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17 Jan 2026, 16:30

Bitcoin’s Hashrate Slips Below 1 Zettahash After Months at Record Power

After a steady stretch of flexing above the 1,000 exahash per second (EH/s) — a clean 1 zettahash per second (ZH/s) — line, Bitcoin’s network hashpower has dipped back under the 1 ZH/s bar and is now clocking in at 988 EH/s. Hashpower Pulls Back From Highs as Difficulty Relief Looms Bitcoin’s overall hashrate slipped

17 Jan 2026, 16:28

OpenAI locks in $10B in chip deals and shuts out Big Tech

OpenAI has already locked in $10 billion worth of chip and cloud deals. Not one of those puts Intel, Google, or Amazon in the driver’s seat. It didn’t happen by chance. It happened because OpenAI doesn’t want to rely on any of them. It wants power spread out. It wants to scale fast. It wants control. Back in November, after Nvidia crushed earnings , Jensen Huang told investors, “Everything that OpenAI does runs on Nvidia today.” That’s true for now. But it’s not going to stay that way much longer. The same week, OpenAI went out and signed a $10 billion deal with Cerebras, a much smaller chipmaker that’s trying to go public. This wasn’t just another deal. It was part of a bigger play: use new players, get more chips, build faster, depend on no one. OpenAI taps Cerebras, Broadcom, AMD to spread chip bets wide The Cerebras deal is just one piece. OpenAI said it will use 750 megawatts of Cerebras chips across phases that run through 2028. These chips will help run its large models and heavier workloads. This comes on top of last year’s $1.4 trillion infrastructure spree, where it teamed up with Nvidia, AMD, and Broadcom. That’s what pushed OpenAI’s valuation to $500 billion in private markets. In September, Jensen committed $100 billion from Nvidia to help build out 10 gigawatts of systems for OpenAI. That’s the same energy used by 8 million homes in a year. Jensen said that it would need 4 to 5 million GPUs. But OpenAI isn’t betting everything on him. Just hours after that was announced, it revealed another 10 gigawatts worth of chips coming from Broadcom. These aren’t standard chips. These are custom AI accelerators, called XPUs. Broadcom’s been working on them with OpenAI for over a year. The Broadcom deal blew up on Wall Street. The stock went flying. Broadcom is now worth over $1.6 trillion. That’s what happens when OpenAI gives you a seat at the table. Google, Amazon, and Intel left out as OpenAI builds its own chip stack Meanwhile, Amazon, Google, and Intel are barely in the frame.OpenAI did sign a $38 billion cloud deal with Amazon Web Services in November. It will run workloads on AWS data centers. Amazon also said it will build new ones for OpenAI. And sure, Amazon may put more than $10 billion into the company, but there’s still no commitment to use Inferentia or Trainium, Amazon’s in-house chips. Talks are ongoing, but nothing’s locked. Google Cloud is also providing capacity under a deal signed last year. But when asked about using Google’s tensor processing units, OpenAI said no. It’s not interested. Not even with Broadcom helping make those chips. Then there’s Intel. Reuters said the company had the chance years ago to invest in OpenAI and supply chips. It passed. Now it’s trailing everyone. In October, Intel tried to catch up. It showed off a chip called Crescent Island. It’s meant for AI inference and will offer higher memory and better energy use. But real sampling won’t even start until late 2026. To stay alive in AI, Intel had to take money from Nvidia and the U.S. government. Wall Street will see next week if that’s made any difference when Intel kicks off tech earnings. Get seen where it counts. Advertise in Cryptopolitan Research and reach crypto’s sharpest investors and builders.

17 Jan 2026, 16:20

Bitcoin (BTC) Price Analysis for January 17

Will traders see Bitcoin (BTC) test the $100,000 mark shortly?

17 Jan 2026, 16:18

Ethereum Name Service price prediction 2026-2032: Is ENS a good investment?

