A fourth-quarter crypto downturn exposed how closely ARK’s flagship ETFs are now tied to digital assets, with Coinbase and Roblox emerging as the biggest performance drags.
Sentiment in the Bitcoin market has marked an improvement recently as the Fear & Greed Index has surged into the neutral zone for the first time in months. Bitcoin Fear & Greed Index Is Now Pointing At ‘Neutral’ The “Fear & Greed Index” refers to an indicator created by Alternative that tells us about the average sentiment present among traders in the Bitcoin and wider cryptocurrency markets. It determines the investor mentality using the data of five factors: market cap dominance, trading volume, volatility, social media sentiment, and Google Trends. To represent the sentiment, the index makes use of a numerical scale running from 0 to 100. All values below 47 correspond to fear among the investors, while those above 53 reflect the dominance of greed. The metric being between the two cutoffs suggests a net neutral sentiment. Related Reading: Litecoin Whale Activity Spikes To 5-Week High: Reversal Or Continuation Signal? Now, here is how the current market sentiment is like, according to the Fear & Greed Index: As is visible above, the index has a value of 48 right now, indicating that sentiment around Bitcoin is neutral. This is a sharp change from how the market mood looked just yesterday. The Bitcoin Fear & Greed Index had a value of 26 on Tuesday, which means that the investor sentiment was deep inside the fear zone. The reason behind the turnaround in trader mood has been the coin’s recovery rally, which has now taken its price beyond the $97,000 level. Since the Fear & Greed Index hasn’t made it into the greed zone yet, investors still look to be hesitant about embracing the bullish price action. In the past, the cryptocurrency market has often tended to move against the expectations of the majority, so the fact that traders aren’t outright greedy yet could actually be a positive sign for the rally’s sustainability. That said, the latest jump in sentiment has been a rapid one, so the indicator could be to keep an eye on in the coming days, as a venture into the greed zone could very well be next. The current break into the neutral zone reflects the first time since late October that the Fear & Greed Index has surged into the region. A greedy sentiment hasn’t been witnessed since the first half of October, more than three months ago. Related Reading: Monero (XMR) Rockets 51% To New ATH, But Watch Out For FOMO In some other news, the new Bitcoin recovery run has triggered a large amount of liquidations, as revealed by on-chain analytics firm Glassnode. “Across the top 500 cryptocurrencies, the latest move triggered the largest short-liquidation event since 10/10,” explained Glassnode. BTC Price At the time of writing, Bitcoin is floating around $97,500, up more than 7% in the last seven days. Featured image from Dall-E, chart from TradingView.com
Bitcoin, ether, solana and XRP spot ETFs all posted net inflows on Wednesday, led by the strongest day for bitcoin funds in months.
The sentiment gauge climbed to 61 after weeks in fear territory, tracking bitcoin’s rebound to its highest level since November.
