Invest ideasNews
18 Jan 2026, 09:00
Bitcoin Records Large Exchange Inflows As Price Climbs — What Next For BTC?
Bitcoin recently failed to overcome the $97,000 resistance following its price surge seen in mid-January. At the moment, the leading cryptocurrency has taken on a state of inertia, with no significant movement in either direction seen. However, an investigation of on-chain dynamics has recently revealed that trouble might be looming for the flagship cryptocurrency. Related Reading: Bitcoin Holds Key Support As Weekend Liquidity Sets In — $98,200 And $107,500 In Focus Sudden Inflows: Caution Or Opportunity? In a QuickTake post on CryptoQuant, key opinion leader CryptoZeno shares a potentially foreboding observation on Bitcoin’s market dynamics, saying the premier cryptocurrency could be facing a risk of distribution in the near-term. This conjecture is based on the Bitcoin: Exchange Inflow (Total) – All Exchanges metric, which serves the basic function of tracking the total amount of BTC transferred into centralized exchanges over a certain period. CryptoZeno highlights in the post that exchange inflows have seen sharp surges through Bitcoin’s most-recent trading sessions, which represent one of the most significant spikes seen in the month of January. Typically, large inflows of BTC into exchanges act as a telltale sign that investors are preparing to distribute their holdings. This is contrary to any inclination towards long-term holding. Interestingly, the sign of distribution-readiness is more typical if the event were to occur just after a strong advance of the BTC price. Also citing historical occurrences, CryptoZeno explains that such behavior, where BTC holders increasingly send their tokens to exchanges, suggests that investors are venturing out of Bitcoin and to more “liquid venues.” Expectedly, such a massive dispersal of their holdings would translate into price as increased sell-side pressure, especially in the short-term. Notably, the analyst makes it clear that inflows alone do not tell a sure story of an immediate reversal. More accurately, spikes in exchange inflows often come before heightened volatility periods or corrective price action. Related Reading: Are XRP ETFs About To Act Like Banks? Expert Thinks So Analyst Highlights Mid- To Large-Size Bands As Main BTC ‘Movers’ CryptoZeno provides more context by merging the Spent Output Value Bands with the Exchange Inflow metric. This shows which investor cohort was more involved in creating the distribution signal seen. On inspection of the blended metric, it becomes apparent that the spike in exchange inflows was largely induced by mid-to-large size bands (10-100 BTC, and 100-1,000BTC). These size bands, according to the crypto expert, are associated with whales, long-term investors who are repositioning, or even ETFs. These investor classes do not merely act without strategic reasons. As a result, their activity is usually more important compared to retail activity. A simultaneous increment to exchange inflows, alongside large investor distribution, is another sign that the Bitcoin market is on the brink of a fragile phase. In the event that inflows remain high as price struggles to reclaim past highs, the world’s leading cryptocurrency could be entering a phase of trouble, as it would suggest the predominance of supply over demand. As of this writing, Bitcoin is worth $95,250, recording almost no growth since the past day. Featured image from Flickr, chart from Tradingview
18 Jan 2026, 09:00
Yakovenko’s ‘adapt or die’ warning lands as Solana RWAs hit $1B
This comes days after the Ethereum co-founder's contrasting views.
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, 08:20
PEPE price prediction 2026-2032: Will Pepe coin dominate Dogecoin and Shiba Inu in 2026?
