Cryptopolitan

Cycles tend to reward assets that activate utility during the middle of an accumulation window rather than the peak. As attention shifts into 2026, analysts have noted that investors are beginning to rotate into early-stage tokens that are still unpriced for usage. One new crypto has gained 300% since early 2025 and remains under $1, prompting several traders to identify it as a top altcoin candidate for the Q1 2026 window.

Mutuum Finance’s Dual Lending Structure 

The new altcoin drawing interest is Mutuum Finance (MUTM), a decentralized lending and borrowing platform building two active markets. The first market operates on a pooled model where users supply assets to the protocol and receive mtTokens that track their position. Suppliers can earn APY as borrowers draw from the shared pool.

The second market allows users to match directly. Borrowers still post collateral and follow loan-to-value rules. For example, a borrower can secure a position at a 50% or 65% LTV depending on asset type. 

If collateral value drops, the liquidation bot intervenes to protect pool liquidity. Analysts say this dual-market architecture allows Mutuum Finance to serve borrowers and suppliers with different needs and durations.

Investor participation has reflected that roadmap. The project has raised $19.9M and onboarded 18,900 holders. Analysts say the footprint is important because it shows the project did not rely on a small number of allocations. Instead, thousands of participants entered before the protocol’s first deployment. Mutuum Finance’s V1 protocol release is set for Q1 2026 and will introduce collateral handling, liquidation logic and borrowing features in a controlled environment.

Supply, Pricing and Appreciation Through Stages

The current MUTM price is $0.04. The project is now in Phase 7 of its distribution. Mutuum Finance began at $0.01 in early 2025, marking a 300% appreciation for early participants. The total MUTM supply is 4B tokens. A total of 1.82B tokens or 45.5% are allocated for early access across structured phases. To date, 830M tokens have been sold.

Phase structure has been a key part of how pricing has matured. Each phase increases MUTM’s price as allocation progresses. Phase 1 participants secured exposure at $0.01 and are positioned for a 500% appreciation at the official launch price of $0.06. The next phase will raise the price by nearly 20% from current levels, which analysts say is critical for early positioning because pricing compresses once major utility releases approach.

Security Validation: Halborn, CertiK and the Bug Bounty Layer

Security has been one of the strongest pillars of the Mutuum Finance roadmap. The team completed a full audit with Halborn Security, which reviewed core components such as collateral management, liquidation logic and debt accounting. Lending protocols depend on liquidation accuracy and price feeds, which is why independent review is seen as mandatory for this category of new crypto assets.

Mutuum Finance also holds a 90 out of 100 token scan score from CertiK. The CertiK rating evaluates code, external risk factors and architectural dependencies. The presence of both reviews has been noted by analysts who specialize in DeFi research. 

Alongside these audits, Mutuum Finance introduced a $50,000 bug bounty, allowing external researchers to report vulnerabilities through a structured process. Analysts argue that this reduces protocol risk before Mainnet execution.

Investor Behavior, Urgency and Q1 Positioning

Participation data suggests that investors are responding to timing rather than just narrative. Phase 7 has already absorbed more than 6% of its allocation, and reports of whale allocations near $100K have appeared during single 24-hour periods. The project also runs a daily leaderboard that rewards the highest contributor with $500 in MUTM, which keeps participation active rather than clustered.

Card payment support has removed a common barrier that slows down onboarding during presales. This allowed non-crypto users to enter without converting capital through external venues. Analysts say this helped widen the investor base ahead of V1.

With V1 scheduled for Q1 2026 and the stablecoin and oracle components positioned for later activation, several analysts have begun placing MUTM in shortlists for best crypto to invest in for the next accumulation cycle. When comparing altcoins for Q1 2026, the combination of utility, pricing and security validation explains why investor preference has shifted toward MUTM over other early-stage assets still in their conceptual phase.

For more information about Mutuum Finance (MUTM) visit the links below:

Website: https://www.mutuum.com
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/mutuumfinance

Japan has shifted its focus to facilitating the approval of cryptocurrency exchange-traded funds (ETFs), aiming to achieve that by 2028. Several analysts also commented on Japan’s goal, anticipating that regulators in the island country will approve crypto ETFs by 2028, thereby allowing major institutions to make substantial investments in digital asset products.

Sources close to the situation said this move could dramatically reshape one of the most heavily regulated digital asset markets globally.

Japan aims to solidify its position as a leader in the crypto industry

Big financial firms such as Nomura and SBI Holdings are widely seen as strong candidates to launch Japan’s first crypto ETFs. This perspective illustrates that the nation is transitioning from cautious oversight to active adoption of digital assets, aiming to integrate them into its traditional financial system.

Known for being curious yet cautious in the crypto space, sources noted that Japan was among the first nations to embrace Bitcoin as a legal form of payment. However, despite exploring this industry, the island country adopted strict regulations in response to previous challenges with exchange failures and market misuse.

Regarding its recent goal, reports highlighted that the country’s move towards potential approval of crypto ETFs reflects a new, systemic approach to regulation. Moreover, these ETFs will encourage global investor participation through regulated products listed on cryptocurrency exchanges, without requiring direct ownership of the digital assets.

This sudden decision prompted reporters to reach out to a market strategist based in Asia for further clarity on the country’s next move. Responding to this request, the market strategist who wished to remain anonymous due to the confidential nature of the situation mentioned that, “Japan is taking its time, but it’s clear where things are headed,” further adding that, “The main focus is on protecting investors and maintaining high standards for institutions.”

Regarding its timeline, sources close to the situation revealed that Japan prefers steady, long-term adjustments rather than reckless deregulation. Meanwhile, it is worth noting that regulators are examining the approaches adopted by other major markets, particularly the United States and parts of Europe, in their successful launches of crypto ETFs.

On the other hand, Japanese officials made clear their intention to embrace a long-term strategic outlook in attempts to enhance the rules governing custody, valuation methods, and disclosure requirements before granting retail and institutional investors access to these products.

Following this news, analysts speculated that Japan’s move aims to avert serious threats while ensuring that crypto ETFs comply strictly with the country’s regulatory standards.

Analysts acknowledge the heightened adoption of cryptocurrency among individuals 

Crypto firms Nomura and SBI Holdings are often perceived as potential leaders in the crypto industry, having gained substantial experience in both traditional finance and digital assets through their active participation in the ecosystem.

Apart from this, Nomura has expanded its global footprint in digital assets, while SBI has established a strong crypto framework through blockchain investments, collaborations, and exchange services.

Therefore, with their involvement in Japan’s crypto ETF market, sources stressed that this move could improve the market’s credibility and provide regulators with assurance that these products have strong backing from companies demonstrating high-level regulatory compliance.

Notably, institutional interest is fueling discussions regarding ETFs in Japan. At this moment, pension funds, asset managers, and insurance firms are increasingly seeking compliant pathways to allocate their funds to the crypto industry; however, existing regulatory frameworks restrict their participation.

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Markets closed another rough week as 2026 opened with tension everywhere. Stocks slipped again while traders reacted to geopolitics, weather shocks, and policy risk. The mood stayed cautious from Monday to Friday. Nothing felt settled. Money moved fast, but confidence did not.

The S&P 500 finished Friday barely above flat, up less than 0.1% on the day, yet still ended the week down 0.4%.The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 0.7% over the week.The Nasdaq Composite gained 0.3% on Friday but still closed the week down about 0.1%.

Outside stocks, natural gas futures stole the spotlight. Prices jumped 75% in five sessions as Winter Storm Fern pushed Arctic cold and snow across more than 150 million people in the United States.

Geopolitics shake currencies as Davos exposes deeper cracks

The loudest political signals came from Switzerland. World leaders and executives gathered at the World Economic Forum in Davos. Donald Trump, now the 47th president of the United States, reached a “framework” agreement with European leaders over Greenland. The talks eased immediate tariff threats. They did not end broader friction.

Since the post-pandemic rally, currencies had stayed quiet while stocks ran on earnings, AI optimism, and steady U.S. equity demand. That balance is starting to shift. Macquarie global FX and rates strategist Thierry Wizman said the Greenland deal only handled surface issues. He wrote that it did not solve what he called the “mutual alienation” between the U.S. and its allies. He also warned of a world that looks more fractured, where the dollar loses strength and the U.S. turns inward toward the Western Hemisphere.