The recently released draft of the CLARITY Act, a significant piece of legislation aimed at regulating the crypto market, has ignited a wave of criticism from supporters within the community. Initially, the bill was meant to include protections for developers. However, expert commentary suggests that it opens the door to continued prosecution of developers and enhances surveillance measures for users of non-custodial software. Crypto Market Structure Bill Draft Lacks Essential Protections Market expert Ryan Adams highlighted another key issue in the crypto bill, stating that if banks succeed in eliminating stablecoin yield provisions within the CLARITY Act, it would indicate that the Senate is prioritizing bank interests over those of the general public. Adams’s concerns were echoed by various users, who opined that the strategy appears orchestrated to allow banks to benefit by controlling how yields are managed and distributed. Related Reading: Zcash Foundation Investigation Closed: SEC Decision Sparks 12% Jump In ZEC Price An independent report by The Rage reinforces these worries, detailing how the proposed draft includes so-called developer protections that may fall short. Notably absent are safeguards against the rigorous implications of the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) for self-custodial wallets. Additionally, the draft hints at possible applications to decentralized finance (DeFi) that could empower agencies to implement Travel Rule-like regulations, along with anti-money laundering (AML) measures targeting web-based interfaces and blockchain analysis firms. Per the report, the Senate has already received 137 amendments to the draft ahead of its markup, scheduled for January 15. A revised version of the Blockchain Regulatory Certainty Act (BRCA) is also included, which has been seen as vital for protecting developers. BRCA Loopholes While the BRCA offers exemptions under AML and counter-terrorist financing regulations, it continues to leave developers vulnerable to accountability for the actions of users utilizing their software. The BRCA states that “non-controlling” developers—defined as those without unilateral control over digital asset transactions—will not be categorized as money transmitters under the relevant laws. However, this only alleviates certain charges and doesn’t prevent criminal liability for those whose software is misused. Pro-crypto Senator Cynthia Lummis remarked on this aspect of the BRCA, indicating that it retains all necessary AML protections, which implies that despite any positives, accountability remains a looming threat for developers. Simultaneously, the “Keep Your Coins Act” within the draft includes provisions claiming that federal agencies cannot prohibit self-custody of digital assets. However, further stipulations assert that this right does not prevent the application of laws concerning illicit finance, leaving loopholes for government intervention. The Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) past attempts to impose a broker rule that would classify decentralized finance services as intermediaries requiring reporting obligations have been echoed in the current draft. This time, the Senate Banking Committee appears to be leaning towards a similar regulatory approach, aiming to provide guidance on BSA and AML compliance for “non-decentralized finance protocols,” thereby raising concerns about the implications for crypto developers who maintain and update protocols. Privacy Concerns Mount Under the new sections, the Senate Banking Committee introduces a concept termed “Distributed Ledger Application Layers,” which the report claims invites scrutiny and creates compliance obligations for software applications that allow users to interact with decentralized finance protocols. The provisions also compel the Treasury to develop additional oversight mechanisms to mitigate exposure to illicit financing risks identified through distributed ledger analysis tools, effectively ensuring that crypto transactions remain under close scrutiny. Related Reading: The NYC Token Crash: Allegations Of Rug Pull After $2.5 Million Liquidity Withdrawal As it currently stands, the lack of robust protections for developers and users involved in privacy-enhancing technologies in this current draft suggests that the Senate’s proposal for market structure will do little to safeguard non-custodial developers. Instead, it further entrenches their vulnerability to government oversight and user surveillance. Ultimately, these developments present a significant challenge for privacy software users and developers. Featured image from DALL-E, chart from TradingView.com
Amazon's investment risk highlights the volatility of retail partnerships and the potential financial instability impacting tech-retail collaborations.
The post Amazon’s $475M Saks Global investment at risk after bankruptcy filing appeared first on Crypto Briefing.
Bitcoin (BTC) price is back in motion after a tight consolidation phase by pushing higher even as the broader market remains cautious. Typically, a breakout invites optimism. This time, the reaction looks different: sentiment indicators suggest traders are still hesitant to trust the move, and social commentary is skewing more negative despite the upside. That …
US spot bitcoin ETFs reported $843.6 million in net inflows on Wednesday, which is the highest daily total since Oct. 7
The group says contracts mirror sports betting but lack safeguards, warning transfer portal markets could pose “catastrophic” risks to student athletes.
Senate efforts to rewrite U.S. crypto rules hit another snag after the Banking Committee delayed markup of the industry-shaping bill.
