Invest ideasNews
22 Jan 2026, 14:45
Bitwise insists crypto bear market bottomed out in Q4 2025 despite falling prices
The final three months of 2025 might have marked a turning point for crypto, even though prices didn’t show it, according to a Wednesday report from Bitwise, a company that handles digital assets. Matt Hougan, who oversees investments at Bitwise, told clients that the last quarter created a puzzling situation. While the value of cryptocurrencies fell during most of the period, other measurements showed the industry getting stronger. Activity from users, information recorded on blockchains, and money earned by companies all went up. Similar patter n se en afte r FT X collapse Hougan drew comparisons to early 2023, right after the FTX exchange went under. Back then, crypto seemed stuck even though things were actually getting better behind the scenes. Bitcoin climbed from around $16,000 to roughly $98,000 by the beginning of 2025. “At the time, we were starting to rebound post-FTX, and the data was topsy-turvy; some up, some down, some sideways,” Hougan said . “In the two years that followed, crypto prices soared.” The same split between how people felt and what the numbers showed happened again at the end of 2025, according to Hougan. Prices dropped, but important signs of health across the crypto world jumped higher. Experts don’t agree on what comes next. Tom Lee from Fundstrat thinks economic problems like trade tariffs and political questions could hurt markets through most of 2026 before things pick up late in the year. VanEck sees it differently, expecting the first three months of 2026 to be good for riskier investments like crypto because of clearer government spending plans and a steadier American economy. Four signs point to market recovery Hougan pointed to four developments from the fourth quarter that support his view about the market hitting bottom. Ethereum and related networks handled more transactions than ever before, showing more people actually using the technology. Companies focused on crypto made more money than many regular stock market sectors. Stablecoins, digital currencies tied to the dollar, saw big increases. The total value of all stablecoins passed $300 billion in the fourth quarter, reaching a new record high. People moved more stablecoins around, and more money flowed into them throughout 2025. The growth of decentralized finance completed the picture. Hougan mentioned Uniswap, a trading platform that now handles more transactions than Coinbase on a regular basis. “That’s the kind of divergence you get at the bottom of bear markets, when sentiment is down but fundamentals are up,” he said. Bitwise identified several things that could push crypto prices higher in 2026 , including movement on the CLARITY Act, more stablecoin growth, a new Federal Reserve chair, and large investment firms giving clients access to crypto funds. Join a premium crypto trading community free for 30 days - normally $100/mo.
22 Jan 2026, 14:43
Bitcoin offers ‘no haven’ from Trump’s Greenland dreams
US President Donald Trump has decided not to invade Greenland, which gives Bitcoin some relief from the geopolitical pressures that have been weighing on its price chart.
22 Jan 2026, 14:40
XRP Investor Sentiment Plummets to Extreme Fear Stage as Market Faces Critical Test
BitcoinWorld XRP Investor Sentiment Plummets to Extreme Fear Stage as Market Faces Critical Test Global cryptocurrency markets witnessed a significant shift in January 2025 as XRP investor sentiment plunged into an extreme fear stage, marking a critical psychological threshold for the digital asset. According to data from blockchain analytics firm Santiment, this dramatic shift followed XRP’s approximately 19% decline from its January 5 peak, creating substantial downward pressure across trading platforms worldwide. The current market conditions reveal important patterns that experienced analysts recognize from previous cryptocurrency cycles, particularly the structural similarities to early 2022’s market configuration. XRP Investor Sentiment Enters Critical Territory Santiment’s comprehensive market analysis indicates that XRP investor sentiment has reached extreme fear levels, a measurement derived from multiple on-chain and social metrics. This psychological shift typically signals that retail investors have either exited positions or moved to the sidelines, a phenomenon market historians observe toward the end of downtrends rather than their beginnings. Consequently, the current sentiment reading suggests the market may approach a potential inflection point, though several technical factors must align for any sustained recovery. Market analysts emphasize that extreme fear readings often precede contrarian opportunities. However, they also caution that such conditions require careful monitoring of additional indicators. The cryptocurrency’s recent performance demonstrates how sentiment metrics interact with price action, creating complex market dynamics that challenge even seasoned traders. Furthermore, regulatory developments and broader economic factors continue influencing XRP’s market position throughout 2025. On-Chain Analysis Reveals Structural Concerns Blockchain data reveals concerning structural patterns within XRP’s holder composition. Currently, the average entry price for new buyers sits lower than that of long-term holders, creating substantial selling pressure during price declines. This configuration mirrors early 2022’s market structure, a period preceding significant cryptocurrency market corrections. Analysts note that such holder dynamics typically exacerbate downward momentum, as newer investors demonstrate lower conviction during volatility. The following table illustrates key on-chain metrics comparing current conditions with early 2022: Metric Early 2022 January 2025 Average Holder Entry Price Differential New buyers 18% below long-term New buyers 22% below long-term Sentiment Reading Extreme Fear Extreme Fear Retail Participation Rate Declining Declining Exchange Inflow Volume Elevated Elevated These metrics demonstrate several critical patterns: Holder structure creates inherent selling pressure during declines Retail investor participation shows