The restaurant chain said that its adoption of Bitcoin is one of the main reasons that it is “trouncing” its fast-food competitors.
Adoption has been strongest in the hospitality, travel, digital goods, and gaming industries. Millennials and Gen Zs are proving to be the most crypto-savvy shoppers.
Data shows social media interest has shifted away from Bitcoin and the cryptocurrency sector recently as interest in Gold and Silver has spiked. Crypto Social Volume Has Cooled Recently In a new post on X, analytics firm Santiment has talked about how the Social Volume has compared between the cryptocurrency market, Gold, and Silver recently. Related Reading: Stablecoin Market Cap Drops By $7 Billion—What It Means For Bitcoin The “Social Volume” is an indicator that tells us about the amount of discussion that a given term or topic is receiving on the major social media platforms. It does so by counting up the total number of posts/messages/threads on the platforms that contain unique mentions of the term. Retail traders outweigh all other types of investors in population, so social media discourse tends to be a reflection of their behavior. As such, a spike in Social Volume for a particular market signals retail interest in the space. Historically, crypto traders have shifted their attention between various sections like memecoins, AI, blue chips, etc. based on where hype is the greatest. The pattern has changed recently, however, as Santiment has explained, “now, retail is proving to be open to jumping sectors entirely, with social data showing how gold, silver, and even equities are getting more and more interest based on wherever the latest pumps appear.” Below is the chart for the Social Volume shared by the analytics firm that shows this trend in action. As displayed in the graph, social media users have seen their attention shift multiple times across January. In the first week, the Social Volume was muted for all markets, corresponding to a post-holidays lull. During the second week, Gold witnessed its Social Volume shoot high as its price reached new all-time highs. Bitcoin rose alongside this surge, but crypto Social Volume still didn’t budge much. In the third week, however, social media interest in digital assets saw a return as Bitcoin and other tokens retraced. This activity likely corresponded to traders trying to speculate about the bottom. Now, in the final week of January, Silver has taken the lead in social media talk, with Gold right behind it and interest in crypto at a low. The shift in retail attention has come as Silver has set new records. “Remember that when crypto retail begins FOMO’ing in, that’s generally where tops appear,” noted Santiment. This pattern was witnessed during Silver’s latest run to a new all-time high above $117, which was followed by a drop to $103 within hours as retail hype spiked on social media. Related Reading: XRP, Ethereum Now ‘Undervalued’ On MVRV, Says Santiment With the crypto Social Volume still sitting at relatively low levels, it would appear that the small traders currently don’t feel strongly about Bitcoin and company. Bitcoin Price Bitcoin has seen a bearish second half of January as its price has retraced back to $88,000. Featured image from Dall-E, chart from TradingView.com
NFT marketplace Nifty Gateway announced on Saturday that it was shutting down, and has now been followed by Rodeo, which only launched on iOS last March.
SoftBank's increased investment in OpenAI could accelerate AI advancements, influencing global tech dynamics and competitive landscapes.
The post SoftBank aims for additional $30B investment in AI expansion at OpenAI appeared first on Crypto Briefing.
Bitcoin options data shows bearish bets holding the advantage in Friday’s $10.8 billion expiry, unless bulls manage a pre-expiration breakout above $90,000.