Standard Chartered has pushed its base-case price target for Ethereum to $7,500 by the end of the year, a big jump from an earlier $4,000 projection. Related Reading: Bitcoin’s New Power Buyers: Companies Bought 3 Times What Miners Produced According to the bank’s digital assets team, growing demand from corporate treasury buyers and spot ETH products has driven the change in outlook. Bank Raises Ethereum Target The bank’s lead analyst expects fee growth on the Ethereum network and stronger institutional adoption to be key drivers for the move higher. The bank also revised its longer-term numbers, lifting its 2028 target to $25,000 and laying out scenarios that push toward $40,000 by 2030. These wider targets reflect models where stablecoins and tokenized assets expand on Ethereum’s chain. Institutional Buying Drives Demand Data cited by market researchers points to heavy accumulation since June, with spot ETF flows and treasury firms together taking close to 4% of Ether’s circulating supply over that period. ETHEREUM SEEN OUTPERFORMING BITCOIN Standard Chartered says Ethereum’s outlook has improved and it is likely to outperform bitcoin. While weak bitcoin performance has weighed on the broader crypto market, rising institutional demand for ethereum and its dominance in stablecoins,… — *Walter Bloomberg (@DeItaone) January 13, 2026 Treasury firms alone reportedly bought about 2.3 million ETH in just over two months, a pace that Standard Chartered says outstrips some previous accumulation phases seen in Bitcoin. Ethereum Vs. Bitcoin Standard Chartered’s note also argues that Ether could outperform Bitcoin, raising the possibility of the ETH/BTC ratio returning toward levels last seen during 2021’s run-up. Based on the bank’s scenarios, weaker Bitcoin momentum combined with stronger real-world use of Ethereum might lift Ether’s price faster than Bitcoin’s in the months ahead. Long-Term Upside Scenarios Some headlines have pointed to even bigger long-range targets produced by the same models, including forecasts of $30,000 by 2029 and $40,000 by 2030 under more bullish assumptions. These outcomes rely on a substantial expansion of stablecoin use, tokenized real-world assets, and continued staking demand that would remove supply from the market. Independent forecasters remain split, and other banks have offered lower year-end projections, offering a reminder that expert views differ. Meanwhile, market watchers caution, though, that relative moves depend heavily on ETF flows and corporate balance-sheet decisions. Related Reading: Bitcoin At $100K Could Spark A Fresh Wave Of Retail FOMO, Analysts Warn Network Fundamentals And Risks According to the bank, Ethereum’s large share of stablecoin activity and its role in decentralized finance make fee income and on-chain demand a meaningful part of valuation models. That said, the bank notes that scale improvements and Layer 1 throughput will matter a lot if big, traditional finance transactions migrate onchain. The research also warns that shifts in macro conditions, outflows from major ETFs, or regulatory setbacks could change the math quickly. Featured image from Unsplash, chart from TradingView
Bitcoin has returned to a price range where repeated profit-taking by long-term holders capped rallies last year, though those wallets are now selling more slowly than in 2025.
Heavy selling pressure emerged after a failed rally attempt, with late-session stabilization showing exhaustion rather than reversal.
Ripple received preliminary authorization for an e-money license in Luxembourg, potentially expanding its regulated payment services in the EU.
Bitcoin derivatives open interest fell 30% from October highs as deleveraging purged excess leverage, historically signaling market bottoms and recovery.
Bitcoin is continuing to move higher on the daily chart, and recent analysis shows the upward momentum remains intact. After rising steadily from its November lows, the price has now reached an important area where the next move could shape the short-term trend. Bitcoin is currently trading in the $97,000 to $98,400 range, a level …
The Solana-based token plunged more than 80% shortly after launch, with on-chain watchers flagging liquidity shifts that its backers and Adams’ team dispute.
Bitcoin should be able to steal some “juice” back from gold and the Nasdaq in 2026, with several catalysts supporting the idea of US dollar liquidity expansion.
The NYC Token's volatility highlights the risks and challenges of investing in emerging digital assets, impacting investor trust and market stability.
The post Ex-NYC Mayor Eric Adams denies profiting from NYC Token chaos, says swings are part of the game appeared first on Crypto Briefing.
