XRP’s recent price rebound has come at an unusual moment. The token is slowly recovering from levels last seen nearly two years ago, even as fresh controversy arises around resurfaced Jeffrey Epstein emails and renewed scrutiny of early XRP-related experiments such as Mojaloop. Related Reading: Bitcoin’s Crash Spells Trouble For Strategy: 10-Month Low Stings Below Average Purchase Price For many traders, the timing raises a simple question, Why is XRP finding buyers now, despite headlines that could have weighed on sentiment? The answer appears to lie less in historical debates and more in present-day market structure, regulation, and real-world use cases that are beginning to show measurable traction. XRP's price trends to the downside on the daily chart. Source: XRPUSD on Tradingview Epstein Emails and Mojaloop Reignite Old Debates Recently released emails linked to Jeffrey Epstein have drawn attention to how early crypto insiders viewed XRP and similar payment networks. Parity involving figures from Bitcoin-centric firms suggested that supporting projects like XRP or Stellar was seen as politically and strategically risky within early crypto circles. Separate leaked discussions from the Mojaloop Foundation compared XRP-based models with Stellar, highlighting push payments and real-time settlement, while also pointing to integration and adoption challenges. Industry figures, including Ripple’s chief technology officer David Schwartz, have stressed that these documents show opinion and proximity, not involvement or control. The emails largely reinforce what was already known, XRP’s design and goals put it at odds with Bitcoin-aligned investors in its early years, slowing adoption despite technical promise. While the renewed attention has stirred online speculation, it has not introduced evidence of misconduct or direct operational ties. XRP Price Rebound Driven by Market and Regulatory Signals Despite the chatters, XRP recently bounced from around $1.50, its lowest level in almost two years, as the broader crypto market staged a modest recovery. Bitcoin and Ethereum also moved higher, helping lift sentiment across major tokens. XRP has since traded near $1.60, even after falling more than 15% over the past month. Beyond market beta, regulatory developments have played a role. Ripple’s approval for a full Electronic Money Institution license in Luxembourg allows it to operate across the European Union and expand its regulated payment services. In parallel, a partnership with DXC Technology is integrating XRP into banking systems for settlement and payments, reinforcing its utility narrative at a time when investors are looking for assets with tangible use cases. Real-World Activity Offers Counterweight to Controversy Another factor supporting sentiment is growing activity on the XRP Ledger beyond payments. In the UAE, more than $280 million worth of polished diamonds have been tokenized using Ripple-backed custody infrastructure and the XRPL. While the project remains in a controlled phase pending regulatory approvals, it highlights how the network is being used for real-world asset experiments rather than speculation alone. Related Reading: Bitcoin Net Taker Volume Sees Third-Largest Bearish Spike In 2 Years Taken together, XRP’s bounce appears to be driven less by the dismissal of historical concerns and more by current fundamentals. Regulatory progress, institutional-facing partnerships, and broader market stabilization have, for now, outweighed renewed debate over old emails and early adoption struggles. Cover image from ChatGPT, XRPUSD chart on Tradingview
Bitcoin price extended its decline below $75,000. BTC is now attempting to recover from $72,850 but faces many hurdles near $76,500. Bitcoin is attempting to recover above $74,000 and $75,000. The price is trading below $79,000 and the 100 hourly simple moving average. There is a bearish trend line forming with resistance at $77,200 on the hourly chart of the BTC/USD pair (data feed from Kraken). The pair might dip again if it trades below the $75,000 and $74,000 levels. Bitcoin Price Faces Hurdles Bitcoin price failed to remain stable above the $76,000 zone. BTC extended its decline below the $75,000 and $74,000 levels. The bears were able to push the price below $73,500. A low was formed at $72,865, and the price is now attempting to recover. There was a move above $75,000. The price surpassed the 50% Fib retracement level of the downward move from the $79,120 swing high to the $72,865 low. However, the bears are active near $77,000 and the 61.8% Fib retracement level of the downward move from the $79,120 swing high to the $72,865 low. Bitcoin is now trading below $77,000 and the 100 hourly simple moving average. If the price remains stable above $75,000, it could attempt a fresh increase. Immediate resistance is near the $76,750 level. The first key resistance is near the $77,000 level. There is also a bearish trend line forming with resistance at $77,200 on the hourly chart of the BTC/USD pair. A close above the $77,200 resistance might send the price further higher. In the stated case, the price could rise and test the $78,500 resistance. Any more gains might send the price toward the $79,000 level. The next barrier for the bulls could be $80,000 and $80,500. Another Decline In BTC? If Bitcoin fails to rise above the $77,200 resistance zone, it could start another decline. Immediate support is near the $75,000 level. The first major support is near the $74,000 level. The next support is now near the $72,850 zone. Any more losses might send the price toward the $71,500 support in the near term. The main support sits at $70,000, below which BTC might struggle to recover in the near term. Technical indicators: Hourly MACD – The MACD is now gaining pace in the bearish zone. Hourly RSI (Relative Strength Index) – The RSI for BTC/USD is now below the 50 level. Major Support Levels – $75,000, followed by $74,000. Major Resistance Levels – $76,750 and $77,200.
