cripto news

Sentient (SENT) Emerges as Top Crypto Gainer: What’s Behind the Rally

admin — Thu, 29 Jan 2026 15:45:01 +0300

Sentient surged over 50%, hitting a new all-time high after listings on Bithumb and Upbit.
Dual Korean exchange listings boosted liquidity, volume, and global market access.
Trading volume jumped 192%, led by Binance and Upbit activity.

Sentient (SENT) has emerged as the largest gainer among the top 300 cryptocurrencies today, recording a double-digit price increase and reaching a new all-time high.

The rally was driven by dual listings on Bithumb and Upbit, significantly expanding SENT’s market access and boosting liquidity.

Sentient (SENT) Hits Record High Following Dual Exchange Listings

Sentient is a protocol that seeks to create a decentralized artificial intelligence ecosystem. The protocol is focused on building the GRID, which it describes as the first open, community-built artificial general intelligence (AGI) network. Its core mission is to ensure AGI is open source and not controlled by any single entity.

The SENT token acts as a utility token for governance, staking, and fees and payments within the network. It began trading on January 22 and secured listings on major cryptocurrency exchanges, including Binance, Coinbase, Bybit, and more.

After experiencing post-listing volatility, the altcoin surged again on Thursday following listing announcements from South Korea’s leading cryptocurrency exchanges, Bithumb and Upbit.

Both exchanges opened trading for SENT on January 29 at 5:30 PM Korean Standard Time (KST). Bithumb listed SENT on its Korean Won (KRW) market with a reference price of 42.07 KRW.

On Upbit, the token is available for trading against three pairs: KRW, Bitcoin (BTC), and Tether (USDT). As with all new listings, Upbit implemented temporary trading restrictions to mitigate volatility during the initial trading phase. Buy orders were restricted for the first five minutes after launch.

Furthermore, the exchange temporarily blocked sell orders priced more than 10% below the previous day’s closing price during the same time frame. In addition, Upbit only allowed limit orders during the first two hours of trading.

“Deposits and withdrawals are supported only on the specified network (SENT–Ethereum). Be sure to check the network before depositing. The contract address for SENT supported on Upbit is 0x56a3ba04e95d34268a19b2a4474dc979babdaf76. Please verify the contract address when depositing or withdrawing SENT,” the exchange noted.

The listings attracted significant market attention. Market data showed that the token’s value jumped to $0.038, marking a new all-time high. At press time, it was trading at $0.035, up over 50% since the listing announcements.

The token also secured the top spot as the largest gainer on CoinGecko. Trading activity accelerated alongside the price move, with 24-hour trading volume jumping to $299 million, up 192.40%, signaling strong investor engagement.

Exchange-level data shows Binance leading trading activity with 28.52% of SENT’s total volume, while Upbit accounted for 22.9%, according to CoinGecko.

While short-term momentum appears strong, broader historical data paints a more cautious picture. CryptoRank data shows that only 1 of the 87 tokens listed on Upbit in 2025 is currently trading in the green. On Bithumb, 107 out of 111 tokens listed last year remain in the red.

Nevertheless, this weakness is not specific to any exchange. Instead, broader market conditions have continued to weigh on crypto tokens, with similar drawdowns visible across major centralized exchanges.

Gold hit $5,597 and silver $119 as precious metals extended record-breaking rallies.
Capital and retail attention continue shifting from crypto toward metals amid risk-off sentiment.
Analysts watch for delayed rotation into Bitcoin, which has historically lagged gold by months.

Gold and silver continued their record-breaking rally today, with both precious metals surging to new all-time highs.

As capital continues to flow into precious metals, investor focus is shifting to whether and when this momentum could spill over into crypto assets, which have so far remained under pressure.

Gold and Silver Prices Hit Record Highs

Gold prices surged 2.6% over the past day, reaching a record high of $5,597 per ounce during early Asian trading hours. Silver also extended its advance, rising 1.3% to a peak of $119.3 per ounce, as the ongoing rally in precious metals continued.

The former metal has now gained around 28.6% year to date. Silver has outperformed, posting gains of over 65% over the same period, reflecting sustained demand.

Gold and Silver Prices Hit Record Highs

The strength has extended beyond precious metals. Copper prices have also climbed to fresh record highs, rising another 9% this month. At the same time, aluminum rose to its highest level in nearly four years, highlighting broad-based bullish sentiment across the metals complex.

However, the rapid advance has been accompanied by notable volatility, as evidenced by sharp intraday swings.

When Capital Rotation From Gold and Silver Could Begin

Meanwhile, BeInCrypto reported that precious metals are drawing capital and retail attention away from crypto assets, as investors adopt a more cautious stance. Market participants are now closely watching for signs of when this capital could rotate back into digital assets.

Milk Road pointed to a market pattern that hints at when the rotation might take place. The post noted that Bitcoin has followed gold’s price movements with an approximate six-month lag.

“Everyone’s watching BTC sit dead flat while gold rips to new highs. The surface read is that crypto is failing while hard assets win. But there’s a pattern hiding in plain sight that @RaoulGMI just reiterated in our chat yesterday: Whatever gold does, $BTC tends to mimic ~6 months later,” the post read.

The former metal has now gained around 28.6% year to date. Silver has outperformed, posting gains of over 65% over the same period, reflecting sustained demand.

If this pattern holds, Bitcoin could be positioning for a significant catch-up move. Thus, analysts are closely monitoring the roughly 180-day window, with momentum potentially emerging as early as the second quarter.