As the broader crypto market pauses to digest recent gains, Internet Computer (ICP) is showing standout strength. This is often a sign that liquidity is rotating from mega-caps into higher-beta altcoins. Bitcoin briefly pushed above $97,000 before easing back near $96,200 as momentum cooled. ICP, however, has moved in the opposite direction. Over the last …
Dogecoin corrected some gains and traded below $0.1450 against the US Dollar. DOGE is now holding the $0.1420 support and might aim for a fresh increase. DOGE price started a fresh downside correction from $0.1510. The price is trading above the $0.1420 level and the 100-hourly simple moving average. There is a bullish trend line forming with support at $0.1420 on the hourly chart of the DOGE/USD pair (data source from Kraken). The price could aim for a fresh increase if it remains stable above $0.1400. Dogecoin Price Eyes Another Increase Dogecoin price started a downside correction after it failed to clear $0.1520, like Bitcoin and Ethereum. DOGE declined below the $0.150 and $0.1450 levels. There was a move toward the 50% Fib retracement level of the upward move from the $0.1348 swing low to the $0.1512 high. However, the bulls remained active near the $0.1420 support. Besides, there is a bullish trend line forming with support at $0.1420 on the hourly chart of the DOGE/USD pair. Dogecoin price is now trading above the $0.1425 level and the 100-hourly simple moving average. Immediate resistance on the upside is near the $0.1450 level. The first major resistance for the bulls could be near the $0.150 level. The next major resistance is near the $0.1510 level. A close above the $0.1510 resistance might send the price toward $0.1550. Any more gains might send the price toward $0.1765. The next major stop for the bulls might be $0.1850. More Losses In DOGE? If DOGE’s price fails to climb above the $0.1450 level, it could continue to move down. Initial support on the downside is near the $0.1420 level and the trend line. The next major support is near the $0.1410 level and the 61.8% Fib retracement level of the upward move from the $0.1348 swing low to the $0.1512 high. The main support sits at $0.1350. If there is a downside break below the $0.1350 support, the price could decline further. In the stated case, the price might slide toward the $0.1320 level or even $0.1305 in the near term. Technical Indicators Hourly MACD – The MACD for DOGE/USD is now gaining momentum in the bearish zone. Hourly RSI (Relative Strength Index) – The RSI for DOGE/USD is now below the 50 level. Major Support Levels – $0.1420 and $0.1410. Major Resistance Levels – $0.1500 and $0.1510.
Total crypto market value jumped toward $3.25 trillion before gains cooled, with bitcoin steady above $96,000 and mixed performance across majors.
Bitcoin is pushing above the $95,000 level as selling pressure across the market continues to ease, offering a renewed sense of short-term stability after weeks of choppy consolidation. Following a volatile end to last year, price action has gradually improved, with buyers regaining control and forcing Bitcoin back into a range that had previously acted as resistance. While skepticism remains high and many analysts continue to warn of a broader corrective phase, recent derivatives and positioning data suggest that market behavior may be shifting beneath the surface. Related Reading: Bitcoin LTH SOPR Signals Early Capitulation, But Selling Pressure Remains Contained According to an analysis shared by Axel Adler, Bitcoin’s Positioning Index SMA-30d has climbed to 3.5, marking the first sustained breakout above the 3.0 level since October 6, 2025. That previous breakout occurred during the rally that ultimately carried BTC toward the $125,000 peak, making the current move particularly notable from a historical perspective. The positioning index reflects aggregated futures market dynamics, including open interest, funding behavior, and long-short activity, and is often used to identify regime changes in trader sentiment. This renewed strength in positioning does not guarantee immediate upside continuation, but it does indicate that futures traders are once again willing to take directional