Ark Invest CEO Cathie Wood recently indicated on X that gold's recent price rally could be a precursor to bitcoin's next bull run.
The Ethereum co-founder said many layer‑2s have failed to decentralize and continue to be mediated by multisig bridges instead of inheriting Ethereum’s security advantages.
Bitcoin continues to trade below the $80,000 level as the market remains under sustained selling pressure and heightened uncertainty. Recent price action reflects a fragile environment in which downside moves are met with limited conviction from buyers, while broader risk sentiment across crypto stays defensive. As volatility persists, analysts are increasingly focused on on-chain indicators to assess whether the market is approaching exhaustion—or if further downside still lies ahead. Related Reading: Ethereum Experiences Broad Long Squeeze Across Derivatives Exchanges: Can Bulls Hold $2,300? A new report from CryptoQuant highlights a notable deterioration in holder profitability through the Spent Output Profit Ratio (SOPR), which has fallen to its lowest levels of the past year. The SOPR measures whether coins being spent are moving at a profit or a loss, offering insight into the behavior of different investor cohorts during periods of stress. One key observation is the convergence between long-term holders (LTHs) and short-term holders (STHs). The SOPR ratio has dropped sharply toward the critical 1.0 level, indicating that long-term holders are realizing significantly less profit than before—or are choosing to stop selling altogether at current prices. This behavior suggests a growing reluctance to distribute coins into weakness, even as short-term participants continue to face losses. With Bitcoin still below key psychological levels, the evolution of SOPR will be closely watched. Whether this shift marks early stabilization or simply a pause before deeper capitulation remains an open question for the weeks ahead. SOPR Signals Selling Exhaustion, Not Capitulation The report adds that Bitcoin’s recent price action closely mirrors the deterioration seen in SOPR. The price (black line) has reached a local low near $77,900. Aligning with the sharp drop in the ratio toward its lowest levels of the past year. This synchronization suggests that realized selling pressure has intensified alongside the decline in profitability, reinforcing the view that the market has moved into a stress phase rather than a routine pullback. From a sentiment perspective, historically depressed SOPR readings have often coincided with moments when so-called “smart money” reduces selling activity. When coins are no longer being spent at a meaningful profit, long-term holders tend to step back, allowing selling pressure to subside. In past cycles, similar conditions have preceded periods of accumulation or the formation of local market floors. Although timing has varied widely. Two scenarios now stand out. If the SOPR stabilizes around the 1.0 level, it would suggest that heavy distribution from long-term investors is largely exhausted. Creating room for a relief bounce as marginal demand returns. Alternatively, the steep, momentum-driven drop in price increases the likelihood of extended sideways consolidation, as the market digests recent volatility before establishing a clearer trend. In summary, the data points to a flush market. With SOPR at yearly lows, weaker hands appear to have exited, shifting the balance toward longer-term value considerations over short-term fear. Related Reading: Bitcoin Bear Market Signal Emerges: Supply in Loss Rises Above 40% Bitcoin Struggles Below Key Averages Bitcoin’s weekly chart highlights a market under sustained pressure, despite a modest rebound off recent lows. Price is currently hovering around the $78,000 area after briefly dipping toward the mid-$70,000s, a zone that has acted as an important short-term demand pocket. This bounce, however, has so far lacked follow-through and does not yet signal a structural trend reversal. From a technical perspective, Bitcoin remains below its major moving averages. The price is trading well under the 100-day and 200-day averages, both of which are now sloping downward. This configuration reinforces the broader bearish bias and suggests that rallies are still being sold into rather than accumulated aggressively. The prior support region between $85,000 and $90,000 has clearly flipped into resistance. Confirming a change in market structure compared to late 2025. Related Reading: Bitcoin Miner Fees Remain Near Cycle Lows: What Does This Signal? The sell-off into the $74,000–$76,000 range was accompanied by elevated volume. The subsequent rebound has occurred on comparatively lighter participation. This divergence implies short-covering or tactical buying rather than renewed conviction from longer-term investors. Structurally, Bitcoin appears to be transitioning from a distribution phase into a consolidation or corrective regime. As long as the price remains below reclaimed resistance and fails to regain key moving averages, downside risks remain active. Featured image from ChatGPT, chart from TradingView.com
Internal discord among Bitcoin developers poses a greater risk than quantum computing, potentially impacting future upgrades and stability.