Despite the pause in tariffs and the EU suspending retaliation plans, traders still moved away from the dollar.

Over five days, EUR/USD rose nearly 2%. The Swiss franc climbed more than 2.7% against the dollar. The yen gained about 1.8% by the end of the week. The flows showed demand for safety outside the greenback.

Fed holds rates steady as chair race draws market focus

Attention now turns to Washington. The Federal Reserve meets Wednesday. Traders expect no rate change. Futures data from CME Group showed a 97% chance the Fed keeps rates in the 3.5% to 3.75% range.

The bigger story sits beyond this meeting. Jerome Powell finishes his term in May. Trump’s next pick for Fed chair has become the market’s real obsession.

Polymarket odds showed Rick Rieder, BlackRock’s global CIO for fixed income, moving into the lead by Friday afternoon.

Former Fed official Kevin Warsh stood at 33%. Trump’s top economic adviser Kevin Hassett trailed at 6%. Speaking in Davos, Trump said Rieder was “very impressive.”

The economic data calendar stays busy. Monday brings the Chicago Fed national activity index, durable goods orders, and Dallas Fed manufacturing numbers.

Tuesday includes ADP employment data, housing prices, Richmond Fed manufacturing, consumer confidence, and Dallas Fed services activity. Friday ends the week with producer price data, covering monthly and yearly figures for headline and core inflation.

Corporate earnings flood markets as AI spending dominates

This is one of the heaviest earnings weeks of the year. Reports hit every day. Monday includes Southern Copper, Nucor, Ryanair, Steel Dynamics, AGNC Investment, and Western Alliance. Tuesday ramps up with UnitedHealth, Boeing, RTX, UPS, General Motors, Texas Instruments, Union Pacific, and American Airlines.

Wednesday brings the core event. Microsoft, Meta, and Tesla all report after the close. They are joined by ASML, IBM, ServiceNow, Starbucks, AT&T, GE Vernova, Danaher, Waste Management, and more. Thursday follows with Apple, Visa, Mastercard, Caterpillar, Honeywell, Lockheed Martin, Blackstone, Deutsche Bank, Royal Caribbean, and Valero Energy.

For tech, the focus stays on spending. Meta CFO Susan Li said in October the company raised its 2026 spending outlook to $70 billion to $72 billion, up from an earlier $66 billion to $72 billion range.

Microsoft CFO Amy Hood said the company plans to spend more in 2026 than the $88.2 billion used in 2025. Both companies report Wednesday night. Amazon and Alphabet are set for early February.

Funding this push is reshaping credit markets. Apollo chief economist Torsten Sløk wrote that tech companies issued nearly $700 billion in investment-grade debt last quarter.

That puts the sector close to the financial industry, which issued just over $800 billion and usually leads the market.

Concerns remain. Bank of America strategists Haim Israel and Menka Bajaj said fewer investors now talk about an AI bubble, but risks still exist. They wrote, “AI is a fundamental revolution that is about to change everything, but we cannot ignore valuation debate and timing.”

Public pressure is also rising. Jefferies strategists once again pointed to growing concern over data centers, energy costs, water use, job security, and electricity bills. They wrote, “AI investments sit directly in the cross-hairs of the current political debate around affordability.”

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Japan’s bond market just exploded. A selloff in its massive $7.3 trillion government bond market wiped out $41 billion in a single session and wrecked whatever calm investors thought Japan still offered.

The yield on the 30-year bond spiked over a quarter percentage point in one day. That’s not normal. Pramol Dhawan at Pacific Investment Management said, “A quarter-point surge in yields in a single session. Let that sink in.”

This is the same market that used to take weeks to move by a couple basis points. For years, Japan was where investors went for low rates and funding. Now it’s the source of chaos. Inflation has stuck.

Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae is doubling down on spending. Bond traders are now staring at yields over 4% on long-term debt, and they’re not ready for what’s coming.

Takaichi’s stimulus and election plan sends bonds into chaos

Takaichi called a snap election for February 8. She and her rivals are both pushing looser spending. That’s only made things worse. Tuesday’s crash was brutal.

The 40-year yield hit 4% for the first time ever. The 30-year jumped eight times more than its usual daily range. This isn’t a normal correction. Masayuki Koguchi from Mitsubishi UFJ said, “I don’t think Japan’s yields have gone far enough yet. This is just the beginning. There’s a chance that bigger shocks will happen.”

It’s been building for a while. The Bank of Japan ended negative interest rates back in March 2024. Since then, the JGB market has had nine separate days where losses were more than double the average.

The currency’s been a mess too. When Kazuo Ueda at the central bank said they might buy bonds again, long-term debt started to bounce back. But the yen crashed.

Then it flipped again. Rumors of government intervention started floating around trading desks in Tokyo. It got real when the New York Fed called banks to ask about the yen’s exchange rate. That’s a clear warning. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent picked up the phone and called Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama. This is no longer just Japan’s headache.

Goldman Sachs crunched the numbers. Every 10 basis points of sudden JGB stress adds about 2 to 3 basis points to U.S. yields. That’s how Japan is now shaking global markets.

Foreign bets unwind as carry trades come under pressure

The yen isn’t just a currency. It’s a tool for funding bets worldwide. Right now, foreign money has borrowed billions using yen to gamble on higher returns elsewhere.

Mizuho Securities says up to $450 billion of trades are built on that. If Japanese yields keep climbing, that entire strategy can collapse.

And it’s already happening. In mid 2024, when the BOJ hiked again, the yen soared. Global stocks and bonds dropped fast. Investors dumped $1.1 trillion worth of carry trades. The BOJ tried to calm things down by saying it would raise rates slowly. They’re only at 0.75% now. But that message just made traders restart the same bets.

Now the bond auctions are failing. Investors have stopped showing up. Inflation is at 3.1%. That’s the fourth year in a row it’s beaten the central bank’s 2% target. Public anger over living costs forced Shigeru Ishiba out in October.

Takaichi stepped in and promised to hand out the biggest stimulus since COVID. That made yields jump even faster.

The 30-year yield climbed 75 basis points in under three months. It had taken most of 2025 to rise that much. Shinji Kunibe from Sumitomo Mitsui DS said, “Since Takaichi came into office, there’s been some disregard toward the yield movements. The fiscal situation is causing a credibility issue.”

Even the U.K. comparison has come up. Some traders are now calling this a Japan version of the Liz Truss collapse in 2022. Ugo Lancioni at Neuberger Berman said, “The danger is that Japan was a market that never moved and now you’re dealing with a level of volatility that is remarkable. You could call it a Truss moment.”

Domestic money starts coming home and foreign outflows hit

Japan’s government debt load is still massive. The debt-to-GDP ratio is 230%, the worst in the G7. When Takaichi talked about suspending sales tax on food, the bond market sank again. That wouldn’t have mattered in the old days when the BOJ bought every bond in sight. But now that they’ve pulled back, bad news actually hurts.

Foreign ownership of JGBs is climbing fast. Back in 2009, foreigners made up 12% of monthly bond trades. Now they’re 65%. They trade faster, leave quicker, and push volatility higher. Stefan Rittner at Allianz Global Investors said the market is in a fragile phase. The BOJ is pulling back, and local buyers aren’t stepping up fast enough.

The crash didn’t take much volume. Just $170 million in 30-year bonds and $110 million in 40-year bonds triggered the collapse. That’s a tiny trade for a $7.3 trillion market. But it snowballed fast.

Now, Japanese investors are starting to look inward. Around $5 trillion of Japan’s capital is invested abroad. But with domestic yields rising, that might change. Sumitomo Mitsui’s global markets head Arihiro Nagata said, “I always loved foreign bond investment, but not anymore. Now it’s JGBs.”

Japan’s second-biggest bank is shifting its portfolio. Life insurers are watching too. Meiji Yasuda, with $2 trillion in securities, says the buying opportunity is coming. Goldman Sachs says Japan’s 30-year yield could soon match the U.S. Treasury’s.

The 10-year bond is heating up too. Koguchi said it could rise another 1.25 points to hit 3.5%. That number matters. It affects everything from mortgage rates to corporate loans. Without a big shift in policy, the pressure isn’t going away.

