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The Bitcoin price looks to be off to a great start, having spent most of the new year above the psychological $90,000 mark. While the premier cryptocurrency has slowed down in recent days, there has been a display of significant bullish intent in the market so far in 2026.

Now, this latest show of optimism somewhat contradicts recent predictions that the Bitcoin price might be at the start of a bear market. This begs the question — could the bull run be nearing a restart, or is the price of BTC only witnessing a relief rally?

BTC’s Recent Bounce A Mere Bear Market Relief Rally — Analyst

In a January 9 post on the X platform, crypto analyst Maartunn shared interesting data points to answer the question of whether Bitcoin’s latest price bounce is meaningful or just a relief rally. The market pundit anchored their answer on both on-chain and technical price data.

Firstly, Maartunn acknowledged that the recent jump was only bound to happen, as the Bitcoin price found support around the ETF Realized Price at $85,000. This price level represents the average cost basis of BTC ETF investors, and as expected, the buyers defended their positions — leading to the price bounce.

This phenomenon is spotlighted by another on-chain metric, the Coinbase Premium Gap, which measures the difference between the Bitcoin price on Coinbase and global exchanges. According to Maartunn, the metric started to rise right after New Year’s Eve, signaling renewed buying activity from US-based investors.

Furthermore, the spot exchange-traded funds started seeing strong capital inflows days after this uptick in the Coinbase Premium Gap. “This looks more like strategic buying/portfolio rebalancing (new quarter, new year) than emotional FOMO,” Maartunn added.

However, the crypto analyst noted that the rally only saw the Bitcoin Price climb to the range high at $94,000 before getting rejected. In essence, this suggests that the flagship cryptocurrency does not possess the bullish strength to breach that resistance.

Additionally, Maartunn mentioned that Bitcoin is still trading beneath crucial on-chain levels like the Short-Term Holder Realized Price and Whale Realized Price, both of which are acting as significant overhead resistance.

The on-chain analyst noted that the on-chain observations suggest that this recent bounce is merely a bear market relief rally, not a trend continuation — even though the price is up by about 10%. Only a clean break and sustained close above the $94,000 would indicate the Bitcoin price’s strong intent to rebuild a bullish structure, Martunn concluded.

Bitcoin Price At A Glance

As of this writing, the price of BTC stands at $90,360, reflecting an almost 1% decline in the past 24 hours.

In an exciting development, the US Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs has set a markup date for the CLARITY Act, representing a significant advancement in the creation of a federal regulatory framework for cryptocurrency use and operations in the United States.

Time To Move Crypto Legislation Forward – Sen. Banking Committee Chair 

The CLARITY Act was introduced in May 2025 and passed by the House of Representatives in July. It is a landmark US crypto market-structure bill designed to define regulatory responsibilities between the SEC and CFTC, clarify asset classifications, and establish compliance pathways for digital asset markets. The bill has since been moved to the US Senate for consideration, commencing with a revision by the relevant Senate Committee. In an X post on January 10, Fox Reporter Eleanor Terrett stated the US Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, led by Republican Chairman Tim Scott, has set the markup session for the CLARITY Act at 10 am EST on Thursday, 15 January, 2026.  For context, the markup represents a key legislative process whereby the lawmakers in relevant committees review, debate, amend, and rewrite a proposed bill before it is presented to the full chamber. Commenting on this development, Chairman Tim Scott explained the potential importance of the CLARITY Act, emphasizing its role in transforming the US into the crypto capital of the world. The Republican said:

This legislation is about making America the crypto capital of the world – so the next generation of jobs and innovation is built here, not overseas. When we set clear rules, we give entrepreneurs the confidence to start companies, hire workers, and grow right here in the United States. We also make it harder for criminals and foreign adversaries to use new technology to rip off Americans or undermine our financial system. After months of serious, bipartisan work, it’s time to move this forward and deliver real results for the American people.

Notably, the Banking Committee’s announcement has received many positive reactions from crypto enthusiasts. This is because the CLARITY Act is expected to bring regulatory clarity and also introduce the needed guardrails that would encourage more mainstream digital asset adoption among individuals and institutions alike.

