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Is XRP running out? A recent debate between market analyst Jake Claver and other industry commentators has thrust the digital asset back into the spotlight, predicting a looming supply crunch. As structural limits meet rising demand, experts warn of a “sell-out” scenario that could fundamentally redefine the token’s market dynamics.

The Escrow Trap And The Reality Of An XRP Supply Shock

The core of the “sell-out” claim lies in the technical architecture of the XRP Ledger’s escrow system. In a post on January 14, 2026, Claver explained that Ripple’s monthly supply releases are hard-coded into the protocol, meaning the company is unable to inject extra tokens into the market during a liquidity crisis. While this mechanism was designed to provide predictability and limit manipulation, it creates a double-edged outcome. In a high-demand environment, supply becomes effectively inelastic.

This structure is more relevant when viewed against current supply figures. XRP has a hard maximum of 100 billion tokens. About 60.7 billion XRP are already in circulation, leaving roughly 39.3 billion outside active market supply. At a price near $2.10, circulating supply translate to a market capitalization above $127 billion, while the fully diluted valuation sits close to $210 billion.

These figures show that nearly 40% of XRP’s total supply is effectively off the table and cannot be accessed to meet sudden demand. If a large institution attempted to buy $10 billion worth of XRP, Ripple could not unlock escrow early to provide liquidity because the ledger prohibits releases beyond the 1-billion-token monthly cap. Any abrupt surge in buying pressure therefore, cannot be met with new supply. This rigidity materially increases the risk of a severe supply shock, with price acting as the sole pressure valve under this structural bottleneck.

Institutional Accumulation Pushes Toward A Liquidity Cliff

The conversation escalated when a user known as RemiRelief responded to Claver, sounding an alarm that XRP is “on the verge of being sold out completely.” RemiRelief argued that there is very little liquid supply left on exchanges and predicted a “mind-boggling” scenario if investors began moving their holdings into private storage. The post specifically pointed to the potential entry of BlackRock as a catalyst that would drain the remaining “low-hanging fruit” from the market.

The current performance of XRP ETFs supports this “constant buying” narrative. Since early 2026, XRP ETFs have seen massive, consistent net inflows—reaching over $1.37 billion in a single week. Every dollar flowing into an ETF represents XRP being sucked out of the public market and locked into institutional vaults. 

RemiRelief’s claim stems from this collision: institutional giants are buying up tokens at a record pace, while the “escrow trap” Claver described prevents any new supply from entering the market to balance it out. Beyond signalling a looming sellout, this debate emphasizes that the window for acquiring XRP at “low” prices is closing fast.  

The crypto market was left in awe as the price of Bitcoin experienced a sudden surge, bringing the flagship asset dangerously close to the $100,000 mark. With the recent bounce, hopes for a retest of the current all-time high and beyond have reemerged. However, a crucial supply cluster continues to stand in the way.

A Fresh All-Time High Beckons For Bitcoin

Bitcoin’s price is gaining sharp upward traction as it retests the $98,000 price mark on Wednesday, a level last seen in November 2025. On-chain data shows that the crypto king is once again edging toward uncharted territory, with market structure pointing to a clear path toward a new all-time high.

However, there is a significant barrier between present levels and price discovery: a dense supply cluster created by investors who have previously made purchases in the same range. This range was highlighted by Glassnode, a leading on-chain data platform, after examining the BTC Long-Term Holder Cost Basis Distribution Heatmap.

Data from the key metric shows a dense cost-basis cluster between the $93,000 and $109,000 price range, which is forming a substantial overhead supply zone. The supply zone serves as a technical and psychological barrier where a large number of holders may be waiting to take profits or quit at breakeven, resulting in concentrated resistance.

At this level, any sustained push higher must first absorb this supply, with a decisive breakout above the range. If Bitcoin is able to absorb this overhead supply and push through it decisively, momentum could pick up pace quickly. Glassnode noted that this crucial range is usually expected to reopen the path toward a new all-time high for Bitcoin over the longer term.

According to Glassnode in another post, BTC has ushered in the new year with constructive momentum, printing two higher highs and extending its value toward the $98,000 price level. However, the platform stated that the leg up currently runs directly into a historically supply zone.

BTC Market Is Displaying Deleveraging Signals

Looking at Bitcoin’s current action from an on-chain perspective, the flagship asset is starting to show signs of deleveraging. This deleveraging indicates that excess speculation is being removed from the market after a period of high leverage and aggressive positioning.

Coin Bureau’s report shared on X points to a sharp decline in BTC Open Interest (OI) from $15 billion in October to $10 billion today, as leveraged traders get flushed out. The drop represents an over 30% decrease within the period. 

Interestingly, these deleveraging phases have often preceded major market bottoms, making this a critical moment for BTC. Nonetheless, should BTC continue to fall, more leverage is expected to still get wiped out.

At the time of writing, the Bitcoin price was trading at $96,247, demonstrating a 1.29% increase in the last 24 hours. Data from CoinMarketCap shows that trading volume is down despite the bullish price action, dropping by more than 3% in the past day.

Crypto pundit X Finance Bull has alleged that the Bank of America (BofA) is running tests for cross-border payments using Ripple-linked XRP. This follows an earlier statement from Ripple’s President, Monica Long, about the bank and the potential adoption of crypto. 

Crypto Pundit Alleges That Bank of America Is Using Ripple’s XRP

In an X post, X Finance Bull claimed that the Bank of America is already running tests with Ripple and that cross-border payments are being rewritten. He added that Ripple provides the technology, the bank runs the tests, and the U.S. ensures legality. In line with this, he remarked that XRP is becoming the core financial plumbing. 

In a video shared by crypto pundit Xaif last year, Ripple President Monica Long had mentioned that Bank of America was one of their early partners when they were developing the messaging software online payment solution. However, she didn’t say whether the partnership still exists till now. 

Bank of America notably filed a patent for real-time net settlement using a distributed ledger system, which appeared to be based on Ripple’s payment network. This plan has since been abandoned as the bank never moved forward with the application. The bank has, however, opened up to crypto as it now allows its wealth clients to allocate up to 4% to crypto. The bank is also exploring issuing its stablecoin, which could make it a direct competitor to Ripple. 

Meanwhile, Long also mentioned how several banks had contacted Ripple for payments and custody services after Donald Trump won the U.S. presidential elections. Ripple’s CEO, Brad Garlinghouse, had also previously mentioned that they secured more partnerships following Trump’s victory, as the U.S. president paved the way for a more regulatory-friendly environment. 

Ripple’s Major Existing Banking Partners

Ripple has notably secured partnerships with other major banking institutions in recent times, as several nations provide a more regulatory-friendly environment. The crypto firm has partnered with Bank of New York Mellon (BNY), which is the largest custodian. The bank serves as the primary reserve custodian of Ripple’s RLUSD stablecoin. 