James Athey at Marlborough Investment called repatriation flows “the elephant in the room.” He said, “The economics are already overwhelming for Japanese investors. But history says they won’t rush. It is a positive that we’ve seen some baby steps in that direction with headlines suggesting that Sumitomo is looking to increase JGB exposure.”

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For years, traders in China leaned on one quiet assumption. When prices fell hard, the national team would step in and buy. That belief sat under the market like a floor.

But last week, that floor cracked in public after Central Huijin Investment, a state-linked fund, sold sold about $67.5 billion across 14 tech-related ETFs in six sessions through Thursday, according to Bloomberg.

Chen Da, founder of Dante Research, said, “If enough people are watching what this player is doing, its actions could be enough to alter expectations.” That view spread quickly on trading floors. The national team was no longer a one-way buyer. It was trading both sides.

The numbers showed why nerves rose. The CSI 300 gained 1.8% over the past month. The Star 50 Index, packed with chip names, jumped 16%. Wu Wei, a fund manager at Beijing Win Integrity Investment Management Co., said, “These days it’s probably smart to focus trading on the stocks that the team owns less of to avoid being in the line of fire.”

Wu Wei added, “My trading has slowed a bit, because it’s not a bullish signal at the end of the day.”

ETF turnover exposes selling patterns during rebounds

Details on the trades will only appear in quarterly reports. Until then, investors are doing the math. Central Huijin began buying China’s ETFs aggressively in 2023.

By the end of August 2025, it held about $180 billion in these assets.Analyst Rebecca Sin, wrote that the “scale of liquidation suggests a proactive effort to facilitate a price correction in overheated sectors.”

After record outflows from a fund tracking the Star 50, they estimate only about 5% of Central Huijin’s firepower remains in that product.

Traders started spotting patterns during the week.When indexes jumped during the session, ETF turnover surged.

Prices then faded. On Wednesday, turnover in CSI 1000 ETFs climbed as the index rebounded nearly 2% within an hour, before slipping lower. Many desks read that as state selling.

The pattern repeated, though strong risk appetite kept some gauges afloat. The E‑fund ChiNext ETF saw large outflows on Thursday. The index later recovered part of its intraday drop. The selling surprised some investors, but others saw it as controlled pressure rather than panic.

Volatility eases as investors reassess exposure

Short-term volatility on the CSI 300 fell to its lowest level since May. Onshore trading cooled from nearly 4 trillion yuan, or $574 billion, earlier this month. Yang Ruyi, a fund manager at Shanghai Prospect Investment Management Co., said:-

“Instead of reading the state funds’ selling as a signal that the rally is over, we should consider this in the context of the structural, slow bull.”

Yang Ruyi also said it made sense for Central Huijin to reposition into other thematic ETFs.

Z‑Ben Advisors said the market absorbed the selloffs without major swings.That pointed to strong institutional demand for A‑shares in China.

Zhu Zhenxin, head of Asymptote Investment Research in Beijing, said, “Selling right now will free up positions so that they can provide a boost at a future time of risk.” Zhu Zhenxin added, “Such intervention will prevent a ‘mad bull’ like the one we saw in 2015.”

Attention is now on how much stock remains to sell. Some investors think tech buying could restart once supply dries up. Demand has stayed strong even with clear intervention. The CSI 1000 Index, home to rocket stocks like Hunan Aerospace Huanyu Communication Technology Co. and chip supply names, is still at its highest level since 2017.

Questions remain about whether heavy ETF trading is distorting prices. For now, Niu Chunbao, a fund manager at Shanghai Wanji Asset Management Co., is watching blue chips caught in the selling.

Niu Chunbao said, “I am pleased to see the team exit some of the ETFs as gains in some stocks were making the market restless and impulsive.” Niu Chunbao added, “Dips caused by their selling may render some value stocks even more attractive to us.”

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Prime Minister Mark Carney said on Sunday that Canada will not be signing any free trade agreement with China. His statement was a direct response to President Donald Trump, who threatened to hit Canada with a 100% tariff on all imported goods if Carney moved forward with any deal involving Beijing.

“This isn’t a free trade agreement,” Carney said. “It’s just correcting a few tariff problems we’ve had with China the past couple of years.”

Trump doesn’t agree. He jumped online and wrote, “China is successfully and completely taking over the once Great Country of Canada. So sad to see it happen. I only hope they leave Ice Hockey alone! President DJT.”

Trump lashes out as Canada adjusts China tariffs

Carney explained that under the USMCA, no country is allowed to make free trade deals with “nonmarket economies” like China without notifying the others. “We have no intention of doing that with China or any other nonmarket economy,” he said. “What we’ve done is clean up some of the mess from the past couple of years.”

In 2024, Canada followed the U.S. by slapping a 100% tariff on electric vehicles from China, and a 25% tariff on steel and aluminum.Beijing fired back with their own 100% import taxes on Canadian canola oil and meal, and 25% on pork and seafood.

Carney’s new adjustment drops tariffs on some of those goods, but he insisted it was not a full-blown trade deal.

There’s now a cap: China can export up to 49,000 EVs per year into Canada at a 6.1% tariff.That number will increase to about 70,000 in five years.Before 2024, there was no limit.

Carney pointed out that 49,000 is only 3% of the 1.8 million vehicles sold in Canada every year. And in return, China is expected to invest in the Canadian auto industry within three years.

Trump wasn’t done.

On Sunday, he posted a video showing the head of the Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers’ Association warning that the auto sector won’t survive without access to the U.S. The executive said the Canadian market isn’t big enough to support large-scale production from China.

Trump wrote, “A MUST WATCH. Canada is systematically destroying itself. The China deal is a disaster for them. Will go down as one of the worst deals, of any kind, in history. All their businesses are moving to the USA. I want to see Canada SURVIVE AND THRIVE! President DJT.”

Washington accuses Canada of helping China bypass tariffs

On Saturday, Trump wrote, “If Carney thinks he is going to make Canada a ‘Drop Off Port’ for China to send goods and products into the United States, he is sorely mistaken.”

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent also went after Carney, saying, “We can’t let Canada become an opening that the Chinese pour their cheap goods into the U.S.”

He said the USMCA (which will be renegotiated this summer) doesn’t allow this kind of behavior. “I’m not sure what Prime Minister Carney is doing here, other than trying to virtue-signal to his globalist friends at Davos,” Bessent added.

This fight is only the latest in a long list of Trump’s clashes with Canada. The 47th president’s push to buy Greenland has already put a strain on the NATO alliance, and his public jabs at Canada’s sovereignty haven’t helped.

Trump has floated the idea of making Canada the 51st state. Just this week, he posted a fake map showing the U.S. absorbing Canada, Greenland, Venezuela, and Cuba.

Carney, for his part, has become a voice for countries looking to push back against U.S. pressure. Speaking in Davos before Trump arrived, Carney said, “Middle powers must act together because if you are not at the table, you are on the menu.” He didn’t name Trump, but everyone knew who he was talking about. His speech got a ton of media attention, stealing the spotlight from Trump at the World Economic Forum.

But even with the backlash, Carney is standing firm. “We are not doing a free trade deal with China,” he repeated. “We are just fixing problems.”

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Apple plans a sweeping refresh of its Mac lineup this year. The technology company is introducing new designs, features, and pricing strategies, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman.

The lineup features new MacBook Pros and MacBook Airs. The MacBook Pro to be redesigned with an OLED screen and touch support.

And a new low-cost MacBook powered by an iPhone chip will be available in the market. This model would serve a role similar to the iPhone Air in the company’s smartphone lineup.

Desktop users will have new Mac mini and Mac Studio options powered by new chips.

A new Studio Display to be released after almost four years. The last Apple display was released in March of 2022.

Apple is planning an epic year for Macs 

The breadth of launches could make 2026 Apple’s most significant year for Macs in some time. According to Gurman, the rollout is expected to begin early. 

The upgraded MacBook Pros, MacBook Airs, Mac Studio models, and a new Studio Display are scheduled for release in the first half of the year. The redesigned MacBook Pro is planned for later in 2026.

Chip timing could complicate the lineup. Apple introduced the M5 chip in three products in October. 

The next-generation M6 chip may arrive earlier than expected, though some upcoming laptops may ship before it is ready. Apple previously released the M3 and M4 chips just five months apart. A faster cadence from Apple remains possible.

