Steven Walgenbach

#Metaplanet just reminded the market how wild the Bitcoin treasury game can be.
The Tokyo-listed firm is preparing to report a massive 2025 loss—almost $700 million—thanks entirely to a non-cash Bitcoin write-down triggered by year-end mark-to-market rules. On paper, it looks brutal.
But here’s the twist: Metaplanet’s actual business is doing far better than expected.
Its Bitcoin income operation blew past projections in Q4, pushing full-year revenue higher and prompting the company to raise its 2025 and 2026 forecasts.
Even more striking, Metaplanet grew its BTC holdings from 1,762 to more than 35,000 BTC in one year, boosting per-share Bitcoin exposure by over 500%.
So yes, the 2025 headline number will be ugly—but the underlying trend is the opposite. The company is leaning deeper into its Bitcoin strategy and expects 2026 to be a breakout year, with revenue projected to hit $103 million.
A fascinating contrast: huge accounting loss today, but aggressive growth and conviction for tomorrow.
#Bitcoin #CryptoNews $BTC

There’s a noticeable shift happening in the UK’s approach to crypto — and the FCA just made it even clearer.
The regulator has moved into the final stage of its consultation process, asking for feedback on 10 proposed rules that could define how the UK’s digital asset market operates for years to come. It’s part of a broader government roadmap that aims to bring crypto closer to the standards of traditional finance without shutting the door on innovation.
What’s interesting is how the #FCA is framing it: they don’t want to eliminate risk entirely (because that’s impossible), but they do want a market where companies behave responsibly and investors know exactly what they’re signing up for.
Meanwhile, the long-anticipated licensing regime is on the horizon. The FCA expects the application window to open in September 2026, meaning every crypto firm wanting to operate legally in the UK will need formal authorization. That’s a major shake-up — especially in a market where the FCA has historically approved only a small fraction of applicants.
For now, the industry has until March 12 to give feedback. After that, the rulebook starts taking its final shape. The UK isn’t just talking about becoming a global crypto hub — it’s laying down the regulatory architecture to actually make it happen.
#CryptoNews #UKFinance #DigitalAssets

Bitcoin may be drifting between $85K and $95K, but institutional investors don’t seem bothered by the lack of momentum. In fact, a strong majority of them still view Bitcoin as undervalued in this range — even with the asset down more than 30% from its October peak, according to a recent report.
What’s striking is how differently institutions are responding compared to retail sentiment. While many retail traders have stepped back after months of sideways action, institutions are signalling the opposite: most say they would hold or buy more if #Bitcoin slid another 10%. That’s not short-term optimism — that’s long-term conviction.
This comes at a time when traditional assets are stealing the spotlight. #Gold just climbed past $5,000 for the first time ever, silver has doubled since October, and the S&P 500 continues to grind higher. Yet despite crypto’s underperformance and the pressure of geopolitical tensions, large investors still appear to believe the current cycle is an accumulation phase, not a warning sign.
With economic indicators showing resilience — steady inflation and strong GDP growth — and expectations of rate cuts later this year, institutions seem to be positioning themselves early rather than reacting late.
Whether Bitcoin rewards that patience remains to be seen, but the message from big money is clear: weakness isn’t scaring them. It’s attracting them.
#InstitutionalInvestors #CryptoInsights $BTC

Gold just crossed $5,000 for the first time ever — and it’s happening at the exact moment Bitcoin is sliding toward $86K. It’s a striking reminder of how quickly market sentiment can flip when macro pressure starts piling up.

What stood out to observers today is how sharply investors have shifted into classic safe havens. Prediction markets now show ~80% odds of a U.S. government shutdown by the end of the month, and renewed tariff threats from the Trump administration have only added to the unease. With that backdrop, gold and even silver are ripping higher while crypto is feeling the opposite effect.

Bitcoin’s retrace to a five-week low, more than $360M in liquidations across the market, and heavy altcoin losses paint a picture of traders hitting the brakes until Washington provides clarity. Meanwhile, gold is doing what gold tends to do in moments like this — reminding everyone why it still holds its reputation, even in a digital-asset era.

