BTC is down less than 1% as the market remains choppy.
The leading cryptocurrency could retest the $87k support level before rallying higher.
BTC’s price action remains choppy
The cryptocurrency market continues to underperform as BTC and the other leading coins are in the red. Bitcoin has lost 0.7% of its value in the last 24 hours and is now trading around $89,150.
The broader cryptocurrency market is attempting to stabilize after this week’s sell-off. Bitcoin price started the week on a negative note, closing below key support levels: the 50-day Exponential Moving Average (EMA) at $91,942.
The bulls attempted to defend the $90k psychological level but failed, with Bitcoin retesting the midpoint of a horizontal parallel channel at $87,787 before embarking on a recovery. At the time of writing on Friday, BTC is trading at around $89,175.
Will Bitcoin recover above $91k soon?
If the recovery continues, Bitcoin could extend its rally towards the first major resistance and the 50-day EMA at $91,942.
The Relative Strength Index (RSI) on the 4-hour chart is 39, pointing upward toward the neutral 50 level, indicating fading bearish momentum. For the bullish momentum to be sustained, the RSI must move above the neutral level.
Despite that, the Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) indicator showed a bearish crossover on Tuesday, suggesting a mild downward pressure.
If the recovery fails and Bitcoin’s daily candle closes below the $87,787 support level, it could extend the fall toward the lower consolidation boundary at $85,569.
Currently, the market conditions are choppy, with no clear direction in sight. Bitcoin has eliminated most of the gains it accumulated earlier this month, thanks to the trade tensions between the United States and the European Union (EU) regarding Greenland.
However, while the issue seems to be resolved, Bitcoin’s performance has not significantly improved.
Hedera (HBAR) has intensified its downward trajectory.
The token slipped towards the $0.10 mark amid persistent selling pressure and broader cryptocurrency market weakness.
This decline comes despite the partnership with the McLaren F1 Team.
Hedera’s price fell alongside other cryptocurrencies on Friday, reaching intraday lows near $0.10.
After seeing a sharp decline on January 19, HBAR rebounded slightly to around $0.115.
However, sell-off pressure across the risk assets market has pushed bulls into the woods to leave the brief upside as a mask of a likely deeper rot.
It’s an outlook mirrored across the altcoin ecosystem as Bitcoin struggles below $90,000.
Due to profit-taking amid macroeconomic and geopolitical headwinds, BTC has touched lows of $87,700 and currently hovers around $89,230.
HBAR dips despite McLaren partnership
Struggling altcoins, including HBAR, risk dragging lower. Hedera seems to have failed to capture upside momentum despite the news of a major partnership with McLaren.
The Hedera team announced a multi-year partnership with McLaren Racing on Thursday, revealing that the crypto company is now an Official Partner of the McLaren F1 Team.
Several crypto companies, including Coinbase, Crypto.com and Bybit have previously inked major sports sponsorship deals. Hedera is eyeing expansion via this latest move.
“Working with one of the world’s most recognized sports brands is a big step for the Hedera ecosystem. It gives us a chance to show what Web3 can look like when it’s built on a network people can trust, and when it’s tied to experiences fans actually want,” said Charles Adkins, CEO of HBAR, Inc.
HBAR technical outlook
HBAR’s chart reveals a pronounced bearish structure, with the price well below key moving averages.
The altcoin has been in a prolonged downtrend since it touched highs of $0.35 in January last year.
Technical indicators point to further downside risk, as HBAR breached the $0.12 support earlier this month and now hovers near $0.10, with oscillators like RSI trending lower. Hedera’s token is below all major averages.
If buyers fail to reclaim $0.11, losses could accelerate toward October’s lows around $0.0976.
Hedera’s market capitalization stands at approximately $4.65 billion, reflecting a 65% drop from July 2025 peaks, exacerbated by declining total value locked at $61.5 million and a 16% stablecoin supply reduction over the past week.
HBAR futures traders have ramped up short positions, anticipating continued pressure amid absent ETF inflows.
Analysts note that while a bounce could bring the $0.16 mark into view, current metrics favor consolidation or deeper correction unless Bitcoin stabilizes.
Currently, BTC is facing pressure as investors pile into gold.
PI is down 1.6% in the last 24 hours, reversing some of its Thursday gains.
The bearish performance comes despite Pi Network announcing a creator event and new updates to support easy Pi payment integration.
PI dips below $0.19 as bearish trend resumes
PI, the native coin of the Pi network, has lost 1.6% of its value in the last 24 hours and is now trading above $0.18.
The bearish performance comes despite Pi Network announcing plans on Wednesday to boost the ecosystem, including a creator event, integration of the PI payments system into apps built on the network, and extended access to app creation.
The team revealed that the PI payments support is limited to Test-Pi, and new or non-migrated Pioneers can now deploy app iterations by watching ads instead of paying fees.
Furthermore, Pi Network believes that the ad-supported application building on Pi App Studio could reduce the financial burden of creating Pi applications.
In addition to that, retail demand continues to increase despite PI’s price decline over the past few days. Data obtained from PiScan shows that the users have removed 1.17 million PI tokens from CEXs over the past 48 hours.
The removal from central exchanges will decrease selling pressure on PI as the tokens are transferred to long-term wallets.
PI remains bearish and could dip lower
The PI/USDT 4-hour chart is bearish and efficient as Pi has lost 1.6% of its value in the last 24 hours. PI failed to maintain its rally above the $0.1919 support-turned-resistance level, marked by the October 11 low.
At press time, PI is trading at $0.1839. If the selloff continues, PI could retest the October 10 and January 19 lows at $0.1533 and $0.1502, respectively.
Technical indicators on the 4-hour chart suggest that the bears remain in control. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) is 40, below the neutral 50, while the Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) extends below the signal line.
However, if the bulls regain control and PI closes its daily candle above $0.1919, it could further extend the rally, potentially targeting the December 19 high at $0.2177.
Tether Gold (XAUt) outperforms crypto as investors rotate into gold-backed safety.
Whale accumulation and new liquidity channels reinforce bullish momentum.
Key levels to watch are the support at $4,800 and the resistance at $5,000.