Furthermore, Ripple recently announced that its Ripple Prime is an early adopter of BNY’s tokenized deposit services for institutional clients. These tokenized deposits operate on the bank’s private blockchain and don’t involve the XRP Ledger or XRP. Other major banks such as AMINA Bank, Absa, and SBI have also partnered with Ripple. 

AMINA recently became the first European bank to integrate Ripple payments into its operations. SBI has also adopted Ripple payments. Meanwhile, the crypto firm provides custody services to Absa, one of South Africa’s largest banks.

At the time of writing, the XRP price is trading at around $2.10, down over 3% in the last 24 hours, according to data from CoinMarketCap.

In a critical week for the cryptocurrency industry, following the delayed markup of the Crypto Market Structure bill (CLARITY Act), House Democrats are calling on the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) chair, Paul Atkins, to reinstate enforcement actions against crypto firms. 

The letter, dated January 15, was signed by Representatives Maxine Waters, Sean Casten, and Brad Sherman, who expressed concerns regarding the SEC’s recent retreat to investigate and prosecute alleged violations related to “digital asset securities.”

House Democrats’ Allegations

The representatives highlighted that since January 2025, the SEC has dismissed or closed more than a dozen cases involving crypto-related activities, including litigations against major players like Binance, Coinbase, and Kraken. Just this week, the SEC also closed its case against the Zcash Foundation.

In their letter, the lawmakers alleged that given the industry’s “troubling history of harming investors,” the SEC’s decision to pull back raises serious questions about its priorities and effectiveness. They warned that this shift puts both investors and the broader US economy at considerable risk.

Moreover, the representatives highlighted unprecedented lobbying and monetary contributions to political figures, including President Trump and his associates, from the digital asset sector. They pointed out that this could have influenced the SEC’s decision to abandon a majority of its crypto enforcement actions. 

Alleged Conflicts Of Interest Between Trump And Crypto 

These concerns follows months of allegations from the Democratic Party suggesting conflicts of interest between the Trump administration and the crypto industry, particularly highlighted by last year’s pardon for former Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao (CZ) and connections to the Trump-affiliated World Liberty Financial (WLFI).

According to the lawmakers, the SEC’s choice to walk away from these enforcement cases has raised suspicions of a possible pay-to-play dynamic. They argued that allowing violators of securities laws to escape without repercussions contradicts the SEC’s primary responsibility. 

Furthermore, the Representatives claim that recent statements by Chair Atkins, who said that ‘most crypto tokens are not securities’, have caused confusion.

The Democrats further pointed out that this lack of enforcement against digital assets leaves investors “vulnerable” and allegedly fails to protect them from potential violations in the market.

Featured image from DALL-E, chart from TradingView.com

A planned Senate Banking Committee legislation markup has been postponed, as Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong has withdrawn his support for a market structure bill which seeks to codify federal regulations over crypto, stablecoins, and DeFi markets.

Based on reports, this unexpected withdrawal sharpened existing tensions between senators on debates of this bill and lawmakers who were trying to revamp critical phrases.

Republicans’ Concerns In Oversight

The Republicans in the Senate, under the leadership of Sen. Tim Scott, have strongly countered. They have expressed reservations about whether it is intended to help ordinary investors or just a few companies.

While some representatives expressed their concerns that broad oversight authority could stymie growth in addition to proposed net yields for stablecoins, reports have indicated that Republicans want more defined enforcement authority in opposition to broad regulatory language.

Crypto builders need clear rules of the road.

Over the past five years, Republicans, Democrats, and the Trump Administration have worked closely with members across the crypto industry to protect decentralization, support developers, and give entrepreneurs a fair shot.

​At its…

— Chris Dixon (@cdixon) January 15, 2026

Bitcoin Unfazed By The Standoff

Despite the confusion, crypto prices remained firm. Bitcoin held its ground and climbed 1.5%. The top crypto asset retained its grip on the $96,000 level, while other top cryptocurrencies like Ethereum and USDT likewise notched similar gains in the last 24 hours, based on the latest market tracking figures.

Meanwhile, investors followed speeches and congress sessions. Market volatility heightened. Some investors opted to go to the sideline position as lobbyists and exchanges sought to shape the draft that will come next.

After reviewing the Senate Banking draft text over the last 48hrs, Coinbase unfortunately can’t support the bill as written.

There are too many issues, including:

– A defacto ban on tokenized equities – DeFi prohibitions, giving the government unlimited access to your financial…

— Brian Armstrong (@brian_armstrong) January 14, 2026

As a response to the new draft bill issued by the Senate, several industry representatives vocally objected to its provisions and expressed their belief that it could have a negative impact on tokenized equities and Decentralized Finance.

In fact, there are enough concerns in the blockchain sector raised by Armstrong, that he stated he would prefer to see no bill than see a bad bill passed, indicating that even some members of his industry agree with Republican concerns regarding possible overreach by Congress.

These industry groups said they will likely withdraw their support unless the Senate makes the necessary changes to allow for continued innovation and cross-border competition regarding blockchain technology.

Negotiations Continue To Take Place Behind Closed Doors

Some Senate leaders still want to move toward a committee vote, even though disagreement remains deep. Republican and Democratic legislators are currently negotiating or trading potential amendments on issues such as stablecoin legislation, DeFi protections and investor protections in an effort to reach an agreement on an acceptable version of the bill by both parties.

Democrats have identified a need to address regulatory issues regarding ethics, potential Money Laundering, and DeFi over-regulation as top priorities. On the other side of the aisle, the Republican Party continues to push for legislation that clearly defines the guardrails for federal regulators regarding blockchains.

As a result of ongoing negotiations, there is currently no set timeline for a Senate floor vote on the new legislation.

Featured image from Unsplash, chart from TradingView

Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse is slated to appear on a World Economic Forum (WEF) panel on tokenization during Davos 2026, while Hedera says it will sponsor and participate in a slate of senior-level events running alongside the annual gathering. The WEF Annual Meeting 2026 is scheduled for Jan. 19–23 in Davos-Klosters.

Ripple Joins WEF Davos Tokenization Panel

Garlinghouse is once again listed among the public speakers for a WEF session titled “Is Tokenization the Future?” set for Jan. 21 (10:15–11:00 CET). The panel also lists Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong, Standard Chartered CEO Bill Winters, ECB Governor François Villeroy de Galhau, Eurazeo CEO Valérie Urbain, and moderator Karen Tso.

The session framing is explicitly market-structure oriented, positioning tokenization as something moving beyond pilots and into mainstream financial rails. In the WEF description, organizers write: “Asset tokenization is accelerating quickly, moving from early experiments to full deployment across major asset classes. As adoption expands, it promises new ways for individuals to invest while presenting traditional firms and emerging innovators with complex new dynamics.”

A separate thread of Ripple’s Davos presence may run through “USA House,” a privately organized venue that typically operates in parallel with the official WEF perimeter. Venue materials list Ripple among sponsors of USA House for Davos 2026.