Bitcoin price started a recovery wave above $88,000. BTC is slowly moving higher and might rise further if it clears $89,600. Bitcoin started a minor recovery wave above the $88,000 level. The price is trading above $88,500 and the 100 hourly simple moving average. There is a rising channel forming with resistance at $89,600 on the hourly chart of the BTC/USD pair (data feed from Kraken). The pair might recover further if it manages to settle above $89,600 and $90,000. Bitcoin Price Starts Recovery Bitcoin price remained stable above the $87,000 support. BTC formed a base and recently started a recovery wave above the $87,500 level. The price climbed above the $88,000 and $88,500 levels. There was a move above the 61.8% Fib retracement level of the downward move from the $91,098 swing high to the $86,007 low. The bulls even pushed the price above $89,000. Bitcoin is now trading above $88,500 and the 100 hourly simple moving average. If the price remains stable above $88,500, it could attempt a fresh increase. Immediate resistance is near the $89,600 level. Besides, there is a rising channel forming with resistance at $89,600 on the hourly chart of the BTC/USD pair. The first key resistance is near the $90,000 level since it is close to the 76.4% Fib retracement level of the downward move from the $91,098 swing high to the $86,007 low. A close above the $90,000 resistance might send the price further higher. In the stated case, the price could rise and test the $90,500 resistance. Any more gains might send the price toward the $91,200 level. The next barrier for the bulls could be $92,000 and $92,500. Another Rejection In BTC? If Bitcoin fails to rise above the $89,600 resistance zone, it could start another decline. Immediate support is near the $88,800 level. The first major support is near the $88,500 level. The next support is now near the $87,600 zone. Any more losses might send the price toward the $87,200 support in the near term. The main support sits at $86,000, below which BTC might struggle to recover in the near term. Technical indicators: Hourly MACD – The MACD is now gaining pace in the bullish zone. Hourly RSI (Relative Strength Index) – The RSI for BTC/USD is now above the 50 level. Major Support Levels – $88,500, followed by $87,200. Major Resistance Levels – $89,600 and $90,000.
Bitwise’s Matt Hougan says crypto will have to “wrestle with prolonged regulatory grind and skepticism” if the US fails to pass a market structure bill.
Bitcoin is struggling to regain traction below the $88,000 level as fear and uncertainty continue to dominate market sentiment. After a volatile selloff, the price has stabilized, but confidence remains fragile, with traders closely watching whether current support can hold or if another leg lower is still ahead. The lack of a decisive rebound reflects a market caught between defensive positioning and cautious accumulation, where conviction on both sides remains limited. Related Reading: Bitcoin Breaks Below $87K As Political Risk Spikes – Liquidations Reveal The Real Driver Analyst Axel Adler highlighted a critical divergence developing beneath the surface. According to his analysis, the Market Pressure Index dropped to 30.54, marking a new 30-day low and falling below the previous extremes recorded on January 21 and January 25. Despite this surge in derivatives-related pressure, Bitcoin’s price barely reacted, holding steady around $88.3K. That disconnect between pressure and price is unusual and signals a moment of heightened tension. Price structure reinforces how sensitive this zone has become. Bitcoin is currently trading in the lower 17% of the Donchian channel, positioning BTC just above the $86.4K support level. This area now represents a clear decision point for the market. If buyers continue absorbing supply, a base may begin to form. If support fails, the absence of downside reaction so far could quickly give way to renewed volatility. Extreme Derivatives Pressure Meets Price Stability According to CryptoQuant data, Bitcoin’s Derivatives Market Pressure Index has reached an unusually critical state. The indicator collapsed to 30.54, marking a new 30-day low and exceeding the previous downside extremes recorded on January 21 (36.95) and January 25 (35.63). The Market Pressure Index is a normalized composite that blends price action, cumulative 6-hour net taker flow, Open Interest, and volume delta, calibrated over a 365-day window to improve signal robustness and reduce noise. The most striking detail is the speed of the move. On January 27 at 07:00 UTC, the index dropped 12 points within a single hour, yet Bitcoin’s price barely reacted, moving only from $88.2K to $88.3K. This creates a rare and critical divergence: derivatives pressure reached an extreme, but price refused to break lower. Adler stresses that this behavior leaves the market at a binary crossroads. Either buyers are actively absorbing supply at current levels—suggesting early base