Tether Gold (XAUt) is drawing intense market attention as its price surges alongside a historic rally in physical gold.
The token, which is backed 1:1 by allocated gold stored in Swiss vaults, has benefited directly from growing global demand for safe-haven assets.
As geopolitical tensions, especially in the Middle East, rise and uncertainty weighs on risk assets, investors are increasingly turning to gold and gold-linked digital instruments.
This shift has pushed XAUt firmly into the spotlight as one of the strongest-performing real-world asset tokens in the crypto market.
Tether Gold (XAUt) outperforms a weakening crypto market
XAUt is up 2.3% over the past 24 hours, clearly outperforming a broader crypto market that has remained flat to slightly negative.
This daily move extends an already strong trend, with gains of roughly 7.3% over the last seven days and nearly 10% over the past month.
At the time of writing, Tether Gold (XAUt) is trading near $4,950, just shy of its recent all-time high around $4,960.
The token’s market capitalisation stands at approximately $2.57 billion, supported by a circulating supply of just over 520,000 tokens.
Trading activity has also surged, with more than $220 million in 24-hour volume highlighting growing liquidity and participation.
These figures confirm that XAUt’s rally is not thin or speculative, but backed by meaningful capital flows.
Gold’s safe-haven rally fuels XAUt demand
The primary driver behind XAUt’s surge is the powerful rally in physical gold prices.
Over the past year, gold has climbed nearly 70%, with prices now pushing toward the psychologically critical $5,000 per ounce level.
This move has been fueled by escalating geopolitical tensions, renewed tariff concerns, and growing fears of macroeconomic instability.
Because Tether Gold (XAUt) is directly pegged to the price of physical gold, any sustained upside in gold creates immediate upward pressure on the token.
The redemption and arbitrage mechanisms behind XAUt help keep its price closely aligned with spot gold markets.
As analysts and industry leaders increasingly project gold prices approaching or testing $5,000, sentiment around gold-backed digital assets has strengthened.
This macro-driven demand gives XAUt a structural advantage over many crypto assets that rely primarily on speculative momentum.
Whale accumulation signals defensive positioning
On-chain data suggests that large investors are actively accumulating XAUt as part of a defensive strategy.
Recent reports indicate that several linked wallets purchased more than 3,100 XAUt, worth roughly $13.7 million, at an average price near $4,422.
Another whale reportedly spent over $2 million to acquire more than 430 XAUt just days ago.
These purchases point to a broader rotation from volatile crypto assets into tokenised real-world assets.
Such accumulation adds concentrated buy-side pressure and often precedes sustained price strength.
It also reinforces the narrative that XAUt is increasingly being used as an on-chain hedge rather than a short-term trade.
Liquidity and technical momentum strengthen the trend
XAUt’s recent integration on the Mantle network via Bybit has further improved accessibility and reduced transaction costs.
Bears could target lows of $0.10 if memecoins continue selling off.
The macroeconomic and geopolitical headwinds give bears an upper hand.
Dogecoin continues to exhibit signs of vulnerability amid broader market pressures.
The token’s price hovered lower and hit lows near the critical support level of $0.12.
The intraday decline of 2% aligns with broader losses across the altcoin market.
But with memecoins showing greater weakness, analysts are warning that an extended dip risks deeper pain for DOGE.
Struggles for Pepe, Shiba Inu and other top memecoins are testing investor resilience.
Dogecoin price today
Dogecoin’s price has dipped from above $0.14 to $0.12 in recent sessions.
The drop to a daily low of $0.12 comes amid a 10% slide and 39% crash over the past week and three months, respectively.
Dogecoin now risks slipping under a key psychological barrier.
The heightened selling volume doesn’t help the bulls’ cause.
Dogecoin price outlook amid broader market downturn
Analysts have recently said broader market sentiment reflects fading retail participation.
Heightened concern over macroeconomic conditions and rising geopolitical tensions has pushed Bitcoin sharply lower, with prices falling below $90,000 earlier this week.
The resulting risk-off mood and liquidation pressure have also weighed on memecoins, contributing to a roughly 10% drop in Dogecoin over the past seven days.
Technical indicators continue to point to a weak near-term outlook.
On the four-hour chart, the Alligator indicator remains neutral to bearish, with the green line positioned below the red and blue lines, signalling limited bullish momentum.
Key resistance is seen at $0.1279, while immediate support near $0.1242 is at risk of breaking.
A sustained move lower could open the door to further tests toward $0.10 or below if selling pressure persists.
Dogecoin’s 50-day moving average stands at $0.1356, well above current price levels, which analysts say underscores the short-term downtrend that has been in place since late 2025.
At the moment, DOGE is navigating a descending channel pattern formed since October.
If price fails to hold $0.12, it could further strengthen the bearish structure, with historical patterns like lower highs reinforcing seller dominance.
The asset’s struggle against resistance at $0.14, where prior rallies have faltered, also outlines this negative trend.
Both the RSI and MACD indicators point to short-term selling.
Despite this, a falling wedge structure signals a breakout with potential targets above $0.20. The main bullish goal is to reclaim $0.50.
Potential support for Dogecoin could come from the launch of the 21Shares Dogecoin ETF, an exchange-traded fund endorsed by the Dogecoin Foundation.
Analysts say broader adoption, as investors seek new exposure through a physically backed DOGE product, could provide a tailwind for bullish sentiment.
LayerZero (ZRO) has absorbed a major token unlock as demand outweighs new supply.
Speculation and leverage have led to a clean breakout above $2.20 resistance.
Holding $2.20 support could open upside toward the $2.60–$2.70 zone.
LayerZero is currently commanding attention across the crypto market as its native token ZRO pushes higher despite heavy supply-side headwinds.
The ZRO price has surged decisively above the critical $2.20 resistance level, defying expectations tied to recent token unlocks.
At the time of writing, ZRO is trading near $2.21, posting gains of over 12% in 24 hours, 35% over the past week, and more than 74% on the monthly timeframe.
This move has positioned LayerZero as one of the strongest outperformers in an otherwise flat broader crypto market.
LayerZero demand overwhelms token unlock pressure
One of the most notable aspects of the current ZRO price rally is how the market has handled new supply.
