hodler

26 Jan 2026, 19:00

Rising XRP Open Interest Clashes With Bearish On-Chain And Price Signals

With the market flipping into a bearish state, XRP is experiencing conflicting signals in on-chain activity. While some metrics are showing bullish action, other key metrics are starting to demonstrate negative trends, which brings the leading altcoin to a crucial moment that could play a key role in shaping its next price direction . Derivatives Activity Expands On XRP Amid the ongoing pullback in the price of XRP, the altcoin is now showcasing a notable divergence in market signals. Specifically, XRP Open Interest (OI) appears to have transitioned into a bullish state while several other key metrics have flipped into bearish territory. After analyzing multiple metrics, Cryptoinsightuk, a market expert and investor on the social media platform X, highlighted that open interest continues to rise significantly. The rise in derivatives positioning is a clear signal that traders are becoming more leveraged and engaged in the market. Cryptoinsightuk stated that this significant open interest rise coincides with heavily negative performance in XRP’s Funding rates and Premium. This kind of setup often precedes heightened volatility, especially as on-chain data and broader momentum hint at weakening market conditions. According to the expert, the divergence indicates that the move down is being artificially created by leveraged players. Currently, XRP seems to be at a crucial stage when positioning, rather than spot demand, may determine its next significant move as leverage builds against a more cautious environment. However, the expert noted that spot volume has also witnessed a spike. Interestingly, the rise in spot volume comes as the market saw a sweep of the recent wick into the year-long support, which led to the creation of a Bullish Divergence on the 4-hour time frame chart. Based on the hourly liquidity pools, the market might still have some room to grow. However, the expert is confident that a bounce from the current position is likely to take place. When the bounce occurs, it is expected to be quite violent and will spur a short squeeze back to the upside. Investors Are Leaning More Towards Long Positions Despite waning price action, investors seem to be eyeing a potential reversal toward the upside as they increase their bets. This bullish action is evidenced by a sharp uptick in the high-leverage long positions as reported by CW, a data analyst and crypto investor. Positioning is getting more crowded as more money enters leveraged bets on the upside, increasing the stakes for the upcoming price surge. CW highlighted that high leverage XRP long positions are accumulating around the $1.85 mark, reflecting the significance of the level and the growing appetite for risk among investors. However, CW noted that whales are likely to liquidate these positions again. In another post , CW has confirmed that large orders from whales are already flooding the market. At the same time, these high-net-worth investors on the Coinbase platform have now formed a selling wall at $1.96.

26 Jan 2026, 19:00

WhatsApp channels are now classified by the EU as a Very Large Online Platform under the Digital Services Act

