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Chainlink (LINK) is showing signs of renewed momentum as it approaches a key resistance level at $14.50, signaling a potential breakout in the short term.

Related Reading: How SWIFT Could End Up Working With XRP For Global Payments

The token’s price has been consolidating within a defined trading channel, with investors closely watching whether it can surpass this critical threshold amid reduced supply from major Binance withdrawals.

Chainlink (LINK) Nears Crucial Resistance Level

Currently trading around $13.70, Chainlink has steadily gained ground from a recent support zone near $12.60. Technical analysis suggests a tightening range, with price action moving closer to the upper band of its channel.

The 50-day and 200-day exponential moving averages (EMAs) indicate an overall upward trend; however, a breakout above $14.50 is required to confirm bullish momentum. Indicators like the MACD are showing early signs of diminishing bearish pressure, while the RSI suggests growing market demand.

The $14.50 resistance coincides with a horizontal resistance identified by analysts, making it a pivotal zone for buyers. If LINK manages to breach this level and sustain above it, the token could test higher targets in the $15 to $16 range. However, failure to hold support near $13.30 could lead to a retest of lower intraday levels.

Impact of Binance Withdrawals on Supply

Significant withdrawals of Chainlink tokens from Binance have reduced the circulating supply available on exchanges.

This reduction may tighten liquidity and add upward pressure on the token’s price as fewer coins remain easily accessible for trading. The shrinking supply on major exchanges often correlates with price appreciation, especially when demand remains steady or increases.

Chainlink’s Role in DeFi and Beyond

Chainlink’s oracle network supports many decentralized finance (DeFi) applications by providing secure, tamper-proof data feeds to smart contracts.

This capability continues to drive institutional interest as the platform connects multiple blockchains and real-world data sources, facilitating scalable, trustless finance. Its technology remains integral to the broader adoption of decentralized solutions, positioning Chainlink as a key player in the evolving crypto ecosystem.

Related Reading: Bitcoin Rallies On Venezuela Oil Story: Here’s What’s Wrong

Chainlink’s price action in January 2026 will likely be influenced by overall market trends and investor appetite for reliable oracle infrastructure. A confirmed breakout past the $14.50 resistance could signal a new upward phase for LINK, supported by historically positive January performance trends.

Cover image from ChatGPT, LINKUSD chart from Tradingview

Bitcoin and Ethereum are showing renewed momentum after recovering and rising by more than 7% in the past week. As bearish trends slowly reverse, a crypto analyst has shared a detailed analysis of the ETH/BTC chart, predicting the trading pair’s next moves. The analysis highlights key upside targets and identifies a specific sell zone, signaling when traders may consider taking profits.

Ethereum Approaches Key Sell Zone Against Bitcoin

Crypto market technician John Carter has illustrated a bullish setup for the ETH/BTC pair in one of his latest chart analyses on X. According to Carter, Ethereum is reaching a critical decision point against Bitcoin, with price hovering near an important technical level within a Broadening Wedge pattern. The setup points to a potential breakout, highlighting a clearly defined resistance zone where selling pressure is expected to emerge. 

Notably, Carter has stated that Ethereum is currently approaching the upper boundary of the long-term Broadening Wedge on the weekly chart. This structure has guided Ethereum’s performance relative to BTC for several years, with prices expanding between widening trendlines.

Recently, ETH/BTC bounced from the lower support zone of the Broadening Wedge, confirming that buyers are defending that level. The rebound from support was sharp and well defined, and after touching the lower boundary of the wedge, the pair launched a strong recovery leg. This upward move pushed the price back into the upper half of the wedge, setting ETH/BTC on a direct path toward resistance. 

According to Carter, ETH/BTC is now completing its final phase of consolidation within the wedge. As a result, breakout signals are emerging as price tightens near resistance, and the trading pair holds higher lows. If ETH/BTC confirms a breakout above the wedge’s upper boundary, Carter predicts that it will climb to an initial target of $0.041, aligning with a previous consolidation area. 

Beyond that, price could advance upward $0.051 and $0.060. The final upside target has been set at $0.081, which overlaps with the broader resistance zone on the chart. The analyst marks this resistance as a sell zone, showing when traders can begin taking profit.  

Analyst Outlines Critical Support Levels For ETH/BTC

In his analysis, Carter also identified several support zones that could act as key defense levels if Ethereum faces a pullback against Bitcoin. The first major support zone lies near the upper boundary of the Broadening Wedge pattern, around $0.031. Below that, the analyst has pinpointed another support level at $0.026. 

If the price falls below $0.026, the next notable support is around $0.022, representing a roughly 35% decline from current levels above $0.034. In the event of an even deeper correction, Carter forecasts that ETH/BTC could drop to $0.0185, a level marked on the chart as the Broadening Wedge’s “support zone.” Any move below this support would likely push ETH/BTC toward the lower boundary of the wedge, which extends down to $0.010. 

A key U.S. legislative effort to regulate the cryptocurrency market is facing delays that could push the passage of the crypto market structure bill to 2027, with full implementation possibly extending to 2029.

Analysts at TD Cowen warn that political dynamics in Congress, including concerns about conflicts of interest, are slowing progress, leaving crypto firms in regulatory uncertainty.

Political Roadblocks Delay Crypto Regulation

The crypto market structure bill, which aims to provide a clear regulatory framework for digital assets in the U.S., had been expected to advance this year. However, TD Cowen’s Washington Research Group, led by managing director Jaret Seiberg, says the bill’s approval timeline is now uncertain.

Political calculations tied to the 2026 midterm elections have reduced the urgency among Democrats to push the bill quickly, especially if they anticipate regaining control of the House of Representatives.

Seiberg notes that the Democratic Party’s insistence on strict conflict-of-interest rules, particularly those that would prevent senior government officials and their families from operating or owning cryptocurrency businesses, is a major sticking point.

This provision directly affects President Donald Trump and his family, who have reported significant crypto-related investments, including ventures in decentralized finance (DeFi) projects and bitcoin mining firms.

The proposed solution is to delay enforcement of these conflict-of-interest rules for three years after the bill’s enactment. This compromise would push the effective date beyond the next presidential term, potentially avoiding immediate impact on the Trump family’s crypto interests.

Impact on the Crypto Industry and Market Oversight

The delayed timeline means crypto firms will face ongoing regulatory uncertainty during a critical period of market growth. The bill, known as the CLARITY Act, aims to divide oversight responsibilities between the SEC and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), clarifying the regulation of different digital assets.

The legislation also includes provisions that could exempt certain cryptocurrencies from specific registration requirements, aiming to strike a balance between investor protection and innovation.

However, the path forward remains complicated. Senate committees are scheduled to revisit the bill later this year, but overcoming procedural hurdles, such as filibusters, will require bipartisan support, which remains uncertain.

Investors are advised to prepare for a protracted period of unclear regulatory conditions, which could influence where companies choose to invest and innovate.

Preparing for a Shifting Regulatory Landscape

Despite the delays, the crypto market remains active, with Bitcoin’s price hovering near $94,000 as of early January 2026. Still, the absence of clear rules risks slowing institutional adoption and long-term infrastructure development in the U.S.

