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23 Jan 2026, 14:59

UBS explores crypto trading access for high-net-worth clients

UBS Group AG, a $6.9 trillion asset manager, plans to make crypto investing available for some private banking clients. According to reports , the Swiss banking giant is in the process of selecting partners for a crypto offering. Discussions have been ongoing for several months; however, UBS hasn’t made a final decision on how to proceed. High-net-worth individuals to access spot Bitcoin/Ethereum and derivatives The initiative would represent an expansion beyond UBS’s existing blockchain initiatives. In November 2024, the bank launched UBS Digital Cash, a private blockchain pilot for multi-currency cross-border payments. On Tuesday, the UBS CEO said that the next phase of global banking is centered on Bitcoin and other digital assets at its core. Therefore, high-net-worth individuals could access spot Bitcoin and Ethereum, as well as derivatives, with potential rollout to Asia-Pacific and the US. This report comes a day after Sergio Ermotti, CEO of UBS, stated that blockchain’s convergence with traditional banking is inevitable. According to him, it is a great way for companies to become more efficient and reduce costs. However, UBS has previously described crypto as a limited segment of digital assets and refrained from direct offerings amid regulatory uncertainty. As reported by Cryptopolitan, Ermotti stated that the financial industry will continue to face pressure on gross margins without blockchain technology. He urged financial institutions to remain relevant by maintaining strong capital, products, personnel quality, and client advice. This move follows the UBS Tokenize pilot with Chainlink and Swift for tokenized funds and digital cash solutions. The blockchain data provider noted that the first use case involved a technical and operational pilot with UBS Tokenize, building on prior work with the Monetary Authority of Singapore. Meanwhile, several major banks have already entered the space, including Standard Chartered, which offers spot Bitcoin and Ether trading to institutional clients, and JPMorgan and Morgan Stanley, which have enabled crypto trading or access for select client segments. Others, such as Bank of America, allow exposure through approved products, such as Bitcoin ETFs. UBS chief executive Sergio Ermotti plans to step down This move comes as UBS chief executive Sergio Ermotti plans to step down in April 2027. This fires a starting gun on the race for one of the biggest jobs in global banking. However, he stated that he hopes his successor will be a candidate from within the bank. “As previously communicated, I will complete the integration of Credit Suisse and remain CEO until at least the end of 2026 or spring 2027,” Ermotti said. The integration means UBS will cut around 3,000 jobs in Switzerland, Ermotti added, reiterating a figure made public in 2023. However, it is still a crucial time for UBS as it fights Swiss government plans to tighten its capital requirements. This dispute has fuelled speculation that Switzerland’s biggest lender could move its headquarters abroad. UBS blamed regulatory uncertainty stemming from the government’s announcement in April 2024 of an update to its “too big to fail” banking regulatory regime, effective through the end of 2025, for its share-price underperformance relative to other European and US banks. UBS estimates its market valuation lagged peers by 27% over the period, costing its shareholders about 30 billion Swiss francs ($37.48 billion) on top of the around $14 billion in expenses from integrating Credit Suisse. Meanwhile, Iqbal Khan, Bea Martin, Robert Karofsky, and Aleksandar Ivanovic have been named as the possible successors. However, their profiles are grounded in traditional banking, wealth management, and institutional finance, not crypto leadership. Kelleher, who is overseeing the succession, is looking to follow the example of his former employer, Morgan Stanley, which had several internal candidates to choose from when longtime chief James Gorman stepped down in 2023. Kelleher previously described the Wall Street lender’s succession as a “bloodless coup”, which he hoped to emulate. The smartest crypto minds already read our newsletter. Want in? Join them .

23 Jan 2026, 14:51

Bitcoin rolls over as gold gets huge $23K price target by 2034

Bitcoin dropped further below $90,000 while gold and silver kept beating records, leading to a long-term price forecast of $23,000.

