Latest Crypto News | Bitcoin, Ethereum and Altcoin Updates

Bitwise CIO Matt Hougan says continued, durable demand from spot Bitcoin ETFs could trigger a parabolic Bitcoin rally. Since the funds launched in January 2024, spot BTC ETFs have reportedly bought more than 100% of newly mined supply and accumulated roughly $56.5 billion in net inflows as of Jan. 13, 2026. Hougan compares the dynamic to gold, where years of central-bank buying only produced a sharp surge after willing sellers were exhausted. Currently, price has not gone parabolic because long-term holders have been selling into ETF demand. If institutional ETF demand remains persistent, that selling could dry up and force a rapid repricing higher. Market context: Bitcoin recently reclaimed about $92,000 and shows short-term strength; CoinMarketCap data cited near-term gains (24h +1.82%) with mixed weekly/monthly returns. Key levels to watch for traders: $92,000 as a potential support/resistance flip and $90,500 as a conviction line for directional bias. Primary keywords: Bitcoin, spot ETF, ETF inflows, institutional demand. Secondary keywords: supply/demand imbalance, long-term holders, parabolic run, price levels.

A U.S. district court in Seattle ruled that the Department of Transportation (DOT) illegally paused $5 billion in NEVI (National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure) funds that Congress approved under the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The freeze occurred in February 2026 after Sean Duffy became Transportation Secretary; 20 Democratic-led states and Washington, D.C. sued. Judge Tana Lin found the DOT and Federal Highway Administration failed to follow administrative-law procedures and issued a permanent order barring the department from reclaiming awarded funds or canceling approved state plans. The decision allows states to proceed with previously approved EV charger projects. Environmental groups and state attorneys general praised the ruling. Separately, Congress may consider legislation that would reallocate $879 million of EV charging money to other infrastructure if passed by the Senate, potentially conflicting with the court order. The ruling does not change other federal policies favoring internal-combustion vehicles or cuts to EV incentives, but it prevents retroactive withdrawal of allocated NEVI grants.

Binance founder Changpeng Zhao (CZ) warned that accelerated adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) will eliminate millions of jobs, particularly entry-level roles, and urged people to invest in cryptocurrencies as a financial hedge. In an X post CZ said “AI will make you jobless. Crypto will make you not need a job,” advising to buy and hold crypto now to potentially retire in the future. He framed his view around a predicted crypto “supercycle” in 2026, citing the US SEC deprioritizing crypto enforcement and rising institutional demand. CZ also reiterated that his comments are not financial advice. The article references an ILO study that estimates one in four jobs could be at risk from generative AI and notes calls for worker upskilling. CZ has sizeable exposure to BNB and expects Bitcoin to surge (he mentioned a $200K target), while some market optimists forecast even higher long-term price points.

Ripple is integrating artificial intelligence with the XRP Ledger to improve cross‑border payments and liquidity management. The implementation, highlighted in a case study shared by analyst SMQKE, uses AI to optimize transaction routing and real‑time payment flows, reducing costs and increasing speed. Ripple’s enterprise-grade focus and growing institutional use are emphasized: BlackRock is reported to be using Ripple’s RLUSD as collateral, and the REAL token launched on January 26 on the XRP Ledger, with some community projections — unverified — suggesting large capital inflows. Commentary in the article links regulatory progress (notably figures like Caroline Pham) and Ripple leadership (Brad Garlinghouse) to a perceived alignment that supports broader institutional adoption. The piece notes XRP’s technical strengths (fast settlement, low fees) and positions the Ledger as moving beyond payments toward automated, data‑driven financial workflows. Key keywords: XRP Ledger, Ripple, AI, cross‑border payments, RLUSD, REAL token, liquidity management.