When it comes to silver, Ash Crypto observed that the BTC/silver ratio may be nearing a bottom. According to him, past market cycles show the ratio typically bottoms about 13 months after its peak with drawdowns of 75-85%.

The current cycle has now lasted 12 months with a 78% decline, a range that historically signals a reversal could be close.

However, Charles Edwards of Capriole Fund offered a more cautious view, warning against assuming an imminent peak in precious metals.

“Don’t sell your winners to buy your losers – a classic saying that rings true today. Could this be the Gold top forming? Maybe, but probably not. Even if it is, it’s normally best to wait for some technical or fundamental weakness to confirm your bias, as opposed to trying to time the impossible top, and sell with no supporting evidence because $5000 is ‘a round number.’ We’ve already climbed another 6% since,” he said.

Edwards also emphasized that bubbles can persist far longer than many expect, citing Bitcoin’s history as an example. He added that gold and silver have historically experienced long-duration bull markets, often lasting between five and ten years, suggesting the current rally, now roughly 18 months old, may still have room to run.

Hyperliquid Cuts Monthly Team Unlocks by Nearly 90%

admin — Thu, 29 Jan 2026 15:40:13 +0300

Hyperliquid reduced monthly team token unlocks to 140,000 HYPE for February, down from 1.2 million units in January.
The 90% decrease could limit near-term supply pressure on markets, potentially reducing short-term volatility for traders.
The reduction could impact incentive structures and liquidity dynamics across the Hyperliquid ecosystem.

Hyperliquid, the high-leverage crypto trading platform, announced a dramatic reduction in its upcoming team token unlocks.

HYPE, the DEX’s powering token, barely reacted despite the intervention’s goal to slow down near-term token emissions.

Hyperliquid Drastically Reduces Team Token Emissions, Signaling Market Supply Shift

According to a post on the company’s Discord channel, 140,000 HYPE tokens are scheduled for release next month. It marks a steep decline from the 1.2 million units unlocked in January

The cut represents an almost 90% reduction in monthly team allocations, an interesting move for traders that monitor token supply schedules for potential price impact.

Team unlocks are often a source of short-term volatility in exchange tokens, and the sharp drop in HYPE emissions may ease market pressure in the coming weeks.

This reduction in token unlocks could help stabilize liquidity and reduce sell-side pressure. Investors should therefore view this as a positive signal for managing supply overhang.

Nevertheless, despite the news, HYPE price is down 3% and was trading for $32.93 as of this writing.

Smaller Team Unlocks Aim to Stabilize HYPE Supply and Market Dynamics

The decision as part of ongoing adjustments to token distribution schedules. While the company did not provide detailed reasoning behind the reduction, market participants interpreted it as an effort to align emissions with platform growth and trading activity.

January’s 1.2 million-unit unlock had raised concerns among traders about potential oversupply, which can amplify volatility in high-beta exchange tokens like HYPE.

By scaling back future releases, Hyperliquid appears to be taking a more conservative approach to supply management. This strategy could influence both price stability and long-term investor confidence.

Hyperliquid’s team token unlocks began this weekend, marking the start of the contributor unlock cycle though the pace of vesting remains unclear.

What’s the scoop?

First Batch Released: ~1.75M $HYPE (~$60M) was released in the first wave, with Hyperliquid developer iliensinc stating that “Different team members have different vesting schedules and can choose what to do with their vested tokens.”
Selling Remains Low: Onchain analyst and Hyperliquid personality Kirby notes that only 609K $HYPE (23.4% of the weekend unlock) went to OTC desk Flowdesk (presumably to sell), with ~40% being re-staked and the rest remaining “untouched.”
Confusion Around Wallets and Future Unlocks: Confusion remains about the pace of future unlocks. At this rate, as Steven from Yunt Capital points out, it would take nearly a century, rather than the stated 24-48 month schedule, to release the team’s full allocation.

Bankless Take:

The big question here is really about the future pace of unlocks for the 23.8% of supply (238M $HYPE) reserved for team members. As mentioned, the timeline extrapolated from this past unlock versus what was stated when the token was released produces drastically different outcomes for how much supply the Hyperliquid can absorb through its Assistance Fund.

Given the ambiguity from a protocol and business that has otherwise shown consistent diligence, and given iliensinc’s statement about the flexibility and range of team members’ vesting schedules and unlocks, the situation reads to me as the core team actively figuring out how to handle this supply release in a way that treats contributors fairly while preserving the health and token value of Hyperliquid. Given the protocol’s growth over the past year, it’s not surprising that they’d need to adjust the team unlocks. Hopefully we’ll hear more soon.

XRP Funding Rates And Spot Volume Tell An Interesting Story For Price

admin — Tue, 27 Jan 2026 18:01:59 +0300

Crypto analyst Cryptoinsight has drawn attention to an “extremely interesting” price action for XRP. He highlighted the altcoin’s funding rates and spot volume, which provided insights into XRP’s recent downtrend, with its drop below the psychological $2 level.

How XRP’s Funding Rates And Spot Volume Explain The Price Action

In an X post, Cryptoinsight noted that open interest is rising significantly as funding flips heavily negative and the premium also continues to get more negative. In line with this, he remarked that leveraged players artificially created the move down for XRP. The analyst then pointed to the rise in spot volume, which is also significant.

The rise in the XRP spot volume is said to be happening just as the altcoin sweeps the recent wick into the year-long support at around $1.8, thereby creating a Bullish Divergence on the 4-hour chart. Cryptoinsight warned that the altcoin may have to drop a little further based on the hourly liquidity pools.