The M5 base chip is integrated in the latest 14-inch MacBook Pro, the iPad Pro, and Apple Vision Pro. This chip features 28 billion transistors. 

The official transistors count for the M6 chip is not available yet. However, based on industry leaks, the M6 is expected to be built on TSMC’s 2-nanometer (2nm) process. 

The density increase to 2nm is projected to allow for approximately 15% higher chip density compared to the 3nm M5 chip. This suggests a major increase over the M4 and M5 chip generations. It could put the M6 chip in the range of over 100 billion transistors.

Apple is not a computer or smartphone company. In its essence, Apple is a design company.

Cook appoints a new head of hardware engineering

The hardware changes come alongside a leadership change.

Apple’s head of hardware engineering, John Ternus, now oversees the company’s hardware and software design teams. CEO Tim Cook quietly made the decision last week, expanding Ternus’s responsibilities.

Apple has historically placed design and user experience at the center of its strategy. The tech design company has been led only by senior executives, including Jony Ive, Tim Cook, former COO Jeff Williams, and now Ternus.

Ternus has long been viewed internally as a leading candidate to eventually succeed Cook. He gained a broader role last year, taking on product direction and increased visibility with the media.

While there is little concrete evidence that a CEO transition is imminent, his expanded mandate has intensified succession speculation. Reports suggesting an early 2026 leadership change appear unlikely, Gurman noted.

Other executives have been mentioned as potential successors. But based on Apple’s internal dynamics and Cook’s timeline, Sabih Khan, the company’s new chief operating officer, is seen as the only other plausible internal candidate.

Cook remains firmly in control, with no immediate handoff underway.

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Entropy, the cryptocurrency custody startup that raised $25 million from Andreessen Horowitz and other prominent venture capital firms, is shutting down operations after four years and will return remaining capital to investors, its founder announced on X.

Tux Pacific, the company’s founder and CEO, said that the decision followed several business pivots and two rounds of layoffs.

“After four hard years working in crypto, I decided that the best I could do has already been done: it was time to close up shop,” Pacific wrote, adding that the company had been working on a crypto automation platform similar to workflow tools like n8n and Zapier but with blockchain-specific features, including automated signing through threshold cryptography and artificial intelligence integrations.

Entropy went from custody solution to crypto automation

Entropy initially positioned itself as a decentralized alternative to centralized crypto custodians such as Fireblocks and Coinbase when it launched in 2021. 

Pacific, who identifies as transgender and has described themselves as an anarchist, founded the company after working at cryptography network NuCypher, where they developed expertise in advanced cryptographic techniques. 

The company raised $1.95 million in a pre-seed round in January 2022, followed by the $25 million seed round led by a16z in June 2022. Other investors included Coinbase Ventures, Robot Ventures, Dragonfly Capital, Ethereal Ventures, Variant and Inflection, as well as angel investors Naval Ravikant, Sabrina Hahn and James Prestwich.

At the time of its fundraising, Pacific, a self-taught cryptographer, reportedly stated that the company did not yet have a defined business model but was focused on building technology that would allow users to maintain control over their digital assets while benefiting from advanced cryptographic security.

However, the company appears to have struggled to find product-market fit as it pivoted to developing a crypto automation platform. 

After seeking feedback on this iteration, Pacific said it became clear the business model “wasn’t venture scale”, leaving a choice between finding “a creative way forward or pivot once more.”

What is Pacific’s next move?

In the same post that announced Entropy’s winding down, Pacific said they would be leaving the cryptocurrency industry entirely and moving into pharmaceutical research, specifically focusing on hormone delivery innovations for menopausal women and transgender women undergoing hormone replacement therapy.

“My time in crypto might be coming to an end, as I feel myself drawn specifically into pharmaceuticals,” Pacific wrote, noting plans to validate research on new estradiol drug formulations while studying biophysics and organic chemistry. Pacific wrote that “a career is a practice: the goal is not the destination, but the journey of innovation.”

Pacific thanked a16z and general partner Guy Wuollet for their support throughout the wind-down process, calling their guidance invaluable.

The decision to return capital is not a first in the startup world, but it is also uncommon. Some founders may seek more funds to try out more pivots, seek acquisition, or operate until all the funds dry up. 

However, raising funds in 2025 may have proven difficult, as data showed that most investors cut checks, both big and small, for mostly late-stage startups. Early-stage startups and those who had not gained enough traction or market fit were mostly overlooked.

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As new market cycles form, many traders are actively searching for cheap cryptocurrencies that could appreciate over the next two years. The rotation toward lower-cost assets is not new. It often appears during accumulation periods when investors seek asymmetric returns without needing large capital. Analysts tracking early-cycle movements say a similar setup is emerging now for a group of tokens entering 2026 with different positioning and risk profiles.

Dogecoin (DOGE)

Dogecoin DOGE continues to hold its place as one of the most recognizable meme tokens on the market. It trades near $0.12 with a market cap of roughly $21B. DOGE’s large retail presence and long history make it a durable asset in speculative phases. Many traders include DOGE during risk-on periods due to its liquidity and cultural familiarity.

However, DOGE has struggled to break above resistance zones near $0.15 to $0.17. Analysts attribute these barriers to liquidity saturation and valuation weight. Large inflows are required to force DOGE into higher pricing bands, and those inflows typically only appear during strong retail-driven phases. While upside is possible, forward projections tend to be more modest due to DOGE’s size and mature ownership profile.

Cardano (ADA)

Cardano ADA trades near $0.36 with a market cap close to $13B. It remains positioned as one of the top cryptocurrencies in terms of governance and development. ADA saw a major appreciation window during earlier cycle phases when smart contract support went live and community interest peaked.

Today, many chart analysts highlight resistance zones between $0.40 and $0.45. Breaking through those levels may require new utility demand or broader market tailwinds. Cardano is often categorized as a steady asset with slower repricing because a large, diverse holder base resists rapid directional moves. Return models for ADA tend to show smaller % increases over multi-year windows compared to early-stage assets still undergoing discovery.

Mutuum Finance (MUTM)

Mutuum Finance (MUTM) sits in a different segment of the market. The protocol began MUTM distribution in early 2025 at $0.01 and now sits at $0.04 in its presale phase, marking a 300% appreciation for initial participants. The project has raised $19.9M, onboarded 18,900 holders and sold 830M tokens. From the 4B supply, 1.82B tokens or 45.5% are allocated for presale onboarding. Phase 7 is now underway with more than 6% of the phase already allocated and a planned launch price near $0.06.

Unlike DOGE and ADA, Mutuum Finance is still preparing to activate its core utility. It is building a decentralized lending system that supports supply-side yield through mtTokens and collateralized borrowing. Borrowers generate fees that flow into the protocol economy, linking demand to revenue instead of sentiment.

Why Analysts See MUTM as a Strong 2026 Candidate

Analysts contrasting mature assets with early-stage assets often cite return asymmetry. DOGE and ADA are considered mature with slower repricing. MUTM remains early and has unpriced utility ahead of it. This difference creates divergent forward paths.

To illustrate, a $650 position in ADA at $0.36 yields roughly 1,805 ADA. If ADA climbs to $0.50 over time, the position grows by $251. A $650 position in DOGE at $0.12 yields roughly 5,416 DOGE. If DOGE reaches $0.18, the position adds $325. 

In contrast, a $650 presale allocation into MUTM at $0.04 yields 16,250 MUTM. As long as analysts’ bullish models of $0.20 during 2026 materialize once the protocol shifts into live utility, the position would be worth $3,250. The comparison illustrates why analysts categorize MUTM as a higher-upside candidate moving into the next cycle.

V1 Launch and Security Foundation

Mutuum Finance has confirmed that its V1 lending protocol is scheduled for the Sepolia testnet in Q1 2026. V1 will introduce collateral management, debt accounting, liquidation logic and borrowing for ETH and USDT. This step moves the project from conceptual into operational.

Security is also a core component of the roadmap. Mutuum Finance completed an independent audit with Halborn Security and maintains a 90 out of 100 token scan score from CertiK. Analysts covering DeFi crypto protocols say security validation is one of the prerequisites for long-term usage because lending systems rely on oracle pricing, liquidation accuracy and automated collateral flows.

That contrast between meme coins and MUTM explains why some researchers now place MUTM on shortlists for best crypto to invest in during 2026 and 2027 for participants seeking higher-growth exposure during the early utility window.