Key Takeaways: Pepe prices faced bearish pressure toward $0.00000576. Our Pepe price prediction for 2026 is a maximum price of $0.000025 In 2032, we expect the Pepe price to touch $0.00035. The meme coin sector momentarily slowed down, hinting at a potential rally if the broader market stabilizes after its recent downturn. Specifically, PEPE coin prices display a bullish pattern, presenting an opportunity for a breakout based on the daily chart analysis. Moreover, the volatility of meme coins is exacerbated by the prevailing market uncertainty. This causes fluctuations in PEPE prices as they oscillate in search of a solid support level to initiate a recovery. Considering investing in Pepe crypto? Explore our Pepecoin price prediction from 2026 to 2032. We offer an in-depth analysis of the anticipated price movements for the PEPE coin. Overview Cryptocurrency Pepe Token PEPE Price $0.00000576 (-1.3%) Market Cap $5.89 Billion Trading Volume (24-hour) $1.22 Billion (-20.5%) Circulating Supply 420.68 Trillion Pepe All-time High $0.00002825 December 9, 2024 All-time Low $0.00000000001062 Apr 14, 2023 Pepe Coin Price Prediction: Technical Analysis Metric Value Current Price $ 0.00000576 Price Prediction $ 0.000004462 (-24.93%) Fear & Greed Index 25 (Extreme Fear) Sentiment Bearish Volatility 22.01% (Extremely High) Green Days 12/30 (40%) 50-Day SMA $ 0.000004612 200-Day SMA $ 0.000008326 14-Day RSI 62.58 (Neutral) Pepe Price Analysis: PEPE price faces bearish pressure toward $0.00000576 Pepe shows bearish pressure toward $0.00000576 The resistance for Pepe/Usdt is at $0.00000612 The support for Pepe/Usdt is at $0.00000561 The PEPE price analysis for January 18 confirms Pepe faced bearish pressure as sellers pushed the price toward $0.00000576. Currently, bears are dominating the pepe price chart. Pepe Coin price analysis 1-day chart: Pepe price faces bearish pressure toward $0.00000576 Analyzing the daily price chart of Pepe coin, Pepe’s price witnessed a surge in bearish volatility over the last few hours. Sellers pushed the meme coin toward $0.00000576 as long-liquidation surged. The 24-hour volume dropped to $22.97 million, showing a decline in trading interest. Pepe is trading at $0.00000576, declining over 1.2% in the last 24 hours. Pepeusd Chart By TradingView The RSI-14 trend line has dropped from its previous level and trades at level 52, hinting at an upcoming bearish trend. The SMA-14 level suggests volatility in the next few hours. PEPE/USDT 4-hour price chart: Bears aim for an immediate decline The 4-hour Pepe price chart suggests that bears dominate near the immediate support line as the PEPE price holds below critical EMA levels. Currently, bulls are aiming for a hold above the EMA20 trend line. Pepeusd Chart By TradingView The BoP indicator trades in a bullish region at 0, showing that short-term buyers are taking a chance to accelerate an upward trend. However, the MACD trend line has formed red candles below the signal line, and the indicator aims for negative momentum, strengthening short-position holders’ confidence. Pepe technical indicators: Levels and action Daily simple moving average (SMA) Period Value Action SMA 3 $ 0.000006599 SELL SMA 5 $ 0.000006481 SELL SMA 10 $ 0.000005728 BUY SMA 21 $ 0.000004825 BUY SMA 50 $ 0.000004612 BUY SMA 100 $ 0.000005818 BUY SMA 200 $ 0.000008326 SELL Daily exponential moving average (EMA) Period Value Action EMA 3 $ 0.000006615 SELL EMA 5 $ 0.000006408 SELL EMA 10 $ 0.000005833 BUY EMA 21 $ 0.000005197 BUY EMA 50 $ 0.000005082 BUY EMA 100 $ 0.000005964 BUY EMA 200 $ 0.000007473 SELL What to expect from PEPE price analysis next? The hourly price chart confirms that Pepe attempts to drop below the immediate support line; however, bulls are eyeing a further recovery rally in the coming hours. If Pepe’s price holds momentum above $0.00000612, it will fuel a bullish rally to $0.00000730. Pepeusd Chart By TradingView If bulls fail to initiate a surge, Pepe’s price may drop below the immediate support line at $0.00000561, beginning a bearish trend to $0.00000415. Is PEPE A Good Investment? Reviewing the Pepe project’s roadmap, it appears there are no detailed plans other than anticipation that $PEPE and similar meme coins will dominate. Given this lack of clear direction and with an already sizable community of over 764,000 Twitter followers, the project’s price growth potential may be capped. However, meme coins have a reputation for offering significant returns, as their values can surge dramatically when supported by strong community movements. This was evident when Pepe’s value skyrocketed by over 222% to reach a new all-time high (ATH) following its listing on the Binance exchange. A similar significant announcement in 2026 could propel Pepe to surpass its previous ATH. Why is Pepe down today? Pepe’s price faced minor selling around recent highs. This pushed the price of PEPE toward the intra low around $0.00000576. Will Pepe Recover? If buyers hold the price above the $0.000006 level strongly, we might see further upward rally in the Pepe price chart. What is Pepe price prediction for 2026? The Pepe price prediction for 2026 expects the meme coin to record a maximum level of $0.000025. Will Pepe price reach $0.0001? Pepe’s price might touch the $0.0001 mark by the end of 