However, the analyst is confident that a potential bounce for XRP from these price levels will be “quite violent” when it happens and will trigger a shortsqueeze back to the upside. Crypto analyst Darkfost also recently noted that there are predominantly short positions for XRP at the moment, with the funding rates on Binance mostly negative since December.

The analyst stated that negative funding rates signal a potential reversal for XRP, and that any price rise could trigger several short liquidations, pushing the price much higher. A similar pattern is said to have played out twice for the altcoin since 2024. The first was between August and September 2024, while the second was in April 2025, with the price rebounding after the funding rates turned negative for a while.

A Monthly Close Above $1.91 Is Key

In an X post, crypto analyst ChartNerd said that XRP must close above its monthly 20 EMA at $1.91 this month. This came as he warned that, historically, after macro trends, closes below this EMA have signaled further decline. As such, the analyst declared $1.91 a fine line in the sand that market participants should be watching closely.

A “great sign,” according to the analyst, is XRP’s breakout of its 3-week-long falling wedge resistance. With this breakout, the altcoin could be targeting $2.40, where the breakdown began after the falling wedge pattern formed. However, XRP is set to face key resistance between the $2.13 and $2.20 range. Meanwhile, ChartNerd assured that the altcoin’s fractal remains valid, with a rally to $27 still on the horizon.

At the time of writing, the XRP price is trading at around $1.90, up over 2% in the last 24 hours, according to data from CoinMarketCap.

The XRP market recorded a net negative performance in the past week, resulting in a minor 1% price decline. A very volatile market movement saw the altcoin trade as high as $2.17 before returning below the $2.10 resistance. As XRP investors eagerly await the next market move, recent on-chain data shows evidence of another impending price breakout.

XRP Negative Funding Rates Fuel Positive Market Bias

In exchange activity, funding rates refer to periodic payment mechanisms used in perpetual futures markets to keep the futures price aligned with the spot price. A positive funding rate suggests that long positions are overcrowded, which sees these long traders pay premiums to short traders to maintain their existing positions, thereby incentivizing and eventually pulling the futures price back toward the spot market.

According to market analyst PelinayPA, whenever the XRP funding rates have turned positive, there is usually an ensuing price consolidation or sharp correction. Such price movement can be attributed to the rising cost of maintaining these long positions and also the strong potential of a long squeeze, eventually causing a fall in market demand.

On the other hand, sudden negative spikes in funding fates, especially when accompanied by a corresponding fall in funding rate, SMAs have resulted in the historical formation of a price bottom. Despite the pessimistic sentiment associated with negative funding rates, there is always a subsequent short-term price rebound.

PelinayPA explains the XRP market sits in the latter situation as the funding rate is presently around -0.00323, while both SMA50 and SMA30 are heading downwards. Clearly, there is little optimism as short positions account for most of the existing leverage in the market. However, based on historical data, the chances of a price pullback or sustained selling pressure are presently low.

Rather, the current funding data suggest the market is gathering momentum for a potential positive price breakout after a period of consolidation. However, PelinayPA warns that this signal does not indicate a major price rally, but only a stronger potential for an upward price move.

XRP Price Overview

At the time of writing, XRP trades at $2.06, reflecting losses of 0.24% and 0.99% in the past one and seven days, respectively. However, the monthly chart reports an impressive price gain of 13.45%, indicating that a significant portion of new market entrants are sitting in profits. Despite these gains, XRP remains significantly below the cycle’s all-time high at $3.5. To decisively establish any form of bullish intent, XRP bulls must reclaim the immediate resistance at $2.10 before setting sights on future targets, including $2.60 and $3.00.

This Surprise Altcoin Listed on Binance Suffers a Big Drop! Here’s Why

admin — Tue, 27 Jan 2026 17:18:42 +0300

The altcoin market continues to suffer, negatively impacting liquidity.

Accordingly, altcoin liquidity remains at very low levels, and this weak altcoin liquidity caused 1INCH, listed on Binance, to drop by 7% with a sell order of less than $2 million.

According to an analysis shared by Chinese crypto analyst EmberCN on their X account, liquidity in the altcoin market has seriously deteriorated. The analyst noted that 1INCH, considered a significant altcoin with a market capitalization of approximately $180 million, fell by 7% after a single sell order exceeding $2 million.

EmberCN also pointed out the low trading volume of 1INCH, specifically highlighting that the 24-hour trading volume of the 1INCH/USDT pair on Binance was only $1.5 million.

It was stated that $1.16 million of this total transaction volume originated from arbitrage bots, while the actual liquidity remained around $340,000.

EmberCN also noted that “contrary to the apparent trading volume, the actual buying and selling base is extremely weak,” and that a liquidity gap is currently widening in the altcoin market.

Appearing at Solana Breakpoint 2025, Jupiter (JUP) unveiled a comprehensive product and infrastructure upgrade package for the future of onchain finance.

Numerous innovations were introduced, including making Jupiter Lend open source, integrating the new stablecoin JupUSD, expanding the verification layer with VRFD, strengthening the developer platform, and acquiring Rainfi.

However, despite the updates, the JUP price has fallen by 4% in the last 24 hours, with a significant portion of this drop occurring after the update details were announced.

The presentation first announced that Jupiter Lend had moved out of beta after a four-month testing period and become fully open source. Another major innovation from Jupiter was the JupUSD stablecoin, which will be launched next week. Developed in collaboration with Ethereum, JupUSD will be fully integrated with Jupiter's swap, perps, lending, and DCA tools, forming the basis of a “cross-product synergy” model.