For more information about Mutuum Finance (MUTM) visit the links below:

Website: https://www.mutuum.com
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/mutuumfinance

Money is leaving unstable regions and flooding into North and Southeast Asia, where investors are looking for stronger returns and fewer surprises.

Global risks haven’t gone away, but people are shifting their money to places that still look steady. That’s why fund managers are packing up and buying back into Asia.

Donald Trump, the 47th President of the United States, decided to pause his tariff threats against Europe over Greenland, and that helped calm some nerves.

But even with that, there’s still tension in the Middle East and growing concern over what the U.S. is doing in Latin America.

Fresh data from Bloomberg shows $3.3 billion has already gone into North and Southeast Asia stocks this January. That’s the biggest monthly haul since September.

At the same time, global ETF flows into emerging markets hit $7.15 billion in the week ending January 16, and about 75% of that went straight into Asia-focused funds. Bonds aren’t being ignored either. In the same month, $3.7 billion has gone into debt markets in India, South Korea, Indonesia, and Thailand.

Ray from Aberdeen Investments said, “Emerging Asia is positioned to outperform broader EM this year, even amid heightened geopolitical uncertainty.” He mentioned AI spending, credit conditions, and China’s role in the region. Ray also said Aberdeen had increased their exposure to emerging Asia, especially in Taiwanese and South Korean equities, because they expect those names to benefit directly from growth in the AI sector.

Even with tensions between the U.S. and Europe pulling on the dollar, emerging-market stocks and currencies are pushing ahead. Latin America is getting a boost from rising commodity prices, but in Asia, it’s all about earnings potential. Traders are betting that tech-linked profits in the region will beat what they’re seeing elsewhere.

China’s exports, trade surplus, and yuan steady the region

Regional stocks are already up 6% in 2026, easily topping the 1.7% gain in the MSCI World Index. This is happening even while the Cboe Volatility Index, Wall Street’s panic signal, climbed to a two-month high last week.

The strength is in earnings too. Bloomberg data shows forecasted earnings per share for companies in emerging Asia to jump by 30% over the next year. That crushes the 17% expected in Latin America and edges out the 29% forecast for Eastern Europe.

Sophie from BNP Paribas Asset Management said, “Asia represents this pocket of diversification, with a good prospect for earnings.” She added that Chinese stocks don’t track global markets the way they used to before Covid.

Meanwhile, China keeps holding the whole region steady. Its local economy might be under pressure, but exports are still strong. The country booked a record $1.2 trillion trade surplus. That’s not small. It’s also why China’s yuan is keeping regional currencies stable.

Trade data shows currencies like the baht, ringgit, and Korean won are moving in step with the yuan, showing a correlation of 0.50 or higher over the last five years. That’s why people keep calling the yuan the regional anchor.

Leonard from T. Rowe Price said, “The yuan is an anchor for regional FX stability,” and he expects it to keep climbing slowly as the trade surplus grows.

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Canada is refusing to change course on trade, even as pressure ramps up from Washington. Foreign Minister Anita Anand said the government will keep pushing to reduce its reliance on the United States, despite fresh tariff threats from President Donald Trump.

The message from Ottawa is that trade diversification stays on track, and outside pressure will not rewrite that plan.

President Donald Trump, now the 47th U.S. president, fired off a post on social media on Saturday aimed at Prime Minister Mark Carney. He said he would impose a 100% tariff on all goods if Canada turns into what he called a “drop off port” for Chinese exports heading into the U.S.

The post came after a new agreement where Canada agreed to lower tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles in exchange for food trade relief, including canola and beef.

Trump threatens tariffs after China-linked trade shift

Anand responded by shutting down talk of a broader China deal. She said the country is not negotiating a free trade agreement with Beijing. She said the government is acting out of necessity, not ideology. The plan is to double non-U.S. exports within ten years. She said the economy needs protection, and trade diversification is a key part of that goal.

“We need to protect and empower the Canadian economy, and trade diversification is fundamental to that,” Anand said. “That is why we went to China, that’s why we will be going to India, and that is why we won’t put all our eggs in one basket.”

Energy Minister Tim Hodgson is already moving on that plan. He is traveling to Goa in western India for an energy conference. He will also meet officials from the Indian industry and the government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Talks are expected to cover cooperation on critical minerals, uranium, and liquefied natural gas. Canada holds large reserves of all three. Carney is planning his own visit to India soon, followed by a trip to Australia in March.

U.S.-Canada trade ties face strain but remain massive

Anand also said the relationship with Washington remains strong. She said she expects that to continue, even with ongoing tariff disputes. The numbers back up how deep the ties run. The U.S. exported about $280 billion in goods to Canada in the first ten months of last year.

That was more than it sold to any other country. During the same period, the U.S. imported $322 billion in goods from Canada, based on Commerce Department data.

The auto sector sits at the center of that link. Manufacturing on both sides of the border is tightly connected. That is one reason the China electric vehicle deal caused anger in Washington. The agreement allows just 49,000 Chinese EVs per year, but it still hit a nerve.

“We have a highly integrated market with Canada,” U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Sunday on ABC’s This Week. “The goods can cross the border during the manufacturing process six times. And we can’t let Canada become an opening that the Chinese pour their cheap goods into the US.”

Economists say the risk from a real break is not equal. A major trade rupture would hit Canada harder due to its smaller and less diversified economy.

“If there were 100% tariffs on Canada, it would be a disaster. I guess my question would be, what’s the likelihood of that happening?” said Randall Bartlett, deputy chief economist at Desjardins Group.

Bartlett added that Trump often issues tariff threats and later reverses course, saying the chance of full tariffs is low. Trump continued posting on Sunday, again linking China to Canada, writing on Truth Social: “China is successfully and completely taking over the once Great Country of Canada. So sad to see it happen. I only hope they leave Ice Hockey alone!”

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Venture capital firm a16z crypto research partner and associate professor in the Department of Computer Science at Georgetown University, Justin Thaler, has urged the cryptocurrency industry to resist panic over quantum computing threats.

The research partner argues that the timeline for cryptographically relevant quantum computers remains distant and that premature migration to post-quantum cryptography could introduce more immediate risks than the theoretical danger itself.

Is blockchain facing a quantum threat right now?

In a detailed blog post that was also shared on X, Thaler challenged what he described as frequently exaggerated predictions about quantum computing capabilities. 

He defined a cryptographically relevant quantum computer as a fault-tolerant machine capable of breaking the secp256k1 elliptic curve used in Bitcoin and Ethereum, or RSA-2048 encryption, within approximately one month.

Thaler wrote, “We are nowhere near a cryptographically relevant quantum computer by any reasonable reading of public milestones and resource estimates.”

Based on publicly available milestones, Thaler assessed such a breakthrough in the 2020s as highly unlikely, pointing to the U.S. government’s 2035 target for widespread post-quantum cryptography adoption in federal systems as a more reasonable planning horizon. 

However, he stated that “it is not a forecast that a cryptographically relevant quantum computer will exist by then.”

The a16z position distinguishes between different categories of cryptographic systems and their respective vulnerabilities. 

While Thaler acknowledged that post-quantum encryption demands immediate deployment due to harvest-now-decrypt-later (HNDL) attacks already underway, he stated that digital signatures used in Bitcoin and Ethereum face no such risk because blockchain data is inherently public. 

Zero-knowledge proofs generated before quantum computers arrive would also remain trustworthy, he said.

What are blockchain stakeholders doing about the quantum threat?

While Thaler makes his submission on what stakeholders should be prioritizing, players in the blockchain space have been making moves in preparation for the post-quantum phase, with the Ethereum Foundation announcing a newly formed post-quantum team. 

Coinbase has also created an independent advisory board on quantum computing and blockchain. The board comprises industry experts and researchers, one of whom is Justin Drake of the Ethereum Foundation. 

The board is tasked with assessing the implications of quantum computing for the blockchain ecosystem and providing clear, independent guidance to the broader community.

Franklin Bi, general partner at Pantera Capital, reacted to the Ethereum Foundation’s PQ team announcement by stating that blockchain systems may be better prepared to adopt and adapt to the post-quantum phase compared to traditional financial institutions on Wall Street. 

