Invest ideasNews
17 Jan 2026, 11:30
Missed XRP’s 1000% Run? Experts Highlight a New Crypto With 10x Potential
Each crypto cycle makes winners out of those projects that appeared in the right stage of the market development. Ripple XRP was one of the largest surprises to the early holders in the previous cycle. However, 2026 is coming near and many traders are posing the same question: what crypto buy before it is too late that can bring the next asymmetric move. Analysts are pointing to an up-and-comer low-cost altcoin which remains early in its infancy and has not yet been valued by usage or utility. Ripple (XRP) The XRP of Ripple has served to popularize the initial narrative of institutions and international settlements. XRP has become more than a speculative token, and one of the leading names in the best crypto sector in boom times. In the present day, XRP has a significant market cap and has extensive liquidity. Its valuation is only in the tens of billions, and its price movement indicates that maturity. This is the point at which analysts refer to the limitation. Once an asset has attained a large market size, there is slow growth in price. XRP is no longer a small cap capable of making fast percentage returns. The forward growth analysts now project a muted outlook with regard to the XRP. According to some of the projections, XRP can grow only 1.5x by Q4 2026 assuming that the overall crypto market remains bullish. Quite the opposite of the 1000% moves which were observed years ago when it was in its first cycle window. Mutuum Finance (MUTM) Mutuum Finance (MUTM) is a new crypto asset developing a decentralized lending system that will enable users to lend out and borrow crypto assets in the form of smart contracts when it becomes operational. Suppliers will receive interests and earn mtTokens which are a representation of deposit value and yield. Borrowers will pledge security and access liquidity without selling long term assets. MUTM is said to be in its structured presale phase. The token sells at $0.04 in Phase 7. The actual price of launching will be $0.06. Over $19.7 million has been raised and more than 18,800 holders have taken positions. The total supply of tokens that are distributed is 4 billion, of which more than 825 million were given out. An approximation of 45.5% of that supply is used in presale distribution. Why Analysts Think MUTM May Follow Early XRP Steps To start with, XRP rewarded holders in its pre-institutional phase in which valuation had not priced future adoption. MUTM is also in a comparable early window, prior to the emergence of the usage metrics. After becoming operational, the lending platforms reveal interest streams, collateral amounts, foreclosures and re-payments information. The protocol can then be appreciated in markets by quantifiable activity. Second, XRP experienced a gain of utility instead of sheer hype. Analysts consider MUTM as a utility anchored asset. mtTokens enable deposits to receive yield from borrowers. A buy and distribute mechanic will purchase some protocol revenue on the open market using MUTM, and redistribute this to stakers. This could cause buy pressure based on usage and not sympathy. Third, similar is the timing window. XRP went up before its story had grown. MUTM will enter into its V1 protocol deployment window. The official X account is that V1 will roll out testnet before rolling out mainnet. The assets that are lent out are most likely to reflect the future anticipations before the activation. It is a 10x scenario that some analysts model should usage grow by 2026 and 2027. These models are not guaranteed, but they indicate the ways in which markets price the early-stage lending protocols, when they start operating. Phase Progression and Security Framework Phase 7 of MUTM has been selling faster than others. This is viewed by analysts as tightening behavior of allocations. Higher wallet entries have been reported too. This trend tends to occur towards the end of token distributions which are structured. The roadmap also has involved security preparation. The V1 codebase underwent an audit by Halborn Security . CertiK tokens can award the MUTM token a score of 90 out of 100. There is a bug bounty of $50,000 that operates to detect bugs before the launch. Growth has also been aided by participation infrastructure. A 24 hour leaderboard will be used to give the highest daily contributor $500 in MUTM. The card payments are offered to the users who do not want to undergo complicated wallet-based onboarding. As XRP has entered its mature level of the valuation range, analysts are considering what crypto can provide early stage utility pricing. Mutuum Finance belongs to that category and it still has roadmap milestones in front of it as well as revenue mechanics. For more information about Mutuum Finance (MUTM) visit the links below: Website: https://www.mutuum.com Linktree: https://linktr.ee/mutuumfinance
17 Jan 2026, 11:27
Spot Bitcoin ETFs attract $1.42B in strongest week since early October
Spot Bitcoin ETFs posted their strongest week since October as institutional investors returned via regulated products, helped by reduced whale selling and tightening effective supply.
17 Jan 2026, 11:24
XRP Ledger Dead Man Switch Amendment Resurfaces, Community Weighs In
The dead man's switch amendment aims to prevent asset losses on XRP Ledger.
