Ethereum is trading in the $2,930–$2,950 range as of January 25, 2026, consolidating after a broader pullback from January highs above $3,400. The move lower reflects near-term macro caution and heavy ETF-related selling rather than a breakdown in network fundamentals.
With Bitcoin hovering near $89,000 and risk sentiment mixed, ETH has shifted into a range-bound phase where price is lagging underlying activity.
ETF Pressure Weighs on Price, Not Structure
Short-term pressure has largely come from spot ETH ETF outflows, which exceeded $600 million between January 20–23, led in part by a single-day $250 million exit from BlackRock’s ETHA. This selling has cooled momentum and kept ETH capped below the $3,000 handle.
However, the flow data points more toward rotation and profit-taking than institutional abandonment. On-chain tracking shows whales accumulating roughly $1 billion worth of ETH during the recent correction, while funding rates and open interest have reset from crowded long conditions. That combination suggests leverage is being flushed, not confidence.
On-Chain Activity Tells a Different Story
Beneath the price, Ethereum’s network activity remains strong. Daily active addresses have climbed toward 1.3 million, while transaction counts are holding between 1.9 million and 2.2 million per day.
Validator behavior reinforces this trend: exit queues are near zero, entry queues are rebuilding, and staking participation continues to rise, tightening circulating supply.
Low fees and improved efficiency post-upgrades are also driving sustained DeFi and app usage, reinforcing a “price weak, fundamentals firm” dynamic that has historically preceded larger trend moves.
Ethereum Rises Despite U.S.-Iran Tensions
On the geopolitical front, the tensions are rising between the U.S. and Iran as Iran’s Revolutionary Guard warns it is “more ready than ever” amid U.S. warships moving toward the Middle East. The warning comes after Iran’s recent crackdown on protests, which left thousands dead, and Trump has set strict red lines for military action, including preventing mass executions and violence against civilians.
Despite these geopolitical tensions, Ethereum (ETH) continues to rise. This shows that investors remain confident in Ethereum’s growth, likely supported by strong developments like the Ethereum Foundation prioritizing post-quantum security.
Today marks an inflection in the Ethereum Foundation's long-term quantum strategy.
We've formed a new Post Quantum (PQ) team, led by the brilliant Thomas Coratger (@tcoratger). Joining him is Emile, one of the world-class talents behind leanVM. leanVM is the cryptographic…
Ethereum Price Prediction: Compression Builds Near $2,950 as ETH Eyes Its Next Leg
Technically, Ethereum price prediction is bearish as ETH is holding above $2,850–$2,900, a key support zone aligned with prior demand and Fibonacci confluence. RSI remains subdued near 35–40, signaling caution but not capitulation.
A reset toward support followed by a reclaim of $3,060 would reopen upside toward $3,190–$3,400, while a clean break below $2,800 would risk a deeper retracement toward $2,700.
Ethereum Price Chart – Source: Tradingview
Looking ahead, Ethereum’s 2026 roadmap adds weight to the longer-term case. The upcoming Glamsterdam upgrade and later Hegota phase focus on scalability, efficiency, and sustainability, building on blob infrastructure progress and accelerating Layer-2 adoption.
With over 8.7 million new contracts deployed entering the year, analysts increasingly view 2026 as a potential breakout period if macro conditions stabilize.
Bitcoin Hyper: The Next Evolution of BTC on Solana?
Bitcoin Hyper ($HYPER) is bringing a new phase to the BTC ecosystem. While BTC remains the gold standard for security, Bitcoin Hyper adds what it always lacked: Solana-level speed. The result: lightning-fast, low-cost smart contracts, decentralized apps, and even meme coin creation, all secured by Bitcoin.
Audited by Consult, the project emphasizes trust and scalability as adoption builds. And momentum is already strong. The presale has surpassed $30.9 million, with tokens priced at just $0.013635 before the next increase.
As Bitcoin activity climbs and demand for efficient BTC-based apps rises, Bitcoin Hyper stands out as the bridge uniting two of crypto’s biggest ecosystems. If Bitcoin built the foundation, Bitcoin Hyper could make it fast, flexible, and fun again.
Bitcoin is trading near $88,700 as markets weigh a pullback from $97K against rising regulatory clarity in the US, internal network debates, and shifting technical momentum. Senate crypto reforms, growing BIP-110 adoption, and rumors around GameStop’s BTC transfer have added noise, but price action suggests consolidation, not collapse. The $88K zone now stands as the key pivot for Bitcoin’s next directional move.
Bitcoin Governance Debate Resurfaces as BIP-110 Node Adoption Expands
Bitcoin’s long-running governance debate has resurfaced as adoption of Bitcoin Improvement Proposal 110 (BIP-110) edges higher. Roughly 2.38% of Bitcoin nodes are now running BIP-110, a temporary soft fork designed to limit non-monetary data, or “spam,” embedded in transactions.
The proposal restores restrictions on OP_RETURN data and output sizes that were loosened in recent Bitcoin Core updates.
Facilitating Spam is incompatible with Bitcoin’s sound money mission via decentralization.
Facilitating Spam makes it more expensive/cumbersome to use Bitcoin in a self sovereign manner than it otherwise would without Spam.
The issue has divided the community. Critics argue that allowing excessive arbitrary data risks turning Bitcoin into a data-storage network, raising node costs and pushing out smaller, home-run operators, which could increase centralization. Supporters counter that usage should not be artificially limited and that existing spam filters are ineffective.
While the debate may create short-term noise, it has little direct price impact. Over time, efforts like BIP-110 reinforce Bitcoin’s decentralization, strengthening its credibility as resilient, trust-minimized money.
GameStop Moves 4,700 BTC to Coinbase Prime, Raising Sale Speculation
GameStop has moved its entire Bitcoin holding, roughly 4,710 BTC worth over $420 million, to Coinbase Prime, sparking speculation that a sale may be imminent. According to CryptoQuant, the company acquired its Bitcoin at an average price near $107,900, meaning a full exit at current levels around $90,800 would imply an unrealized loss of roughly $76 million.