Related Reading: Senate Update On Crypto Market Structure Bill—Here’s What’s Happening Now CLARITY Act To Pass Into Law By March

In other developments, Eleanor Terrett predicts the CLARITY Act could be ratified in the next two months on a conservative basis. The Fox reporter explains the bill will likely be advanced next week, following the slated markup to be merged with the portion of the Agricultural Committee before being read to the Senate floor for voting. Upon approval, it is sent back to the House of Representatives and finally to President Donald Trump’s desk for ascent. Considering these processes and their respective length, Terrett expects the CLARITY Act to gain full approval by March at the earliest.

В первую полную неделю нового года у спотовых биржевых фондов (ETF) на биткоин и эфир произошел резкий отток капитала. Привязанные к биткоину ETF потеряли $681 млн за семь дней, говорят данные SoSoValue.

Dogecoin has taken another step in its objective to become a widely accepted and decentralized global currency as its corporate arm, House of Doge, announced a strategic partnership aimed at expanding the Dogecoin ecosystem into Japan. 

The initiative, which was disclosed in a press release on January 8, proposed a collaborative framework with Japanese firms abc Co., Ltd. and ReYuu Japan Inc. to pursue real-world asset initiatives and compliant digital infrastructure in Japan.

House Of DOGE Sets Framework For Expansion In Japan

According to the press release, House of Doge has entered a tripartite partnership with abc Co., Ltd. and ReYuu Japan Inc. 

Each party brings a defined role to the table, with abc contributing expertise in token-economy design, smart-contract development, and regulatory alignment, while ReYuu Japan is tasked with local business development and market execution. House of Doge, meanwhile, will act as the coordinating body that guides ecosystem strategy and alignment with Dogecoin’s broader objectives.

A main focus of the partnership is the exploration of real-world asset initiatives, including support for regulated token structures and the promotion of asset-backed digital instruments like gold asset-backed stablecoins. Furthermore, the partnership is looking to establish a joint fund within the Dogecoin ecosystem.

According to the announcement, the partnership is also looking to promote democratization of next-generation Web3 through real-world use cases. Although it does not attach an extensive list of specific products or launch timelines, it highlights interest in frameworks that could support stablecoin-related activity and other regulated financial use cases.

The partnership framework spotlights cooperation within Japan’s established regulatory structure, particularly around compliant tokenization models. Japan’s increasing positivity towards cryptocurrencies and strong technology adoption make it a suitable environment for exploring blockchain-based financial products tied to real-world assets. 

“This partnership reflects our continued focus on supporting thoughtful, real-world expansion of the Dogecoin ecosystem,” said Marco Margiotta, CEO of House of Doge. 

Japan’s Rising Crypto Adoption

The timing of the partnership also aligns with expanding crypto adoption trends within Japan itself. Overall, the number of registered crypto accounts in the country has continued to rise, with a report showing 12 million users in February 2025, representing a 3.5-fold increase over the past five years. More recent estimates place the figure above 13 million registered accounts.

Regulatory developments may further support this trajectory. The Government of Japan has been weighing changes to its crypto tax framework, including a proposal to introduce a flat 20 percent tax rate on crypto-related gains. The revision is reportedly targeted for fiscal 2026 and is aimed at encouraging investor participation in the crypto industry.

Therefore, the partnership comes in an environment that could benefit the Dogecoin ecosystem and its usage in japan, which in turn could benefit its price action in the coming years.

Featured image from Unsplash, chart from TradingView

Гендиректор американской криптобиржи Coinbase Брайан Армстронг (Brian Armstrong) назвал стейблкоины главным вариантом использования криптовалют, выходящим за рамки спекулятивного трейдинга.

Over the past week, Bitcoin (BTC) finally broke out of a longstanding consolidation phase, moving decisively above the $90,000 mark. During this time, the leading cryptocurrency traded as high as $94,700 before a sudden rejection that has since forced prices to move within the $90,000-$92,000 range. Amid this mini-consolidation, a market analyst with the username OnChain has identified clear signs of a structural market weakness supporting the possibility of a bear market.