Meanwhile, the international regulatory environment continues to evolve, with regions such as the European Union and Singapore advancing their own frameworks.

Industry groups like the Blockchain Association and Coin Center continue to engage with lawmakers, advocating for practical regulations that support growth and protect consumers.

The upcoming January 15 congressional hearing is seen as a critical moment for clarifying legislative intent, but the overall trajectory suggests that U.S. crypto firms will face extended uncertainty before comprehensive rules take effect.

Cover image from ChatGPT, BTCUSD chart from Tradingview

US Senator Cynthia Lummis on Tuesday pushed back after reports that the US Department of Justice moved and likely sold seized Bitcoin that some lawmakers expected to be held as a national asset.

According to on-chain tracking and multiple news outlets, about 57.55 BTC, roughly $6.3 million, was sent to a Coinbase Prime account and the receiving wallet later showed a zero balance, a sign the coins were probably liquidated.

Senator Lummis Raises Alarm

Based on reports, Senator Cynthia Lummis said she was “deeply concerned” that the transfer ran counter to a presidential directive issued earlier.

The directive, Executive Order 14233 signed in March 2025, sets out a plan to create a US Strategic Bitcoin Reserve and calls for seized Bitcoin to be held rather than sold.

Lummis, who chairs a Senate subcommittee on digital assets, questioned why seized coins were moved to an exchange custody account instead of being placed in reserve.

Why is the U.S. gov still liquidating bitcoin when @POTUS explicitly directed these assets be preserved for our Strategic Bitcoin Reserve? We can’t afford to squander these strategic assets while other nations are accumulating bitcoin. I’m deeply concerned about this report. https://t.co/XW5WxsfliA

— Senator Cynthia Lummis (@SenLummis) January 6, 2026

On-Chain Moves Point To Sale

Blockchain analysts flagged the movement after addresses tied to the seizure were traced to Coinbase Prime. Reports show the Coinbase address ended with a zero balance shortly after the transfer, which many observers read as an on-chain signal that the assets were sold.

Based on reports, the transfer involved digital assets seized from defendants linked to a recent criminal case, and the US Marshals Service executed the order from the Justice Department to move the coins.

Market Reaction And Numbers

The market showed a small reaction around the time of the reported sale. Bitcoin’s price dipped slightly from about $94,760 to near $93,600 at one point, according to price snapshots cited by news sites.

The said number of BTC is a small fraction of total circulating supply, but the trade drew attention because of the policy questions it raised and the political backdrop of a national reserve plan.

Questions About Policy And The Reserve

Lawmakers and crypto policy watchers now want clearer answers about when and how seized crypto is converted to cash. Reports have called for the Justice Department to explain its decision-making and to clarify whether current administration guidance requires holding seized Bitcoin for the Strategic Reserve.

Senator Lummis has pushed for formal rules and possible legislation that would prevent similar sales in the future.

So far, public statements from the Justice Department and the US Marshals Service have been limited in the public record, while Lummis and other proponents of the reserve have pressed for transparency.

Based on reports, some legal experts argue the government has discretion over forfeited property, while others say the new executive directive should reshape that practice.

Featured image from Pexels, chart from TradingView

With Bitcoin (BTC) prices experiencing a significant recovery this week, analysts are increasingly optimistic about the potential for further rallies. Notably, Gautam Chhugani from Bernstein has declared that the bottom for Bitcoin has already been reached at $80,000, signaling a promising outlook for the digital asset.

New Bull Run Expected

In a recent note, Chhugani and his team expressed “reasonable confidence” that both Bitcoin and the broader digital asset markets have found their bottom. 

Concerns that the recent October peak, which surpassed $126,000, represented the absolute height of a historical four-year cycle for BTC are viewed as exaggerated by Bernstein. The firm underscores an ongoing “digital assets revolution” that is likely to prolong the current bull market.

“We believe the market’s apprehension towards the four-year cycle pattern is unfounded given the current market context,” the analysts noted, highlighting that institutional demand is a significant driver of adoption in the digital asset space. 

Considering the momentum, Bernstein has revised its forecasts, projecting that Bitcoin will achieve $150,000 by 2026 and reach $200,000 by 2027.

Is Bitcoin Preparing For A ‘Post-Bear Market Surge’?

Market expert MartyParty has echoed these predictions, asserting that Bitcoin and other blue-chip cryptocurrencies are influenced heavily by liquidity, which is controlled by the Federal Reserve (Fed) and the Treasury. 

MartyParty noted that every BTC peak has historically coincided with quantitative easing (QE), while each bottom aligns with quantitative tightening (QT). 

With the Fed ending its QT phase on December 1 after starting it in the wake of COVID-19 in 2022, and with QE kicking off on January 1, 2026, he believes that a new bull market has commenced.

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

Vitalik Buterin, the founder of Ethereum (ETH), has announced new improvements to address persistent challenges in the decentralized network. The announcement comes as the Ethereum price surges more than 8% from the beginning of the year, signaling a strong rebound from previous bearish trends.   

Ethereum Founder Introduces Solutions To Network Issues

Buterin has returned with solutions to long-standing network issues as ETH rebounds, pushing its price above $3,220. The Ethereum founder disclosed that Zero-Knowledge Ethereum Virtual Machines (zkEVMs) have reached an alpha stage, offering product-quality performance, while final safety audits are still ongoing. At the same time, Peer Data Availability Sampling (PeerDAS) is already live on the mainnet, delivering a critical piece of Ethereum’s next-generational infrastructure.

According to Buterin, these upgrades aren’t just minor improvements. They fundamentally transform Ethereum into a more powerful and resilient decentralized network. He compared Ethereum’s evolution to earlier peer-to-peer networks such as BitTorrent and Bitcoin. While BitTorrent offered massive bandwidth and decentralization, it lacked consensus. Conversely, Bitcoin ensured decentralization and consensus but at the expense of bandwidth. 

With the introduction of PeerDAS and zkEVMs, Buterin says that ETH has officially achieved complete decentralization, consensus, and high bandwidth. He describes this milestone as solving the blockchain “trilemma” with live, functioning code. He also emphasized that these developments represent a decade-long effort, tracing back to the earliest commits on data availability sampling and the initiation of zkEVM development around 2020. 

Looking ahead, the Ethereum founder expects the network’s full vision to unfold over the next four years. He disclosed that in 2026, gas limits will increase thanks to Block-Level Access Lists (BALs) and Enshrined Proposer-Builder Separation (ePBS), while zkEVM nodes will begin operating on segments of the network. Between 2026 and 2028, Buterin says, Ethereum will adjust gas pricing, restructure state, and integrate execution payloads into blobs to safely accommodate higher limits. 

Finally, by 2027-2030, zkEVMs are expected to become the primary method of block validation, enabling further large-scale increases in the gas limit. Buterin suggests that these upcoming advancements will solve the long-standing problem in decentralized networks, where only two of three key properties, decentralization, security, and speed, can co-exist. Thanks to its new upgrades, ETH now has all three. 