Key takeaways : Ethereum Name Service price prediction suggests a peak price of $16.24 in 2026. By 2029, ENS could see significant growth, with predictions suggesting a potential maximum price of $52.92 ENS could achieve its highest price yet, reaching up to $164.91 by 2032. The Ethereum Name Service is a network that enables crypto enthusiasts to rename their cryptocurrency addresses into something simpler, making them easier to remember. Renaming crypto addresses through ENS allows users to recollect and write them quickly. Even though Ethereum Name Service is based on the Ethereum blockchain, it utilizes its own cryptocurrency, ENS. ENS is used for governance purposes on the blockchain network. Users can also send and receive any cryptocurrency with the system’s wallet. The price of ENS has experienced ups and downs since it launched on the market, dropping to as low as $6.7 and hitting an ATH of $85.69. As decentralized identities and Web3 technology are adopted, ENS positions itself as a key player in this transformative space. How will this affect investors’ perceptions of the Ethereum Name Service (ENS) token? Will ENS go up? How high can ENS go? Will ENS recapture its ATH soon? Let’s get into the Ethereum Name Service price prediction for 2026-2032. Overview Cryptocurrency Ethereum Name Service Token ENS Price $10.46 Market Cap $399.86M Trading Volume (24-hour) $23.69M Circulating Supply 100 Million ENS All-time High $85.69, Nov 11, 2021 All-time Low $6.70, Oct 19, 2023 24-h High $10.47 24-h Low $10.01 Ethereum Name Service technical analysis Metric Value Price Volatility (30-day Volatility) 5.30% (High) 50-Day SMA $ 10.49 14-Day RSI 46.89 (Neutral) Sentiment Bearish Fear & Greed Index 50 (Neutral) Green Days 13/30 (43%) 200-Day SMA $ 17.98 Ethereum Name Service price analysis TL;DR Breakdown : ENSPrice shows short term weakness after recent rise Sellers are gaining control near resistance levels Momentum is cooling as buyers lose strength Ethereum Name Service 1-day price chart ENSUSD chart by TradingView On the 1-day chart on Jan 17, price shows a clear swing down from recent highs, forming a lower high structure after failing to sustain a breakout above prior resistance. The market appears to be consolidating within a broader range rather than trending decisively, with several long wicks suggesting repeated tests of both demand and supply zones. Momentum indicators appear to be flattening, implying that selling pressure has slowed but buyers have not yet regained control. If price holds above the most recent swing low, a relief bounce is possible, but a breakdown below that level would likely invite deeper retracement toward the next support area. Overall, the structure favors cautious, range-bound conditions unless a clean breakout occurs. ENS/USD 4-hour price chart analysis ENSUSD chart by TradingView ENS is choppy on the 4-hour chart, trading around $10.35 after a failed push toward the $11.0–$11.2 zone. Price has rolled over from the mid-January peak and is now trying to base above the $10.0 handle, with short candles showing indecision. MACD remains below the zero line, but the negative histogram is shrinking, hinting that selling pressure is fading. Bulls need a clean reclaim of $10.50 to target $10.90–$11.20 again. If $10.00 breaks, downside opens toward $9.60–$9.80 support. A higher low above $10.20 would strengthen the bounce, while rejection near $10.45 keeps the range intact. Watch volume for confirmation next sessions. ENS technical indicators: Levels and action Daily simple moving average (SMA) Period Value Action SMA 3 $ 10.74 SELL SMA 5 $ 10.43 BUY SMA 10 $ 10.31 BUY SMA 21 $ 10.18 BUY SMA 50 $10.49 SELL SMA 100 $ 12.53 SELL SMA 200 $17.98 SELL Daily exponential moving average (EMA) Period Value Action EMA 3 $ 10.68 SELL EMA 5 $ 10.61 SELL EMA 10 $ 10.37 BUY EMA 21 $ 10.24 BUY EMA 50 $ 11.08 SELL EMA 100 $ 13.32 SELL EMA 200 $ 16.37 SELL What to expect from ENS? ENS is likely to remain influenced by broader Ethereum sentiment, making near-term movement dependent on whether ETH holds key support levels. If buying interest in the wider market improves, ENS could attempt to recover toward recent