This suggests accumulation rather than distribution by large holders.
In market terms, predictable supply increases lose their bearish influence when buyers are willing to absorb them.
The ability of LayerZero to withstand repeated unlocks reinforces confidence in its long-term value proposition.
This dynamic has turned what is normally a negative catalyst into a bullish signal for the ZRO price.
Speculation and momentum fuel LayerZero price strength
Beyond supply dynamics, speculative interest has played a major role in pushing ZRO higher.
Traders are positioning ahead of a teased LayerZero ecosystem event scheduled for February 10, 2026.
The clearly defined date has created a countdown effect, encouraging pre-emptive buying.
In slow market conditions, assets with identifiable upcoming catalysts often attract disproportionate capital.
As demand increased, ZRO broke above the $2.20 resistance that had capped previous rallies.
This breakout triggered short liquidations worth roughly $236,000, adding forced buying pressure.
LayerZero’s futures open interest surged by more than 30% in a single day, signalling fresh leverage entering the market.
Momentum indicators reflect this intensity, with the RSI reaching extreme overbought levels.
While this confirms strength, it also introduces short-term volatility risk.
LayerZero price forecast
The LayerZero price forecast now hinges on whether ZRO can maintain its breakout structure.
The $2.20 level is the most important area for traders to watch in the near term.
Holding above this zone would confirm former resistance as new support.
If that support holds, the next upside targets sit near $2.60 and $2.70, where prior liquidity zones emerge.
A strong continuation driven by event-related news could even open a path toward the $3.00–$3.40 range.
On the downside, failure to hold $2.20 could trigger a short-term correction.
In that scenario, traders should monitor support between $1.80 and $2.00.
The sustainability of the current bullish momentum, however, will depend on follow-through buying and concrete announcements around the upcoming LayerZero event.
Binance launched a USD1 rewards campaign, distributing $40m in WLFI tokens through weekly airdrops.
WLFI payouts are based on users’ net USD1 balances, with higher rewards for USD1 used as collateral.
USD1’s market cap has surpassed $3 billion, while WLFI activity has increased across DeFi and payroll uses.
Binance has rolled out a new rewards campaign for users holding USD1, offering weekly WLFI token airdrops with a total of $40 million in WLFI earmarked for distribution.
The exchange said eligible accounts that maintain a USD1 balance between Jan. 23 and Feb. 20 will receive rewards throughout the programme.
The initiative ties WLFI payouts directly to net USD1 balances on Binance, using a snapshot-based system to calculate qualifying amounts.
Binance is positioning the campaign as an incentive for users who hold or deploy USD1 across supported products, while both USD1 and WLFI continue to see growing activity across the wider crypto ecosystem.
How Binance will distribute WLFI rewards
Binance said WLFI rewards will be paid once a week, starting Feb. 2.
Each weekly distribution will cover activity from the previous seven days.
The campaign is structured to release roughly $10 million worth of WLFI tokens per week, spread across four consecutive weeks, which brings the total allocation to $40 million in WLFI.
The exchange said the rewards are designed to reflect users’ qualifying USD1 balances over time, rather than a single moment in the campaign window.
Which USD1 balances count for eligibility
Eligibility is based on users’ net USD1 balances held on Binance, with multiple account types included in the calculation.
Binance confirmed that USD1 stored in Spot, Funding, Margin, and USDⓈ-M Futures accounts will all count toward the campaign’s rewards calculation.
However, borrowed funds are excluded. Binance said reward calculations are based on net USD1 balances, meaning any USD1 that has been borrowed does not qualify for WLFI rewards.
The exchange also said that USD1 used as collateral in margin or futures accounts earns a higher reward rate.
This introduces an added incentive for users who allocate USD1 into collateral-based trading products, rather than keeping it entirely idle in standard wallets.
Snapshot and rate system used for payouts
Binance said it will take hourly snapshots of user balances throughout the campaign period. However, the rewards calculation does not rely on an hourly average.
Instead, Binance will use the lowest USD1 balance recorded each day to determine a user’s qualifying amount for that day.
For each weekly payout, Binance will then calculate rewards using a seven-day average balance.
This ties distributions to consistency because a single daily dip in holdings could reduce the qualifying amount for that day and then affect the overall weekly average.
Binance also said payouts will use an effective annualised rate, which will be set at the time of each distribution.
As a result, the rate applied could vary between weekly drops depending on the conditions Binance sets when rewards are released.
USD1 growth and WLFI activity in early 2026
USD1, launched in April 2025, is described as a multichain stablecoin that is fully backed one-to-one by US dollars and money market funds.
Since its launch, it has recorded sharp growth. According to data from DeFiLlama, USD1’s market capitalisation now exceeds $3 billion.
The stablecoin is available across several blockchains, including Monad, Ethereum, Solana, and Aptos.
WLFI, the main token of the World Liberty Financial ecosystem, has also seen increased activity in early 2026.
It has recently been added to payroll services, decentralised finance lending platforms, and on-chain liquidity venues.
The token has drawn new interest and partnerships in recent weeks, though its connection to US President Donald Trump has also faced criticism, with some pointing to concerns around a potential conflict of interest.
Binance said users must complete identity verification and live in eligible jurisdictions to take part in the programme.
The exchange added that broker accounts are excluded and noted that reward timing may vary due to operational conditions.
Shiba Inu (SHIB) currently hovers near critical support; breaking it may trigger deeper losses.
Momentum is weak, and future rallies are expected to be modest.
Investors are shifting to utility and DeFi tokens for higher ROI.
Currently, Shiba Inu (SHIB) is hovering just above its critical support zone around $0.0000077.
Notably, this area represents the bottom of previous cycles and is closely watched for potential rebounds.
If it fails to hold above the support zone, a double-digit correction could follow.
Market sentiment and investor shifts
Investor sentiment around SHIB is cautious and the broader market conditions for altcoins and memecoins are fragile.
Many traders are increasingly favoring projects with real-world utility, a trend that has led some capital to rotate away from meme coins like SHIB.
This shift suggests that SHIB may face challenges regaining strong speculative demand.