The post Bitcoin’s biggest risk is governance, not quantum computing, says Galaxy CEO appeared first on Crypto Briefing.
The move comes amid ongoing tensions with Aave DAO over which entity ultimately controls the Aave lending protocol.
Triggered by market performance, Dogecoin (DOGE) is once again at the center of the crypto conversation. After a quiet stretch through much of 2025, the memecoin has posted a series of sharp moves in early 2026, drawing traders back and reviving a familiar debate, Is DOGE still an investment opportunity, or short-term speculation? Related Reading: Bitcoin’s Crash Spells Trouble For Strategy: 10-Month Low Stings Below Average Purchase Price The latest rally has been fueled by a mix of market rotation, renewed retail interest, and institutional developments, but questions about long-term value remain unresolved. DOGE's price trends to the downside on the daily chart. Source: DOGEUSD on Tradingview Dogecoin’s DOGE Renewed Momentum After a Volatile Reset Dogecoin’s recent gains followed a broader crypto market rebound after heavy deleveraging wiped out more than $500 million in leveraged positions across derivatives markets. As risk appetite returned, traders rotated into higher-volatility assets, pushing DOGE to the top of daily gainers among major tokens. At last check, Dogecoin was trading near the $0.10–$0.106 range, depending on timing, after posting double-digit percentage swings over short periods. Market watchers caution that the rebound may be tactical rather than structural. Analysts note that Dogecoin continues to track Bitcoin closely, and with BTC still showing signs of weakness, meme coins could struggle to sustain upside without fresh catalysts. Institutional Access and Utility Questions One notable shift in Dogecoin’s narrative is growing institutional access. The launch of Dogecoin-linked exchange-traded products in the U.S. has given professional investors regulated exposure to DOGE, a step that adds legitimacy but does not change its underlying economics. Dogecoin’s supply remains inflationary, with new coins entering circulation each year, putting pressure on price growth if demand does not keep pace. On the utility side, discussion continues around payment-focused initiatives, including plans for Dogecoin-based apps aimed at everyday transactions. Supporters point to low fees and fast settlement as strengths, while critics argue that adoption remains limited and development progress is slow. Diverging Forecasts and Ongoing Risk Price forecasts for Dogecoin in 2026 vary widely. Conservative projections cluster around $0.10–$0.13, reflecting expectations of limited utility expansion. More optimistic scenarios, often tied to strong meme cycles or increased institutional participation, place DOGE closer to $0.20 or higher, though such outcomes depend heavily on sentiment. The split highlights Dogecoin’s core tension. Its strong brand recognition and active community continue to drive attention and liquidity, but price action remains largely sentiment-driven. Related Reading: Bitcoin Net Taker Volume Sees Third-Largest Bearish Spike In 2 Years For investors, the current rally emphasizes both the opportunity and the risk, DOGE can move quickly, but without deeper adoption, those moves may be difficult to sustain over the long term. Cover image from ChatGPT, DOGEUSD chart on Tradingview
Solana has pulled back into a key demand zone, a level that could determine whether its strong trend continues or falters. How price reacts here will be crucial, as a hold may signal a trend reload, while a breakdown could push SOL into broader market chop. Solana Returns To A Critical Weekly Demand Zone Giving an update on the weekly timeframe, Cyril-DeFi explained that Solana has been one of the standout performers this cycle. Still, price has now returned to a critical demand zone that could determine its next major move. According to Cyril, this area has historically acted as a pivot point where momentum either re-ignites or fades. Related Reading: Solana (SOL) Keeps $100 Alive, Recovery Push Faces First Test This is the type of zone where strong trends tend to reload if buyers successfully defend it. However, a failure to hold would suggest that the prior strength is losing traction, increasing the risk that the trend structure begins to deteriorate. From Cyril’s perspective, a firm hold at current levels would position