23 Jan 2026, 14:40

en swings sharply as traders watch for possible government intervention

Japan’s currency moved sharply on Friday morning before settling back down, prompting questions about whether officials might step in to support the weakening yen. The dollar climbed past the 159.00 mark against the yen after Bank of Japan Governor Ueda gave few clues about plans to help the currency. He talked mainly about working with government officials to keep the bond market stable. But the dollar’s rise didn’t last long. Selling pressure pushed the pair down to 157.33 before it moved back near 158.00, ending the day down 0.3%. Officials stay quiet on intervention speculation Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama told reporters on Frida y sh e was keeping a close eye on currency trading. However, she wouldn’t say anything about the talk in the markets that officials had been calling banks to check on exchange rates. Such calls often precede the government’s decision to buy or sell currency. Katayama spoke at the Finance Ministry after the yen’s sudden jump prompted traders to wonder whether officials were preparing to prop up the currency, which has been losing value lately. Atsushi Mimura, who handles international money matters as vice finance minister, also stayed quiet about the yen’s sharp move. When reporters asked if Tokyo had bought yen to push up its value, he said, “In this situation, I have no intention of commenting on that.” He gave the same answer when asked about the rate check rumors . The officials’ silence stands out because Katayama usually speaks up to try to talk down the dollar-yen rate. Their quiet approach suggests they might be ready to act rather than just talk. When the government actually steps in to buy or sell currency, the price moves are usually much bigger and last longer. This particular move doesn’t look like a full intervention yet. It seems more like the standard calls officials make to banks before they actually step in, as per the report by investing live. Japan did something similar in July 2024 and back in September 2022. Both times, officials made these rate check calls with banks shortly before they moved to buy yen. Central bank holds rates steady On Friday, the Bank of Japan decided to keep interest rates where they are. The central bank also raised its predictions for economic growth and inflation, showing it plans to keep pushing rates higher from their current low levels. The bank kept short-term rates at 0.75% with eight members voting yes and one voting no. Hirofumi Suzuki, who works as chief currency strategist at SMBC in Tokyo, said the decision to hold rates steady made sense. “As expected, the BOJ left monetary policy unchanged. With risk factors such as a slowdown in overseas economies gradually receding, and with the BOJ having just raised rates last month, it is now in a phase of taking time to assess the effects of the hike,” Suzuki explained. He added that Governor Ueda would likely be careful in his comments about currency movements and signal that the bank is ready to work with the government on bond market issues if needed. Suzuki thinks the bank will keep raising rates slowly, maybe once every six months to a year. Tohru Sasaki, chief strategist at Fukuoka Financial Group, pointed to the bank’s focus on inflation. “The focus on inflation looks a little bit hawkish. I think it shows that the BOJ intends to continue to hike the policy rate,” he said. Sasaki noted that core inflation is expected to stay above 2% based on the bank’s forecasts. He thinks that if the dollar-yen rate reaches about 160, that would give the government and central bank a good reason to raise rates in April. If you're reading this, you’re already ahead. Stay there with our newsletter .

23 Jan 2026, 14:12

French crypto firm Ledger seeks $4B U.S. IPO - report

More on Crypto VanEck Mid-January 2026 Bitcoin ChainCheck Whale's Tracking - Reassessment Chart Of The Day: Is Bitcoin... Back? Ray Dalio: Bitcoin is money 'for some' but it's not a reserve asset Bitcoin, other crypto prices drop amid Trump's Greenland threats

23 Jan 2026, 13:50

Revolut cans merger plan for de novo U.S. banking license application

Britain’s Fintech Revolut has canceled plans to merge with a U.S. lender and instead applied for an independent U.S. banking license. The London-headquartered financial services firm held talks with U.S. officials about applying for a license through the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) in hopes of accelerating the process. Revolut emphasized the importance of the U.S. market to its global growth strategy, stressing that its long-term plan is to establish a bank in the United States. It also stated that it will continue to actively explore all options, including the U.S. de novo bank license application. Previously, Revolut sought to acquire a nationally chartered U.S. bank, which would have allowed the resulting conglomerate to offer banking services across 50 states. The company hoped the process would be a breeze due to the deregulatory push under President Donald Trump’s administration. At the time, Revolut preferred an acquisition to applying for a banking charter on its own because that would accelerate its U.S. expansion. Revolut concludes that the acquisition could be tricky Apparently, the Revolut team made a U-turn on the acquisition after concluding that a takeover would be tricky if it had to keep bricks-and-mortar branches open. An acquisition would also require the fintech to engage with U.S. regulators, who would need to approve changes to the targeted lender’s ownership. Meanwhile, Revolut believes that the U.S. has a more expansive traditional banking sector and a large number of wealthy consumers that UK-based banks seek to tap into. The decision comes as British fintechs reportedly set their sights on the U.S. as a potential market for growth amid a significant slowdown in consumer growth in the home market. However, applying for a national charter through the OCC can sometimes take years to get approval. On the other hand, the Trump administration has revoked a Biden-era OCC rule that imposed strict oversight of bank mergers. Fintech executives are now saying that they have noticed a change in the OCC’s attitude, and many are pushing their individual companies to apply for the bank charter. Law firm Freshfields’ data reveals that 14 applications were submitted to the OCC for a de novo charter to become a limited-purpose national trust bank, many from fintechs. Revolut seeks a full banking license in Peru Revolut is also looking to compete with some of Latin America’s fintechs, having recently applied for a full banking license in Peru. The license would allow the London-based company to roll out a range of localized services and products, offering Peruvians greater financial control. Meanwhile, Peru is reportedly the fifth country in the region that Revolut has entered. The company has already won approvals in Mexico, Colombia, Brazil, and Argentina. On the other hand, SBS, Peru’s national banking regulator, says that the country has a highly concentrated financial system, with only four of the country’s largest banks accounting for over 82% of the total loans. “Our main competitors are going to be incumbents, because there are no huge new players like Nubank or Mercado Pago…I see ourselves as a way to increase competition and improve the experience of the banked and unbanked population in Peru.” – Julien Labrot , Peru Chief Executive Officer at Revolut According to Labrot, Revolut offers notable remittance and multi-currency services, which give it a competitive edge in Peru. He also notes that approximately 1 million Peruvians live on remittances from overseas. Meanwhile, the expansion is part of the company’s broader push to reach 100 million customers worldwide, a significant jump from the current 70 million. Revolut also hopes to generate over $100 billion in annual revenue as it continues to penetrate more global markets. The smartest crypto minds already read our newsletter. Want in? Join them .