Most analysts believe that Shiba Inu’s next rally would be modest compared to its past movements.
After a period of aggressive growth, the meme coin now appears to be in a consolidation phase and future price moves are likely to be gradual rather than explosive.
Investors looking for higher ROI are reportedly turning to DeFi tokens, meaning capital is flowing toward assets perceived as having greater long-term potential, which could ultimately limit the pace and size of SHIB’s short-term gains.
SHIB technical outlook and risks
Technically, Shiba Inu (SHIB) remains under pressure and its momentum has been weak after the early January gains.
The meme coin gained nearly 25% during the first weeks of the month but has given back most of those profits.
Short-term charts show lower highs and lower lows, indicating bearish patterns, with resistance at moving averages, such as the 50 and 100-period EMA, limiting upward movements.
The relative strength index (RSI) also remains in weak territory, showing little sign of a sustained reversal.
Wet werkelijk rendement Box 3 is set to begin on January 1, 2028, according to the Dutch parliament.
A 36% flat tax will apply to positive net returns above a €1,800 threshold per person.
Losses can be carried forward to offset future gains.
The Netherlands is preparing to change how it taxes investors, and the shift could have a direct impact on people holding Bitcoin and other crypto assets.
Starting in 2028, the country plans to tax unrealised gains, meaning investors could owe tax even if they have not sold their holdings.
According to a post shared by Crypto Rover, the Netherlands is moving towards taxing unrealised Bitcoin gains, bringing fresh attention to how governments may treat crypto under mainstream investment rules.
The policy is expected to cover a broad set of assets, including Bitcoin, other cryptocurrencies, stocks, bonds, and similar investments.
For many investors, the key issue is that tax would be triggered by changes in value over time, not by selling and locking in profits.
That makes the reform especially relevant for crypto holders, who often deal with sharp price swings and long holding periods.
Netherlands plans overhaul of Box 3 wealth tax
According to the Dutch parliament, the Netherlands will introduce a new tax system called Wet werkelijk rendement Box 3 starting January 1, 2028.
The idea is to tax investors based on the actual returns they make each year, rather than on estimated returns set by the government.
Under the planned approach, authorities would compare the value of a person’s assets at the start and end of the year. Any income earned during that period would also be included in the calculation.
This means investors could be taxed on both realised profits and unrealised gains that only exist on paper.
The tax will apply to Bitcoin, other cryptocurrencies, and traditional investment products.
The reform is designed to treat different asset classes equally and apply one consistent method across a modern portfolio.
Why the Netherlands is changing its tax model
The proposed change follows a court ruling that found the old Box 3 system unfair.
Under the previous framework, investors were taxed based on assumed returns, even if their holdings did not perform in line with those assumptions.
Lawmakers argue the new structure is more accurate because it is based on the real change in value of assets, rather than an estimate that may not reflect actual outcomes.
Supporters of the change believe it improves fairness, especially for investors whose returns have historically been overstated by the assumed-return method.
The planned system also reflects how investment behaviour has evolved over the years.
Many households now hold a mix of traditional assets and crypto, and the government appears to be moving towards rules that apply consistently across both categories.
How unrealised gains would be taxed each year?
Under the new rules, the government would calculate a person’s yearly investment result by comparing asset values at the beginning and end of the year, plus any income earned during that period.
A 36% flat tax would apply to positive net returns above a €1,800 annual threshold per person.
In simple terms, the tax would be linked to annual performance rather than transactions.
That means an investor could owe tax if their portfolio rises in value, even if they did not sell anything and did not receive cash from their holdings.
If an investor records a loss, that loss can be carried forward and used to offset future gains.
This gives investors some protection during negative years, although the timing mismatch between paper gains and cash flow remains a concern for some.
What the reform could mean for Bitcoin and crypto holders
For crypto investors, the biggest challenge is volatility. Bitcoin and other digital assets can rise sharply in a short time, and then fall just as quickly.
A year-end value increase could create a tax bill, even if the investor has not sold any crypto and has no cash available from those gains.
Critics warn this could create liquidity pressure, especially for long-term holders who do not want to sell their Bitcoin just to fund tax payments.
Some also fear it could push investors and crypto businesses to relocate if the system becomes too costly or difficult to manage.
With the Box 3 reform planned for 2028, the Netherlands is positioning itself for a major shift in investor taxation, and crypto holders may soon face annual tax calculations tied to market movements rather than selling decisions.
CAKE is up 4.5%, approaching the $2 psychological level.
The derivatives data back the recovery as funding rates turn positive.
CAKE’S derivatives data support bullish movement
CAKE, the native coin of the Pancakeswap exchange, has added 4.5% to its value in the last 24 hours and is now approaching $2.0.
The rally comes as Coinglass’s OI-Weighted Funding Rate data shows that the number of traders betting that the price of CAKE will slide further is lower than that anticipating a price increase.
The positive funding rate means that more traders are bullish on CAKE than bearish. The metric flipped positive on Wednesday and currently reads 0.0046%, indicating that longs are paying shorts.
In addition to that, Coinglass’s long-to-short ratio for CAKE reads 1.11 on Thursday, nearing the highest level over a month. The ratio moving above one indicates that more traders are betting on CAKE to rally higher.
The bullish scenario comes after Pancakeswap announced earlier this week that the community had approved CAKE’s max supply reduction proposal.
The max supply has been reduced from 450 million to 400 million, and burns consistently outweigh emissions.
CAKE could rally towards $2.1
The CAKE/USDT 4-hour chart is bearish and efficient despite CAKE adding 4.5% to its value in the last 24 hours.
CAKE’s price was rejected at the weekly resistance level of $2.13 on Saturday and declined by 10% earlier this week. However, it rebounded on Wednesday and is now approaching the $2.0 maerk once again.
If CAKE continues its price recovery, it could rally towards the 50-day Exponential Moving Average (EMA) at $2.06.
The Relative Strength Index (RSI) on the 4-hour chart is 46, pointing upward toward the neutral 50 level, indicating fading bearish momentum. For the rally to be sustained, the RSI must move above the neutral level.
On the flip side, if CAKE’s daily candle closes below the $1.88 support level, it could extend the correction toward the support zone around $1.79.
