hodler

3 Feb 2026, 15:41

Privacy Coins Slide as Monero, Zcash Lead Losses

The top two privacy coins are underperforming both their category and the broader crypto market amid the ongoing slump.

3 Feb 2026, 15:39

CME posts strongest January on record as futures volumes surge

CME Group recorded a peak January performance, after an overall growth of trading volumes across all categories. Crypto contracts volumes increased by 106%. CME Group recorded growth across all futures categories, closing the best January in history. Most trading products expanded their average daily volumes (ADV), led by metals as the most in-demand market. Metals trading saw a 218% increase in contracts for January, reflecting the rise of gold and silver to a series of records. On CME, the increase came from record daily trading activity on Micro Silver futures, 1-ounce Gold futures, and Micro Copper futures. Micro Gold futures did not reach a new record, but increased its daily volume by 472%. As a result, CME logged a 15% year-on-year increase in January, with a total of 29.6M average daily contracts traded. In January 2025, CME recorded average daily volumes of 25.7M contracts. January also broke the previous records reached just at the end of 2025, showing strong interest in trading the hottest trends. Crypto trading was still strong on CME Despite the overall underwhelming crypto performance, CME contracts grew by 106%, taking second place after metals. The recent crypto contract activity showed that precious metals could still not outcompete digital assets, or send their growth to zero. CME also became more important as a hedging tool, betting on a directional move for ETH. Crypto contracts did not break new records, but significantly increased their activity in January. Micro Ether Futures increased its daily volumes by 69% to 116,000 contracts. Ether futures increased its volumes by 67% to 20,000 contracts. In total, cryptocurrency activity in January reached 408,000 contracts, for a total notional value of $10.8B. Ethereum was the main focus, as the token was more volatile compared to BTC. Metal and crypto futures far surpassed the growth for debt and equities, which remained the slowest-moving categories in January. The positive response to crypto futures will boost the upcoming CME contracts for Cardano, Chainlink, and Stellar. CME is still seen as a potential signal for crypto activity and price direction. CME prepares for 24/7 crypto trading The growing demand for crypto activity is leading up to the introduction of 24/7 crypto futures and options trading, with a weekly maintenance period. Trading round the clock is expected by the end of Q1, 2026. Crypto trading on a 24/7 basis is part of Initiative 2 by CME. The exchange will migrate crypto futures and options to the new schedule to mimic crypto native exchanges. The move by CME is part of the ongoing convergence between crypto-native projects and traditional finance. At the same time, Hyperliquid managed to capture 2% of the CME silver volumes, just a month after listing its first on-chain contracts. The smartest crypto minds already read our newsletter. Want in? Join them .

3 Feb 2026, 15:38

Bitcoin Price Prediction: What Is the Most Likely Scenario for BTC After Crash to $74K?

Bitcoin’s recent sell-off has stalled after reaching a critical demand zone around $74K, opening the door for short-term consolidation. While downside pressure has eased for now, the broader structure suggests that a corrective rebound followed by a pullback into internal supply zones remains likely, allowing the market to cool off before its next decisive move. Bitcoin Price Analysis: The Daily Chart On the daily timeframe, Bitcoin remains under notable selling pressure after a sharp decline into the $74K demand zone. This area coincides with a major weekly swing low, reinforcing its importance as a key defensive level for buyers. Just below this support lies a significant liquidity cluster composed largely of long liquidation levels. The price behavior around this region is critical in defining the next market phase. A decisive bearish breakdown would likely trigger another wave of sell-side expansion, sweeping additional long positions. However, from a short-term perspective, consolidation followed by a bullish retracement toward the lower boundary of the previously broken wedge, around the $90K region, appears to be the more probable scenario. BTC/USDT 4-Hour Chart A closer look at the 4-hour chart indicates that BTC has likely entered a consolidation phase around the $73K area. Following strong impulsive declines, markets typically transition into a corrective range to absorb selling pressure and rebuild momentum. In this context, Bitcoin appears positioned for a short-term range-bound move, with a potential pullback toward the internal supply zones located around $83K and $89K. Until a clear breakout occurs, price action is expected to remain confined within the $73K–$89K range, with the next directional move hinging on how the market reacts at these key levels. Sentiment Analysis The liquidation heatmap reveals a well-defined liquidity cluster below the recent market low, with the densest concentration extending toward the $70K region. This zone represents a large pocket of resting leverage, primarily tied to vulnerable long positions. In bearish or risk-off environments, such liquidity pools often act as magnetic targets, as price tends to seek areas where forced liquidations can provide the necessary liquidity for larger market participants. Although the recent decline has already triggered a long liquidation cascade, the heatmap suggests that downside liquidity has not yet been fully cleared. After a brief thinning of liquidity below current price levels, leverage builds significantly closer to $70K, increasing the probability of a deeper sweep in the mid-term. Should price remain weak and fail to reclaim higher liquidity zones above, this lower cluster may ultimately act as an absorption area, where sell-side pressure is met by stronger bid interest, potentially stabilizing price following the drawdown. The post Bitcoin Price Prediction: What Is the Most Likely Scenario for BTC After Crash to $74K? appeared first on CryptoPotato .

3 Feb 2026, 15:38

Access to Tokenized US Assets with Ondo on MetaMask

MetaMask offers access to tokenized US stocks, ETFs, and commodities via Ondo Global Markets. 200 assets available via USDC swap on the Ethereum network. Started on mobile app, desktop end of Febru...

3 Feb 2026, 15:37

SEC v Ripple Should've Never Happened, Reveals Securities Lawyer: 'XRP Was Never a Security'

Securities lawyer says SEC's case against Ripple should never have happened. As the Epstein scandal resurfaces, questions grow: was XRP targeted for political reasons?

3 Feb 2026, 15:36

Bitcoin Could Hit New High in 2026 and $1 Million in 10 Years, Says Bitwise

Bitcoin could hit a fresh all-time high in 2026 as institutional participation deepens and traditional market cycles fade in influence, according to executives at crypto asset manager Bitwise. Key Points Bitwise predicts that Bitcoin could reach a new all-time high in 2026 and $1 million over the next decade. Visit Website