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23 Jan 2026, 15:24
Cosmos faces project exodus as leaders promise major ATOM redesign and reset
The Cosmos ecosystem has fallen on hard times recently. However, comments coming out of the project strike a defiant tone, with promises to reclaim lost ground, radical redesigns of its $ATOM token, and the scrapping of certain plans. One of the most controversial issues the Cosmos Hub is facing is the mass exodus of projects and developers. A number of these projects were considered high-profile, and those that did not pivot or migrate to other chains have scaled back or completely shut down. A Cryptopolitan analysis highlighted Cosmos’ struggles, with projects opting for the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) to plug into liquidity-rich venues. The Cosmos ecosystem has had to deal with a mass exodus of projects One of the most recent projects to dump Cosmos is the Noble protocol, a major stablecoin-oriented project that had processed billions in volume before it announced its departure from Cosmos to launch an EVM-based L1. Noble initially positioned itself as a consumer chain. However, it reportedly never delivered on that promise, and according to Tony, the Cybernetics and Nolus community lead, the best it did for the ecosystem was issue USDC for Cosmos DeFi. Its exit from the Cosmos Hub has generated FUD, but Tony claims this FUD is misplaced as the Hub was not benefiting from the project, even while it issued USDC on behalf of Circle. Aside from Noble, other projects that are no longer active on the Hub or have scaled down include the privacy-focused Penumbra, which shut down entirely; Comdex, Kujira, and Evmos, all of which have halted certain developments; and the likes of Omniflix, Elys, and Jackal, which have been migrated to other chains by their respective teams. The ATOM token is also not doing well The exodus of so many projects is concerning enough. There is also the sharp criticism the ATOM token has been facing, which makes the situation even more dire. The token has underperformed dramatically, especially when compared to other major L1s. It is down nearly 90% from its all-time high and is currently trading around $2.3 as it lags behind in the current cycle. Critics have opinions on why the token has underperformed, and they range from flawed tokenomics and governance issues to leadership fractures, as well as a failure to evolve its security and economic models effectively. The issues facing the token and the recent exodus of projects had caused some to tag the ecosystem “pretty much dead,” or on the “path to slow death.” However, Tony, the Cybernetics and Nolus community lead, is convinced the exodus is one of the best things to happen for the Hub. From his perspective, most of them were not contributing in any significant way to the Hub. Tony defends the Cosmos amid heavy criticism Tony believes Noble leaving the Cosmos ecosystem is a net positive and not a negative. “Noble never generated meaningful value for ATOM holders. Literally zero. And the funniest part? The same people who spent YEARS saying ‘consumer chains don’t accrue value to the Hub’ are now panic-posting about how Noble leaving is some catastrophic event,” he wrote in an article he posted on X recently. The way he sees it, Noble leaving clears the path for something better to happen. He claims that the Cosmos Hub is now in direct talks with Circle to issue native USDC on the Hub itself. “Let me tell you something. USDC belongs to Circle, not Noble. And if Circle wants USDC to be natively issued in Cosmos, it won’t rely on Noble or any third-party chain they partnered with for this,” he wrote. As for the projects that left or died, he urges the community to take it all in stride, pointing out that projects that fall in those categories were mostly consumer-facing, retail-focused apps that the Hub is actively pivoting away from. “Their exits don’t contradict the thesis. They confirm it,” he says. He went further by suggesting that Noble’s stablecoin issuance for institutions was actually competition to the Hub, since the Hub wants to do that exact thing for institutions as well. He believes this sets the stage for the Hub to transition into an environment where institutions and financial infrastructure can be built, rather than a trial ground for just any DEX or NFT marketplace. “The Hub’s positioning is narrow and deliberate: become the most interoperable, neutral, secure rail AND infrastructure for institutional-grade applications,” he wrote. How the Hub is fighting back amid all the criticisms Some have written the Cosmos ecosystem off, but optimists can still find signs to be bullish about. According to Tony’s article, there are already a number of things planned to help the Hub stay relevant. One involves the Cosmos Labs and related teams pursuing radical redesigns of ATOM’s tokenomics, seeking to overhaul the present model after acknowledging the security-based approach has not done so well. There are also efforts to improve value accrual, reduce inflation bands, and introduce incentives while focusing more on business development. Some plans have also been scrapped to prioritize more viable paths, even if controversial. From here on out, more emphasis will be laid on the Hub’s core strengths, which include interoperability, appchain flexibility, and resilience. However, whether this will be enough to reverse the current trajectory remains to be seen. Tony seems to think so, but even he has agreed that this may have no effect on short-term price action. After all, institutional adoption is slow, CBDC pilots take years, and native USDC can’t make the ATOM token “moon tomorrow.” He claims anybody who truly believes in Cosmos will have to be patient and avoid looking for success in metrics that other L1s are actively pursuing because Cosmos has set its sights higher. If you're reading this, you’re already ahead. Stay there with our newsletter .
23 Jan 2026, 15:18
VET Risk Analysis: January 23, 2026 Stop Loss and Targets
VET consolidating in a narrow range under the downtrend, risk/reward with bearish bias (close to 1:0.9). BTC correlation and volatility expansion increase capital erosion risk, tight stop loss requ...