It’s a fascinating divergence: one asset breaking records, the other unwinding months of gains. And with shutdown odds spiking and geopolitical tensions rising, the next few days could set the tone for February’s market mood.

#Markets #Gold #Bitcoin $BTC

Dogecoin Slides Toward Key Support as Bearish Momentum Intensifies
Dogecoin’s daily chart is showing clear signs of weakening momentum, with price action slipping below both short-term and medium-term trend levels. Sellers remain firmly in control as $DOGE continues to trade under the 9-day and 20-day EMAs, a structure that typically reflects declining bullish participation and growing downside pressure. Momentum indicators reinforce this tone, with negative MACD readings and an RSI drifting toward lower territory, suggesting buyers are becoming increasingly hesitant.
Key support levels at $0.12240–$0.12210 are now doing the heavy lifting, backed by a significant bid wall that is temporarily stabilizing the price. If this zone gives way, deeper liquidity at $0.12000 becomes the next line of defense.
Below that, the major bid wall at $0.11500 stands as the final barrier before a potential acceleration in losses. Meanwhile, the upside remains capped by stacked ask walls between $0.12339 and $0.12354, followed by stronger resistance at $0.12650 and $0.12806—zones where sellers have historically regained control.
With momentum fading and support levels under strain, Dogecoin’s near-term trajectory depends on whether buyers can absorb sell-side pressure long enough to reclaim short-term trend levels. Until that happens, bears hold the advantage.
#DOGE #CryptoMarkets #TechnicalAnalysis #Dogecoin

AXS Momentum Cools as Liquidity Walls Shape the Next Breakout
Axie Infinity’s $AXS token has entered a cooling phase after an overheated rally, with momentum indicators retreating from extreme levels and signaling that buyers may be losing short-term control. Despite the pullback, the broader trend remains intact as the price continues to hold above key moving averages, suggesting underlying strength even as bullish pressure eases.
Order book dynamics now define the next major move. Large ask walls between $2.598 and $3.000 represent the primary barriers to a renewed breakout, with a clear push through these zones likely to trigger sharp upside continuation. On the downside, significant bid walls near $2.210 and below form the main defenses against deeper corrections, though losing these levels would expose the price to rapid declines due to thin liquidity pockets.
With momentum softening and the price positioned near critical support and resistance clusters, AXS sits at a decisive crossroads. A breakout above upper liquidity bands could reignite bullish continuation, while a breakdown through key bid walls risks accelerating downside movement. Traders are watching closely as the market prepares for its next directional shift.
#AXS #crypto #TechnicalAnalysis

DASH Approaches a Breakout Zone as Momentum Tightens Around Key Levels
$DASH is entering a decisive phase on the 1D chart, with price action tightening just below a key resistance zone at $64.81. Momentum indicators show a market that’s neither exhausted nor oversold, suggesting the next move will be driven by structural breaks rather than sentiment alone. Buyers are attempting to regain control, but the short-term trend is still pressing against declining averages, keeping the asset in a fragile recovery phase.
The order book adds further clarity: large ask walls between $74.89 and $80.00 continue to cap aggressive upside, while strong bid walls at $61.00, $54.00, and $45.00 define where deeper liquidity support sits. Clearing overhead resistance could accelerate DASH toward higher levels quickly, while failure to hold $63.65 risks opening a path to mid-range support around $56.46. With both sides building pressure, DASH is fast approaching a point where volatility is likely to expand and direction will become far clearer.

#DASH #CryptoMarkets #TechnicalAnalysis

Bitcoin Approaches Bearish Breakdown Zone After Consecutive EMA Rejections

Bitcoin’s daily chart is showing signs of weakening momentum, with price continuing to trade below both the 9-day and 20-day EMAs — a structure that often signals short-term trend exhaustion. The MACD has now dipped further below the zero line, reinforcing a bearish momentum shift and suggesting that buyers are struggling to regain control.

