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As the price of Ethereum slowly picks up pace following a brief rebound, a significant portion of the leading altcoin is currently being locked away in staking activity. Many institutions, such as Bitmine Immersion, have ventured into ETH staking, demonstrating the growing faith and interest in the investment method.
Bitmine’s Ethereum Staking Gets A Boost
In the burgeoning cryptocurrency market, Bitmine Immersion, a leading public company, continues to make decisive steps into the growing Ethereum ecosystem. Bitmine Immersion’s step into the ecosystem is evidenced by the company’s rising participation in ETH staking.
The public firm keeps extending its staking operations and reinforcing its commitment to on-chain yield generation following its latest move. This move was reported by Lookonchain, a popular on-chain data analytics platform, in a recent post on the X platform. Furthermore, the move coincides with staking’s continued development from a specialized tactic to a fundamental element of institutional cryptocurrency involvement, providing both recurrent benefits and a closer alignment with network security.
Source: Chart from Lookonchain on X
As seen in the report, the firm, led by industry leader and billionaire Tom Lee, has staked another 154,208 ETH valued at a staggering $478.77 million. Interestingly, the massive ETH staking was carried out within a 6-hour time frame, reflecting the firm’s robust conviction in the altcoin’s long-term prospects.
After the latest staking operation, the company has now staked a total of 1.344,224 ETH worth approximately $4.17 billion. By increasing its ETH stake, Bitmine Immersion is demonstrating its interest in Ethereum, from scaling upgrades to the ongoing expansion of DeFi and tokenized assets.
SharpLink Deepens Exposure With Expanded Staking Efforts
Another company making waves in the Ethereum staking is SharpLink Gaming, a move that was initiated alongside the launch of its ETH treasury since June 2. According to a report from the firm’s official page on X, they recently generated over 500 ETH in staking rewards last week.
SharpLink ETH staking rewards underscore its expanded participation in on-chain yield and increasing interest in the altcoin and its ecosystem. This growth highlights a larger trend as more businesses are moving from passive holding to active network participation, making Ethereum staking a key component of their business strategy.
With this additional ETH, SharpLink’s total cumulative staking rewards are now sitting at 11,157 ETH since it was launched. By dedicating more of its ETH holdings to validators, the firm is indirectly contributing to Ethereum’s security and decentralization while reaping the benefits of a constant flow of rewards.
Prior to the development, SharpLink deployed $170 million in ETH with a first-of-its-kind enhanced yield on Linea. Specifically, this move integrates native ETH yield, restaking rewards from Eigencloud, and direct incentives from Linea and Etherfi within an institutional-grade qualified custodian with the help of Anchorage. SharpLink has declared this the most productive way to hold ETH with institutional-grade infrastructure.
ETH trading at $3,340 on the 1D chart | Source: ETHUSDT on Tradingview.com
Featured image from Pexels, chart from Tradingview.com
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XRP exchange-traded funds have pulled in over $1 billion since November.
Bitwise CIO Matt Hougan has been pleasantly surprised.
But the token still needs to prove itself this year.
XRP exchange-traded funds’ $1.2 billion inflows might be astonishing to some, but they still need to prove one critical thing.
Matt Hougan, chief investment officer at Bitwise, told DL News that XRP ETF inflows have “exceeded my expectations, particularly given the direction of the market.”
XRP trades at $2.15, up about 17% in the past fortnight.
Since launching in November, XRP ETFs have attracted over $1.2 billion with net inflows recorded every day excepting one, according to SoSoValue data. That sharply outpaces Bitcoin ETFs, which saw $2.4 billion in outflows over the same period, and runs counter to the crypto market in general, which has slumped since Bitcoin’s October price record.
But Hougan says the real test is just beginning.
“XRP is still figuring out its product-market fit,” Hougan told DL News. “How it executes in 2026 will determine whether this becomes one of the most successful ETF launches in the market, or whether that demand fizzles out.”
Unlike Ethereum and Solana, which found product-market fit through stablecoins and DeFi, XRP still lacks a killer use case beyond cross-border payments. But if the Clarity Act passes and Ripple executes on real-world adoption in 2026, XRP could sustain momentum.
If not, ETF demand could evaporate.
Others are more sceptical than Hougan, however.
“Without builders, expect minimal growth for XRP,” Brian Huang, co-founder of investment platform Glider, previously told DL News.
The product-market fit problem
While Ethereum and Solana have already made it clear that they have found product-market fit, XRP faces a daunting challenge: proving utility.
