A new report from Schwab breaks crypto into 3 layers — networks, infrastructure and products – and says most value is still concentrated at the base.
Bitcoin Holders See First 30-Day Realized Losses Since Late 2023
Bitcoin holders have realized net losses over 30 days, marking the first such stretch since late 2023, after more than two years dominated by realized profits.
According to data shared by Julio Moreno, head of research at CryptoQuant, the Bitcoin (BTC) rolling 30-day realized profit and loss metric has dipped below zero, indicating that coins moved onchain during the past month were sold at below their purchase cost.
“Bitcoin holders realizing losses, for a 30-day period since, late December for the first time since October 2023,” Moreno wrote on X.
The net realized profit/loss metric shows the net magnitude of profit or loss realized by all holders spending coins, according to CryptoQuant. A negative reading does not necessarily imply a price decline, but rather suggests that selling pressure is increasingly coming from holders who bought at higher levels.
Related: Bitcoin institutional demand remains strong: CryptoQuant
Gold hits record high as global tensions rise
Amid the renewed pressure on Bitcoin and digital assets, gold has surged past $4,700 per ounce for the first time as rising geopolitical tensions continue to push investors toward traditional safe-haven assets.
On Tuesday, spot gold climbed to an all-time high of $4,701.23 before easing slightly, while US gold futures also set fresh records. Silver followed closely, trading near historic highs after briefly touching $94.72 per ounce.
The rally in precious metals came as global sentiment deteriorated following fresh tariff threats from US President Donald Trump, who warned of new trade measures against European allies unless Denmark agreed to cede Greenland, reviving concerns about a broader trade conflict.
The diverging performance has dragged the Bitcoin-to-gold ratio sharply lower, down more than 50% from its F4peak, according to Bitfinex. “Last time we were here, BTC went on to outperform gold. Worth watching this cross as 2026 liquidity builds,” the analyst wrote on X.
Related: Bitcoin down, gold futures up as Europe threatens ‘trade bazooka’
Spot Bitcoin ETFs bleed amid rising tensions
US-listed spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) also recorded $394.7 million in net outflows on Monday, according to data from SoSoValue, snapping a four-day inflow streak that had brought more than $1.8 billion into the products.
“President Trump’s aggressive trading rhetoric is pushing the market back into full de-risking mode,” Valr co-founder and CEO Farzam Ehsani said in a recent note shared with Cointelegraph.
Ehsani added that tariff threats and retaliatory measures have historically created “significant headwinds for digital and other risk assets.”
Magazine: Bitget’s Gracy Chen is looking for ‘entrepreneurs, not wantrepreneurs’
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Ethereum to $250,000? Price slides but Bitmine buys $100m worth of tokens – DL News
- The price of Ethereum has slid over the past week.
- But Bitmine Immersion bought more Ethereum.
- Chair Tom Lee is bullish over Ethereum’s long-term price.
Ethereum’s slide over the past couple of weeks didn’t stop Bitcoin miner and digital asset treasury Bitmine Immersion from scooping up over $100 million in Ethereum.
The New York Stock Exchange-listed treasury said Tuesday that it bought 35,268 tokens last week — worth $106.2 million at today’s prices.
“Ethereum’s price ratio to Bitcoin, or ETHBTC, has been steadily climbing since mid-October,” Chair Tom Lee said in a Tuesday statement.
Its latest buy, which brings the firm’s total Ethereum holdings to 4,203,036 coins, worth over $12.5 billion, comes as the price of the asset and other digital coins and tokens are taking a hit amidst US President Donald Trump’s campaign to buy Greenland. Ethereum is down by 8% over the past 14 days.
After sliding on Tuesday to under $3,000, Ethereum is trading well below its 2025 record of $4,946, according to CoinGecko data.
Bitmine’s stock slid on Tuesday — with other major equities — and was recently trading 8% lower.
No fear — Wall Street’s here
But Wall Street involvement is all the reason to be bullish on Ethereum, Lee said.
“In our view, this reflects investors recognising tokenisation and other use cases being developed by Wall Street are being built on Ethereum,” Lee said of Ethereum’s rising price ratio to Bitcoin.
Ethereum has typically been the crypto network of choice for tokenising assets and more Wall Street titans are talking about putting investments on the blockchain — with the hope to eventually enable 24/7 trading.
On Monday, the New York Stock Exchange said it was building a platform to trade tokenised versions of stocks and exchange-traded funds. The company did not say which blockchain it would use for the proposed product.
But Wall Street bigwigs have spoken about Ethereum’s use case for years.