Buterin Outlines Plans For Distributed Block Building

In his post, Buterin unveiled further network upgrades focused on distributed block building. He envisions a long-term goal in which no full block is ever assembled in a single location. While this is not an immediate need, the founder believes it’s important to start developing this capability to prepare for the blockchain network’s future. 

In the meantime, he emphasized that block-building authority should remain as widely distributed as possible. This can be done in two ways: either within the protocol itself by expanding Fork Choice Enforced Inclusion Lists (FOCIL) to handle transactions, or externally through distributed builder marketplaces. According to Buterin, these initiatives aim to reduce the risk of centralized interference in transaction inclusion. At the same time, they promote greater geographical fairness across the Ethereum network.

Just as the price of Ethereum gains upward traction, the network is also experiencing robust adoption and usage, cementing its dominance in the blockchain sector. As the year begins, the Ethereum network reached a major milestone in terms of on-chain finance as stablecoin transfers surge to unprecedented levels.

Stablecoin Liquidity Floods Ethereum Network

Ethereum continues to remain at the forefront of on-chain finance following recent stablecoin flows on the blockchain. Presently, stablecoin activity on the Ethereum network has surged sharply, reaching historical levels, reflecting a significant change in the dynamics of on-chain liquidity.

In the midst of a growing stablecoin market, Joseph Young, a market expert and ETH narrator, revealed that stablecoin transfer volume on the Ethereum network just hit a new all-time high. This rise in stablecoin flows to new heights suggests increasing demand for settlement, trading, and Decentralized Finance (DeFi) activity.

Data from the chart shared by Young shows that over $8 trillion in stablecoins were settled in the fourth quarter (Q4) of 2025, or in just 3 months. This is actual money being moved, settled, and cleared on the blockchain.

With this growth, Ethereum is reinforcing its central role as the primary financial layer for stablecoin transactions. According to Young, this amount of stablecoin transfers settled on ETH is larger than that of Visa, whose average payment volume is at $4 trillion per quarter. 

Stablecoins have subtly emerged as one of the most popular cryptocurrency goods; the key chain for that activity is Ethereum. As a result, Young believes that ETH is becoming the trusted settlement layer of money, and no other chain rivals its financial reach. 

ETH Is Highly Undervalued In The Crypto Space

Despite several milestones and remarkable network growth over the years, Ethereum is increasingly viewed through a different lens. Many analysts continue to argue that the ETH network may be the most undervalued blockchain in the entire cryptocurrency landscape today.

In the X post, BMNR Bullz, a financial expert and investor, highlighted that ETH only makes up over 14% of all crypto market value. Meanwhile, the network secures about 59% of all capital in the DeFi sector. This widening gap between usage and price is strengthening the argument that Ethereum’s true value may not yet be completely reflected.

This growth implies that the majority of the real money, applications, and settlements are actively taking place on the leading blockchain. “When price doesn’t reflect where capital actually lives, it’s usually the price that’s wrong,” BMNT Bullz added.

At the time of writing, the price of ETH was trading at $3,233 after experiencing a more than 2% rise in the last 24 hours. At the same time, its trading volume has flipped sharply bullish, increasing by over 42% in the past day.

Ethereum could reprice to $15,000 in 2026 as traditional finance accelerates into tokenization, stablecoins, and bespoke Layer 2 blockchains built on Ethereum, according to Vivek Raman, CEO and co-founder of Etherealize.

In a Jan. 5 guest post, Raman framed 2026 as the point where ETH shifts from a decade-long credibility build to a commercial deployment era, arguing that “from 2026 onward – Ethereum will become the best place to do business,” as regulatory posture, institutional precedent, and infrastructure maturity converge.

Institutions Will Tokenize On Ethereum

Raman’s core claim is that tokenization is moving from proof-of-concept into scaled product deployment, with Ethereum increasingly serving as the base layer institutions choose when the assets are high value and the operational requirements are strict. He describes tokenization as a business-process upgrade that collapses assets, data, and payments onto shared infrastructure, and he leaned heavily on the idea that once institutions experience the efficiencies, they will not revert.

“Tokenization upgrades entire business processes by digitizing assets, data, and payments onto the same infrastructure,” Raman wrote. “Assets (like stocks, bonds, real estate) and money will be able to move at the speed of the Internet. This is an obvious upgrade to the financial system that should have happened decades ago; public global blockchains like Ethereum enable this today.”

The post cites examples of institutional tokenization activity on Ethereum, including money market fund initiatives from JPMorgan and Fidelity, BlackRock’s tokenized fund BUIDL, Apollo’s private credit fund ACRED (with liquidity concentrated on Ethereum and its L2s), and European participation such as Amundi tokenizing a euro-denominated money market fund. Raman also pointed to tokenized products from BNY Mellon and a planned tokenized bond fund tied to Baillie Gifford that would span Ethereum and an L2 network.

Stablecoins As The “Green Light” Moment

Raman positioned stablecoins as the clearest product-market fit for onchain finance, citing “$10T+ in stablecoin transfer volumes in 2025” and claiming that “60% of all stablecoins are on Ethereum and its Layer 2 networks.” He argued that regulatory developments in the US have de-risked deployment for institutions, describing the passage of the GENIUS Act in 2025 as the moment public-chain stablecoin rails effectively received formal clearance.

As a near-term datapoint, Raman highlighted SoFi’s reported launch of a bank-issued stablecoin, SoFiUSD, on a “public, permissionless blockchain,” adding that the bank chose Ethereum. He suggested this is the start of a broader wave where investment banks, neobanks, and fintechs explore stablecoin issuance—either solo or via consortium structures—inside a single public-chain ecosystem to maximize network effects.

Layer 2s As The Institutional Business Model

A major part of Raman’s thesis hinges on the idea that institutions will not converge on a single chain, but will converge on a single interconnected network, Ethereum plus its Layer 2 ecosystem. He argued that L2s provide customization by jurisdiction and customer base while inheriting Ethereum’s security and liquidity, and he described L2 economics as unusually attractive for operators, citing “90+% profit margins” as a reason businesses will want their own chains.

Raman listed examples including Coinbase’s Base, Robinhood’s plans for an Ethereum L2 featuring tokenized stocks and other assets, SWIFT’s use of the Ethereum L2 Linea for settlements, JPMorgan deploying tokenized deposits on Base, and Deutsche Bank building a public, permissioned network as an Ethereum L2.

The $15,000 Ethereum Price Target

Raman also argued ETH is emerging as an institutional treasury asset alongside bitcoin, describing BTC as “digital gold” and ETH as “digital oil”, a productive store of value tied to ecosystem economic activity.

He pointed to four public-company “MicroStrategy-equivalents” accumulating ETH: BitMine Immersion (BMNR), Sharplink Gaming (SBET), The Ether Machine (ETHM), and Bit Digital (BTBT) and claimed they have collectively purchased roughly 4.5% of ETH supply in the last six months, comparing that to MicroStrategy’s 3.2% of BTC ownership.

