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24 Jan 2026, 14:26

XRP Hits KFC: Now a Payment Option in Phoenix, Arizona

XRP Reportedly Spotted as a Payment Option at Select KFC Locations in Phoenix, Arizona Crypto commentator Steph Is Crypto has sparked buzz on social media, claiming that XRP is now accepted at select KFC locations in Phoenix, Arizona. If true, this could signal a notable step toward mainstream crypto adoption. However, KFC, Ripple, and major payment processors have yet to confirm the reports. The post on X, formerly Twitter, claims that select fast‑food outlets in Phoenix are piloting XRP as a payment option. This has sparked excitement in crypto circles, highlighting how rare direct cryptocurrency acceptance remains at major retail chains, outside of established payment platforms like Flexa, Coinbase Commerce, or Whitepay. If accurate, the sighting is significant because this development could accelerate XRP mainstream adoption by introducing everyday consumers to digital-asset checkouts. However, history suggests such initiatives are often limited or promotional rather than broad rollouts. KFC’s 2018 ‘Bitcoin Bucket’ in Canada, processed through a third party, serves as a cautionary example. Well, global crypto adoption at point-of-sale is rising, primarily through third-party processors and regional pilots. Binance Pay, for instance, has enabled thousands of merchants in markets like South Africa, including major chain outlets, to accept crypto, demonstrating how local operators can test adoption independently of a global corporate mandate. Conclusion Reports of XRP being accepted at select KFC locations in Phoenix are generating buzz, but remain unconfirmed. If verified, it could mark a significant step toward mainstream crypto adoption in retail, reflecting growing brand interest in digital currencies. For crypto enthusiasts, the news underscores both the promise of early-stage adoption in everyday commerce

24 Jan 2026, 14:22

Bitcoin aNUPL Returns to Post Bear Market Levels as $89K Support Forms

Bitcoin’s on chain profit stress has returned to levels seen near past bear market exits, while the four hour Bitcoin chart shows a fresh bottoming setup near $89,000. Together, the signals point to pressure on late buyers and a market testing whether it can stabilize after the latest drop. Bitcoin aNUPL returns to post bear market zone Bitcoin’s adjusted unrealized profit and loss indicator has fallen back to levels last seen near prior bear market exits, according to a CryptoQuant chart shared by analyst Darkfost on X. The chart tracks an adjusted Net Unrealized Profit Loss metric, or aNUPL, alongside BTC price from 2022 through early 2026. It shows unrealized profits and losses trending lower since the latest all time high, while price stays well above the 2022 lows. BTC: adjusted Net Unrealized Profit/Loss NUPL. Source: CryptoQuant / Darkfost Darkfost said the decline suggests many late arriving buyers now sit under heavier pressure than earlier holders. As a result, the post argues that unrealized profit conditions have weakened, even as Bitcoin trades in a higher range than earlier in the cycle. The analyst described the aNUPL as a smoothed version of NUPL that compares the realized capitalization of short term holders and long term holders against market capitalization. In the post, Darkfost said these levels often coincide with periods where holders either continue holding through drawdowns or sell into losses, which can influence whether the market shifts into a deeper downturn or stabilizes into a recovery phase. Bitcoin chart shows possible repeat bottom pattern Bitcoin’s four hour chart is showing a structure that resembles two earlier bottoming formations, according to a TradingView image shared by analyst Ted on X. The BTCUSDT four hour chart from Binance highlights two prior downside phases where price carved rounded base structures before strong upside moves. In both cases, Bitcoin rallied sharply from local lows, posting gains of roughly 8% before topping out and pulling back again. BTCUSDT 4H Chart Bottom Structures. Source: TradingView / Ted (@TedPillows) On the current chart, Ted marked a similar rounded formation developing after a steep drop from the mid-$90,000 area toward the high-$80,000 range. Price has since stabilized near $89,000, mirroring earlier consolidation behavior seen before previous rebounds on the same timeframe. Ted wrote that Bitcoin “could repeat the last two bottom structures,” pointing to the visual symmetry between past and present price action. The chart does not indicate confirmation, but it frames the current range as another potential base-building phase following a sharp sell-off and failed recovery attempts above $95,000.