Hedera Brings EcoGuard Global To Davos

Hedera, for its part, is leaning into Davos week as a convening calendar rather than a single stage appearance. In a statement via X, Hedera announced: “Hedera is proud to be an official sponsor of the USA House during the WEF Annual Meeting in Davos, and will contribute to senior-level discussions on digital assets, AI, central banking, and G20 coordination.”

Hedera is also sponsoring Global Blockchain Business Council’s “Blockchain Central Davos,” which runs Jan. 19–22 alongside the WEF meeting, according to Hedera and GBBC materials.

Separately, a Hedera-built carbon-market initiative called EcoGuard Global is scheduled to officially launch in Davos on Jan. 20 at Turmhotel Victoria (3:00–6:00 PM), per EcoGuard’s announcement.

The EcoGuard description pitches an end-to-end infrastructure play around integrity and lifecycle accounting:

“EcoGuard Global is a full carbon lifecycle company building and operating digital infrastructure and managed marketplaces—while actively participating in carbon markets as a developer, investor, and market enabler for high-integrity climate projects… Built on the Hedera network by The Hashgraph Group, EcoGuard Global combines trusted digital infrastructure with market operations, capital, and partnerships to support credible, investable, and scalable carbon markets.”

At press time, HBAR traded at $0.12134.

According to the Crypto Fear & Greed Index, investor mood has swung back toward optimism, registering a score of 61 on Thursday. That is the first time the gauge has moved into the “greed” zone since the large market fallout on Oct. 11, when roughly $19 billion in liquidations drove many traders from altcoins. The index had climbed to 48 just a day earlier, moving out of “neutral” and signaling a quick change in sentiment.

Crypto Fear And Greed Shifts

The index combines several signals — price moves, trading activity, momentum, Google search interest and social media chatter — to produce a single reading. Based on reports, the measure fell into low double digits several times during November and December after the October sell-off. A score of 61 does not imply euphoria, but it does show growing confidence among traders after weeks of anxiety and patience being tested.

Bitcoin Price Rebounds

Bitcoin’s price has been moving in step with the improving mood. In the past seven days, Bitcoin rose from $89,750 to a two-month high of $97,720 on Wednesday, according to data from CoinMarketCap. That level was last seen on Nov. 14, when the market was still struggling and sentiment readings were weak even as prices briefly touched similar highs. Market watchers say the recent rally has helped lift trader confidence and is one of the main reasons the index improved so fast.

Retail Exit And Exchange Supply

According to market intelligence firm Santiment, there was a net drop of 47,244 Bitcoin holders over a three-day stretch. Reports have disclosed that many small investors left their positions, a reaction blamed on FUD and impatience. At the same time, the amount of Bitcoin held on exchanges fell to a seven-month low of 1.18 million BTC. Less supply sitting on exchange platforms tends to lower the immediate risk of a large, sudden sell-off.

What This Means For Traders

Traders use sentiment tools as one input among many when deciding whether to buy, sell or wait. A return to “greed” suggests more people are willing to buy, which can push prices higher if buying pressure continues. On the other hand, sentiment can flip quickly; a sharp move back down would likely make some traders nervous again. Analysts point out that a shrinking pool of retail participants can leave the market in the hands of more committed holders, which often supports steadier price action.

From Anxiety To Optimism

Based on reports and current readings, the market has shifted from anxiety toward a more upbeat mood, backed by Bitcoin’s recent gains and lower exchange balances. That combination is seen by many former skeptics as a healthier setup than the panic-filled trading seen after the October liquidations. The picture is cautiously positive: optimism is rising, but the swings that define crypto markets have not disappeared.

Featured image from Unsplash, chart from TradingView

Dartmouth College, via the Trustees of Dartmouth College, disclosed a new position in BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF (IBIT), reporting 201,531 shares worth $10,006,014 as of Dec. 31, 2025, according to a Form 13F filed on Jan. 14. The same filing also shows a fresh allocation to the Grayscale Ethereum Mini Trust, a rare double-print of BTC and ETH exposure inside an Ivy League endowment’s public equity book.

Dartmouth’s Endowment Adds Bitcoin And Ethereum

Crypto market observers flagged the disclosure immediately. MacroScope, an analyst account that tracks institutional positioning, framed the filing as a meaningful signal from the endowment complex: “Very important filing today. In a 13F, Dartmouth College reported owning 201,531 shares of IBIT as of December 31, valued over $10 million. It also reported owning 178,148 shares of Grayscale Ethereum Mini valued at $4.9 million.”

The SEC filing provides the precise marks. Dartmouth’s Grayscale Ethereum Mini Trust stake was listed at $4,998,833 for 178,148 shares at quarter-end, placing the combined Bitcoin and Ethereum allocations at roughly $15.0 million of reported 13F holdings.

In the context of Dartmouth’s disclosed 13F portfolio, crypto remains a slice rather than a core. The filing’s summary page lists a “Form 13F Information Table Value Total” of $393,306,686 across nine positions. On that math, IBIT represents about 2.5% of the reported book, with the Ethereum Mini position adding roughly 1.3%.

The rest of the holdings read like a traditional endowment liquid sleeve. Dartmouth’s largest position was SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust at $227,897,664, alongside sizable allocations to emerging markets (iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets at $50,043,811), a quality-factor ETF (GMO US Quality at $42,153,006), and a value ETF (Vanguard Value at $34,807,928).

Notably, neither IBIT nor the Grayscale Ethereum Mini Trust appeared in Dartmouth’s prior 13F for the quarter ended Sept. 30, 2025, supporting the claim that both positions were new additions heading into year-end. Notably, Dartmouth is not the first campus allocator to route crypto exposure through the ETF wrapper. Brown University disclosed a new IBIT position in its March 31, 2025 13F, 105,000 shares valued around $4.9 million, the school’s “first foray” into spot bitcoin ETF ownership that quarter.

Emory University moved earlier. In an October 2024 disclosure, the Atlanta-based school reported putting $15.8 million from its endowment into a publicly traded bitcoin ETF, with the filing showing roughly 2.7 million shares of Grayscale’s Bitcoin Mini Trust.

And at the other end of the spectrum sits Harvard’s endowment manager. Harvard Management Co.’s public-equities 13F for the quarter ended Sept. 30, 2025 showed IBIT as its largest reported position, 6,813,612 shares worth about $442.9 million on the filing’s valuation marks.

At press time, Bitcoin traded at $96,284.

Dogecoin is part of those receiving inflows with the current inflows into the Bitcoin and crypto industry. However, Billy Markus, best known as the co-creator of Dogecoin, shared a blunt take on the current state of digital assets. 

Taking to the social platform X, Markus acknowledged the general strength of the market but made it clear he isn’t interested until he sees cryptocurrencies breaking past their previous peak price levels. His message came at a moment when markets have shown gains and following Bitcoin’s return above $96,000.