17 Jan 2026, 11:20
South Korean, Taiwanese chipmakers without American factories face 100% tariffs
The United States government has escalated its campaign to revitalize domestic semiconductor manufacturing by threatening to impose tariffs of up to 100% on imported chips from foreign producers that do not build significant production capacity on American soil. US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick stressed the Trump administration’s intensified efforts to attract more foreign investment in a statement dated January 17, informing chip makers based in South Korea and Taiwan to allocate a significant amount of funds to the US for investments or face a massive tariff rate of 100% on their imports to the country. An exception to this tariff rate applies to the company increasing its product in the United States. During a groundbreaking ceremony for a new Micron Technology Inc. facility near Syracuse, New York, the Secretary of Commerce stated that potential tariffs envisioned in a trade deal with Taiwan might also bring about significant effects on South Korean chipmakers. Following this statement, reporters reached out to Lutnick seeking clarity on this move. Responding to this, the industry executive highlighted that “Anyone who wants to manufacture memory has two options: They can either pay a 100% tariff or build their operations in America,” adding that “That’s what we call industrial policy,” without specifically mentioning the firms. His remarks aligned with a warning issued on Thursday, January 15, which offered lower tariff rates on imports for foreign companies that expand manufacturing in the US. Notably, this decision came after the Taiwan trade deal was signed. Still, Lutnick kept insisting that if these companies do not comply with this warning, they will face a 100% tariff on imports to the US. Foreign chip makers express heightened worries about Trump’s tariff decision As of now, US President Donald Trump has delayed the imposition of tariffs on imported semiconductors, primarily from Taiwan and South Korea, as he gives Lutnick and Jamieson Greer, the United States trade representative, time to strike a deal with trade partners to reduce US reliance on foreign semiconductors. In the meantime, the White House hinted that Trump will soon announce new tariff rates and an incentive program designed to foster and expand local manufacturing. Notably, Micron rivals the world’s two largest memory chip manufacturers, Samsung Electronics Co. and SK Hynix Inc. These companies are considered South Korean giants vying for market leadership in the high-bandwidth memory (HBM) chip market. These chips are key elements for running data center processors, fueling the AI boom. These three global manufacturing firms have recently raised concerns about limited chip supplies amid a surge in AI data center development. Regarding the Trump administration’s recent move, a Commerce Department representative elaborated that “Secretary Lutnick is dedicated to bringing back American manufacturing strength, starting with semiconductors.” However, when reporters requested comments from SK Hynix, Samsung, and Taiwan’s representative office in Washington, D.C., they declined to respond. Trump’s tariff policies spark uncertainties in the market Regarding the US-Taiwan trade agreement made public on Thursday, reports indicated that the deal gives Taiwanese firms establishing a local presence in the US the chance to import up to 2.5 times their current production capacity tariff-free during the construction phase. Interestingly, shipments that exceed this limit will be subject to a reduced tariff rate. Upon the completion of these production facilities, the cap will decline to 1.5 times for their current production capacity In the meantime, under this deal, which imposes a 15% tariff on Taiwan’s imported goods, the Asian tech industry vowed to make significant investments of at least $250 million in the US. Apart from this pledge, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., the world’s largest and most advanced dedicated contract chip manufacturer, made clear its intentions to develop at least four more manufacturing facilities in Arizona, a US state. This project is expected to consume an additional $100 billion in funding, sources close to the situation said, who wished to remain anonymous. Don’t just read crypto news. Understand it. Subscribe to our newsletter. It's free .