24 Jan 2026, 14:16

Ethereum Whales’ Holdings Decline Steadily as ETH Price Falls Below Crucial Support

On-chain data spells trouble for Ethereum as the total holdings of whales have been continuously declining since the start of the year, reported popular analyst Ali Martinez. At the same time, the underlying asset’s price has tumbled by double digits over the past week or so and is currently struggling below a few key levels that could lead to even more retracements. Whales and ETF Investors Reduce Holdings Citing data from Santiment, Martinez posted on X a chart indicating that whales’ ETH holdings actually increased slightly at the start of the new year, going toward 31 million tokens. However, it has been mostly downhill since then, with the number plummeting to just over 29 million as of January 23. This means that they have “redistributed 1.63 million Ethereum (ETH)” since 2026 started, Martinez said . The situation with the spot Ethereum ETFs is similarly disturbing. The funds attracted over $400 million by January 6, lost a similar amount by January 9, and then went on an impressive five-day streak in the middle of the month, gaining nearly $500 million. However, the previous shorter trading week saw over $600 million being pulled out, with the total cumulative net inflows dropping to $12.30 billion – the lowest levels since mid-August. Ethereum ETF Net Flows. Source: SoSoValue ETH Price Breakdown? Ethereum’s token ended 2025 with a highly negative taste despite charting a new all-time high mid-year. It started 2026 with an impressive run that drove it above $3,300 within a week and to over $3,400 within two weeks. However, it followed the broader market’s performance and slumped beneath the crucial $3,000 support, where it currently struggles. Further data from Martinez suggests the asset needs to reclaim the $3,085 level to stage a more pronounced bullish breakout. For now, though, ETH remains miles below it. $3,085. That’s the level Ethereum $ETH needs to hold to have a chance of a bullish breakout. https://t.co/W9cA0qcRgM pic.twitter.com/tmS88G0lhQ — Ali Charts (@alicharts) January 19, 2026 Merlijn The Trader highlighted the significance of the 200-day moving average (currently located at around $3,300). Every time it has rejected ETH’s breakout attempts, it has led to a double-digit price correction. The analyst warned that ETH is in the middle of another such retracement that could drive it further south by around 20%. ETHEREUM IS STILL STRUGGLING BELOW THE 200D MA. Every rejection at the MA200 has triggered a sharp selloff: Dump 1: -27% Dump 2: -21% Dump 3: -14% (so far) Now $ETH is rejecting the MA200 again… If history rhymes, another ~20% reset isn’t off the table. Watch this level… pic.twitter.com/fQzbYGFHkC — Merlijn The Trader (@MerlijnTrader) January 23, 2026 The post Ethereum Whales’ Holdings Decline Steadily as ETH Price Falls Below Crucial Support appeared first on CryptoPotato .

24 Jan 2026, 14:10

Solana Foundation Partners With Hanwha to Grow Korea’s Crypto Market

Hanwha Asset Management has struck a new partnership with the Solana Foundation as it accelerates its digital asset strategy in South Korea. The two organizations signed a memorandum of understanding to strengthen Solana’s local ecosystem and expand institutional-ready products tied to the blockchain network. Consequently, the deal signals growing interest from major Korean financial firms as crypto adoption rises and regulators sharpen their approach to oversight. Hanwha Targets Solana Education and Product Growth Under the agreement , Hanwha will support training efforts around Solana’s development tools and broader ecosystem. Additionally, the firm plans to explore Solana-based exchange-traded products as it builds regulated options for investors. Hanwha also intends to publish custody guidelines designed for Solana-linked assets. Hence, the partnership aims to improve operational standards as institutions seek safer entry points. The company framed the collaboration as a step toward building a stronger digital asset foundation inside Korea’s fast-moving market. Moreover, the Solana Foundation plans to support adoption efforts through deeper ties with local financial infrastructure. Solana Foundation Flags Korea as a Priority Market Solana Foundation President Lily Liu described South Korea as a strategic market for global crypto growth. She said, “Korea is emerging as a key market for global crypto adoption, where regulatory clarity, institutional infrastructure and world-class developer talent converge.” Liu also explained the role the partnership could play in expanding the network’s reach. She said, “This MOU bridges the trusted infrastructure of a leading conglomerate with the innovation of the Solana ecosystem, enabling digital asset innovation to scale globally through Hanwha’s international network.” Significantly, her comments show how Solana views institutional partnerships as a pathway to larger adoption. ETFs and Local Momentum Build the Case Solana’s growth in the exchange-traded market has added momentum to the project’s institutional push. In the United States, Solana exchange-traded funds began trading in late 2025. This rollout started with the Bitwise Solana Staking ETF in October. Eight Solana-linked ETFs now trade on the New York Stock Exchange. Their combined assets under management have surpassed $1 billion in just over two months. Meanwhile, Hanwha has positioned itself as an early mover in Korea’s asset management space for digital assets. Between 2020 and 2021, it formed a dedicated digital asset team and published research. Additionally, the firm created a Digital Asset Business Team last year under its chief marketing officer. Hanwha’s chief marketing officer, Choi Young-jin, said the talks with Liu shaped the agreement. He also said the firm plans to build digital income-focused business models around Solana. Consequently, both sides appear to be aligning for a longer-term expansion in Korea.