APEMARS, an Ethereum-based presale token ($APRZ) with a 23-stage roadmap and scheduled burn mechanics, has entered Stage 5 at $0.00003629, reportedly raising over $112,000 with 550+ holders. The project markets scarcity-driven token burns at stages 6, 12, 18 and 23 and promotes large upside scenarios for early buyers, claiming historic high returns in prior stages and suggesting potential multi-thousand percent gains for presale investors. The article includes presale purchase instructions and a paid-post disclaimer. Separately, price outlooks for established Layer‑1s are presented: Solana (SOL) is cited trading around $126–$130 with model forecasts of $160–$200 for 2026, and Cardano (ADA) is noted near $0.35 with potential targets of $0.55–$0.68 in 2026, supported by network developments like the Midnight sidechain. The piece frames APEMARS as a high-risk, high-reward speculative opportunity contrasted with steadier growth expectations for SOL and ADA.

Mutuum Finance (MUTM) is marketing its ongoing presale as a high‑return opportunity, now in Phase 7 at a presale price of $0.04 (initial presale price $0.01). The issuer claims about $19.9 million raised from more than 18,880 contributors and projects a listing price of $0.06. Marketing materials promote a hypothetical 10,000% upside (target price $4) by comparing MUTM to Dogecoin’s historic rally. Protocol mechanics highlighted for traders include a two‑level rewards model: liquidity providers purportedly earn up to 14% APY (8% base in USDT + 6% in MUTM) and borrowers receive 4% in MUTM rebates to reduce effective borrowing costs. Risk parameters shown in the materials include dynamic LTV limits (up to 70% LTV for blue‑chip assets such as SOL or USDC) with liquidation around 75%. The project cites third‑party audits (Halborn, CertiK token scan score noted) and a bug‑bounty program to underscore security. Community incentives mentioned include a $100,000 giveaway and daily buyer rewards. Coverage is press‑release in tone and includes a standard due‑diligence disclaimer. Key data points for traders: current presale price $0.04, initial presale price $0.01, claimed funds raised ~$19.9M, investor count 18,880+, projected listing $0.06, and aggressive marketing comparing potential ROI to Dogecoin.

VIRTUAL (VIRTUAL) fell ~15.7% over the past week amid weakness in crypto AI tokens, but technicals suggest a buying opportunity if key support holds. After an early-January breakout above multi-month swing levels ($0.73 and $1.05), VIRTUAL retraced toward the 78.6% Fibonacci level at $0.758 and established a short-term range near $0.80–$0.88. Short-term momentum is bearish: price sits below the 20- and 50-day moving averages and the Chaikin Money Flow (CMF) dropped below -0.05, while Glassnode shows net positive exchange inflows (7DMA) over six months—indicating holders have been sending tokens to exchanges. The article’s trading stance: maintain bullish bias unless $0.758 is decisively broken, with upside targets at $1.19 and $1.33. Risk reminder: this is opinion, not financial advice.

Silver prices surged past $100 per ounce amid strong investor demand and supply tightness, yet converting gains into cash by selling physical metal proved more complex than expected. Dealers and bullion shops faced shortages, long wait times and premiums above spot as consumers and investors sought coins and bars. The market saw increased retail activity, with some buyers encountering purchase limits and lengthy delivery delays. Analysts noted that while spot silver and silver ETFs reflect the price rally, physical market frictions—limited inventory, logistical constraints, and dealer markup—can prevent immediate realization of gains for holders of physical metal. The situation echoes past precious-metal rallies where paper and physical markets diverged, influencing liquidity and short-term price dynamics. Traders should monitor premiums, dealer inventories, mint announcements and ETF flows to assess where buying pressure and potential squeezes may persist.

