The SPAC will focus on cryptocurrency ecosystem businesses, expanding Kraken's presence in public markets.
Fidelity Labs managing partner Parth Gargava says bitcoin may be transitioning away from its familiar, halving-linked four-year rhythm and into something closer to a “supercycle”, a regime that could keep prices elevated for longer and make drawdowns less severe, if structural demand continues to build. Speaking in Fidelity’s Jan. 9 crypto outlook for 2026 video, Gargava anchored the discussion in the cycle framework many market participants have used for years: peaks arriving roughly a year and a half after each halving. “Traditionally, what we have seen is Bitcoin has had this four-year cycle,” he said, adding that the pattern has been “highly correlated to Bitcoin’s halving events.” He pointed to the 2016 halving followed by a peak in December 2017 near $20,000, and the 2020 halving followed by another peak in 2021 about 18 months later. That history matters because it frames the debate around the most recent halving in April 2024. Gargava acknowledged the straightforward inference some investors make from prior cycles: “So maybe we are past that peak price.” But he positioned that view as only one side of the argument, highlighting a competing thesis that the market’s structure is evolving. Related Reading: Bitcoin HODLer Selloff Ending? LTH Outflows Decline “On the other side, you’re also seeing a lot of arguments around how we might have entered into a supercycle as opposed to what we have seen in the past four years,” Gargava said. “And what a super cycle really means is you might have more prolonged highs, longer highs, and shallower dips.” Gargava credited Fidelity Digital Assets’ research team for outlining what he called the “super cycle mechanism,” and suggested an analogy to the commodities market in the 2000s. The key point was not that bitcoin would mechanically copy commodities, but that a sustained, multi-year bid can alter how markets behave, extending expansions and compressing the depth of selloffs. JUST IN: $5 trillion Fidelity talks about how #Bitcoin might have entered a “supercycle” Bullish ???? pic.twitter.com/IUv3GVHwEW — Bitcoin Magazine (@BitcoinMagazine) January 12, 2026 Three Forces That Could Push Bitcoin Into A Supercycle He outlined three drivers he believes could underpin that kind of regime shift. First is “steady buy-in by institutions focused on ETFs,” which Gargava framed as persistent demand rather than episodic speculative bursts. In his telling, ETFs can function as a channel that keeps incremental capital flowing even when sentiment softens, potentially changing the market’s typical post-peak unwind. Related Reading: Bitcoin Tops $92,000 As DOJ Subpoenas Escalate Trump-Powell Fight Second is policy. Gargava pointed to “pro-crypto policies” in the US as a supportive backdrop, implying that a friendlier regulatory stance could reduce headline risk and encourage broader participation from investors and intermediaries that previously stayed on the sidelines. Third is market maturation and changing correlations. “We’re also seeing how the crypto market as a whole is maturing and deviating from the S&P 500 and precious metals,” he said. The implication is that bitcoin’s trading behavior may be becoming less captive to traditional risk-asset moves and the simple “digital gold” narrative, an evolution that could matter for positioning, hedging, and macro sensitivity. Notably, Gargava did not claim the four-year cycle is definitively broken. Instead, he presented a live question for 2026: whether bitcoin continues to follow a post-halving path that culminates in a familiar, sharp boom-and-bust pattern, or whether structural forces: ETF-driven institutional demand, a more supportive US policy tone, and a maturing market profile support a longer, steadier expansion with “shallower dips.” At press time, Bitcoin traded at $92,182. Featured image created with DALL.E, chart from TradingView.com
On January 13, 21Shares’ Bitcoin Gold ETP (BOLD) began trading on the London Stock Exchange, marking the UK’s first exchange‑traded product that blends Bitcoin and gold in one fund. The ETP uses a volatility‑based monthly rebalance to adjust exposure, aiming to give Bitcoin’s growth potential while keeping gold’s stability. The underlying assets are 100% physically …
21Shares launched BOLD, a Bitcoin-Gold ETP on the LSE, following FCA retail approval and rising UK crypto demand.
Stretch traded $175.7 million on Monday, almost three times its 30 day average trading volume.
The firm said accelerating tokenized credit volumes, rapid adoption of Figure Connect, and margin expansion underpin its bullish outlook.
Dogecoin (DOGE) has stepped into 2026 with a powerful narrative behind it, yet the price action tells a far more restrained story. While headlines around U.S spot Dogecoin ETFs and institutional interest continue to stack up, Dogecoin price performance has failed to mirror the excitement. At press time, Dogecoin price is trading at $0.1401, with …
Singapore Gulf Bank (SGB), a fully licensed digital bank regulated by the Central Bank of Bahrain, has taken a major step in expanding its global payment capabilities by opening a correspondent banking account with J.P. Morgan. The move grants SGB direct access to J.P. Morgan’s established USD clearing network, strengthening its ability to deliver fast, …
Iran's currency, the rial, has collapsed to around 1 million per US dollar, a record that spotlights how quickly savings can be wiped out when trust in money breaks. The currency lost nearly half its value across 2025, with official inflation reaching 42.5% in December. Recent protests erupting in Tehran's Grand Bazaar, triggered by the […]
The post Can Bitcoin help amid internet blackouts after Iran’s currency collapsed 95% overnight? appeared first on CryptoSlate.