consistent reduction in both periods Exchange inflows indicate potential distribution rather than accumulation Historical Context and Market Psychology Market historians reference previous cryptocurrency cycles when analyzing current conditions. The extreme fear sentiment reading represents a psychological extreme where emotional trading often dominates rational analysis. During such periods, market participants frequently make decisions based on fear rather than fundamental valuation, creating potential disconnects between price and underlying value. However, experienced traders recognize that these conditions sometimes present contrarian opportunities when combined with other confirming indicators. The cryptocurrency market’s 2025 landscape differs significantly from previous years due to several factors: Increased institutional participation has changed market dynamics Regulatory clarity in multiple jurisdictions affects trading behavior Improved market infrastructure provides more sophisticated tools Greater integration with traditional financial systems Pathways to Market Recovery A swift sentiment reversal requires specific market developments according to technical analysts. First, price stabilization must occur around identifiable support levels, creating foundation for potential recovery. Second, bargain hunters need to enter the market with sufficient volume to counteract selling pressure. Third, positive catalyst events could shift market psychology from extreme fear toward more balanced conditions. Finally, broader cryptocurrency market trends must support any sustained XRP recovery. Market technicians emphasize several critical levels for monitoring potential recovery: Immediate resistance levels that must be breached for upward momentum Volume confirmation requirements for any price movement validity Time-based recovery patterns that historically follow extreme sentiment readings Correlation breaks with broader cryptocurrency indices If XRP fails to establish reliable support during this period, the current bearish trend will likely persist according to historical patterns. Market participants should monitor trading volume closely, as increasing volume during potential reversals provides important confirmation. Additionally, regulatory developments continue influencing XRP’s market position, creating both challenges and opportunities throughout 2025. Expert Analysis and Market Implications Financial analysts with cryptocurrency market expertise emphasize several important considerations. First, extreme sentiment readings often mark potential turning points but require confirmation from other indicators. Second, holder structure analysis provides crucial context for understanding price action. Third, market psychology plays increasingly important roles in cryptocurrency valuation during volatile periods. Finally, the integration of traditional technical analysis with blockchain metrics creates more comprehensive market understanding. The current market conditions demonstrate several important characteristics: Psychological extremes often precede trend changes Structural market factors influence price discovery mechanisms Regulatory developments continue affecting market participation Institutional involvement changes traditional cryptocurrency dynamics Conclusion XRP investor sentiment has entered an extreme fear stage that mirrors concerning historical patterns while presenting potential contrarian opportunities. The current market structure shows significant similarities to early 2022 conditions, with new buyers entering at lower prices than long-term holders. This configuration creates inherent downward pressure during declines, requiring specific developments for sustained recovery. Market participants should monitor price stabilization, volume patterns, and broader cryptocurrency trends while recognizing that extreme sentiment readings often precede important market inflection points. The XRP market faces critical tests in coming weeks that will determine whether current conditions represent capitulation or continued decline. FAQs Q1: What does “extreme fear” sentiment mean for XRP? Extreme fear sentiment indicates that market participants have become predominantly pessimistic about XRP’s near-term prospects, often based on recent price declines and negative market developments. This psychological measurement typically occurs when selling pressure overwhelms buying interest, creating potential for either continued decline or contrarian recovery opportunities. Q2: How does current XRP holder structure affect price? The current holder structure shows new buyers entered at lower prices than long-term holders, creating natural selling pressure during declines. When prices drop below newer investors’ entry points, they may sell to minimize losses, exacerbating downward momentum. This dynamic differs from markets where long-term holders have lower cost bases. Q3: What typically follows extreme fear sentiment in cryptocurrency markets? Historical patterns show extreme fear sentiment often precedes market inflection points, though timing varies significantly. Sometimes markets continue declining before finding bottoms, while other times sentiment extremes mark immediate reversals. Additional technical indicators and fundamental developments determine which pattern emerges. Q4: How reliable are sentiment indicators for predicting price movements? Sentiment indicators provide psychological context rather than direct price predictions. They work best when combined with technical analysis, on-chain metrics, and fundamental developments. Extreme readings often signal potential turning points but require confirmation from other data sources for trading decisions. Q5: What should investors monitor during extreme fear conditions? Investors should monitor price stabilization around support levels, trading volume patterns during potential reversals, broader cryptocurrency market trends, regulatory developments, and any fundamental catalyst events. These factors combined provide more complete market understanding than sentiment indicators alone. This post XRP Investor Sentiment Plummets to Extreme Fear Stage as Market Faces Critical Test first appeared on BitcoinWorld .