GameStop throws in the towel?
Their on-chain wallets just moved all BTC holdings to Coinbase Prime, likely to sell.
Between May 14–23, 2025, they bought 4,710 BTC at an avg. price of $107.9K, investing ~$504M.
Large transfers to institutional trading platforms often precede selling, but the move alone does not confirm liquidation. GameStop has not issued any public statement, leaving markets to interpret the intent.
The broader impact on Bitcoin appears limited. More than 190 publicly listed companies now hold Bitcoin on their balance sheets, underscoring continued institutional participation.
Even if GameStop were to exit, it would represent an isolated corporate decision rather than a shift in overall institutional confidence. Short-term volatility is possible, but longer-term demand remains intact.
Bitcoin Price Prediction: BTC Tests $88K Support as Breakout Pressure Builds
Bitcoin price prediction remains bearish as BTC is trading near $88,600, entering a corrective phase after failing to hold the $97,300 swing high earlier this month. On the 4-hour chart, price has slipped back into a rising channel that guided the move from the $83,800 low.
The rejection at channel resistance marked a momentum shift, reinforced by long upper wicks and a bearish engulfing candle that broke short-term support.
BTC is now testing a key confluence zone between $88,000 and $87,300, which aligns with prior demand and the lower boundary of the ascending channel. Recent candles show smaller bodies with lower wicks, suggesting selling pressure is easing rather than accelerating. However, price remains below the 50-EMA and 100-EMA, while the 200-EMA near $91,200 continues to cap rebounds, keeping near-term bias cautious.
RSI has rebounded from oversold levels near 30 and is stabilizing around 40–42, signaling balance but not strength. The structure resembles a descending flag within a broader uptrend. If $87,300 holds, a reclaim of $90,000 could open $92,400–$94,500. A clean break below risks $85,600.
Bitcoin Hyper: The Next Evolution of BTC on Solana?
Bitcoin Hyper ($HYPER) is bringing a new phase to the BTC ecosystem. While BTC remains the gold standard for security, Bitcoin Hyper adds what it always lacked: Solana-level speed. The result: lightning-fast, low-cost smart contracts, decentralized apps, and even meme coin creation, all secured by Bitcoin.
Audited by Consult, the project emphasizes trust and scalability as adoption builds. And momentum is already strong. The presale has surpassed $30.9 million, with tokens priced at just $0.013635 before the next increase.
As Bitcoin activity climbs and demand for efficient BTC-based apps rises, Bitcoin Hyper stands out as the bridge uniting two of crypto’s biggest ecosystems. If Bitcoin built the foundation, Bitcoin Hyper could make it fast, flexible, and fun again.
A growing number of analysts believe Ethereum’s current price action is being misunderstood. Although frustration is growing due to Ethereum’s inability to hold above $3,000, some technical analysts are quick to point out that the structure forming beneath the surface tells a very different story. According to one analyst, the real risk right now is not being bullish on Ethereum and trying to short in anticipation of a downside breakout.
Higher Lows And A Structure That Keeps Tightening
The analyst’s technical view on Ethereum is focused less on short-term momentum and more on the structure developing on the chart, which he argues is even clearer than what is currently visible on Bitcoin’s chart.
Notably, Ethereum’s price action is carving out a series of higher lows on the daily candlestick timeframe chart to form a tightening triangular pattern since December 2025. This kind of behavior shows that each pullback is being absorbed at progressively higher levels, which is how strong trends reset before continuation.
Ethereum needs to avoid a breakdown below key support zones in order for this trend continuation setup to still be valid. According to the analyst, a dip under $2,860 would begin to weaken the pattern, while a close below $2,780 would invalidate the higher-low structure.
At the time of writing, Ethereum is trading around $2,950, which is dangerously close to the lower boundary of this setup. Therefore, some traders will be tempted to short Ethereum at this level, but the analyst called it the dumbest thing to do here.
As long as those levels ($2,860 and $2,780) hold, the analyst sees no technical justification for betting against ETH, especially near the lower boundary of the channel where buyers have repeatedly stepped in.
If support holds, the next move would be a gradual return to the upper trendline of the channel, which is just below $3,340. A move into that region would bring price back into direct contact with overhead resistance and set the stage for a breakout if buying pressure continues to increase.
Ethereum is entering 2026 without clear bullish momentum, a reality that has dampened sentiment across the spot and derivatives markets. Spot ETF inflows into Ethereum and Bitcoin have slowed down, and issuers have been highlighted with consistent days of outflows.
Speaking of staking, BitMine Technologies recently amped up its ETH staking to over $5.71 billion worth of Ethereum. On-chain data from Arkham Intelligence shows that the firm has staked an additional 171,264, worth $503.2 million, pushing its total stake to over 1.94 million ETH.
Featured image from Unsplash, chart from TradingView
XRP has spent most of the past few months trading with lower highs since July 2025, frustrating traders and compressing price action into an increasingly tight range.
However, a technical breakdown shared by crypto analyst ChartNerd argued that what looks like stagnation may actually be the final preparation phase before a historic move. The price structure suggests something far bigger that sends XRP on its most aggressive rally in eight years, but the implications only become clear when the full setup is examined.
A 400-Day Rectangular Reaccumulation Still Holding Structure
According to technical analysis done by ChartNerd, XRP’s price action has been locked inside a rectangular reaccumulation zone for about 400 days, and this has led to the formation of what looks like a rectangular bull flag on a macro timeframe. The technical chart shows a strong impulsive move from July 2024 to December 2024 acting as the flagpole, right when XRP peaked at the $3.4 price zone back then.
This impulsive flagpole has been followed by a long period of sideways trading where XRP’s price has repeatedly respected a clearly defined support around $1.8 and resistance boundaries around $3.6. This type of structure is associated with reaccumulation within the support and resistance zones, especially when it is playing out after a sharp expansion move and holding for this length of time.
Each dip into reaccumulation support has been absorbed, preventing any sustained breakdown and keeping the broader pattern intact. ChartNerd noted that the rectangular flag will be valid as long as this support level is defended, and this will activate the expansion journey.