Doubts On All-Time High Predictions

The entire crypto market cap is currently sitting at $3.344 trillion at the time of writing. When compared to the $3.047 trillion recorded on January 1, this represents an increase of about 9.7%, meaning close to $300 billion has flowed back into digital assets over the past few weeks. That rise has helped restore some confidence across the market after a period of choppy and indecisive price action in late 2025.

Things are going well for Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other large market-cap cryptos, and bullish momentum is starting to creep in steadily. However, Billy Markus, the co-creator of Dogecoin, specifically mentioned the need for big benchmark breaks to actually happen before believing the optimism that’s creeping in.

In a short message addressed to his millions of followers, Markus remarked that while “crypto is doing good and all,” he would rather be woken up when all-time highs are actually being broken. The comment struck a chord across the community and quickly drew a range of reactions, with some noting new all-time highs feel like a myth at this point, and others noting that new price highs are certainly coming.

Although Markus and his co-creators created Dogecoin as a joke, he holds a selective view of the different assets in the crypto industry. Over the years, he has expressed respect for a small group of networks he views as meaningful or resilient, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Dogecoin, and Solana.

Where Crypto Stands Now

Billy Markus’ comment shows a larger divide between perspectives in the crypto community based on the current price action of major cryptocurrencies. On one hand, prices have recovered meaningfully from recent pullbacks, but on the other, the major benchmarks many traders are watching have yet to be reclaimed.

Bitcoin is currently trading in the mid-$90,000 range $96,240 after retreating from its October peak above $126,000. This price uptick is yet to reclaim $100,000, and it might not be until this happens that a full bullish momentum rolls in.

Dogecoin’s performance corresponds to the broader market’s mixed signals. The meme token is now back to making daily closes above $0.14 as selling pressure eases and traders are on high alert. However, technical analysis of Dogecoin’s price action shows that the real test is at $0.157, and traders should not celebrate early until this level falls.

The Senate Banking Committee has pulled the scheduled Thursday markup of its crypto asset market structure bill after a late-stage flare-up with Coinbase, freezing what had looked like a tightening path toward action. The pause lands at a sensitive moment for Washington’s crypto negotiations: industry heavyweights are publicly splitting over the Senate draft even as lawmakers insist bipartisan talks are still alive.

Senate Banking Committee Chairman Tim Scott (R-S.C.) said Wednesday the committee will postpone the markup “as bipartisan negotiations continue,” framing the delay as tactical rather than terminal. “I’ve spoken with leaders across the crypto industry, the financial sector, and my Democratic and Republican colleagues, and everyone remains at the table working in good faith,” Scott wrote on X. “As we take a brief pause before moving to a markup, this market structure bill reflects months of serious bipartisan negotiations and real input from innovators, investors, and law enforcement.”

Scott positioned the bill as a foundational framework rather than a narrow industry carveout. “The goal is to deliver clear rules of the road that protect consumers, strengthen our national security, and ensure the future of finance is built in the United States,” he added.

Coinbase Breaks Ranks Late

The immediate catalyst was Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong, who said the exchange “can’t support the bill as written” after reviewing “the Senate Banking draft text over the last 48hrs.”

Armstrong argued the draft contains multiple provisions he says would be “materially worse than the current status quo,” contending that it amounts to “a defacto ban on tokenized equities,” includes “DeFi prohibitions” that expand government access to financial records and erode privacy, and would “stifl[e] innovation” by weakening the CFTC relative to the SEC.

He also pointed to “draft amendments” he said “would kill rewards on stablecoins,” warning the changes could allow banks to “ban their competition.” Armstrong’s bottom line was blunt: “We’d rather have no bill than a bad bill.” Still, he struck a conciliatory note about process and odds of a compromise, adding he was “quite optimistic” that continued work could produce “the right outcome.”

After reviewing the Senate Banking draft text over the last 48hrs, Coinbase unfortunately can’t support the bill as written.

There are too many issues, including:

– A defacto ban on tokenized equities – DeFi prohibitions, giving the government unlimited access to your financial…

— Brian Armstrong (@brian_armstrong) January 14, 2026

That posture split the difference between hard opposition to the text and support for continued negotiations,an important distinction as the markup process is typically where senators offer and vote amendments.

Crypto Industry Split

Coinbase’s stance quickly triggered a counter-response from other major crypto firms and advocacy groups backing the Senate Banking GOP’s push. Support was voiced by a16z, Circle, Kraken, The Digital Chamber, Ripple, and Coin Center, coalescing into a public front aimed at keeping momentum intact despite the delay.

Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse cast the bill as overdue but directionally positive. “While long-overdue, this move by @SenatorTimScott and @BankingGOP on market structure is a massive step forward in providing workable frameworks for crypto, while continuing to protect consumers,” he wrote. He said Ripple would remain engaged, adding: “We are at the table and will continue to move forward with fair debate. I remain optimistic that issues can be resolved through the mark-up process.”

Meanwhile, Tim Draper said Armstrong’s opposition is justified, arguing the Senate compromise “is worse than no bill at all” and suggesting that “the banks have been meddling.”

Ryan Rasmussen, Head of Research at Bitwise Asset Management , called the current CLARITY Act draft broadly harmful, listing tokenization, stablecoins, DeFi, privacy, builders, users, investors, and innovation, and concluded that the industry would “rather have no bill than a bad bill.”

White House Crypto Czar David Sacks urged the industry to treat the delay as a narrow window to align rather than an opening to splinter. “Passage of market structure legislation remains as close as it’s ever been,” Sacks wrote. “The crypto industry should use this pause to resolve any remaining differences. Now is the time to set the rules of the road and secure the future of this industry.”

Galaxy Digitall’s CEO Mike Novogratz struck a more optimistic tone, saying: “While the crypto bill might be delayed to keep working on it, I am very confident that a bill will get done soon. I have spoken to over 10 senators on both sides of the aisle in the past 24 hrs and I believe they all are working in good faith to get something done. Always gets tense at the end.”

At press time, the total crypto market cap stood at $3.22 trillion.

On-chain data shows the Ethereum Network Growth has surged to a new all-time high (ATH), suggesting ETH’s adoption has been accelerating.

Ethereum Network Growth Has Shot Up Recently

In a new post on X, on-chain analytics firm Santiment has discussed about the recent increase in the Ethereum Network Growth. This metric measures the total number of addresses that are coming online on the network for the first time.

A wallet is said to come “online” when it participates in some kind of transaction activity on the blockchain. Thus, the addresses that the Network Growth tracks are the ones that are participating in their first transfer.

When the value of the metric is high, it means that the users are creating a high amount of new addresses on the network. Such a trend can be a sign that adoption of the asset is occurring.

On the other hand, the indicator having a low value can imply that the cryptocurrency isn’t attracting new users as not much wallet generation is taking place on the network.

