Although conventional ETF investors are ready to pay premiums for long exposure, Bitcoin participants who sell covered calls have weakened the price rally.
The MERL token, which powers the Merlin Chain Bitcoin layer‑2 solution, advanced 16% as on‑chain activity and liquidity inflows increased. Open interest for MERL hit a new high of $75.79 million, rising by $27 million in a single day. The count of MERL holders climbed to 173,800, reflecting strong interest despite Bitcoin’s stable trading range. The rise in perpetual open interest and the expanding holder base indicate growing confidence in the Merlin Chain ecosystem.
Bitcoin’s spot price stays muted even as ETF interest surges. Long‑term holders, often called whales, are selling covered calls on their Bitcoin positions. While this yields premium income, it also introduces sell‑side pressure. Market makers hedge the sold calls by offloading spot BTC, which offsets buying pressure from traditional investors. Consequently, the whales’ covered‑call strategy adds overall downward pressure on Bitcoin’s price.
The Securities and Exchange Commission is informing retail cryptocurrency investors that storage choices determine whether assets survive hacks, bankruptcies, or platform shutdowns. It urges investors to scrutinize custodial providers more closely and to adopt stronger personal security practices, noting that crypto risks continue to exist. The SEC outlines ways investors can hold cryptocurrency while reducing custody and security risks. This guidance is issued by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
A blockchain monitor flagged a 204,079,817 USDT (about $204 million) move from an unknown wallet to the OKX exchange. The size places it among the largest stablecoin transfers recently recorded. Such a direct deposit to a centralized platform is classic “whale” behavior, often preceding major trades. It highlights how large players can shift substantial capital with a single transaction. Analysts view the influx as a potential catalyst for price volatility. If the funds are used to buy Bitcoin or Ethereum, buying pressure could lift prices; a sell‑off could signal bearish sentiment. The transparent nature of blockchain lets observers track these moves in real time, unlike private banking transfers. The event also underscores Tether’s ability to handle high‑volume settlements without disrupting its peg. While the wallet owner remains anonymous, the transaction serves as a market indicator that a sizable participant is positioning for action. Traders often watch OKX’s order books for large buy walls following such deposits. However, a single whale move is just one data point and should be weighed against broader trends. Investors are advised to avoid impulsive decisions based solely on this transfer.
Dogecoin is testing $0.135, the lower edge of a descending triangle on the 3‑day chart. Buyers defend this line while sellers aim for a breakout, making the zone a decisive battlefield. Volume is low, indicating traders wait for confirmation before committing. A bounce above $0.135 would preserve the bullish scenario. First targets are $0.155 and $0.190, levels that previously sparked rallies. If those hold, higher goals include $0.250, $0.310 and possibly $0.370. Resistance around $0.47 is expected to attract profit‑taking rather than fresh buying. Dogecoin has dropped about 22 % YTD, yet the chart suggests a recovery could emerge by 2026. The current support level is crucial; holding it may flip the downtrend. Monitoring price action at $0.135 will signal the next major move.
Institutional investors bought FARTCOIN, but the narrowing price range indicates an ongoing technical standoff.
The fiat‑backed stablecoin sector surged again, surpassing the $310 billion threshold during the second week of December, marking a new all‑time high for the market. Earlier, in mid‑November, stablecoins experienced a slight decline after reaching a prior record of $309 billion.
FTAV observed the courtroom as a New York judge dissected and then explained the Terraform Labs co‑founder’s rapid rise and subsequent fall.
Lawmakers are moving to embed digital assets in U.S. retirement plans. The change could bring Bitcoin, XRP and similar tokens into 401(k) portfolios. It marks a transition from speculative margins to core long‑term investment structures. Congress has urged SEC Chair Paul Atkins to approve crypto exposure in 401(k)s. An August 2025 executive order and the Labor Department’s withdrawal of cautionary guidance cleared regulatory obstacles. A bipartisan letter now calls for updated securities rules to enable the shift. Bitcoin offers deep liquidity and widespread institutional products, while XRP benefits from clearer regulatory status and integration with financial infrastructure. Both meet fiduciary demands for transparency, custody and market depth. Their inclusion is envisioned as modest diversification, not concentration. The $12 trillion U.S. 401(k) market could channel significant stable capital into crypto, reducing volatility and expanding liquidity. Regulators are expected to impose disclosure, education and allocation limits to protect investors. Approving crypto would cement its legitimacy in American retirement saving.