Macro Breakout Projection Puts XRP Price Target At $23
According to ChartNerd, bearish participants are increasingly pressured by the fact that this fractal is still holding despite repeated attempts to invalidate it. The longer XRP’s price action is trapped inside the rectangle without breaking down, the more likely it becomes that the eventual resolution favors the dominant trend that preceded the consolidation. In this case, that trend was bullish, which strengthens the case for an upside breakout once resistance is cleared.
If the rectangular bull flag resolves to the upside as projected, the chart outlines a breakout trajectory that would carry XRP into double-digit territory, with a long-term target region near $23. This price target projection is derived from the height of the flagpole extended from the top of the reaccumulation range.
ChartNerd labelled this possible move as one of the most aggressive rallies XRP could see in seven to eight years. At the time of writing, XRP is trading around $1.92, meaning a move toward the $23 region would represent a gain of over 1,000% from current levels, which is a type of percentage expansion XRP has played out well in the past.
Featured image from Unsplash, chart from TradingView
Solana is trading near $126, slipping modestly over the past 24 hours but holding a price zone that traders are watching closely. While short-term price action reflects broader market caution, Solana’s underlying activity tells a very different story. Network usage, institutional interest, and upcoming protocol upgrades are all accelerating, creating a widening gap between price and fundamentals as the market heads deeper into 2026.
This divergence is shaping Solana’s near-term outlook and its longer-term investment narrative.
Solana Finds Balance Near $126 After January Pullback
Solana ended the session near $126.72, with daily trading volume around $2.74 bn and a market capitalization just under $72 bn, ranking the token #7 globally. The recent pullback follows a rejection near $147.50, with price now consolidating inside a defined support band between $124 and $127.
On the technical side, SOL remains below its 50-EMA near $134 and 200-EMA around $136, confirming that short-term momentum has cooled. However, candlestick behavior has shifted.
Recent sessions show smaller bodies and reduced downside follow-through, suggesting selling pressure is fading rather than accelerating. As long as $125 holds, the move looks corrective, not structural.
While price has softened, Solana’s network activity continues to expand at record speed.
Key on-chain metrics stand out:
DEX volume reached $107 bn, surpassing Ethereum, Base, and BSC combined in recent periods
Stablecoin transfer volume climbed to $312 bn, highlighting real payment and settlement use
Active addresses surged to 27.1 million, up more than 50% week over week
Staking participation hit all-time highs, signaling long-term confidence rather than speculative churn
These figures point to real demand rather than short-term trading flows, reinforcing Solana’s role as a high-throughput settlement layer.
Real-World Asset Tokenization Gains Momentum on Solana
Institutional adoption is quietly reshaping Solana’s positioning. Enterprise blockchain firm R3 is building Solana-native infrastructure focused on private credit and trade finance, while Coinbase completed full Solana chain integration, expanding liquidity access across major regions.
At the same time, Solana has crossed $1 bn in tokenized real-world assets, supported by flows tied to BlackRock’s BUIDL initiative and rising USDC velocity. This shift is reframing Solana from a speculative trading chain into an institutional-grade platform for tokenized finance.
Solana (SOL/USD) Technical Outlook: $125 Support Tested as $136 Comes Into Focus
From a price perspective, Solana price prediction seems bearish as SOL is testing a rising trendline that originates from December lows. RSI remains subdued near 38–40, reflecting caution but not exhaustion. A clean break below $124 would expose $120.90, while a reclaim above $131.50 would signal renewed upside toward $136 and $141.60.
Looking further ahead, the upcoming Alpenglow upgrade, targeting faster finality and expanded block capacity, reinforces Solana’s long-term thesis. If fundamentals continue to outpace price, the current range may prove to be a positioning phase rather than a peak.
Bitcoin Hyper: The Next Evolution of BTC on Solana?
Bitcoin Hyper ($HYPER) is bringing a new phase to the BTC ecosystem. While BTC remains the gold standard for security, Bitcoin Hyper adds what it always lacked: Solana-level speed. The result: lightning-fast, low-cost smart contracts, decentralized apps, and even meme coin creation, all secured by Bitcoin.
Audited by Consult, the project emphasizes trust and scalability as adoption builds. And momentum is already strong. The presale has surpassed $30.9 million, with tokens priced at just $0.013625 before the next increase.
As Bitcoin activity climbs and demand for efficient BTC-based apps rises, Bitcoin Hyper stands out as the bridge uniting two of crypto’s biggest ecosystems. If Bitcoin built the foundation, Bitcoin Hyper could make it fast, flexible, and fun again.
Bitcoin (BTC) is mirroring the same setup from its 2022 bull cycle, which led to a massive price crash to $20,000. According to market expert Crypto Bullet, this recurring structure could signal another major correction for BTC ahead. However, this time the leading cryptocurrency could give up almost a quarter of its current value.
2022 Bitcoin Chart Pattern Signals Over 20% Crash
In his technical analysis released on X, Crypto Bullet revealed that Bitcoin is currently repeating a 2022 structure that could lead to a more than 20% decline in its value. To support his bearish outlook, the analyst presented a parallel chart comparing Bitcoin’s price action from 2023-2022 and 2025-2026, highlighting similar technical patterns, price behavior, and Moving Averages (MA).
During the 2022 cycle, Bitcoin experienced a similar pattern, beginning with a test of the 100-day Moving Average (MA100), highlighted as the blue trendline on the chart. After facing rejection at that level, the price pulled back to a nearby support zone inside a rising channel. From there, BTC staged a sharp rally, surging to fresh highs around $48,500, where it aligned with the 200-day Moving Average (MA200), marked in orange.
However, the recovery proved short-lived. Bitcoin soon reversed course and failed to reclaim the MA200 as support. Once the cryptocurrency’s price structure was lost, downside momentum accelerated, pushing the price into a much deeper correction toward the $20,000 level.