Now, here is the chart shared by Santiment that shows the trend in the Ethereum Network Growth over the past year:

As displayed in the above graph, the Ethereum Network Growth has witnessed a spike recently. Over the past week, address generation has averaged around 327,100 per day, with a particularly large level being observed on Sunday, when 393,600 new addresses popped up.

The Sunday high was a new record for the indicator, meaning that ETH saw an unprecedented amount of single-day address creation. As a result of the surge in the Network Growth, the Total Amount of Holders, an indicator tracking the number of non-empty addresses that exist on the blockchain, has also shot up to a new ATH of 172.97 million.

What’s driving all this adoption? According to the analytics firm, there can be several factors contributing to the trend. First is the Fusaka upgrade that occurred in December, and improved data handling and cut layer-2 fees.

The second is the record stablecoin activity that the Ethereum blockchain saw in late 2025, with the transaction volume reaching $8 trillion in the fourth quarter. “This kind of real financial activity tends to bring in new participants who create wallets to send, receive, or hold stablecoins and other tokens,” explained Santiment.

Lastly, the turn of the year saw growing interest and improvement in sentiment among traders, which would have led to fresh retail traders signing up new wallets.

ETH Price

The past day has been bullish for Ethereum as its price has jumped by more than 5%, recovering back to the $3,340 level.

As the anticipated markup of the CLARITY Act approaches, supporters of the digital asset market are raising alarms over the latest draft of the bill. They claim that the revisions pushed by banking lobbyists threaten to undermine the principles of the cryptocurrency industry.

Ban On Yield Payments In CLARITY Act 

In a recent post on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), market expert Nick Cash vocalized his strong opposition, stating that the current iteration of the CLARITY Act must be boycotted. 

He described it as a mechanism for banks to manipulate the future of cryptocurrencies, portraying their influence as a detrimental force for innovation in the sector.

The revised version of the CLARITY Act, which serves as a comprehensive crypto market structure bill, introduces significant restrictions on stablecoin issuers like Circle and Ripple. Notably, these firms will be prohibited from offering yield back to passive token holders. 

Title IV of the Digital Asset Market Consumer Protection Act (DAMCA) outlines how regulated banking institutions can interact with digital assets, mandating that stablecoin issuers—defined by the GENIUS Act—cannot make interest payments to holders.

Under the proposed changes, while stablecoin issuers would still be able to provide rewards tied to specific actions (such as account openings and cashback), the ban on yield payments poses a serious concern for the crypto industry, which has consistently viewed yield protection as a non-negotiable issue. 

Cash argues that the modifications may leave crypto-native issuers positioned at a competitive disadvantage against traditional banks. He warned that such restrictions could severely impact decentralized finance (DeFi) and the overall cryptocurrency landscape.

Expressing his frustration, Cash stated that those supporting the revised bill are essentially siding with banks and undermining the crypto movement. 

Strong Public Support For Stablecoin Rewards

Banking institutions have argued that allowing these interest payments could lead to a significant outflow of deposits from insured banks, threatening overall financial stability. 

In contrast, crypto advocates counter that blocking crypto exchanges from paying interest on stablecoins is anti-competitive and detrimental to innovation. Summer Mersinger, CEO of the Blockchain Association, articulated her stance, asserting:

What is threatening progress is not a lack of policymaker engagement, but the relentless pressure campaign by the Big Banks to rewrite this bill to protect their own incumbency. 

She highlighted that the demand to eliminate stablecoin rewards aims to restrict consumer choice and stifle innovative financial products before they have the chance to compete.

Amid this ongoing CLARITY Act debate, Stuart Alderoty, Chief Legal Officer at Ripple, weighed in, emphasizing that American consumers value their freedom to choose. 

He referenced new data from The National Cryptocurrency Association, which indicates a strong public preference—nearly 4-to-1—in favor of allowing stablecoin rewards, along with little appetite for government intervention to curb them.

Ultimately, the future of the CLARITY Act remains uncertain as stakeholders continue to voice their concerns about the implications of increased banking oversight on the cryptocurrency market.

Featured image from DALL-E, chart from TradingView.com 

Pakistan has partnered with a company affiliated with Trump-linked World Liberty Financial (WLFI) to explore innovation in digital finance and the use of stablecoins for cross-border transactions.

Pakistan To Explore USD1 For Cross-Border Payments

On Wednesday, Pakistan announced it had signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with a crypto firm linked to the Trump Family’s main crypto business, World Liberty Financial.

According to a report by Reuters, the Pakistan Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority (PVARA) entered an agreement with SC Financial Technologies, a firm described as an affiliated entity of WLFI, to explore the use of its USD1 stablecoin for cross-border payments.

The memorandum is set to enable “dialogue and technical understanding around emerging digital payment architectures,” and was announced during WLFI founder and CEO Zach Witkoff’s visit to Pakistan.

Notably, Witkoff is also the CEO of SC Financial Technologies, which co-owns the USD1 stablecoin brand alongside World Liberty Financial, according to documentation on the stablecoin’s reserves reviewed by the news media outlet.

Under the agreement, the WLFI-linked company will collaborate with Pakistan’s central bank to integrate its USD 1 stablecoin into a regulated digital payments structure. A source involved in the deal detailed that this would allow the token to operate alongside Pakistan’s own digital currency infrastructure.

It’s worth noting that PVARA officials have previously affirmed that the country will launch a national stablecoin as part of its strategy to modernize payments and support tokenized debt. Additionally, the central bank is developing a pilot for a central bank digital currency (CBDC).

“Our focus is to stay ahead of the curve by engaging with credible global players, understanding new financial models, and ensuring that innovation, where explored, is aligned with regulation, stability, and national interest,” said Pakistan’s Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb.

WLFI Faces New Conflict Of Interest Concerns

The news comes as WLFI faces some scrutiny in the US. On Tuesday, US Senator Elizabeth Warren sent a letter to Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), Jonathan Gould, pressing the agency to halt its review of the bank charter application submitted by the Trump-linked company.

On January 7, World Liberty Financial applied with the OCC to operate as a national trust bank purpose-built for stablecoin services in the US. The move is intended to facilitate the issuance of WLFI’s USD1 stablecoin. Moreover, it would allow the crypto company to provide custodial banking services and gain access to national payment networks under the OCC’s supervision.

The democratic senator cited fears she expressed in July, when she told newly appointed Jonathan Gould that “the OCC may soon be in the position where it has to review a stablecoin issuer application submitted by a company directly tied to President Trump and his family and to draft regulations that clearly influence the President’s finances.”

Unlike most of his predecessors, President Trump has not put his crypto ventures in a trust managed by an independent party, an October investigation stated, pointing out that instead, most of his businesses are owned by a revocable trust, of which he is the sole beneficiary, and managed by his son Donald Trump Jr.

According to the Tuesday letter, Warren’s concerns have gone from being “hypothetical,” as Gould reportedly called them, to being a reality. The senator argued that if the application is approved, the OCC would promulgate rules that “influence the profitability of the President’s company” and would also be responsible for “directly supervising and enforcing the law against the President’s company—and its competitors.”