RSI readings in the low 40s point to fading strength without reaching oversold territory, a setup that frequently precedes either extended consolidation or a retest of lower support. Order-book data adds to the pressure, as persistent ask walls continue to cap upward attempts while bid walls offer only temporary support.

With multiple resistance levels overhead and momentum indicators skewing bearish, the market could be preparing for another move toward lower support zones unless sentiment turns quickly.

#Bitcoin #CryptoAnalysis #BTCUSD $BTC

Pepe Flashes Early Bearish Cross Warning as EMA Structure Weakens

$PEPE is entering a fragile phase on the 1-day chart as price continues to trade beneath both the 9-day and 20-day EMAs, signaling fading bullish momentum and a market struggling to establish upward traction. The MACD remains negative with no sign of a reversal forming, while the RSI sitting in the low-40s reflects weak buying pressure and a lack of conviction from bulls.

The key support cluster at $0.00000412–$0.00000403 remains the main barrier preventing a deeper decline. A clean break below this range — especially through the large bid wall sitting just beneath current levels — could trigger accelerated downside. To regain strength, PEPE would need to reclaim both EMAs, which would open the door to testing overhead resistance at $0.00000621 and higher levels.

Overall, the technical picture leans bearish in the short term, with liquidity concentration suggesting a volatile move may be approaching.

#PEPE #CryptoTrading #TechnicalAnalysis

TRX Enters Cooling Phase as RSI Falls Below Midline and EMA Trend Weakens

$TRX is showing signs of fading momentum on the 1-day chart, with the short-term trend softening and the MACD shifting into negative territory.

The RSI slipping back toward the mid-40s reflects cooling buying pressure, suggesting bulls are losing control of the recent move. TRX is currently struggling to break through its nearest resistance zone around $0.2967–$0.2981, while several strong bid walls below the market are temporarily stabilizing price action.

If buyers cannot reclaim the short-term trend levels soon, TRX risks drifting toward deeper support in the $0.2813–$0.2787 range.

Until a decisive breakout occurs, the market remains in a neutral-to-bearish posture with limited upward momentum.

#TRX #CryptoAnalysis #TechnicalOutlook

UBS Quietly Explores Bringing Crypto Investments to Private Banking Clients

UBS Group is taking a fresh look at virtual asset investment services for its private banking clientele, according to new reporting from Bloomberg. The Swiss financial giant — which oversees one of the world’s largest asset management operations — has been evaluating potential partners for several months as it considers launching crypto-focused investment products.

While no final decision has been made, the move signals rising institutional interest as major global banks continue reassessing their digital-asset strategies in 2026.

#UBS #CryptoNews #DigitalAssets

Binance just dropped one of the biggest airdrop announcements of 2026 — a $40 million $WLFI reward campaign built around the fast-growing World Liberty Financial ecosystem.
The exchange is rewarding anyone holding USD1, the Trump-linked stablecoin, with weekly #WLFI distributions through February. What makes this campaign stand out is how rewards are calculated: hourly balance snapshots, boosted APR for using USD1 as margin or futures collateral, and strict net-asset rules that exclude borrowed funds.
It’s essentially a yield-style airdrop designed to drive deeper liquidity and long-term balances, especially across Binance’s trading products. With WLFI gaining momentum and the political narrative around stablecoins heating up, this campaign could become a defining moment for #USD1 adoption in early 2026.
Curious to see how this one plays out — and how traders position themselves ahead of the weekly Friday drops.

Washington’s two most powerful market regulators are taking a notable step toward finally cleaning up America’s fragmented crypto rulebook.

The #SEC and #CFTC have announced a joint event next week to showcase their push for regulatory harmonization — a move that aligns closely with President Trump’s aggressive pro-crypto agenda. With Paul Atkins at the SEC and newly appointed Michael Selig now leading the CFTC, the two agencies say they’re ready to break down the “legacy silos” that have long confused innovators and investors.

What makes this moment especially interesting is the backdrop in Congress. The Senate is still struggling to advance the #CLARITY Act, the major crypto market structure bill that would formally define how each agency regulates digital assets. Competing drafts, bipartisan disagreements, and industry reactions have slowed things down.