According to Crypto Bullet, Bitcoin is repeating this exact pattern in 2026. It has already retested the MA100, gotten rejected, and moved lower into a support zone within a similar ascending channel. The chart also showed that in both cycles, BTC reached a “market cycle top,” first around December 2023 and then again in November 2025, before breaking down and entering a consolidation phase.
Given how closely Bitcoin is mirroring its 2022 setup, Crypto Bullet has forecast another dramatic price crash, predicting a more than 23.5% drop from its current price near $89,500 to $68,450. Before this decline happens, the analyst expects BTC to experience a short-term recovery, potentially climbing back above the $100,000 psychological level to reach $102,000.
Bitcoin Could Still Rally To $92,000
Crypto analyst Tyrex has stated that Bitcoin has been consolidating for the past 48 hours, with price holding above $89,000 for most of that period. Despite the muted price action, he believes that BTC could soon rally to $92,000. The analyst also noted that the broader market is in a state of fear, with many traders anticipating further declines in Bitcoin.
However, the analyst cautions that this expected drop may be a trap. He points out that an ascending channel is forming on Bitcoin’s chart, prompting him to adopt a more bullish outlook despite the prevailing bearish sentiment and sideways price movement.
Featured image from Unsplash, chart from TradingView
XRP is trading near $1.92, with 24-hour volume around $1.92 bn and a market cap of $116.6 bn, keeping it ranked #5 among cryptocurrencies. After January’s pullback, price has stabilized, pointing to a shift from active selling toward positioning. Recent sessions show XRP consolidating in a tight range, with buyers consistently stepping in around $1.88–$1.90.
That support has limited further downside while volatility narrows, putting focus on whether this consolidation resolves higher or gives way to renewed pressure.
RLUSD Gains Traction on Binance as XRP Liquidity and Institutional Use Expand
Ripple’s USD-backed stablecoin RLUSD is quickly emerging as a key catalyst. On January 22, 2026, Binance listed RLUSD for spot trading, including an XRP/RLUSD pair, alongside a temporary zero-fee promotion. Initially launched on Ethereum, RLUSD’s upcoming integration with the XRP Ledger is expected to enhance settlement efficiency and on-chain activity.
The stablecoin’s regulatory positioning stands out:
Approved by NYDFS and cleared by the OCC
Designed for institutional and compliance-first use
Positioned as a bridge between traditional finance and crypto rails
Analysts see this as a structural positive for XRP, as increased RLUSD usage ties liquidity flows more closely to the XRP ecosystem.
Leadership and Institutional Momentum: Why XRP’s Long-Term Case Is Strengthening
Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse remains optimistic about 2026, pointing to regulatory progress and institutional demand as drivers for the next growth phase. He has highlighted momentum around US crypto legislation and framed regulatory clarity as a long-term unlock for enterprise adoption.
Spirited dialogue during today’s WEF session (to say the least), but one important point of agreement across the panelists was that innovation and regulation aren’t on opposite sides.
I firmly believe this is THE moment to use crypto and blockchain technology to enable economic… https://t.co/4d3jNeNC4h
Beyond stablecoins, Ripple continues expanding its banking footprint. Recent partnerships, including DXC Technology’s integration with Ripple infrastructure, aim to support custody, payments, and tokenization for institutions managing trillions in assets. These developments reinforce XRP’s role beyond speculation, anchoring it in real financial use cases.
XRP Technical Outlook: $1.90 Support Tested as XRP Nears a Breakout Decision
Technically, XRP price prediction is neutral as XRP is compressing inside a symmetrical triangle, formed by lower highs from $2.40 and higher lows near $1.87. The 50-EMA around $1.97 caps short-term rallies, while the 200-EMA near $2.02 reinforces resistance. RSI near 48–50 signals balance rather than exhaustion.
XRP Price Chart – Source: Tradingview
A confirmed break above $1.96 could open a move toward $2.05–$2.15, while a loss of $1.88 would expose $1.83. Until then, XRP remains in decision mode.
XRP Trade setup: Buy on a confirmed break above $1.96, target $2.10–$2.15, stop below $1.88.
Bitcoin Hyper: The Next Evolution of BTC on Solana?
Bitcoin Hyper ($HYPER) is bringing a new phase to the BTC ecosystem. While BTC remains the gold standard for security, Bitcoin Hyper adds what it always lacked: Solana-level speed. The result: lightning-fast, low-cost smart contracts, decentralized apps, and even meme coin creation, all secured by Bitcoin.
Audited by Consult, the project emphasizes trust and scalability as adoption builds. And momentum is already strong. The presale has surpassed $30.9 million, with tokens priced at just $0.013625 before the next increase.
As Bitcoin activity climbs and demand for efficient BTC-based apps rises, Bitcoin Hyper stands out as the bridge uniting two of crypto’s biggest ecosystems. If Bitcoin built the foundation, Bitcoin Hyper could make it fast, flexible, and fun again.
Hiring the right minds and skill sets in marketing in today’s age is vital to laying the right foundations for any company, let alone a crypto company.
Bitcoin is trading near $89,500, locked in a tight range that reflects consolidation rather than weakness. While price action remains compressed, a series of institutional and regulatory developments this week is reshaping how the market views Bitcoin’s longer-term role.
South Korea’s $48M Bitcoin Custody Breach Raises Alarms
South Korean authorities are investigating the disappearance of roughly 70 bn won ($48 mn) worth of seized Bitcoin from official custody. The issue surfaced during a routine audit by the Gwangju District Prosecutors’ Office, according to local reports.
Preliminary findings suggest the loss resulted from a phishing attack, after a staff member reportedly accessed a fake website, leading to leaked credentials. While details remain limited due to the ongoing investigation, the case has reignited debate around how governments store and protect confiscated digital assets.
South Korean prosecutors investigate disappearance of seized Bitcoin following phishing attack
Multiple Bitcoins went missing in mid-2025 after private key credentials were exposed in a phishing attack, resulting in irreversible transfers
Importantly, the incident does not reflect a failure of the Bitcoin network itself. Instead, it underscores weaknesses in human processes and custody frameworks. Long term, this type of breach may push governments toward stricter crypto custody standards, ironically strengthening institutional confidence rather than weakening it.