exposure after months of defensive positioning. As Bitcoin holds above $95K, the coming sessions will be critical in determining whether this move develops into a broader trend or remains a temporary relief rally. Futures Positioning Signals a Shift Toward a Bullish Regime According to Axel Adler Jr., the recent breakout of the Positioning Index SMA-30d above the 3.0 level marks an important local shift in Bitcoin’s futures market structure. After spending nearly three months oscillating within the 0 ± 2 range, this move signals that traders are transitioning from neutral or defensive positioning into a more directional stance. Adler notes that confirmation now depends on persistence rather than speed. The key continuation trigger is the SMA holding above the 2.0 level for at least one week, which would validate that the shift is not a short-lived reaction. This view is reinforced by developments in the Bitcoin Advanced Sentiment Index. While sentiment briefly peaked at 93.15% when BTC traded near $95,061, it has since cooled to roughly 70%. Importantly, this pullback has occurred without a breakdown in price structure. The index remains well above the neutral 50% threshold and above its 30-day average near 62.9%, indicating that bullish conditions still dominate the futures market. Adler interprets the roughly 23-percentage-point decline in sentiment as a healthy release of short-term overheating rather than a trend reversal. Historically, such resets often strengthen trend durability. Risk emerges if sentiment falls below 50% alongside a price drop under $92,000. Conversely, holding sentiment above 60% during short consolidation phases would support further upside continuation. Related Reading: Bitcoin Short-Term Holders Near A Profit Flip: A Key Level Comes Into Focus Bitcoin Price Action Details Bitcoin price action on the daily chart shows a clear attempt to regain control after a prolonged consolidation phase. Following the sharp November sell-off that pushed BTC into the low $80K region, price has gradually formed a higher-low structure, signaling stabilization rather than continued capitulation. The recent push above $95,000 marks the highest daily close since mid-November and places Bitcoin back above its short-term moving average, a level that had capped upside throughout December. However, the broader trend remains mixed. The 50-day moving average is still sloping downward and sits above the current price, acting as near-term dynamic resistance. Meanwhile, the 200-day moving average continues to trend higher well below price, confirming that the broader market structure remains intact despite recent volatility. This positioning reflects a market transitioning from corrective pressure into a potential recovery phase, rather than a clean trend reversal. Related Reading: XRP Consolidates Above $2 As Volume Z-Score Signals A Quiet Market The recent advance toward $95K occurred without a significant volume spike, suggesting reduced selling pressure rather than aggressive new demand. This is consistent with a relief-driven move fueled by short covering and position rebalancing. For bulls, holding above the $93K–$95K range is critical to maintain momentum and build a base for continuation. Failure to consolidate above this zone would increase the risk of renewed range-bound trading or a pullback toward the $90K support area. Featured image from ChatGPT, chart from TradingView.com
Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg is demanding criminal penalties for crypto scams, including one that have drained elderly New Yorkers' life savings.
Some crypto executives predict the tokenized real-world asset market will grow significantly in 2026, fueled by adoption in emerging economies.
A combination of timing pressures and unresolved policy concerns led Coinbase to withdraw its support for a sweeping cryptocurrency bill.
Despite the backlash, a spokesperson for Adams said he remains committed to funding education programs and supporting scholarships for underserved students through the token.
Former New York City Mayor Eric Adams denied allegations that his newly launched NYC Token was involved in suspicious liquidity withdrawals.