17 Jan 2026, 11:12
ChatGPT sets XRP price for February 1, 2026
ChatGPT has outlined its price expectations for XRP heading into February 1, 2026, projecting a moderately bullish outlook while highlighting clear upside and downside risks tied to market conditions and regulation. According to ChatGPT’s assessment, the most likely trading range for XRP by that date is between $2.25 and $2.60. This base-case scenario reflects expectations that the token will continue consolidating slightly above current levels, supported by steady market participation but without a decisive breakout. In a more optimistic scenario, ChatGPT sees XRP rising into a $2.60 to $3.10 range. This outlook assumes stronger momentum across the broader crypto market , improved investor sentiment, and positive catalysts such as regulatory progress or renewed strength in major assets like Bitcoin and Ethereum. Under these conditions, XRP could challenge higher resistance levels and briefly trade near or above the $3 mark. XRP downside outlook On the downside, ChatGPT noted that XRP could slip back toward the $1.90 to $2.20 area if momentum weakens. This bearish scenario is linked to potential muted trading volumes or renewed uncertainty that could keep the token locked in its recent consolidation zone. The price ranges are informed by a combination of technical trends, model-based projections, and broader market sentiment. Short-term technical views suggest XRP may hover around the low-to-mid $2 range if resistance levels are gradually tested and broken. This outlook comes as XRP continues to record notable on-chain changes. In particular, the network has recorded its highest level of daily transactions in nearly six months. Data from January 2026 shows that the XRP Ledger is processing about 1.45 million transactions per day, extending a steady rise in network activity that began in late 2025. The increase has been linked to the expansion of Ripple’s On-Demand Liquidity payment corridors and the integration of stablecoins such as RLUSD, which have boosted transaction flows across payment and decentralized finance use cases. On the other hand, on-chain data indicates that the XRP network has seen a notable drop in the number of new addresses created on the platform in 2026. XRP price analysis By press time, XRP was trading at $2.06, having made modest gains of less than 0.1% in the past 24 hours. On the weekly timeframe, the asset is down about 1.5%. XRP seven-day price chart. Source: Finbold At its current price, XRP is sitting just above its 50-day simple moving average ( SMA ) of $2.02. This positioning suggests short-term price action is relatively stable, with the 50-day SMA acting as nearby support rather than resistance. However, the much higher 200-day SMA at $2.54 highlights a clear longer-term downtrend, indicating that XRP remains structurally weak and would need a sustained move higher to shift its broader technical outlook. Meanwhile, the 14-day RSI stands at roughly 51, firmly in neutral territory. This indicates neither overbought nor oversold conditions and signals a lack of strong directional momentum. Featured image via Shutterstock The post ChatGPT sets XRP price for February 1, 2026 appeared first on Finbold .
17 Jan 2026, 11:10
China weigh pros and cons as crypto-linked corruption, fraud enter headline
China might not warm up to digital currencies, especially after the discovery and seizure of crypto holdings from corruption and fraud cases. According to the South China Morning Post, a debate ensued in the country following two high-profile investigations on a former senior central bank official and an alleged scam network operator accused of leading one of the largest Bitcoin-linked fraud schemes ever uncovered. The extradition of alleged crypto scam billionaire Chen Zhi has dominated chatter on Chinese social media and state media outlets. Chen, the founder of Prince Holding Group, was arrested in Cambodia on January 6 at the request of Chinese authorities. China talks Chen Zhi, arrest makes citizens woeful of crypto Cambodian officials detained three Chinese nationals, including Chen, before transferring them to China, according to the Cambodia China Times. Last year, the United States prosecutors seized about $15 billion in Bitcoin that supposedly belonged to Chen, Cryptopolitan reported . According to Chinese investigators, Chen was part of a large-scale crypto fraud operation, though full details of the charges have not yet been publicly disclosed. Last Wednesday, state broadcaster China Central Television aired a documentary on how authorities tracked down bribes paid in cryptos to Yao Qian. Yao previously headed the People’s Bank of China team responsible for developing the digital yuan, Beijing’s flagship central bank digital currency project. This has led the public to question if blockchain technology is truly anonymous and secure, and how transparent transaction records expose illicit financial activity. On China’s RedNote social media platform, users are having a back-and-forth discussion between strong encryption protecting private keys and the fact that all Bitcoin transactions are visible on public ledgers. Strict bans on the mainland, openness in Hong Kong Digital asset transactions have been banned for years in mainland China, as authorities seek to control capital flows and reduce financial risks. The central bank has consistently warned that virtual currencies lack legal tender status and cannot function as money within China’s markets. In October, the People’s Bank of China reiterated its commitment to cracking down on virtual money, even as some market participants called for the introduction of yuan-denominated stablecoins. A meeting convened by the People’s Bank of China last November brought together 13 government agencies to coordinate enforcement actions against illegal digital currency activities. Foreign-issued stablecoins were flagged as posing risks related to money laundering, fraud, and illegal cross-border fund transfers. But in its special administrative jurisdiction, Hong Kong, crypto businesses have licenses and regulatory clarity to freely operate. Some industry observers say Hong Kong is a “litmus test” for how cryptocurrencies would fare in the mainland, although the sentiment from the government says this won’t come any time soon. Genevieve Donnellon-May, a Vasey Fellow at the Pacific Forum, believes the arrest of Chen is “a successful crackdown on criminal misuse of crypto,” and should not be deemed a flaw in Bitcoin itself. “Such actions may actually help strengthen longer-term confidence by curbing scams and illicit flows that harm the asset’s reputation,” she denoted. Sharpen your strategy with mentorship + daily ideas - 30 days free access to our trading program