Those dynamics underpin his 2026 “5x” forecast set: tokenized assets rising to nearly $100 billion (from an estimated $18 billion after growing from ~$6 billion in 2025, with “66%…on Ethereum and its L2s”), stablecoin market cap expanding to $1.5 trillion (from $308 billion), and ETH appreciating 5x to $15,000—an implied $2 trillion market cap in his framing.

At press time, ETH traded at $3,227.

Bitcoin has opened the year on a positive note, with positive price action after a negative end to 2025. Price action has stabilized, and a recent break above $93,000 has encouraged positive momentum among traders. 

However, not everyone is convinced that this recovery is the return of a sustained bull trend. An interesting technical analysis argues that the entire Bitcoin structure still points to weakness, warning that recent upside moves may be misleading within a larger setup.

Analyst Says Bitcoin Is Bearish Below SuperGuppy

Technical analysis from a crypto analyst that goes by the name Alex Clay on the social media platform X has cautioned traders against getting carried away by Bitcoin’s recent bounce. In a post shared on the social media platform, Clay noted that despite the positive start to the year, Bitcoin will still continue to trend in a bearish trend as long as the price stays below the SuperGuppy indicator.

According to his analysis, the SuperGuppy, which combines multiple moving averages to define trend direction, should now be viewed as resistance rather than support. Clay noted that Bitcoin’s current structure looks like the previous market cycle in early 2022, where a similar relief rally occurred within a broader downtrend before the price rolled over again. Back then, the relief rally turned out to be a dead cat bounce and Bitcoin’s price action eventually reversed course.

Furthermore, the current setup shows Bitcoin’s market cap is trading close to the EMA 100 on the weekly candlestick timeframe. Since the latest weekly candle is about to close in positive territory, it would be normal to expect an extended upside reaction from this level. However, the analyst views any rebound from the EMA as corrective in nature, expecting it to be short-lived and reverse for another leg down.

Dead Cat Bounce Then Drop

The broader outlook is bearish, but Clay does not rule out further upside in the short term. The projection is that Bitcoin’s price action could still push to the $100,000 level or slightly above. In this case, such a move would be a classic dead cat bounce. 

After the dead cat bounce, the analyst projected a downward move where the Bitcoin market cap falls to as low as $1.35 trillion. This scenario translates to a Bitcoin price target just below $69,000 based on the current circulating supply. 

From this technical standpoint, the important condition that would weaken the bearish thesis is a sustained uptrend above the EMA 100 and a break above the SuperGuppy indicator. Without that, the analysis suggests that the dominant trend is to the downside.

At the time of writing, Bitcoin is trading at $93, corresponding to gains of about 1% over the past 24 hours and 6.3% over the past seven days.

Monday, 5 January 2025 Meme coins have climbed past a $51 billion total market value, based on data from CoinGecko, while a project that allows players to mine leading meme tokens inside a virtual game environment is preparing to close its presale within the next 72 hours.

PepeNode (PEPENODE), the first mine-to-earn initiative in the crypto space, has already secured over $2.5 million in funding and is gearing up to release an innovative game that recreates real crypto mining through an entertaining and highly engaging gameplay model. The timing appears ideal, as renewed appetite for risk assets has driven fresh interest across the market, including in high-risk projects, during the opening days of 2026.

Through PepeNode, users can mine and earn major meme coins such as Pepe (PEPE), Fartcoin (FARTCOIN), and potentially additional tokens. Beyond simple value extraction, the project emphasizes entertainment, with gameplay designed to keep users engaged while the PEPENODE token sits at the center of the ecosystem, enabling long-term value capture.

With the game launch drawing closer, the chance to buy PEPENODE at a price of $0.0012161 is rapidly disappearing. Once the token becomes tradable, prices at this level may not be seen again.

PEPE Drives Meme Coin Revival with 64% Surge

The meme coin sector has risen by 4.1% over the past 24 hours, supported by a wider market rally. As Bitcoin strengthened its reputation as a “safe haven” asset amid rising geopolitical tensions following the U.S. detention of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro BTC moved from around $93,000 during early Asian trading to nearly $93,500 by the start of the U.S. session. After a subdued fourth quarter in 2025, the crypto market now appears positioned for a robust rebound in 2026.

This shift in sentiment is especially clear within higher-risk segments of the market. Meme coin market capitalization has recently moved beyond the $51 billion mark, rebounding strongly from earlier lows near $35 billion. The recovery highlights a renewed willingness among investors to take on risk, particularly as the first week of the year is on track to deliver a fifth straight day of gains. While dog-themed tokens led the broader upswing with a combined rally of 22.31%, individual asset performance paints an even bolder picture.

Dogecoin (DOGE) and Shiba Inu (SHIB) recorded respectable gains of 18.1% and 18% respectively, but both were outpaced by PEPE, which surged an impressive 64% over the same period. As the dominant force within the “Boy’s Club” and frog-themed meme coin niche, PEPE continues to command the spotlight among major influencers and market participants.

Notably, the well-known X personality Roaring Kitty recently told his 237,000 followers that past market cycles tend to be driven by a single standout meme coin that sparks wider momentum and in his view, that coin is PEPE.

For those of you who haven't been around for multiple cycles

EVERY BULL RUN starts with a Memecoin

And here you have it, $PEPE pic.twitter.com/59hGhNhAkB

— RK (@RoaringKitty) January 2, 2026

Despite the strong rally, PEPE is still trading about 76% below its all-time high, leaving room for investors aiming to benefit from a potential full rebound. That said, participation is no longer confined to traditional spot purchases alone.

 

PepeNode connects speculation with entertainment by allowing players to earn PEPE through a virtual strategy-based game. Drawing on the engaging management style of Zoo Tycoon and the industrial depth of Factorio, the project gives users a new way to access a leading meme coin while delivering gameplay that appeals to crypto-native audiences and stands on its own as an enjoyable experience.

PepeNode: Powering the Next Phase of Meme Coin Mining

For newcomers, PepeNode is a virtual mining simulator that turns the technical challenges of crypto mining into an interactive, incentive-based experience. Rather than relying on the repetitive mechanics seen in older “clicker” titles, the game emphasizes strategic depth, where effective resource management directly influences the scale of token rewards players can earn.

At launch, each player begins with an empty server room, providing a blank slate to build a mining operation from the ground up. Presale participants gain an early advantage by being able to immediately use their discounted PEPENODE tokens to buy nodes, expand infrastructure, and unlock essential upgrades. The gameplay closely reflects real-world mining operations, requiring players to balance energy usage, optimize cooling solutions, and allocate capital wisely to keep their rigs operating at maximum efficiency.

This strategy-driven design marks a clear break from the unsuccessful Play-to-Earn models of earlier cycles. Many of those games failed because they turned into tedious grinds, pushing players through repetitive actions purely to extract rewards. PepeNode takes a different path by targeting strategy enthusiasts and fans of industrial simulation games, putting real enjoyment and thoughtful gameplay ahead of monotonous labor.