22 Jan 2026, 14:38
15,000,000,000 SHIB in 3 Hours: Indian Shiba Inu Billionaire Sparks New Meme Coin Mystery
Shiba Inu billionaire with ties to India just moved 15 billion SHIB through WazirX paths in a secret three-hour window, provoking speculation about a hidden meme coin portfolio reset.
22 Jan 2026, 14:35
Russian father loses crypto holdings for failing to pay child support debt
The Russian judiciary has confiscated the cryptocurrency of a father of two who failed to pay well over a million rubles in child support to his former spouse. News of the case, which is a first of its kind, comes after Russia’s constitutional court reaffirmed the property status of digital assets under current law. Russian father loses his coins to overdue child support payments The Bailiff Service in Russia’s Krasnodar Krai has settled a child support dispute by selling the cryptocurrency holdings of the debtor, Russian media revealed. A resident of the western region’s Belorechensky District owed around 1.7 million rubles (over $22,000) in child support payments for two minor children. The father had been failing to pay the money to his ex-wife for a long time, and the coin confiscation was conducted as part of a court’s order to seize his assets. A brokerage account for crypto investment was among those frozen, the leading Russian crypto news outlet Bits.media reported Thursday, noting this happens for the first time. The account had enough cryptocurrency to cover the debt, and the local bailiff’s office arranged the withdrawal of the respective amount through the court system. Under the Russian law “On Enforcement Proceedings,” bailiffs have the right to seize a debtor’s digital financial assets, explained the regional branch of the Federal Bailiff Service ( FBS ). The latter is a law enforcement agency subordinated to the Russian Ministry of Justice. Besides maintaining security and order within court facilities, its responsibilities include ensuring proper and timely execution of judicial acts as well. The body confirmed this is the first time in the region’s judicial practice in which a debt is fully covered using cryptocurrencies. At the same time, it noted that in this particular case, the digital assets were held with a broker and not in a personal wallet of the citizen who defaulted. Should Russians expect more crypto seizures in the future? The Russian Federation is yet to comprehensively regulate crypto transactions, and it’s planning to do so in the first half of this year. That includes determining the status of Bitcoin and the like. According to a new regulatory concept presented by the Bank of Russia in December, these will be recognized as “currency assets.” Until now, cryptocurrency has been mostly treated as property for the purposes of criminal investigations and court proceedings. Earlier this week, Russia’s Constitutional Court confirmed that in a case over a property claim on misappropriated stablecoins, as reported by Cryptopolitan. A bill regulating the seizure of cryptocurrency, also recognizing its property nature, was submitted by the Russian government last spring. The filing followed media reports that revealed the executive power in Moscow had elaborated a detailed mechanism for the confiscation of digital coins. These developments came after the Federal Bailiff Service announced in April 2025 that it was exploring ways to convert $90 million worth of seized crypto into revenue for the state. At the time, the head of the FBS, Dmitriy Aristov, described Bitcoin as a “problematic assets,” when he was asked to comment on the current practice of cryptocurrency seizure in Russia during a meeting of a legislative committee at the Federation Council, the upper house of Russian parliament. If you're reading this, you’re already ahead. Stay there with our newsletter .
22 Jan 2026, 14:34
USDC deposits and withdrawals now available on Algorand!
Funding You can transfer USDC to your Kraken account by navigating to Funding, selecting USDC and choosing the desired deposit method (network) from the drop-down box: Algorand . Make sure to deposit your tokens into networks supported by Kraken. Deposits made using other networks will be lost. Trade on Kraken Here’s some more information about these assets : USDC USDC is a fully reserved digital dollar stablecoin issued by Circle. Each USDC is backed 1:1 by cash and short-term U.S. Treasury bonds, with reserves held by regulated financial institutions and attested monthly by an independent accounting firm. USDC enables fast, low-cost global transactions and is widely integrated across DeFi protocols, payment platforms, and digital commerce applications. Algorand Algorand is a Layer-1 blockchain built for speed, security, and sustainability. Using a pure proof-of-stake consensus mechanism, Algorand processes transactions in seconds with near-instant finality and minimal fees. The network is carbon-negative and designed to support global financial applications, from payments to tokenization, with enterprise-grade performance and reliability. Please note: Trading via Kraken App and Instant Buy will be available once the liquidity conditions are met (when a sufficient number of buyers and sellers have entered the market for their orders to be efficiently matched). Geographic restrictions may apply Get Started with Kraken Will Kraken make more assets available? Yes! But our policy is to never reveal any details until shortly before launch – including which assets we are considering. All of Kraken’s available tokens can be found here , and all future tokens will be announced on our Listings Roadmap and social media profiles . Our client engagement specialists cannot answer any questions about which assets we may be making available in the future. Although the term “stablecoin” is commonly used, there is no guarantee that the asset will maintain a stable value in relation to the value of the reference asset when traded on secondary markets or that the reserve of assets, if there is one, will be adequate to satisfy all redemptions. The post USDC deposits and withdrawals now available on Algorand! appeared first on Kraken Blog .
