A Tennessee man accused of stealing $11 million worth of XRP from the widow of country music legend George Jones has filed a countersuit.
TRX sustains its upward trend at 0.30 dollars: Critical supports 0.2999-0.3033, targets 0.3385. Detailed analysis with RSI 68.57 and MACD bull signals.
Ethereum’s bid–ask imbalance signals "caution."
Suvashree Ghosh writes how the days of sensational, high-risk, unregulated activity in the Wild West of finance may soon only be a memory as companies adopt more conventional business models.
Bitcoin has started the year on firmer footing, recovering from late-2025 weakness and pushing back toward the $92,000 level. Price action has improved, and short-term momentum has turned constructive, but conviction remains fragile. Despite the rebound, Bitcoin continues to trade within a broader consolidation range that has capped upside since late November. Related Reading: Trump-Powell Conflict Fuels Volatility While Retail Sells Bitcoin At A Loss – Details As a result, analysts remain divided. Some see the recent strength as the early phase of a trend reversal, while others warn that the market may need more time to absorb supply before any sustained breakout can develop. Adding nuance to this debate, a recent report from CryptoQuant highlights a critical inflection point tied to short-term holder behavior. According to the analysis, Bitcoin’s short-term holders—typically the most reactive cohort—are close to flipping back into profit. The key level sits around $92.2K. A decisive break above this threshold would place the average short-term holder back in positive territory, easing psychological pressure and reducing the incentive to sell into minor rallies. Short-Term Holders Near a Psychological Inflection Point The same CryptoQuant report emphasizes that the $92,000–$92,200 zone is more than a simple technical level—it represents a psychological threshold for short-term holders (STHs). A sustained move above this area would place the average STH back into profit, easing stress among recent buyers who have been underwater for weeks. When this cohort returns to profit, selling pressure typically diminishes, as fear-driven exits give way to a greater willingness to hold or even add exposure. Historically, this transition has mattered. Past market data shows that when Bitcoin price crosses above the short-term holder realized price—a configuration often described as a “golden cross” between spot price and STH cost basis—market structure tends to improve. In several prior cycles, such flips marked the start of renewed upside momentum, as short-term participants shifted from defensive behavior to supportive demand. Related Reading: XRP Consolidates Above $2 As Volume Z-Score Signals A Quiet Market That said, context remains important. A profit flip does not guarantee immediate continuation higher, but it does change incentives. Instead of selling into rallies to recover losses, short-term holders are more likely to buy dips or hold through volatility, reinforcing bid-side depth. In practical terms, reclaiming and holding above $92K would signal that recent supply has been absorbed and that marginal demand is strengthening. If confirmed with follow-through, this psychological reset could act as fuel for a broader trend extension. However, failure to maintain this level would risk resetting pressure on the same cohort, keeping Bitcoin locked in consolidation rather than trend mode. Bitcoin Price Consolidates Below Key Resistance as Volatility Builds Bitcoin price action on this chart reflects a market attempting to stabilize after a sharp correction from the October highs near $125,000. Following that decline, BTC found strong demand in the $85,000–$88,000 region, where buyers repeatedly defended price and formed a higher low structure. Since then, Bitcoin has been consolidating in a relatively tight range, gradually pushing back toward the $92,000 area. From a trend perspective, price is currently trading above the 200-day moving average (red), which continues to slope upward and provides a key layer of long-term support. This suggests that, despite recent weakness, the broader macro trend remains intact. However, BTC is still trading below the 100-day and 50-day moving averages (green and blue), both of which are flattening and acting as dynamic resistance. This configuration explains the hesitation around $92,000–$94,000, where multiple technical factors converge. Related Reading: Ethereum Long-Term Cost Basis Holds Firm: Structural Floor Forms Near $2.8K Volume has declined compared to the sell-off phase, signaling reduced conviction from both buyers and sellers. This typically characterizes consolidation phases rather than impulsive trends. The recent series of higher lows since December indicates improving short-term structure, but confirmation is still lacking. For bullish continuation, Bitcoin would need a decisive daily and weekly close above the $92,000–$94,000 resistance zone, reclaiming the mid-term moving averages. Failure to do so could keep price range-bound or expose BTC to another test of support near $88,000. Overall, the chart points to compression and indecision, with a larger directional move likely once this range resolves. Featured image from ChatGPT, chart from TradingView.com