resistance zones, especially if volume begins to rise alongside higher lows. However, if sellers maintain control, price may continue to drift sideways or test lower demand areas as liquidity clears out. Short-term momentum may alternate between brief relief bounces and mild pullbacks rather than a straight trend. Over the medium term, sustained network usage, renewed interest in Web3 identity, and a clearer market structure would be needed for a more decisive upward move. Why is ENS down today? ENS is down today primarily due to short-term technical weakness and cooling momentum after its recent advance. On the chart, price has been failing to sustain levels above key short-term resistance, suggesting sellers are regaining control. The asset also appears to be slipping back toward a nearby support zone, indicating profit-taking by traders who bought earlier in the move. Declining volume on recent bounces signals reduced buyer conviction, while a downward tilt in shorter moving averages reflects bearish pressure. Broader market softness has likely added to the downside, as ENS tends to track overall crypto sentiment, amplifying today’s pullback. Is ENS a good investment? Ethereum Name Service (ENS) can be a good investment if you believe in the long-term potential of decentralized domain names and the growing adoption of blockchain technology. ENS offers a unique utility by allowing users to register human-readable names for Ethereum addresses, which simplifies transactions and interactions within the Ethereum ecosystem. Its value could increase as more users and businesses adopt decentralized web services. Will ENS recover? The ENS price has experienced a sharp drop followed by a gradual recovery, indicating some resilience in the market. While there has been a rebound from the low, whether ENS will recover depends on continued buying interest and broader market conditions. Will ENS reach $100? Forecasts for ENS indicate significant growth potential over the coming years, with the price projected to reach $45.09 on average by 2029. This implies that reaching $100 is not plausible within the next few years, driven by positive market trends and increasing adoption. Will ENS reach $500? Forecasts for ENS indicate significant growth potential over the coming years. However, attaining $500, while attainable, might not happen anytime soon. Does ENS have a good long-term future? Ethereum Name Service (ENS) shows a strong long-term potential based on current predictions. The price is expected to increase significantly over the next several years, with forecasts extending to $164.91 by 2032. This indicates a positive outlook for ENS, supported by ongoing market developments and growing investor interest. Recent news/opinion on Ethereum Name Service ENS announced it is preparing to roll out ENSv2 and Namechain while celebrating major growth milestones in total registered names and expanding integrations that continue to boost the protocol’s accessibility and real-world utility. As the year winds down, we're gearing up for ENSv2, Namechain and beyond. Total ENS names surpassed massive growth milestones, with integrations continuing to expand accessibility and utility. https://t.co/HecKODJPMm — ens.eth (@ensdomains) December 31, 2025 Ethereum Name Service price prediction January 2026 In 2026, the Ethereum Name Service (ENS) forecast suggests an average price of $9.93 and a maximum price of $10.21. The minimum price for ENS could reach $8.98 Month Minimum Price Average Price Maximum Price January 2026 $8.98 $9.93 $10.21 Ethereum Name Service price prediction 2026 Ethereum Name Service (ENS) is forecasted to trade at a minimum of $13.49, an average of $13.87, and a maximum of $16.24 in 2026. Year Minimum Price Average Price Maximum Price 2026 $13.49 $13.87 $16.24 Ethereum Name Service price predictions 2027 – 2032 Year Minimum price Average price Maximum price 2027 $20.87 $21.57 $23.96 2028 $30.17 $31.03 $35.93 2029 $43.85 $45.09 $52.92 2030 $62.63 $64.88 $76.45 2031 $93.51 $96.11 $109.63 2032 $143.19 $147.99 $164.91 Ethereum Name Service price prediction 2027 In 2027, ENS is projected to reach a minimum of $20.87, an average of $21.57, and