“Ethereum and Solana go to new all-time highs because they found product-market fit through stablecoins,” Hougan said.
The value of stablecoins on Solana has ballooned by more than any other crypto network over the past year.
Meanwhile, XRP is still searching for its defining use-case. Ripple has positioned XRP as a bridge currency for cross-border payments, but widespread institutional adoption remains elusive.
The Clarity Act could help by establishing clear regulatory frameworks — something that Ripple has been lobbying for years.
But regulatory clarity alone won’t be enough. Ripple needs to demonstrate banks and payment providers are actually using XRP at scale.
Demand isn’t exhausted
Hougan said XRP ETF demand hasn’t run its course.
“I don’t think that demand is exhausted,” Hougan told DL News.
But a strong start doesn’t guarantee sustained success. Hougan emphasised XRP’s future depends entirely on execution.
“This is execution-based risk,” Hougan said. “If it executes, it will be rewarded.”
Idiosyncratic risk
Hougan views XRP’s uncertainty as what makes it compelling.
“There’s so much idiosyncratic risk,” Hougan said. “That makes it really attractive from an investment perspective.”
Unlike Bitcoin, which trades on macro factors, XRP’s price is driven almost entirely by Ripple’s business execution. That creates asymmetric upside if Ripple delivers.
In November, Ripple tripled its valuation to $40 billion following a $500 million funding round including Citadel Securities and Galaxy Digital. Ripple also announced a partnership with Mastercard and Gemini for stablecoin payments.
Pedro Solimano is DL News’ markets correspondent. Got a tip? Email him atpsolimano@dlnews.com.
Renewed speculative activity is energizing the crypto space, with assets like Dogecoin rallying nearly 9% on heavy trading volume. Amid this uptick, more investors are seeking projects that offer strong fundamentals and genuine utility. GeeFi stands out by emphasizing tangible value and thoughtful ecosystem growth. With presale funding now exceeding $2.6 million, GeeFi is earning increased confidence from investors who believe in its mission to simplify decentralized finance through a secure, all-in-one application.
Presale Success Demonstrates Robust Market Demand
The rapid progress of GeeFi’s fundraising campaign highlights a clear market appetite for practical crypto solutions. Currently in Phase 3, the presale is already 90% complete, reflecting strong community support for the project’s long-term vision. This momentum was recently accelerated by a key update to the GeeFi wallet, which introduced a direct in-app purchasing portal for $GEE tokens. By streamlining the investment process, the project made it easier for new participants to enter the ecosystem. With only 3 million tokens remaining at the current price, the opportunity for early entry is becoming increasingly limited.
The Investment Case for the $GEE Token
At the heart of the GeeFi ecosystem is the $GEE utility token, which offers a structured and compelling investment case. The token is currently priced at $0.10, with its value set to increase in each subsequent presale phase, a model designed to reward early supporters. Furthermore, GeeFi has announced a public listing price of $0.40, representing an immediate 300% return for those who invest in the current phase. Analyst projections are even more optimistic, with some forecasting that $GEE could reach $3 or more as the platform’s features are rolled out. A $1,000 investment today could be worth $4,000 at listing and has the potential to grow to $30,000, a 2900% return.
Developing an All-in-One Financial Hub
GeeFi is channeling its presale funds into creating a decentralized wallet that functions as a comprehensive financial hub. The project’s roadmap prioritizes the development of features that enhance security and convenience for users. A primary focus is the integration of a Decentralized Exchange (DEX) directly within the GeeFi application. This will empower users to trade assets securely and efficiently without needing to connect to external platforms, reducing risk and simplifying the user experience. By providing a single, intuitive environment, GeeFi aims to redefine how users interact with their digital assets.
Bridging Crypto with Everyday Commerce
A cornerstone of GeeFi’s vision is the introduction of its proprietary Cryptocard. This feature is designed to solve one of the most significant challenges facing the crypto industry: real-world usability. The GeeFi Cryptocard will enable users to spend their digital assets at merchants worldwide, effectively connecting decentralized finance with traditional commerce. This transforms the GeeFi wallet from a simple storage solution into a powerful tool for everyday financial life, giving users the freedom to spend their crypto as easily as fiat currency.
