Invest ideasNews
20 Jan 2026, 18:45
U.S. labor market is facing a growth freeze, with hiring and layoffs at their worst levels since the COVID-19
The U.S. Labor Market experienced record low growth in 2025. The number of layoffs last year was on par with those during the height of the 2020 COVID-19 Pandemic, and the number of unemployed Americans has outpaced job openings for the first time since 2021. The latest U.S. Labor Market data paints a rather bleak picture for those seeking employment in 2026. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that U.S. employers added roughly 580,000 jobs in 2025, a drastic decrease compared to the 2 million jobs that were added in 2024. This marks the lowest number of jobs added to the U.S. labor market since the Pandemic. As of December 2025, the unemployment rate is sitting at around 4.4%, with around 7.5 million people currently facing joblessness. However, this number doesn’t quite accurately assess the gravity of the current labor market situation. The BLS also reports that the number of people who are “not in the labor force who currently want a job” is around 6.2 million as of December 2025. The reason these individuals were not classified as unemployed is because “they were not actively looking for work during the 4 weeks preceding the survey or were unable to take a job.” The number of people who have been unable to find full-time work and are thus forced to work part-time jobs for economic reasons is 5.3 million. This number has grown by nearly 1 million (980,000) over the last year. As a whole, this data shows a perilous job market where there is a growing number of people looking for full-time employment, yet there simply aren’t enough job opportunities available. The amount of time it takes to find a job in the first place has increased substantially as well. Additional data by the BLS shows that a quarter of people who are currently unemployed have been out of work for over 6 months. This statistic is also on par with Pandemic levels. Why the labor market is so bad right now The U.S. job market is currently experiencing a growth freeze, and there are a number of reasons why. At the top of the list are inflation and economic pressures. Growth Shuttle reports that rising prices in the United States is not only extremely difficult for consumers to grapple with, but it also impacts businesses as well. The unfortunate result is that a growing number of layoffs have ensued as an attempt by corporations to maintain profit margins amid rising economic instability. Certain companies that rely on international imports as a part of their business model have been greatly impacted by increased tariffs as well, which has also resulted in hiring freezes and increased layoffs. The rise of artificial intelligence in 2025 has also contributed to this tumultuous job market. In an effort to adapt to the changing economic landscape amid tariffs and inflation, many companies have shifted towards automation to increase their profit margins. Advancements in AI have allowed many companies to reduce human capital in entry-level positions like customer service and manufacturing by investing in AI products and services. This is particularly the case in the technology industry and marks a concerning shift in corporate policy for those seeking employment in 2026. Entry-level positions may become increasingly unavailable due to the utilization of artificial intelligence by employers. The last factor contributing to the hiring freeze is that people who have not been impacted by layoffs or AI replacement are highly reluctant to quit their current positions. This is obviously a very understandable position for employees to take, considering the grim and uncertain state of the job market right now. The future of the job market in 2026 and beyond JP Morgan published a report in December of 2025 that depicted a rather mixed outlook on what to expect for the future of the job market in 2026. On one hand, contrary to what some believe, the report does not showcase any concerns over large-scale job displacement due to artificial intelligence. Still, it does predict that the first half of the year will largely be an echo of 2025, anticipating continued slow growth in the labor market. The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), reports that it will take some time for the labor market to return to an increase in hiring activity, predicting a slow year for job growth in 2026. Although SHRM expects unemployment will stabilize later this year, people entering the labor market will still struggle with finding full-time work. Contrary to JP Morgan, SHRM anticipates that entry-level positions will continue to be highly impacted by AI displacement in 2026, while the healthcare industry will continue to have ample employment opportunities. Additional labor market data is set to be released by the BLS in early February of this year. Don’t just read crypto news. Understand it. Subscribe to our newsletter. It's free .
20 Jan 2026, 18:42
Peter Schiff at Davos: U.S. Financial Crash Worse Than 2008 Coming
Economist and gold advocate Peter Schiff — famous for foreseeing the 2008 meltdown has been warning that the current U.S. economic trajectory could lead to a crisis more severe than the Great Recession. His recent commentary highlights concerns about sustained low interest rates, soaring national debt, inflation pressures, and weakening confidence in the U.S. dollar as a reserve currency. Schiff argues that: Prolonged low rates and fiscal imbalances have set the stage for stagflation - stagnant growth combined with inflation Continued investor flight from U.S. assets could trigger a sharp downturn. A weakening dollar and rising import costs point to a “historic economic collapse” rather than a typical recession. Crypto angle — what this means for digital assets Schiff is a well-known Bitcoin skeptic. In recent weeks he has tied his broader financial warning to crypto markets, saying that a brewing dollar crisis and flight to hard assets (like gold and silver) isn’t positive for Bitcoin. He notes that precious metals’ strength could signal deeper financial stress, undercutting the so-called “digital gold” narrative for Bitcoin. Relatedly, he’s reiterated bearish crypto calls — warning Bitcoin could underperform while gold and silver attract capital in a risk-off environment. It’s important to note Schiff’s track record: while he did call the 2008 crisis early, many analysts consider his ongoing forecasts perma-bearish, especially regarding crypto (often predicting crashes that haven’t materialized). Crypto communities frequently poke fun at his repeated bearish predictions. Schiff’s warnings are one perspective among many macroeconomic voices. Some share concerns that credit conditions, high debt, and inflation could set up a painful downturn, but whether it unfolds worse than 2008, and what that means for markets like crypto, remains highly debated.