The VRFD upgrade, introduced with Breakpoint, transforms Verify into a full-fledged data layer. It will no longer just verify tokens; metadata standardization, high-signal information, and a centralized verification infrastructure via the Pro API will now be integrated across all Jupiter products.

Tether debuts federally regulated USAT stablecoin via Anchorage Digital

admin — Tue, 27 Jan 2026 17:14:20 +0300

Tether, the issuer of the world’s largest stablecoin USDT, is making its move into the U.S. domestic market with the launch of USAT, a dollar-backed token issued by Anchorage Digital Bank.

The launch, announced Tuesday, represents Tether’s first product specifically designed to operate within the U.S. federal stablecoin framework established under the GENIUS Act.

Unlike the globally oriented USDT, USAT is issued directly through Anchorage, a federally chartered, crypto-native bank, bringing its governance under the purview of the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC).

Stablecoins are cryptocurrencies pegged to assets like fiat currencies or gold. They underpin much of the crypto economy, serving as payment rails and a tool for moving money across borders. Tether's USDT is the largest stablecoin, followed by Circle's (CRCL) USDC.

For years, Circle’s USDC has been the preferred stablecoin for U.S. institutions due to its transparency and domestic alignment. By launching USAT, Tether is taking the fight to Circle’s home turf. Tether aims to leverage its massive financial firepower (reporting billions in quarterly profits) to scale USAT rapidly, aiming for a $1 trillion market cap within five years

The project is led by Bo Hines, former Executive Director of the White House Crypto Council, who serves as CEO of Tether USAT. To bolster institutional appeal, the firms have tapped Cantor Fitzgerald as the designated reserve custodian and primary dealer, aiming to provide bank-grade transparency and asset management from day one.

While Tether’s primary product, USDT, remains the dominant liquidity source in global crypto markets, the firm has faced years of scrutiny regarding its offshore status and reserve transparency. By partnering with Anchorage, Tether is attempting to bridge the gap with U.S. regulators and institutions that require a domestic, made in America alternative.

"USAT offers institutions an additional option: a dollar-backed token made in America,” said Paolo Ardoino, CEO of Tether, in the release. “USDT has proven for more than a decade that digital dollars can deliver trust, transparency, and utility at a global scale. USAT extends that mission by providing a federally regulated product designed for the American market."

At launch, the token will be available on several major trading platforms and payment gateways, including Kraken, OKX, Bybit, Crypto.com, and MoonPay.

By Hannah Lang

(Reuters) - Crypto company Tether, the creator of the world's largest stablecoin, plans to launch a U.S.-based stablecoin designed for U.S. residents called USAT, the company's CEO Paolo Ardoino said on Friday.

Former White House official Bo Hines will be the CEO of the new venture, which aims to launch by the end of the year, Ardoino said at a press conference in New York.

The move is the latest sign of Tether, which is based in El Salvador, looking to bolster its presence in the U.S., where crypto companies have benefited from U.S. President Donald Trump's pro-crypto stance.

“I think it’s a very exciting moment because we were under severe pressure from competitors that want to create a monopolistic environment in the United States,” Ardoino said. “We believe that Tether is the best product in the market."

Tether's dollar-pegged cryptocurrency, known as USDT, has a market capitalization of more than $169 billion, according to crypto data provider CoinGecko.

Trump in July signed a law dubbed the GENIUS Act to create a regulatory regime for stablecoins, a huge win for crypto supporters who had long lobbied for such a regulatory framework in a bid to gain greater legitimacy.

The new law requires stablecoins to be backed by liquid assets - such as U.S. dollars and short-term Treasury bills - and for issuers to disclose publicly the composition of their reserves monthly.

USDT still plans to comply with the GENIUS Act and remain a foreign stablecoin issuer, Ardoino said, adding that the law provides a way for foreign stablecoins to receive reciprocity.

"We want people to know that Tether is here to participate in the U.S. economy in a huge way," said Hines, who was appointed as a strategic advisor to Tether in August after he departed his position as executive director of the President's Council of Advisers on Digital Assets.

"I think our expansion will be exorbitant over the course of the next 12 to 24 months," Hines said.

NEWS Nasdaq Moves to Remove Position Limits on Bitcoin ETF Options

admin — Mon, 26 Jan 2026 13:24:17 +0300

Nasdaq is moving to scrap position limits on Bitcoin and Ether ETF options, aiming to treat crypto funds like other commodity-based ETFs.

Nasdaq has filed a rule change with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission seeking to remove position and exercise limits on options tied to spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds, a move that would further integrate crypto-linked products into traditional derivatives markets.

The proposal, originally filed on Jan. 7 and made effective this week on the 21st, eliminates the current 25,000-contract cap on options linked to Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs listed on Nasdaq.

Affected products include funds from BlackRock, Fidelity, Grayscale, Bitwise, ARK/21Shares and VanEck, according to the filing.

The SEC waived its standard 30-day waiting period, allowing the rule change to take effect immediately, while retaining the authority to suspend it within 60 days if further review is deemed necessary.

A public comment period is now open, with a final SEC determination expected by late February unless the rule is paused.

Nasdaq argued that lifting the limits would allow crypto ETF options to be treated “in the same manner as all other options that qualify for listing,” eliminating what it described as unequal treatment without undermining investor protections.