formation—or the market is storing downside energy that could be released sharply if support fails. Together, the charts describe a tense equilibrium. Price Structure shows BTC sitting near support, in the lower 17% of the Donchian channel, with a Structure Shift of -0.57, confirming a broken bullish structure. Meanwhile, sellers are applying maximum monthly pressure and meeting resistance. This is either strong demand asserting itself or the final pause before capitulation. Related Reading: US Institutions Step Back From Ethereum: Coinbase Premium Flashes Caution Bitcoin Downtrend Pressure Persists Below Key Averages Bitcoin is trading around $87,800 on the daily chart, continuing to struggle after repeated failures to reclaim higher resistance zones. The broader structure shows a clear transition from the late-2025 uptrend into a corrective phase, with price posting lower highs and weaker rebounds since the sharp selloff in November. While BTC has managed to stabilize above the mid-$80K region, upside momentum remains limited and fragile. From a technical perspective, the moving averages define the current battlefield. Bitcoin is trading below the 50-day moving average (blue), which is now sloping downward and acting as immediate resistance near the low-$90K area. The 100-day moving average (green) sits higher and continues to trend lower, reinforcing a bearish medium-term bias and capping recovery attempts. Above both, the 200-day moving average (red) remains well overhead near the $105K–$108K range, highlighting how far the price has drifted from a fully bullish structure. Related Reading: Bitcoin Indicator Falls Back To Post-Bear Market Levels: Investors Approach A Key Decision Point Recent bounce attempts toward $92K–$96K were decisively rejected, confirming that sellers remain active on rallies. Volume has eased compared to the November capitulation, suggesting reduced urgency rather than strong demand. For bulls, holding the $86K–$88K zone is critical to prevent a deeper breakdown. A daily close back above $90K would be the first step toward stabilizing the trend. Failure to defend current levels keeps downside risk open toward the low-$80K range. Featured image from ChatGPT, chart from TradingView.com
According to the Bitvocation 2025 Bitcoin Jobs Data report, a total of 1,801 Bitcoin-related job openings were posted last year. That number was about 6% higher than the 1,707 listings recorded in 2024. Related Reading: Bitcoin’s Sharp Reversal Leaves Over $800 Million Liquidated In 1 Day Many of the new roles were not for engineers. Non-technical positions — like product managers, marketing leads, and executive support — made up roughly 74% of the openings. This points to firms trying to build stronger day-to-day operations as they grow. Hiring Hot Spots And Fast Movers Reports say the US kept its lead with around 500 listings. But Singapore recorded the fastest jump, with job postings rising by close to 160% year over year, pushing it up the rankings. Some smaller markets also stood out: a few countries in Europe and Asia showed sizable gains, while Switzerland saw a sharp drop in opportunities. Companies appear to be spreading hiring across more places, not just the usual tech hubs. Companies And Roles That Stood Out More than 150 Bitcoin-first firms advertised roles in 2025. Miner companies and payment firms were among the busiest hirers, and a handful of names filled a lot of listings. Director-level spots increased dramatically, by a factor of about 10, as teams added senior hires to manage growth. Remote work dipped. The share of fully remote jobs fell from about 53% to 45%, which suggests more roles now need some physical presence or hybrid schedules. A Tough Match For Some Jobs Reports note that specialized technical roles remain hard to fill. Finding developers with deep Bitcoin protocol knowledge and experience with Lightning remains a challenge for recruiters. At the same time, companies say they want people who understand Bitcoin’s culture and can work within a team. That mix is rare. Salaries were not always listed, but some senior positions had clear compensation bands, signaling firms are willing to pay for experience. Related Reading: Crypto’s Q4 Weakness Mirrors Pre-Rebound 2023: Analysts What This Means For Job Seekers For candidates, the market now rewards broader skill sets. People who can write, manage products, or run operations with a basic grasp of Bitcoin found more openings. Recruiters preferred people who could move between tasks and handle multiple responsibilities, because many teams remained small even as hiring increased. Featured image from Pexels, chart from TradingView
Morgan Stanley largely sat out the first wave of institutional crypto adoption across 2024–2025 but surprised many with three crypto ETF filings earlier this month.
A proposed class action accusing Meta of accessing WhatsApp messages is drawing early skepticism from experts, claiming it lacks evidence.
