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18 Jan 2026, 09:17
Bitcoin Price Prediction: $1.42B ETF Surge Fuels Path Toward $100.5K
Bitcoin price momentum is shifting as institutional inflows, corporate adoption, and supportive technical signals converge. Spot Bitcoin ETFs drew $1.42 billion last week, their strongest surge since October, while companies like Steak ’n Shake added $10 million to reserves. With price consolidating near $95,000 in a bullish flag pattern, traders are eyeing a breakout toward $100,500 as market confidence builds $1.42B ETF Inflows Mark Strongest Week Since Octobe Bitcoin’s momentum is building again, thanks to a powerful wave of institutional demand. Spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded $1.42 billion in net inflows last week, their strongest performance since October. Midweek trading was particularly striking, with $844 million on Wednesday and $754 million on Tuesday, according to SoSoValue data. Bitcoin ETFs have bought $1.42 BILLION BTC last week. Strongest week of inflows since October pic.twitter.com/Pt9eN01g6D — Maestro (@GoMaestroOrg) January 17, 2026 Ether ETFs also joined the rally, attracting nearly $479 million in weekly inflows. Analysts say this trend reflects long‑only institutional investors returning to the market through regulated instruments. On‑chain data supports the narrative, showing reduced selling pressure from whales, which effectively tightens Bitcoin’s supply. Spot Bitcoin ETFs: $1.42B inflows Ether ETFs: $479M inflows Whale selling pressure: reduced supply This combination of ETF demand and lighter selling pressure creates a supportive market structure. While short‑term volatility remains, the underlying bid from institutions strengthens Bitcoin’s long‑term outlook. Steak ’n Shake Adds $10M BTC to Treasury Strategy Beyond Wall Street, corporate players are deepening their Bitcoin strategies. Fast‑food chain Steak ’n Shake purchased $10 million in Bitcoin after months of accepting Lightning Network payments across all U.S. locations. The company’s approach is self‑reinforcing: Bitcoin payments boost sales, crypto earnings flow into its Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, and those funds are reinvested into restaurant upgrades. ALL YOUR TAX CUT ARE BELONG TO US – AYB. https://t.co/Lu8lQCs5e9 pic.twitter.com/JVnxbsFY03 — All Your Base Are Belong To You (@AllYourBase_AYB) January 17, 2026 Since adopting Bitcoin in May 2025, same‑store sales rose 10% in Q2, while payment processing costs dropped by 50%. The company has even introduced Bitcoin‑themed menu items, underscoring how mainstream businesses are weaving crypto into everyday operations. U.S. Government Holds 328,000 BTC Worth $31B Speculation over U.S. government Bitcoin sales was put to rest when the Department of Justice confirmed it did not liquidate Samourai Wallet assets. Instead, the forfeited Bitcoin remains in the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, in line with President Trump’s executive order requiring retention. NEW: DOJ confirms Samourai Wallet $BTC was not sold by the U.S. government. The Executive Director of the President’s Council of Advisors for Digital Assets states the assets will remain on the federal balance sheet as part of the Strategic #Bitcoin Reserve. pic.twitter.com/kzGdUsOdMA — Bitcoin.com News (@BitcoinNews) January 16, 2026 The U.S. now holds over 328,000 BTC worth $31 billion, making it the largest sovereign holder globally. This assurance reduces fears of government‑driven sell pressure and reinforces Bitcoin’s scarcity narrative, a key driver of institutional confidence Bitcoin Price Prediction: Flag Pattern Points Toward $100.5K Breakout On the charts, Bitcoin price prediction is bullish as BTC is consolidating within a flag pattern after rallying from $90,000. Price sits near $95,030, just above support at $94,357. A spinning‑top candle signals indecision but not weakness. The RSI at 54.11 remains constructive, and the short‑term EMA is crossing above the long‑term EMA, a bullish signal. Bitcoin Price Chart – Source: Tradingview A breakout above $95,204 could trigger a move toward $97,700, $99,000, and ultimately $100,500. Ethereum and Solana also show bullish setups, suggesting broader market strength. With ETF inflows rising, corporate adoption expanding, and technicals aligning, Bitcoin’s path toward six‑figure territory looks increasingly credible. For traders and investors, this may be the moment to position ahead of the next leg higher. Bitcoin Hyper: The Next Evolution of BTC on Solana? Bitcoin Hyper ($HYPER) is bringing a new phase to the Bitcoin ecosystem. While BTC remains the gold standard for security, Bitcoin