While lawmakers continue negotiating, regulators are signaling they’re not waiting around. Atkins and Selig are preparing to outline how a unified approach could support U.S. leadership in digital assets and give the industry the clarity it’s been asking for.

For companies, investors, and builders watching these developments, next week’s event could offer one of the clearest signals yet about where U.S. crypto regulation is heading.

Changpeng Zhao has re-ignited one of the biggest debates in tech and finance with a single post: “AI will make you jobless. Crypto will make you not need a job.”

His comment went viral just as leaders at the World Economic Forum in Davos warned that AI is no longer just a productivity booster—it’s actively reshaping how companies operate, hire, and structure careers.

What’s interesting is how two narratives are now colliding:

💡 AI as a force that compresses roles, flattens hierarchies and disrupts mid-level jobs, and
💡 Crypto as a path toward financial independence outside traditional employment.

The WEF’s latest report shows organisations redesigning entire workflows around AI, not just adding tools. Some expect AI agents to formally sit alongside humans on org charts within a few years.

Against that backdrop, CZ’s message reflects a growing belief in the crypto world that digital assets could be a buffer—or even an alternative—to a rapidly shifting job market.

Whether one agrees with him or not, the conversation he sparked gets to the heart of the moment:

If #AI rewrites the rules of work, what becomes the new path to economic security?

It’s a question leaders across tech, finance, and policy are now being forced to consider.
#WEF #CZ #Crypto

Peter Schiff is stirring up conversation again — this time arguing that Bitcoin’s best days were before Wall Street ever cared about it.

In a new post, he claims Bitcoin only outperformed when “hardly anyone owned it,” and that since institutions embraced it, the asset has become one of the market’s weaker performers.

His comments land at an interesting moment. Major firms like BlackRock, Fidelity, and now Morgan Stanley are expanding the Bitcoin #ETF universe, while #JPMorgan and the #NYSE roll out new crypto-focused trading infrastructure. In other words, Wall Street isn’t dabbling anymore — it’s fully building around Bitcoin.

Whether you agree with Schiff or not, the debate highlights a real shift: Bitcoin’s evolution from a rebellious outsider asset into a mainstream, institutionally held component of global finance.

That shift brings stability for some, lower upside for others, and plenty of discussion for everyone watching the next chapter of crypto adoption unfold.
$BTC

At #Davos this week, #Circle CEO Jeremy Allaire shared a prediction that’s quickly becoming one of the most talked-about ideas in tech and crypto: within the next five years, billions of autonomous AI agents could be using stablecoins to handle everyday transactions on behalf of users.

According to Allaire, #AI systems won’t rely on traditional payment rails like cards or banking APIs—they’ll default to stablecoins because they offer the speed, programmability, and global reach that autonomous agents need. Binance co-founder Changpeng Zhao echoed that view, noting that crypto is the most “native” financial layer for AI-driven behavior.

What’s striking is how quickly big players are moving to prepare for this shift. Coinbase has already introduced its x402 protocol to enable stablecoin payments between AI agents, while Google recently announced a Universal Commerce Protocol designed to power agentic transactions through Google Pay.

As both crypto-native firms and traditional tech giants race to build the infrastructure for AI commerce, one thing is becoming clear: the intersection of AI and #stablecoins may define the next major evolution in digital payments.

Michael Saylor is stirring the crypto markets again — and this time it took just three words.

In a mid-week post, he said he’s “thinking about buying more bitcoin,” a comment that immediately reignited speculation about another Strategy (MSTR) purchase. The timing is interesting: bitcoin is consolidating below $90K, and Strategy has already added roughly $3.4B worth of BTC over the past two weeks alone.

With the company’s holdings now above 709,000 BTC, Saylor’s latest hint raises a simple question: is another acquisition on the way?

Investors are watching closely, especially since Saylor usually drops these signals on weekends before Strategy reveals a new buy on Monday. A Thursday tease is unusual — and it has people talking.