The Securities and Exchange Commission’s crypto custody guide outlines core practices for protecting digital assets. It addresses self‑custody, external custodial services, and the distinction between hot and cold wallets, aiming to reduce threats such as hacking and irreversible loss. Self‑custody allows investors to retain direct control over their holdings. However, it demands robust security protocols to prevent the loss or compromise of private keys. Professional custodians offer managed storage options that relieve users of direct key management while implementing institutional‑grade safeguards. Hot wallets remain online for quick access but are more exposed to cyber attacks. Cold wallets store keys offline, providing stronger protection against unauthorized access.
Additional information is available regarding Willis Towers Watson and APi Group, among other related topics. The Q3 2025 earnings call transcript for Destination XL Group, Inc. (DXLG) has been released, detailing the company’s recent financial performance and outlook. Enova International, Inc. (ENVA) continues to be highlighted for its operations and market activity. Grasshopper Bancorp, Inc., and its subsidiary Grasshopper Bank, N.A. presented a merger and acquisition slideshow outlining strategic developments. Analysts suggest buying put options on Intel following a recent rating downgrade. S&A analysts have issued upgrades and downgrades affecting NVIDIA (NVO), Intel (INTC), Adobe (ADBE), and Workday (WDAY). A report indicates that China is evaluating incentive packages worth as much as $70 billion to boost its chipmaking sector.
GeeFi’s token presale has quickly exceeded expectations, selling 10 million tokens for $500 k in the first week. Total funding has now passed $1 million, backed by over 2,400 holders. Phase 1 sold out, and Phase 2 is projected to finish in under ten days. Market analysts link the speed to speculation about upcoming exchange listings. Recent institutional moves on Solana, such as JPMorgan’s $50 M commercial paper issuance, highlight blockchain viability for finance. GeeFi builds on this with a non‑custodial mobile wallet, a cross‑chain DEX linking 14+ networks, and a Visa/Mastercard crypto card in development. Android support is live, with iOS coming soon, positioning GeeFi as a consumer‑focused financial ecosystem. Tokens in Phase 2 are priced at $0.06, while the confirmed listing price is $0.40, implying a 667 % upside at launch. An allocation of $1,200 could reach $40,000 if GEE hits $2, delivering over 3,200 % ROI. The phase is 80 % sold, having raised $800 k from 13 million tokens, leaving limited supply at the discounted rate. GeeFi offers high‑yield staking: 55 % APR for a 12‑month lock, 22 % for three months, 15 % for one month, and 10 % with no lock‑up. A referral program adds a 5 % token bonus for every purchase made through a user’s link. These incentives aim to boost long‑term holding and organic expansion of the ecosystem.
Bitcoin reserves on Binance have dropped to their lowest point in five years, signaling a strengthening market. The reduction means fewer coins are readily sellable on the exchange, easing downward pressure on prices. Increasing adoption of self‑custody is pulling Bitcoin out of exchanges, further cutting the volume of tradable BTC and reducing selling pressure. Continue reading in the article “Bitcoin Takes a Leap: How Reduced Reserves Signal Long‑Term Trust,” first published on COINTURK NEWS.
XRP ETFs have drawn nearly $1 billion in inflows within three‑four weeks, surpassing early Bitcoin and Ethereum fund flows. Net inflows stay positive with no notable outflows. XRP still trades near $2, weighed down by the broader crypto slump. ChatGPT predicts that $10 billion of cumulative ETF inflows could lift XRP to $4.5‑$6. Locking 20‑30 % of the liquid supply would ease sell pressure and may double the price. An optimistic view sees $7‑$9 if inflows stay net positive and market risk appetite rises. A conservative case expects XRP $3.2‑$3.8 if whale activity offsets inflows. The biggest price moves are seen between $3‑$8 billion of inflows, with expectations driving it at $10 billion. ChatGPT’s median estimate is $5.25, likely ranging $4.5‑$6.5 under normal volatility.
SHIB has found support near $0.0000085 after months of bearish pressure. Technical analysis shows a falling wedge, inverted head‑and‑shoulders and bullish RSI/PPO divergence. Reduced exchange supply—over 53 trillion tokens withdrawn—tightens the float to 287 trillion, a sign of long‑term repositioning. Traders watch the $0.00000753 support as a key test before a possible rise toward $0.000010, roughly 20 % above current levels. MUTM’s presale is in Phase 6 at $0.035, with 98 % of the phase sold and $19.33 million raised from 18,450 holders. Phase 7 will start at $0.04, and the listed price of $0.06 implies a 300 % ROI for Phase 6 participants. The project introduced a leaderboard showcasing the top 50 holders to enhance transparency during early development. MUTM uses a buy‑and‑distribute model: fees from loans purchase MUTM, which are then given to mtToken stakers, creating a closed‑loop token flow. A daily 24‑hour leaderboard rewards the biggest investor with $500 in MUTM and provides a live transaction feed. Analysts view these mechanisms as functional and sustainable, positioning MUTM as a leading crypto to buy now.