Ethereum (ETH) is trading around a critical pivot between $2,900–$2,950 after pulling back from near $3,300. Technical analysts cite a Wyckoff re-accumulation structure and identify the current phase as a potential ’Last Point of Support’ — holding this zone would preserve bullish structure and could set up a fresh upward impulse. Short-term resistance sits at $3,300 (primary) and $3,600 (secondary); a decisive close above $3,300 would open a path toward $3,600. Failure below the $2,900 pivot increases downside risk toward $2,800, $2,680 and lower demand zones near ~$2,570, and would favor protective measures or short positions. On-chain indicators show signs of seller exhaustion (bullish RSI divergence), and large holders and institutions are accumulating — recent flows include sizable additions by crypto treasuries and growing interest in U.S. spot ETH ETFs and staking-inclusive products. For traders: treat $2,900 as the immediate risk-management pivot; consider a bullish bias on sustained closes above $3,300 and defensive sizing or short bias if $2,900 breaks. This is market analysis, not investment advice.

Bitcoin dropped about 6.6% since Jan. 18 amid recent geopolitical jitters, while gold rose roughly 8.6% to new highs, highlighting a divergence in safe-haven behaviour. NYDIG’s Global Head of Research Greg Cipolaro argues bitcoin acts more like an “ATM” during short-term market stress: its high liquidity and 24/7 trading make it easy to sell to raise cash, so leveraged positions and vintage coins flow to exchanges, creating a supply overhang. By contrast, gold benefits from record central-bank buying and functions as a liquidity sink, making it the preferred hedge for episodic shocks such as tariff threats, war risk and sudden confidence losses. Cipolaro suggests bitcoin is better suited to hedge long-term monetary and geopolitical decay (fiat debasement, slow trust erosion) that unfolds over years, not weeks. Key takeaways for traders: expect higher near-term volatility and potential selling pressure in BTC during abrupt risk-off events; monitor on-chain flows of older coins and exchange inflows as sell signals; watch gold and institutional flows for cross-asset allocation shifts that could delay capital rotation into crypto.

Vertical Aerospace displayed its Valo electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft in New York City. The six-seat Valo, with a nearly 50-foot wingspan, carries up to six passengers plus a pilot and luggage, using eight rotors for vertical lift and tilting propellers for forward flight. The company says the aircraft is quieter than helicopters and designed for trips up to 100 miles, with multiple short flights between charges. Chairman Dómhnal Slattery said Vertical aims to make urban air mobility affordable — targeting roughly $150 per seat (comparable to an Uber Black from Manhattan to JFK) when configured for six passengers. Vertical plans to begin the certification process with European aviation authorities next year and seeks full certification by 2028. The company will act as a manufacturer rather than an operator and has partnerships with American Airlines, Japan Airlines, Bristow Group and Skyports Infrastructure to plan routes connecting New York City with nearby airports (Newark, Teterboro, JFK, East Hampton) and intends operations in London. Vertical emphasizes proving safety and reliability to gain public trust, noting European certification standards are stringent. Competition in the eVTOL sector is strong, and Vertical is betting Valo’s size, range and cost profile will provide an edge.

Shiba Inu (SHIB) trades near multi-year lows at about $0.00000781, meaning 100 million SHIB currently costs roughly $781 versus about $3,300 in December 2025. SHIB is down roughly 91% from its October 2021 all-time high. Forecasts for 2030 vary: Finder projects SHIB at $0.0001971 (100M SHIB ≈ $19,710), Changelly estimates $0.0000458–$0.0000532 (100M = $4,580–$5,320), and Telegaon gives $0.0000919–$0.000124 (up to ~$12,400 for 100M). Analysts tie upside potential to broad crypto market growth — ARK Invest’s $28 trillion market thesis — and interest in a possible spot SHIB ETF (Grayscale flagged SHIB under the SEC Generic Listing Standard). Risks cited include SHIB’s slow development progress, limited transparency, and massive token supply. Key keywords: Shiba Inu, SHIB price, 100M SHIB, SHIB 2030 forecast, spot SHIB ETF.