Solana to lead the next altcoin impulse, reinforcing its relative strength against the broader market. On the other hand, losing this demand zone would likely see SOL slip into extended consolidation, moving in line with the wider market chop rather than outperforming it. Cyril-DeFi concluded by stressing that he is closely observing how the price behaves around this area instead of trying to predict outcomes in advance. The Only High-Conviction Long Setup On The Table According to a recent Solana post shared by Ardi, only one long setup stands out as technically sound under current conditions. With the market still under pressure, waiting for confirmation seems safer than attempting to anticipate a bottom, as premature entries tend to get punished in weak structures. Related Reading: Solana Pauses After 20% Drop — This Key Level Could Decide What’s Next Ardi highlighted the $119 level as a key pivot for Solana. A successful reclaim of this zone, ideally through a spring or brief fakeout below resistance, could signal that demand is returning. If that occurs, price could surge higher toward the top of the range on a macro lower high rally rather than a full bullish reversal. From a risk-to-reward standpoint, this reclaim scenario remains the most attractive option available. It provides a clear technical trigger, defined invalidation, and a logical upside target, allowing traders to participate without overexposing themselves in an uncertain environment. He also outlined an alternative strategy involving the 200-week simple moving average around the $100 mark, an area that previously acted as macro support in April 2025. Still, Ardi cautioned that in a broader downtrend, odds are often against traders until a major level is reclaimed, making a decisive move back above $119 crucial before confidence can truly return. Featured image from Adobe Stock, chart from Tradingview.com
WisdomTree’s Jonathan Steinberg says the firm’s tokenization push is nearing profitability, with $750 million in digital assets and long-term plans to modernize financial infrastructure.
Burry said crypto losses may have forced institutions to liquidate precious metals as bitcoin slid below $73,000.
Bitcoin failing to bounce soon could set the stage for "one hell of a year," one analyst said.
Crypto analyst and Elliott Wave expert Gert van Lagen has highlighted a critical level that could determine the next move in the Bitcoin price. In a recently shared 2-week chart, Lagen points to a broader market structure that suggests Bitcoin may be preparing for another strong upward leg, provided it continues to hold above $74,000. According to the analyst, this level now serves as a key support zone, marking the boundary between bull-market continuation and a potentially more concerning structural breakdown. Why $74,000 Matters For Bitcoin Price Bull Structure In an X post, Lagen shared a detailed analysis of Bitcoin, predicting its next price move based on Elliott wave structures. His accompanying chart shows BTC completing an extended corrective phase following a multi-year rally. This correction, labeled Wave IV, has pulled the price back into a previous consolidation zone without disrupting the broader bullish structure. As long as Bitcoin remains above $74,400, the analyst views this move as a healthy reset rather than the beginning of an extended bear market. Related Reading: Here’s Why The Bitcoin, Dogecoin, And XRP Price Are Crashing This Week Looking back at earlier phases of the cycle helps explain why the $74,400 support level is so critical. Lagen noted that during the build-up to Wave III, Bitcoin experienced a deep retracement that nearly revisited the low from the previous corrective wave before pushing higher. The cryptocurrency’s current price action appears to follow the same pattern, with the latest pullback approaching the bottom of Wave IV at mid-$70,000. This type of pattern repetition is common in Elliott Wave structures and often signals that the market may be preparing for a stronger upward move. In line with this, Lagen highlighted that BTC’s recent price movements match the characteristics of a Wave II correction within a broader Wave V advance. He said that $74,000 remains in the invalidation area. Holding above it keeps Bitcoin’s bullish outlook intact, while a decisive break below it would force a reassessment of BTC’s entire market structure. In any