WhatsApp has officially been pulled into the European Union’s strictest internet crackdown. On Monday, the European Commission gave Meta’s popular messaging app a new status under the Digital Services Act. WhatsApp open channels now count as a Very Large Online Platform, which means Meta must now meet high legal standards for how it handles content, transparency, and user risks. This applies only to WhatsApp channels, not to the regular one-on-one chats. The law does not affect private messages. These new channels are used by celebrities, public figures, and news outlets to broadcast updates, and now, they come with legal obligations. EU adds WhatsApp after sexual deepfake scandal on X The announcement came just hours after EU regulators launched a case against Elon Musk’s X. They’re investigating the spread of sexually explicit deepfake images created by Grok, the AI bot running on X. That platform, which was fined €120 million in December, is already under the DSA. The White House said the law is being used to punish U.S. companies unfairly. The U.S. government is not happy. Last year, after the EU fine on X, the Trump administration blocked travel access for Thierry Breton, one of the officials who helped build the law. That came after Washington accused the EU of turning internet rules into a censorship tool. WhatsApp became a DSA target because of its numbers. Meta had already reported that the platform averaged about 46.8 million monthly users on its channels during the second half of 2024. That crossed the threshold needed for the Commission to step in. These rules are not suggestions. Once labeled, platforms like WhatsApp must publish user stats every six months and assess how their channels are used to spread illegal or harmful content. If they break the law, they could be fined up to 6% of their annual global sales. For a company like Meta, that’s a huge financial hit. Bloomberg first reported Meta had been told this was coming. But now it’s official, and WhatsApp is the latest to join Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and X in the EU’s strict list. EU lawmakers demand new digital agency to keep control Alexandra Geese, a member of the European Parliament from Germany, said none of this is about pressure from the United States. “The enforcement is not happening because there’s too much pressure from the Trump administration,” Geese said. She worked directly on the DSA and warned early on that the EU needed an independent agency to enforce these laws. “This is an ‘I told you so’ moment,” Geese added. And she wasn’t the only one. Last year, Portugal pushed for the EU to create a single digital enforcement agency. Gonçalo Matias, Portugal’s minister for state reform, invited 13 countries to a summit in October to talk about it. He said countries need to “coordinate responsibilities currently spread across multiple authorities.” In the final statement from that meeting, the 13 countries said a single regulator “can consolidate responsibilities, ensure coherent enforcement of EU digital legislation and foster an innovation-friendly regulatory culture.” But not everyone supported the idea. Hungary, Slovakia, and Poland opposed it. These countries don’t like giving Brussels more power. Mario Mariniello from Bruegel, a think tank, argued that this kind of enforcement shouldn’t stay inside the European Commission. “There, the level of politicization is so high that you would have a significant benefit,” he wrote last September. He said a separate agency would stop political interference, especially when outside countries like the U.S. get involved. He pointed to the EU’s delay in fining Google as an example. Trade talks with Washington were tense, and the EU’s trade chief held back the fine. The fine came later, but the delay showed the Commission was vulnerable to pressure. Geese said this shows why the Commission can’t keep doing everything itself. “It’s so political, there’s no real enforcement, there’s no independent enforcement, independent from politics,” she said. But she also admitted that trying to build a new agency now might be a bad idea. “You’re gonna debate this for two or three years, with the Council, and Hungary and Slovakia are going to say: No way. And in the meantime, nothing happens, because that becomes the excuse: The agency is going to do it,” she said. Geese said time matters. Europe is under pressure to respond to the Grok case, where an AI bot published sexual deepfakes online. She said it’s “one of the most egregious episodes of a large language model perpetuating gender based violence.” Sharpen your strategy with mentorship + daily ideas - 30 days free access to our trading program

26 Jan 2026, 18:50

Sui Hydropower Fellowship Ignites Innovation: Applications Open for Blockchain’s Next Visionaries