a maximum of $23.96. This growth is expected due to rising Web3 identity adoption, L2 integrations reducing costs, potential ENS Layer-2 development, and easing token unlock pressures, which will support stronger demand and value. Ethereum Name Service price prediction 2028 In 2028, ENS is forecasted to trade between $30.17 and $35.93, with an average of $31.03. This rise is attributed to the wider adoption of Web3 identities, stronger cross-chain interoperability, and ENS’s maturity as a decentralized naming standard. Reduced token unlock pressure and sustained Ethereum ecosystem growth will further support higher valuation potential. Ethereum Name Service price prediction 2029 It is expected that ENS will trade between $43.85 and $52.92 in 2029, with an average of $45.09. This growth is anticipated as ENS becomes a key Web3 identity layer, widely used in DeFi, NFTs, and payments, and gaining more recognition around the world. Better scalability, lower costs, and more mature governance will all help maintain high demand and value. Ethereum Name Service price prediction 2030 In 2030, ENS is forecasted between $62.63 and $76.45, averaging $64.88. Growth is driven by ENS’s role as a universal Web3 identity standard, stronger enterprise and government adoption, and Ethereum’s maturity. Reduced token supply pressures and solidified network effects support higher stability, making ENS a key digital identity infrastructure. Ethereum Name Service price prediction 2031 The Ethereum Name Service’s price for 2031 is projected to be a minimum of $93.51. According to expert analysis, ENS could reach a maximum possible level of $109.63 and an average price of $96.11. However, this is anticipated as ENS establishes itself in the crypto space with widespread use in finance, social media, and digital governance. Ethereum Name Service price prediction 2032 In 2032, ENS is forecasted to be between $143.19 and $164.91, with an average of $147.99. This projection stems from ENS’s deep integration into global Web3 and Web2 systems, powering digital identity, payments, and decentralized governance. With entrenched network effects, strong enterprise adoption, and Ethereum’s ecosystem maturity, ENS demand and valuation are expected to rise further. Ethereum Name Service price prediction 2026 – 203 2 Ethereum Name Service market price prediction: Analysts’ ENS price forecast Firm Name 2026 2027 Coincodex $ 31.28 $ 24.59 Digitalcoinprice $14.29 $20.85 Cryptopolitan’s Ethereum Name Service (ENS) price prediction Cryptopolitan’s overall Ethereum Name Service price predictions present a promising outlook through 2032. ENS is expected to experience substantial growth, with 2026 projections showing a peak of about $12.99. Also, prices will rise to a maximum of $131.93 by 2032. Remember to always seek independent professional consultation before investing in crypto. Ethereum Name Service historic price sentiment ENS price history ⏐ Source: CoinGecko ENS showed strong volatility from 2022 to 2024, rising from 10.75 in early 2022 to major peaks at 31.06 in July 2024 and 50.22 in December 2024 before closing 2024 at 32.96 In 2025 ENS entered a prolonged decline, falling from 32.96 in January to the mid 20s by February then sliding into the low teens by April before recovering to the low 20s by May Summer 2025 brought instability with ENS fluctuating between the high teens and upper 20s, peaking near 30 in mid August before dropping steadily toward the low 20s by September October 2025 marked a major breakdown as ENS fell from the 17 to 18 range into the 12 to 13 zone mid month then consolidated between 13 and 16 into early November From November 1 to December 2 ENS weakened further, sliding from around 15 into the 10 to 11 range by December 1 before a minor rebound near 11 on December 2, 2025 On December 1, 2025, ENS traded near $10.71 and then climbed through the month, reaching highs above $12.25 by early December before gradually drifting lower into the mid-$9s by month’s end. By December 31, 2025, ENS was trading around $9.68–$9.72, showing a clear decline from early December peaks as price consolidated in the $9–$10 range into January 1, 2026.