Bitcoin is up 1% in the last 24 hours but continues to trade below $90k.
The performance comes despite Trump’s Davos speech on Wednesday, which ended the imposition of new tariffs on European nations against the US purchase of Greenland.
Bitcoin is currently in the green after adding 1% to its value in the last 24 hours, ending its six consecutive days of decline.
The price recovery comes following strengthened global risk sentiment in response to US President Trump’s U-turn on Greenland at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
On Wednesday, Trump mentioned that he had reached an agreement with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) on a framework for a future deal on Greenland. This ended the need to impose new tariffs on European nations.
In addition to that, Trump added that he hopes to sign the bill on crypto soon, as the US Congress continues to work on a crypto market structure bill that was postponed last week by the Senate Banking Committee.
However, the positive news hasn’t affected Bitcoin’s price action as it continues to trade below the $90k threshold.
Institutional demand for Bitcoin is also on the decline. Data obtained from SoSoValue shows that spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded an outflow of $708.71 million on Wednesday, the third consecutive day of withdrawals and the highest single-day outflow since November 20.
BTC eyes $93k if the $87k support holds
The BTC/USD 4H chart is bearish and efficient as Bitcoin has lost 7% of its value over the last seven days.
It is currently trading below the 50-day Exponential Moving Average (EMA) at $92,044 and has lost the $90k psychological level. Bitcoin is trading at $89,900 after retesting the midpoint of a horizontal parallel channel at $87,787 earlier this week.
If BTC continues its ongoing recovery, it could extend the advance toward the 50-day EMA at $92,044.
The RSI on the 4-hour chart is 40, pointing upward toward the neutral 50 level, indicating fading bearish momentum. However, the RSI must stay above the neutral 50 for the bulls to push the price higher.
The Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) indicator showed a bearish crossover on Tuesday, indicating downward pressure.
However, if BTC closes the daily candle below the $87,787 support, it could extend the fall toward the next support level at $85,569.
The SSC launched the process after the Ministry of Finance issued Decision No. 96.
Banks and brokers, including SSI, VIX, and major lenders, are preparing to apply.
Rules include 10 trillion dong capital, 65% institutional ownership, and a 49% foreign cap.
Vietnam has formally moved closer to running a regulated crypto market after opening applications for licences to operate digital asset trading platforms.
The step brings the country’s long-planned pilot programme into action, setting the stage for approved exchanges to operate under direct regulatory oversight.
The State Securities Commission of Vietnam (SSC) said the licensing window opened on Tuesday, following the introduction of new administrative procedures under Decision No. 96 by the Ministry of Finance.
The decision implements a resolution on piloting a regulated crypto asset market, which Vietnam has been developing for years.
Even with the licensing process now live, the market is still in its early phase.
No platform has yet been licensed, and regulators have not announced approvals since the application window opened.
SSC opens licensing window under new procedures
The SSC confirmed that applications under the new administrative procedures will be accepted beginning January 20, 2026.
Vietnam’s Ministry of Finance issued Decision No. 96 as part of implementing the country’s resolution to pilot a regulated crypto asset market.
The SSC framed the move as a step towards bringing crypto under formal regulatory supervision.
The opening of the licensing window also follows a key legal shift. Vietnam’s Law on the Digital Technology Industry entered into force on Jan. 1, defining digital and crypto assets in statute for the first time.
Under the law, Vietnam recognises crypto assets as property. However, it explicitly excludes them from legal tender status.
The country also maintains restrictions on the use of crypto as a means of payment, keeping the pilot focused on regulated market activity rather than consumer transactions.
Domestic banks and securities firms prepare applications
While the licensing window marks progress, Vietnam’s regulated crypto market is still waiting for actual approvals.
That said, early interest from domestic financial firms appears to be emerging.
Vietnam News reported on Wednesday that around 10 securities companies and banks have publicly announced plans and their readiness to participate in the crypto asset market once licensed.
The report stressed that these institutions are preparing applications rather than already operating approved platforms.
Among the firms named was SSI Securities, which established SSI Digital in 2022.
Another is VIX Securities, which has invested in its VIXEX digital asset exchange unit.
Several major banks were also listed, including Military Bank, Techcombank, and VPBank.
The institutions indicated they plan to begin operations only after receiving regulatory approval.
No crypto exchange licensed as pilot enters operational phase
Even though Vietnam has opened the licensing window, the pilot framework remains at the starting line in practical terms.
Earlier hesitancy around the pilot has been linked to Vietnam’s high capital threshold and strict eligibility rules, which set a tough entry bar for potential operators.
That context matters because the latest application process does not automatically mean platforms will launch quickly.
Vietnamese regulators have not announced any receipt or approvals of applications since the licensing window opened, meaning the number of applicants and their progress remains unclear.
For investors and market participants, this suggests Vietnam is moving in a controlled and staged way, with formal procedures advancing before any exchange can legally operate under the pilot regime.
Vietnam’s crypto licensing framework is among the most restrictive in the region, reflecting the government’s cautious approach to market development.
Applicants must be Vietnamese entities with a minimum paid-in capital of 10 trillion dong, roughly $380 million.
At least 65% of the capital must be held by institutional shareholders, setting a high barrier that favours established domestic firms.
Foreign ownership is capped at 49%, restricting overseas participation and reinforcing Vietnamese control of licensed operators.
Taken together, these conditions show Vietnam is prioritising large-scale, institution-led platforms with strong capital bases.
The focus appears to be on controlling systemic risk and ensuring compliance standards from the start, rather than allowing fast, open-ended growth across the crypto sector.
SEC deputy secretary-general Jomkwan Kongsakul said crypto ETF rules could be issued early this year.
Thailand’s SEC will treat crypto as another asset class and allow up to 5% portfolio allocation to digital assets.
KuCoin Thailand is seeking to resolve an SEC suspension linked to capital requirements and a shareholder dispute.
Thailand’s Securities and Exchange Commission is preparing a new set of regulations designed to bring crypto investment products further into the country’s formal financial system.