Outside of gameplay, the project also tackles long-term sustainability through a carefully structured tokenomic model. To avoid the inflation issues that plagued earlier crypto games, PepeNode introduces a permanent burn mechanism: 70% of all tokens spent on in-game upgrades are removed from circulation forever. This substantial token sink is intended to create deflationary pressure over time, potentially supporting value growth as the player base expands.

Crucially, PepeNode is not built around the idea that cashing out is the sole objective. By offering high-tier rewards such as the ability to earn PEPE and FARTCOIN directly the game encourages players to keep their PEPENODE tokens within the ecosystem, reinvesting them to enhance mining efficiency and overall performance.

If PEPE is truly positioned to spearhead the 2026 bull run, mastering virtual mining through PepeNode may be one of the most effective ways to accumulate it.

Only 3 Days Left to Join the PepeNode Presale Here’s How

While there is still time to secure PEPENODE at a considerable discount, users can head to the PepeNode website to buy using ETH, BNB, USDT (ERC-20 and BEP-20), or even credit and debit cards.

Participants can connect through their preferred wallet, including Best Wallet, which has received multiple reviews naming it among the leading crypto and Bitcoin wallets available. PepeNode is also featured on Best Wallet’s Upcoming Tokens discovery tool, allowing users to buy, monitor, and later claim their tokens once trading goes live.

For added reassurance, PepeNode’s smart contract has undergone an audit by Coinsult, providing early supporters with greater confidence in the project’s code security.

To stay informed about upcoming developments especially details surrounding the token generation event (TGE) users are encouraged to follow PepeNode on X and Telegram.

Visit PepeNode.

Following the sudden recovery of the broader cryptocurrency market, the Bitcoin price is slowly heading back towards the $100,000 mark, showing that bulls are reentering the market. Despite bulls returning to the market, on-chain data suggests that the current state of BTC is not in an accumulation phase.

Bitcoin Is Not In An Accumulation Phase

Bitcoin’s price appears to have regained bullish traction once again, breaking past key resistance levels that previously halted upward attempts. However, the current market structure of BTC is triggering questions about whether the flagship asset is now in an accumulation phase.

Joao Wedson, a market expert and the founder of Alphactal on-chain platform, has offered insights into Bitcoin’s market dynamics, revealing what the current market structure actually looks like rather than accumulation. Although price action may appear stable on the surface, on-chain and flow statistics indicate that buyers are not yet intervening with the conviction usually observed during classic accumulation periods.

According to the market expert, BTC’s current market structure leans heavily towards a redistribution phase rather than an accumulation phase. This suggests that activity is more of a transitory scenario where distribution and cautious participation continue to prevail, as the market looks for a clearer direction.

If the price of BTC reaches the $95,000 to $96,700 range, Wedson claims that the market could witness strong selling interest from large investors or whales in the area, fueled by liquidity escape. Meanwhile, for those thinking about opening short positions, the expert has declared that this is the region where the decision makes the most sense.

Wedson’s bold statement is supported by the fact that the market usually deceives. However, before a real move is carried out in the current market state, even those who are positioned correctly typically need to be liquidated.

Realized Losses Are Still Dominant In The Market

Price action may have turned bullish, but on-chain activity has not completely moved into positive zones. Despite the current rebound in Bitcoin Darkfost, a CryptoQuant author and market expert has disclosed that realized losses continue to dominate the market.

Darkfost’s research is mainly centered on the Bitcoin weekly average of realized profits and losses. As observed on the chart, the realized profits of BTC are at $312 million, while realized losses are maintaining a value of $511 million. 

This divergence shows that some investors are choosing to capitulate and exit the market by reducing their losses in spite of the ongoing recovery in BTC’s price. Furthermore, these phases of capitulation have frequently signaled the end of corrective phases.

The current capitulation has intensified over the past week. Data shows that it is approaching levels comparable to the previous bear market phase, which might have made it possible for the market to be sufficiently cleansed to begin on a healthier basis.

US spot XRP exchange-traded funds (ETFs) logged their strongest day of net inflows in more than a month on Jan. 5, as XRP rallied sharply and trading activity accelerated across both the token and the ETF wrapper.

SoSoValue data shows the ETF complex pulled in $46.1 million in net new money on Jan. 5, the seventh-largest inflow day since launch and the biggest since Dec. 3, when daily net inflows reached $50.27 million. The same dataset shows cumulative net inflows rising to $1.23 billion, while total net assets climbed to $1.65 billion, alongside $72.15 million in total value traded.

US Spot XRP ETF Snapshot

The move coincided with a broad jump in XRP itself. The cryptocurrency rose more than 11% over the past 24 hours to around $2.40, lifting its market capitalization above $144.3 billion. Spot trading volume reached $7.32 billion, up 144% over the same period, according to CoinMarketCap data.

Flow leadership on Jan. 5 was distributed across all issuers rather than concentrated in a single product. According to SoSoValue’s market-data table, Bitwise’s XRP product led with $16.61 million in daily net inflows, while Franklin’s XRPZ brought in $12.59 million, Grayscale’s GXRP added $9.89 million, and 21Shares’ TOXR posted $7.01 million.

Measured by total net assets, the issuer leaderboard remained led by Canary’s XRPC at $407.01 million as of Jan. 5, giving it the largest footprint in the US spot XRP ETF cohort despite posting $0.00 in net inflows on the day.

21Shares’ TOXR follows with $324.39 million, narrowly ahead of Bitwise’s XRP at $322.85 million. Franklin’s XRPZ ranked fourth at $298.38 million, while Grayscale’s GXRP was close behind at $294.35 million, showing how tightly clustered the mid-pack has become even as XRPC maintains a clear lead at the top.

While the inflow tally was the headline, secondary metrics suggested the day was not simply a passive allocation event. Several products printed sizable on-venue value traded, including XRPZ at $27.98 million and Bitwise’s XRP at $23.06 million, pointing to active participation rather than slow, incremental creation activity.

Notably, Jan. 5’s $46.1 million haul was notable, but it was still only the seventh-largest single-day inflow since the US spot XRP ETF cohort launched. The biggest subscription days were clustered earlier in the product’s life, when headline inflows regularly printed above current levels, making Monday’s figure less about a new peak and more about a clear re-acceleration after a quieter stretch through late December, and the strongest day since Dec. 3’s $50.27 million.

At press time, XRP traded at $2.33.

Crypto pundit SMQKE has revealed how SWIFT could end up adopting XRP for its global payment services. The pundit highlighted a statement by the company’s former CEO, Gottfried Leibbrandt, explaining why the company was hesitant to adopt cryptocurrencies.

How SWIFT Could End Up Adopting XRP For Global Payments

In an X post, SMQKE declared that SWIFT will adopt cryptocurrencies like XRP as regulations become clearer. He then pointed to a document that highlighted Leibbrandt’s statement, in which the former SWIFT CEO said they were hesitant to use cryptocurrencies due to issues such as the uncertain regulatory environment at the time. He added that risk-averse institutions were unlikely to adopt crypto until regulations become clearer. 