Chainlink is approaching a technically sensitive area with a growing downside risk on higher timeframes that was flagged by a crypto analyst. Based on a recent technical analysis on X, the analyst noted that LINK’s current weekly structure leaves the market vulnerable if an important support zone around $10 gives way. The price action is still holding above that area for now, but the chart shows that a decisive move below it could quickly change the outlook into a bearish mood. Head And Shoulders Formation On Weekly Timeframe According to a popular crypto analyst known as CryptoBullet on X, LINK’s weekly chart has carved out a standard head and shoulders formation. Based on the rules of technical analysis, the Head and Shoulders (H&S) pattern is bearish. The pattern resolves bearish when there is a confirmed break below the neckline resistance. Related Reading: Bitcoin Price Prediction: Analyst Forecasts 72.86% Crash To $30,000 Technical analysis of Chainlink’s price action shows the left shoulder formed during the early stages of the 2024 recovery, followed by a higher peak that marked the head in early 2025. This was then followed by another lower high that completed the right shoulder in the second half of 2025. However, the most important zone to watch is the neckline support, which slopes slightly upward and is currently sitting in the $10 to $11 region. This support zone has acted as structural support during multiple pullbacks while the head and shoulders pattern was taking shape, making it the most important level to watch going forward. As long as the price holds above it, then the pattern is unconfirmed. ChainLink Price Chart. Source: @CryptoBullet1 on X Losing Support Level And Price Targets The analyst cautioned that a decisive weekly close below the neckline would activate the bearish setup. In technical analysis, a confirmed head and shoulders breakdown is known to open the path to a measured move equal to the height of the pattern. Applied here, that projection places LINK’s downside target in the $4 to $5 range, which would represent just about a 50% decline from current price levels. CryptoBullet described this outcome as the lowest area LINK could reach this year if there’s strong selling pressure, and that such a move would only come into play if support fails very quickly. Related Reading: Ripple’s Next Steps: Where XRP Stops Being Trade And Starts Being Infrastrucutre Notably, the analysis also pointed to an intermediate level that could act as a stopping point that might stop LINK from crashing to $4. A more conservative downside target is around $7.15, which is connected with the Point of Control on the Volume Range Visible Profile and overlaps with the 2022 to 2023 accumulation zone that’s shown on the chart above. At the time of writing, LINK is trading at $11.98, up by 1.1% in the past 24 hours but down by 5.4% in a seven-day timeframe. A rebound from the neckline area would shift the short-term outlook to a relief bounce. Featured image created with Dall.E, chart from Tradingview.com
The new hire comes amid Morgan Stanley also seeking to hire for several other crypto-related roles as firm leans into digital asset adoption.
A man was sentenced to nearly four years in federal prison for his role in laundering almost $37 million in illicit digital-asset proceeds.
The American Innovation Project is launching a new fellowship program for recent college graduates to work alongside lawmakers.
Crypto whales are reaching for gold as Bitcoin stalls, but the trade may be less of a verdict on crypto than a hedge for a specific macro window. On Jan. 27, blockchain sleuth Lookonchain flagged three addresses that collectively withdrew about $14.33 million in tokenized gold from centralized exchanges, including Bybit, Gate, and MEXC. The […]
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While Circle's USDC has operated without a "credible domestic competitor," Tether's USAT has the potential to shake up the landscape, analysts said.
OpenAI launches Prism, a GPT5.2-powered scientific writing tool aimed at streamlining research collaboration and workflows.
The post OpenAI launches Prism, a free LaTeX-native AI workspace powered by GPT‑5.2 appeared first on Crypto Briefing.
Some NFTs minted in 2021 or earlier rely on metadata tied to Nifty Gateway’s own servers, which the company says it will continue to host.