BlackRock CEO and co-founder Larry Fink spoke about tokenising assets on Ethereum’s blockchain in 2024 after the asset manager debuted its USD Institutional Digital Liquidity Fund on the crypto network.
Ethereum to soar?
Lee said earlier this month that Ethereum will recover and forecasted that tthe coin to hit $250,000 per coin.
That’s over 8,200% more than what the asset is priced now.
He didn’t offer a timeframe for his targets.
Lee and Bitmine aren’t the only bullish ones.
British bank Standard Chartered’s global head of digital assets research, Geoffrey Kendrick, has predicted the second-largest crypto will hit $40,000 per token by 2030 as more institutions show interest in the cryptocurrency.
Mathew Di Salvo is a news correspondent with DL News. Got a tip? Email at mdisalvo@dlnews.com.
Most Crypto Holders Want to Pay with Bitcoin but Rarely Do, Survey Show
But most say limited merchant acceptance and high fees stop them from spending crypto.
Over half of crypto holders still can’t use Bitcoin for everyday payments, even though many want to.
A new survey conducted by Bitcoin mining firm GoMining and shared with The Defiant found that more than 55% of the 5,700 respondents rarely or never spend Bitcoin. However, nearly 80% of them support broader adoption and say they believe in BTC as a payment method.
When asked what holds them back, respondents pointed first to limited merchant acceptance, cited by 49.6%. High fees followed at 44.7%, with price swings close behind at 43.4%.
“Users told us they want to spend crypto without friction and earn something back when they do,” said Mark Zalan, CEO of GoMining.
According to the survey’s results, privacy and security ranked highest as reasons to use crypto, at 46.4%, followed closely by rewards and discounts at 45.4%.
Lower fees topped the list of what users want most from Bitcoin payments, cited by 62.6%, alongside rewards or cashback and wider merchant acceptance.
For those who do spend their crypto, respondents said they would most likely to use crypto for gaming (37.7%), followed by gifting (21.1%) and daily purchases (26.4%) and then high-value or luxury items.
While Bitcoin payments still face hurdles, stablecoin payments are already seeing faster adoption. As The Defiant reported previously, crypto-linked cards are becoming a key channel for stablecoin use, with annualized volumes now approaching those of peer-to-peer on-chain transfers.
In a recent research report, blockchain analytics platform Artemis found that monthly crypto card volume surged from about $100 million in early 2023 to more than $1.5 billion by late 2025.
XRP Repeats 2022 Market Structure as Pressure Builds Below $2
XRP is flashing a familiar onchain warning as quiet consolidation masks rising holder stress, with Glassnode data showing mounting psychological pressure that has historically preceded major XRP market moves. XRP Enters a High-Pressure Zone as History Starts to Rhyme XRP’s price behavior can appear calm even as underlying stress builds within its holder base. Blockchain […]
Bridging AI Safety and Agile Development From Code to Clarity
The relentless pace of Agile development, with its sprints and continuous deployment, has long been the engine of digital innovation. Yet, as this engine is increasingly fueled by complex artificial intelligence, a critical question emerges: how can we move fast without breaking things we can no longer see? The integration of AI, particularly opaque “black box” models, into mission-critical applications introduces unprecedented risks, where a single inscrutable decision can cascade into systemic failure.
The New Frontier: Interpretable AI as a Development Imperative
Guru’s recent focus stems from a clear-eyed observation: you cannot secure what you do not understand. In Agile teams racing to integrate AI features, the complexity of models often forces a trade-off. Developers and product managers, under pressure to deliver, may treat AI components as opaque third-party libraries—functioning magically until they fail unpredictably. This creates a fundamental vulnerability, not just in code, but in the very architecture of trust.
Her solution is to champion Interpretable Machine Learning (IML) not as an academic niche, but as a core Agile practice. “The principles of Agile—transparency, inspection, and adaptation—are completely at odds with deploying black-box models,” Guru argues. “We need tools and workflows that make model behavior as reviewable as a peer’s code commit.”
Her research involves developing frameworks that integrate interpretability checks directly into the CI/CD pipeline. Imagine a sprint where, alongside unit tests for a new recommendation algorithm, automated audits generate plain-English explanations for the model’s key decisions, flagging potential biases or unstable logic before deployment. This shifts AI safety “left” in the development cycle, transforming it from a post-hoc audit into a continuous, integrated dialogue.