However, the regulatory environment has improved significantly since Leibbrandt’s statement, indicating that SWIFT could soon adopt cryptocurrencies such as XRP. It is worth noting that the payment provider already took the first step towards embracing crypto last year by announcing plans to launch its distributed ledger. 

SWIFT has partnered with Joe Lubin’s Consensys to launch a distributed ledger that will enable faster, cheaper, and more efficient cross-border transactions, thereby boosting its payment services. This move has been largely viewed as a way to directly compete with Ripple, which uses the XRP Ledger for its payment services. Meanwhile, there have also been concerns that it could impact the altcoin’s utility if Ripple gains less traction due to the competition from SWIFT. 

However, there is still the possibility that SWIFT could adopt the token alongside other crypto assets for its on-chain payment services. SMQKE previously highlighted a statement by SWIFT executive Stephen Grainger that they had no plans to issue their native token. If that is the case, then the company’s distributed ledger is likely to utilize other crypto assets instead. 

The Ripple And SWIFT Connection

Crypto pundit BankXRP highlighted a connection between Ripple and SWIFT amid talks of the latter potentially adopting the token. The pundit pointed out that GTreasury, which Ripple owns, is part of the SWIFT Certified Partner Program. As such, it offers global bank connectivity and hosting options for SWIFT’s Alliance Lite2 Program. GTreasury has also partnered to offer SWIFTRef data for IBAN and ABA lookups directly within its workflow.  

Ripple could also deepen its relationship with SWIFT, as the crypto firm is set to operate as a national trust bank following the conditional approval from the OCC. This is bullish for the altcoin, as it could pave the way for SWIFT to integrate XRP into its payment system. XRP is already gaining momentum as Ripple looks to onboard more institutions on the Ledger by introducing new upgrades on the network. 

At the time of writing, the altcoin price is trading at around $2.38, up over 12% in the last 24 hours, according to data from CoinMarketCap.

Bitcoin’s roughly 5% jump on Jan. 5 landed on a clean, TV-friendly explanation: a shock political turn in Venezuela would “unlock” oil supply, push energy prices down, cool inflation, bring rate cuts forward, and lift BTC. Bitwise Head of Research Ryan Rasmussen says there’s a major flaw with that.

The catalyst for the narrative was Venezuela’s weekend drama, culminating in Nicolás Maduro’s capture and transfer into US custody, an episode that immediately spilled into geopolitics, commodities chatter, and macro cross-asset takes.

Rasmussen, posting in a thread on X, summarized the “Wall Street theory” as follows: “Venezuela oil reserves unlocked >> lower oil prices >> lower inflation >> interest rates >> bitcoin rallies. A thread on why that’s wrong.”

Why This Bitcoin Theory Is Wrong

Rasmussen’s central point is mechanical: if the rally is being driven by a sudden repricing of monetary policy expectations, it should show up in the probabilities traders are assigning to rate cuts. In his read, it didn’t.

He cited a slight dip in the implied odds of a 25 basis-point cut in January 2026 immediately after the Venezuela headlines. “Probability of a 25bps Rate Cut in Jan’26: Prior to Maduro’s Capture: 16.6%. After Maduro’s Capture: 16.1%,” Rasmussen wrote, adding that “the probability of a 25bps rate cut this month actually fell.”

Even further out, he argued, the change was marginal to nonexistent. “Probability of a 25bps Rate Cut in Dec’26: Prior to Maduro’s Capture: 19.1%. After Maduro’s Capture: 19.2%,” he wrote, framing it as “barely moved.” That’s the mismatch Rasmussen wants investors to notice: a tidy causal story was making the rounds, but the pricing in the instrument closest to that story, rate expectations, was effectively unchanged.

If not a Venezuela-to-Fed chain reaction, what explains the day’s BTC strength? Rasmussen pointed to a cluster of themes that have been building without needing a weekend headline to justify them.

First is institutional demand. Rasmussen argued that the post-2024 spot bitcoin ETF channel continues to widen, with more major platforms beginning to allocate. He cited an example of “+$500m into bitcoin ETFs on Jan. 2nd,” and named Morgan Stanley, Wells Fargo, and Merrill Lynch as part of the distribution wave which have opened their door with the beginning of the year.

Second is the regulatory backdrop. Rasmussen described a “pro-crypto regulatory shift” following the 2024 election, saying crypto markets are beginning to “feel the benefits” as wealth managers, endowments, pensions, and sovereigns get more comfortable adopting bitcoin.

Third is a broader risk-on tone tied to AI. In Rasmussen’s framing, “fears of an AI-bubble are settling,” and investors have been “piling into risk-on assets, like tech stocks and bitcoin.”

Finally, he returned to policy, just not via Venezuela. “Did Maduro’s capture materially change short-term rate cut expectations? No. Does that mean QE is out of the picture. Also no,” Rasmussen wrote, before adding: “QE is just beginning. The market was—and still is—expecting 50bps (or more) rate cuts in 2026.”

Overall, Rasmussen did not argue Venezuela is irrelevant. His conclusion was narrower: “Yes. Somewhat,” he wrote when asked whether the weekend’s events matter for bitcoin, before answering the bigger question whether it’s the main reason for the +5% move with a flat “No. Zoom Out.”

At press time, BTC traded at $93,750.

BitMine Immersion Technologies bought 32,977 Ethereum (ETH) in a move that grabbed investor attention and pushed its stock higher. The purchase was reported to be part of the company’s recent accumulation of crypto assets during the final week of 2025. BMNR shares rallied as traders reacted to the disclosure, with early session gains seen on US exchanges.

Fresh 32,977 Ethereum

According to a press release, BitMine now holds about 4.143 million ETH on its balance sheet. That amount was given as roughly 3.43% of the circulating supply, a large stake for a publicly traded miner.

The company’s total crypto, cash, and strategic investments were reported at about $14.2 billion. The fresh buy of 32,977 Ether adds scale to a position that is already substantial and has been built up over several months.

Staking And Treasury Numbers

Roughly 659,219 ETH in BitMine’s portfolio is currently staked. That portion is being used to generate yield while the firm holds the rest in custody, reports said. Company plans that were disclosed include expanding its validator operations under a program named the Made In America Validator Network, an initiative the firm expects to push forward in early 2026. The staking figure and the new purchase together show BitMine is balancing liquid holdings with income-producing assets.

Market Reaction And Upcoming Shareholder Vote

Market moves were quick. BMNR saw notable trading volume after the announcement, and pre-market figures showed gains around 4% in some sessions. Traders and institutional desks flagged the purchase as a reason for higher demand in the stock, while others said the move simply confirms that large players still see value in holding ETH.

The firm is also set to hold its Annual Stockholder Meeting on January 15, 2026, where proposals including an increase in authorized shares will be put to a vote. That meeting adds a corporate governance angle to the market story, since shareholders will weigh both the crypto strategy and broader capital plans.

Analysts say the next signals to watch are: daily flow in ETH markets, any fresh disclosures from BitMine about further buys, and volume patterns in BMNR trading. Reports indicate the company has been one of the larger active ETH buyers recently, and continued accumulation could keep interest alive among investors.