The Ethereum price has struggled to regain momentum amid a persistent downtrend. After closing the last four months in the red, the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency is showing no signs of relief in January 2026. On-chain data shows that Ethereum’s current trajectory mirrors past cycle downturns, raising the possibility of further price declines and prolonged bearish sentiment. Ethereum Price Nears Fifth Consecutive Month Of Losses Ethereum has been in a prolonged slump, marking its fourth straight month of losses in 2025. As the market navigates the final week of January, the cryptocurrency is poised to potentially close a fifth consecutive month in the red, a streak that would reinforce the ongoing bearish trend. Related Reading: Analyst Says You’re Not Bullish Enough On Ethereum – What Does He Mean? On-chain data from CryptoRank shows that throughout 2025, Ethereum saw more red months than green ones. The cryptocurrency began the year with four consecutive months of decline from January to April, followed by a brief recovery in May, only to fall again in June. After this, ETH posted two months of gains, finishing July and August in the green. However, this recovery was short-lived, and since then, the cryptocurrency has been in a downtrend. During its most recent four-month decline, CryptoRanks reported that Ethereum closed September down by 5.59%. The downtrend accelerated at the end of November, with the cryptocurrency crashing by 22.2%, more than four times the decline of the previous monthly close. December 2025 saw another month in the red, though the drop was much smaller, at just 0.83%. Now, in January 2026, Ethereum is still in a downtrend. On-chain data indicates the cryptocurrency has already fallen 1.78% this month, and shows no sure signs of a bullish reversal. Moreover, at the time of writing, ETH is trading above $2,900, reflecting a roughly 5.95% decline over the past week. What A Red January Could Mean For ETH The last time Ethereum closed five consecutive months in the red was in 2018. That year, Ethereum significantly underperformed, recording gains in only 3 of 12 months. The cryptocurrency had posted continuous monthly losses, with November marking its steepest monthly decline at 42.5%. Related Reading: Ethereum Funding Rates Pushing Towards Negative: What’s Going On? After the four-month closing streak, Ethereum’s downtrend persisted for another two months before experiencing a sharp but brief recovery in December 2018. Despite this temporary rebound, the cryptocurrency closed January 2019 in the red, falling 20%. If history were to repeat itself in the current cycle, Ethereum could end January in a decline, similar to its 2018 performance. Interestingly, historical data shows that February has often been a bullish month for ETH. However, 2025 has seen declines from January through to April; it’s uncertain if Ethereum will follow past bullish patterns. For now, what is certain is that ETH’s price is down and would need a significant boost in its bullish momentum. Featured image from iStock, chart from Tradingview.com
The US Marshals Service confirmed “the matter is under investigation” following claims that millions in government-seized crypto was stolen.
Blockchain analytics firm Chainalysis has released a new report highlighting a sharp escalation in crypto-based money laundering, warning that Chinese-language money laundering networks are emerging as one of the most serious and rapidly growing threats in the digital asset ecosystem. The Rise of Chinese‑Language Networks In Crypto Crime According to the report, illicit on‑chain money laundering activity has expanded dramatically over the past five years. In 2020, crypto-related laundering was estimated to be around $10 billion. By 2025, that figure had climbed to more than $82 billion. A key driver behind this growth has been the rapid rise of Chinese‑language money laundering networks, often referred to as CMLNs. In 2025, these networks accounted for roughly 20% of all identified illicit crypto laundering activity on‑chain. Related Reading: XRP Outlook For 2026: AI Model Signals New Record Ahead — Can Price Reach $6? Chainalysis noted that this regional concentration is further supported by off‑ramping behavior observed on the blockchain. As detailed in the report, CMLNs now routinely launder more than 10% of funds stolen through so‑called “pig butchering” scams. The pace at which these networks have grown stands out even within the broader crypto crime landscape. Since 2020, inflows to identified CMLNs have increased 7,325 times faster than those to centralized exchanges (CEXs). Growth has also outstripped other laundering channels, expanding 1,810 times faster than decentralized finance (DeFi) platforms and 2,190 times faster than illicit on‑chain flows that remain within criminal ecosystems. While CMLNs are not the only actors involved in crypto laundering, Chainalysis found that Chinese‑language, Telegram‑based services now represent a disproportionately large share of attributed global laundering activity. Cross‑Border Crime At Scale The report also shows that CMLNs function openly across multiple platforms and rely on complex, multi‑layered systems. Their operations are characterized by industrial‑level processing capacity and a high degree of technical sophistication. In 2025 alone, Chainalysis identified six distinct service types that together form the CMLN ecosystem. Combined, these services processed $16.1 billion in illicit inflows during the year. The number of active entities within these networks has also grown rapidly, expanding from a small number of wallets just a few years ago to more than 1,799 active on‑chain wallets in 2025. Related Reading: Tether Reveals Massive Gold Accumulation In Q4: Adds 27 Tons To Reserves Tom Keatinge, Director at the Centre for Finance & Security at the Royal United Services Institute, said the speed and scale of these networks are the result of converging global forces. He noted that Chinese money laundering networks have rapidly evolved into “multi‑billion‑dollar cross‑border operations” offering efficient and competitively priced services to organized crime groups across Europe and North America. Chris Urben, Managing Director at Nardello & Co, highlighted another major shift within these networks. He explained that Chinese money laundering groups have increasingly moved away from informal value transfer systems, such as traditional underground banking methods. Instead, Urben emphasized that these criminals have embraced cryptocurrencies as a “faster and more discreet way” to move funds across borders, eliminating the need for complex manual ledgers spread across multiple jurisdictions. Featured image from DALL-E, chart from TradingView.com
AI data center expansion is facing growing local opposition over power, infrastructure and costs, echoing the resistance that once slowed Bitcoin mining.