The regulator is working on rules to support crypto exchange-traded funds (ETFs), crypto futures trading, and tokenised investment products, according to SEC deputy secretary-general Jomkwan Kongsakul.
The Bangkok Post reported on Thursday that the SEC aims to issue formal guidelines for crypto ETFs in Thailand “early this year.”
The move signals Thailand’s effort to position itself as a regional crypto hub for institutional investors, even as retail trading remains active despite a ban on crypto payments.
Crypto ETFs move closer to formal approval
Kongsakul said the SEC’s board has approved crypto ETFs in principle and the agency is now finalising investment and operational rules. He said the regulator sees crypto ETFs as a product that could reduce barriers for investors who may be hesitant about directly holding digital assets.
“A key advantage of crypto ETFs is ease of access; they eliminate concerns over hacking and wallet security, which has been a major barrier for many investors,” Kongsakul said.
Under the proposed framework, the SEC will treat crypto as “another asset class,” and investors will be able to allocate up to 5% of a diverse portfolio to digital assets.
Futures trading planned for TFEX
Alongside ETF guidelines, the SEC is also moving to regulate and enable crypto futures trading on the Thailand Futures Exchange (TFEX).
This would allow investors to gain exposure to crypto price movements through regulated derivatives markets.
Kongsakul said other initiatives under consideration include establishing market makers to support trading liquidity and recognising digital assets as an official asset class under the Derivatives Act.
Thailand has been working to attract more institutional interest in crypto markets, particularly through regulated products that sit within existing legal frameworks.
Tokenisation and sandbox collaboration with central bank
The SEC is also expanding its approach beyond ETFs and futures through tokenisation initiatives.
Kongsakul said the agency is working with the Bank of Thailand on a tokenisation sandbox, which could provide a controlled setting for testing tokenised instruments.
The SEC “will encourage issuers of bond tokens to enter the regulatory sandbox,” Kongsakul added.
By pushing tokenised bond products into a supervised environment, Thailand could develop regulated pathways for blockchain-based issuance without opening the door to unmonitored retail distribution.
Tighter oversight for financial influencers
While expanding products and market access, the SEC is also tightening standards around promotion and investment-related content online.
Kongsakul said the regulator is stepping up oversight of “financial influencers,” signalling that marketing and informal advice will face more restrictions.
He said, “Any recommendation related to securities or investment returns will require proper authorisation as either an investment advisor or introducing broker.”
The rules aim to curb unregulated investment promotion, particularly at a time when digital assets continue to be widely discussed across social media.
KuCoin Thailand works to resolve SEC suspension
The regulatory shift comes as the Thai SEC continues enforcement actions in the local exchange market.
Earlier in January, the SEC suspended KuCoin Thailand’s operations after the company’s capital fell below the minimum requirements for five consecutive days, according to local news outlet The Nation on Wednesday.
KuCoin Thailand said the breach was linked to a shareholder dispute between Singapore’s CI group and KuCoin Global, which prevented approval of a planned capital increase.
The company said the issue was not due to actual financial liquidity problems.
KuCoin entered the Thai market in June 2025 and is planning for its local entity to apply for a digital-asset broker license.
The company said this would allow it to offer a wider range of financial products.
Thailand’s crypto market remains active, with Bitkub, the country’s largest exchange, seeing daily trading volumes of around $60 million.
Even with crypto payments banned, regulators appear to be prioritising controlled investment access through structured products such as ETFs, futures, and tokenised instruments.
CCA runs fully on-chain auctions that clear bids block by block for gradual price discovery.
After auctions end, liquidity is automatically added to a Uniswap v4 pool at the final cleared price.
The model aims to reduce sniping, front-running, and bundled transactions during token launches.
Uniswap has rolled out its Continuous Clearing Auctions (CCA) feature on Base, giving developers a new way to launch tokens fully on-chain with built-in price discovery and automatic liquidity setup.
The decentralised exchange confirmed the rollout on Jan. 22, with the CCA framework now available to builders using Uniswap v4 on the Base network.
The update expands Uniswap’s structured token launch tools to one of the busiest Ethereum layer-2 ecosystems, offering teams a single workflow for auctions, pricing, and liquidity.
With CCA now live for Base developers, projects can run token sales that settle gradually over time rather than relying on one-time listings or fixed-price launches that can trigger sharp price swings.
What CCA does on Base
CCA allows teams to run fully on-chain token auctions where tokens are sold gradually instead of all at once.
The mechanism clears bids block by block, which helps prices form naturally before open trading begins.
Once the auction ends, liquidity is added automatically to a Uniswap v4 pool at the final cleared price.
This reduces the need for teams to manually create a pool after launch and aims to avoid common listing issues linked to sudden volatility at the start of trading.
Developers can also adjust auction settings to fit their launch requirements while keeping the entire process on-chain and transparent.
How auctions reduce launch risks
The model is designed to create a fairer starting point for new tokens by spreading distribution over time.
Rather than concentrating activity into a single launch moment, CCA introduces a phased selling process that can lower the impact of sniping, front-running, and bundled transactions.
By clearing bids over multiple blocks, the auction format supports more gradual price discovery.
This can help reduce sharp dislocations that often happen when tokens go live with limited liquidity or when early trading activity is dominated by automated strategies.
For teams, this approach bundles the early steps of a token launch into one on-chain flow, covering auction mechanics, pricing formation, and liquidity provisioning without requiring separate manual actions.
Open access for all Base developers
Uniswap’s deployment on Base is open to all developers building on the network. The feature does not require approvals or special access, meaning any team can integrate CCA into its token launch process.
This open availability may appeal to projects looking for alternatives to private sales or unstable fair-launch formats.
It also supports teams that want a more standardised on-chain approach to distributing tokens while setting up liquidity in a predictable way once the auction completes.
With CCA, teams can rely on the auction’s final cleared price to determine the pool setup, rather than selecting an initial listing price independently.
Uniswap’s wider v4 expansion
The Base rollout follows Uniswap’s broader expansion of v4 tools across multiple chains in recent months.
CCA was rolled out in late 2025 and has already been used by projects such as Aztec Network for early price discovery and liquidity setup.
Uniswap has also been integrating with partners such as Revolut for fiat access and Ledger for safe swaps via its trading API.