He wrote, “People are over-estimating how quickly Wall Street will adapt to post-quantum cryptography. Like any systemic software upgrade, it’ll be slow & chaotic with single points of failure for years. Traditional systems are only as strong as their weakest links.”

In making his case for blockchains, he stated, “Equally, people are under-estimating the unique ability of blockchains to enact a system-wide software upgrade at global scale,” adding that if done successfully and timely, blockchain networks can evolve into post-quantum “safe havens” for data and assets.

What does Thaler recommend?

Thaler left some recommendations stating that all stakeholders, companies, governments, and policymakers should “take the quantum threat seriously,” but added that they should not “act under the presumption that a cryptographically relevant quantum computer will arrive before 2030.” 

He stated that stakeholders should deploy hybrid encryption immediately, especially in places where long-term confidentiality matters and costs are tolerable. Thaler also wrote that “Blockchains don’t need to rush post-quantum signatures — but should start planning now.”

For privacy chains that encrypt or hide transaction details, Thaler stated that they should prioritize a transition sooner if performance is tolerable.

Another point that he reiterated is that stakeholders should prioritize implementation security and not quantum threat mitigation in the near term. He called for more funding for quantum computing development while also trying to get people to treat new information as progress reports to critically assess, not prompts for abrupt action for now. 

Thaler acknowledged that there will be innovations and developments that may shorten the timelines, but also said bottlenecks may also arise that may push the timeline forward.

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Charities in South Korea say crypto provides a simple way for donations. They want fewer steps and a system where people can donate crypto with one click inside exchange apps. 

According to recent stats, South Korea has more than 10 million crypto investors and traders. The market is dominated by retail users trading Bitcoin, Ethereum, and stablecoins.

Korean charities started accepting crypto donations because it is more regulated in the country. The Community Chest of Korea, also known as Fruit of Love, is one of the charities that began accepting crypto donations, according to local media outlets.

Donating crypto is a complex process in South Korea

To donate crypto in Seoul, donors must go through six steps. First, they have to call the charity to say they want to donate. 

Next, donors must fill out a form. The form asks for personal details, the reason for the donation, which crypto they are donating, and how much of that crypto they will give. There is no minimum or maximum amount.

After that, the charity reviews the donation. This is done to make sure the money is not illegal. If the donation is approved, the charity chooses a donation date and gives the donor a wallet address to send the coins.

But not every crypto and exchange is accepted. The selected crypto coin must be listed on at least three major Korean exchanges. Currently, there are five major crypto exchanges in the country, including Upbit, Bithumb, Korbit, Coinone, and Gopax.

Charities measure crypto donations in coins, not in won

Another issue that makes crypto donations complex is how donations are measured. Donors do not donate by value, like 100,000 Korean won worth of Bitcoin. Instead, they donate by coin amount, such as 0.01 BTC. 

Once that number is set, it cannot be changed. If the price goes up or down, the donation value changes too. To change the amount, the donor must start the whole process again. This makes price swings a major risk.

After receiving the crypto, the charity sells it almost immediately. Large amounts may be sold in parts, but usually within two days. Donors receive a receipt, and the donation qualifies for tax deductions, just like a normal cash donation.

Even with these benefits, most people still sell their crypto and donate cash instead. It is faster and simpler. That is why direct crypto donations are rare in South Korea. 

Last year, the Fruit of Love charity received 1 bitcoin in crypto donations. The Korean Red Cross and Seoul National University Hospital received 1 bitcoin in donations each from the same person.

In other countries, crypto donations are simpler and more common. 

The United States began allowing Bitcoin donations for political purposes as early as 2014, and in 2024, crypto donations there reached about $688 million.  Charities across Europe, including in France, have opened their doors to digital asset gifts, with more than 1,300 organizations now accepting crypto. 

In the Middle East, Dubai charities have started accepting cryptocurrency donations under a new digital-asset giving framework.  Major international nonprofits such as UNICEF and the Rainforest Foundation also accept crypto contributions globally.

One-click crypto donations are faster, and without them, crypto donations are likely to stay uncommon in South Korea.

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Vanguard has finally crossed the $1 trillion mark in client assets outside the United States. This comes after years of tiptoeing around global markets and treating crypto like it was radioactive.

Now, they want double the international clients and assets within five years. From 17 million clients outside America today, they want 40 million by 2031.

The asset manager currently handles more than $12 trillion globally, making it the second-largest in the world. And it’s not slowing down.

Salim Ramji, the firm’s new CEO, said there are “incredible opportunities” abroad as more governments start begging people to invest their savings instead of hoarding them in bank accounts.

Vanguard joins UK push as it cuts fees and shifts toward global stocks

Ramji said too many people in the UK and Europe keep their money in cash because investing is too expensive, too complex, and full of roadblocks.

Governments are now trying to change that. In fact, Vanguard is one of 19 firms backing a UK government push to get savers off the sidelines and into the markets.

Last week, Vanguard slashed fees on its £52 billion LifeStrategy fund range, a favorite among its retail users. They also pulled back on UK assets and added more international stocks into the mix, saying clients clearly wanted more global exposure.

Chris McIsaac, who heads Vanguard’s international operations, said the firm has already doubled international assets in just three years, and at this pace, “it will take us another five to attract the next $1 trillion.”

He added, “We see incredible opportunities in international markets. People are under-participating in capital markets. Index funds and ETFs are under-represented in investor portfolios in international markets.”

It’s clear the playbook is working. Index funds and ETFs have exploded globally. That growth has been great for both Vanguard and BlackRock, who’ve been the main winners of the passive investing boom.

But unlike BlackRock, Vanguard isn’t owned by shareholders. The people who own its funds are its owners. So when costs go down, it’s the investors who benefit. “The average Vanguard fee in Europe is 14 basis points,” Ramji said. “The average fee that the industry charges is 65 basis points.” In a race to the bottom on costs, that’s a big gap.

Vanguard struggles to keep ignoring crypto after explosive ETF launches

Here’s the part that’ll make crypto fans roll their eyes. Vanguard has always hated crypto. Flat-out refused to play. But they’re boxed in now. After watching crypto ETFs blow up across the market, even the giants have to pay attention.

Back in late October, crypto ETFs tied to Solana and Hedera launched on other platforms. One of them, Bitwise Solana Staking ETF (BSOL), became the most successful ETF launch of 2025 across all sectors, according to Eric Balchunas at Bloomberg Intelligence.

And the crypto wave started earlier. Since 2024, Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs have seen record inflows. BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) alone holds around $66 billion in Bitcoin right now. The demand is there. The trading volume is massive. And Vanguard’s old anti-crypto stance looks more outdated by the day.

For now, Vanguard hasn’t released its own crypto products. But that wall is starting to crack. With retail pressure and rising ETF competition, even the old-school index giant might have to cave.

That would mark a hell of a U-turn.

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As new cycles form, traders often shift between mature assets and early-stage utility tokens. Mature assets offer stability but slower repricing. Early assets offer higher potential upside if utility arrives on schedule. Analysts say this rotation has already begun as participants search for the next crypto with room to appreciate during the next two-year window.

Cardano (ADA)

Cardano ADA still holds a position among the top cryptocurrencies by valuation. It trades near $0.36 with a market cap of roughly $13B. The project saw strong early growth when smart contract capability arrived and community expectations surged. That period produced the majority of ADA’s long-term appreciation.

Technical analysts now highlight resistance zones near the $0.40 to $0.45 region. Breakouts above these levels require heavy inflows due to liquidity saturation. ADA’s valuation size makes it behave like other mature assets where returns slow because large capital is required for meaningful price moves.

Forward projections for ADA show more modest upside. Market commentators mention that ADA’s next cycle may generate single to low double-digit % increases if demand remains steady. While Cardano still benefits from network security and wide ownership, its early explosive phase has already played out.

Mutuum Finance (MUTM)

Mutuum Finance (MUTM) sits in a very different part of the cycle. It is building a decentralized lending platform that supports supply-side yield and collateralized borrowing. The protocol design features two lending markets. 

One uses pooled liquidity where lenders earn APY through mtTokens and borrowers draw against available assets at set loan-to-value levels. The second matches users directly under collateral rules and liquidation safeguards.

From the 4B token supply, 45.5% or roughly 1.82B tokens have been allocated for presale access. The presale started in early 2025 at $0.01. The current presale price is $0.04, marking a 300% appreciation for early participants. 