Business leaders at the World Economic Forum in Davos warned that rapid advances in artificial intelligence could cause significant white‑collar job losses within 6–12 months. Speakers including Larry Fink (BlackRock), Jamie Dimon (JPMorgan), Dario Amodei (Anthropic) and Demis Hassabis (Google DeepMind) highlighted risks to roles such as software engineers, interns and entry‑level analyst positions. Amodei said AI may soon perform nearly all tasks of a software engineer; Hassabis warned early‑career jobs and internships will be affected. The article cites data showing AI was a factor in nearly 55,000 U.S. layoffs in 2025 and an MIT study estimating AI could automate about 11% of U.S. jobs. Therapists report growing patient anxiety and feelings of obsolescence, with a 2025 APA survey finding 38% of workers worry AI will make parts or all of their jobs redundant. Some sectors show resilience: radiologists have integrated AI and employment rose, and skilled trades (welders, plumbers, electricians) face less automation risk and report large labor shortages. Key themes: job cuts, tech sector disruption, psychological impact, and uneven automation risk across industries.

MORPHO (MORPHO/USDT) is trading near $1.196 with low intraday volatility and 24h volume around $2.34M. Price sits below the EMA20 (~$1.20) and the Supertrend signals bearish around $1.25; RSI is neutral (~44) and MACD shows weak positive bars. Key intraday levels: support cluster at $1.1812 (critical; invalidation point) and $1.0750; resistance cluster at $1.1947, $1.2117 (main barrier), and $1.2221. Short-term scenarios: a close above $1.1947 could trigger 2–3% upside to $1.2117–$1.2221 and potentially $1.2875 if breakout holds with volume; a break below $1.1812 could accelerate downside toward $1.1155 (~6% drop). MORPHO is highly correlated with Bitcoin; BTC moves and volume spikes are likely triggers for rapid moves. Analysts rate short-term trades as high-risk, recommend tight stops, small position sizing (1–2% capital), and prioritize volume and BTC direction when trading MORPHO.

This week’s notable corporate deals span consumer goods, travel, healthcare and payments. Clorox (CLX) agreed to acquire hand-hygiene and skin-care maker GOJO Industries for $2.25 billion in cash to expand its health-and-wellness portfolio. Other reported transactions include activity around Spirit Airlines, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), PayPal (PYPL) and additional firm-level deals across sectors. The announcements reflect consolidation in household products, strategic moves in travel and healthcare, and continued M&A interest in payments and fintech. Key takeaways for traders: expect sector-specific price reactions (consumer staples, travel, pharma, payments), possible short-term volatility around deal terms and regulatory scrutiny, and longer-term repositioning as buyers integrate acquired assets.

The 2026 Australian Open brings several notable developments that matter to fans and sports bettors. Organizers have expanded accessibility initiatives and introduced a faster court surface designed to favour attacking players, contributing to quicker rallies and potentially different match dynamics. Attendance is expected to set new records, and event organisers will deploy enhanced technologies including augmented reality to boost fan engagement. Key contenders highlighted include Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz on the men’s side, and Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Świątek among the women. The article notes increasing integration of sports betting platforms and recommends resources like the Polymarket odds feed for bettors seeking market insights. The piece frames these changes as likely to heighten match intensity, influence betting lines, and create new opportunities for wagering, while reminding readers this is informational and not financial advice.

The Nietzschean Penguin (PENGUIN), a memecoin launched on Solana, surged about 564% after a viral White House social media post showing former President Donald Trump holding hands with a penguin. PENGUIN’s market cap rose from roughly $387,000 pre-post to about $136 million, with $244 million in 24-hour trading volume recorded by SolanaFloor. The token trades around $0.13 on DEXScreener. The spike occurred amid a wider, volatile memecoin market that earlier saw large declines after celebrity token crashes but briefly rebounded in January 2026. Analysts note renewed social interest and higher risk appetite as drivers; however, the overall memecoin sector pulled back from a short-lived surge to roughly $39 billion total market cap. Key keywords: PENGUIN memecoin, Solana (SOL), memecoin surge, viral social post, trading volume.