BitcoinWorld Sui Hydropower Fellowship Ignites Innovation: Applications Open for Blockchain’s Next Visionaries In a significant move for the Web3 ecosystem, the Sui blockchain network has officially opened applications for its pioneering Sui Hydropower Fellowship. This ambitious support program, announced via the project’s official X account, specifically targets early-stage founders building in several frontier sectors of decentralized technology. Consequently, this initiative represents a strategic investment in the next generation of blockchain infrastructure and applications. The fellowship focuses on critical areas like real-world asset (RWA) tokenization, prediction markets, and the emerging field of DeFAI, which merges artificial intelligence with decentralized finance. Sui Hydropower Fellowship Targets Strategic Web3 Sectors The Sui Hydropower Fellowship establishes a clear mandate to cultivate innovation in five distinct technological domains. Firstly, the program seeks founders working on real-world asset (RWA) tokenization , a process converting physical assets like real estate or commodities into digital tokens on a blockchain. Secondly, it supports developers in the prediction markets space, where platforms allow users to trade on the outcome of future events. Thirdly, the fellowship encourages projects in gamified trading , which uses game-like mechanics to enhance user engagement in financial activities. Furthermore, a major focus area is DeFAI (AI + DeFi) , representing the convergence of artificial intelligence and decentralized finance. This hybrid field aims to create more intelligent, automated, and efficient financial protocols. Finally, the program includes incentive design , which is crucial for structuring sustainable token economies and governance models. The selection of these sectors is not arbitrary. For instance, the RWA tokenization market alone is projected by firms like Boston Consulting Group to become a multi-trillion-dollar industry by 2030. Similarly, analysts from firms such as Galaxy Digital highlight DeFAI as a key trend for 2025, promising to solve scalability and user experience challenges in DeFi. Context and Impact on the Blockchain Landscape The launch of the Sui Hydropower Fellowship arrives during a period of intense competition for developer talent within the blockchain industry. Major networks like Ethereum, Solana, and Avalanche operate similar grant and accelerator programs. However, Sui’s approach differentiates itself through a targeted sector focus and its underlying technology. Built by former Meta (formerly Facebook) engineers, the Sui blockchain utilizes a unique object-centric data model and the Move programming language. This architecture is designed for high throughput and low latency, making it particularly suitable for the complex applications the fellowship promotes. The potential impact of this initiative is multifaceted. For the selected founders, the fellowship likely provides non-dilutive funding, technical mentorship, and access to Sui’s ecosystem partners. For the Sui network itself, it is a direct strategy to bootstrap high-quality, native applications that demonstrate the blockchain’s capabilities. A successful fellowship cohort could significantly enhance Sui’s value proposition and attract more users and developers. Historically, similar ecosystem funds, such as the Solana Foundation’s grants, have been instrumental in catalyzing growth for their respective networks. Expert Analysis on Fellowship Strategy and Market Timing Industry observers note the strategic timing of this announcement. The cryptocurrency market has entered a new phase of institutional interest, particularly in tokenized assets and regulated DeFi products. By focusing on RWA and DeFAI, Sui positions its ecosystem at the intersection of traditional finance and decentralized innovation. According to public statements from Mysten Labs, the core contributors to Sui, the “Hydropower” metaphor signifies providing the essential energy—resources and support—to fuel the growth of promising projects. This follows a broader trend where layer-1 blockchains are evolving into comprehensive platform providers, offering more than just transaction settlement. Data from ecosystem trackers shows that developer activity on Sui has seen consistent growth since its mainnet launch in 2023. Initiatives like the Hydropower Fellowship are designed to accelerate this trend. The application process, as outlined in the announcement, is now live. Prospective founders must presumably submit detailed proposals outlining their project’s vision, use of Sui’s technology, and roadmap. While specific details regarding the grant size, equity requirements, or program duration were not disclosed in the initial announcement, such fellowships typically involve a combination of capital investment, hands-on engineering support, and go-to-market guidance. Conclusion The launch of the Sui Hydropower Fellowship marks a pivotal step in the network’s development strategy. By channeling resources into high-potential verticals like RWA tokenization and DeFAI, Sui is not merely funding startups but strategically shaping its own ecosystem’s future. This focused, founder-centric approach could yield significant dividends in the form of innovative applications that leverage Sui’s technical strengths. Ultimately, the success of the Sui Hydropower Fellowship will be measured by the quality and traction of the projects it cultivates, potentially solidifying Sui’s position as a leading platform for the next wave of decentralized applications. FAQs Q1: What is the Sui Hydropower Fellowship? The Sui Hydropower Fellowship is a support program launched by the Sui blockchain to provide funding, mentorship, and resources to early-stage founders building in specific Web3 sectors, including RWA tokenization and DeFAI. Q2: Who can apply for the Sui Hydropower Fellowship? The program targets early-stage founders and development teams whose projects align with the key areas of RWA tokenization, prediction markets, gamified trading, DeFAI (AI+DeFi), and incentive design. Specific eligibility criteria are detailed in the official application materials. Q3: What does DeFAI mean? DeFAI stands for Decentralized Finance Artificial Intelligence. It represents the integration of AI technologies, such as machine learning models and autonomous agents, into DeFi protocols to improve efficiency, risk management, and user experience. Q4: Why is Sui focusing on these particular sectors? Sui’s focus on RWA, DeFAI, and related sectors aligns with major growth trends in blockchain. These areas are seen as the next frontiers for adoption, combining technological innovation with real-world utility and significant market potential. Q5: How does this fellowship benefit the Sui blockchain? The fellowship acts as an ecosystem growth engine. By attracting and supporting high-quality builders, Sui aims to populate its network with compelling applications, which in turn drives user adoption, transaction volume, and overall network value. This post Sui Hydropower Fellowship Ignites Innovation: Applications Open for Blockchain’s Next Visionaries first appeared on BitcoinWorld .