17 Jan 2026, 16:13

Bitcoin Seeks Stability as Altcoins Face Mixed Fortunes

Bitcoin stabilizes near $95,000 after rapid price movements. Monero experiences a sharp decline, drawing significant concern. Continue Reading: Bitcoin Seeks Stability as Altcoins Face Mixed Fortunes The post Bitcoin Seeks Stability as Altcoins Face Mixed Fortunes appeared first on COINTURK NEWS .

17 Jan 2026, 16:09

Venezuelan Man Faces 20 Years for Alleged $1B Crypto Money Laundering Scheme

Federal prosecutors have charged a Venezuelan national with laundering approximately one billion dollars through crypto wallets and shell companies in what officials describe as one of the largest money-laundering operations prosecuted by the Justice Department. Jorge Figueira, 59, faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted of conspiracy to launder money, with authorities alleging his network processed illicit funds across multiple continents while deliberately concealing transactions from law enforcement. The complaint filed in Virginia’s Eastern District accuses Figueira of directing a sophisticated laundering apparatus that converted cash into cryptocurrency, routed digital assets through multiple wallets, then exchanged them back into dollars before transferring proceeds to intended recipients in high-risk jurisdictions, including Colombia, China, Panama, and Mexico. Prosecutors say more than one billion dollars moved through identified crypto wallets and financial accounts between 2018 and the present, with the majority of inbound funds originating from crypto trading platforms. The U.S. DOJ charged Venezuelan national Jorge Figueira with conspiring to launder around $1 billion in illicit funds through bank accounts, crypto exchanges, and private wallets. The probe, supported by the FBI, alleges extensive crypto-based transfers to conceal fund origins.… — Wu Blockchain (@WuBlockchain) January 16, 2026 Billion-Dollar Network Operated Through Multiple Jurisdictions Court documents reveal that Figueira allegedly enlisted subordinates to execute hundreds of transfers designed to obscure the origins and destinations of funds. The operation relied on various bank accounts, crypto exchange accounts, private digital wallets, and shell companies to move voluminous amounts of illicit money into and out of the United States, according to federal investigators. FBI Washington Field Office Criminal Division Special Agent in Charge Reid Davis said the bureau identified approximately $1 billion in crypto passing through wallets used by Figueira’s laundering operation. The network allegedly served individuals and businesses worldwide while conducting scores of transfers intended to conceal the nature of funds and potentially facilitate criminal activity across numerous countries. U.S. Attorney Lindsey Halligan emphasized the scale of alleged criminal conduct, stating that “ money laundering at this level enables transnational criminal organizations to operate, expand, and inflict real-world harm. ” “ Those who move illicit funds in the billions should expect to be identified, disrupted, and held fully accountable under federal law, ” she warned. Federal Crackdown Extends Across Multiple Crypto Crime Networks The charges against Figueira arrive amid intensified federal enforcement targeting crypto-related money laundering nationwide. In fact, earlier this week, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg urged New York lawmakers to criminalize unlicensed crypto operations he characterized as a “ $51 billion criminal economy. “ Federal data shows the scope of crypto-enabled crime, with the FBI reporting nearly 11,000 crypto ATM-related complaints in 2024 totaling more than $246 million. Separately, blockchain analytics firm Chainalysis found that illicit crypto addresses received a record $154 billion in 2025, a sharp increase from previous years. Source: Chainalysis Recent prosecutions have targeted operations across the criminal spectrum. On Thursday, Utah resident Brian Garry Sewell was sentenced to three years in prison for running a $2.9 million fraud scheme while simultaneously operating an unlicensed cash-to-crypto business that converted more than $5.4 million in bulk cash. Last month, prosecutors charged another 23-year-old Brooklyn resident, Ronald Spektor, with stealing roughly $16 million from approximately 100 Coinbase users through alleged phishing schemes that relied on panic tactics rather than technical hacks. With all these massive seizures that keep growing, the government has moved to establish the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, formalizing the retention of seized crypto rather than auctioning it. This was one of the first things Donald Trump did when he took office, even signing an executive order to support it. Recently, things took a different turn when it was discovered that the U.S. Department of Justice appears to have sold 57 Bitcoin forfeited by Samourai Wallet developers. A White House crypto advisor said the US government has not sold any Bitcoin forfeited in the Samourai Wallet case. #DOJ #Bitcoin https://t.co/pfX7fkilo8 — Cryptonews.com (@cryptonews) January 17, 2026 However, White House crypto advisor Patrick Witt confirmed yesterday, Friday, that the Bitcoin forfeited in the case has not been liquidated and will remain part of the reserve per executive order, with current federal holdings estimated at 328,372 BTC valued at over $31 billion. For now, a criminal complaint is merely an accusation, and Figueira is presumed innocent until proven guilty. Assistant U.S. Attorney Catherine Rosenberg is prosecuting the case, with sentencing guidelines and statutory factors to be considered if a conviction occurs. The post Venezuelan Man Faces 20 Years for Alleged $1B Crypto Money Laundering Scheme appeared first on Cryptonews .