Bitcoin On-Chain, Technical Indicators Combine To Paint Bear Picture

In a QuickTake post on CryptoQuant, OnChain explains that Bitcoin is showing early signs of structural weakness on the weekly chart, similar to what happened in 2021–2022. The analyst confirms this theory by consulting a combination of price-based technical indicators and on-chain demand metrics to determine the right market situation. These include: 4 Anchored VWAPs (2021 ATH, 2025 ATH, 3rd halving, and 4th halving), the SMA50, Realized Price – UTXO Age Bands (6-12 months), and Bitcoin Apparent Demand.

The application of these indicators to the Bitcoin weekly chart highlights areas of similar price structure in the present market and in 2021/2022. Notably, in Areas 1, as seen in the chart below, it is observed that Bitcoin for the first time simultaneously trades below the average price since the last all-time high (anchored VWAP), the SMA50, and also the realized price of coins held for 6–12 months. In the previous cycle, when BTC first fell below all these levels together, it marked the start of a broader weakening phase, rather than a brief correction. In Areas 2, OnChain reports that in both cycles, Bitcoin finds support at the anchored VWAP to its last halving for the second time in each cycle. Following the price correction halt, BTC attempted a mini-rebound in 2022 but faced strong resistance at all indicators from Areas 1, before slipping into a multi-month downtrend.

According to the market analyst, the indicators highlighted in Areas 1 are presently positioned around the $98,000 – $101,000, presenting the next point of major resistance. Meanwhile, all this reported price action is occurring as Bitcoin Apparent Demand continues to crash suggest a visible lack of buying pressure. OnChain notes another concerning similarity as Apparent Demand is also nearing the negative territory, similarly to 2021-2022.

BTC Market Overview

At the time of writing, Bitcoin trades at $90,500 following a minor price decline of 0.58% in the last 24 hours. Meanwhile, its monthly loss stands at 1.9%, indicating the bulls continue to struggle for market control. While there are alarming signs of growing market weakness, there are also potential positive developments. One of which is the Clarity Act, as highlighted by OnChain, the potential impact of which, following enactment, largely remains unknown. 

Crypto and tech just got a major boost. Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) has closed on just over $15 billion in fresh capital, a fundraising round that will be split across multiple new vehicles aimed at a range of tech areas. According to reports, the move marks the firm’s biggest raise yet and gives it a much bigger hand in where venture dollars flow next.

Fund Sizes And Targets

The new money is divided into several named pots. The largest is a growth fund of $6.75 billion. Two funds of about $1.7 billion each will back apps and infrastructure. An American Dynamism fund, aimed at defense, supply chains and similar projects, totals about $1.176 billion.

https://t.co/1Hdgrkd7WL

— a16z (@a16z) January 9, 2026

A Bio + Health vehicle holds roughly $700 million, and roughly $3 billion is earmarked for other venture strategies. These figures were published by the firm in a post explaining why it raised the cash and how it plans to invest. Reports have disclosed that the haul represents over 18% of all venture capital invested in the US in 2025.

Why The Money Matters

Based on reports, company leaders framed this raise as more than just an investment play. They say the goal is to keep the US competitive on key technologies such as artificial intelligence and crypto, which they called central to the country’s technological standing for decades ahead. The firm has long backed major web and crypto names, and this raise signals continued bets on those sectors.

A Bigger Crypto, Tech Player In A Shrinking Market

The timing stands out. US venture fundraising weakened in 2025, with totals well below prior years, yet a16z pulled in a very large share of available capital. Market watchers say that a firm with this much firepower can shape which startups get funded and which priorities rise to the top. The raise also pushes the firm’s assets under management to figures reported around $90 billion, giving it extraordinary reach across early and late stage deals.

Investors and rivals noted how big funds can move markets. Some see positives: more capital for AI labs, for chip design, for crypto infrastructure. Some warn of concentration, where a handful of large firms steer too much of the startup ecosystem. News outlets pointed to comparisons with past large funds and noted the unusual scale of this single announcement relative to a weaker overall fundraising year.

Featured image from Disruption Banking, chart from TradingView

Сооснователь Эфириума Виталик Бутерин поддержал разработчика криптомиксера Tornado Cash Романа Шторма, осужденного в августе 2025 года за эксплуатацию нелицензированного сервиса денежных переводов. Бутерин заявил, что создание обеспечивающих конфиденциальность сервисов — это не преступление.