24 Jan 2026, 14:05

Support Holding, But for How Long? Bitcoin’s Showdown at $89K

Bitcoin’s recent price action has all the drama of a soap opera—with a rollercoaster drop from its high-flying $97,939 cameo down to a modest flirtation with $88,665 before landing comfortably around $89,396. Despite the theatrics, it appears the market is catching its breath in a narrow trading band, preparing for its next act. Whether it’s

24 Jan 2026, 14:05

Self-Taught Analyst to XRP Holders: Take Note of This Trend of Developments

Market cycles often blur the line between noise and signal, but certain periods reveal a clearer narrative for those paying attention. Over the past year, Ripple has advanced through regulatory, institutional, and infrastructure milestones that collectively reshaped how XRP fits into global finance. These changes did not rely on speculation or promises. They emerged from executed deals, formal approvals, and expanding real-world use cases that now demand closer examination. A recent timeline shared by Cryptoinsightuk on X brings these developments into sharp focus, tracing Ripple’s strategic progress from mid-2025 through early 2026. The timeline highlights how legal clarity, acquisitions, and institutional integrations converged to redefine XRP’s market position. Take note $XRP holders https://t.co/bBhdUzqIJD pic.twitter.com/kya84rprcw — Cryptoinsightuk (@Cryptoinsightuk) January 23, 2026 Legal Resolution Removes the Primary Constraint In August 2025, Ripple secured the final resolution of its long-running SEC lawsuit. This outcome eliminated the most significant regulatory barrier facing XRP in the United States. With legal uncertainty resolved, regulators moved forward on spot XRP ETF applications. By November 2025, multiple spot XRP ETFs launched across major exchanges, opening compliant access for institutional and traditional investors and shifting XRP into a regulated investment category. Ripple Expands Through Targeted Acquisitions Ripple paired regulatory progress with aggressive expansion. In September 2025, it acquired Rail for $200 million , integrating approximately 40 additional payment licenses into Ripple Payments. This move unified cross-border payments, FX, and stablecoin settlement under a single compliant infrastructure. The company followed with a $1 billion acquisition of G Treasury in October 2025. This deal pushed Ripple into corporate treasury management, adding cash management and FX hedging tools designed for enterprise clients. Ripple also strengthened its custody stack by acquiring Palisade, extending wallet-as-a-service technology for institutional users. We are on X, follow us to connect with us :- @TimesTabloid1 — TimesTabloid (@TimesTabloid1) June 15, 2025 RLUSD Becomes a Settlement Layer for Tokenized Assets RLUSD emerged as a central pillar of Ripple’s strategy in 2025. In September, institutions such as Franklin Templeton, DBS, and Securitize integrated RLUSD as a settlement asset. This enabled its use in tokenized funds, including BlackRock’s BUIDL and Franklin Templeton’s on-chain products. These integrations positioned RLUSD as a functional settlement infrastructure rather than a passive stablecoin. By December 2025, Ripple expanded RLUSD into Ethereum Layer-2 networks, including Optimism and Base, using standardized cross-chain frameworks to support high-frequency transactions and liquidity. Institutional Capital and Banking Ambitions Take Shape Institutional confidence deepened when Fortress and Citadel participated in a $500 million investment round into Ripple, bringing major Wall Street firms directly into its ownership structure. In early 2026, Ripple advanced its banking ambitions by filing for a U.S. OCC bank charter and securing UK regulatory approvals from the FCA. These steps positioned Ripple to operate closer to the core of traditional financial systems. Taken together, the developments outlined by Cryptoinsightuk point to a consistent pattern. Ripple has methodically aligned XRP with regulated finance, institutional capital, and tokenized asset infrastructure. For XRP holders, the message is clear. The conversation has shifted from potential to positioning. Disclaimer : This content is meant to inform and should not be considered financial advice. The views expressed in this article may include the author’s personal opinions and do not represent Times Tabloid’s opinion. Readers are urged to do in-depth research before making any investment decisions. Any action taken by the reader is strictly at their own risk. Times Tabloid is not responsible for any financial losses. Follow us on Twitter , Facebook , Telegram , and Google News The post Self-Taught Analyst to XRP Holders: Take Note of This Trend of Developments appeared first on Times Tabloid .