Separately, the protocol has gone live on networks including Monad and X Layer.
By bringing CCA to Base, Uniswap is extending structured launch infrastructure into a major Ethereum layer-2 environment, while continuing to expand its product suite and chain support across decentralised finance.
Tezos price rose to above $0.63 before retreating to under $0.59.
Momentum looked to have faded despite news of TenX adding XTZ.
From a technical perspective, a break below $0.50 could trigger “further pain” for bulls.
Tezos (XTZ) experienced a brief surge earlier this week amid positive corporate adoption news, rising to above $0.63.
However, with top cryptocurrencies struggling, a retreat to lows of $0.59 leaves bulls facing mounting downward pressure.
Sellers might eye a pullback to a critical support level, and broader market uncertainties suggest further pain could follow.
Why did XTZ price rise as top coins fell?
Bitcoin dropped to under $90k on Tuesday, pulling most of the crypto market lower as liquidations cascaded across the ecosystem.
But as ETH, XRP, and Solana all dipped, Tezos defied the trend as its price climbed to above $0.63.
Gains continued into early Wednesday as the market digested announcements from TenX, a publicly listed blockchain infrastructure firm.
We’re pleased to announce that we've added Tez ( $XTZ ) as part of a strategic staking partnership with the @TezosFoundation .
This investment supports our validator operations on the @tezos network and reflects our broader strategy of generating recurring revenue through… pic.twitter.com/QlYeHZ6VsC
TenX revealed it had acquired 5.54 million XTZ tokens at an average price of $0.5868 each.
Purchases occurred on the open-market and over-the-counter trades conducted between January 2 and January 19, 2026.
This purchase, valued at around $3.25 million and funded by cash from an August 2025 financing round, forms part of a strategic staking partnership with the Tezos Foundation.
According to details, the deal aims to bolster TenX’s validator operations on the Tezos network, generating staking yields of 8-10% while enhancing network security and decentralization.
“This is a long-term value decision, not a short-term trade,” Mat Cybula, CEO of TenX, noted.
He added:
“Tezos is built for sustainability and upgradability, and we want TenX to be aligned with ecosystems that reflect that.”
Tezos price outlook – Can bulls hold above $0.50?
The technical picture for XTZ reveals a precarious balance on both daily and weekly charts, with $0.50 emerging as a pivotal psychological and structural support.
Indicators like the daily RSI at 56 signal momentum that could shed the bearish outlook.
However, the MACD points to potential sell pressure, which could be compounded by high volatility across altcoins.
On the weekly chart, the bullish long-term trend remains.
On-chain data shows rising exchange balances and declining holders.
$2 remains a key support, with volatility and profit-taking signalling a looming pullback risk.
Axie Infinity (AXS) has staged an impressive comeback, surging past the $2 mark in the latest rally.
The token’s recovery has captured the attention of GameFi enthusiasts and investors alike.
This rebound comes amid a broader resurgence in the gaming and decentralised finance sector.
Strong AXS price recovery and market momentum
Over the past week, Axie Infinity (AXS) has jumped nearly 92%, highlighting renewed investor interest.
Today, in just 24 hours, the token rose by 19%, with its price currently at $2.406. This surge represents a strong rebound from the $1.06 low recorded earlier this week.
TRON (TRX) has extended its decline amid a widespread cryptocurrency market pullback.
Prices have dropped further from recent highs near $0.32 and could slide to lows of $0.25.
Market conditions, including Bitcoin’s performance, will dictate overall movement.
Latest market data shows the TRON token slipping below key support levels at $0.30, with this coming amid downward pressures related to geopolitical and macroeconomic uncertainty.
This comes as reduced risk appetite impacts top coins. Broader market losses tied to jitters around souring US-EU trade relations have spooked investors.
Ethereum slid to under $3,000 amid sharp losses for US stocks, while Solana, BNB and XRP all fell below key support levels.
TRON price slips below $0.30
As crypto caught a bid last week, TRON’s price jumped to $0.32.
However, with bulls retreating across the market, the altcoin has once again breached the critical $0.30 support level.
Volume-driven selling has accelerated the drop, with the token now trading near $0.29 as of writing.
The 24-hour trading volume is up 22% to over $770 million.
This slip echoes patterns seen in late 2025, when TRX hovered around $0.28 to $0.30 amid similar market hesitancy.
While the token showed signs of pulling higher, it generally has underperformed the broader crypto index.
The repeated test of the psychological support and resistance zone highlights indecisiveness.
Technical analysis: What next for TRON?
TRX displays weakening bullish momentum on the daily chart.
As can be seen, the MACD signals a reversal with the histogram contracting.
Meanwhile, an RSI near 47 signals a potential acceleration towards oversold territory.
On the daily chart above, we can see the TRX price rose as RSI climbed to hit overbought conditions.
The pullback follows these gains and points to profit-taking.
Declines have pushed prices below the support line of a narrow ascending channel, and failure to reclaim $0.30 could allow bears to target lower supports at $0.25.
The 50-day exponential moving average currently acts as key reload zone near $0.29.
As such, upside potential remains if buying interest rebounds amid broader market recovery.
Bulls’ first targets lie in the $0.32-$0.33 resistance zone. Short term, with momentum hinging on broader market conditions, will see bulls eye $0.38 and $0.50.
How BTC navigates the negative terrain is crucial for altcoins, as an extension of bearish price action spells doom for buyers across the crypto market.
Bitcoin fell to lows of $87,800 on Tuesday before bouncing to above $89,000.
Losses for BTC came as gold hit new record high above $4,870.
Galaxy Digital CEO Mike Novogratz says bulls need to take out bears around $100,000-$103,000.
Bitcoin dipped to around $87,800 on Tuesday, breaking lower as risk assets struggled.
However, amid waning investor confidence in the bellwether digital asset, gold has surged to new record highs.
Industry heavyweight Mike Novogratz says the flagship digital asset needs to reclaim the $100,000 mark to resume its uptrend.
Bitcoin price bounces off $87,800 low
Broader market uncertainty, including geopolitical tensions, has kept Bitcoin below the psychologically important $100,000 level.