Fostering Growth Through Community-Centric Rewards
GeeFi’s strategy is built around fostering a strong and engaged community. The project has implemented several incentive programs to encourage user participation and loyalty. A staking feature allows $GEE token holders to earn passive income while helping to secure the network. Additionally, a 5% referral program rewards users with a commission in USDT for every purchase made through their unique link. GeeFi has also announced plans for a bonus system specifically designed to reward its earliest and most dedicated investors, reinforcing its community-first approach.
Conclusion
With a clear vision for an accessible, all-in-one platform, GeeFi is well-positioned for significant growth. The combination of a successful presale, a feature-rich roadmap, and strong community support creates a solid foundation for the future. As the current presale phase nears its conclusion, this is a key moment for investors to get involved.
The bitcoin price continued its strong run this week, breaking out of a multi‑week trading range and climbing well above key psychological levels as market participants digest macroeconomic data and new institutional interest.
The bitcoin price hit an eight-week high and triggered roughly $700 million in short liquidations, per Bitcoin Magazine Data. Polymarket now estimates a 73% chance that Bitcoin will reach $100K in January.
After trading relatively sideways near the low‑$90,000 or lower for the last two months, the bitcoin price began gaining traction over the weekend, ultimately surging above $97,000 at the time of writing. This is its best level in more than two months.
The rally, which has persisted through January 14, reflects a convergence of technical, macro, and sentiment drivers that have reignited bullish conviction across crypto markets.
This squeeze helped propel the Bitcoin price through resistance and toward fresh highs, triggering liquidations of speculative short bets and amplifying volatility.
Technically, Bitcoin’s reclaim of the $94,000–$96,000 zone has been widely interpreted as a breakout from its recent consolidation range.
Macro economic signals that are fueling bitcoin
The timing of Bitcoin’s rally coincides with some pivotal economic developments.
The U.S. Consumer Price Index (CPI) report released on January 13 showed inflation moderating — a result that eased fears of further aggressive monetary tightening and boosted “risk‑on” sentiment (think bitcoin) in global markets.
While stocks and traditional risk assets reacted modestly, Bitcoin’s sensitivity to macro cues was evident as investors sought alternative stores of value and growth exposure. Stable inflation numbers have also alleviated concerns about elevated real yields, which historically challenge non‑yielding assets like Bitcoin.
With inflation more contained than feared, traders and investors appear more willing to allocate capital to crypto, further underpinning the rally.
Another notable development in the world is the ongoing unrest in Iran that has intensified this week as nationwide protests against economic collapse and government repression raged amid a near‑total internet blackout, with authorities signaling fast‑track trials and possible executions of detainees.
The crisis has amplified geopolitical risk, driving traditional markets into safe‑haven assets and sparking heightened volatility.
In digital markets, Bitcoin has shown resilience and renewed investor interest, with BTC climbing despite broader risk‑off sentiment.
Also this week, the Department of Justice opened a criminal investigation into Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, sending ripples through markets — including Bitcoin.
The investigation stems from Powell’s June 2025 testimony on a $2.5 billion Fed building renovation, which he says is politically motivated amid pressure from the Trump administration over interest rates.
The escalating feud between the White House and the Fed has shaken U.S. markets, boosting safe‑haven assets like gold and bitcoin.
New institutional demand is boosting the bitcoin price
Beyond technical factors and macroeconomic data, institutional demand has resurfaced as a credible driver of bullish momentum.
Spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded notable inflows over the past days — with figures suggesting the largest net inflows since late 2025 — signaling renewed interest from long‑term capital allocators and financial advisors.
Additionally, major corporate Bitcoin holders have contributed to the narrative. Strategy Inc., a widely followed holder of Bitcoin, announced a massive $1.3 billion acquisition of BTC in the days leading up to the price surge.
What comes next for bitcoin price
Despite the strong advance, there is strong resistance near the $97,000–$100,000 range that may pose a test for bulls, per Bitcoin Magazine Data.
The market’s ability to hold these gains and continue absorbing inflows will be critical in determining whether the Bitcoin price can extend this rally further into the weekend and further into 2026.
Market sentiment — often measured by metrics like the Fear & Greed Index — is climbing away from extreme fear and toward more optimistic territory, though it has not yet reached levels typically associated with blow‑off tops.
At the time of writing, the bitcoin price is near $97,200, up over 4% in the last 24 hrs.
The investigation into Zcash, launched with an SEC subpoena over a “matter of certain crypto asset offerings,” ended this week, according to the foundation.
The foundation behind Zcash (ZEC) said that the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) will not pursue an enforcement action into the privacy coin after the end of an investigation launched in 2023.
