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29 Jan 2026, 09:14

Pundit: If You Own XRP, You Need to Know These 3 Things

Crypto commentator Austin Hilton has released a message aimed at XRP holders and digital asset investors, warning that several near-term developments could influence market conditions. In a post on X, Hilton stated, “If you own XRP (or any crypto)… You need to know these 3 things that are happening this week,” directing followers to a detailed video explanation. His comments focus on current market conditions, policy decisions, and political risks that may affect prices in the days ahead. Hilton opened by noting that many investors are unable to track markets constantly and rely on summarized updates. He explained that his goal was to outline the most relevant factors likely to affect XRP and other major crypto assets during the week, particularly given the fragile state of market sentiment. If you own XRP (or any crypto)… You need to know these 3 things that are happening this week. pic.twitter.com/IeW4gX6tfl — Austin Hilton (@austinahilton) January 27, 2026 Liquidity Conditions and the Federal Reserve Hilton first addressed current market performance, pointing out that while Bitcoin and Ethereum were modestly higher at the time of recording, XRP was showing a short-term decline. He emphasized that the underlying issue remains a lack of new liquidity entering the crypto market. According to Hilton, without fresh capital, price movements are easier to influence, and downward pressure can persist even during brief periods of recovery. He then focused on the upcoming Federal Reserve interest rate decision, which he described as a key event for risk assets. Hilton noted that expectations favored a pause in rate changes, though he expressed personal concern that rates were not being reduced. He referenced market commentary indicating that continued caution from the Federal Reserve has contributed to uncertainty, which in turn weighs on crypto prices, including XRP . Market Cycle Signals and Legislative Activity Another point Hilton highlighted involved market cycle indicators tied to Bitcoin’s performance relative to gold. He referenced analysis from crypto analyst Michael van de Poppe, explaining that similar conditions in past cycles coincided with market lows in 2015, 2018, and 2022. While the data discussed was centered on Bitcoin, Hilton stated that XRP and other major assets have historically followed similar patterns due to Bitcoin’s influence on overall market direction. Based on this analysis, he suggested the market may be nearing the end of the current downturn. Hilton also discussed ongoing legislative developments in the United States, including Senate action related to the Clarity Act and proposals affecting the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. He described these steps as part of the continuing effort to establish clearer rules for digital assets. While he did not present the legislation as an immediate driver of price movement, he said it remains relevant for investors monitoring regulatory progress. We are on X, follow us to connect with us :- @TimesTabloid1 — TimesTabloid (@TimesTabloid1) June 15, 2025 Government Shutdown Risk and Potential Impact The most immediate concern raised by Hilton was the likelihood of a U.S. government shutdown, which he estimated at an 81 percent probability by the end of the week. He cited past shutdowns as periods that coincided with notable declines in crypto markets, including sharp drops in Bitcoin. Hilton stated that a shutdown would likely have a short-term negative effect on XRP and other digital assets. He clarified that he was not advising investors to sell their holdings, explaining that his own approach would be to hold positions and watch for possible buying opportunities if prices weaken. Hilton concluded by stressing that awareness of these developments is critical for XRP holders as the week unfolds. 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 advised to conduct thorough 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 X , Facebook , Telegram , and Google News The post Pundit: If You Own XRP, You Need to Know These 3 Things appeared first on Times Tabloid .