23 Jan 2026, 13:40

Gold-Bitcoin Divergence Reveals Stunning Bullish Signal for Crypto Rally, Swissblock Analysis Shows

BitcoinWorld Gold-Bitcoin Divergence Reveals Stunning Bullish Signal for Crypto Rally, Swissblock Analysis Shows ZURICH, Switzerland – March 2025: A significant price divergence between traditional safe-haven gold and digital asset Bitcoin is capturing market attention, with Swissblock analysts identifying this growing gap as a potentially powerful bullish signal for cryptocurrency markets. The data firm’s research reveals that when gold reaches new highs while Bitcoin trades sideways, historical patterns suggest an impending explosive rally for the leading cryptocurrency. This analysis comes as global markets navigate economic uncertainty, making the relationship between these two distinct asset classes particularly relevant for investors seeking diversification strategies. Understanding the Gold-Bitcoin Divergence Phenomenon Swissblock’s technical analysis team has identified a recurring market pattern where diverging price movements between gold and Bitcoin often precede significant cryptocurrency market shifts. The firm explains this relationship through historical data spanning multiple market cycles. When gold prices rise steadily while Bitcoin remains range-bound, this creates what analysts term a “bullish divergence.” Conversely, when Bitcoin continues rallying as gold begins declining, this establishes a “bearish divergence” that typically signals market tops or impending corrections. The current market environment shows gold achieving consecutive record highs throughout early 2025, driven by geopolitical tensions, inflation concerns, and central bank accumulation. Meanwhile, Bitcoin has maintained a relatively stable trading range between established support and resistance levels. This specific configuration has occurred only three times in Bitcoin’s history, with each instance preceding substantial price appreciation for the cryptocurrency within subsequent months. Historical Precedents and Market Psychology Market analysts point to the 2020-2021 bull market as the most recent example of this divergence pattern. During that period, gold reached all-time highs in August 2020 while Bitcoin consolidated between $10,000 and $12,000 for several months. Following this divergence, Bitcoin initiated a historic rally that culminated in its November 2021 peak near $69,000. The psychological underpinnings of this relationship involve capital rotation between perceived safe-haven assets and risk-on investments, with gold often serving as a leading indicator for broader market risk appetite. Swissblock’s Analytical Framework and Methodology Swissblock employs quantitative analysis combining price data, correlation metrics, and macroeconomic indicators to identify meaningful divergences between asset classes. The firm’s research team examines multiple timeframes, from daily charts to monthly trends, to distinguish between temporary noise and statistically significant patterns. Their methodology incorporates: Price Ratio Analysis: Tracking the BTC/Gold ratio to identify extreme deviations from historical norms Volatility Comparison: Measuring relative volatility between assets during divergence periods Volume Confirmation: Analyzing trading volume patterns to validate price movements Macro Correlation: Assessing how broader economic factors influence both assets simultaneously The firm maintains a database of historical divergence events, categorizing them by duration, magnitude, and subsequent market outcomes. This evidence-based approach allows Swissblock to identify patterns with statistical significance rather than relying on anecdotal observations. Their current analysis indicates the present divergence has reached parameters similar to previous major bullish signals. Risk Factors and Conditional Scenarios Despite the bullish interpretation, Swissblock analysts emphasize conditional factors that could alter the signal’s validity. The firm specifically cautions that if gold undergoes a substantial correction while Bitcoin’s rally concludes, the pattern could flip to a bearish divergence, potentially signaling a market cycle peak. This scenario would require simultaneous downward pressure on both assets, which historically occurs during liquidity crises or major macroeconomic shocks. Additional risk factors include regulatory developments, technological advancements in competing cryptocurrencies, and shifts in institutional adoption patterns. The analysis assumes continued Bitcoin network security and no fundamental changes to its monetary policy parameters. Swissblock recommends monitoring gold’s performance relative to other traditional assets, particularly Treasury bonds and the U.S. dollar index, for confirmation of broader market trends. Broader Market Implications