Bitwise Asset Management, overseeing more than $15 billion in client assets, released its 2026 Benchmark Survey , revealing 99% of financial advisors who allocated to crypto in 2025 plan to increase or maintain exposure in 2026. If these advisors drive clients to sustain holdings, Bitcoin price prediction suggests that BTC could revisit $120,000 before Q4 2026. 65% of Advisors Expect Bitcoin Above $110K Before End-2026 The survey, conducted with VettaFi, shows that institutional demand and Bitcoin’s all-time highs drove advisors to allocate to crypto at the highest rate in survey history. 99% of financial advisor who allocated to crypto in 2025 plan to increase or maintain their exposure in 2026. @EricBalchunas @JSeyff (Data from the just-published 8th annual Bitwise/VettaFi Benchmark Survey of Financial Advisor Attitudes Towards Crypto Assets.) pic.twitter.com/ICANsniQ2Z — Matt Hougan (@Matt_Hougan) January 13, 2026 Roughly 32% of advisors invested in crypto for client accounts in 2025, up from 22% in 2024. “Crypto’s future has always depended on what financial advisors think of it,” said Bitwise CIO Matt Hougan. “They are trusted guides to millions of families and responsible for stewarding trillions of dollars. In 2025, advisors embraced crypto like never before.” Hougan added, “ Here’s one statistic that shocked me: 99% of advisors who owned crypto in 2025 plan to increase or maintain exposure. People wondered what advisors would do if crypto hit volatility. We have our answer: They’re planning to buy more.” The survey gathered 299 financial advisors’ responses on crypto assets in client portfolios, including independent advisors, broker-dealer reps, planners, and wirehouse reps from across the U.S. Sixty-five percent believe Bitcoin’s price will exceed $110,000 (launch price) in one year, with 58% projecting $110,000-$199,000 before end-2026. Source: Bitwise Crypto analyst Rektcapital observed that the $93,500 resistance is weakening via shallower rejections, and a weekly close above this level could kickstart a breakout into six figures. Bitcoin Price Prediction: Weekly Chart Shows Stabilization Near $90K The 7-day Bitcoin chart displays the market stabilizing after a sharp correction, with the price attempting to reclaim key structural levels. Bitcoin trades around low-$90,000, hovering near the 9-week SMA, which has flattened after acting as dynamic resistance. The broader uptrend from 2023 remains intact, as price continues to hold well above the major weekly demand zone between $67,000 and $70,000, a level that defines the macro bull market floor. The most important near-term zone is the $100,000–$103,000 range, which previously acted as a distribution and rejection area. Source: TradingView A clean weekly close above this zone would signal that sellers have been absorbed and that Bitcoin is ready to resume trend continuation. Above this level, the prior range highs between $116,000 and $120,000 come back into focus as the next upside target. Momentum remains subdued but constructive. RSI holds in mid-40s, reflecting consolidation rather than exhaustion. Historically, Bitcoin often builds bases in this RSI region before expanding higher. Near-term, Bitcoin will likely range between the high-$80,000s and $100,000 while momentum rebuilds. A decisive breakout above $100,000 would confirm trend resumption and open pathways toward $116,000-$120,000. Failure to reclaim that level could extend consolidation, though a deeper downside appears limited unless price loses $67,000-$70,000 weekly support. Bitcoin Hyper Presale Rides on 86% Odds of $100K+ in 2026 Polymarket traders place 86%+ odds on Bitcoin hitting above $100,000 in 2026, which could benefit BTC-beta projects like Bitcoin Hyper. Bitcoin Hyper ($HYPER) is building the first functional Bitcoin Layer 2 using Solana-based technology for speed and scalability while preserving Bitcoin security. The project has raised over $30 million to enable Bitcoin-native dApps, providing BTC holders opportunities to deploy assets productively using on-chain tools built for the Bitcoin ecosystem. To acquire $HYPER before the next price increase, visit the official Bitcoin Hyper website and connect your wallet (like Best Wallet). You can swap USDT or SOL for tokens at $0.013575 , or use a bank card. Visit the Official Bitcoin Hyper Website Here The post Bitcoin Price Prediction: Bitwise Survey Shows 99% Of Crypto Investors Plan to Hold or Add in 2026 appeared first on Cryptonews .