23 Jan 2026, 15:12
China signals approval for Nvidia H200 chip orders by major tech firms
China has told its biggest tech companies to get ready to place orders for Nvidia H200 AI chips, a step that points to an approval decision getting close. Alibaba, Tencent, and ByteDance were informed that they can move ahead with preparation work tied to these purchases. Regulators have already issued early clearance for the firms to begin the next phase. That clearance allows talks on volumes, timing, and delivery planning. Officials have also told the companies they will need to include some domestic chips in their buying plans. No fixed number has been shared. The requirement is meant to support local suppliers while foreign chips are allowed back in. Regulators clear companies to plan H200 purchases The chip in question sits one generation behind Nvidia’s most advanced models. Even so, the H200 is powerful enough to train and run large AI models used by major cloud platforms. The approval process shows China is focusing on the needs of hyperscale operators that are spending billions to build data centers. These centers support search tools, recommendation engines, and new AI products rolled out across consumer apps. News of the talks pushed Nvidia shares up as much as 2.3 percent in premarket trading. American depositary receipts of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. rose 1.3 percent. TSMC produces chips for Nvidia, so any renewed shipments have a direct impact on its order flow. The talks also highlight how central the H200 has become in U.S.-China trade negotiations. The chip falls under rules set by the Trump administration that still allow exports of older hardware. At the same time, Washington continues to block sales of Nvidia’s most advanced processors on security grounds. For Nvidia, this opening matters. The company has spent months trying to regain access to the market after restrictions cut off sales. Jensen Huang has said the AI chip business alone could reach $50 billion in the coming years. That revenue has become a key reference point for investors watching the company’s recovery path. Jensen Huang plans visit as questions remain over access Jensen Huang, Nvidia’s chief executive, plans to travel to China ahead of the mid-February Lunar New Year. Two people told CNBC the visit will include a stop in Beijing for a company event. Jensen is also expected to meet potential buyers during the trip and discuss shipping challenges tied to U.S.-approved products. Those challenges have slowed deliveries in recent months. Even when chips are cleared for sale, routing them into China has proven difficult. Supply chains have faced paperwork delays and transport issues that add weeks to timelines. The Chinese market once made up at least one-fifth of Nvidia’s data center revenue. That share fell sharply after export controls took effect. Since then, local firms such as Huawei and Cambricon expanded output and filled gaps left by foreign suppliers. Both companies have announced plans to ramp production further as demand for AI hardware keeps rising. Last week, The Information reported that authorities would only allow H200 purchases for limited uses such as research. When asked about that report, the Commerce Ministry said it was unaware of the situation. Officials have not made any public statement confirming whether imports will be approved. At the same time, China is pressing ahead with a self-sufficiency drive. The government is preparing incentives that could total as much as $70 billion for the chip sector. The policy push aims to cut reliance on overseas suppliers while keeping major tech platforms running. The smartest crypto minds already read our newsletter. Want in? Join them .
23 Jan 2026, 15:10
Ethereum Investment: Standard Chartered’s Crucial Buy Recommendation Ahead of Weekend
BitcoinWorld Ethereum Investment: Standard Chartered’s Crucial Buy Recommendation Ahead of Weekend In a significant move for cryptocurrency markets, global investment bank Standard Chartered has issued a timely recommendation to buy Ethereum (ETH) ahead of the weekend. Analyst Geoff Kendrick’s call, detailed in a recent institutional report, points to fundamental network improvements and shifting macroeconomic signals as key drivers. This analysis arrives as Ethereum network transactions surge to unprecedented levels following its latest major protocol enhancement. Standard Chartered’s Ethereum Analysis and Recommendation Geoff Kendrick, a lead analyst at Standard Chartered’s digital assets research division, authored the report advocating for Ethereum accumulation. The bank, with a substantial history in traditional finance, has increasingly focused on cryptocurrency markets. Consequently, its research carries considerable weight among institutional investors. Kendrick’s recommendation specifically targets the short-term period leading into the weekend, a timeframe often watched for volatility and positioning in digital asset markets. Furthermore, the report grounds its thesis in verifiable on-chain data rather than mere speculation. Kendrick emphasizes that the advice stems from observable improvements in Ethereum’s core functionality. This analytical approach aligns with the bank’s rigorous methodology for evaluating traditional asset classes. The recommendation also considers broader financial ecosystem developments, connecting cryptocurrency performance to potential changes in U.S. monetary policy leadership. The Impact of the Pectra Upgrade on Network Performance The Ethereum Pectra upgrade, successfully implemented earlier this quarter, represents the primary technical catalyst cited by Standard Chartered. This network hard fork introduced a bundle of Ethereum Improvement Proposals (EIPs) designed to enhance scalability and user experience. Most notably, the upgrade has directly addressed previous network congestion and high transaction fee issues, which historically hampered adoption during peak activity periods. As a result, on-chain metrics show dramatic improvement. Transaction throughput has increased significantly