Whether it’s a warning shot, a nudge, or another chapter in Strategy’s relentless accumulation strategy, one thing is clear: Saylor isn’t done making moves in the bitcoin market.
#Bitcoin $BTC #Strategy

PwC Says 2026 Is the Year Crypto Regulation Gets Real

PwC just dropped its Global Crypto Regulation Report, and it paints a very different picture from the uncertainty of past years. According to the firm, the global policy landscape is finally shifting from endless debates to actual implementation — and that shift is reshaping the competitive map for digital assets.

The report highlights a growing race between jurisdictions to build the most attractive regulatory environment. And the message is clear: transparency, consistency, and cross-border cooperation are becoming the new currency of trust in the crypto economy.

Some standout insights:

- The EU is moving full speed ahead with MiCA, setting a regulatory benchmark many others are watching.
- The U.S. remains focused on stablecoins, even as key legislation like the CLARITY Act faces delays.
- The U.K., UAE, and Switzerland continue to strengthen and formalize their frameworks as they position themselves as global hubs.
- Institutional adoption is accelerating thanks to clearer guardrails and more predictable oversight.

PwC’s takeaway? The jurisdictions — and companies — that treat compliance as a strategic asset will define the next chapter of the industry.

A big signal that the crypto market is entering its most mature phase yet.
#CryptoRegulation #Crypto #Adoption

Ray Dalio is raising eyebrows again — and this time, his warning is broader than just markets.

In a series of recent posts, the Bridgewater founder said the global monetary order is “breaking down” as trust between the U.S. and major foreign holders of its debt continues to erode. According to Dalio, central banks are no longer treating fiat currencies — especially U.S. dollar–denominated debt — as the reliable stores of wealth they once were.

He frames this shift inside his long-running “Big Cycle” thesis, which tracks how empires rise, peak, and eventually decline. And in Dalio’s view, the U.S. is now deep into the late stage of that arc.

What’s driving the breakdown?

Growing geopolitical distrust, widening domestic political divides, and the U.S.’s historic levels of debt issuance. He points out that both sides of the dollar relationship — the U.S., which issues the debt, and foreign governments, which traditionally buy it — are increasingly uneasy with one another. That tension, he suggests, becomes dangerous when debt production keeps accelerating.

Dalio also ties today’s turbulence to a broader shift: the simultaneous weakening of the global monetary order, domestic political cohesion, and the geopolitical balance. In his words, “It’s now happening.”

For business leaders, investors, and policymakers, his message is less about panic and more about recognizing a structural transition already underway. Dalio has consistently argued that ignoring historical cycles is what makes countries vulnerable — and that today’s pressures could accelerate changes in the global financial system faster than many expect.

Whether or not one agrees with his conclusions, Dalio’s latest commentary is a reminder that the world isn’t just dealing with market volatility — it’s navigating the early stages of a much larger realignment.

#economy #Trump

ARK Invest’s latest Big Ideas report includes predictions that are some of the most ambitious the firm has ever published. If even a portion plays out, the next decade of finance will look nothing like the last.

Here’s what ARK says could happen by 2030:
- Tokenized assets could surpass $10–12 trillion, spanning everything from U.S. Treasuries to real estate, private credit, commodities, and public equities.
- The crypto market could top $22 trillion, driven by massive institutional adoption and new financial rails.
- Bitcoin alone could hit a $16 trillion market cap, cementing its role as a global monetary asset.
- Smart contract platforms (Ethereum, Solana, and others) could reach $6 trillion, as decentralized applications generate real revenue and mainstream financial institutions move on-chain.
- Regulatory clarity from acts like GENIUS accelerates tokenization, prompting banks, fintechs, and asset managers to build their own blockchain infrastructure.
- On-chain financial markets become the new default, as trillions of dollars in traditional assets migrate to blockchain settlement rails.

My takeaway?

Finance isn’t just moving on-chain — it’s doing so at a scale that could reshape global capital markets. The question now isn’t if tokenization takes over… but how fast.
#RWA #Tokenization #InstitutionalAdoption $BTC