Polymarket is already restricted in 33 countries.
Nigeria’s tax overhaul pulls crypto exchanges into identity-based reporting, reshaping how digital assets are brought into the traditional economy.
The fast-growing crossover between politics and crypto speculation has taken another turn after former New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced the launch of a new meme coin, dubbed the NYC Token. Following in the footsteps of politically themed tokens like TRUMP and MELANIA, the project immediately drew attention from both traders and media, placing …
Grayscale has released its Q1 2026 “Assets Under Consideration” list, naming 36 altcoins the firm is actively evaluating for future investment products. The update comes as Grayscale recently filed statutory trusts for BNB and Hyperliquid (HYPE) ETFs with the Delaware Division of Corporations. That filing is a procedural first step toward potential ETF launches for …
Italy’s securities regulator shared ESMA’s finfluencer factsheet, warning social media promoters that EU rules on investment recommendations and advertising apply to crypto.
As Bitcoin price consolidated, altcoins are approaching the make-or-break moment as the capital is quietly rotating beneath the surface. The breadth is improving, dips are getting bought faster, and risk is shifting from defence to positioning. This is when the divergence in the altcoin market cap becomes a strong signal of the rising dominance of …
US Securities and Exchange Commission Chair Paul Atkins is confident that a long-awaited crypto market structure bill could find its way into US President Donald Trump’s office for signature before the end of the year. The SEC chief highlighted ongoing efforts during an interview with Fox Business to clarify rules around digital asset trading and said the bill could provide much-needed guidance to investors and trading platforms. Related Reading: Crypto Products Post $454M Weekly Outflows On Fed Jitters Atkins Expresses Confidence Atkins, who was confirmed by the Senate in April 2025 in a 52-44 vote, said tokenization and faster settlement systems are part of the next phase for US markets. He argued that a market structure law would give firms and investors clearer signals about which rules apply to trading in digital assets. Reports have disclosed that the chair sees the bill as fitting the administration’s push to make the US more competitive in crypto. This is a big week for crypto – Congress is on the cusp of upgrading our financial markets for the 21st century. I am wholly supportive of Congress providing clarity on the jurisdictional split between the SEC and the @CFTC. pic.twitter.com/NtDWRW85kL — Paul Atkins (@SECPaulSAtkins) January 12, 2026 Atkins discussed the regulatory forecast for crypto this year during an interview with Fox Business. Source: Paul Atkins Lawmakers’ Calendar And Odds Based on reports from financial analysts, the path to passage is not guaranteed. One market note put the chance of the bill clearing Congress in 2026 at roughly 50-60%, and warned that delays could push final action into 2027. Other analysts have suggested a longer road, saying implementation of final market structure rules might not be settled for years if political dynamics change. What Is Being Negotiated The draft measures under discussion aim to define which federal agency supervises different types of digital instruments, establish standards for trading venues that list tokens, and create clearer reporting rules for market participants. Reports have disclosed that committee markups are expected before any Senate floor vote, and those sessions will shape the bill’s final text. Industry Reaction, Market Talk The optimism expressed by Atkins has been welcomed by industry associations, as they see that clear guidance could lead to more institutional capital flowing into the onshore crypto trading space. On the other hand, the sentiment from many companies is that there is still a level of caution surrounding future regulations. Although regulators continue to show a level of agreement regarding overall regulation, the details of custody, custody provider(s), and oversight split between various regulatory agencies must be agreed upon by Congress before any definitive progress can be made. This back-and-forth between Congress and regulatory agencies has caused the markets to react in a pattern of quick positive movements followed by corresponding negative movements due to legislative inaction. Related Reading: CZ Fuels Optimism As Binance Coin’s $1,000 Target Trends Political Timing Could Matter The midterm and committee calendars are being watched closely. If the Senate delays key votes, support that exists now could wane or be reshaped by other priorities. Some commentators argue that fast action would lock in regulatory clarity; others say a rushed law could leave gaps that require later fixes. The debate over speed versus detail is active in Washington. Featured image from Gemini, chart from TradingView
The Kraken-backed SPAC aims to raise $250 million in an IPO, targeting companies building infrastructure and services for the digital asset ecosystem.
Grayscale expanded its asset review list on Jan. 12, naming 27 tokens across AI, DeFi, and consumer sectors.
The Solana Policy Institute urged the SEC to distinguish non-custodial DeFi code from exchanges, warning that current rules could chill innovation.