while average gas fees have stabilized at lower levels. Kendrick’s report highlights that daily transaction counts have subsequently reached an all-time high, surpassing previous records set during the 2021 bull market. This surge in activity indicates revitalized developer and user engagement with the Ethereum blockchain. The data suggests the upgrade has successfully resolved prior bottlenecks caused by network capacity shortages. Transaction Finality: Speed and reliability of transaction settlements have improved. Fee Market Efficiency: More predictable costs for users and decentralized applications (dApps). Validator Economics: Enhanced incentives for network validators post-upgrade. Institutional Signals and Macroeconomic Context Beyond technical analysis, Standard Chartered’s report integrates crucial institutional and macroeconomic factors. Kendrick specifically notes continued Ethereum purchases by Nasdaq-listed entities like Bitmain. This activity provides tangible evidence of sustained institutional demand, moving beyond speculative trading into strategic accumulation. Such behavior often precedes broader market recognition of an asset’s long-term value proposition. Additionally, the analyst references the prospective appointment of BlackRock’s Chief Investment Officer, Rick Rieder, as the next Chair of the U.S. Federal Reserve. While still speculative, this potential shift in monetary policy leadership carries implications for all risk assets, including cryptocurrencies. Rieder has publicly expressed nuanced views on digital assets, contrasting with more cautious predecessors. Therefore, markets may anticipate a marginally more favorable regulatory and liquidity environment under such leadership, creating a constructive backdrop for Ethereum. Ethereum’s Evolving Role in the Digital Economy Ethereum’s market position continues to evolve from a simple cryptocurrency to a foundational layer for the digital economy. Its blockchain supports a vast ecosystem including decentralized finance (DeFi), non-fungible tokens (NFTs), and countless enterprise applications. The Pectra upgrade’s success strengthens this foundational role by improving performance for all these use cases. Network upgrades directly influence Ethereum’s competitiveness against alternative smart contract platforms. Moreover, the transition to a proof-of-stake consensus mechanism, completed with The Merge, has fundamentally altered Ethereum’s investment profile. The asset now offers staking yields, attracting income-focused investors previously absent from the cryptocurrency space. This structural change makes Ethereum analysis more akin to evaluating a productive, yield-generating asset rather than a purely speculative token. Standard Chartered’s report likely incorporates these yield dynamics into its valuation models. Key Ethereum Metrics Pre and Post-Pectra Upgrade Metric Pre-Upgrade (Avg.) Post-Upgrade (Current) Daily Transactions ~1.1 Million ~1.8 Million (All-Time High) Average Gas Fee (Simple Transfer) ~$5-15 ~$1-3 Network Capacity (TPS) ~15-30 ~50-100+ Active Addresses (7d MA) ~400,000 ~650,000 Conclusion Standard Chartered’s recommendation to buy Ethereum ahead of the weekend synthesizes technical, institutional, and macroeconomic analysis. Geoff Kendrick’s report identifies the successful Pectra upgrade as a critical inflection point, resolving historical network limitations and catalyzing record on-chain activity. When combined with signals of persistent institutional buying and a potentially shifting regulatory horizon, these factors create a compelling case for Ethereum accumulation. For investors, this analysis underscores the importance of monitoring fundamental blockchain developments alongside traditional market signals when evaluating cryptocurrency opportunities. FAQs Q1: What exactly did Standard Chartered recommend regarding Ethereum? Analyst Geoff Kendrick recommended buying Ethereum (ETH) ahead of the upcoming weekend, citing improved network fundamentals post-Pectra upgrade and positive institutional signals as key reasons. Q2: How has the Pectra upgrade changed the Ethereum network? The Pectra upgrade enhanced scalability and efficiency, leading to record-high transaction counts and lower average fees by alleviating previous network congestion and capacity bottlenecks. Q3: Why does Standard Chartered’s opinion matter for cryptocurrency? As a major global investment bank with a long history in traditional finance, its research influences institutional investors and adds a layer of credible, analytical scrutiny to the crypto asset class. Q4: What is the significance of Rick Rieder’s potential Fed Chair appointment? As BlackRock’s CIO, Rieder has expressed more nuanced views on digital assets than some prior policymakers. His potential leadership could signal a shift toward a marginally more understanding regulatory and liquidity environment for cryptocurrencies. Q5: Should retail investors follow this buy recommendation? While the analysis provides valuable insights, all investments carry risk. Retail investors should consider their own financial situation, risk tolerance, and conduct independent research or consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions. This post Ethereum Investment: Standard Chartered’s Crucial Buy Recommendation Ahead of Weekend first appeared on BitcoinWorld .
23 Jan 2026, 15:07
Cardano Founder Hoskinson Warns of U.S. Recession
Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson warned that the United States faces a significant risk of recession if several global forces converge. In a recent commentary, he said a potential AI bubble burst, combined with long-time U.S. Visit Website
23 Jan 2026, 15:07
Bitcoin Faces Resistance: Will It Breakthrough or Slide to New Lows?
Bitcoin remains below $90,000, struggling with resistance levels. Analysts foresee a possible downturn, predicting new lows for BTC. Continue Reading: Bitcoin Faces Resistance: Will It Breakthrough or Slide to New Lows? The post Bitcoin Faces Resistance: Will It Breakthrough or Slide to New Lows? appeared first on COINTURK NEWS .