The exchange said the change would support market efficiency while maintaining safeguards against manipulation and excessive risk.

Options are derivative contracts that give traders the right, but not the obligation, to buy or sell an asset at a predetermined price before a set expiration date. Position and exercise limits are typically imposed to prevent concentrated positions that could amplify volatility or destabilize markets.

The filing builds on Nasdaq’s approval in late 2025 to list options on single-asset crypto ETFs as commodity-based trusts. While that decision allowed Bitcoin and Ethereum ETF options to trade on the exchange, existing position limits remained in place.

Nasdaq has steadily expanded its involvement in crypto markets in recent years.

Nasdaq’s bitcoin and digital asset push

In November, the exchange filed a separate proposal to raise position limits on options tied to BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) to as much as one million contracts, citing growing institutional demand and increased use of options for hedging strategies.

The exchange has also pushed into crypto indexing and tokenization. In January, Nasdaq and CME Group announced plans to unify their crypto benchmarks under the Nasdaq-CME Crypto Index, which tracks major digital assets including Bitcoin, Ether, XRP, Solana, Cardano and Avalanche.

If approved permanently, the latest rule change would mark another step toward normalizing Bitcoin derivatives within U.S. regulated markets, further blurring the line between traditional financial instruments and crypto-native assets.

Nasdaq wants to remove limits on Bitcoin ETF options to improve liquidity and efficiency
Ether ETF options could attract stronger institutional participation if limits disappear
The proposal reflects growing maturity in the crypto derivatives market
SEC approval could deepen integration between crypto assets and traditional finance

Nasdaq has taken a significant step toward expanding crypto-linked trading in US financial markets. The exchange has filed a proposal with the Securities and Exchange Commission seeking approval to remove position limits on Bitcoin and Ether ETF options. This move reflects Nasdaq’s view that crypto-based exchange traded products have matured enough to operate under fewer restrictions. It also highlights rising institutional interest in regulated digital asset exposure.

The filing comes at a time when spot Bitcoin and Ether ETFs continue to attract steady inflows. Options linked to these ETFs have also gained traction as traders look for advanced hedging and yield strategies. Nasdaq argues that existing position limits no longer align with current market depth and liquidity. The exchange believes updated rules could support healthier and more efficient trading conditions.

If regulators approve the proposal, Bitcoin ETF options could enter a new growth phase. Market participants would gain greater flexibility to manage risk and deploy complex strategies. The decision could also strengthen the bridge between traditional derivatives markets and digital assets.

Why Nasdaq Wants to Remove Position Limits Now

Nasdaq says the current position limits restrict market participation rather than protect it. Bitcoin ETF options have seen consistent growth in volume and open interest, yet traders still face tight caps that limit scale. According to Nasdaq, these restrictions discourage liquidity providers and institutional investors from actively participating. The exchange believes this ultimately reduces market efficiency.

In its filing, Nasdaq compared crypto ETF options to commodity-based ETF options. Products tied to gold and oil trade without strict position limits due to their liquidity and transparency. Nasdaq argues that Bitcoin ETF options now demonstrate similar characteristics. The exchange believes regulatory treatment should reflect this evolution rather than outdated assumptions.

How Bitcoin ETF Options Could Benefit From the Proposal

Removing position limits could significantly improve liquidity in Bitcoin ETF options. Institutional traders often require larger position sizes to execute meaningful strategies. Current caps force them to break trades into smaller orders or avoid the market altogether. Nasdaq believes lifting limits would attract deeper institutional engagement.

Higher participation usually leads to tighter bid ask spreads and stronger price discovery. These improvements benefit both professional traders and retail investors. Greater liquidity also helps markets absorb volatility more efficiently. Nasdaq views these outcomes as critical for long-term market stability.

The proposal also highlights risk management benefits. Options allow investors to hedge downside exposure without selling underlying assets. Expanded access to Bitcoin ETF options could reduce panic-driven selloffs during volatile periods. Nasdaq believes this strengthens market resilience rather than increasing risk.

What This Means for Ether ETF Options

Ether ETF options could experience similar growth if the SEC approves Nasdaq’s request. Interest in Ethereum exposure has increased following the launch of spot Ether ETFs. Traders now seek flexible tools to manage risks linked to network upgrades and ecosystem developments. Removing position limits could support that demand.

Ether ETF options often reflect higher volatility than Bitcoin-linked products. This attracts sophisticated derivatives traders who rely on larger position sizes. Higher limits would allow more precise strategy execution and improved liquidity. Nasdaq believes these changes would create a more balanced trading environment.

The filing treats Bitcoin and Ether products under the same regulatory framework. Nasdaq aims to apply consistent rules across major crypto ETFs. This approach could simplify compliance for trading firms while supporting broader adoption of crypto-linked derivatives.

Oklahoma Introduces Bill Allowing State Employees and Vendors to Be Paid in Bitcoin

admin — Mon, 26 Jan 2026 13:19:22 +0300

Oklahoma proposed a bill letting employees, vendors, and residents voluntarily receive bitcoin payments within existing legal frameworks.

Oklahoma lawmakers introduced legislation this week that would allow state employees, vendors, private businesses, and residents to negotiate and receive payments in bitcoin.

Senate Bill 2064, introduced by Senator Dusty Deevers during the 2026 legislative session, establishes a legal framework for the use of bitcoin as a medium of exchange and compensation without designating it as legal tender.

The bill explicitly states that it does not conflict with the U.S. Constitution’s prohibition on states coining money or declaring legal tender other than gold and silver, instead recognizing bitcoin as a financial instrument operating within existing legal frameworks.