Hyper adds what it always lacked: Solana-level speed. The result: lightning-fast, low-cost smart contracts, decentralized apps, and even meme coin creation, all secured by Bitcoin. Audited by Consult , the project emphasizes trust and scalability as adoption builds. And momentum is already strong. The presale has surpassed $30.7 million, with tokens priced at just $0.013585 before the next increase. As Bitcoin activity climbs and demand for efficient BTC-based apps rises, Bitcoin Hyper stands out as the bridge uniting two of crypto’s biggest ecosystems. If Bitcoin built the foundation, Bitcoin Hyper could make it fast, flexible, and fun again. Click Here to Participate in the Presale The post Bitcoin Price Prediction: $1.42B ETF Surge Fuels Path Toward $100.5K appeared first on Cryptonews .
18 Jan 2026, 08:52
DOJ seeks to recover $200,000 stolen in Tinder crypto scam
The United States Department of Justice (DOJ) is seeking to recover $200,000 stolen by criminal elements in a crypto scam carried out on the mobile dating application Tinder. The Massachusetts US Attorney’s Office filed the civil forfeiture action to recover the funds in stablecoin Tether. According to reports, the DOJ claimed that the funds were lost to the criminal after he lied to his victim on Tinder that he was a financial advisor who worked as a crypto investment expert. The agency mentioned that the scam had all the markings of a pig butchering scam, where scammers build trust with their victims through friendship or romantic relationships before luring them to invest in fake crypto investments. Usually, some victims realize after their first investments, while others realize after losing all their funds. DOJ seeks to recover $200k in USDT in Tinder crypto scam According to the DOJ affidavit supporting the forfeiture request filed this month by FBI Special Agent Hannah Wong, the unnamed victim met a man on the dating app Tinder. The man claimed his name was “Nino Martin,” which could be an alias, as these criminals refrain from giving up their real names due to the chance that they might be caught in the act. After matching with her on Tinder, the suspect asked to move things to WhatsApp, where he claimed they could talk better. The pair moved things to WhatsApp, and they hit it off quite well. During introductions, the victim said Martin claimed to be a financial advisor who helps people make money through several crypto investments. He mentioned that he could also help her make money through crypto investments, telling her that they could make more than enough profits and be set for life. After several discussions, the victim was convinced and asked that they set up her account. Marin told the victim that he had set up a Coinbase account for her, asking the victim to send funds into the account. A while later, he told her that he would move the funds to a separate platform called onechainnm(dot)com, but the victim accidentally told Martin that they had a balance of about $500,000 in their bank account. According to the affidavit, the victim sent $384,4133 to several unhosted wallets they believed were connected to the platform that Martin suggested. The agency says it will attempt a civil forfeiture The victim claimed that they never met in person, as Martin always gave several excuses that sounded genuine because of the nature of his work. On one occasion, the DOJ said Martin told her that he had to fly to Florida to give a presentation, so they couldn’t meet. However, in March 2025, the investment platform had to change its name to onechainiy(dot)com, and the victim was restricted from their Coinbase accounts due to “sending suspicious transfers.” A while after, unknown individuals claiming to be customer service from the investment platform allegedly then gave her a way to work around Coinbase and keep investing in the platform by wiring money from their bank account to account numbers they provided. The customer service said the victim could keep investing, leading them to send $112,253 in additional funds over the next few days, around the end of March 2025. In April, the fake customer service agents claimed the victim owed an IRS tax of $200,000, which made the victim suspicious, so she stopped sending any money. In total, the victim claimed they transferred more than $500,000 to the platform, a figure that comprised most of their savings. The crypto account connected to the scheme was seized last June. Now, the DOJ is seeking to seize and recover most of these funds. The DOJ can seize properties or earnings if it is determined to be tied to criminal activities. Join a premium crypto trading community free for 30 days - normally $100/mo.