At Davos 2025, leading tech executives — including Elon Musk, Jensen Huang (Nvidia), Dario Amodei (Anthropic) and Satya Nadella (Microsoft) — publicly debated the future of artificial intelligence, exposing strategic rifts over investment, adoption, geopolitics and ethics. Corporate presences dominated the forum, shifting focus from traditional geopolitical topics to AI infrastructure and talent. Key tensions: Amodei criticized advanced chip exports to China and framed AI data centers in national-security terms; Nadella pushed for broader adoption and equitable distribution, calling data centers “token factories”; Huang argued for greater investment to sustain innovation and jobs; Musk’s presence highlighted AI’s centrality despite limited policy detail. Discussions raised concerns about an AI “bubble,” differing prescriptions for sustainability, and geopolitical competition between the U.S., China and Europe. Talent scarcity, corporate concentration of expertise, and the commercialisation of global policy were recurring themes. The summit signalled that AI debates now shape investment and trade policy, with likely effects on funding flows, regulatory moves and strategic hardware controls.

Bitcoin Cash (BCH) has rebounded after finding support near $560 and is trading around $596. The rebound stalled at the 50-day simple moving average (SMA); immediate resistance sits at $600, with further resistance at $650 and $700. Key supports are $560 (short-term), $500, $450 and $400. Short-term (4-hour) charts show BCH trading above shorter-term moving averages but below the 50-day SMA, indicating mixed momentum. A decisive break above $600 and the 50-day SMA would likely open a run toward $620 and the prior high near $660–$668, with an upside target near $720 noted in earlier technicals. Failure to clear $600 could keep BCH range-bound between roughly $570–$600; a drop below $560 would expose sellers and risk a fall toward $542 and lower supports. Traders should watch price action around $600–$660 and volume for confirmation. This analysis is opinion and not trading advice.

The Ethereum Foundation has assembled a dedicated post‑quantum cryptography (PQC) team to evaluate and prepare Ethereum’s protocol and ecosystem for future quantum threats. The new team will research post‑quantum signature schemes, assess migration paths, coordinate with client teams and core developers, and publish recommendations and tooling to support transitions if and when quantum‑resistant primitives are required. The move responds to growing industry concern about the eventual capability of quantum computers to break current elliptic‑curve cryptography — the basis for Ethereum keys and signatures. The Foundation emphasised this is proactive resilience planning rather than an immediate alarm: practical quantum attacks remain years away, but the window for careful, coordinated migration is long and technically complex. Key actions include auditing cryptographic dependencies, prototyping post‑quantum signatures, stress‑testing upgrade pathways, and engaging exchanges, wallets and infrastructure providers to reduce migration risk. For traders, the development signals strengthened long‑term security plans for ETH and the ecosystem, but it is unlikely to trigger immediate market moves. The announcement may boost confidence among institutional participants concerned about cryptographic longevity, while technical migration planning could create periodic volatility around upgrade timelines and interoperability testing.

6.2 million USD of funds stolen in the January 21 SagaEVM exploit have been deposited into Tornado Cash, according to blockchain security firm CertiK and Saga team updates. The exploit — involving coordinated contract deployments, cross-chain activity, and liquidity withdrawals — transferred nearly $7M in USDC, yUSD, ETH and tBTC to Ethereum mainnet. Attackers split proceeds across five wallets before routing $6.2M into the Tornado Cash privacy mixer to obscure traces and frustrate recovery. Saga paused the affected chainlet at block 6,593,800 and identified affected components (SagaEVM chainlet, Colt and Mustang), while other Saga network elements (Saga SSC mainnet, protocol consensus, validators) were reportedly unaffected. Cosmos Labs confirmed the root cause traces to the Ethermint codebase and said it is working with Saga and external security partners on mitigations. Saga plans a technical post‑mortem after remediation. Primary keywords: SagaEVM, Tornado Cash, exploit, USDC, ETH. Secondary/semantic keywords: mixer, laundered funds, Ethermint, Cosmos Labs, incident response.