Венчурная компания Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), специализирующаяся на технологических и криптовалютных стартапах, объявила о привлечении более $15 млрд для инвестиций в «лидирующие позиции США».

Crypto pundit X Finance Bull has explained what Ripple’s FCA approval means for XRP and cross-border payments in the U.K. This comes as the altcoin continues to gain adoption through Ripple’s efforts, with XRP notably at the centre of the crypto firm’s cross-border payment services.

XRP To Gain Greater Adoption Through Ripple’s FCA Approval

In an X post, X Finance Bull stated that U.K. institutions are now cleared to send cross-border payments using XRP and the XRP Ledger. He noted that this is now possible as Ripple has secured FCA approval to scale its payment platform in the U.K. In line with this, the pundit declared that adoption is accelerating and urged the XRP army to stay on alert, as they are still early. 

Meanwhile, X Finance Bull also admitted that the company’s regulatory headway in the U.K. makes partnerships easier. That way, the crypto firm can easily partner with institutions to advance XRP’s adoption and the use of its stablecoin, RLUSD, in cross-border transactions.  

In its press release, Ripple announced that it had secured approval of its Electronic Money Institution (EMI) licence and Cryptoasset Registration from the U.K.’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). The firm further noted that these permissions will allow it to expand its licensed payments platform, thereby enabling U.K. institutions to send cross-border payments using XRP and other digital assets. 

The payment firm also highlighted its ties to XRP in the release, noting that it contributes to and builds its products on the XRP Ledger, which uses XRP as its native token for fast, low-cost settlement of value across borders. It is worth noting that this development comes amid other bullish developments for XRP, including Ripple-backed Evernorth’s strategic collaboration with Doppler to explore ways to deploy XRP at scale. 

XRP Remains The Heartbeat Of Ripple’s Vision

In an X post, Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse assured that XRP has been and will continue to be the heartbeat of Ripple’s vision to enable the Internet of Value. This came as he highlighted the firm’s success last year, including two major acquisitions, Ripple Prime and GTreasury, which he noted greatly accelerated and expanded their ability to deliver on this vision.  

Garlinghouse further remarked that they are poised to make 2026 even more consequential with the most comprehensive licensing portfolio, having added the U.K.’s EMI license. He noted that building and using crypto infrastructure, updating their global financing plumbing, and rethinking legacy systems don’t happen overnight. As such, they plan to continue taking the long view of what crypto-based assets such as XRP and RLUSD can do rather than chasing cycles and hype.

At the time of writing, the XRP price is trading at around $2.09, down in the last 24 hours, according to data from CoinMarketCap.

Основательница и гендиректор компании ARK Invest Кэти Вуд (Cathie Wood) в подкасте Bitcoin Brainstorm заявила, что власти США могут начать пополнять резервы биткоинов за счет прямых покупок перед промежуточными выборами в ноябре.

Основатель блокчейн-проекта Cardano Чарльз Хоскинсон (Charles Hoskinson) предположил, что к середине года курс биткоина может достигнуть нового исторического максимума — $250 000.

Во Франции сотрудница налогового управления региона Иль‑де‑Франс Галия С. (Ghalia C.) подозревается в передаче конфиденциальных данных из налоговых баз. По версии следствия, она «сливала» информацию о криптоактивах преступным группировкам.

Роспатент зарегистрировал товарный знак платформы Hadron, предназначенной для токенизации активов. Площадка принадлежит компании Tether — крупнейшему эмитенту стейблкоина USDT.

The Bank of New York Mellon (BNY Mellon) has taken a significant step forward in the cryptocurrency and digital asset space by introducing tokenized deposit capabilities specifically for institutional clients. 

Tokenized Deposits Launch At BNY Mellon

According to reports on the matter, the new system operates on a private, permissioned blockchain. Traditional deposit balances will still be recorded in the bank’s conventional systems, offering clients both security and flexibility.

BNY Mellon expressed that the introduction of tokenized deposits could facilitate significant improvements in efficiency. According to Carolyn Weinberg, the bank’s Chief Product and Innovation Officer: 

Tokenized deposits provide us with the opportunity to extend our trusted bank deposits onto digital rails—enabling clients to operate with greater speed across collateral, margin, and payments, within a framework built for scale, resilience, and regulatory alignment.