You can't make this up.
"an agency worker accessed a scam website"
Nearly $50M in seized Bitcoin was stolen in a phishing attack.
What could have gone to a national strategic bitcoin reserve has now fallen into the hands of bad actors.
In a separate but related signal, UBS is reportedly evaluating plans to offer cryptocurrency investing to select private banking clients, beginning with Bitcoin and Ether for wealthy Swiss customers. According to Bloomberg, the bank is assessing third-party partners to support the rollout.
UBS plans to make cryptocurrency investing available for some private banking clients in what could become a significant move into digital assets for the wealth manager https://t.co/pWi6Inm9AP
If successful, UBS could later expand the service into the US and Asia-Pacific, aligning with similar initiatives from Morgan Stanley and JPMorgan. The move reflects growing demand among high-net-worth investors for crypto exposure through trusted, regulated institutions, rather than exchanges alone.
Bitwise’s Bitcoin-Gold ETF Signals Macro Thinking
Adding to the institutional theme, Bitwise Asset Management has launched the Bitwise Proficio Currency Debasement ETF (BPRO) on the NYSE. Unlike spot Bitcoin ETFs, BPRO is actively managed and blends Bitcoin, gold, precious metals, and mining equities, with at least 25% allocated to gold at all times.
The fund carries a 0.96% expense ratio and targets long-term investors focused on capital preservation. By pairing Bitcoin with gold, Bitwise frames BTC as a macro hedge against currency debasement, not a speculative trade.
Bitcoin Price Forecast: $89,500 Range Tightens as Breakout Pressure Builds
Bitcoin is trading near $89,500, holding inside a narrowing range after a sharp rejection from the $97,000 peak earlier this month. On the 2-hour chart, price action points to compression rather than breakdown. BTC continues to defend the $87,300–$88,000 support band, an area repeatedly tested and protected by buyers.
Long lower candlestick wicks around this zone suggest sellers are struggling to gain follow-through, signaling thinning supply at lower levels.
From a structural view, Bitcoin remains anchored to a rising trendline that has guided price higher since the $83,800 low. While price briefly slipped below the 50-EMA and 100-EMA, it has stabilized near the 200-EMA, which is flattening instead of rolling over.
This behavior typically reflects a transition phase, not a confirmed trend reversal. The broader setup resembles a descending flag within an ascending channel, a formation that often resolves in the direction of the prevailing trend.
Momentum supports this outlook. RSI has rebounded from oversold levels near 30 and is now hovering around 48–50, signaling balance rather than renewed selling pressure. Recent candles show smaller bodies and reduced volatility, often seen before range expansion. If BTC dips, $87,400 remains key support. A push above $90,980 would open the path toward $92,400 and $94,250.
Trade setup: Buy near $88,000–$87,500, target $94,000, stop below $85,500.
Bitcoin Hyper: The Next Evolution of BTC on Solana?
Bitcoin Hyper ($HYPER) is bringing a new phase to the BTC ecosystem. While BTC remains the gold standard for security, Bitcoin Hyper adds what it always lacked: Solana-level speed. The result: lightning-fast, low-cost smart contracts, decentralized apps, and even meme coin creation, all secured by Bitcoin.
Audited by Consult, the project emphasizes trust and scalability as adoption builds. And momentum is already strong. The presale has surpassed $30.9 million, with tokens priced at just $0.013625 before the next increase.
As Bitcoin activity climbs and demand for efficient BTC-based apps rises, Bitcoin Hyper stands out as the bridge uniting two of crypto’s biggest ecosystems. If Bitcoin built the foundation, Bitcoin Hyper could make it fast, flexible, and fun again.
Cryptocurrency exchanges continue to be one of the most profitable segments of the digital asset economy. The combination of market maturity, institutional adoption, and regulatory clarity has made exchange platforms viable fintech products for startups, brokerage firms, and enterprise operators.
This guide explains the full process of launching a crypto exchange in 2026— from infrastructure and compliance to liquidity and go-to-market strategy.
1. Define Your Exchange Model
The first step is choosing your platform type. Common models include:
US authorities have arrested former Canadian Olympic snowboarder Ryan Wedding, ending a years-long international manhunt for a figure investigators describe as a major cocaine trafficker who relied on cryptocurrency to move and conceal illicit profits.
Key Takeaways:
Former Olympian Ryan Wedding was arrested in Mexico and extradited to the US after years on the FBI’s Most Wanted list.
Authorities allege he ran a cartel-linked cocaine network and used crypto to launder proceeds.
US officials say the operation generated over $1 billion annually and spanned multiple countries.
Wedding, 44, was taken into custody in Mexico late Thursday and transferred to the United States on Friday, according to US officials.
The former athlete, who competed for Team Canada at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, had been listed among the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted fugitives, with a reward of up to $15 million offered for information leading to his capture.
Former Olympic Snowboarder Faces US Charges in Global Drug Case
US Attorney General Pam Bondi said Wedding, whom she described as a “onetime Olympian snowboarder-turned alleged violent cocaine kingpin,” will face federal charges in the US related to drug trafficking, murder, and operating a criminal enterprise spanning multiple countries.
FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed the arrest in a post on X, crediting cooperation with Mexican authorities for locating Wedding after more than a decade on the run.
UPDATE: After landing in LA today to transfer Top Ten Most Wanted Fugitive Ryan Wedding, our FBI/DOJ teams are now landing in Charlotte, NC to transfer another – Alejandro Castillo – the Top Ten Most Wanted Fugitive arrested one week ago today in Mexico.
Investigators allege that Wedding played a senior role in cocaine distribution networks tied to Mexico’s Sinaloa Cartel, overseeing shipments from Colombia into the United States and Canada.
According to US officials, the operation generated more than $1 billion annually in illegal proceeds at its peak.
The US Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control sanctioned Wedding in November, accusing his organization of using cryptocurrency to move and launder drug profits.