In a Wednesday notice, the Zcash Foundation said the SEC “concluded its review” over a “matter of certain crypto asset offerings” and would not recommend enforcement actions or changes. According to the foundation, the regulatory probe started in August 2023 after it received a subpoena from the SEC.
“This outcome reflects our commitment to transparency and compliance with applicable regulatory requirements,” said the foundation. “Zcash Foundation remains focused on advancing privacy-preserving financial infrastructure for the public good.”
Source: Zcash Foundation
Over the past year under US President Donald Trump, the SEC has dropped several investigations and lawsuits into several high-profile crypto companies, signaling that the regulator would be softening on regulation and enforcement under the current administration.
Related: SEC ends probe into Aave after four years, CEO Kulechov says
Cointelegraph reached out to the foundation for additional details on the subpoena and investigation, but had not received a response at the time of publication.
Legislation affecting regulatory framework of US financial regulators to be considered in Senate
On Thursday, the US Senate Banking Committee will hold a markup for a bill aimed at clearly defining how the SEC and Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) will regulate digital assets.
The legislation, called the CLARITY Act — or Responsible Financial Innovation Act, as committee drafts have showed built upon the other bill — is expected to be one of the most comprehensive laws affecting the crypto industry.
The Senate Agriculture Committee is also scheduled to hold a markup on its version of the bill on Jan. 27. Both Committees will likely need to agree to advance the legislation before the Senate can hold a floor vote on a final bill.
Magazine: How crypto laws changed in 2025 — and how they’ll change in 2026
Cointelegraph is committed to independent, transparent journalism. This news article is produced in accordance with Cointelegraph’s Editorial Policy and aims to provide accurate and timely information. Readers are encouraged to verify information independently. Read our Editorial Policy https://cointelegraph.com/editorial-policy
As Bitcoin enters 2026 with sustained institutional adoption and price stability following the 2024-2025 bull run, self-custody remains a cornerstone of the asset’s sovereignty promise. Yet the landscape has evolved significantly. Spot Bitcoin ETFs have unlocked access to passive investors comfortable with Wall Street’s “trust me, bro” brokerage models, while physical attacks on crypto users have surged to record levels, known as “wrench attacks”. So, is self-custody a thing of the past, a dead meme many of us fell for, or is it transforming as Bitcoin matures?
In a recent interview with Bitcoin Magazine, Casa CEO Nick Neuman provided a candid perspective of these dynamics, positioning his company’s multisig solutions as a bridge between the vision of pure self-sovereignty and practical usability for high-value holders, tailor-made to deal with modern security challenges and even geopolitical risk.
Casa, founded in 2018, targets users securing meaningful Bitcoin amounts—typically five figures or more—where financial freedom is more important than convenience. Neuman described Casa’s north star as “maximizing sovereignty and security in the world” through Bitcoin and private key cryptography. In recent years, this has solidified into “building the Swiss bank for the sovereign individual”—a service for those who view money as integral to personal autonomy.
Bitcoin Magazine has covered the company’s progress extensively throughout the years, including a November 2024 interview with Neuman by Frank Corva and a June 2025 story on its partnership with Swiss platform Relai for multisig security and inheritance planning.
ETFs and the Promise of Convenience
“Not everyone wants to be a sovereign individual right now,” Neuman noted when discussing the challenges self-custody faces in 2026, pointing to an increasingly obvious reality: Bitcoin self-custody demands high personal responsibility and a significant amount of technical competence. These remain true despite best efforts in user interface design. NVK, the founder of the Coldcard Q, has joked publicly that trying to design self-custody products capable of resisting nation-state intrusions, with “grandma” levels of ease of use, might be a pipe dream. At the very least, the personality type and technical competence needed for maximum self-custody remain a limiting factor on the realization of the cypherpunk utopia.
ETFs offer plug-and-play exposure to a new and broad userbase, while self-custody appeals mostly to high-agency users unwilling to accept black-box custodian risks — and that’s the good news, “at scale, you simply can’t afford to trust that Coinbase or anyone else is getting every process right,” he said.
Institutions such as family offices, corporations, custody banks, and investment funds are also starting to understand the risks of outsourcing Bitcoin custody. Neuman revealed that “Increasingly over the last year, Casa is helping large institutions that need to have provable security and provable control to secure their assets,” adding that institutions “are starting to realize that in a lot of ways regulators are requiring them to have actual control over this asset.”