Therefore, Warren requested that the OCC delay World Liberty Financial’s review until US President Donald Trump divests and eliminates all financial conflicts of interest involving himself or his family members and the company.

Ripple announced Wednesday that it has received a preliminary Electronic Money Institution (EMI) license from Luxembourg’s Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier (CSSF). This follows on the heels of a similar license and Crypto asset Registration given by the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) last Friday.

EU Regulatory Progress

In its press release, Ripple emphasized that these new licenses contribute to its extensive portfolio, now exceeding 75 regulatory approvals worldwide, positioning Ripple as one of the most licensed cryptocurrency companies globally. 

Monica Long, President of Ripple, remarked on the significance of the European Union’s evolving stance regarding digital assets: 

The EU was among the first major jurisdictions to introduce comprehensive digital assets regulation, which provides the certainty that financial institutions need to transition from pilot programs to large-scale commercial operations. 

By expanding its licensing capabilities and refining its payment solutions, the crypto giant aims to facilitate the movement of value and unlock what it describes as “trillions of dollars in dormant capital,” pushing legacy financial systems into a digital era.

Cassie Craddock, Managing Director for the UK and Europe at Ripple, echoed this sentiment, praising Luxembourg’s progressive regulatory environment toward digital assets stating: 

Thanks to the CSSF’s sophisticated supervisory approach, Luxembourg is establishing itself as a hub for financial innovation by delivering the harmonized framework and legal certainty that our industry requires.

She highlighted that this preliminary approval is a crucial milestone, enabling Ripple to offer essential blockchain infrastructure to clients throughout the European Union. 

The preliminary approval, which arrives in the form of a ‘Green Light Letter’ from the CSSF, represents a vital step towards Ripple securing its full EMI authorization, contingent upon meeting specific conditions.

Ripple Highlights UK As Key Market

In its recent announcement regarding the UK, Ripple underscored the importance of the country in its broader global strategy, noting that London houses its largest office outside the United States since 2016. 

Notably, the company has demonstrated its commitment to the UK market through ongoing investments, which include a growing workforce and support for the local blockchain and developer ecosystem. 

Additionally, Ripple has contributed significantly to UK-based blockchain developers and startups, as well as committing over £5 million to UK universities through its flagship University Blockchain Research Initiative (UBRI) program.

In a statement addressing these developments, Stuart Alderoty, Chief Legal Officer at Ripple, expressed pride in the progress made with the EMI license and Cryptoasset Registration from the FCA: 

This is yet another major step forward, and it signals positive momentum for the UK’s digital assets industry, underscoring Ripple’s licensing achievements globally. 

At the time of writing, XRP was trading at $2.1485, up slightly more than 3% in the past 24 hours as the broader crypto market has recovered since the start of the year. 

Featured image from DALL-E, chart from TradingView.com 

The cryptocurrency market is showing signs of short-term relief as Bitcoin and major altcoins attempt to stabilize after weeks of sustained selling pressure. Prices have rebounded modestly across the board, easing some of the recent bearish momentum. However, sentiment remains fragile. Many analysts argue that this move fits the profile of a relief rally rather than the start of a durable trend reversal, pointing to still-weak market structure and unresolved macro and regulatory risks.

Against this backdrop, a draft market structure bill released by the US Senate is drawing significant attention.  The proposed framework represents a potential structural shift in how crypto assets are treated within the US financial system.

The bill aims to clearly differentiate which crypto assets fall under the definition of commodities and which qualify as securities, while assigning regulatory oversight accordingly. Until now, the US regulatory approach has largely relied on enforcement actions, creating uncertainty for investors, developers, and institutions alike. By outlining classification criteria in advance, the proposal seeks to reduce ambiguity and provide a cleaner operating environment.

As markets digest this information, the focus is shifting from headline-driven volatility toward longer-term structural implications. Whether this regulatory clarity translates into sustained confidence remains an open question.

Regulatory Clarity Signals a Shift

A report from XWIN Research Japan highlights a critical nuance in the latest US market structure proposal: fully decentralized networks and DeFi protocols are not treated as traditional financial intermediaries. Developers, validators, and node operators are not automatically classified as regulated entities, signaling a formal recognition of decentralization as a core structural attribute rather than a loophole to be closed.

This distinction is meaningful, as it reduces legal uncertainty for open-source contributors and preserves the permissionless nature of decentralized infrastructure.

In contrast, centralized entities face a more clearly defined regulatory perimeter. Exchanges, brokers, and custodians are expected to comply with stricter rules on registration, asset segregation, and disclosure. Rather than targeting innovation, these requirements appear designed to professionalize market infrastructure and align centralized crypto businesses with existing financial standards.

Within this framework, Bitcoin, Ethereum, stablecoins, and spot ETFs are implicitly assumed to remain integrated into the US financial system, reinforcing their status as legitimate financial instruments.

On-chain data already reflects this transition. Metrics from CryptoQuant show that near the $90,000 Bitcoin level, retail activity remains muted while mid- and large-sized spot orders dominate. This pattern suggests neither speculative excess nor panic-driven exits, but measured positioning by larger investors.

Taken together, these signals imply a market gradually shifting from reactive, headline-driven behavior toward a more structure-driven phase. Regulatory clarity may not spark immediate price moves, but it is already influencing how capital positions itself across the crypto landscape.

Total Crypto Market Cap Enters Consolidation Phase

The total cryptocurrency market capitalization chart shows a market in consolidation after an aggressive multi-quarter expansion. Following the strong advance from late 2023 into mid-2025, total market cap peaked near the $3.8–$4.0 trillion zone before entering a corrective phase. Since then, price action has transitioned into a broad range, with higher volatility compressing into a more orderly structure.

Currently, the total market cap is hovering around the $3.2 trillion level, which aligns with a key former resistance zone that has now acted as support multiple times. The weekly structure suggests a cooling phase rather than a breakdown. Price remains above the rising 200-week moving average, which continues to slope upward and reinforces the idea that the primary market trend is still constructive.

Shorter-term moving averages have flattened, reflecting indecision and reduced momentum after the earlier impulsive move. Volume has declined from peak levels, indicating that aggressive distribution pressure has eased, but strong expansion demand has not yet returned. This combination is typical of mid-cycle consolidation rather than terminal weakness.

From a structural perspective, the market is digesting prior gains while maintaining a higher-low framework relative to previous cycles. A sustained hold above the $3.0 trillion region keeps the broader bullish structure intact. However, failure to defend this zone would expose the market to deeper retracements toward long-term trend support.

Featured image from ChatGPT, chart from TradingView.com 

Visa has partnered with BVNK to bring stablecoin payments to the Visa Direct platform, expanding its digital payments infrastructure.