Price action in both ETH and BMNR will likely drive headlines over the coming weeks as markets digest the full impact of the new holdings.

Featured image from Unsplash, chart from TradingView

Strategy has announced expansions to both its Bitcoin (BTC) and US Dollar (USD) reserves. Here’s how much the treasury firm has added to each.

Strategy Has Increased Both Its Bitcoin & USD Treasuries

As revealed in an X post by co-founder and chairman Michael Saylor, Strategy has added 1,287 BTC to its Bitcoin treasury. In total, this acquisition cost the company $116.3 million, according to the filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Strategy didn’t buy all of this stack in 2026; it purchased 3 BTC between December 29th and 31st, and 1,283 BTC between January 1st and 4th. After these additions, the firm’s Bitcoin reserves have grown to 673,783 tokens.

The BTC acquisition isn’t all that Saylor has announced. At the start of last month, the company started a new USD reserve as a way of making sure that dividend payments occur in time regardless of short-term volatility in the market. It has just made another expansion to this reserve.

Initially, the firm allocated $1.44 billion to the USD reserve, with a $748 million addition coming a couple of weeks ago. Now, it has raised it further by $62 million, taking the total to $2.25 billion. Strategy has funded this expansion and the latest BTC purchase using sales of its MSTR at-the-market (ATM) stock offering.

Strategy is currently by far the largest corporate holder of Bitcoin in the world, as the below table from BitcoinTreasuries.net shows.

The company’s 673,783 BTC stack is today worth $63.48 billion, more than 25% above its cost basis of $50.55 billion. Though, while Strategy has done well overall, 2025 wasn’t such a bright year for it.

The SEC filing states that the treasury firm closed December 31st with an unrealized loss of $5.40 billion on its digital asset holdings. The figure for the fourth quarter alone is even worse: an unrealized loss of $17.44 billion.

The bad 2025 is naturally a result of the bearish price action that Bitcoin and the wider digital asset sector faced between October and November. Nonetheless, Strategy still hasn’t sold any coins and its recent purchases suggest it’s committed to growing the treasury further for now.

In some other news, the Bitcoin spot exchange-traded funds (ETFs) saw the highest amount of net inflows since October last week.

Spot ETFs are financial instruments that allow investors to gain indirect exposure to BTC’s price movements. That is, they allow traders a route into the cryptocurrency that’s off-chain. Some traditional investors and institutional entities prefer to invest into the asset this way.

Much like the spot on-chain demand, spot ETFs have also faced weak netflows since October, but last week diverged from the recent trend with net inflows of $458.77 million.

BTC Price

At the time of writing, Bitcoin is floating around $94,200, up 8% over the last seven days.

After a challenging year in 2025 for the altcoin sector, optimism is growing among investors for the potential of an early altseason in 2026. This speculation includes not only established altcoins but also memecoins that struggled throughout the past year. 

Understanding Altcoin Cycles

In a recent post on social media site X (formerly Twitter), analysts from Bull Theory delved into the critical elements required for an altcoin breakout this year.

One significant point highlighted is that altcoin cycles do not emerge randomly. Historically, they tend to commence once Bitcoin (BTC) and other cryptocurrencies have bottomed and subsequently begin to break out. 

For instance, in the fourth quarter of 2016, the ALT/BTC ratio hit its lowest point before experiencing a breakout, leading to a robust altcoin rally in the first half of 2017. 

A similar pattern emerged in late 2020, resulting in substantial gains for altcoins in early 2021. This established a clear trend of a bottom followed by a breakout, with altcoins subsequently outperforming Bitcoin. 

ALT/BTC Ratio Shows Signs Of Recovery

Currently, the ALT/BTC ratio has been stuck in a downtrend for nearly four years. Technical indicators suggest a potential turnaround; the Relative Strength Index (RSI) is at its most oversold level in history, while the Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) is turning green for the first time in 21 months, hinting at a potential bullish crossover. 

These signals suggest that the downtrend may have reached its bottom in the fourth quarter of 2025, setting the stage for a possible breakout reminiscent of earlier altcoin runs.

The analysts also drew attention to the connection between these assets and the equity market, particularly the Russell 2000 index, which recently broke above its previous all-time high. This index reflects broader risk appetite among investors and has historically served as a precursor to altcoin rallies. 

In both late 2016 and late 2020, a breakout in the Russell was followed by significant altcoin gains. Now, as the Russell 2000 has broken out again in the fourth quarter of 2025, it mirrors patterns observed just before previous altcoin surges.

Improvement In Market Conditions 

Despite these promising indicators, some may wonder why this cycle appears delayed. Many investors anticipated a setup for an altcoin season in 2024, but the analysts note that key triggers were absent during that time. 

Factors such as a contracting Federal Reserve (Fed) balance sheet, tight liquidity, and low risk appetite dampened enthusiasm. However, conditions began to improve toward the end of 2025, suggesting that while the cycle may have shifted, it is still very much intact.

Ultimately, analysts at Bull Theory conclude that the anticipated altseason is approaching based on the fact that the ALT/BTC ratio appears to have bottomed out in Q4 of 2025, the Russell 2000 has achieved a breakout in the same period, liquidity has improved, and greater regulatory clarity is expected heading into 2026.

Ethereum (ETH), the market’s leading altcoin, is trading at $3,200, having recorded gains of almost 10% over the past seven days. However, this has been outperformed by XRP, which recorded a notable 21% gain during the same period. 

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

Japan’s Finance Minister has shared her stance on crypto assets and the importance of stock exchanges in supporting the transition to a growth-oriented economy that opens up public access to digital assets.

Japan Enters Its ‘Digital Year’

On Monday, Japan’s Minister of Finance Satsuki Katayama endorsed the country’s efforts to integrate crypto assets and blockchain technology into the local financial markets, outlining her policy stance to support Japan’s development as an asset management nation, asserting that “there is still room for growth in shifting from savings to investment.”

In her New Year’s address at the Tokyo Stock Exchange’s (TSE) Grand Opening Ceremony, celebrated on January 5, Katayama declared that 2026 would be the “Digital Year” for the nation.

The Finance Minister pointed out that 2026 “is a turning point” for overcoming deflation, emphasizing the “importance of responsible, proactive fiscal policy and concentrated investment in growth sectors.”

Notably, Katayama has previously shared a positive approach to crypto and the Web3 sectors, the reports added. Last year, she declared that “with robust governance, the crypto asset and Web3 sectors can develop significantly, and the future is very bright.”

Local news media outlets reported that the Finance Minister expressed her support for integrating crypto assets into stock exchanges on Monday, highlighting the importance of existing financial infrastructure to increase exposure to crypto-related services.

“For citizens to benefit from digital assets and blockchain-based assets, the role of commodity and securities exchanges is crucial,” she stated.

During the New Year’s address, she also discussed the future of crypto-related investment products in Japan, underscoring how “In the U.S., ETFs (exchange-traded funds) are expanding as a means for citizens to hedge against inflation.”