JPMorgan predicted the Federal Reserve will hold rates unchanged this year, followed by a hike next year.
ZKsync plans to focus on real-world adoption in 2026, with the expansion of its existing products — Prividium, ZK Stack, and Airbender.
Thailand reportedly plans tighter reporting, Travel Rule enforcement, and a national data hub to track illicit flows across both traditional and digital assets.
With majors cooling after a quick rebound, the crypto market is stuck in a tight range as traders wait for the next macro trigger. Bitcoin hovers near $91,800 while Ethereum holds above $3,130, with spot demand still steady even as risk appetite stays cautious. Total crypto market cap sits around $3.13T, while 24-hour volume is …
Standard Chartered has set a new long-range target of $40,000 for Ethereum (ETH) by end-2030, while cutting its end-2026 forecast sharply, arguing that Ethereum’s relative setup is improving even as Bitcoin-led weakness has weighed on absolute crypto price targets. In a research note, the bank’s digital assets analyst Geoff Kendrick framed 2026 as a potential inflection point for Ethereum versus bitcoin, despite revising down its medium-term ETH-USD path. “We think ETH’s prospects have improved. We therefore expect the cross to gradually return to its 2021 highs,” Kendrick wrote, pointing to a rebound in the ETH/BTC relationship as the core expression of his thesis. Standard Chartered Recasts Ethereum Outlook Standard Chartered now expects ether to end 2026 at $7,500, down from its prior $12,000 estimate, before rising to $15,000 in 2027 (cut from $18,000) and $22,000 in 2028 (cut from $25,000), with $30,000 penciled in for 2029 (raised from $25,000) and $40,000 by end-2030. Related Reading: This Ethereum Triangle Breakout Puts Price Above $24,000, Here’s The Path “I think 2026 will be the year of Ethereum, much like 2021 was,” Kendrick writes. The bank attributes the near-term markdown to Bitcoin’s drag on dollar-denominated crypto performance, with Kendrick noting that weaker BTC action has “weighed on the outlook for digital assets priced in dollars,” forcing lower absolute targets through 2028 even as Ethereum’s relative fundamentals strengthen. Kendrick highlighted a set of Ethereum-specific supports that, in his view, are more likely to show up in relative performance than in immediate spot-price upside. He pointed to continued accumulation by Bitmine Immersion Technologies, which the note described as the largest Ethereum-focused digital asset treasury company, at a time when ETF inflows have “temporarily stalled” and broader corporate treasury buying has cooled. Related Reading: Ethereum Long-Term Cost Basis Holds Firm: Structural Floor Forms Near $2.8K He also cited Ethereum’s centrality to stablecoins, tokenized real-world assets, and DeFi as structural demand drivers, and emphasized execution on plans to increase Ethereum layer-1 throughput by roughly 10x over the next two to three years. “Analysis shows that higher throughput translates into higher market cap,” Kendrick wrote. Regulation was flagged as a further potential tailwind. Kendrick pointed to the US CLARITY Act as a development that could be supportive for the sector and “particularly ETH” if it helps unlock another phase of DeFi activity. The US Senate is due to review the bill on Jan. 15 with possible passage in Q1. For traders, the framework implies that Standard Chartered’s highest-conviction expression is less about pinning an exact ETH-USD level in the next 12 months and more about whether Ethereum can reclaim relative ground versus bitcoin as throughput, stablecoin-heavy activity, and policy clarity compound into 2026 and beyond. At press time, ETH traded at $3,126. Featured image created with DALL.E, chart from TradingView.com
The bill seeks to bar digital asset providers from paying interest just for holding a stablecoin, but would allow activity-based rewards.
Bitcoin price stayed range-bound, trading between $91,200 and $91,400 as investors awaited the US Consumer Price Index (CPI) release. Ethereum remained above $3,100, while Solana hovered near $140. Outside crypto, gold grabbed attention, holding above $4,600 at record highs, reflecting growing uncertainty ahead of inflation data. U.S CPI Data Today Set to Drive Crypto Market …
A revised Senate CLARITY Act draft would allow activity-based stablecoin rewards tied to payments, wallets and staking, while barring interest paid solely for holding tokens.
Shiba Inu (SHIB) entered 2026 with mixed momentum as fresh on-chain signals paint a nuanced short-term outlook for the memcoin favorite. After kicking off the year with a modest rebound from deep consolidation, Shiba Inu price has lost its recent gains and slipped back toward the key support zone of $0.000008300 around the 20 day …
The ETP offers physically backed exposure to bitcoin and gold in a single investment vehicle.
Ex-New York City Mayor Eric Adams, known as the pro-crypto “Bitcoin Mayor,” launched the $NYC token on January 12, 2026, in Times Square via X. He pledged 70 percent of the token supply to a reserve wallet to support causes like fighting antisemitism, anti-Americanism, HBCUs, and youth scholarships. The memecoin quickly reached a $600 million …