BVNK Will Power Visa Direct’s Stablecoin Infrastructure

As announced in a Wednesday press release, BVNK and Visa have formed a strategic partnership to enable stablecoin payments on the latter’s Visa Direct platform. Based in the US, Visa is the second-largest card payment organization globally, behind only China’s UnionPay. In fact, when excluding China, the firm is the single largest, making up for 50% of total card payments.

Lately, Visa has been exploring digital asset payments, particularly those involving stablecoins, in a bid to modernize money movement. In 2025, the payments giant ran multiple stablecoin pilots related to Visa Direct, its $1.7 trillion real-time global payouts platform.

Now, it seems Visa has taken the next step by partnering with BVNK, a stablecoin infrastructure provider processing over $30 billion in payments annually. Mark Nelsen, Visa’s head of product, commercial, and money movement, said:

Stablecoins are an exciting opportunity for global payments, with enormous potential to reduce friction and expand access to faster, more efficient payment options – including during weekends, holidays and when banks are closed.

Starting with markets with strong demand for digital payments, BVNK will power a few different Visa Direct services, including stablecoin pre-funding and payouts. Visa’s new deal with BVNK hasn’t come out of the blue. Back in May 2025, Visa Ventures made an investment in the digital asset payments rail company. Jesse Hemson-Struthers, BVNK CEO, noted:

Visa and BVNK both believe in the transformational potential of stablecoin technology, not just as a payment method, but as a powerful layer of payments infrastructure.

Following the initial rollout, a broader global expansion of the service is planned, but so far, it’s unconfirmed which markets will be included, only that Visa will decide it based on “customer needs.” Stablecoins have witnessed growing adoption during the past year, as multiple countries have pushed on with legislation related to the sector. Among the most notable developments was the signing of the GENIUS Act by US President Donald Trump.

According to a report from Bloomberg, total stablecoin transaction volume rose 72% to $33 trillion in 2025, a new record.

Tether’s USDT is the largest fiat-tied cryptocurrency based on market cap, with a valuation that’s more than double Circle’s USDC, but the latter still dominated in transactions during 2025. USDC made up for $18.3 trillion of the total volume, while USDT accounted for $13.3 trillion.

Together, the two tokens covered an extreme majority of the total volume last year, suggesting that activity related to other dollar-pegged tokens and non-USD stablecoins remained low.

Bitcoin Price

At the time of writing, Bitcoin is trading around $95,000, up more than 3% over the past week.

Ethereum is showing tentative signs of relief after weeks of downside pressure, but the recovery remains fragile. The price is currently struggling to push decisively above the $3,400 level, a zone that has repeatedly acted as resistance during recent attempts to rebound. While short-term sentiment has improved alongside broader market stabilization, risks remain elevated. Several analysts warn that Ethereum could still face further declines in the coming weeks if momentum fades and macro or liquidity conditions deteriorate again.

Adding complexity to the picture, derivatives data suggest a renewed buildup of risk. A report from Arab Chain highlights that Ethereum’s open interest on Binance has climbed to approximately $8.6 billion, its highest level since October 9.

This marks a notable shift after a prolonged period of contraction following the sharp liquidation event in October, when open interest collapsed from above $10 billion to below $7 billion in a matter of days. That episode flushed excessive leverage from the market and forced traders into a defensive stance.

The current rise in open interest signals that traders are gradually returning and rebuilding positions at lower price levels. However, this also increases the price’s sensitivity to sudden moves.

Ethereum Derivatives Activity Rebuilds Confidence

Ethereum is currently testing a key structural resistance zone around $3,400, and the latest derivatives data adds important context to this price behavior. According to the CryptoQuant report by Arab Chain, the rise in open interest on Binance reflects renewed activity in the derivatives market and a clear return of traders’ appetite for leverage. This is a notable shift from the defensive posture seen after the October liquidation wave.

What stands out is that this increase in open interest is occurring while ETH trades near the $3,300–$3,400 area, well below its previous cycle highs. This suggests that traders are not chasing price at extremes, but instead building positions at relatively discounted levels. Historically, this type of positioning often reflects expectations of a medium-term upside move rather than short-term speculation.

At the same time, the fact that open interest has reached its highest level since October 9 without returning to prior overheated extremes points to a more balanced recovery. If this growth is driven by steady inflows rather than aggressive leverage, it supports the idea of a healthier market structure forming after the post-liquidation contraction phase.

However, risks remain asymmetric near resistance. A continued and rapid expansion in open interest while price stalls below $3,400 could increase vulnerability to sharp volatility. For Ethereum to sustain momentum, price and open interest must remain aligned, confirming that confidence is rebuilding rather than overstretching.

Price Faces Key Resistance Level

Ethereum price action on the daily chart shows a market attempting to recover, but still constrained by heavy structural resistance near the $3,400 region. After a sharp decline from the October highs, ETH established a local bottom below $2,900 and has since been forming higher lows, suggesting short-term stabilization rather than a confirmed trend reversal.

Price is currently trading near $3,300, where multiple technical factors converge. The descending 200-day moving average and prior horizontal support-turned-resistance are capping upside momentum. Each rally into this zone has met selling pressure, highlighting that this area remains a critical supply region. The inability to reclaim $3,400 decisively keeps the broader structure neutral-to-bearish.

On the downside, the rising short-term moving average and recent higher lows around $3,000–$3,050 provide initial support. As long as ETH holds above this range, the market maintains a constructive consolidation structure rather than resuming the prior impulsive downtrend. Volume has remained moderate during the recovery, indicating controlled participation rather than aggressive speculative buying.

ETH is compressing between rising short-term support and declining long-term resistance. This type of price behavior often precedes a directional move. A clean daily close above $3,400 would signal a shift in market control and open the door for a broader recovery.

Featured image from ChatGPT, chart from TradingView.com 

Dogecoin and XRP have come under heightened regulatory scrutiny following the release of new draft language in the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act, which proposes a framework that could classify them alongside Bitcoin and Ethereum. Rather than relying on subjective debates over network decentralization or token utility, the draft ties legal treatment to whether an asset underpins a listed exchange-traded product. This represents a significant shift in how major altcoins may be handled moving forward.

What The Latest Draft Signals For Dogecoin And XRP

On January 13, 2026, journalist Eleanor Terrett highlighted a section of the latest Digital Asset Market Clarity Act draft that sets a clear rule for “network tokens.” It states that a token will not be classified as an ancillary asset or considered a security if, by January 1, 2026, it serves as the primary asset of an exchange-traded product listed on a US national securities exchange.

This condition is critical because it directly affects compliance obligations. Tokens that qualify under this standard would not be required to file the disclosures mandated for other digital assets under the bill. In effect, the draft establishes a regulatory shortcut for tokens that achieve a defined level of institutional recognition through listed exchange-traded products registered under Section 6 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Under this structure, assets such as XRP, Dogecoin, Solana, Litecoin, Hedera, and Chainlink would enter the framework on the same footing as Bitcoin and Ethereum from day one, provided the exchange-traded product requirement is met. For Dogecoin and XRP specifically, this represents a tangible route out of prolonged legal uncertainty. Their legal status would hinge on verifiable market structure rather than subjective regulatory interpretation, giving investors, exchanges, and institutional participants a clearer standard for compliance and market engagement.