Ethereum resumed trading above the $3,000 level, giving hope to the bulls again. Ethereum is yet to relinquish its position as a top market player due to high liquidity levels and active developments in its ecosystem. On the other hand, traders and analysts are turning its attention to, Mutuum Finance (MUTM) , which is a rising DeFi crypto. This crypto is currently in the presale phase. Starting the presale process at an initial level of $0.01, the asset has already climbed through the stages to Phase 7 at $0.04 with an accumulated sum to date above $19.75 million. More than 18,800 unique wallets hold this asset. Ethereum: Stabilizing but Pausing in Momentum ETH is currently trading around $3,120 after retracement from the high point of $4,750 in the year 2025. Nonetheless, the supportive level of $3,050 has been respected, despite the evident weakness in momentum. The resistant level of $3,250 continues to hold back any rally, despite the positivity in the indicators, including the MACD. Nonetheless, a clean break of the resistant level will likely see the testing of the $3,500 levels, whereas a drop below the levels of $3,000 will likely witness the testing of the levels of $2,800. Ethereum looks relatively more stable rather than explosive, but investors consider MUTM a DeFi crypto alternative to diversify into the best crypto to buy now category. MUTM: Early Access to the High-Potential DeFi Ecosystem What is offered in Mutuum Finance is an opportunity for investors to participate in a DeFi project that is highly profitable, and this is available in the early stages. With the cost per token at $0.04 in phase 7, MUTM is at the cheapest entry it will ever be at. Other phases, such as Phase 8 at $0.045, as well as the public token launch $0.06, have less growth potential, making early investment even more attractive. With adoption and completion of the roadmap, there is great potential for the value of MUTM after the token sale event to reach $0.50. This will turn $1000 invested today into $12,500, an $11,500 ROI by the end of 2026. This makes it Mutuum Finance the best crypto to buy now. Yield-Bearing Collateral One of the features of MUTM is its USD-pegged stablecoin and yield-bearing collateral. An investor can for example commit 8,000 USDT to borrow the stablecoin for use within the platform. Their 8000 USDT remains active in lending pools at up to 15% APY. The interest accrued from this position can be used to repay some of the borrowed loan. This makes the DeFi crypto a stand-out amongst competitors who may have an algorithmic stablecoin model. Community Incentives Encourage Adoption Mutuum Finance engages in community engagement activities that entice members to engage. The activities include a $100,000 giveaway where ten members will receive $10,000 while another program gives the largest buyer of each day $500 MUTM bonus. The activities not only improve the holder base but also enhance the use of the platform, solidifying its reputation as a top DeFi crypto and drawing attention as the potential best crypto to buy now. Security and Testnet Milestones Build Confidence Among the more prominent aspects and areas of emphasis is the Security. The token scan security rating of this project according to Certik is 90/100, and it has also completed a Halborn Security audit of its lending & borrowing contracts. Mutuum Finance has also initiated a bug bounty program worth $50,000 in conjunction with Certik to reward white hats to find bugs within its code. Upcoming V1 protocol launch on Sepolia testnet will enable interaction with liquidity pools, mtTokens collateralized by user deposits, debt contracts governing loans, and the automated liquidator for under-collateralized markets. MUTM will support various assets and blockchains aside from the initial focus of ETH and USDT. While Ethereum represents a stable and proven network utility, MUTM represents early-stage access to a DeFi ecosystem that is poised for high growth. By pricing into Phase 7 for $0.04, buyers are positioned to leverage the upside that comes from adoption following the launch. MUTM integrates early-stage upside with functional utility that includes multi-layer lending protocols, staking rewards tied to platform usage, and functionality for lending and borrowing. In a market where the question is what the best crypto to buy is, MUTM represents an opportunity to leverage an Ethereum-based DeFi project. For more information about Mutuum Finance (MUTM) visit the links below: Website: https://mutuum.com/ Linktree: https://linktr.ee/mutuumfinance