26 Jan 2026, 18:41

‘Bitcoin Isn’t in a Bull Market:’ Expert Warns $80K Wasn’t the Bottom

Crypto markets opened the week under pressure. Bitcoin (BTC), for one, briefly dipped toward $86,000 as risk-off sentiment weighed across the sector. The asset later clawed back some losses and traded around $87,800. However, market experts believe that BTC remains bearish and lower levels are still ahead. Bitcoin’s Harsh Reality Check Popular crypto analyst Mr. Wall Street said the market is not in a bull phase and that optimism about a rebound is premature. In the latest update, he explained that the plunge to a level not seen since mid-December 2025 did not mark a durable bottom. He framed current conditions as part of a “huge bear market.” Mr Wall Street added that further downside remains ahead, while pointing to “much lower targets” as the next stage for the leading crypto asset rather than a quick recovery. Another analyst, Axel Adler Jr., echoed a similar sentiment amid market strain. He said these are not easy times for holders, and described an environment shaped by “pressure, fatigue, doubt.” More interestingly, Adler argued that the crypto winter began in November and is not only ongoing but “intensifying.” Adler went on to add, “It is precisely during such periods that the gap forms between those who will survive the cycle and those who will forever remain in the crowd at the highs. Winter cleanses the market. It shakes out speculators, breaks illusions, and leaves only discipline. And therein lies its value.” Traders Turn Defensive One major trigger for the downtrend was renewed tension in currency markets, after the New York Fed’s USD/JPY “rate check” hinted at sensitivity to a weaker yen, with 160 seen as an implicit warning level. Even though USD/JPY is still near two-month highs around 154, QCP Capital said positioning has become increasingly defensive as investors unwind short-yen trades to avoid being caught by possible intervention. The asset manager also said US political risk remains a major overhang as uncertainty builds around fiscal negotiations. House Republicans have moved forward with spending bills, while Senate Democrats have signaled they may block them. With government funding set to expire on January 30, QCP warned that failure to reach a bipartisan deal could trigger a partial shutdown. Meanwhile, Polymarket is pricing roughly a three-quarters chance of a shutdown by January 31. In crypto, QCP said put skew and implied volatility have risen, and prices may “chop around” in the near term as volatility stays high and markets await clarity. The post ‘Bitcoin Isn’t in a Bull Market:’ Expert Warns $80K Wasn’t the Bottom appeared first on CryptoPotato .