If enacted, the bill would permit Oklahoma state employees to elect to receive salaries or wages in bitcoin, either based on the asset’s market value at the start of a pay period or at the time of payment.

Employees would be allowed to revise their payment preference at the beginning of each pay period and could choose to receive compensation in bitcoin, U.S. dollars, or a combination of both.

Payments would be deposited either into a self-hosted wallet controlled by the employee or into a third-party custodial account designated by the employee.

The legislation would also allow vendors contracting with the state to opt into receiving payment in bitcoin on a per-transaction basis. The bitcoin value of those payments would be determined by the market price at the time of the transaction unless otherwise agreed upon in writing.

Beyond state payroll and procurement, the bill broadly authorizes private businesses and individuals in Oklahoma to negotiate and receive payments in bitcoin, reinforcing its use as a voluntary medium of exchange across the state economy.

SB 2064 includes provisions aimed at reducing regulatory friction for bitcoin-native businesses. Firms that deal exclusively in digital assets and do not exchange them for U.S. dollars would be exempt from Oklahoma’s money transmitter licensing requirements, according to legislation text.

The bill directs the Oklahoma State Treasurer to issue a request for proposals for a digital asset firm to process bitcoin payments for state employees and vendors.

In selecting a provider, the Treasurer must consider factors including fees, transaction speed, cybersecurity practices, custody options, and any relevant state licenses. The Treasurer would be required to finalize a contract with a provider by January 1, 2027, and is authorized to promulgate rules to implement the program.

Back in January 2025, Oklahoma State Senator Dusty Deevers introduced a similar initiative called the Bitcoin Freedom Act (SB 325). It was a bill designed to let employees, vendors, and businesses voluntarily receive and make payments in Bitcoin while creating a legal framework for its use in the state’s economy.

Oklahoma’s bitcoin adoption echoes other U.S. states

This move follows other states like New Hampshire and Texas in exploring ways to integrate Bitcoin into public finance.

New Hampshire passed the nation’s first Strategic Bitcoin Reserve law, allowing the state to hold up to 5% of its funds in high-market-cap digital assets and even approve a bitcoin-backed municipal bond.

Texas, meanwhile, has paired legislation with action, creating a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve and making the first U.S. state Bitcoin ETF purchase of around $5 million, framing it as both a hedge against economic volatility and a step toward modernizing state finances.

If passed, SB 2064 would take effect on November 1, 2026, positioning Oklahoma among a small but growing number of U.S. states exploring direct integration of bitcoin into government payment systems.

The Oklahoma Tax Commission would also be required to issue guidance on the tax treatment of digital assets received as payment by January 1, 2027, addressing an area that has often created uncertainty for employees and employers alike.

Epoch Ventures Predicts Bitcoin Hits $150K in 2026, Declares End of 4-Year Halving Cycle

admin — Mon, 26 Jan 2026 13:12:25 +0300

Epoch, a venture firm specializing in Bitcoin infrastructure, issued its second annual ecosystem report on January 21, 2026, forecasting robust growth for the asset despite a subdued 2025 performance.

The 186-page document analyzes Bitcoin’s price dynamics, adoption trends, regulatory outlook, and technological risks, positioning the cryptocurrency as a maturing monetary system. Key highlights include a prediction that Bitcoin will reach at least $150,000 USD by year-end, driven by institutional inflows and decoupling from equities. The report also anticipates the Clarity Act failing to pass, though its substance on asset taxonomy and regulatory authority may advance through SEC guidance. Additional forecasts cover gold rotations boosting Bitcoin by 50 percent, major asset managers allocating 2 percent to model portfolios, and Bitcoin Core maintaining implementation dominance.

Eric Yakes, CFA charterholder and managing partner at Epoch Ventures, brings over a decade of finance expertise to the Bitcoin space, having started his career in corporate finance and restructuring at FTI Consulting before advancing to private equity at Lion Equity Partners, where he focused on buyouts. He left traditional finance in recent years to immerse himself in Bitcoin, authoring the influential book “The 7th Property: Bitcoin and the Monetary Revolution,” which explores Bitcoin’s role as a transformative monetary asset, and has since written extensively on its technologies and ecosystem. Yakes holds a double major in finance and economics from Creighton University, positioning him as a key voice in Bitcoin venture capital through Epoch, a firm dedicated to funding Bitcoin infrastructure.

The Death of the Four-Year Cycle

Bitcoin closed 2025 at $87,500, marking a 6 percent annual decline but an 84 percent four-year gain that ranks in the bottom 3 percent historically. The report states the death of the 4-year cycle in no uncertain terms: “We believe cycle theory is a relic of the past, and the cycles themselves probably never existed. The fact is that Bitcoin is boring and growing gradually now. We make the case for why gradual growth is precisely what will drive a ‘gradually, then suddenly’ moment.”

The report goes on to discuss cycle theory in depth, presenting a view of the future that’s becoming the new market expectation: less volatility to the downside, slow and steady growth to the upside.

Price action suggests a new bull market commenced in 2026, with 2025’s drop from $126,000 to $81,000 potentially being a self-fulfilling prophecy due to cycle expectations, as RSI remained below overbought since late 2024, suggesting bitcoin already went through a bear market and we are commencing a new kind of cycle.