In 2025, for example, the OCC clarified that national banks and federal savings associations have the liberty to custody crypto assets for clients, adding the caveat that “As with any activity, a bank must conduct crypto-asset custody activities, including via a sub-custodian, in a safe and sound manner and in compliance with applicable law”. The GENIUS Act provided further structure by giving the green light to full reserve Stablecoins in U.S. financial markets.
The SEC’s January 2025 rescission of SAB 121 (via SAB 122) removed capital penalties for crypto custody, making it more practical for banks. Some banks publicly known to be developing independent crypto custody platforms for their users include BNY Mellon, State Street, Citi, and JPMorgan. This is in contrast to outsourcing all custody to the most popular custodians like Coinbase, which some worry poses systemic risks to the Bitcoin network and its investors.
Neuman points out that self-custody multi-signature platforms like Casa address the concerns and needs of institutional players. Multisig requires multiple keys to sign a valid transaction, but also enables key rotations for personnel changes, with added auditability. “If someone who controlled a key leaves, you can rotate that key out completely… We make that process straightforward, and for institutions, we’ve added extra guardrails, auditability, and visibility,” said Neuman.
As a result of this growing trend, we might soon start to see a wave of competition in retail facing custodial bank-like services in the U.S., while institutional players might begin to decouple from the plug-and-play custody outsourcing we have seen so far, a step towards custody decentralization of Bitcoin.
Defeating Wrench Attacks
Physical coercion attacks—known as “$5 wrench attacks”—reached unprecedented levels in 2025. Jameson Lopp, Casa’s chief security officer, maintained a decade-long database, documenting approximately 65–70 incidents, the highest on record, with at least four fatalities. Alena Vranova, co-founder of Trezor, now running a wrench attack prevention startup called Glok.me, places the number at 292, breaking down the data into various categories.
France emerged as a hotspot, with at least 10 reported wrench attacks in 2025, often linked to tax reporting, potentially exposing addresses and identities, including a case where a tax official was convicted for selling taxpayer data to criminals. The United States is leading the pack in total numbers of known crypto-related attacks.
However, it is important to weigh data of this sort with a grain of salt. It should be considered on a per capita basis, as countries like the U.S. have close to 400 million residents compared to France with around 70 million. Comparisons to fiat fraud like identity theft and other forms of violent crime are often not included in these type statistics. It is nevertheless an alarming trend and a common talking point, giving crypto users pause when deciding to take self-custody.
Neuman believes, however, that the public is misunderstanding the problem at hand, thinking that giving custody to a third party is actually the solution; it is not. He shared a non-violent case that challenges this “just use a custodian” narrative: A Casa client was drugged and coerced at a bar. Funds in Casa’s multisig stayed secure due to dispersed keys — the user did not have enough keys on him to sign a transaction — but a small Coinbase balance was drained from the client’s phone app. “It just completely flips the prevailing wisdom,” Neuman noted, “Actually, that doesn’t always solve the problem.”
Best practices on this front revolve around not becoming a target in the first place, as in not becoming an influencer flaunting crypto wealth. But it also means not exposing data that reveals you have crypto wealth, a privacy risk legacy finance is particularly vulnerable to, as seen by the incredible rise in financial data hacks and identity theft. Though hardware wallet manufacturers like Ledger have suffered multiple payment infrastructure-related hacks that have resulted in user data being compromised, putting users at risk.
Casa counters physical threats of this sort with multisig key distribution, making it so that users do not have enough access to their Bitcoin to be able to send it all under duress. The app also includes an emergency lockdown feature, and the recovery key Casa holds in these multi-sig accounts won’t co-sign a transaction without proper authentication. Users can configure their Casa service to require video verifications and pre-arranged duress procedures. “If you have used our product correctly and followed our guidance, you can be assured that the attacker at least won’t get your money,” Neuman explained.
Casa’s pseudonymous support—allowing users to avoid sharing names, faces, or locations—draws from Lopp’s own experiences, including being swatted, and is embedded in the company’s privacy-focused DNA.
Geopolitical Hedge
The brokerage model of Bitcoin custody, such as ETFs, further insulates users from organized crime types of wrench attacks, but introduces new risks like rehypothecation – sale of fake shares or under-collateralized paper Bitcoin. Furthermore, Neuman points out that criminals could still come after ETF users, thinking they have self-custody bitcoin as well, “it doesn’t really solve the problem of you getting hurt.” ETFs are also vulnerable to politically motivated persecution.