The launch is part of a broader initiative to bridge traditional banking with emerging digital infrastructures, including stablecoins and tokenized money market funds. 

In the long run, BNY Mellon envisions that tokenized deposits will support rules-based, near real-time cash movements, further easing settlement processes and enhancing liquidity for institutional clients.

Yuval Rooz, co-founder and CEO of Digital Asset, welcomed the opportunity to partner with BNY Mellon, highlighting how this initiative represents a practical, institution-ready approach to tokenization. 

He noted that bringing deposit balances on-chain could significantly enhance asset mobilization and unlock liquidity across critical workflows.

Major Financial Players Join

Market expert MartyParty provided insights into the implications of this launch, stating that tokenized deposits create an on-chain digital representation—a “wrapper”—of actual client cash balances held in traditional BNY accounts. 

He emphasized that the real money remains secure within the regulated banking ecosystem, accruing interest and remaining a direct liability of BNY Mellon, designated as a globally systemically important bank (G-SIB).

Unlike stablecoins or other crypto assets, tokenized deposits represent programmable bank money on a private blockchain, synchronized with core banking records. 

The benefits are substantial, enabling 24/7 operations, instant or near-instant transfers, and programmable payments that execute under specific conditions. 

This advancement is also expected to reduce the friction associated with legacy systems and significantly improve liquidity efficiency, even outside of traditional banking hours.

The list of initial participants in this initiative  includes the Intercontinental Exchange (ICE), Citadel Securities, DRW Holdings, Ripple Prime, Circle (the issuer of USDC), Anchorage Digital, Galaxy, Invesco, and Baillie Gifford. 

These institutions will be testing real workflows such as collateral management and high-value settlements, further validating the effectiveness of BNY Mellon’s new offering.

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

In a significant development, Ripple has expanded its footprint in regulated markets after gaining regulatory approval from the UK’s financial authorities to provide payment services.

Ripple Obtains FCA Approval

On Friday, Ripple secured a major regulatory victory in the UK by officially obtaining its registration approval with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) through its subsidiary Ripple Markets UK Ltd.

According to the FCA’s official records, the company obtained an Electronic Money Institution (EMI) license under the country’s Money Laundering Regulations (MLR). Therefore, it will be able to conduct certain crypto-related activities in the UK.

The EMI registration will allow Ripple to provide payment services and issue electronic money, according to the FCA website. However, it will remain subject to key restrictions without the financial authority’s approval.

First, “Ripple Markets UK Ltd will not, without the prior written consent of the Authority, provide the following services: 1. The firm will not operate a machine which utilises any automated processes to exchange cryptoassets for money or money for cryptoassets 2. Offer or commence any services to retail clients,” the records read.

In addition, the company cannot appoint any agents or distributors, and “will not issue electronic money, or provide payment services, to a consumer, micro-enterprise or charity.”

Ripple’s regulatory approval comes amid the authorities’ efforts to develop a comprehensive financial services regulation that integrates crypto assets into the existing framework, positioning the UK as a global crypto hub.

As reported by Bitcoinist, the UK Treasury is set to extend existing laws to cover crypto firms, moving exchanges, wallet providers, and other crypto service companies from the current anti-money-laundering registration to the regulatory regime of banks and brokers.

FCA To Start New Registration Regime In September

Ahead of the new rules’ implementation, set to take effect in October 2027, the FCA recently unveiled a timeline for crypto firms to comply with the new registration regime, which could affect Ripple’s recent victory.

On January 8, the financial regulator published a notice informing that it expects to open the application period for crypto firms requesting authorization in September 2026.

Notably, firms seeking to undertake any of the new crypto asset regulated activities will need new approvals to undertake those activities authorized by the FCA under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (FSMA).

Therefore, crypto companies operating in the UK must secure approval or a variation of the existing permission. The FCA emphasized that “firms that are registered with us under the MLRs should note that there will be no automatic conversion and that they will need to secure authorisation by us under FSMA prior to the commencement of the new regime.”

Based on this, Ripple’s UK subsidiary will need to reapply in September to continue conducting regulated crypto activities under the new regime. Firms that apply during the established window are expected to receive a decision before the rules take effect. Nonetheless, companies that have not received approval by October 2027 will be allowed to continue operating until a decision is made.