and Investor Considerations The gold-Bitcoin relationship offers insights beyond simple price prediction, revealing deeper connections between traditional and digital asset markets. As institutional adoption of cryptocurrency accelerates, these intermarket relationships become increasingly significant for portfolio construction and risk management. The divergence analysis suggests several important considerations for market participants: Historical Divergence Events and Subsequent Bitcoin Performance Period Gold Performance Bitcoin Performance During Divergence Subsequent Bitcoin Rally Time to Peak 2016-2017 +18% Consolidation (-5% to +12%) +1,800% 14 months 2019-2020 +28% Range-bound (+8% to -15%) +500% 16 months 2020-2021 +22% Sideways movement (+25% to -10%) +400% 15 months Portfolio managers increasingly view Bitcoin and gold as complementary rather than competing assets, with each serving different functions within diversified portfolios. Gold traditionally acts as a hedge against inflation and currency devaluation, while Bitcoin offers asymmetric return potential and exposure to technological innovation. The current divergence may indicate that capital is flowing into gold as a near-term safe haven while positioning for eventual rotation into growth-oriented assets like Bitcoin. Expert Perspectives on Intermarket Analysis Financial analysts emphasize that gold-Bitcoin correlations have evolved significantly since Bitcoin’s inception. Early in cryptocurrency markets, the two assets showed little statistical relationship. However, as institutional participation increased, meaningful correlations and divergences emerged during periods of market stress. This development reflects Bitcoin’s maturation as an asset class with identifiable relationships to traditional markets. Market strategists note that divergence analysis represents just one tool among many for assessing cryptocurrency market conditions. They recommend combining this approach with on-chain metrics, regulatory developments, and technological progress indicators for comprehensive market assessment. The increasing sophistication of cryptocurrency analytics allows for more nuanced understanding of market dynamics than was possible during earlier bull cycles. Conclusion The gold-Bitcoin divergence identified by Swissblock represents a significant market development with potential implications for cryptocurrency investors. Historical patterns suggest that when gold outperforms during periods of Bitcoin consolidation, subsequent rallies in the digital asset often follow. However, this bullish signal remains conditional on broader market stability and requires monitoring of multiple confirming indicators. As traditional and digital asset markets continue converging, understanding relationships between established safe havens and emerging technologies becomes increasingly crucial for informed investment decisions. The current gold-Bitcoin price gap warrants attention as a potential precursor to important market movements in coming months. FAQs Q1: What exactly is a gold-Bitcoin divergence? A gold-Bitcoin divergence occurs when the prices of these two assets move in opposite directions or at significantly different rates. Swissblock specifically identifies bullish divergences when gold rises while Bitcoin trades sideways, often preceding Bitcoin rallies. Q2: How reliable is this divergence as a market indicator? Historical data shows strong correlation between specific divergence patterns and subsequent Bitcoin performance, but no indicator guarantees future results. Swissblock’s analysis identifies statistical probabilities based on past occurrences, which investors should consider alongside other market factors. Q3: What could invalidate the current bullish signal? The signal would weaken if gold experiences a sharp correction while Bitcoin fails to rally, potentially creating a bearish divergence. Major regulatory changes, security incidents, or macroeconomic shocks could also alter the pattern’s predictive value. Q4: How does this analysis account for Bitcoin’s volatility? Swissblock’s methodology incorporates volatility adjustments and examines patterns across multiple timeframes to distinguish meaningful divergences from normal market fluctuations. The analysis focuses on sustained divergences rather than short-term price movements. Q5: Should investors use this signal for timing Bitcoin purchases? While the divergence provides valuable market context, investment decisions should consider individual risk tolerance, portfolio objectives, and broader market analysis. The signal works best as one component of comprehensive investment research rather than standalone timing tool. This post Gold-Bitcoin Divergence Reveals Stunning Bullish Signal for Crypto Rally, Swissblock Analysis Shows first appeared on BitcoinWorld .