Casa has observed this specific use case, which it refers to as a geopolitical hedge, where political operatives or influencers protect their wealth from the current political administration in their countries, in times when they find themselves on the back foot. “Right now, we see that Democrats are worried about the Trump administration confiscating their money… But four years ago… we had people who were Republicans doing the exact same thing,” Neuman explained.
Clients of this sort set up Bitcoin wallets that are outside of the immediate reach of the current administration, by, for example, giving a key to a law firm outside of the country, placed in foreign safe deposit boxes, with trustees, or family members, ensuring mobility if domestic assets are frozen. Casa’s recovery key also provides everyday usability without frequent travel, with manual authentication of the user. Bitcoin, in this example, serves as a solution to what you might as well call a nation-state-level wrench attack.
Self-Custody Insurance
A new generation of insurance has also emerged to serve Bitcoin holders who take self-custody. Specifically, companies like AnchorWatch and Bitsurance protect user wealth up to certain limits backed by giants like Lloyd’s of London. If a user does get kidnapped, they can potentially give up their insured coins, minimizing harm to themselves, and then call their insurer, who will have a strong incentive to prevent that from happening.
Neuman acknowledged the innovation but highlighted limitations: “When a lot of people think about insurance with their self-custody, they’re thinking about… affordable insurance… And that just doesn’t exist.” Broad coverage often requires transaction approvals, increasing provider reliance—a compromise many sovereign users reject. Casa, nevertheless, has explored partnerships with this emerging insurance industry.
The Self-Custody Specialist
the client advisory role in bitcoin self-custody, specialized team, story or two? quote. ledger screen story rofl.
Casa has also developed a specialized advisory team, focused on serving its client base with tools the company developed. Advisors complete a six-month training program, shadowing experts who serve clients in emergency situations, as well as answer normal questions and educate their users. “Our advisors bring humanity to Bitcoin, and they bring humanity to helping you be a sovereign individual… that’s really valuable in this world of don’t trust verify,” Neuman said.
Clients praise advisors by name. A recent Bitcoin wallet rescue mission by Casa saved 100 BTC for a pseudonymous client with a Ledger hardware wallet whose screen had died—advisors shipped a replacement Ledger and guided the user to replace the screen themselves. A case study is forthcoming.
Open-Source and Self-Custody
With a lean team of about 35, Casa optimizes for longevity, open-sourcing software products selectively, like their recent YubiKey integration. Their wallet, while not open-source, does not tend to do transaction signing, since its user base primarily signs transactions with hardware wallets that are often already open-source. The Casa app primarily helps users assemble the necessary key material, and according to Neuman, the Casa app’s behaviour can be verified and replicated by using advanced desktop wallets like Sparrow.
Overall, while some recent trends appear to put self-custody on the back foot, the cypherpunk vision continues to move forward, looking to address real-world user needs and threats, one step at a time. Quietly developing a new layer of property rights defense that the highest agency player in the world is now keenly aware of.
After months of legislative negotiation and industry scrutiny, the Digital Asset Market CLARITY Act is moving toward a critical juncture on Capitol Hill this week as Senate committees align timelines and prepare some key markups that could finally break the deadlock on U.S. crypto regulation.
The Senate Banking Committee released an amended draft of the CLARITY Act ahead of a scheduled markup and amendment debate, while the Senate Agriculture Committee set its own markup for late January.
Earlier today, Senate Republicans on the Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee released a series of fact sheets this week detailing the Act. The Senate’s Banking Committee markup is still scheduled for January 15.
The materials, published ahead of the committee’s markup today, frame the legislation as a comprehensive attempt to bring digital asset markets under a clear federal framework while strengthening investor protections and addressing illicit finance.
Lawmakers backing the bill argue the absence of statutory clarity has pushed activity offshore and left both investors and national security exposed.
Republicans tout consumer protection, security, and clarity in the CLARITY Act
According to the fact sheets, the CLARITY Act would establish enforceable rules distinguishing which digital assets fall under securities law and which qualify as commodities, formally dividing oversight between the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission.
One section emphasizes consumer protection, stating the bill strengthens disclosure requirements, preserves existing anti-fraud authorities, and limits insider abuse. Digital asset issuers subject to the framework would remain bound by resale restrictions and anti-evasion rules, while fraud would continue to be illegal and fully enforceable by regulators.
Another focus of the legislation is national security and illicit finance. The fact sheets claim the CLARITY Act contains the strongest illicit-finance framework Congress has considered for digital assets to date.