Meanwhile, companies that miss the application period or are not authorized before the new rules are enacted will enter a “transitional provision.” This will allow them to continue fulfilling existing contracts, but they won’t be able to conduct new regulated crypto activities in the UK until they are authorized.

Bitcoin is struggling to hold above the $90,000 level as uncertainty continues to dominate market sentiment. After weeks of consolidation and failed recovery attempts, price action reflects a fragile balance between cautious buyers and persistent selling pressure. While traders focus on technical levels and macro signals, an often-overlooked component of the Bitcoin ecosystem is quietly sending important warnings: miner behavior.

Top analyst Darkfost explains that mining activity comes with variable and rising costs, including energy, hardware, and operational expenses. When miners begin operating at a loss, they are typically left with two main options, which are often used in combination. The first is to sell BTC to cover expenses and remain operational. The second is to reduce or shut down activity by turning off machines, effectively lowering their exposure to unprofitable conditions.

At its core, Bitcoin mining consists of solving cryptographic problems using computational power. The network is engineered so that one block is mined roughly every 10 minutes. When block times drift higher or lower, the protocol automatically adjusts mining difficulty every 2,016 blocks to restore equilibrium. These adjustments, combined with miner profitability, are directly reflected in the network’s hashrate.

Currently, the hashrate is declining, signaling mounting stress across the mining sector. This suggests miners are scaling back operations, a dynamic that often coincides with heightened market fragility and elevated sell-side risk for Bitcoin.

Miner Pressure Eases as Difficulty Adjusts Lower

Today, Bitcoin’s mining difficulty is beginning to adjust, offering early signs of relief for a sector that has been under sustained pressure. The latest adjustment shows a decline of approximately 2.6%, and current projections suggest the next difficulty change could also move lower by around 1.88%. While these figures may appear modest, they carry meaningful implications for miner behavior and broader market dynamics.

A downward difficulty adjustment reduces the computational effort required to mine new blocks, effectively lowering operational stress for miners. As a result, profitability conditions improve at the margin, even if Bitcoin’s price remains range-bound.

This easing of pressure helps stabilize mining activity and, critically, reduces the urgency for miners to sell BTC simply to cover operating costs. Historically, periods when miner stress begins to unwind have often coincided with declining sell-side pressure from this cohort.

These dynamics are implicitly captured by the Hash Ribbons indicator, which tracks short- and long-term moving averages of the network hashrate to identify miner capitulation and recovery phases. Darkfost notes that Hash Ribbons is still flashing a buy signal, indicating that the market remains in a post-capitulation environment where miner selling pressure has largely been absorbed.

However, this signal is now starting to fade. As difficulty adjusts downward and conditions normalize, miners are likely to gradually return to full operational capacity. As machines come back online, the hashrate should trend higher, marking the transition out of the stress phase and signaling that the window of miner-driven relief may be narrowing.

Price Action Remains Range-Bound Below Key Averages

Bitcoin continues to trade in a broad consolidation range after the sharp sell-off from the October highs, with price currently hovering around the $90,000–$92,000 zone. The chart shows BTC attempting to stabilize after reclaiming the red long-term moving average, but upside momentum remains limited as price is still capped below the blue and green mid-term moving averages, which are now acting as dynamic resistance.

The recent bounce from the $85,000–$87,000 area suggests that buyers are defending this demand zone, which has repeatedly attracted bids since late November. However, the structure remains corrective rather than impulsive. Each recovery attempt has produced lower highs, signaling that sellers continue to distribute into strength. Volume also remains relatively muted compared to the sell-off phase, reinforcing the idea that this move is a consolidation rather than a trend reversal.

From a structural perspective, Bitcoin remains trapped between strong resistance near $95,000–$98,000 and key support around $85,000. A decisive reclaim of the 100-day and 200-day moving averages would be required to confirm a bullish regime shift. Until that happens, price action favors continued sideways movement or another test of lower support.

Overall, the chart reflects a market in balance: sellers are no longer in full control, but buyers lack the conviction needed to push Bitcoin back into a sustained uptrend.