XRP price failed to surpass $2.20 and started another decline. The price is now correcting gains and might struggle to stay above $2.080. XRP price started a downside correction and tested the $2.080 zone. The price is now trading below $2.120 and the 100-hourly Simple Moving Average. There is a bullish trend line forming with support at $2.080 on the hourly chart of the XRP/USD pair (data source from Kraken). The pair could start another increase if it clears $2.150. XRP Price Starts Fresh Decline XRP price failed to clear $2.20 and started a downside correction below the $2.150 zone, underperforming Bitcoin and Ethereum. The price dipped below the $2.120 and $2.10 levels to enter a negative zone. The price even dipped below the 61.8% Fib retracement level of the upward move from the $2.032 swing low to the $2.193 high. The bulls are now active near $2.080. There is also a bullish trend line forming with support at $2.080 on the hourly chart of the XRP/USD pair. The price is now trading below $2.120 and the 100-hourly Simple Moving Average. If there is a fresh upward move, the price might face resistance near the $2.120 level. The first major resistance is near the $2.150 level, above which the price could rise and test $2.20. A clear move above the $2.20 resistance might send the price toward the $2.250 resistance. Any more gains might send the price toward the $2.320 resistance. The next major hurdle for the bulls might be near $2.350. More Losses? If XRP fails to clear the $2.120 resistance zone, it could start a fresh decline. Initial support on the downside is near the $2.080 level. The next major support is near the $2.070 level and the 76.4% Fib retracement level of the upward move from the $2.032 swing low to the $2.193 high. If there is a downside break and a close below the $2.070 level, the price might continue to decline toward $2.050. The next major support sits near the $2.020 zone, below which the price could continue lower toward $2.00. Technical Indicators Hourly MACD – The MACD for XRP/USD is now gaining pace in the bearish zone. Hourly RSI (Relative Strength Index) – The RSI for XRP/USD is now below the 50 level. Major Support Levels – $2.080 and $2.050. Major Resistance Levels – $2.120 and $2.150.
Many XRP investors continue to adopt a wait-and-see approach, as the price has struggled to break above its current consolidation zone near the $2 level. Although XRP experienced a brief rally from around $1.90 to over $2 in January 2026, the upward momentum appears to have stalled at that point. A crypto analyst has shared insights into why XRP may be failing to sustain a breakout, noting that the biggest enemy of XRP investors is not price action. XRP Investors Face Biggest Enemy Beyond Price Market analyst Cryptollica has pointed to “time,” rather than price, as the biggest enemy of XRP investors, as the token continues to consolidate near the $2 mark. In a detailed analysis shared on X, he connected XRP’s current consolidation to a recurring historical pattern visible on the two-week price chart. Related Reading: This Ethereum Triangle Breakout Puts Price Above $24,000, Here’s The Path Cryptollica explained that XRP is moving through a phase labeled “Part 3” on the chart, designed to shake out holders experiencing boredom. In the past, this stage usually followed Part 4, when price expansion became visible and widely noticed. The chart maps a structure from the 2014 to 2017 cycle, in which Parts 1, 2, and 3 played out before a sharp rally followed. The same structural sequence is overlaid on the 2021 to 2026 period, with Parts 1 and 2 already completed and Part 3 currently unfolding. XRP’s price action on the chart shows it is moving sideways slightly above the $2 region after reclaiming the $1.95 area, which is a key breakout level. The consolidation is occurring above a rising long-term trendline, suggesting the overall uptrend is still holding, even if momentum is slow. Cryptollica also noted that the weekly Relative Strength Index (RSI) has reset, shown in the lower part of the chart, where momentum has eased but not collapsed. He sees this reset as a necessary step that clears the way for XRP’s next move, and not a sign of weakness. The chart further highlights that previous cycles rewarded patience once this consolidation phase ended, reinforcing the analyst’s belief that time is the biggest enemy of holders. Related Reading: Wall Street Analyst Is Still Bullish On Bitcoin, Predicts Price Recovery Analyst Says XRP Is Approaching Price Discovery In a follow-up post, Cryptollica described his XRP price chart, which divides the cryptocurrency’s cycles into parts, as a precise algorithm. He called Part 1 a multi-year accumulation phase and Part 2, the first impulse and liquidity grab. As mentioned earlier, both phases have been completed in this cycle, according to the analyst. With XRP now in Part 3, the shakeout stage to test long-term holders, Cryptollica explains that once this is completed, the cryptocurrency is on its way to a vertical price discovery, which marks Part 4. He highlighted the reliability of this decade-long fractal, suggesting that XRP’s spring is currently loaded and ready for a potential expansion phase. Featured image created with Dall.E, chart from Tradingview.com