case, the analyst has stated he does not expect Bitcoin to break this support zone. What The Chart Says About Bitcoin’s Next Move If the $74,400 support level continues to hold, the projected path on Lagen’s chart suggests the start of a new impulsive rally that would mark the early phase of Wave V. The initial move higher is expected to push the Bitcoin price back above previous highs, signaling that the corrective phase has ended and momentum has flipped back in favor of the bulls. According to the analyst, if Bitcoin continues to mirror past patterns, a bearish outcome remains less likely. Related Reading: Bitcoin Price Will Still Rally Above $99,000 Despite Bearish Sentiment, Here’s Why Looking at his chart, Lagen has projected that Bitcoin could experience a bullish continuation toward the $260,000 to $320,000 region, which aligns with sub-wave 3, the strongest phase of a Wave V advance. Following this, the final extension of Wave V is expected to push Bitcoin toward $400,000, reflecting a final-cycle advance and representing a surge of more than 410% from current levels around $78,000. Featured image from Peakpx, chart from Tradingview.com
Crypto traders usually view negative funding rates as a buy signal, but this week’s volatility US earnings outcome may cloud the value of the signal for ETH investors.
Yearn Finance highlights the urgent need for better risk management as DeFi faces growing challenges.
The post Corn: DeFi faces critical customer support challenges, Yearn’s foresight on UST highlights governance risks, and the market is set for recovery in late 2023 | On The Brink with Castle Island appeared first on Crypto Briefing.
2025 is set to be a game-changing year for blockchain, with explosive growth in digital wallets and investments.
The post Matthew Le Merle: 2025 will be the year of crypto equity, hundreds of millions will adopt digital wallets, and US regulation is shifting positively | On The Brink with Castle Island appeared first on Crypto Briefing.
AI advancements are reshaping startup productivity and could soon outpace human investors in venture capital.
The post Qiao Wang: AI coding tools are revolutionizing productivity for startups, the competitive moats of tech giants remain intact, and personalized marketing will dominate the future | Empire appeared first on Crypto Briefing.
The French action comes as investigations into X’s Grok chatbot expand across multiple jurisdictions, including the UK and EU.
Recent declines in DeFi lending highlight both challenges and new opportunities in the evolving crypto landscape.
The post Wyatt: Crypto lending markets are sustainable despite recent declines, the critical role of Total Value Locked (TVL), and the risks of leveraged systems | On The Brink with Castle Island appeared first on Crypto Briefing.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said Codex made him feel useless. X users responded by roasting his vulnerability—and airing months of anger over AI job losses.
Rethinking success: How game mechanics shape our values and influence social media behavior
The post C. Thi Nguyen: Prioritizing enjoyment over efficiency in games, the pitfalls of social media scoring systems, and how metrics can obscure true value | Bankless appeared first on Crypto Briefing.
Ethereum and Solana are set to dominate the blockchain landscape, challenging new competitors by 2026.
The post Arnav Pagidyala: Ethereum and Solana will dominate the blockchain landscape by 2026, Robinhood is set to outpace Coinbase, and privacy-preserving KYC technologies will redefine data security | Bankless appeared first on Crypto Briefing.
Decentralized exchanges must prove their worth to compete with traditional finance's efficiency and trust.
The post Vladimir Novakovski: DeFi must match TradFi performance without sacrificing verifiability, why solving real problems is key to crypto innovation, and the future of Ethereum’s institutional use cases | Empire appeared first on Crypto Briefing.
AI is reshaping knowledge work, creating new opportunities for efficiency and innovation across industries.
The post Satya Nadella: AI is reshaping knowledge work, the rise of digital coworkers, and the global south’s tech-driven GDP growth | All-In with Chamath, Jason, Sacks & Friedberg appeared first on Crypto Briefing.
Growing tensions between US free speech values and European censorship laws threaten online discourse.