2031. However, this price milestone entirely depends on the utility of Pepe coin and future buying demand. Will Pepe price reach $1? Pepe has a great community, and the hype is high for the meme coin. If everything remains good, we might see Pepe’s price touch $1 soon or by 2060. Recent news Whale transactions for PEPE surged 620% this week, per Santiment data tracking transfers over $100k. PEPE Price Prediction January 2026 If BTC price records robust surges this month, we might see PEPE price skyrocketing. We expect the PEPE price to record minimum and maximum prices of $0.000004 and $0.000017, respectively. The average price might be around $0.00001. Month Potential low ($) Potential average ($) Potential high ($) January 2026 0.000004 0.00001 0.000017 Pepe price prediction 2026 The Pepe roadmap is somewhat vague, with few definitive plans beyond the expectation that $PEPE and similar meme coins will dominate the market. Despite its robust community, this lack of clear direction might cap the project’s price potential. Meme coins have a reputation for offering significant financial returns, as their values can surge rapidly when supported by their communities. The impact of major announcements was evident when Pepe’s value soared by more than 222% following its listing on the Binance exchange, reaching an all-time high. In 2026, Pepe’s minimum expected price is projected to be $0.000004. It may peak at a maximum value of $0.000025, with an average trading price of $0.000015 throughout the year. Year Potential low ($) Potential average ($) Potential high ($) 2026 0.000004 0.000015 0.000025 PEPE price predictions 2027-2032 Year Minimum Price ($) Average Price ($) Maximum Price ($) 2027 0.000027 0.000035 0.000044 2028 0.000048 0.000055 0.000061 2029 0.000067 0.000076 0.000082 2030 0.000088 0.000095 0.000099 2031 0.0001 0.00014 0.00019 2032 0.00024 0.00029 0.00035 PEPE price forecast for 2027 Pepe must offer tangible value to reach a valuation comparable to Shiba Inu and Dogecoin . For instance, Shiba Inu is developing Shibarium, a layer-two scaling solution on Ethereum , alongside various protocols and tools for its community. Meanwhile, Dogecoin is enhancing tools and libraries that facilitate the integration of $DOGE as a payment option for businesses. According to predictions and technical analysis, Pepe could achieve a minimum price of $0.000027 in 2027. The price may rise to a maximum of $0.000044, with an average expected trading price of $0.000035. Pepe Price Prediction 2028 The forecast for 2028 suggests that Pepe will have a minimum price of $0.000048. The maximum price is projected to be $0.000061, with an average price of $0.000055 throughout the year. Pepe price prediction 2029 By 2029, the lowest predicted price for Pepe is $0.000067. It might reach a maximum price of $0.000082, with the average price expected to be around $0.000076. Pepe price prediction 2030 Based on forecasts and technical analysis, the price of Pepe in 2030 is expected to start at a minimum of $0.000088. It could reach a maximum of $0.000099, with an average trading value of $0.000095. Pepe price prediction 2031 Drawing from deep technical analysis of past PEPE data, the price in 2031 is projected to have a minimum value of $0.0001. The maximum price could reach $0.00019, with an average value of $0.00014 throughout the year. Pepe price prediction 2032 By 2032, the lowest predicted price for Pepe is $0.00024. It might reach a maximum of $0.00035, with the average price expected to be around $0.00029. PEPE price prediction 2026-2032 Pepe price prediction: Analysts’ forecast Firm name 2026 2027 Coincodex 0.00001623 0.00001320 DigitalCoinPrice 0.0000105 0.0000148 Cryptopolitan’s Pepe price prediction The significant influence of major announcements on Pepe’s market performance was demonstrated when its value rose by over 222% after being listed on the Binance exchange, achieving a record high. Another prominent event could similarly propel Pepe to unprecedented levels. Cryptopolitan predicts that, in 2026, Pepe’s minimum expected price is projected to be $0.000004. It may peak at a maximum value of $0.000025, with an average trading price of $0.000015 throughout the year. Pepe historic price sentiment PEPE price history | CoinStats Initial Market Entry and Early Fluctuations: PEPE was introduced to the open market in May 2023, starting at $0.000001514. It experienced a peak at $0.000008117 in July 2023, followed by a dip to $0.0000006105 shortly after. End of 2023 and Trends in 2024: By the close of 2023, the price of PEPE stabilized at $0.000001335. However, 2024 began with a downward trend, with the price dropping to $0.00001237 by mid-February. Record High in March 2024: Amidst a surge in the memecoin sector, PEPE reached a new all-time high of $0.00001074 on March 14, 2024, but slightly decreased to $0.0000083 by March 21, 2024. In May, the price of Pepe surged exponentially, and a new ATH was formed each week. On 27 May, Pepe price reached a new ATH at $0.00001718. However, the price heavily declined in June as it broke below the crucial level of $0.00001. In July, though the Pepe price touched $0.000012, it failed to maintain its momentum and dropped toward $0.0000093. In August, Pepe’s price dropped toward the $0.0000058 level. However, it is