In its notice, the Treasury said digital assets were used to obscure the flow of funds and conceal large sums derived from narcotics trafficking.
Mexico’s Security Secretary Omar García Harfuch said Wedding voluntarily surrendered at the U.S. Embassy before being handed over to the FBI.
Patel later told reporters that Wedding had been hiding in Mexico for over 10 years and was believed to be under cartel protection.
Wedding arrived Friday at Ontario International Airport in Southern California, where federal officials held a press conference following his transfer.
Authorities said they seized firearms, luxury vehicles, artwork, and other assets connected to the alleged criminal enterprise, and indicated further arrests may follow as the investigation continues.
Ryan Wedding’s Earlier Cocaine Case Predates Latest US Charges
This is not Wedding’s first encounter with US law enforcement. In 2008, he was arrested in California in a cocaine trafficking sting involving a Vancouver-based operation.
He was convicted in 2009 and sentenced to four years in prison, before being released around 2011.
The arrest comes as crypto-related crime remains a growing concern. According to Chainalysis, illicit cryptocurrency addresses received a record $154 billion in 2025, a sharp increase from the year before.
In another case, US prosecutors have charged a 23-year-old Brooklyn resident, Ronald Spektor, with stealing roughly $16 million in cryptocurrency from around 100 Coinbase users through an alleged phishing and social engineering scheme.
Ledger, the French maker of hardware wallets for crypto assets, is reportedly moving ahead with plans for a potential initial public offering (IPO) in New York, signaling continued momentum in public market interest for digital asset companies.
The listing would place Ledger among a growing group of crypto firms seeking access to US capital markets, following the recent public debut of BitGo earlier this week.
Ledger Taps Wall Street Giants For US IPO
The move comes amid a broader initial public offering wave that gained strong traction throughout 2025, when several major crypto-native companies either went public or began laying the groundwork to do so.
Firms such as Circle (CRLC), Bullish (BLSH), eToro (ETOR), Figure (FIGR), and Gemini (GEMI) have already gone public in the US, while Grayscale and Kraken remain part of the renewed IPO push, with filings submitted and preparations still underway.
According to a report by the Financial Times, Ledger has engaged investment banks including Goldman Sachs and Barclays to advise on its initial public offering in the United States.
People familiar with the matter say the offering could value the company at more than $4 billion. While the IPO could take place as soon as this year, sources cautioned that the plans remain subject to change.
Ledger’s reported IPO ambitions come as BitGo opened trading on Thursday with its shares jumping 24.6%, giving the company a valuation of approximately $2.59 billion.
BitGo and several of its existing shareholders sold 11.8 million shares priced above the initially marketed range of $15 to $17, raising $212.8 million in the process.
BitGo Sets Tone For 2026 Crypto IPOs
Market experts have pointed to BitGo’s performance as an important signal for the broader crypto IPO landscape. Lukas Muehlbauer, an IPOX research associate, described BitGo’s listing as the first major test of investor demand for crypto-related offerings in 2026.
He noted that while Gemini went public near the peak of the crypto market last year, BitGo entered the market during a period of recent selloffs, making its reception particularly telling.
Muehlbauer added that BitGo’s positioning as a profitable and regulated “digital asset infrastructure company,” rather than a business tied directly to token price movements, helped insulate it from “Bitcoin’s (BTC) day-to-day volatility.”
Beyond Ledger, expectations are building that the pipeline of crypto IPOs will continue to grow. In addition to Kraken and Grayscale, industry experts believe the coming year could bring an even larger number of crypto-related IPOs in the US.
“2025 marked the professionalization of crypto, and the public markets noticed,” said Mike Bellin, a partner at PwC who leads the firm’s US IPO practice.
Some offerings, however, have faced delays. Elliot Han, chief investment officer at C1 Fund, said that the fourth quarter could have seen an even higher number of IPOs.
He pointed to the federal government’s prolonged shutdown as a key factor that pushed several listings into the first quarter of 2026. Han also noted that heightened stock market volatility toward the end of the third quarter added further complications.
Featured image from DALL-E, chart from TradingView.com
Gurhan Kiziloz is taking aim at Solana with BlockDAG, a live blockchain designed to combine high-speed performance, Ethereum compatibility, and broader decentralization. #partnercontent
Bitcoin is trading in a tight $87,000–$90,000 range, but recent developments suggest this consolidation may be more than a pause. On January 22, 2026, reported that Bitwise Asset Management launched the Bitwise Proficio Currency Debasement ETF (BPRO), an actively managed fund that combines Bitcoin, gold, silver, precious metals, and mining equities under one structure.
The message from Wall Street is clear. BTC is no longer being framed as a speculative trade alone, but as part of a broader hard-asset allocation strategy designed to hedge currency debasement. Bitwise manages over $15 bn in client assets, while Proficio Capital Partners oversees roughly $5 bn, placing this product firmly in institutional territory. The ETF allocates at least 25% to gold, with flexible exposure to Bitcoin and other scarcity-based assets, signaling long-term conviction rather than short-term positioning.
This matters for price. When institutional vehicles treat Bitcoin alongside gold, flows tend to be slower, larger, and more persistent.
Bitcoin (BTC/USD) Technical Analysis: Why the $87K–$90K Zone Matters for BTC
From a technical perspective, Bitcoin price prediction seems bearish as BTC’s current range reflects compression, not breakdown. Price has repeatedly held above the $87,400–$88,000 support zone, an area defined by prior demand and reinforced by long lower candlestick wicks. These candles show sellers losing follow-through rather than accelerating downside momentum.
On the 4-hour chart, BTC remains inside a broader ascending channel, with price consolidating into a descending flag. The 50-EMA and 100-EMA are flattening, while the 200-EMA continues to rise near the mid-$86,000s, preserving the higher-timeframe trend. RSI is stabilizing near the high-30s to low-40s, recovering from oversold conditions without flashing bearish continuation signals.
In practical terms, this structure often precedes range expansion, not further liquidation.