After the U.S. Federal Reserve lowered its benchmark interest rate last week, market focus has moved to the January 28, 2026 meeting. Current odds indicate the central bank is likely to keep the target rate unchanged at that session. Only a few days after the most recent cut, traders are pricing in a pause by the Fed in January.
Private investment in AI data centers now exceeds an annualized $41 billion, roughly equal to state and local spending on transportation projects. This surge creates direct competition for construction labor, steel, concrete and other essential materials. The rapid rollout aligns with record debt sales by governments, intensifying pressure on shared supply chains. Builders are forced to choose between AI facilities and traditional public works. Industry leaders, including Autodesk CEO Andrew Anagnost, warn that data‑center builds are “sucking resources” from roads, bridges and utilities. Labor shortages, driven by retirements and tighter immigration rules, leave fewer skilled workers for public projects. Materials are often allocated first to higher‑paying private contracts, causing delays and cost overruns in public work. Consequently, essential maintenance and safety upgrades are being postponed. State and local governments have sold record amounts of debt, targeting $600 billion in infrastructure spending over the next year. Private AI developers frequently outbid public agencies for the same contractors and supplies. This financial parity means public projects lose out on price and timing advantages. Long‑term, the imbalance threatens higher public costs and slower project delivery. Delayed infrastructure hampers economic efficiency, regional development and public safety. Cryptocurrency mining and blockchain node networks face similar resource constraints, raising costs and slowing deployment. Policymakers and industry must address workforce pipelines and adjust regulations to balance AI progress with public needs. Strategic planning is essential to prevent one sector from starving the other.
Analysts see a shift from large‑cap assets to high‑upside altcoins, highlighting Mutuum Finance (MUTM) under $0.30. The project raised $19.3 M and gained over 18,400 holders, boosting liquidity before V1. This fits the market rotation toward emerging DeFi. MUTM runs a dual‑market lending system: a pool issuing mtTokens that earn yield, and a peer‑to‑peer market with variable or stable rates protected by LTV limits. Phase 6 presale at $0.035 sold 820 M of 4 B tokens, a 250 % rise since early 2025; over 97 % of the phase is allocated. Phase 1 targets $0.06, implying up to 500 % upside for early investors. CertiK gave MUTM a 90/100 token‑scan score, Halborn reviews contracts, and a $50 K bug bounty runs until V1. Leaderboards reward $500 in MUTM for top contributors, and card payments simplify onboarding. V1 launches on Sepolia testnet in Q4 2025, positioning MUTM for growth into Q1 2026.
EXOR has turned down Tether’s proposal to purchase Juventus, ending negotiations for the sale of a 65.4% stake in the club. The rejection halts the prospective transfer of majority ownership, prompting both parties to consider alternative options for Juventus’s future.
Brad Garlinghouse, Ripple’s chief executive, identified a prominent sign that institutional capital is finally flowing into the cryptocurrency market, despite recent volatility. Speaking at Binance Blockchain Week with Solana Foundation president Lily Liu and Binance CEO Richard Teng, Garlinghouse noted that XRP ETFs have already attracted over $700 million in a short period.
Nearly six million BTC are now owned by large entities, reducing smaller investors’ influence. Institutional holders and custodians dominate the supply. This shift concentrates about 30% of circulating Bitcoin in the hands of few. Strategy leads with 660,624 BTC, far above other firms. MARA Holdings, Twenty One Capital, Metaplanet, Bitcoin Standard Treasury, Bullish, Riot Platforms, Coinbase Global, Hut 8, and CleanSpark complete the top ten. Together they hold roughly 1.07 million BTC. Government wallets hold about 620,000 BTC. U.S. Bitcoin ETFs control around 1.31 million BTC, while exchanges store roughly 2.94 million BTC. These groups total about 5.94 million BTC, close to one‑third of supply. Bitcoin briefly fell below $90,000 amid tech and macro weakness, showing its link to traditional risk assets. Ark Invest bought $417,000 of its own BTC ETF, signaling confidence. Strategy remains in the Nasdaq 100, reinforcing institutional belief despite treasury‑company doubts.
Peter Brandt has sharply criticized investors in XRP and silver, calling them ignorant and biased bulls who rely on belief rather than analysis. His remarks have triggered strong reactions from the community. The piece, titled “Peter Brandt Takes Aim at XRP Enthusiasts: Strong Reactions Emerge,” first appeared on COINTURK NEWS.
Coinbase intends to broaden its cryptocurrency offerings by launching a prediction market. The initiative will be executed in partnership with Kalshi, a well‑known crypto prediction platform.