Versus gold, Bitcoin is down 49 percent from its highs, in a bear market since December 2024. Gold’s meteoric rise presents a potential price catalyst for bitcoin; a small rebalancing reallocation from gold of 0.5% would induce greater inflows than the U.S. ETFs; at 5.5%, it would equal bitcoin’s market capitalization. Gold’s rise makes bitcoin more attractive on a relative basis, and the higher gold goes, the more likely a rotation into bitcoin. Timing analysis, as seen in the chart below, which counts days from the local top, suggests Bitcoin might be nearing a bottom versus Gold.

In terms of volatility bitcoin has aligned with mega-caps like Tesla, with 2025 averages for Nasdaq 100 leaders exceeding Bitcoin’s, suggesting a risk-asset decoupling and limiting drawdowns. Long-term stock correlations persist, but maturing credit markets and safe-haven narratives may pivot Bitcoin toward gold-like behavior.

The report goes in-depth into other potential catalysts for 2026, defending its bullish thesis, such as:

Consistent ETF Inflows
Nation State Adoption
Mega-cap Companies Allocating to Bitcoin
Wealth Managers Allocating Clients
Inheritance Allocation

FUD, Sentiment and Media Analysis

Analysis of 356,423 datapoints from 653 sources reveals a fractured sentiment landscape, with “Bitcoin is dead” narratives concluded. FUD is stable at 12-18 percent but the topics rotate, crime and legal themes are up 277 percent, while environmental FUD is down 41 percent.

A 125-point perception gap exists between conference attendees (+90 positive) while tech media is generally negative at (-35). UK outlets show 56-64 percent negativity, 2-3 times international averages.

The Lightning Network coverage dominates podcasts at 33 percent but garners only 0.28 percent mainstream coverage, a 119x disparity. Layer 2 solutions are not zero-sum, with Lightning at 58 percent mentions and Ark up 154 percent.

Media framing has caused mining sentiment to swing 67 points: mainstream outlets cover the sector at 75.6 percent positive, while Bitcoin communities view it at only 8.4 percent positive, underscoring the importance of narrative and audience credibility for mining companies.

Bitcoin Treasury Companies

More companies added Bitcoin to their balance sheets in 2025 than in any previous year, marking a major step in corporate adoption. Established firms that already held Bitcoin—known as Bitcoin treasury companies, or BtcTCs—bought even larger amounts, while new entrants went public specifically to raise money and purchase Bitcoin. According to the report, public company bitcoin holdings increased 82% y/y to ₿1.08 million and the number of public companies holding bitcoin grew from 69 to over 191 throughout 2025.65 Corporations own at least 6.4% of total Bitcoin supply – public companies 5.1% and private companies 1.3%. This created a clear boom-and-bust pattern throughout the year.

Company valuations rose sharply through mid-2025 before pulling back when the broader Bitcoin price corrected. The report explains that these public treasury companies offer investors easier access through traditional brokers, the ability to borrow against holdings, and even dividend payments, though with dilution risks. In contrast, buying and holding Bitcoin directly remains simpler and preserves the asset’s full scarcity.

Looking ahead, Epoch expects Japan’s Metaplanet to post the highest multiple on net asset value (mNAV)—a key valuation metric—among all treasury companies with a market cap above $1 billion. The firm also predicts that an activist investor or rival company will force the liquidation of one underperforming treasury firm to capture the discount between its share price and the actual value of its Bitcoin holdings.

Over time, these companies will stand out by offering competitive yields on their Bitcoin. In total, treasury companies acquired roughly 486,000 BTC during 2025, equal to 2.3 percent of the entire Bitcoin supply, drawing further corporate interest in Bitcoin. For business owners considering a Bitcoin treasury, the report highlights both the growth potential and the risks of public-market volatility.

The Bitcoin Treasury Companies section of the report explores:

The fundamentals of a Bitcoin treasury allocation including the potential benefits and risks of Bitcoin treasury company investing.
The 2025 timeline of Bitcoin Treasury companies.
Current valuations of BtcTCs.
Our opinion on BtcTCs broadly, and how we view them compared to owning Bitcoin directly.
Commentary on specific BtcTCs.
Predictions on Bitcoin treasury companies in the coming years.

Regulation Expectations for 2026

Epoch predicts the Clarity Act—a proposed bill to clarify digital asset oversight by dividing authority between the SEC and CFTC—will not pass Congress in 2026. However, the report expects the bill’s main ideas, including clear definitions for asset categories and regulatory jurisdiction, to advance through SEC rulemaking or guidance instead. The firm also forecasts Republican losses in the midterm elections, which could trigger new regulatory pressure on crypto, most likely in the form of consumer protection measures aimed at perceived industry risks. On high-profile legal cases, Epoch does not expect pardons for the founders of Samurai Wallet or Tornado Cash this year, though future legal appeals or related proceedings may ultimately support their defenses.

The report takes a critical view of recent legislative efforts, arguing that bills like the GENIUS Act (focused on stablecoins) and the Clarity Act prioritize industry lobbying over the concerns of everyday Bitcoin users, especially the ability to hold and control assets directly without third-party interference (self-custody).

Jesse Pollak: Base App Will Focus on Trading and Onchain Assets

admin — Fri, 23 Jan 2026 15:26:11 +0300

Pollak announced a change in the strategy of the Base app.
It will now become the main platform for trading any assets.
In addition, the Base app will keep its focus on finance-oriented UX.

The founder of the Base L2 solution, Jesse Pollak, announced a strategic shift in the focus of the Base app, stating that the team is betting on trading as the key use case. According to him, this should stimulate demand and distribution for all types of assets in the onchain economy.