Summary Hashdex Nasdaq Crypto Index US ETF offers diversified crypto exposure but is heavily weighted toward bitcoin, closely tracking its performance. I assign NCIQ a Hold rating due to flat bitcoin outlook through 2026, low liquidity, and minimal diversification benefits. NCIQ's low trading volume and wide bid/ask spreads increase transaction costs, making it less suitable for active traders compared to more liquid bitcoin ETFs. With bitcoin institutionalization, I expect subdued demand and rangebound performance for NCIQ in the near term. The Hashdex Nasdaq Crypto Index US ETF ( NCIQ ) is a passively managed exchange-traded fund designed to provide investors with diversified exposure to the cryptocurrency market. NCIQ can be best utilized by investors seeking to invest in a diversified cryptocurrency portfolio through a standard brokerage account. Despite providing broad exposure to various cryptocurrencies, the ETF largely trades in line with Bitcoin, potentially negating the potential benefits of diversification. Looking ahead through 2026, I am expecting Bitcoin’s performance to be relatively flat as investors seek safer assets to preserve capital. As a result of the flat market expectations and the low liquidity of NCIQ, I am recommending this ETF with a Hold rating. TradingView About Hashdex Nasdaq Crypto Index US ETF NCIQ was launched on February 13, 2025 by Hashdex Asset Management on the Nasdaq Exchange. According to NCIQ’s November 11, 2025 prospectus update, a portion of the sponsor’s management fee will be waived through December 31, 2026, reducing the management fee from 50bps to 25bps. In terms of the management fee, the waiver places NCIQ on par with major Bitcoin ETFs like the iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF ( IBIT ), which has an expense ratio of 25bps. One of the most critical factors to consider when trading high-risk strategies is liquidity. NCIQ currently has roughly $126 million in net assets, with an average of $820 thousand in share value changing hands on a daily basis. By comparison, IBIT has $70 billion in net assets and an average trading volume of $3.21 billion share value. As a result of the low liquidity, NCIQ has an average bid/ask spread of 64bps, adding substantial costs to active traders. Seeking Alpha Looking at fund flows, NCIQ experienced -$2.23mm in net outflows at the end of December 2025, likely as a result of the price decline across the cryptocurrency market. ETF Database A major challenge the cryptocurrency market faces is the general correlation to the price of Bitcoin. Though other coins may appreciate/depreciate at different rates, the general, historical trend has been directional correlation to the price of Bitcoin, potentially negating the benefits of holding a diversified portfolio of crypto assets. TradingView For example, comparing NCIQ to IBIT, we can see that the two price charts are nearly identical with the exception of a few months. This is primarily attributed to the nearly 75% exposure to Bitcoin in NCIQ. Corporate Filings Given these factors, investors and traders must weigh whether investing in a diversified portfolio is more impactful than liquidity. For active traders, it may be worth considering trading IBIT or other liquid ETFs. For long-term investors, it may be worth weighing the economic value of diversifying across other cryptocurrencies and whether it will positively impact one’s portfolio strategy. In most cases, I believe holding a pure Bitcoin ETF should suffice. TradingView Overall, I’m somewhat neutral in terms of performance for Bitcoin for 2026 . I believe the cryptocurrency may face additional selling pressure in the near-term; however, I’m expecting prices to stabilize well below prior peaks. My rationale behind this statement comes from two factors: Institutionalization of Bitcoin. Liquidation of leveraged Bitcoin investors. Through the emergence of Bitcoin ETFs in January 2024, Bitcoin has largely become an institutional asset and is treated as such. This means that Bitcoin ETFs are subject to standard advisory practices such as rebalances, cash raises, and asset rotation. If the general consensus for 2026 is to rotate into less risky, value and income stocks, Bitcoin ETFs may see additional outflows in the near-term. Roughly $19 billion in leveraged Bitcoin strategies were wiped out in October 2025 as a result of the price correction. This may mean that fewer dollars are chasing Bitcoin, potentially alleviating