29 Jan 2026, 08:59

Strive boosts Bitcoin holdings past 13,000 BTC after Semler acquisition

Strive has added nearly 333.9 Bitcoin to its balance sheet, pushing its total holdings to over 13,131 BTC and securing its spot as the tenth largest public company holding the bellwether cryptocurrency. The purchase comes just weeks after Strive closed its acquisition of Semler Scientific, a move that brought 5,048 Bitcoin into its treasury and marked a sharp escalation in the firm’s pivot toward becoming a full-scale Bitcoin reserve vehicle . According to the official announcement , the latest buy, executed at an average price of $89,851, brings the value of Strive’s total Bitcoin holdings to over $1.17 billion at current prices. Strive said its Bitcoin yield for the quarter so far stands at roughly 21.2%, referring to the growth in Bitcoin exposure per common share over the reporting period. Alongside the acquisition, Strive also completed an upsized offering of its Variable Rate Series A Perpetual Preferred Stock, known as SATA, which drew more than $600 million in investor interest. The offering was raised to $225 million, with the proceeds used to unwind a major chunk of the debt Strive took on when it acquired Semler Scientific earlier this month. According to the announcement, Strive has now retired $110 million of the $120 million in inherited liabilities, which includes $90 million worth of convertible notes exchanged for SATA stock and the full repayment of a $20 million Coinbase credit facility. The company said it plans to clear the remaining $10 million within four months, a move that will leave its Bitcoin holdings fully unencumbered. The company finalized the Semler deal on Jan. 13 after shareholders approved the all-stock transaction. With the merger complete, Strive absorbed the full 5,048.1 Bitcoin previously held by Semler into its consolidated treasury. It also reiterated plans to divest or reposition Semler’s legacy healthcare diagnostics business. It reaffirmed its preference for preferred equity over traditional debt as it looks to grow its Bitcoin-per-share footprint. Despite the rapid balance sheet cleanup and treasury expansion, investors appeared unmoved. ASST shares fell more than 2.2% on Wednesday, trading lower alongside several other public firms with large Bitcoin positions. Bitcoin downtrend spells trouble for treasury stocks Bitcoin is currently down around 30% from its record high of $126,080 in October, as risk appetite remains under pressure from macroeconomic headwinds. That backdrop has weighed on companies that leaned into Bitcoin during the last cycle, many of which saw their stock prices slide in late 2025, a trend that has largely extended into the early weeks of 2026. Nevertheless, the downturn has not deterred Micahel Saylor led Strategy, which stands as the largest corporate holder of Bitcoin, from buying the dip. On Jan. 26, the company announced it had acquired 2,932 Bitcoin at an average price of $90,000. As of last check, shares for the company were down over 3.5% in the past week. The post Strive boosts Bitcoin holdings past 13,000 BTC after Semler acquisition appeared first on Invezz

29 Jan 2026, 08:47

XRP Defies Price Dip With 42 New Millionaire Wallets in 2026

XRP has slipped about 4% since the start of 2026, trading near $1.90 on major exchanges, even as on-chain data shows a rise in large holders. The divergence between price and wallet growth is shaping a cautious but closely watched setup for the token as investors weigh accumulation signals against weak short-term trends. The data suggests that while XRP’s market price has struggled to regain levels seen earlier in January, a segment of high-balance holders is quietly increasing exposure, a pattern that often draws attention during consolidation phases. Whale Wallets Rise as Price Holds Below Long-Term Trend On January 29, Santiment reported that XRP has added a net 42 wallets holding at least one million tokens since the beginning of the year, the first increase in “millionaire” wallets since September 2025. The analytics firm noted that the price decline over the same period remains modest at around 4%, pointing to accumulation rather than distribution among larger addresses. At the time of writing, XRP was trading at $1.88, down about 2% over the past 24 hours and roughly 4% in the last seven days, according to CoinGecko data. On a monthly view, the token is slightly higher, up about 2%, but it remains close to 40% lower than a year ago. Technical data cited by Arab Chain placed the Ripple token around 25% below its 200-day moving average, which sits near $2.50. Risk-adjusted metrics also reflect caution. The 30-day Sharpe Ratio is close to zero, suggesting recent returns have offered little compensation for volatility, while short-term momentum readings point to consolidation rather than a strong directional move. This technical picture matches up with recent commentary from market watchers like XrpArthur, who warned against optimistic price targets circulating on social media, arguing that projections of $13 to $30 ignore macro conditions, liquidity, Federal Reserve policy, Bitcoin dominance, and actual usage on the XRP Ledger. ETF Flows, Regulation, and Expectations Shape 2026 Outlook Projections shared this week by crypto investment firm 21Shares offered a more measured framework for XRP’s path in 2026. The company outlined a base-case price near $2.45, a bull case around $2.70, and a bear case closer to $1.60. The outlook leans heavily on regulatory clarity following the August 2025 settlement of the long-running SEC case, which reopened access for U.S. institutions and regulated funds. 21Shares also pointed to U.S. spot XRP ETFs as a structural demand source, noting more than $1.3 billion in assets under management within their first month. Still, the firm cautioned that sustained inflows, growth in tokenization activity, and adoption of Ripple’s RLUSD stablecoin remain necessary to justify higher valuations. Recent technical coverage shows XRP moving within a narrow range between $1.80 and $2.00, with analysts watching whether the token can reclaim resistance near $2.00. As it stands, the increase in large wallets contrasts with a market that remains hesitant, leaving XRP in a holding pattern as 2026 unfolds. The post XRP Defies Price Dip With 42 New Millionaire Wallets in 2026 appeared first on CryptoPotato .