26 Jan 2026, 18:31

PEPE Price Eyes Breakout Amid Bullish Rebound and Descending Channel Pressure

PEPE price shows a clear bullish recovery, rebounding from an intraday low near $0.0000046 to around $0.00000493, reflecting a steady sequence of higher lows and higher highs. This move represents an approximate 3.30% gain, signaling improving short-term momentum as buyers regained control after the early dip. Overall, the price action suggests mild bullish strength with sustained demand keeping PEPE above its recent support zone. PEPE Price Signals Potential Breakout as Descending Channel Nears Resolution PEPE is trading inside a well-defined descending channel on the 3-day chart, a structure that has guided price lower since the previous cycle high. The chart shows PEPE consistently respecting the upper and lower channel boundaries, with price currently hovering near the lower support zone around $0.0000070–$0.0000075, an area that has historically attracted strong demand. Volume has compressed during this decline, suggesting selling pressure is weakening rather than accelerating. From a PEPE Whale perspective, this setup favors a bullish outcome if price breaks and holds above the channel resistance near $0.0000090–$0.0000100. A confirmed breakout could trigger a momentum shift, opening upside targets toward $0.0000135 and $0.0000170 in the medium term. Until that breakout occurs, PEPE remains in accumulation territory, with smart money closely watching for a volume expansion and a decisive move above the descending trendline. PEPE Price Consolidates as Bearish Momentum Gradually Reasserts On the 1-day PEPE/USD chart, price action reflects a prevailing bearish trend that has shifted into short-term consolidation near $0.0000049. PEPE initially experienced a sharp sell-off, followed by a series of lower highs and lower lows, confirming sustained downside pressure. A strong bullish impulse later pushed the price toward the $0.0000070 area, but the rally failed to hold, resulting in a pullback. Since then, price has stabilized below the $0.0000050 level, moving within a narrow range and suggesting that bearish control remains intact while selling momentum has moderated. The MACD has rolled over after its bullish crossover, with the MACD line now below the signal line and histogram bars turning red, indicating weakening upward momentum and increasing downside pressure. Meanwhile, the RSI is hovering in the low-to-mid 40s, which suggests bearish control without being oversold.

26 Jan 2026, 18:30

Claude Apps Launch: Anthropic’s Revolutionary Move Integrates AI Directly into Slack, Figma, and Canva