The project has raised $19.9M and onboarded 18,900 holders. A total of 830M tokens have been sold across multiple phases. Mutuum Finance also completed an audit with Halborn Security and holds a 90 out of 100 token scan score from CertiK, which analysts consider relevant for lending systems.

Mature vs Early Utility Contrast

The contrast between ADA and MUTM comes down to valuation and utility timing. ADA is mature, widely held and liquid. Its utility is known and fully priced. That leads to slower moves because upside must fight against valuation gravity.

Some traders apply simple allocation logic to compare opportunities. For example, a $1,000 position in ADA at $0.36 yields roughly 2,777 ADA. If ADA moves to $0.50 over time, the position gains $388. By contrast, a $1,000 purchase of MUTM at $0.04 yields 25,000 MUTM. 

As long as analysts’ bullish models of $0.20 to $0.30 during 2026 play out once V1 and Mainnet are operational, the position could appreciate between $5,000 and $7,500. Two paths illustrate how mature assets and early assets behave differently.

Roadmap and Utility Catalyst Layer

Mutuum Finance has its V1 protocol release scheduled for the Sepolia testnet in Q1 2026. V1 will include collateral management, liquidation logic and borrowing using ETH and USDT. The team also plans to introduce an overcollateralized stablecoin that allows users to mint without selling their assets. Oracles will feed pricing data into liquidation systems to prevent forced closures during volatility.

Mainnet activation is expected to align with the official launch. Analysts argue that this phase tends to reprice new crypto assets because utility becomes measurable. ADA’s network already passed that sequence, while MUTM is moving into it.

ADA remains a foundational asset with a slower return profile due to maturity and valuation size. MUTM sits in the early utility zone where pricing is still forming and catalysts are ahead rather than behind. That contrast explains why some analysts now place Mutuum Finance on lists for best crypto to invest in during the next cycle as traders search for the next crypto to hit $1 within a realistic utility framework.

For more information about Mutuum Finance (MUTM) visit the links below:

Website: https://www.mutuum.com
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/mutuumfinance

Major technology firms that once dominated investor portfolios are watching their market value crumble as the rise of artificial intelligence tools threatens to reshape how businesses operate.

Big names in the software industry have taken a beating on stock markets recently. Salesforce, Adobe, and ServiceNow have each lost more than 30% of their value since early last year. An index tracking smaller software businesses has dropped over 20% during the same stretch.

The decline picked up speed this month. That happened after Anthropic launched Claude Code, an AI program that experts say can drastically cut down the time needed to create complicated software programs. The technology has sparked concerns about something called “vibe coding,” where AI systems rapidly generate applications and websites.

“The narrative has really shifted,” said Rishi Jaluria, who analyzes software companies for RBC Capital Markets.

Market sentiment has swung dramatically, according to Jaluria. Initially, investors believed software firms would gain from AI developments. Now they’re asking a different question: “Is AI just the death of software?”

The coming days will offer more clues about technology’s broader health. Apple, Meta Platforms, and Microsoft are scheduled to release earnings reports. The Federal Reserve also has a meeting planned, though no changes to interest rates are anticipated.

The reversal marks a stunning turnabout for an industry that dominated Wall Street attention just a few years back.

The software boom that was

Throughout the 2010s, software appeared to fulfill Marc Andreessen’s prediction that it would “eat the world.” Fast internet connections and cloud computing powered the expansion. Companies could rent storage from providers like Amazon.com instead of maintaining their own data centers.New software ventures sprouted up everywhere

They tackled everything from yoga studio scheduling and payment processing to corporate cybersecurity defense.

Wall Street’s view of the sector transformed completely. Once considered risky, software earned a reputation for dependability. Companies rarely switched products after integrating them into their operations. Long-term subscription deals brought predictable income streams. Investors valued that highly.

Stock prices climbed sharply. The sector attracted floods of borrowed money as private equity firms rushed to buy companies. Remote work requirements during the pandemic sent the boom into overdrive. Falling interest rates made borrowing cheaper, which added fuel.

Things started changing when rates climbed in 2022, and workers returned to offices.

Lenders who had funded software acquisitions began seeing cracks. Competition intensified. Companies carrying heavy debt loads started struggling.

Software loan defaults were virtually unknown before 2020. That was partly because lending to such companies was relatively new. Over the past two years, however, 13 software businesses have failed to meet their debt obligations, according to PitchBook LCD. That includes both bankruptcies and out-of-court debt restructurings.

Quest exemplifies the challenges. The company makes OneLogin software for employee authentication. Clearlake Capital purchased Quest in early 2022 using $3.6 billion in investor loans. Despite benefiting from remote work trends, Quest buckled under its debt burden while facing competition from Okta, a larger rival. The company reached a restructuring agreement with lenders last June.

Growing investor caution

Default rates for software loans remain below those for buyout loans overall. Investors haven’t fled entirely. But the premium that investors demand for holding software loans above benchmark rates has climbed over the past 15 months. That’s happened even as overall loan premiums edged downward, according to PitchBook LCD data seen by WSJ.

“The investor base is definitely scrutinizing these software names much more closely,” said Vince Flanagan, who manages portfolios at Seix Investment Advisors.

AI’s emergence has deepened the caution. The main dangers include fresh competition from newcomers and companies building their own software instead of paying outside vendors.

Most analysts don’t expect software companies to vanish soon. The more immediate worry is slower revenue growth, Jaluria explained. Customers are testing alternatives rather than buying typical upgrades and extras.

Jaluria believes AI could hurt “fat, lazy incumbents” while helping innovative companies that use AI to enhance their offerings.

Questions about AI’s future add to the uncertainty

AI enthusiasm has pushed stocks to records recently. But investors have become pickier about which AI-related companies to back.

Firms are borrowing heavily for AI infrastructure projects. Lenders are proceeding carefully. They’re demanding higher interest payments from big spenders like Meta and Oracle relative to their credit quality.

Investors are asking hard questions, he added. “Are these investments sustainable? Are they going to be profitable? Are there going to be cash flows, or will there not be?”

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Poland’s top finance official says the country’s better economic performance compared to euro nations supports keeping its own currency, according to an interview published in the Financial Times.

Finance Minister Andrzej Domanski pointed to Poland’s stronger growth numbers as reason to avoid joining the eurozone. “Our economy is now doing clearly better than most of those that have the euro,” Domanski said. “We have more and more data, research and arguments to keep the Polish zloty.”

The European Commission expects Poland’s economy to grow 3.5% this year. That’s much better than the 1.2% expansion forecast for eurozone countries. The single currency bloc posted just 0.2% quarter-on-quarter growth in the third quarter of 2025. Economic forecasts put eurozone growth between 0.9% and 1.3% for 2025.

The weak performance pushed the European Central Bank to cut interest rates by 200 basis points to 2% by June 2025.

Central Europe kept distance from euro

Poland isn’t alone in staying outside the eurozone. The Czech Republic and Hungary also show little interest in adopting the euro despite two decades in the European Union. The Czech government decided not to set an euro adoption date in 2025, marking the twenty-first time officials have delayed the decision.

Public opposition runs high across the region. Some 72% of Czechs are against adopting the euro, according to the last year’s polling . Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said the EU is “disintegrating” and Hungary should reject the euro. He previously stated Hungary won’t adopt the currency until its economy reaches 85% of Germany’s GDP per capita.

The reluctance reflects concerns about losing monetary independence and control over national currencies. These three countries, along with Denmark and Sweden, will remain the EU’s only members outside the eurozone once Bulgaria and Romania join the currency bloc.

Political barriers remain high

Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s government took office in late 2023 and is considered pro-European. But it hasn’t made joining the euro a priority. The move would face major problems. It needs changes to Poland’s Constitution and support from nationalist opposition politicians who don’t want to give up the zloty.

Domanski said his thinking changed on the issue. “Two years ago I was a bit worried that Poland could be left behind in a two-tier EU and outside the eurozone, but today Poland is clearly in the top economic tier, and I see no strong reason to abandon our own currency,” he told Financial Times.

Poland will likely keep its distance from euro membership, even as it stays part of the European Union. The country’s economic performance gives officials little reason to pursue the difficult political process needed to adopt the shared currency.