29 Jan 2026, 08:43

UK minister supports UBI amid rising AI-related job losses

Senior government figures are having conversations about bringing in a universal basic income scheme to help workers whose jobs may disappear because of AI , according to Britain’s investment minister. Lord Jason Stockwood said the “bumpy” shifts in society from AI would mean there would have “to be some sort of concessionary arrangement with jobs that go immediately”. Warnings mount ove r AI employment impact “Undoubtedly we’re going to have to think really carefully about how we soft-land those industries that go away, so some sort of [universal basic income], some sort of life-long mechanism as well so people can retrain,” he said. While UBI hasn’t been adopted as official government policy yet, Stockwood confirmed that when asked whether his colleagues in government were thinking about the need for such a scheme, “people are definitely talking about it.” Stockwood explained that one reason he decided to take the position was to make sure the government was getting ready for the fast-moving changes coming to Britain and its workers. His remarks came during the same week that the head of Anthropic issued a warning about “unusually painful” disruption to employment as AI was a “general labour substitute for humans”. London mayor Sadiq Khan also raised concerns this month about a possible “new era of mass unemployment” brought on by AI. Technology secretary Liz Kendall said on Wednesday that “some jobs will go” because of AI, pointing to early worries about entry-level positions in finance and law. Kendall maintained that “more jobs will be created than will go, but I’m not complacent about that.” She promised the government would support people through the transition. “We will not leave individuals and communities to cope on their own.” Stockwood has floated the idea before that technology firms could be hit with a windfall levy to pay for UBI schemes. Political outlook and market stability St ockwood revealed to FT that he used his first week as a minister saying sorry for remarks he’d made before joining government and hasn’t repeated his push for additional wealth taxes. But he maintained, “If you make your money and the first thing you do is you speak to a tax adviser to ask ‘where can we pay the lowest tax’, we don’t want those people in this country, I’d suggest, because you’re not committed to your communities and the long-term success in this country.” Despite this stance, Stockwood was in Davos recently with global business leaders, encouraging investors and wealth creators to choose the UK. “Investors can look at us as a safe haven, relative to the chaos in politics which we witnessed first hand last week.” He note d US investors were “shell-shocked” about Trump’s tariff threats over Greenland. Promoting the UK’s stability becomes harder when Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer must constantly dismiss leadership speculation, including questions about Andy Burnham , Gr eater Manchester mayor. Stockwood stresse d he wanted Starmer to lead Labour into the next general election, despite calling Burnham “brilliant.” “What we need now is stability … the most important thing for us is not sending political chaos into our system.” He acknowledge d Re form UK was drawing support from both his business and investor contacts. Stockwood sai d th e government must better demonstrate to regular people how they’ll gain from its growth plans and trade agreements. The prospect of a Reform government “leaves me in a cold sweat,” he said, criticizing Reform’s proposal to put business leaders in cabinet roles as an “absolute disaster” because running government wasn’t only about “deals and trades.” He’s already discovered that business is simpler than politics. “I’ve been a CEO of a thousand people, I thought I ran a relatively complex operation, but it’s an absolute walk in the park compared to government.” The smartest crypto minds already read our newsletter. Want in? Join them .

29 Jan 2026, 07:18

Coinbase rolls out Kalshi-powered prediction markets across all 50 US states

Coinbase has expanded its prediction markets feature to users across all 50 US states, giving customers nationwide access to event-based trading directly inside its app. The company confirmed the rollout on Jan. 28, marking a significant expansion from an earlier launch in December that was limited to a smaller group of users. With the move, Coinbase is widening its product range beyond traditional crypto trading, while keeping the new feature within the boundaries of US regulation. Coinbase 🛡️ @coinbase · Follow Out: Odds set by the house.In: Price set by the crowd.Now there’s a new way to trade your takes.Prediction markets are live in all 50 states on Coinbase.Trade any real-world outcomes across sports, politics, culture and more. Watch on Twitter View replies 12:11 AM · Jan 29, 2026 1 Reply Copy link Read 1 reply From pilot to nationwide access The prediction markets feature is built in partnership with Kalshi, a US-regulated platform that allows trading on the outcome of real-world events. Coinbase first introduced the product late last year as a pilot, restricting access while testing demand and functionality. The Jan. 28 expansion removes those limits, opening the markets to users in every US state. Through the integration, users can trade simple yes-or-no contracts linked to specific events. Each contract represents whether an outcome will occur, with prices adjusting based on supply and demand. As more traders take positions, the price reflects how the market collectively assesses the probability of that event happening. Events tied to real-world outcomes The range of available markets spans several categories, including sports, politics, entertainment, and major economic developments. Among the most closely watched are contracts linked to decisions by the Federal Reserve, which often influence broader financial markets. The contracts are designed to be simple, with outcomes settling based on clear, verifiable events. Trading within a single app All prediction market activity takes place inside the Coinbase app, sitting alongside existing crypto trading and cash features. Users do not need to move funds to an external platform, as trades can be made using USD or USD Coin. The minimum trade sizes are relatively low, lowering the barrier to participation. At launch, all contracts and liquidity are provided by Kalshi. Coinbase has said it plans to support additional providers in the future, although it has not shared details on when that expansion might occur. Regulation shapes the expansion The nationwide rollout comes as prediction markets gain attention in the US, particularly as regulated alternatives to offshore or decentralised platforms. Many unregulated markets operate outside US oversight, raising concerns around consumer protection and compliance. By contrast, Kalshi operates under US regulatory frameworks, which have helped it form partnerships with established platforms. Kalshi has faced legal challenges in certain states, especially around sports-related contracts. Despite those disputes, it has continued to expand its reach and secure new distribution channels. A broader platform strategy Coinbase has framed the expansion as part of its wider ambition to become an all-in-one financial platform. Adding prediction markets allows the company to capture interest in event-driven trading without moving outside US rules. The feature also aligns with growing demand for tools that let users express views on real-world events in a market-based format. The post Coinbase rolls out Kalshi-powered prediction markets across all 50 US states appeared first on Invezz