20 Jan 2026, 18:39
Bitcoin Slips as Tariff Fears Revive the Sell-America Trade
20 Jan 2026, 18:30
Russian high court rules to protect rights of cryptocurrency owners
A ruling by the constitutional court in Russia will ensure that property claims to cryptocurrencies are protected by the country’s judiciary. The decision has various implications for crypto holders, the most important of which is that Russian law now treats digital coins like other assets. Russia’s top court rules in favor of cryptocurrency owner The Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation (CC) has upheld the right of cryptocurrency owners to receive adequate judicial protection, local media reported. The review was prompted by the case of a Russian citizen who sought the return of 1,000 Tether (USDT) he had acquired and transferred to an acquaintance for management purposes. Lawyers for the man, identified as D.I. Timchenko, filed a complaint after lower courts declined to review his request, based on his failure to notify the Federal Tax Service (FNS) of his ownership of the coins. According to the Right Side law firm, hired by the crypto investor, the cited article from the federal law “On Digital Financial Assets,” which obliges him to do so, is unconstitutional. The main argument is that it makes the right to judicial protection conditional, as it can only be exercised after a formal notification. What’s more, a procedure for the latter hasn’t been established yet. Marat Amanliev, the attorney who represented the plaintiff, announced that the provision has been declared invalid, the business news portal RBC reported on Tuesday. The ownership rights of digital currency owners are now equal to the rights over any other property, the legal expert highlighted. What’s more, the right to judicial protection will not be tied to any notification or registration procedure, he noted. Commenting on the CC ruling, Amanliev stated: “Despite the fact that absolutely all other parties to the process opposed our position — the State Duma, the Federation Council, the Central Bank, presidential and government representatives, Rosfinmonitoring, and the Prosecutor General’s Office — we were able to convey the essence of our position to the Constitutional Court.” However, there is a major exception. The ruling applies only to cryptocurrencies obtained by legal means from sources other than mining. According to the court, the contested article continues to apply to the cryptocurrency produced by miners and operators of mining infrastructure. For this category, reporting crypto holdings to the tax authority remains mandatory, as the respective procedure is already enshrined in law. Russia legalized the mining of Bitcoin and the like in late 2024, making it its first properly regulated crypto-related activity. Legal entities and individual entrepreneurs are allowed to participate in the industry, as long as they register with the FNS, inform it about the coins they have minted, and pay their taxes. What are the implications for Russia’s crypto community? Marat Amanliev further emphasized that all claims by digital currency owners that have been dismissed for failing to notify government agencies of ownership will now be reviewed again. The Constitutional Court, whose main role is to determine if legal acts and decrees comply with the country’s fundamental law, also stated that Russian legislation must classify all types of digital assets, taking into account their specifics, the lawyer added. Russia is preparing to do precisely that this year, after, at the end of December, its central bank proposed a new regulatory concept that lawmakers are expected to adopt by July 1, 2026. The regulator’s plan is to define cryptocurrencies and stablecoins as “monetary assets.” Until now, they have only been recognized as property , mainly for the purposes of criminal proceedings. The CC expanded on this, reasoning that despite its virtual nature, coins have economic value, can be circulated, and are recognized as property under the Russian Tax Code, too. This means that the rights arising from their ownership are protected by at least two articles of the main law: “on private property” and “on judicial protection.” With the court’s decision, digital currency becomes a “full-fledged object of law,” pointed out Ignat Likhunov, founder of Cartesius, a law firm that specializes in providing legal advice in the crypto space. He also highlighted the ruling’s significance not just for civil disputes over crypto assets obtained through purchase, exchange, or receipt, but also for criminal cases involving theft. The high court has instructed lawmakers to make the necessary amendments to ensure that the constitutional rights of crypto owners are protected, provided they can prove the origin of the funds. Claim your free seat in an exclusive crypto trading community - limited to 1,000 members.