Industry Recognition: A Landmark Award for Pioneering Work
The significance of this approach has resonated powerfully within the global technical community. In 2025, Dhivya Guru was honored with the Outstanding AI Achievement Award from the IEEE Eastern North Carolina Section (ENCS), a recognition open to the entire membership of one of IEEE’s active regional hubs. This award specifically cited her “contributions to the advancement of Interpretable Machine Learning Models,” highlighting her work in translating theoretical IML concepts into practical tools for development teams.
This accolade is particularly meaningful as it comes from IEEE, the world’s largest technical professional organization dedicated to advancing technology for humanity. Selection from a broad, competitive pool of members underscores that her work is not only innovative but also addresses a critical, industry-wide priority. It marks her as a leader whose research has a tangible impact on the trajectory of responsible AI integration.
Forging a Resilient Future: Culture, Code, and Comprehension
Guru’s vision extends beyond tools. Just as she gamified security training, she is now focused on fostering an “interpretability mindset.” This means training Agile teams to ask the right questions of their AI components: What data influenced this output? Where are the model’s confidence boundaries? Can we explain this result to a stakeholder or an end-user?
“The goal,” she explains, “is to move from simply using AI to collaborating with it. That requires a shared language of understanding, built directly into our development rituals.”
Looking ahead, the confluence of Agile methodologies and advanced AI defines the next era of software. The organizations that will thrive are those that build resilience into their culture and their codebase simultaneously. Dhivya Guru’s work provides a critical blueprint for this synthesis. By making the invisible workings of AI inspectable and its safety a natural part of the developer’s daily flow, she is helping ensure that the software of tomorrow is not only powerful and fast but also trustworthy and secure by design.
Her trajectory—from human-centric security to award-winning AI interpretability research—charts a consistent course: the most sophisticated technological challenges are ultimately solved by designing for human intelligence first. In doing so, she is not just writing code; she is helping write the playbook for a new generation of responsible innovation.
All Seized Bitcoin To Join Strategic Reserve
When asked about the U.S. government’s approach to Bitcoin and recent BTC seizures, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent re-affirmed that the administration will halt all sales of seized BTC and instead add it to the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve (SBR).
At the World Economic Forum in Davos, Bessent told journalist Christine Lee that the initiative is part of a larger effort to bring digital-asset innovation onto U.S. soil while keeping federal oversight of seized cryptocurrency
This sentiment comes from questions about the government’s handling of BTC seized from developers linked to Tornado Cash in the Southern District of New York as well as the handling of bitcoin from Samourai Wallet developers.
While Bessent declined to comment on ongoing litigation, he emphasized that any seized BTC would be retained by the federal government after legal damages are resolved, rather than being sold at auction as in prior years.
“This administration’s policy is to add seized Bitcoin to our digital asset reserve,” Bessent said, highlighting the first step in implementing the SBR: stopping all sales.
The reserve, established under a March 2025 executive order, treats Bitcoin as a long-term strategic asset, akin to gold or petroleum stockpiles.
Bessent also seemed to frame the broader strategy of this current innovation as a pro-innovation, pro-onshore.
The Treasury wants to make the U.S. the “best regulatory regime for digital assets,” citing bipartisan legislation such as the Genius Act, which codifies stablecoin rules at the federal level.
The U.S. government says they didn’t sell any Samourai Wallet bitcoin
Last week, U.S. officials denied reports that BTC forfeited by Samourai Wallet developers had been sold, confirming the assets will remain part of the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve (SBR) under Executive Order 14233.
Patrick Witt of the President’s Council of Advisors for Digital Assets stated that the Department of Justice confirmed the 57.55 BTC, worth roughly $6.3 million, has not and will not be liquidated.
The clarification came after earlier reports suggested the U.S. Marshals Service may have transferred the BTC to Coinbase Prime, fueling speculation of a sale that would have violated the executive order.
Journalist Frank Corva reported that the U.S. Marshals Service appears to have sent the 57.55 BTC forfeited by Samourai Wallet developers directly to a Coinbase Prime address, which showed a zero balance, suggesting the BTC may have already been sold.
If true, this selling would contradict Executive Order 14233, which requires forfeited bitcoin to be held in the U.S. Strategic Bitcoin Reserve rather than liquidated.
Solayer unveils $35 million fund for real-time DeFi, AI and tokenization apps on infiniSVM
Funded by Solayer Labs and Solayer Foundation, the effort targets onchain apps with revenue and high usage potential.
Will Traders Buy The Dip?
ETH sold off at the weekly open, but its net taker volume metric turned positive for the first time in years. Will bulls take notice of the signal and attempt to press Ether price higher?