18 Jan 2026, 08:30
Steak ‘n Shake Increases Bitcoin Exposure to $10M, Expands Strategic Reserve
Steak ‘n Shake adds $10,000,000 in BTC to its Strategic Bitcoin Reserve while reporting higher same‑store sales. Steak n Shake announced on 16 January 2026 that it has increased its bitcoin exposure by $10,000,000 in notional value, continuing a program begun eight months earlier when the company started accepting bitcoin payments and directing all bitcoin
18 Jan 2026, 06:00
Crypto Bank Anchorage Digital Targets $400M Funding Ahead Of IPO
Anchorage Digital, a New York–based crypto bank, is moving to raise fresh capital as it prepares to enter public markets. According to Bloomberg , people familiar with the matter say the firm is looking to secure between $200 million and $400 million in new funding. Anchorage Seeks Major Funding Reports say the Firm is exploring a $200M–$400 million round to strengthen its business before a possible public listing. The plan would put Anchorage among a small group of crypto-native companies that have tried to list on stock markets after building regulated services for institutions. The company’s bank affiliate holds a federal charter, a status that gives it a different footing compared with many crypto firms. That federal backing is often cited by investors as a reason Anchorage can offer custody and other services seen as safer by big clients. Based on reports, Anchorage last raised capital in a previous round that valued the business at over $3 billion, and the fresh funding is viewed as a runway toward a public debut. Anchorage Digital, whose affiliate is the first federally chartered US digital-asset bank, is seeking to raise fresh capital as it explores a potential public listing, according to people with knowledge of the matter https://t.co/6xLNEJN54W — Bloomberg (@business) January 16, 2026 Regulatory Edge And Product Push Some reports say the bank is also growing teams tied to stablecoin work and exploring partnerships that would widen its product set for large customers. These moves appear aimed at making the company more attractive to public investors. Market observers note that crypto firms have been considering public listings more often as regulation clears up in certain areas and as institutional demand for custody and regulated rails grows. Anchorage’s timing comes while other custody and asset firms weigh similar steps, a trend that could reshape how big investors access crypto services. The atmosphere is cautious, but there is clear interest in regulated players. Market Reaction And IPO Timing According to market chatter, the bank could seek a listing as soon as next year, although some coverage says 2027 is also possible. Sources quoted by Bloomberg gave a range of potential timing, and Anchorage has not provided a public comment on the plans. If Anchorage completes a successful raise and goes public, the event would signal confidence in firms that combine crypto services with bank-style oversight. Investors will be watching how the company uses the proceeds — whether to build new products, hire staff, or boost its balance sheet ahead of scrutiny that comes with public ownership. The next few months are likely to reveal more details as underwriting and investor talks advance. Featured image from Yellow, chart from TradingView
18 Jan 2026, 05:30
From Anonymity to Selective Disclosure: The Next Era of Privacy Coins
The surge in privacy coins in late 2025, which continued in 2026 with Monero hitting new highs, is seen as signalling renewed investor demand for on-chain anonymity. Analysts and industry leaders argue that privacy is evolving from untraceable transfers to selective disclosure and becoming core infrastructure for Web3. Privacy as the Modern ‘Bank Account’ The
18 Jan 2026, 01:55
Seized Bitcoin From Samourai Wallet Case Not Sold And Will Remain In Strategic Reserve, White House Confirms
Patrick Witt said in a recent interview that setting up the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve remains on the government’s “priority list”.