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Price discovery in crypto often begins long before Mainnet usage or listings. Analysts track development, security audits and roadmap execution to estimate where value could settle once trading opens. A similar pattern is now taking shape around one new crypto under $0.75 that is entering its final presale stages. Several experts say the project is moving into the visibility phase, where utility expectations begin shaping longer-term price models.

Dual Lending Markets and Presale Progress

The new cryptocurrency drawing attention is Mutuum Finance (MUTM). Mutuum Finance is building a decentralized lending protocol that includes two lending markets. The first uses a shared liquidity pool where lenders supply assets and receive mtTokens that earn APY. Borrowers draw from the same pool and secure positions using collateral at preset loan-to-value levels. For example, lenders could earn yields such as 6% to 12% depending on pool demand, while borrowers may select LTV bands such as 50% or 65% based on collateral type.

The second market matches users directly instead of using the shared pool. Borrowers still lock collateral and follow LTV rules. If the collateral value drops below threshold, the liquidation bot intervenes to protect available liquidity. Analysts say this dual model allows the protocol to support users with different risk profiles and borrowing preferences.

Mutuum Finance began its MUTM distribution in early 2025 at $0.01. The current presale price is $0.04, reflecting a 300% appreciation for early participants. The project has raised $19.9M with 18,900 holders and 830M tokens distributed. From the 4B supply, 45.5% or roughly 1.82B tokens have been allocated for presale onboarding. Phase 7 is now in progress with more than 6% of the current phase allocated and the launch price set near $0.06.

V1 Testnet and Security Audit Visibility

The next major catalyst for the protocol is the V1 testnet launch scheduled for Q1 2026 on Sepolia. V1 will introduce borrowing, collateral management, liquidation logic and debt tracking in a controlled environment. It will support ETH and USDT as the first assets for borrowing and supplying. Once testnet milestones are completed, the project plans to prepare for Mainnet release and future listings.

Security validation has been central to the roadmap. Mutuum Finance completed an independent audit with Halborn Security and holds a 90 out of 100 token scan score from CertiK. These reviews matter because lending protocols must handle collateral, liquidation and pricing data without failure. Many analysts argue that serious capital typically enters after audits and testnet schedules become visible.

Several experts believe that if V1 launches on schedule and borrowing activity emerges with mainnet start following, MUTM could reprice into the $0.15 to $0.45 range during 2026. From the current $0.04 presale level, this implies a 300% to 750% increase under a bullish scenario.

mtTokens, Stable Revenue Logic and Oracle Support

A core part of the Mutuum Finance model revolves around mtTokens. They track supplied assets and calculate APY. mtTokens can also be staked in the safety module to earn MUTM purchased from the open market. A portion of protocol revenue funds these purchases, which creates continuous buy pressure that is tied to real lending volume instead of short-term attention cycles.

Oracles will supply pricing data to the protocol for collateral and liquidation systems. Accurate pricing is required during volatile markets to avoid liquidations triggered by distorted data. Market researchers say this type of infrastructure separates lending protocols from meme assets because it connects token economics to performance and usage.

Under a longer-term model that factors in mtToken staking, borrowing volume and protocol revenue, some analysts believe MUTM could move into the $0.40 to $0.50 range during 2027. From the current $0.04 level, this would represent a 900% to 1150% increase under an optimistic scenario.

Why Solana Comparisons Are Emerging

Several experts have compared Mutuum Finance to early Solana. The comparison is not architectural. It is about sequencing and timing. Solana gained broader visibility once V1 was nearly complete, audits were disclosed and listings were taking shape. Mutuum Finance is entering a similar window now, as security reviews, testnet dates and listing expectations are becoming public.

The project is attempting to build a full borrowing platform with longer-term components including an overcollateralized stablecoin and a Layer-2 expansion to reduce fees. Analysts believe these features position it within the emerging cheap crypto sector, where valuation often forms around utility expectations rather than hype.

As Phase 7 continues to sell through allocation and whales appear in daily contribution data, the presale is now being discussed within top crypto rotation lists for investors searching for next crypto candidates preparing for their first discovery cycle.

For more information about Mutuum Finance (MUTM) visit the links below:

Website: https://www.mutuum.com
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/mutuumfinance

Stock market traders put money into protective bets against Chinese company shares last week, even as President Donald Trump’s warnings about tariffs on Greenland grabbed most of the attention across Wall Street.

Just three weeks into 2026, markets are showing the same behavior as last year. Trump issues threats, stocks get shaky, things calm down after a few days, and shares start climbing again. The pattern has become routine for those tracking market swings.

The Cboe Volatility Index, which measures fear in the market, shot up on Tuesday but quickly dropped back down. By Friday, it sat lower than where it started the previous week. The index’s futures ended the week looking almost the same as before.

Cboe Volatility Index (VIX) one-month chart, Source: Cboe.com

But behind the scenes, some traders were taking steps to protect themselves. They worried about two main things. Problems that could hurt Chinese stocks and the chance that big tech companies might report weak earnings.

Investors snapped up around 400,000 put options set to expire in March for the iShares China Large-Cap ETF. They also grabbed 20,000 contracts in the KraneShares CSI China Internet ETF and 150,000 puts in the Xtrackers Harvest CSI China A-Shares ETF. Put options let traders profit if prices fall or limit their losses.

Christopher Jacobson works as co-head of derivatives strategy at Susquehanna International Group. He said in a written note, seen by Bloomberg,  that no clear reason drove these moves. The investors might just be getting ready for worse relations between the United States and China, especially after China criticized the recent trade agreement between America and Taiwan.

Traders getting better at the TACO trade

Market experts say investors have gotten better at handling what they call the TACO trade. This limits how high fear spikes and how long it lasts.

Amy Wu Silverman heads derivatives strategy at RBC Capital Markets. She described Trump’s approach this way: “It seems very much like he’s playing this playbook of like, ‘I’m going to go in kind of mad dog style.

No one really knows what I could do.’ And then you almost need the market to have a tantrum and then he will back off.” She added that when these bumps show up, they give good chances to bet against fear or reach for gains.

Even serious global tensions have barely moved the fear gauge. Trump talked about the Greenland situation as a national security matter. China might use similar reasoning when discussing Taiwan.

Antoine Bracq runs advisory services at Lighthouse Canton. He pointed out that “Markets appear increasingly desensitized to breaches of international laws — whether in Venezuela, Iran, or Greenland.” He said traders showed the same lack of concern about military drills near Taiwan and the ongoing war in Ukraine.

Tech earnings protection picks up

Traders also bought protection against drops in chip company stocks. Big tech firms including Apple Inc., Tesla Inc. and Meta Platforms Inc. will report their earnings this week. Investors picked up January 30 put options in Nvidia Corp., Oracle Corp. and Broadcom Inc.

Bracq said market drops will likely stay brief as long as people believe the American economy stays strong. He thinks a VIX reading above 20 might be a good time for everyday investors to sell. But he warned that disappointment from tech companies or a weaker job market could change the current low-fear environment.

Retail investors keep buying when prices dip. This helps keep fear spikes short, especially while data suggests more Federal Reserve rate cuts and continued economic growth. That could shift if joblessness and rising prices get bad enough to stop these buyers.

Antoine Porcheret handles institutional structuring for the UK, Europe, the Middle East and Africa at Citigroup Inc. He said retail traders have been a big part of the buy-the-dip strategy. “So that is a risk if those buyers disappear, which can happen with rising unemployment if they have less disposable income,” he explained.

Market structure changes draw attention

Analysts at UBS Group AG noted that zero-day-to-expiry options recently created a shorter gamma profile. This could cause bigger swings during the trading day as dealers adjust their positions.

Traders are also watching VIX dealer positions and exchange-traded products tied to the index. These products have seen money leave recently. When people cash out volatility bets during market stress, it can soften VIX jumps. With lighter positions now, that steadying effect might weaken, possibly making the VIX react more sharply.

The hedging activity comes as Chinese tech stocks continue rallying despite economic challenges. As reported by Cryptopolitan previously,  China has announced plans to invest up to 70 billion dollars in its domestic chip industry, positioning itself as a serious rival to American technology firms.

AI and robotics advances have pushed Chinese tech shares higher this year, even as the broader economy faces headwinds from weak consumer spending and a struggling property sector. Market watchers note this self-sufficiency push has shifted investor perspectives on Chinese companies.

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