Under the proposal, centralized intermediaries would be subject to anti-money-laundering and counter-terrorist financing obligations, strengthened sanctions compliance, and enhanced Treasury authority to respond to high-risk foreign activity.
Lawmakers say the goal is to close regulatory gaps without driving legitimate activity overseas.
The bill also addresses decentralized finance and software development, an area that has drawn concern from crypto developers. According to the committee materials, the legislation explicitly protects software developers who publish or maintain code without controlling customer funds, and preserves the right to self-custody digital assets.
Regulatory obligations would instead focus on centralized intermediaries that interact with DeFi protocols, requiring tailored risk-management and cybersecurity standards.
“Code is protected — misconduct is not,” the fact sheet states.
Supporters further argue the CLARITY Act closes loopholes rather than creating them. The bill establishes a joint SEC-CFTC advisory committee to harmonize regulatory requirements and includes provisions designed to prevent regulatory arbitrage or evasion of U.S. rules. By bringing activity onshore, lawmakers say federal oversight would be strengthened rather than diluted.
Republicans on the committee also pushed back against claims that the bill was written to benefit industry.
The materials describe the legislation as the product of years of bipartisan work, regulator engagement, and consultation with law enforcement, with an emphasis on public-interest outcomes rather than industry preferences.
The Berachain Foundation plans to “build, acquire, or partner” businesses that create value for the BERA token.
Layer 1 blockchain Berachain struggled in its opening year, but looking ahead to 2026, the team plans to bootstrap businesses that add value to the network’s native token, BERA.
BERA is up 40% to $0.80 since the team released its end-of-year update yesterday, which introduced the “Bera Builds Businesses” model, in which the Berachain Foundation plans to “build, acquire, or partner” applications that support the token via internal incubation, revenue-sharing, and equity structures.
BERA Chart – CoinGecko
While BERA holders are undoubtedly enjoying the bounce, the token has a long way to go before reclaiming any sort of uptrend. $BERA is down 94% from its all-time high of $8.6, set at launch in February 2025.
The team behind Berachain came under scrutiny in November 2025 when Unchained reported that Berachain granted Brevan Howard’s crypto arm refund rights on its $25 million investment.
Berachain’s team downplayed the events, claiming incomplete reporting, but BERA is down more than 20% since the report was published.
Bitcoin is showing considerable strength in the short term, opening the gates for a rally to $100,000 and then to $107,500.
Select major altcoins are showing strength, but Monero (XMR) is leading from the front.
After the sharp rally on Tuesday, Bitcoin (BTC) bulls are attempting to extend the gains above $97,000. The strong inflows of $753.8 million in BTC exchange-traded funds on Tuesday, according to Farside Investors data, show that the rally was backed by solid buying from institutional investors.
Crypto sentiment platform Santiment said in a post on X that retail traders could FOMO if BTC begins “teasing $100k in the next few days.”
Another bullish case was presented by crypto analyst Midas, who said in a post on X that BTC’s current structure is following the 2020-2021 cycle. If history repeats, BTC could reach $150,000.
Crypto market data daily view. Source: TradingView
However, not everyone is outright bullish on BTC. Global investment management firm VanEck said in its Q1 2026 Outlook that BTC’s four-year cycle broke in 2025, which supports “a more cautious near-term outlook over the next 3-6 months.” Interestingly, select analysts from the company differed in their view, “remaining more constructive on the immediate cycle,” the report added.
What are the target levels to watch out for in BTC and the major altcoins? Let’s analyze the charts of the top 10 cryptocurrencies to find out.
Bitcoin price prediction
BTC rallied above the $94,789 resistance on Tuesday, but the breakout is facing selling near the $96,846 level.
The upsloping 20-day exponential moving average ($91,418) and the relative strength index (RSI) near the overbought zone signal that bulls are in control. A close above the $96,848 level clears the path for a rally to $100,000 and subsequently to $107,500.
The first support on the downside is the breakout level of $94,789 and then the 20-day EMA. Sellers will have to swiftly tug the price below the 50-day simple moving average ($89,959) to weaken the bullish momentum.
Ether price prediction
Ether (ETH) broke above the resistance line of the symmetrical triangle pattern on Tuesday, indicating that the bulls have overpowered the bears.
The bears will try to pull the price back inside the triangle, but if the bulls successfully defend the resistance line, the ETH/USDT pair could rally to $3,659 and then to $4,000.