29 Jan 2026, 07:00

South Korea Plans Cap On Crypto Exchange Ownership Despite Industry Concerns

South Korea’s Financial Services Commission (FSC) has shared its intention to move forward with the proposed cap on crypto exchange ownership despite concerns from industry players and the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK). FSC Backs Ownership Cap For Crypto Exchanges On Wednesday, Financial Services Commission Chairman Lee Eog-weon revealed that the regulatory agency is reviewing a proposal to cap major shareholders’ stakes in crypto exchanges at around 15%-20%. According to The Korea Times, Lee stressed the need to limit the ownership stakes of controlling shareholders in crypto exchanges, claiming that the move is necessary to “align governance standards with the exchanges’ increasing public role.” He argued that “excessive concentration of ownership” could increase the risk of conflicts of interest while undermining market integrity, noting that securities exchanges and other trading systems are subject to similar limits. The chairman highlighted that existing regulations mainly focus on anti-money laundering and investor protection. The ownership cap proposal would be included in the upcoming Digital Asset Basic Act, also known as the Second Phase of the Virtual Asset User Protection Act, which is expected to serve as a comprehensive framework for the entire industry. “Under the current system, virtual asset exchanges operate under a notification system that requires renewal every three years. The proposed shift to an authorization system would effectively grant exchanges permanent operating status,” Lee explained. He emphasized that “this higher status means exchanges need governance rules that match their larger role and greater responsibilities.” As a result, exchanges would assume characteristics similar to public infrastructure. A joint council representing domestic crypto exchanges, including Upbit, Bithumb, and Coinone, has opposed the proposed cap, warning that it could hinder the development of South Korea’s digital asset sector. Notably, major players like Song Chi-hyung, the chairman of Dunamu, the company that operates Upbit, and Cha Myung-hoon, the founder of Coinone, would be forced to sell significant portions of their holdings if the law is enacted. The Democratic Party of Korea also expressed its concerns, observing that similar ownership caps are uncommon worldwide and could make South Korea’s framework inconsistent with global regulatory trends. Lawmakers Set New Deadline For Digital Assets Framework ChosunBiz reported that the DPK’s Digital Assets Task Force (TF) discussed key details of the Digital Asset Basic Act in a Wednesday meeting at the National Assembly members’ office building, attended by government officials. According to the report, the ruling party’s members did not discuss the cap on crypto exchange ownership. Still, they revealed that they will introduce the framework before the Lunar New Year holiday on February 17. DPK’s Lawmaker Ahn Do-geol said, “We plan to introduce the Digital Asset Basic Act before the Lunar New Year, and we hope that by then a plan agreed upon with the government as much as possible will be put together.” Instead of the “unanimous consent system” proposed by the Bank of Korea (BOK), the task force settled on a consultative body to discuss stablecoin authorizations, comprised of the BOK, the FSC, the Ministry of Economy and Finance, and the Financial Supervisory Service. The task force considered that requiring unanimity for stablecoin authorization would slow issuance, while observers believe that the central bank’s proposal was “a way to control stablecoins.” In addition, the minimum statutory capital for stablecoin issuers was set at 5 billion won, approximately $3.48 million. Nonetheless, the report affirmed that there has not been an agreement on the issuance of won-pegged stablecoins. As reported by Bitcoinist, the BOK and the FSC have been clashing over the extent of banks’ role in stablecoin issuance. While the central bank has been pushing for a consortium of banks owning at least 51% of any stablecoin issuer seeking approval in the country, the FSC has expressed concerns about this proposal. Lee Kang-il, a DPK lawmaker on the task force, asserted that “the 50%+1 share rule remains contentious because there is still no willingness to concede among government ministries,” but added that they have prepared a mediation plan and will “make decisions in a direction that serves the national interest overall and benefits the public.”