In the latest session, the cryptocurrency slipped under $90,000, with data from CoinMarketCap showing intraday lows of $87,814 on major exchanges.
Bitcoin’s rally earlier this year was driven by strong institutional demand, but that momentum has eased in recent weeks.
In contrast, gold has climbed to fresh record highs above $4,870, reinforcing its role as a safe-haven asset amid heightened geopolitical risks and ongoing macroeconomic pressures.
Mike Novogratz, the outspoken CEO of Galaxy Digital Holdings, weighed in on Bitcoin’s current woes via a post on X.
Novogratz, a veteran Wall Street trader turned crypto evangelist, notes that Bitcoin could regain its upward momentum if bulls reclaim the $100,000-$103,000 level.
“The gold price is telling us we are losing reserve currency status at an accelerating rate. The long bond selling off is not a good sign either,” he posted on X. “BTC is disappointing as it is still being met with selling. I will reiterate it has to take out 100-103k to regain its upward trend. I think it will, in time.”
Bitcoin price technical outlook
From a technical perspective, the declines have pushed prices beneath the critical 61.8% Fibonacci retracement level calculated from its April low of $74,400 to October’s record peak of $126,198.
Bears have also breached the key support zone at the 50-day Exponential Moving Average (EMA) at $92,066 and a prior upper consolidation boundary near $90,000.
Litecoin price fell below $70, trading to lows seen in April 2025.
Declines follow a broader cryptocurrency market downturn amid geopolitical tensions.
Bitcoin and Ethereum dropped to key support levels.
Litecoin (LTC) price has turned negative amid mounting downward pressure, with a slight dip in the past 24 hours pushing LTC below the critical $70 mark.
Seller dominance has the altcoin trading nearly 10% down over the past week.
This comes amid escalating geopolitical tensions fueled by uncertainties surrounding Greenland and the United States’ interest in the Arctic territory currently under Denmark.
It’s this dampening risk appetite across digital assets that has Litecoin at risk amid a correction to levels seen in April last year.
Litecoin fails to hold $70 support
Litecoin’s price action turned bearish after hitting a high of $84 on January 6, 2026.
A series of lower highs and lows led to today’s breach of the psychologically vital $70 support level.
It’s the first time in nearly a year, with market data showing LTC dipped to a low of $68.45 during early US trading hours on Jan. 20.
Daily volume, however, shrank 45% to about $413 million, indicating a potential thaw in heavy selling.
Interestingly, the $70 level coincides with a long-term downtrend line from early 2020.
The weekly chart also shows that the 50-week exponential moving average (EMA) is about to cross below the 200-week EMA.
A 50‑week EMA crossing below the 200‑week EMA is generally interpreted as a long‑term bearish signal.
In technical analysis, this is a “death cross,” and often suggests downside or weak performance, in this case, it suggests the recent trend has weakened.
The weekly RSI is downsloping but not yet in oversold territory, but last time it touched the threshold, the LTC price hit lows of $46.
On-chain metrics also reveal a surge in long-position liquidations.
According to Coinglass data, Litecoin has seen close to $800,000 in 24 hour liquidations. Meanwhile, open interest at $564 million points to potential exacerbation of the slide.
The areas around $62 and $51 offer the next support zones.
Bitcoin, Ethereum fall to key levels
Global stocks fell on Tuesday, and mirroring the move is Bitcoin (BTC), which extended its correction amid the geopolitical tensions related to Greenland.
BTC has fallen to near $90,000, with buyers unable to reclaim key levels despite bullish corporate signals. Strategy’s announcement of acquiring 22,305 BTC for $2.13 billion, at an average of $95,284 per coin, did not lift buyers.
Among top altcoins, Ethereum (ETH) has shed over 5% in the past 24 hours to hover near $3,000.
XRP has again failed to rally amid a recent spike and slipped to $1.92 as cryptocurrencies struggled.
Geopolitical risks may see these coins tumble further.
The Optimism Foundation’s proposal for a token buyback goes to a vote on January 22, 2026.
OP price has fallen sharply over the past year, and sentiment is largely bearish.
The buyback could catalyze gains, with OP eyeing $0.52-$0.75.
Optimism’s OP token changed hands around $0.30 on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, slightly up in the past 24 hours as the community edges towards a key governance vote.
But having traded to intraday highs of $0.37 last week, the token’s dip to current levels risks allowing for a pullback to all-time lows of $0.25 reached in December.
Can Optimism Foundation’s plans for a buyback program that commits Superchain revenue to monthly OP purchases bolster bulls?
Optimism buyback details and implications
Optimism is set for a governance vote on January 22, 2026, following a proposal floated earlier this month.
The Optimism Foundation wants community approval to allocate half of the sequencer fees for open-market buybacks of OP.
A proposal for the next chapter of Optimism 🔴
The Optimism Foundation is putting forward a proposal to align the OP token with growing Superchain demand by directing 50% of incoming Superchain revenue to regular OP buybacks https://t.co/VSDazlbRdXpic.twitter.com/jBQoJyxDCF
If the vote passes, the program will start in February, with 50% of Superchain revenue flowing to Optimism. Repurchases are set to occur over the next year.
The remaining 50% funds will be allocated to ecosystem grants, maintaining flexibility.
As with other models, such as dYdX’s 75% fee buybacks, Optimism aims to buy from the market. However, the tokens go back to the OP treasury rather than direct burns.
If the latter happens, supply reduction will signal confidence in OP and Superchain’s dominance.
“With this buyback mechanism, OP transitions from a pure governance token to a token that is tightly aligned with the growth of the Superchain,” Optimism wrote at the time.
The mechanism targets every enterprise that creates a new chain on the Superchain, with these expected to add to the underlying demand for OP.
OP token price forecast
The Optimism (OP) price is down nearly 94% from its peak of $4.85 reached in March 2024. The downtrend has crushed holder sentiment, and despite the buyback proposal, the outlook is largely bearish.
Bears may hold this advantage unless Optimism for instance, burns the repurchased tokens. BNB’s quarterly burns have helped the token’s price storm to new highs.
In the short term, a post-vote rally could push prices to $0.52.
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