Institutional Framing Supports a Breakout Case
What strengthens the technical setup is the macro narrative behind it. According to Bitwise, gold ETFs currently account for just 0.17% of private financial holdings, despite gold’s long-standing role as a store of value. Bitcoin’s inclusion alongside gold highlights how institutions are positioning for currency debasement, not short-term volatility.
Key takeaways from the BPRO launch:
Actively managed exposure to BTC and precious metals
Minimum 25% allocation to gold
Designed as a hedge against declining fiat purchasing power
Listed on NYSE under ticker BPRO
Expense ratio of 0.96%
As these structures gain adoption, Bitcoin’s role shifts from tactical trade to portfolio component, which historically supports higher price floors.
Bitcoin Price Prediction: Why BTC’s $87K–$90K Range Could Set Up the Next Breakout
On the technical front, Bitcoin is trading near $89,000, and despite recent weakness, the broader picture still points to consolidation rather than trend failure. Price has pulled back to a rising trendline that has supported the move higher since $83,800, showing buyers remain active on dips.
#bitcoin lost its rising trendline but hasn’t broken structure yet. BTC holds $87.4K support after rejecting $91.7K EMAs. This looks like consolidation, not panic. Next move likely decides above $90.4K or below $87.4K. pic.twitter.com/eh1eFPoZ5E
If Bitcoin holds above $87,400, price could grind back toward $90,400, followed by a test of $92,000–$94,250. A break below $87,400 would delay this outlook and expose $85,600, but for now, pullbacks continue to look corrective rather than structural.
Bitcoin Hyper: The Next Evolution of BTC on Solana?
Bitcoin Hyper ($HYPER) is bringing a new phase to the BTC ecosystem. While BTC remains the gold standard for security, Bitcoin Hyper adds what it always lacked: Solana-level speed. The result: lightning-fast, low-cost smart contracts, decentralized apps, and even meme coin creation, all secured by Bitcoin.
Audited by Consult, the project emphasizes trust and scalability as adoption builds. And momentum is already strong. The presale has surpassed $30.9 million, with tokens priced at just $0.013625 before the next increase.
As Bitcoin activity climbs and demand for efficient BTC-based apps rises, Bitcoin Hyper stands out as the bridge uniting two of crypto’s biggest ecosystems. If Bitcoin built the foundation, Bitcoin Hyper could make it fast, flexible, and fun again.
South Korean prosecutors are investigating the disappearance of approximately $48 million in seized Bitcoin following a suspected phishing attack, according to local media reports. The Gwangju District Prosecutors’ Office discovered the missing digital assets during a routine inspection of confiscated…
Ledger is weighing a U.S. IPO that could value the hardware wallet maker above $4b as theft‑driven demand for cold storage, Trump’s pro‑crypto shift, and a rebounding IPO pipeline push more crypto firms toward Wall Street listings. Hardware wallet manufacturer…
Silver and gold have ripped to record highs on a historic short squeeze, weak dollar, and Fed‑cut hopes, while Bitcoin and Ethereum lag as higher‑beta, liquidity‑sensitive hedges that could catch up if macro stress and easing continue. Silver and gold…
The crypto market is down today after a brief jump. The cryptocurrency market capitalisation decreased by 2.2% over the past 24 hours, pulling back to $3.11 trillion. At the time of writing, 70 of the top 100 coins have seen their prices drop. The total crypto trading volume stands at $110 billion.
TLDR:
Crypto market cap is down 2.2% on Friday morning (UTC);
70 of the top 100 coins and 8 of the top 10 coins are down;
BTC decreased by 0.4% to $89,477 and ETH fell by 2% to $2,945;
Geopolitical uncertainty may leave BTC oscillating between its safe-haven narrative and its high-beta risk asset role;
Ukraine-Russia talks may help ease markets’ tail-risk fears, but only temporarily;
BTC’s outlook is driven by macro conditions and actual capital flows;
BTC is no longer trading in a state of euphoria;
‘The most plausible near-term scenario is for Bitcoin to continue consolidating in a cautious manner’;
US SEC and CFTC Chairmen will hold a crypto-focused joint event on 27 January;
Ledger is reportedly planning a US IPO that could value it over $4 billion;
US BTC and ETH spot ETFs saw $32.11 million and $41.98 million in outflows, respectively;
Crypto market sentiment remained unchanged within the fear zone.
Crypto Winners & Losers
As of Friday morning (UTC), 8 of the top 10 coins per market capitalisation have seen their price drop over the past 24 hours.
Bitcoin (BTC) fell by 0.4%, currently trading at $89,477. This is the smallest drop on the list,
Bitcoin (BTC)
24h7d30d1yAll time
Ethereum (ETH) decreased by 2%, changing hands at $2,945. This is the second-highest drop in the category.
The highest fall among the top 10 is XRP’s 2.2%, now standing at $1.91.
On the other hand, two coins are currently green. Tron (TRX)appreciated by 3.3% to the price of $0.309.
Binance Coin (BNB) is technically also green, but its increase is so low that the price is practically unchanged. It’s up 0.1% to $890.
At the same time, of the top 100 coins per market cap, 70 have seen their price drop today.
Pump.fun (PUMP) fell the most among these: 6.4% to $0.002481.
On the green side, Rain (RAIN) appreciated the most: 8.4% to $0.00997.
River (RIVER)is next, with a rise of 7.4% to $49.83.
Meanwhile, in the US, SEC Chairman Paul Atkins and CFTC Chairman Michael Selig will hold a joint event on 27 January to discuss ending regulatory chaos, as well as efforts to make the United States the global crypto capital.
“For too long, market participants have been forced to navigate regulatory boundaries that are unclear in application and misaligned in design, based solely on legacy jurisdictional silos,” the chairmen said in their statement.
I'm looking forward to joining @ChairmanSelig next week at our @SECgov and @CFTC joint event to discuss harmonization between our two agencies.
Together we will discuss our efforts to deliver on President Trump’s promise to make the US the crypto capital of the world.