How The Digital Asset Market Clarity Act Took Shape

The Digital Asset Market Clarity Act was introduced in the US House of Representatives in 2025 as lawmakers sought to address years of fragmented crypto oversight. The bill was developed under the leadership of the House Financial Services Committee.

Throughout 2025, lawmakers circulated multiple discussion drafts to regulators, industry groups, and legal experts. These drafts aimed to replace enforcement-driven policy with statutory definitions, including the concept of “network tokens,” which form the backbone of the current proposal. The January 2026 draft reflects a later stage in that process, focusing on implementation thresholds rather than broad regulatory theory.

While the Act has not yet been passed into law, it has advanced through committee review and remains a central reference point in ongoing market-structure negotiations. Its significance lies in the predictability it introduces. For Dogecoin and XRP, the bill does not promise immediate relief, but it sets a transparent standard for achieving regulatory parity. That shift alone alters how these assets are evaluated by exchanges, institutional issuers, and investors navigating the US digital asset landscape.

After months of steady declines and fading enthusiasm, Dogecoin (DOGE) is showing signs of renewed life. The meme-based cryptocurrency has recently stabilized near the $0.14–$0.15 range, breaking out of a short-term downtrend and attracting fresh speculative interest.

Related Reading: Crypto Users Hit By 1,400% Surge In Impersonation Scams, Research Shows

While broader crypto markets remain mixed, DOGE’s price action suggests that selling pressure has eased, creating room for short-term momentum to build.

Dogecoin is trading around $0.148, supported by higher trading volumes and improving technical indicators. The move comes as traders rotate into high-beta assets, such as meme coins, particularly when Bitcoin trades sideways, and macro catalysts are limited.

Selling Pressure Eases as Dogecoin Price Finds Support

Dogecoin’s recent stabilization follows a prolonged selloff from October highs, which pushed the price toward the $0.13 zone. That decline flushed out leveraged positions and cooled speculative activity.

In recent sessions, however, DOGE has reclaimed short-term support near $0.14 and briefly touched $0.147, signaling a slowdown in aggressive downside momentum.

On the daily chart, the price remains below key long-term moving averages, indicating a cautious broader trend. Still, DOGE has moved back above its 20-day and 50-day averages, levels many short-term traders watch for early signs of trend shifts.

Momentum indicators also point to stabilization. The RSI has climbed from oversold territory into neutral levels, suggesting buyers are returning without pushing the market into overheated conditions. While spot outflows continue, derivatives data show rising open interest, indicating traders are positioning for near-term volatility.

Speculative Interest Returns to Meme Coins

The recent rally is not limited to Dogecoin. Other meme tokens, including Pepe, have also posted sharp gains, reflecting a broader return of speculative appetite. CoinGecko’s GMCI Meme Index has climbed in tandem with rising trading volumes, suggesting the move is driven by active participation rather than thin liquidity.

Investors note that meme coins often outperform when Bitcoin trades within a range, and traders seek faster-moving opportunities. DOGE’s breakout above a weeks-long descending trendline has shifted short-term bias in favor of buyers.

Holding above the $0.138–$0.140 area maintains the rebound, with $0.15 serving as the next key level of resistance. A sustained move above $0.15–$0.155 could open the door to a test of the declining 50-day average near $0.16. Failure to hold current levels, however, would likely send the price back toward the $0.13 base.

New Catalysts: Japan Expansion and Spot ETF

Beyond technical factors, potential ecosystem developments are adding to Dogecoin’s visibility.

Discussions around expanding DOGE-related initiatives in Japan, focused on real-world asset tokenization and regulated Web3 applications, highlight growing interest in compliant blockchain use cases within a tightly regulated market.

Related Reading: Ripple Calls XRPL Permissioned Domains A ‘Gamechanger’ As Go-Live Nears

In the U.S., a proposed spot Dogecoin ETF from 21Shares is also drawing attention. If launched, the product would track DOGE’s spot price without leverage or derivatives, giving traditional investors a regulated way to gain exposure. While ETF inflows are not guaranteed, the listing itself could increase market participation and liquidity.

Cover image from ChatGPT, DOGEUSD chart from Tradingview

The White House is still treating a US Strategic Bitcoin Reserve as an active priority, even as officials work through what executive director of the White House Crypto Council Patrick Witt described as the legal and bureaucratic questions that sit beneath an idea that, on paper, sounds simple.

US Strategic Bitcoin Reserve On ‘Priority List’

In an interview recorded at the White House for the Jan. 13 episode of Crypto In America, Witt told host Eleanor Terrett that interagency talks on implementing President Donald Trump’s executive order are ongoing and that the effort remains on the administration’s “priority list,” as Congress simultaneously moves toward its next steps on crypto market structure legislation later this week.

Asked how the White House is thinking about the reserve “these days,” Witt pointed to a process being driven not only by crypto policy staff, but by the operations machinery tasked with pushing executive orders through the federal government.

“We’ve had good engagement from the Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy team, which is Steven Miller’s team […] [to] make sure that all of the executive orders that have been signed by the president — that the agencies are moving out on them,” Witt said. “The treasury team, commerce team is involved. […] It seems straightforward, but then you get into some […] obscure legal provisions and why this agency can’t do it, but actually this agency could.”

Witt framed the current phase as less about whether the administration wants the reserve, and more about ensuring it can move in a way that will withstand scrutiny. “We’re continuing to push on that. It is certainly still on the priority list right now,” he said, adding that “Department of Justice, Office of Legal Counsel […] has provided some good guidance on where we can […] move out on this executive order […] and do so in a legally sound way.”

The remarks come against the backdrop of Trump’s March 2025 executive order establishing a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve and a broader “digital asset stockpile,” which directed the government to treat existing federally held bitcoin as a long-term reserve asset while agencies were tasked to research ways for budget-neutral acquisition.

Witt also addressed a separate flashpoint that has circulated in Bitcoin circles in recent days: speculation that the Department of Justice had sold bitcoin linked to the Samourai Wallet case, potentially conflicting with the administration’s reserve posture.

“I think it was somewhat misreported,” Witt said, referencing the settlement language and what he characterized as standard legal drafting. “If you look at the settlement agreement, the legal documents, it sounds like […] the agency is going to take a certain action. […] In talking with DOJ, it was basically written in such a way where they preserve all of their options and their rights in those agreements, but those bitcoins have not been liquidated. Those digital assets have not been sold.”

Witt’s bottom line for viewers was that the headline allegation, that DOJ had “outright violated” the executive order, “is not a concern,” though he stressed that he could not say more beyond that.

At press time, BTC traded at $95,078.