“Tl;dr: We’re focusing the Base app to be trading-first to drive demand and distribution for every asset and to be the best app for whatever you do in the onchain economy,” Pollak noted.

He recalled that since the announcement of the Base app in July 2025, hundreds of thousands of users have already used the app to create, trade, save, spend, and build. At the same time, the team received clear feedback from the community, which boils down to three key points.

First, the app seemed too focused on social features and “too close to Web2,” without demonstrating support for the full spectrum of assets that users want to trade.

Second, users expect more “high-quality assets,” since trading such instruments is the main opportunity against the backdrop of capital markets moving onchain.

Third, the activity feed should reflect everything that is happening in the onchain economy: apps, stocks, predictions, and different asset classes, where social tokens are just one of the elements.

Pollak emphasized that in a world where “everything is tokenized and tradeable,” the greatest value lies in creating demand and access for all market participants.

“That’s exactly what the Base app is going to do. We’re going to make the Base app the best place to trade and use every asset,” he said.

In practical terms, this means several changes. First, the Base app will be built as “trading first,” which, according to Pollak, will help attract capital to all fast-growing asset classes.

Second, the team plans to bring more high-quality assets onchain and make it possible to trade “protocols, apps, stocks, predictions, memes, and, yes, creators” in the app.

Third, Base will focus on a finance-oriented user experience (UX), layering social features on top of finance, rather than the other way around, with experiments such as copy trading, feed trading, and leaderboards.

Pollak believes that this approach will be “highly accretive” for the Base economy, as it will bring more users and capital to every asset and app.

He emphasized that the Base app should become the best non-custodial wallet for global trading and using any assets with simple and fast onboarding, while the Base network will remain the core platform for developers, but with enhanced distribution.

These statements came against the backdrop of the growth of the Base ecosystem. In August of last year, the L2 network built on Ethereum and connected to Coinbase marked its second anniversary of operation with almost USD 4.5 billion in total value locked. It surpassed one million active users, and its average fees decreased by 97.7% over the year.

At the same time, Jesse Pollak also announced the launch of his own token, the “creator coin” jesse. After criticism for supporting low-cap assets, he stated that such tokens play an important role in connecting creators with their audience, while also urging users to beware of phishing.

Meanwhile, Messari analyst AJC called the BASE token “the world’s first token from a public company.” In his view, an airdrop of such an asset should increase value for shareholders, not just for users, and the token itself should stimulate consumer activity, not only DeFi metrics.

Bitcoin treasury CEO Jack Mallers drops Bitcoin-per-share metric as he takes jab at Michael Saylor

admin — Fri, 23 Jan 2026 15:17:49 +0300

XXI CEO Jack Mallers says BTC-per-share is “less important” for his treasury company.
Mallers criticised competitors for diluting shareholders to finance Bitcoin purchases.
The comments appear aimed at Strategy, which raised $1.83 billion through dilutive stock issuance this week.

Jack Mallers just broke with Bitcoin treasury orthodoxy — and took a shot at Michael Saylor in the process.

The brash CEO of XXI Capital, a Bitcoin treasury company, announced that his firm had dropped the Bitcoin-per-share metric that’s been central to the entire treasury trade.

“It’s become clear that the market wants a Bitcoin equity that can do things like get leverage and give maximal exposure to Bitcoin with cash flow without having to dilute common shareholders,” Mallers said on his podcast The Jack Mallers Show on January 19.

The timing is pointed and his words are caustic. Saylor’s Strategy, the world’s largest corporate Bitcoin holder, just raised $2.1 billion to buy more Bitcoin — with 86% coming from dilutive common stock issuance.

The trade, pioneered by Saylor, is living through some dire times. Nearly 40% of treasuries trade below net asset value, while more than 60% of treasuries have bought Bitcoin at higher prices than they are today.

XXI Capital is the third largest corporate Bitcoin holder with 43,514 Bitcoin worth about $3.8 billion. The company is backed by finance heavyweights like Cantor Fitzgerald, Tether, and Japan-based SoftBank.

Bitcoin-per-share tracks how much Bitcoin each shareholder owns. When companies issue new shares to buy more Bitcoin, that number goes down — diluting existing shareholders even as total holdings grow.

Mallers didn’t name Strategy explicitly, but the target was clear.

“We’ve seen certain Bitcoin treasury companies have to dilute shareholders to finance themselves,” Mallers said. “We’ve seen certain Bitcoin treasury companies have to sell their Bitcoin.”

Strategy’s latest purchase illustrates Mallers’ criticism. The company raised $1.83 billion by selling over 10 million MSTR shares — direct dilution that reduced per-share Bitcoin ownership.

Strategy’s stock dropped 8% on the announcement and is down 62% in six months.

Cash flow businesses

Mallers says XXI will focus on “maximal exposure to Bitcoin with cash flow without having to dilute common shareholders.”

He didn’t specify exactly how XXI plans to achieve this, saying the company will provide clarity “when the timing is right.”

But removing BTC-per-share reporting is significant. The metric has been the north star for Bitcoin treasuries since Saylor pioneered the model. Strategy repeatedly emphasises its “BTC yield” — the increase in BTC-per-share over time.

Worse than Strategy

Mallers’ criticism of dilution rings hollow given XXI’s own performance, however.

The company’s stock has dropped more than 70% in the past six months — worse than Strategy’s 62% decline.

And while Mallers slams competitors for failing to generate cash flow, XXI has yet to launch a single cash-generating business nine months after promising to do so.