Despite the success of US spot ETFs, Japanese regulators have been cautious about digital asset-based funds. The Financial Services Agency (FSA) has repeatedly expressed reservations about the investment products.

Nonetheless, Katayama suggested that similar initiatives to those of the US would be pursued in Japan, signaling a potential launch of crypto-based investment products this year.

She concluded her statement by declaring her support for the efforts carried out by exchanges in Japan to develop trading environments “utilizing such cutting-edge fintech and technology.”

2026 Framework To Reshape Local Crypto Landscape

Over the past few years, Japanese authorities have been working to review their regulatory system and develop policies for customer fund safety and innovation in a more reliable industry.

In December, the Liberal Democratic Party and the Japan Innovation Party published their upcoming FY2026 Tax Reform. As reported by Bitcoinist, the 2026 tax reform will introduce significant changes to the existing taxation system.

These changes, long requested by Japanese investors, are set to address the categorization and regulation of crypto assets, reclassifying them as financial products.

The proposal signals a shift from the assets’ previous treatment as speculative assets by Japanese financial authorities. Based on this, the reform is also studying the introduction of a separate taxation system for crypto income.

The current progressive tax system, where digital asset gains can be taxed at up to 55%, would be replaced with a system like the one used for stocks, with a flat 20% tax on crypto income.

Venezuela may have quietly built a Bitcoin stash of roughly 600,000 to 660,000 BTC. That number would be worth about $56 billion to $67 billion at recent prices, intelligence reports cited by Whale Hunting analysts Bradley Hope and Clara Preve disclose.

The said accumulation began around 2018 and involved swaps from gold sales and oil deals priced in stablecoins, then converted to Bitcoin. Some stories tie the chatter to recent political developments in Venezuela, saying the claims have stirred fresh attention on the nation’s finances and on Bitcoin markets.

Public Records Tell A Different Story

Based on reports from public blockchain trackers and treasury listings, the picture is far less dramatic. Official on-chain wallets linked to Venezuela’s government show about 240 BTC — roughly $22 million at current rates.

How The Numbers Were Said To Work

Reports that pushed the big number mentioned several methods of accumulation. Gold sales from state mining areas were named. Oil shipments priced in USDT or other crypto were mentioned too.

Some accounts also suggest seized mining equipment and opaque trading channels were used to move value into Bitcoin over years. If any of that is true, then large sums could be off the books and hard to trace.

Market Reaction And Political Buzz

Bitcoin’s price has been sensitive to the story. Traders watched moves above $92,000 closely as the rumor spread. Some headlines linked the claims to geopolitical tensions and to questions about whether foreign authorities could seize or freeze any such reserve if it existed.

Reports note that such a seizure would carry legal and diplomatic complications. US President Donald Trump’s recent comments on regional security further stoked interest in how geopolitical events and crypto markets can intersect.

Why Skepticism Is Still Needed

Investigative limits matter. Blockchain data is public, but wallets can be obfuscated through mixers, custodial services, or private keys held across many accounts. That makes absolute proof difficult without cooperation from those who control the coins or from an audited disclosure. Until verifiable custody records, independent audits, or clear on-chain links are produced, the numbers above should be read as unconfirmed claims rather than settled fact.

Huge If True, Unproven Now

Based on reports and on public trackers, Venezuela’s official, proven Bitcoin holdings remain small compared with the headline figures. The 600,000–660,000 BTC claim is dramatic; it would reshape market math if proven. For now, it is a high-impact rumor that needs concrete proof.

Maduro’s Capture

US forces recently carried out an operation targeting Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, heightening geopolitical tensions in the region. Reports suggest the move has renewed interest in Venezuela’s alleged Bitcoin holdings and oil, with analysts watching closely for any impact on global crypto markets. The full consequences of the raid and Maduro’s capture are still unfolding.

Featured image from Gemini, chart from TradingView

Violent “wrench attacks” against crypto holders, physical robberies and kidnappings meant to force victims to hand over coins, appear to be rising in absolute terms and trending more severe, according to a new visualization built from a long-running incident database maintained by security researcher Jameson Lopp.

Dragonfly partner Haseeb Qureshi said he analyzed Lopp’s dataset and built an interactive dashboard to stress-test a question many traders and builders have been asking quietly for years: is simply holding crypto becoming physically more dangerous? “You’re not imagining it: the number of attacks has been increasing over time,” Qureshi wrote on X. “Not only that, the attacks are getting more violent.”

The dashboard breaks reported incidents into five severity bands — Minor, Moderate, Serious, Severe, and Fatal and the distribution skews heavily toward the sharp end of the spectrum. Of 269 categorized incidents shown, 137 (51%) were labeled “Serious,” 57 (21%) “Severe,” and 13 (5%) “Fatal,” with the remainder split between 39 (14%) “Moderate” and 23 (9%) “Minor.”

The year-by-year bars show the later years carrying a larger share of “Severe” and “Fatal” outcomes than the early history of the dataset, with 2025 appearing as the highest-incident year on the chart.

Qureshi’s analysis also puts a number on the most intuitive driver: price. Charting incidents against total crypto market capitalization, he reported a simple regression with an R² of 0.45 — implying roughly 45% of the variation in reported violence is explained by market cap alone. In plain terms, higher prices coincide with more attacks.

But the more consequential question for everyday holders is not raw counts; it’s risk per person. Because comprehensive “number of crypto users” data is hard to pin down, Qureshi used Coinbase monthly active users as a proxy, and separately normalized incidents by market cap to approximate attacks per dollar of wealth.

The resulting “normalized attack rates” chart tells a less linear story: per-user attack rates spiked in earlier market eras (notably around 2015 and again in 2018), then fell sharply after 2019, before ticking higher in the most recent observations. “So is that it?” Qureshi asked. “Proof crypto is becoming more physically dangerous?”

On his telling, not quite. Coinbase MAUs, he noted, expanded dramatically over the decade, while normalized attack rates did not rise proportionally, suggesting a meaningful “population effect” behind the higher headline totals. Still, the per-user line has moved up from its post-2019 lows, roughly back toward the levels seen during the 2021 cycle, even as the “attacks per $ of market cap” line remains comparatively flat in recent years.

Geography adds another uncomfortable layer. A regional table in the dashboard shows Western Europe (73 attacks) and North America (64) as the two largest buckets by incident count, with Asia-Pacific also substantial (53). But the most lethal outcomes cluster elsewhere: Latin America shows a 21% fatality rate and Africa 17%, versus 0% in North America. Qureshi underscored that point directly: “Notably, there have been 0 fatalities in North America ever,” he wrote, adding that the “lion’s share” of fatalities are in Latin America and Africa.

Lopp, who has maintained the underlying “Bitcoin Wrench Attack” archive for years, has warned the workload and frequency are becoming harder to treat as isolated incidents. “When an event goes from being rare to happening every few days, it’s no longer newsworthy — it’s just a fact of life,” he wrote in a Dec. 21 post cited in the thread, while inviting others to help maintain the database.

At press time, the total crypto market cap stood at $3.12 trillion.