainstream networks? Or will Neynar’s developer-focused pivot unlock new potential quietly, away from the limelight?

As the founders vanish, the protocol endures, but crypto’s decentralized utopia teeters between mirage and revolution.