Featured image from ChatGPT, chart from TradingView.com 

As the US Congress gears up to mark up the long-awaited crypto market structure bill on January 15, industry representatives are actively engaging in discussions regarding the critical elements of this legislation. 

Summer Mersinger, CEO of the Blockchain Association, highlighted important points concerning the state of the bill and the ongoing negotiations among lawmakers in a recent social media post on X (formerly Twitter).

Key Points For Crypto Market Structure Bill

Mersinger described the upcoming markup as a pivotal moment for digital asset legislation, emphasizing the significance of the moment for US leadership in the crypto space. 

While she expressed gratitude to Senate leadership for their efforts, she underscored the necessity of addressing several “non-negotiable issues” to ensure that the bill remains durable, workable, and supportive of innovation.

One of the primary concerns Mersinger raised was the need for developer protections. She argued that the builders of peer-to-peer (P2P), open-source technologies should not be classified as financial intermediaries, making it essential for the inclusion of the BRCA (Blockchain Regulatory Compliance Act) in the market structure bill. 

Additionally, Mersinger highlighted the need to amend “outdated laws,” which she alleges poses risks of meritless criminal prosecutions for developers simply writing code for non-custodial technologies.

Another critical point made by Mersinger is the preservation of decentralized finance (DeFi). She emphasized that DeFi must not be legislated out of existence, stating that open and decentralized innovation is vital for US competitiveness in the global market. 

She stressed that more than 110 organizations and companies have voiced similar sentiments, as illustrated by an August 2025 letter sent to the Senate advocating for developer protections.

Bipartisan Compromise On Stablecoins At Risk

Stablecoin policy also emerged as a significant topic in Mersinger’s remarks. She urged Congress to safeguard a bipartisan compromise established in the GENIUS Act, warning against measures that would impose yield bans, which could constrain lawful rewards and favor large banking institutions over new entrants to the market. 

Mersinger stressed that market structure reforms should facilitate competition between emerging players and legacy institutions, rather than entrench existing advantages.

Mersinger’s statement comes on the heels of insights shared by crypto journalist Eleanor Terret who recently disclosed that the Senate Banking Committee plans to pass the bill next week, after which it will be merged with the Senate Agriculture Committee’s portion before heading to the Senate floor for a full vote. 

Should this process proceed smoothly, the bill could reach President Trump’s desk for signing, with Terret estimating that this could happen as early as March. However, she cautioned that if the House decides to make amendments to the Senate’s version, the timeline could extend into the summer.

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

Ethereum is once again attempting to reclaim the $3,100 level after several days of speculation, hesitation, and mixed signals across the broader crypto market. While price action has shown signs of stabilization, conviction remains limited, keeping traders cautious as Ethereum hovers near a key inflection zone. Bulls are trying to regain control, but the market is still searching for confirmation that the recent pullback has fully played out.

According to an analysis published on CryptoQuant, derivatives data offers important context for this phase of consolidation. Open Interest across Ethereum markets currently sits around $7.8 billion, while price trades near $3,100. This positioning is notable because it reflects a balanced environment: Open Interest is neither at extreme lows, which would signal mass position unwinding, nor at overheated highs typically associated with excessive leverage and fragility.

Instead, the data suggests that market participants are largely maintaining existing positions rather than aggressively exiting or entering new trades. This behavior points to a compression phase, where traders are waiting for a clearer directional catalyst before committing further capital. Such conditions often precede sharp moves, as volatility tends to expand once the price breaks out of consolidation.

As Ethereum tests this critical level, the interaction between price stability and sustained Open Interest will be key. Whether this balance resolves into a bullish continuation or a renewed downside move will likely define Ethereum’s short-term trajectory.

Rising Open Interest Signals Breakout Risk for Ethereum

The report explains that Ethereum’s recent price behavior is increasingly constructive when viewed alongside derivatives data. Over the past sessions, price has been trending modestly higher while Open Interest has continued to rise. This combination is important: it suggests that new positions are being opened without a meaningful reduction in existing exposure. In practical terms, market participants are engaged rather than sidelined, and positioning is building rather than unwinding.