The increased pursuit of federal charters by crypto firms signals a shift towards integrating digital assets into mainstream financial systems.
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The president said he isn't concerned about the dollar's recent declines, sending the greenback plunging even lower.
Despite Bitcoin trading about 12% lower than a year ago, corporate accumulation shows no sign of slowing in 2026.
Data shows February tends to be one of BTC’s best performing months, leading Bitcoin network economist Timothy Peterson to dub it the real “Uptober” event. Will history repeat itself next month?
Anthropic is set to raise $20 billion in its latest funding round, double the amount it initially targeted, according to the FT.
The second-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization, Ethereum, appears to have quietly crossed an important critical threshold that has historically signaled major price expansions. While the Ethereum price action may still appear calm on the surface, underlying market structure and flow dynamics suggest a meaningful shift is underway. This type of transition typically occurs when accumulation replaces distribution, volatility compresses, and smart money positions ahead of broader market recognition. A Silent Shift That Usually Comes Before Violent Expansion Ethereum just crossed a quiet but massive threshold. Trader and investor Shuarix has mentioned on X that Zama has gone live with the first fully encrypted Initial Coin Offering (ICO) ever executed on the ETH mainnet, moving a confidential USDT and running a sealed-bid Dutch auction entirely on encrypted data. Related Reading: Ethereum Gains Institutional Support, Though ETH Price Outlook Remains Contested In just 3 days, more than $118 million was committed, over $100 million was shielded, and the auction was 218% oversubscribed with more than 11,000 verified bidders. At peak activity, the Zama application became the most-used app on ETH, surpassing both USDT and Uniswap during the event, with zero downtime and full ETH-level throughout. Crypto analyst Milk Road revealed that BitMine Immersion Technologies has made a large purchase of 40,302 ETH in a single move, which brings their total stack holdings to a massive 4,243,338 ETH, worth over $12.3 billion at the current price. In perspective, the company now controls 3.52% of the entire ETH circulating supply, and they’re not just letting it sit idle. According to Milk Road, BitMine has over 2 million ETH tokens already staked, generating $180 million in annualized rewards. This means the company is not just playing the buy-and-hold game, but compounding its position at scale, which is all well and good for BitMine. Meanwhile, this sustained buying pressure will help create a price floor for the long-term ETH holders. Furthermore, this move is the type of institutional accumulation that will keep ETH moving inside its ascending channel. Thus, this will help to pull the price back into that channel after the macro shocks temporarily push it out. “Below is the 2025 tariff shock. While the headlines try to muddy your view of things, this chart will tell the real story,” Milk Road noted. Accumulation Continues Despite Price Being Near Entry Levels The realized price of the Ethereum accumulation address is acting as a major support level. A crypto investor known as CW has also pointed out that ETH has only reached this realized price once in history, which is very similar to the current price range. Related Reading: Ethereum Stalls In A Critical Zone As Breakout Structures Wait For Confirmation However, the whale’s purchase price for ETH is not significantly different from the current price. Despite that, their ETH accumulation is increasing, indicating that whales still view the current price as fair value. This shows that they are preparing for an upward trend. Featured image from Adobe Stock, chart from Tradingview.com