Institutional investors have pulled $1.33 billion from U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs amid a broader crypto sell-off that has erased over $1 trillion in market value after a 35% drawdown. Ethereum ETFs saw $611 million in net outflows, XRP’s spot ETF recorded a first weekly net outflow of $40.6 million, and Solana remained the only token with positive inflows, adding $9.57 million—the weakest on record. Precious metals, led by gold and silver, have absorbed much of the flight-to-safety flows; silver has posted particularly strong gains, adding value roughly equivalent to Bitcoin’s entire market capitalization since October. Despite global liquidity expanding to a record $162 trillion, crypto has decoupled and continued to weaken since mid-November, suggesting capital is rotating into safer assets. The article notes geopolitical tensions and concerns about U.S. dollar purchasing power as drivers of the move. Analysts say a change in macro policy—such as a more dovish Federal Reserve chair—could restore risk appetite, but near-term recovery remains uncertain as institutional conviction appears to be waning across major U.S. spot crypto ETFs.

Recent volatility in crypto markets has widened pressure across major altcoins, with XRP dropping to its lowest since April before rebounding toward $1.94. Market-wide risk aversion—reflected in an Altcoin Season Index of 14—plus tighter global liquidity and rising Bitcoin dominance have exacerbated losses for Ethereum, Solana and Cardano. XRP’s on-chain fundamentals remain intact: roughly $118 billion market cap, about $2.9 billion daily volume, 60.5 billion circulating supply, and corporate interest from cross-border payments initiatives and a reported Ripple pilot expanding global payment partnerships. Technically, XRP has been trading within a descending channel since December. Buyers lifted the RSI to 58 after reaction buys around $1.85, but the $2.00 level is firm resistance; a clear breach could target ~$2.17, while failure risks tests of $1.85 and $1.77. For traders, the near-term direction hinges on whether XRP can sustain above $2.00 amid macro liquidity shifts and Bitcoin-driven flows. The article notes the situation is technically fragile but fundamentally supported for long-term, patient investors.

Global markets in Q1 2026 sent a series of clear signals that investors should watch closely. Ten themes emerged as most relevant: shifting central bank policy expectations, persistent inflation dynamics, yields and bond market stress, equity sector leadership rotation (notably tech vs. value), corporate earnings divergence and profit warnings, renewed geopolitical risk and energy-price volatility, liquidity and fund-flow shifts into passive and alternative assets, rising M&A and restructuring activity, caution around AI and big-tech valuations, and continued interest in bitcoin and crypto as an inflation hedge and liquidity play. Traders should monitor interest-rate expectations, real yields, credit spreads, equity breadth, and commodity moves — all drivers of cross-asset sentiment. Key statistics and indicators from the quarter included widening credit spreads in certain corporate sectors, spikes in short-term volatility, and notable inflows/outflows between equities and fixed income. Major market participants and central banks were central to the narrative, with policy guidance and data releases shaping risk appetite. For crypto traders, bitcoin’s behavior relative to macro indicators (rates, dollar strength, and risk sentiment) stood out as a barometer for risk-on flows. Overall, Q1’s signals emphasize active risk management: focus on rate-sensitive sectors, watch liquidity and positioning, and use hedges where correlations between assets are changing rapidly.

Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong said at the World Economic Forum in Davos that a top executive from one of the world’s 10 largest banks told him crypto is now the bank’s “number one priority” and an “existential” issue. Armstrong reported many legacy financial leaders are proactively exploring crypto opportunities. He highlighted three themes: tokenization of assets (equities, credit and other products) that could broaden access for the estimated 4 billion unbrokered adults; stablecoins that could enable instant, bank-bypass transfers; and the interplay of AI and crypto, where AI agents may default to stablecoins for payments outside traditional banking rails. Armstrong also noted growing U.S. political support for crypto, citing the Trump administration and the CLARITY Act as moves toward clearer regulation. He did not name the bank or executive. The remarks point to accelerated interest from big banks in crypto infrastructure and regulatory clarity, which could materially affect payments, deposits and custody business models in 2026.