At the same time, volatility is beginning to expand after a prolonged period of compression. This type of environment often precedes a decisive move, as price and positioning tighten into a narrower range. Notably, Open Interest has now recovered above its SMA(30), SMA(50), and SMA(100) moving averages. This shift signals a renewed willingness to take risks in the leveraged market and confirms that traders are gradually increasing exposure instead of reacting impulsively.

If Ethereum can continue to hold above the $3,000 level and Open Interest rises steadily—rather than through abrupt spikes that typically precede liquidations—the setup favors a controlled, spot-driven advance. Under these conditions, price could extend toward the $3,700 area, which represents a natural upside objective for this structure.

Ethereum appears to be preparing for an imminent breakout. With Open Interest climbing and demand improving, a sharp move is increasingly likely. The market will either resolve through a clean upside break above the $3,324 resistance or be flushed via liquidations. The bias remains for a positive breakout toward $3,700, followed by a reassessment within the broader downtrend.

ETH Consolidates at a Critical Long-Term Pivot Zone

Ethereum’s price action on the weekly chart shows a market caught between structural support and unresolved bearish pressure. After failing to sustain momentum above the $4,000–$4,200 zone in 2025, ETH entered a broad corrective phase that pushed price back toward the $3,000 area, where it is currently consolidating. This region has become a pivotal battleground, acting as a medium-term equilibrium between buyers and sellers.

From a trend perspective, ETH is trading near its long-term moving averages, with the 200-week moving average providing dynamic support around the mid-$2,000s. The ability to remain above this level suggests that the broader uptrend from the 2022 lows is not yet invalidated. However, price remains capped below declining shorter-term averages, highlighting that bullish momentum is still weak and rallies continue to face supply.

Structurally, the market is forming a wide consolidation range between roughly $2,700 and $3,400. A sustained hold above $3,100 keeps ETH in range-bound conditions, but does not confirm trend reversal.

For bulls, reclaiming and holding above the $3,300–$3,400 resistance zone would be the first signal of renewed strength and a potential path toward higher levels. Until then, Ethereum remains vulnerable to further downside volatility if support near $2,800–$2,700 is revisited.

Featured image from ChatGPT, chart from TradingView.com 

South Korea has announced plans to introduce Bitcoin spot exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in 2026 as part of broader digital asset reforms.

South Korea Using US & Hong Kong Crypto Spot ETFs As A Reference

South Korea revealed in its 2026 Economic Growth Strategy plans to allow spot digital asset ETFs this year, according to Wu Blockchain, citing local media outlet News1.

Spot ETFs are investment vehicles that allow traders to gain exposure to an underlying asset without having to directly own it. Such vehicles trade in the traditional markets, so investors of a spot ETF tied to a cryptocurrency never have to interact with blockchain components like wallets and exchanges.

Instead, the funds buy and custody the assets on behalf of investors. In recent years, spot ETFs tied to cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin have gained adoption in different regions of the world as DeFi and TradFi intersect.

The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) approved spot ETFs for Bitcoin in January 2024 and Ethereum in July 2024, while the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) allowed both in April 2024. Approvals related to altcoins like Solana followed in 2025.

Now, it would appear that South Korea is also looking to join the fray. Per the report, the country’s government has explicitly cited the digital asset spot ETF markets active in the US and Hong Kong as key reference points. Plans related to spot ETFs aren’t all that South Korea has announced. The Financial Services Commission (FSC) of the country is also accelerating the next phase of its digital asset legislation, which will establish a framework for stablecoins.

In the East Asian bloc, other governments have already made progress on stablecoins. Hong Kong enacted its stablecoin legislation in August, while Japan saw the launch of its first yen-backed token in October. While South Korea has set a timeframe of 2026, it’s unknown when exactly spot ETFs could be introduced. As such, it only remains to be seen what plans the government will reveal next and which assets besides Bitcoin will be covered.

Speaking of spot Bitcoin ETFs, these funds have been facing outflows in the US recently, as data from SoSoValue shows.

From the chart, it’s visible that the Bitcoin spot ETF weekly netflow has mostly been negative since the cryptocurrency’s decline started in October. There were a few weeks that saw a positive value, but the scale of net inflows remained limited.

The netflow for the latest week has stood at a negative $431 million, meaning that the US funds are continuing to bleed.

BTC Price

Bitcoin has erased some of its recent gains as its price has retraced back to $90,500.