BitcoinWorld Claude Apps Launch: Anthropic’s Revolutionary Move Integrates AI Directly into Slack, Figma, and Canva In a strategic move that redefines the enterprise AI landscape, Anthropic has launched interactive Claude apps, enabling its flagship chatbot to operate directly within critical workplace platforms like Slack, Canva, and Figma. Announced on Monday, this pivotal development allows Claude Pro, Team, and Enterprise users to execute tasks within these apps through conversational commands, merging AI intelligence with dedicated visual interfaces to accelerate workflows. Consequently, this integration marks a significant shift from AI as a standalone tool to an embedded, operational layer within the core software stack of modern businesses. Claude Apps Transform Enterprise Productivity The newly launched Claude apps directory initially features integrations with several cornerstone workplace applications. Specifically, these include communication platform Slack, design tools Canva and Figma, cloud storage service Box, and CRM platform Clay, with a Salesforce implementation noted as imminent. When activated, each app creates a logged-in instance accessible to Claude, granting the AI the contextual permissions to perform authenticated actions. For instance, a user can now instruct Claude to send a summarized report to a specific Slack channel, generate a branded social media graphic in Canva, or fetch the latest sales figures from a Box folder. Anthropic emphasized the logic behind this approach in its announcement. “Analyzing data, designing content, and managing projects all work better with a dedicated visual interface,” the company stated. “Combined with Claude’s intelligence, you can work and iterate faster than either could offer alone.” This philosophy underscores a broader industry trend toward making AI less of a separate destination and more of a seamless, intelligent fabric woven into existing tools. The Technical Backbone: Model Context Protocol Notably, this system for app integration is not built on proprietary, walled-garden technology. Instead, both Anthropic’s new feature and a similar OpenAI Apps system launched in October 2024 rely on the Model Context Protocol (MCP). Anthropic introduced MCP as an open standard in 2024 to create a common framework for AI models to interact with external data sources and tools securely. The protocol’s support for apps was finalized in November, following collaborative development from multiple AI firms. Therefore, the launch of Claude apps represents both a product milestone and an endorsement of open interoperability standards within the competitive AI industry. Supercharging Claude Cowork with App Access The potential of these interactive apps amplifies considerably when paired with Claude Cowork, an advanced agentic AI tool Anthropic released just last week. Built upon the Claude Code foundation, Cowork allows users to assign complex, multi-stage tasks that involve large datasets—operations that traditionally required manual coding or terminal commands. With future app integration, Cowork could autonomously navigate connected platforms. For example, an user could ask Cowork to “analyze the Q4 sales data in Box, create a summary chart in Canva, and post it to the executive Slack channel with key insights.” While apps are not yet available in Cowork at launch, Anthropic confirmed the integration is “coming soon.” This combination points toward a future of highly automated, cross-platform workflows managed by AI agents. Safety and Governance in Agentic Systems However, Anthropic’s own documentation for Claude Cowork highlights the need for caution with such powerful, autonomous systems. The company explicitly advises users to monitor agentic tasks closely and to adopt a principle of least privilege when granting permissions. “Be cautious about granting access to sensitive information like financial documents, credentials, or personal records,” the safety guidelines recommend. “Consider creating a dedicated working folder for Claude rather than granting broad access.” This balanced approach reflects Anthropic’s constitutional AI principles, prioritizing capability alongside robust safety measures and user control. The Competitive Landscape and Market Implications This launch directly positions Anthropic against OpenAI in the burgeoning market for AI-native workplace integrations. The parallel development of app ecosystems by both leading AI labs signals a clear industry direction. The focus on enterprise and workplace tools from the outset also reinforces Anthropic’s strategic differentiation: a deep commitment to the business sector, emphasizing security, reliability, and integration over consumer-facing novelty. The availability matrix further clarifies this focus. The interactive apps feature is exclusively available to paying tiers—Claude Pro, Team, and Enterprise—and is not accessible to free users. Eligible subscribers can activate tools at claude.ai/directory. This tiered access ensures the feature supports business-grade performance, security, and support requirements from the start. Real-World Impact and Use Cases The immediate impact is tangible for knowledge workers. A marketing team can use Claude to draft copy in a document, then directly command it to format that copy into a designed banner in Canva. A project manager can have Claude pull the latest updates from a Box folder, synthesize them, and post a status summary to a Slack thread. A product designer can ask Claude to suggest UI improvements and then see those changes reflected in a connected Figma file. This reduces context-switching, streamlines approval chains, and compresses project timelines. Conclusion The launch of interactive Claude apps by Anthropic represents a fundamental evolution in enterprise artificial intelligence. By embedding Claude’s reasoning capabilities directly into ubiquitous workplace tools like Slack, Figma, and Canva, Anthropic is moving AI from a conversational partner to an active collaborator within the workflow. Furthermore, its foundation on the open Model Context Protocol and its impending synergy with the powerful Claude Cowork agent foreshadow a more interconnected and automated future for business software. While mindful deployment with attention to safety is paramount, this development undeniably accelerates the integration of AI as a core, productive layer in the modern professional environment. FAQs Q1: What are Claude apps and how do they work? Claude apps are interactive integrations that allow the Claude AI to operate within third-party software like Slack or Figma. Once a user enables an app and logs in, Claude can perform authenticated actions within that service, such as sending messages or editing designs, directly through the chat interface. Q2: Which applications are currently supported by Claude apps? The initial launch includes integrations for workplace tools Slack, Canva, Figma, Box, and Clay. Anthropic has also announced that an integration with Salesforce is expected to be available soon. Q3: Who has access to the new interactive Claude apps feature? Access is limited to Anthropic’s paying subscription tiers: Claude Pro, Team, and Enterprise plans. The feature is not available to users on the free tier of Claude. Q4: How is this different from OpenAI’s GPTs or Apps? While the functionality is similar, Claude apps and OpenAI’s system are both built on the same open standard, the Model Context Protocol (MCP). This means they share a technical foundation for secure tool integration, though the specific app ecosystems and underlying AI models differ. Q5: What are the safety considerations when using Claude apps with Claude Cowork? Anthropic advises users to grant permissions cautiously, avoiding access to highly sensitive documents. The company recommends creating dedicated working folders for AI agents and closely monitoring multi-step tasks performed by agentic systems like Claude Cowork to ensure intended outcomes. This post Claude Apps Launch: Anthropic’s Revolutionary Move Integrates AI Directly into Slack, Figma, and Canva first appeared on BitcoinWorld .