Former BitMEX CEO Arthur Hayes predicts a surprise Bitcoin (BTC) bull run in 2026. Hayes argues that macro dynamics, including potential U.S. economic weakness, disinflation, and central bank policy shifts, could create conditions for Bitcoin to outperform. He suggests that low yields and subdued growth may drive institutional capital toward BTC as a store of value and alternative risk asset. Hayes also notes growing on-chain activity and stablecoin-driven liquidity as supportive factors. He cautions that timing is uncertain and that market structure, regulation, and macro shocks could alter outcomes. The piece highlights Hayes’s historical market commentary and frames his 2026 call as a strategic outlook rather than a short-term trading signal.

Gemini has placed Nifty Gateway, the NFT marketplace it acquired in 2019, into withdrawal-only mode and will fully cease the platform’s operations on Feb. 23, 2026. From the announcement date users cannot buy, sell, list or bid on NFTs; they must withdraw NFTs, ETH or USD balances to external wallets or the Gemini ecosystem before shutdown. Gemini will not cover gas fees for transfers and some credit-card purchases may face a 72-hour withdrawal hold. The company says the move aligns with a strategic pivot toward a unified “super app” and the Gemini Wallet (launched Aug. 2025) as the primary place to custody NFTs and other crypto assets. The closure highlights ongoing market consolidation after the 2021 NFT boom; however, market data cited in the later report showed a modest rebound in early January 2026 (weekly NFT sales around $85M and a roughly $700M market uptick). The announcement underscores broader industry shifts toward utility-driven and tokenized NFT projects (examples: Pudgy Penguins’ PENGU and OpenSea’s SEA-related pivot). For traders: immediate actions include monitoring NFT transfer flows, potential short-term liquidity changes for NFT-linked tokens, and possible secondary-market price pressure for assets primarily traded on Nifty Gateway. Longer term, expect continued consolidation among marketplaces, migration of liquidity into custodial wallets and major exchanges, and selective upside for utility-focused NFT projects that maintain trading and on-chain activity.

Bitcoin (BTC) shows price resilience near recent highs but on-chain metrics and ETF flows point to a structural demand deficit that could trigger a pullback. CryptoQuant’s 30-day Apparent Demand has moved into clear negative territory, implying a 60,000–80,000 BTC net deficit as miners and long-term holders distribute coins while new buyers fail to absorb supply. Concurrently, spot Bitcoin ETFs have recorded net outflows exceeding $1.3 billion per week despite total ETF assets near $115.9 billion and BTC trading around $89,500. Historically, similar sustained negative demand and ETF outflow phases (late 2021–2022) preceded prolonged downside and capped rallies. The article notes macro factors — tighter liquidity and higher rates — are reducing risk appetite and slowing inflows. If demand does not recover, current price strength may represent a late-cycle or bear-market rally rather than renewed accumulation. A stabilization or reversal in spot ETF flows or an easing of liquidity conditions would likely provide only short-term relief rather than a decisive trend change.

Egrag Crypto argues a $42 long-term target for XRP is grounded in repeating macro structures within XRP’s price history rather than pure speculation. The analyst identifies a fourth macro formation marked by multi-month compression, symmetry in duration, and measured expansions—patterns that preceded large moves in prior cycles. Currently (late 2025–early 2026) XRP trades in a sideways-to-lower range near $1.88–$1.90 with short-term resistance around $1.96–$2.03. Most analysts view near- to medium-term targets as more conservative (single to low double digits, e.g., $4–$6), and institutional forecasts like Standard Chartered’s $8 by 2026 remain more conventional. Egrag frames $42 as a probabilistic structural outcome on a multi-year timeline, not a guaranteed price, and urges traders to treat it as an extreme scenario within a spectrum that includes nearer-term, higher-probability targets. The article stresses risk management and further research before trading on long-range structural claims.