now recovering slightly. In September, the price of Pepe witnessed extreme fluctuation; however, it ended the month on a bullish note as it hit $0.000012. Pepe price experienced an Uptober rally later as it surged toward the high of $0.000012 in October. However, the price is now declining below support channels. In November, the price of Pepe skyrocketed above $0.000026. In December, Pepe consolidated below $0.00002. In January 2025, Pepe skyrocketed toward $0.000028, but it then declined to as low as $0.000010 in February. Pepe price crashed in February as it dropped below $0.0000078. In March, the price of Pepe declined heavily as it aimed for a low around $0.000005. The price of Pepe attempted to surge above $0.00001 in April but it failed to meet buyers’ demand. This resulted in a bearish decline in the PEPE price chart. In early May, the price of Pepe skyrocketed toward $0.000013. However, in early June, the price of Pepe declined toward the low of $0.00001. By June’s end, Pepe dropped toward $0.000009. In July, PEPE price surged toward the high of $0.000015 but later declined below $0.00001 in early August. By the end of August, the price of PEPE declined below $0.00001 again. In September, PEPE price declined further toward $0.0000088. The price of Pepe declined further in October and dropped toward $0.000005 in early November. By the end of November, the price of PEPE declined toward the low of $0.000004. PEPE ended 2025 below $0.000004; however, it surged above $0.0000072 in early January.
18 Jan 2026, 08:02
Billions of XRP About to Be Locked Up In Vaults. Here’s the Latest
At a time when price performance remains a point of frustration for many market participants, crypto commentator Zach Rector has directed attention to a different set of metrics he believes deserve closer examination. In a recent post accompanied by a short video, Rector argued that large and growing amounts of XRP are being vaulted through exchange-traded products, digital asset treasury companies, and decentralized finance structures. His remarks focused less on short-term market movement and more on how XRP supply dynamics may be evolving behind the scenes. Rector opened by acknowledging the apparent disconnect between price action and structural developments. While XRP’s price has remained under pressure, he stated that the quantity of XRP placed into vault arrangements tied to ETF-related products has continued to increase . According to his figures, more than 800 million XRP have already been vaulted in connection with XRP ETFs, a level he said is rapidly approaching one percent of the total XRP supply. He emphasized that this trend has progressed independently of recent market volatility. Billions of XRP about to be locked up in vaults for ETFs, DATs & DeFi pic.twitter.com/UY7ZEUgAGV — Zach Rector (@ZachRector7) January 16, 2026 Projected Growth Across ETFs, DATs, and DeFi Expanding on the data, Rector suggested that the current numbers represent an early stage rather than a plateau. He projected that this process will extend through 2026, with billions of XRP potentially being allocated across ETFs, digital asset treasury companies, and XRP-focused DeFi applications. While he cautioned against prematurely declaring an immediate supply shock, he maintained that a forward-looking assessment supports the idea that circulating supply may become tighter over time as these mechanisms expand. Rector noted that when these different forms of vaulting are considered together, the available circulating XRP may be lower than commonly assumed. His argument rested on aggregation rather than a single structure, proposing that the cumulative effect of ETFs, institutional treasury strategies, and DeFi participation could materially alter perceptions of supply availability. Debate Over the Use of “Locked Up” The terminology used in Rector’s commentary prompted pushback from at least one respondent. An X user, CryptoBiff, challenged the repeated use of the phrase “locked up,” arguing that ETF-held XRP can be sold just as easily as it can be purchased. The commenter suggested that such language could be misleading, even while acknowledging that Rector’s broader analytical points may still hold merit. We are on X, follow us to connect with us :- @TimesTabloid1 — TimesTabloid (@TimesTabloid1) June 15, 2025 This exchange highlighted a recurring debate within digital asset markets regarding how vaulting, custody, and liquidity should be described. While Rector described these developments as reducing effective circulation, critics emphasized that financial products do not permanently remove assets from the market in the same way as irreversible mechanisms might. Focus Shifts Toward Supply Visibility Despite differing views on terminology, Rector’s central claim remained consistent. He argued that attention should not be limited to price movements alone, but should also include monitoring how XRP is allocated across emerging financial structures. In his view, understanding where XRP resides and how it is utilized may become increasingly relevant as institutional products and on-chain systems continue to expand. 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 Billions of XRP About to Be Locked Up In Vaults. Here’s the Latest appeared first on Times Tabloid .