The post Sarah B. Rogers: Europe’s Online Safety Act threatens US free speech, 12,000 arrests for speech acts in the UK, and the chilling effects of vague regulations | All-In with Chamath, Jason, Sacks & Friedberg appeared first on Crypto Briefing.
Bitcoin's rising volatility challenges its role as a safe haven compared to traditional assets like gold.
The post Steve Sosnick: Bitcoin’s volatility hinders its role as a safe haven, gold outperforms during downturns, and digital asset treasury companies may be overvalued | Unchained appeared first on Crypto Briefing.
Crypto's future may favor corporations over individuals, echoing the decline of the Linux movement.
The post Zooko Wilcox-O’Hearn: Crypto’s future may mirror Linux’s decline, the cypherpunk vision has largely failed, and user experience is key to mass adoption | Bankless appeared first on Crypto Briefing.
Bitcoin (BTC) price has led the wider crypto market in a further selloff. After slipping below its crucial buy zone around $80k last week, Bitcoin price extended its selloff today to hit $72,889 on Tuesday, February 3, for the first time since the first week of November. Bitcoin Price Falls on Leverage Flashouts As such, …
Bitcoin slid to a year-to-date low of $74,500 on Monday, a move that wiped roughly 38% off its peak. Markets reacted sharply, and traders felt the pinch as flows out of big funds accelerated. Related Reading: Bitcoin Suppression? Analyst Claims Single Force Keeping Price Under $90K Fund Flows And Market Mood According to reports, global crypto exchange-traded products saw heavy withdrawals last week. Big US spot ETFs led the selling, and that pushed overall fund flows into deep negative territory. Based on Bitwise’s Weekly Crypto Market Compass report, Bitcoin’s recent drop pushed its two-year rolling MVRV z-score to a record low, a level tied to undervaluation and suggesting fire-sale conditions for the asset. Sentiment gauges fell hard. Reports note that a two-year rolling MVRV z-score — a measure comparing market price to the average cost basis of holders, adjusted for volatility — hit its lowest reading ever. That kind of number points to widespread selling and prices that many investors now view as distressed. Buying Interest On The Spot Market On shorter time frames, signs of buying have appeared. The daily RSI plunged into the low 20s. This is a level that has often been followed by quick rebounds. Spot volume data on major venues such as Binance and Coinbase showed net aggressive buying as Bitcoin bounced back toward about $79,420. Open interest did not spike. Funding rates stayed negative. In plain terms: people were buying on the spot market rather than piling into leveraged long bets, which reduces the chance of a cascade of forced liquidations that can make moves messier. Capitulation And Liquidations Reports say long positions were crushed last week, with close to 2 billion in BTC long liquidations recorded across derivatives markets. That pain can clear the field for fresh entrants. At the same time, there are multiple billions of dollars of short positions clustered near higher price levels, around $85,000, that could be hit if Bitcoin climbs. Short-covering could add fuel to a bounce. Market structure now offers a mix of strong selling behind prices and real buying in front of them. Where Support Might Hold Based on reports, buying interest combined with very low valuation metrics could create an asymmetric trade. That means the potential upside may be larger than the near-term downside, at least for traders willing to accept volatility. Historically, dips into the RSI zone seen last week have led to roughly 10% rebounds most of the time since August 2023, although outcomes vary and nothing is guaranteed. Related Reading: Bitcoin ETF Investors Pull Nearly $3 Billion, Pushing Average Buy Below Water A Quiet But Real Conclusion Institutional flows remain cautious. Major products such as the Grayscale Bitcoin Trust and the iShares Bitcoin Trust posted sizable outflows, signaling that some big holders stepped back. Yet, on-chain and spot-volume signals hint that bargain hunting has started. The near-term path will probably be bumpy. Traders who want exposure will need to weigh the low valuation readings and pockets of buying against the very real possibility of further weakness if sentiment deteriorates again. Featured image from Vecteezy, chart from TradingView
DeFi vaults are set for explosive growth by 2026, reshaping how institutions manage digital assets.
The post John Zettler: 2026 will be the year of DeFi vaults, infrastructure is primed for explosive growth, and liquidity preferences are key to optimizing yield | Empire appeared first on Crypto Briefing.