Ether (ETH) derivatives data has begun to highlight a structural shift. After nearly three years of sell-side dominance, ETH’s net taker volume has turned positive, possibly pointing to renewed interest from futures traders.
Key takeaways:
-
ETH Net Taker volume reached $390 million since Jan. 6, the largest buy imbalance since January 2023.
-
Since 2023, positive taker volume has aligned with range bottoms and the continuation of uptrends.
-
ETH holds above the $3,000 support level despite a negative CVD, indicating absorption by larger players.
ETH Net Taker volume highlights a rare trend shift
Ethereum’s Net Taker Volume has registered roughly $390 million in positive imbalance since Jan. 6, marking its strongest buy-side dominance since January 2023. The metric tracks whether traders are aggressively buying at market prices or selling into bids. A positive reading indicates conviction among traders over the long term.
Historically, strong positive flips in Net Taker Volume since 2020 have aligned with bottoming ranges or early-stage uptrends, rather than local tops. Sustained positivity typically reflects leveraged participants’ positioning for continuation, often before the broader trend becomes visible.
This shift follows years of persistent sell-side pressure, suggesting a change in futures demand rather than a short-lived squeeze. In past cycles, similar transitions preceded multi-week trend expansions.
Related: Ethereum activity surge could be linked to dusting attacks: Researcher
ETH chases underlying liquidity
Data from CryptoQuant noted that while ETH traded near $3,000, cumulative volume delta (CVD) remains negative at -3,676 ETH on Jan. 19, showing short-term selling pressure. Despite this, the 30-day correlation between price and CVD stands near 0.62, indicating price action is still partially supported by the available liquidity.
This divergence points to a corrective phase, and short-term traders appear to be taking profits. Data shows larger participants gradually repositioning, keeping ETH stable above $3,000.
From a technical standpoint, ETH has reverted to its five-month point of control between $3,050 and $3,140, in line with last week’s Cointelegraph forecast. The broader uptrend remains intact as long as daily closes hold above $3,000. A break below that level would signal a bearish shift in structure.
Hyblock data also shows roughly $540 million in net long positions near $3,100, with another $500 million liquidity cluster below $3,000. This positioning suggests ETH price may continue to fluctuate within this range as the liquidity rebalances.
Related: Ethereum L2 MegaETH peaks at 47K TPS ahead of ‘global stress test’
This article does not contain investment advice or recommendations. Every investment and trading move involves risk, and readers should conduct their own research when making a decision. While we strive to provide accurate and timely information, Cointelegraph does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information in this article. This article may contain forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Cointelegraph will not be liable for any loss or damage arising from your reliance on this information.
ME Token Slumps After Magic Eden Announces Buybacks, Staking Rewards
The former NFT marketplace said it will allocate revenue to the ME ecosystem, including USDC rewards paid out to stakers.
On-chain trading platform Magic Eden, previously known as the largest Solana NFT marketplace, said it will begin directing 15% of all platform revenue into the ME token ecosystem, starting on Feb. 1.
“The goal is simple. When Magic Eden wins, the ecosystem wins too,” the project wrote in an X post on Monday, Jan. 19. The team said the revenue allocation will be split evenly between token buybacks and monthly USDC payouts to ME stakers. Buybacks are often implemented by projects to boost the token price, as buybacks imply that circulating token supply is reduced.
Despite the news, ME is trading about 6.5% lower over the past 24 hours, and remains over 95% down since its launch in December 2024, according to CoinGecko data.
Magic Eden clarified that USDC rewards will be distributed “based on staking power,” which depends on both how much ME is staked and how long it is locked. Stakers must claim their rewards within 90 days, per the announcement.
In a separate X post on Monday, Magic Eden CEO Jack Lu said the marketplace generated about $24 million in revenue in 2025, despite a prolonged downturn in the NFT market. At a 15% allocation rate, that would translate to roughly $3.6 million flowing into the ME ecosystem each year, if revenue holds at similar levels.
If half of that were set aside for USDC rewards, a total of roughly $1.8 million could be available as rewards for stakers, though individual payouts will vary
Magic Eden’s Pivot
Lu says the change better ties the token to Magic Eden’s broader push into entertainment, arguing that the market is entering a “speculation supercycle — where finance merges with entertainment.”
The former NFT marketplace announced its pivot into broader crypto trading, specifically memecoins, in April of last year when it acquired on-chain trading platform Slingshot. The same month, fellow leading NFT marketplace OpenSea made a similar move, launching Solana token trading.