Contrary to this assumption, if the price skids back into the triangle, it is likely to find support at the moving averages. If the price rebounds off the moving averages, the bulls will again attempt to resume the up move. The bears will be back in the driver’s seat on a close below the support line.
XRP price prediction
XRP (XRP) bounced off the moving averages on Tuesday, indicating solid demand at lower levels.
The upsloping 20-day exponential moving average ($2.06) and the RSI in the positive territory indicate that the bulls have the upper hand. That increases the possibility of a break above the downtrend line, signaling a potential trend change. The XRP/USDT pair could then rally to $2.70.
This positive view will be invalidated in the near term if the XRP price turns down and breaks below the moving averages. That suggests the pair could remain inside the descending channel for a while longer.
BNB price prediction
BNB (BNB) closed above the $928 level on Tuesday, completing a bullish ascending triangle pattern.
The bears will attempt to trap the aggressive bulls by pulling the BNB price below the moving averages. If they manage to do that, the BNB/USDT pair could drop to the uptrend line and then to the $790.
Contrarily, if the price turns up from the $928 level, it suggests that the bulls have flipped the level into support. That increases the likelihood of a rally toward the pattern target of $1,066.
Solana price prediction
Solana (SOL) reached the $147 level on Tuesday, where the bears are expected to pose a strong challenge.
The upsloping 20-day EMA ($135) and the RSI near the overbought zone suggest the path of least resistance is to the upside. If buyers clear the $147 level, the SOL/USDT pair could pick up momentum and soar toward $172.
The moving averages are the crucial support to watch out for on the downside. A break below the moving averages indicates that the bulls have given up. That could keep the Solana price inside the $117 to $147 range for a few more days.
Dogecoin price prediction
Dogecoin (DOGE) turned up from the moving averages on Tuesday, signaling that the bulls are attempting to take charge.
If buyers thrust the price above the $0.16 resistance, the DOGE/USDT pair will complete a bullish inverse head-and-shoulders pattern. The Dogecoin price could then rally toward the target objective of $0.20.
Instead, if the price turns down sharply from the $0.16 level, it suggests that the bears continue to sell on rallies. That could keep the pair range-bound between $0.16 and $0.12 for some time.
Cardano price prediction
Buyers successfully defended the 20-day EMA ($0.39) in Cardano (ADA), indicating a positive sentiment.
There is minor resistance at $0.44, but if the level is crossed, the ADA/USDT pair could rally to the breakdown level of $0.50. The recovery is expected to face significant selling at the $0.50 level, but if the bulls prevail, the Cardano price could ascend to $0.60. Such a move signals a potential trend change in the near term.
Sellers will have to swiftly yank the price below the moving averages if they want to retain the advantage. The pair could then slide to $0.33.
Related: Bitcoin cools near $96.5K as markets shrug off US tariff uncertainty
Monero price prediction
Monero (XMR) has rallied sharply since bouncing off the 20-day EMA ($510) on Saturday, indicating aggressive buying by the bulls.
The vertical rally has pushed the RSI above the 87 level, signalling that the XMR/USDT pair is overbought in the near term. That could result in a few days of consolidation or correction in the near term.
Any pullback is expected to find support at the 38.2% Fibonacci retracement level of $607. A shallow correction increases the likelihood of the continuation of the uptrend. The Monero price could then skyrocket toward $915. The bullish momentum is expected to weaken on a close below the 50% retracement level of $571.
Bitcoin Cash price prediction
Bitcoin Cash (BCH) is attempting to find support at the moving averages, but the bears continue to exert pressure.
A break and close below the 50-day SMA ($589) suggests that the market rejected the breakout above the $631 level. That could trap the aggressive bulls, pulling the BCH/USDT pair to $563 and later to $518.
On the contrary, the bulls will attempt to resume the uptrend by pushing the Bitcoin Cash price above the $670 level. If they can pull it off, the pair could surge to $720, where the sellers are expected to step in.
Chainlink price prediction
Chainlink (LINK) turned up sharply from the moving averages on Tuesday, indicating that the bulls are trying to form a higher low.
The bulls will attempt to strengthen their position by pushing the Chainlink price above the $14.98 resistance. If they manage to do that, the LINK/USDT pair could rally toward $17.66. That brings the large $10.94 to $27 range into play.
Sellers are likely to have other plans. They will try to halt the recovery at the $14.98 level and pull the price below the moving averages. That could keep the pair stuck inside the $11.61 to $14.98 range for some more time.
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