20 Jan 2026, 18:22
SOL Strategies Launches STKESOL With 500K SOL Staking Target
SOL Strategies Inc. has launched STKESOL, a new liquid staking token designed to bring more flexibility to Solana staking. The product gives SOL holders a way to earn staking rewards while still keeping their assets usable in DeFi. Consequently, the company is positioning STKESOL as both a customer tool and a business growth lever. The launch also adds a fresh revenue stream alongside its validator operations and treasury strategy. SOL Strategies trades under CSE: HODL and NASDAQ: STKE. Additionally, it holds more than 427,000 SOL in its corporate treasury. According to the press release , the company plans to stake more than 500,000 SOL through STKESOL at launch. Moreover, it wants the token to connect with DeFi platforms such as Kamino and Loopscale. That approach could increase adoption by placing STKESOL in products where users already borrow, lend, or earn yield. Hence, SOL Strategies is targeting both retail and advanced DeFi participants from day one. From Treasury Accumulation to Onchain Expansion SOL Strategies began accumulating SOL in June 2024 after shifting its strategy toward Solana. The firm then rebranded in September 2024, which signaled a stronger commitment to the ecosystem. Additionally, it expanded validator coverage through acquisitions across multiple operators. These included Cogent, OrangeFin Ventures, and Laine. Those deals helped the firm grow its staked SOL footprint across validator operations to around 3.3 million SOL. Significantly, the company kept operations spread across several validators. That strategy supports network resilience and reduces reliance on a single staking route. Besides staking, SOL Strategies also added ecosystem exposure through direct token holdings. In June 2025, it acquired more than 52,000 JTO tokens and created a reserve for future projects. STKESOL Targets a Growing Slice of Solana Staking Liquid staking has gained traction on Solana as DeFi apps widened support for staked assets. SolanaFloor data shows about 454 million SOL staked across the network in early January 2026. LSTs represent around 14.06% of that total, which equals about 63.8 million SOL. However, most staked SOL still sits in native staking, leaving room for LST growth. Other firms have moved into this market with similar products. In May 2025, DeFi Development Corp. introduced dfdvSOL using Sanctum infrastructure. Additionally, exchanges such as Binance, Bybit, and BitGet launched BNSOL, bbSOL, and BGSOL. Moreover, Rex-Osprey’s Solana Staking ETF added jitoSOL in July 2025. This wave of launches shows strong demand for staking liquidity without sacrificing rewards.
20 Jan 2026, 18:15
All eyes on February 20 as Supreme Court delays ruling on Trump’s tariffs
The United States Supreme Court didn’t rule on President Donald Trump’s tariffs on Tuesday as anticipated. The Court’s latest batch of decisions issued Tuesday morning did not include the tariffs case. According to reports, the justices will be hearing arguments on Wednesday about Trump’s effort to oust Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook, but it isn’t scheduled to release opinions. After Wednesday, the court is preparing to begin a four-week recess, and under its usual procedures for releasing opinions, the next potential day for a tariff decision is February 20. Polymarket bettors see a 31% chance court favors Trump At hearings late last year, the justices were skeptical enough of the White House’s claims that the markets are now expecting the Supreme Court to rule against Trump. According to the betting website Polymarket, there is a 31% chance the court will side with the White House, though this probability has decreased since earlier this month. Odds that the Supreme Court will rule in favor of Trump. Source: Polymaket Trade lawyers claim that the upcoming US Supreme Court ruling on President Donald Trump’s tariffs could deny him the legal power to carry out new tariff threats, including those aimed at NATO members over Greenland’s sovereignty . The lawyers stated that the targeted tariff threats made by Trump over the weekend would likely rest on the same legal authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) that the Supreme Court will decide. Michael Lowell, partner and chair of the Global Regulatory Enforcement Group, stated, “Similar to the Brazil tariffs, if the Supreme Court rules IEEPA doesn’t give the president tariff power, then these tariffs being threatened on NATO members would be illegal.” As reported by Cryptopolitan, Trump announced Saturday that if a deal is not reached, allowing Washington to acquire Greenland, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the UK, the Netherlands, and Finland would face increasing tariffs, starting at 10% on February 1 and rising to 25% on June 1. According to Michael Lowell, if the Court overturns the tariffs, companies in the NATO group that would have to pay the threatened tariffs may have to take new legal steps. “It may still be necessary for companies that import from those countries to bring suit to enforce that would be a quick lawsuit since the law would be clear by the ruling.” European leaders have described this latest tariff salvo as a form of blackmail. They are reportedly deliberating on potential responses, including implementing an anti-coercion instrument which could limit US access to the European Union, the world’s third-largest economy. Trump to use Section 232 investigation on minerals to levy tariffs Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated that it’s “very unlikely” that the Supreme Court will overturn Trump’s use of emergency powers to impose tariffs. According to him, even if the administration loses, new tariffs will go into effect immediately. Trade attorneys also say the president could use the recently completed Section 232 investigation on critical minerals to levy tariffs. Greenland is a mineral-rich island that is a semi-autonomous territory of Denmark. The section dictates that if negotiations do not work, “it may be appropriate to impose import restrictions, such as tariffs, if satisfactory agreements are not reached in a timely manner.” In the latest Section 232 policy on critical minerals, the language states that the executive branch of the government reserves the right for the president to impose tariffs. However, a ruling against Trump on tariffs would deliver his biggest legal defeat since returning to the White House. A decision against Trump could also open the way for more than $130 billion in refunds. Get seen where it counts. Advertise in Cryptopolitan Research and reach crypto’s sharpest investors and builders.