According to Bitunix analysts, the recent developments around the Russia-Ukraine war may be beneficial for the markets, but possibly only in the short term. The US will facilitate talks between Ukraine and Russia in Abu Dhabi today.
At the macro level, analysts say, “this initiative may help ease markets’ tail-risk fears of a full-scale escalation in the near term, but it does not imply a rapid end to the conflict.” A limited ceasefire could be more realistic.
Moreover, geopolitical risk premia could ease in the short term, supporting risk assets and dampening volatility in energy prices, they add.
Yet, the symbolism of these talks may outweigh any immediate breakthroughs. Over the medium term, “markets will need to see tangible room for Russian concessions; absent that, sentiment is likely to swing back and forth.”
For crypto markets, “a scenario in which geopolitical uncertainty merely ‘cools but does not thaw’ would leave Bitcoin oscillating between its safe-haven narrative and its role as a high-beta risk asset,” they conclude.
BTC is No Longer in State of Euphoria
Linh Tran, Senior Market Analyst at XS.com, commented that Bitcoin’s short-term outlook is centred on interest rates, liquidity, and institutional capital flows.
“After the sharp volatility seen toward the end of 2025, BTC is no longer trading in a state of euphoria, but instead reflects the cautious sentiment of global investors amid persistently high rates and financial conditions that have yet to meaningfully ease,” Tran writes.
One of the most important factors influencing BTC is the level of U.S. Treasury yields. “BTC struggles to attract sustained new inflows unless markets begin to believe that the monetary policy cycle is approaching a turning point.”
Meanwhile, the US Federal Reserve will likely hold a cautious stance at the late-January meeting. Therefore, “only sufficiently strong economic data capable of shifting expectations around the rate path are likely to generate meaningful volatility in BTC; otherwise, the market is likely to remain locked in a tug-of-war,” the analysts argue.
Still, the most decisive factor for BTC’s near-term outlook are institutional flows, they conclude. “Bitcoin only establishes a durable uptrend when ETF flows remain consistently positive, rather than through sporadic inflows that are quickly reversed.”
Moreover, the dip-buying demand has not been strong enough to push prices through key resistance levels. Therefore, “without the support of fresh inflows, each rebound risks turning into a profit-taking opportunity, leaving the short-term trend choppy and lacking clear direction.”
“From my perspective,” Tan writes, “the most plausible near-term scenario is for Bitcoin to continue consolidating in a cautious manner, with downside risks persisting if ETF outflows continue. For a more constructive scenario to emerge, the market would need to see improvement on two fronts simultaneously: easing financial conditions and a steady return of institutional net buying.”
Conversely, Tan says, “if yields rebound or global markets shift decisively into a defensive, risk-off stance, Bitcoin is likely to face renewed downside pressure in the short term, given its high sensitivity to changes in risk appetite.”
Levels & Events to Watch Next
At the time of writing on Friday morning, BTC was changing hands at $89,477. It was quite a choppy trading day for the coin. The coin initially and briefly climbed to the intraday high of $90,159 and then dropped to the day’s low of $88,557. It continued trading in this range.
Over the past 7 days, BTC decreased by nearly 7%, trading in the $87,653–$95,649 range.
We now found the support at $89,300, followed by the $87,400 level. The latter previously acted as demand. On the other hand, the resistance levels stand at $91,800 and $94,200.
Bitcoin Price Chart. Source: TradingView
At the same time, Ethereum was trading at $2,945. It saw a similarly choppy trading day. Earlier in the day, it fell from $3,012 to the intraday low of $2,909. For most of the day, it traded in the $2,944-$2,953 range.
Moreover, ETH fell 11.3% over the past seven days, moving between $2,898 and $3,361.
Should the downward push continue, the price may fall further below $2,900, followed by $2,830 and $2,745. If the tide turns, ETH may reclaim the $3,000 level, and if it manages to hold it firmly, the move could open doors for additional notable increases.
Ethereum (ETH)
24h7d30d1yAll time
Meanwhile, the crypto market sentiment remained unchanged over the past day, firmly maintaining its position within the fear zone.
The crypto fear and greed index currently stands at 34 today, the same level as yesterday.
This highlights the overall uncertainty and caution in the market, with participants waiting to see in which direction the needle will move.
ETFs See the Highest Drop in Two Months
The US BTC spot exchange-traded funds (ETFs) posted minor outflows on 22 January, totalling $32.11 million. This is the lowest amount of flows in nearly a month. The total net inflow now stands at $56.6 billion.
Of the twelve ETFs, only two recorded outflows, and none saw inflows.
BlackRock let go of $22.35 million, and Fidelity followed with $9.76 million in outflows.
Additionally, the US ETH ETFs posted minor negative flows as well, with $41.98 million. Like their BTC counterparts, this is also the lowest amount since late December. With this, the total net inflow pulled back further for a third day in a row to $12.34 billion.
Of the nine funds, two ETH ETFs posted outflows, and two saw inflows. Grayscale took in 17.63 million in total.
At the same time, BlackRock recorded $44.44 million in outflows, followed by Bitwise’s $15.16 million.
It would do so in collaboration with Wall Street banks Goldman Sachs, Jefferies, and Barclays.
Exclusive: The French cryptocurrency group, which sells devices that allow investors to securely store tokens, is working with bankers at Goldman Sachs, Jefferies and Barclays on an initial public offering that could take place as soon as this year. https://t.co/SLDJma0xX1pic.twitter.com/FdoOGh6B58
After a single day of increases, the crypto market reverted to downward action that governed this week. Meanwhile, the US stock market closed the Thursday session higher for the second consecutive day. By the closing time on 22 January, the S&P 500 was up 0.55%, the Nasdaq-100 increased by 0.76%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose by 0.63%. Presumably, the TradFi markers are still digesting the US’s apparent decision not to use military force in Greenland or impose tariffs on eight NATO allies.
Is this drop sustainable?
For now, we may continue to see further decreases in the crypto market, at least in the short term. Nonetheless, the price action is not closed for a renewed upward trajectory, though how stable it would be is still unclear.
Login