demand. This may result in softness in the Bitcoin market and result in additional price weakness. Risks Related To NCIQ NCIQ provides investors with diversified exposure in the cryptocurrency market, exposing investors to certain risks that should be considered prior to making a final investment decision. NCIQ is indexed to the Nasdaq Crypto US Settlement Price Index, a rules-based Index designed to track the performance of the cryptocurrency market. The Index is heavily weighted in Bitcoin, potentially offering little differentiation to a pure investment in Bitcoin. The price of Bitcoin has faced significant headwinds in recent months, declining from a peak of $125k/Bitcoin to roughly $81k/Bitcoin before normalizing at roughly $90k/Bitcoin. If the price of Bitcoin were to lose momentum and remain relatively rangebound, NCIQ may return minimal growth as a result of the direct exposure to Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. NCIQ has limited trading volumes, potentially creating a challenging market for those seeking to actively trade the ETF. Low liquidity may add additional costs to a trader’s overall transaction costs on top of management fees. Final Thoughts NCIQ is a relatively risky investment strategy that provides investors with diversified exposure in the cryptocurrency market. Despite providing exposure across multiple tokens, NCIQ is heavily weighted in Bitcoin and has historically performed closely to the performance of Bitcoin. Given the low liquidity and potential normalization across the cryptocurrency market, I am recommending NCIQ with a Hold rating.
Franklin Templeton has restructured two of its institutional money market funds, marking a new step toward integrating traditional finance with blockchain-based infrastructure. The company modified the Western Asset Institutional Treasury Obligations Fund (LUIXX) and the Western Asset Institutional Treasury Reserves Fund (DIGXX), both of which are managed by its affiliate, Western Asset Management. LUIXX to serve as stablecoin reserve vehicle The LUIXX fund has been amended to comply with the Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for U.S. Stablecoins (GENIUS) Act, passed in 2025. The law sets the requirements for assets held as reserves for regulated stablecoins. According to Franklin Templeton, the fund now holds short-term U.S. Treasuries with maturities of less than 93 days, which means it is both liquid and complies with the new regulation’s requirements regarding the quality of its reserves. A spokesman confirmed that stablecoin issuers could utilize the Treasury Obligations fund for the specific purpose of reserve management, while still complying with the existing oversight of the US Securities and Exchange Commission. In addition, the change makes LUIXX one of the first money market products to be designed specifically to comply with stablecoin reserve requirements under the guidance of the Federal Government. DIGXX adds digital on-chain share class The second fund, DIGXX, has put in place what Franklin Templeton calls a Digital Institutional Share Class. This class allows recording and transferring shares in funds through blockchain-based networks, which offer close to instant settlement and continuous transaction availability. By operating on-chain, DIGXX can settle transactions 24 hours a day, thus reducing settlement delays that are typical with legacy fund transfers. According to the report, the on-chain functionality doesn’t affect the underlying portfolio composition, which still follows the rules governing US money market funds. Franklin Templeton’s integration with tokenized finance infrastructure Roger Bayston, Head of Digital Assets at Franklin Templeton , stated that the regulatory environment established by the GENIUS Act enabled the bridging of these funds with blockchain-based applications. He acknowledged that the intention was to enable institutions to function in controlled markets with the same standards that applied to traditional funds. The update to LUIXX and DIGXX follows previous steps taken by Franklin Templeton to integrate its products with blockchain systems. In November 2025, the firm launched a tokenized money market fund in Hong Kong and added its Benji Technology Platform to the Canton Network. The company is also responsible for the US state of Wyoming’s FRNT stablecoin, the first state-issued dollar-backed token. Want your project in front of crypto’s top minds? Feature it in our next industry report, where data meets impact.
ETHGas has officially launched $GWEI, a governance token designed to transform the way Ethereum handles transaction fees and blockspace allocation. The move shows the beginning of what the project calls the Realtime Ethereum era, seeking to solve long-standing issues around Ethereum’s gas market by turning blockspace into a structured, tradable asset. Introducing $GWEI : the governance token for ETHGas. Built to govern Realtime Ethereum. pic.twitter.com/tMJ91RVAkG — ETHGas Foundation (@ETHGasFNDN) January 13, 2026 Unlike traditional gas markets, where users compete in a mempool and fees fluctuate wildly, ETHGas enables predictable execution through pre-confirmations, blockspace commitments, and instant settlement, effectively creating a “gasless” experience at scale. ETHGas Wants Gasless to Mean Managed, Not Free The introduction of $GWEI comes at a time when Ethereum’s gas fees are historically low, with base fees averaging 0.03 to 0.054 gwei and simple transactions costing only a few cents. For example, token swaps average $0.06, NFT sales $0.10, and transfers around $0.02, as even during slightly higher gas settings, total transaction costs remain under $0.01 in most cases. Source: Etherscan Network utilization is below 50%, block production is steady, and confirmation times average roughly 30 seconds. Compared with early 2024 peaks, gas prices are down more than 90%, largely due to Layer 2 adoption, capacity increases, and recent protocol upgrades. Yet ETHGas is not targeting today’s quiet conditions, as its thesis is built around what happens when demand returns and when execution speed, certainty, and cost predictability once again become competitive constraints. ETHGas noted that the core problem is not simply high fees but the way Ethereum allocates blockspace. The existing mempool model forces users and applications to bid blindly for inclusion, creating fee spikes, failed transactions, and uncertainty during periods of congestion. ETHGas seeks to transform blockspace into a structured, tradable asset by using commitments, pre-confirmations, and real-time settlement guarantees, replacing ad hoc bidding with more predictable execution. In this framework, “gasless” does not mean free transactions but rather abstracted and budgeted costs that are invisible to end users and manageable for applications and institutions. In December, Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin proposed a trustless, on-chain gas futures market that would allow users to lock in transaction fees, offering greater predictability and a way to hedge against sudden spikes as the network scales. Vitalik Buterin urges crypto developers to build privacy-preserving wealth tools over reckless leverage products, criticizing corporate "corposlop" platforms extracting value through dopamine algorithms and data exploitation. #VitalikButerin #Crypto https://t.co/wChVMbSOOC — Cryptonews.com (@cryptonews) January 10, 2026 GWEI Empowers ETHGas Holders With Real Governance Power GWEI sits at the center of this system as the governance token of the ETHGas protocol and foundation. The token is designed to give holders direct influence over protocol parameters, treasury allocation, incentive structures, and upgrades. Staking GWEI converts it into veGWEI, which carries voting power that increases with longer lockups, a model intended to favor long-term participants over short-term traders. Delegation is built in, allowing voting power to be assigned without transferring ownership, and governance is positioned as the final authority over both routine changes and emergency actions. The total supply of GWEI is set at 10 billion tokens, with distribution structured around a long-term, 10-year horizon focused on ecosystem growth and protocol sustainability. Source: ETHGas ETHGas has also announced a community airdrop, framed as the “ Genesis Harvest ,” which emphasizes historical gas usage and community verification rather than wallet farming or short-term activity. The project says this approach is meant to reward users who have actually borne the cost of Ethereum’s fee system over time. The Genesis Treasure has been located! High in the Sky-Castle, Gassy Jack has begun the Genesis Harvest. $GWEI is on the horizon, with rewards exclusively for those who forge the key and unlock the Treasure. Official info is live! https://t.co/GyzbnUj49A pic.twitter.com/cuHsMnzcRt — ETHGAS (@ETHGasOfficial) January 13, 2026 The timing of the launch intersects with a broader shift in where Ethereum’s so-called “gas wars” now occur. While Layer 1 fees are compressed, intense bidding has moved to Layer 2 environments and MEV-heavy trading venues , where priority fees, pre-confirmations, and execution guarantees can still drive localized fee spikes that are multiples above baseline costs. Data shows that on some L2s, priority fees make up the majority of daily revenue, paid by a small set of sophisticated users competing for speed-sensitive trades. The post ETHGas Launches GWEI: Can This New Protocol Finally End Ethereum’s Gas Wars? appeared first on Cryptonews .