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SUI Commentary and Price Analysis - January 12, 2026
SUI Technical OutlookSUI started 2026 with a strong breakout. The development team is working on a new update that will support privacy-focused transactions. This innovation could make Sui more attractive, especially for large institutional users. In addition, the SUI price has outperformed Bitcoin and Ethereum in recent weeks. Its fast and low-cost transaction infrastructure also increases interest in the project. Fibonacci 618 Zone On the SUI side, it is seen that the move following the decline is standing at a technically meaningful level. The price managed to stay above the Fibonacci 0.618 level and produced a clear reaction from this area. This indicates that the latest downward wave has been digested for now.The 0.618 region (approximately the 1.28–1.30 band) stands as the main bottom reference within this structure. Preserving this area was important for the reaction to turn into a broader recovery attempt rather than just a short-term bounce, and for now this condition has been met.On the upside, the first notable area is around 1.70, which corresponds to the 0.5 Fibonacci level. The price is currently stabilizing just above this zone. If sustainability above this level is achieved, in the next phase of the move the 0.382 region, the 2.20–2.25 band, comes into play. This area is also where strong reactions and distribution occurred in the past.In the downside scenario, a renewed drop below 0.618 would weaken this reaction and could push the price back toward the 1.30 band. For this reason, the current structure is entirely dependent on whether this level is preserved or not.These analyses, which do not provide investment advice, focus on support and resistance levels that are thought to create short- and medium-term trading opportunities depending on market conditions. However, the responsibility for trading and risk management belongs entirely to the user. In addition, it is strongly recommended to use stop loss for the positions shared.
SEC Postpones Decision on Two Crypto ETFs
The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) continues its cautious approach to exchange-traded funds (ETFs) based on crypto assets. In three separate notices published in the Federal Register on Monday, the agency extended the decision period for two crypto ETF applications and initiated a formal public comment process for a third product.The SEC postponed the decision process for the PENGU and T. Rowe Price fundsAmong the applications for which the SEC postponed the decision are the PENGU ETF, submitted by Canary Capital and focusing on the Pudgy Penguins ecosystem, and the actively managed crypto ETF from traditional asset management giant T. Rowe Price. Canary's PENGU ETF was listed on the Cboe BZX Exchange, while T. Rowe Price's fund was listed on the NYSE Arca. Both applications are being evaluated under the SEC's standard 19b-4 review process. This process allows the commission to extend the initial decision period by up to 45 days. The SEC cited the need for a more thorough examination of market structure, investor protection, and potential price manipulation risks as the reason for the extension. The institution stated, “The extension of the review period is deemed appropriate to allow sufficient time to approve or reject the proposed rule change.” Canary’s PENGU ETF stands out as one of the most unusual crypto ETF applications before the SEC, aiming to offer indirect exposure to the Pudgy Penguins ecosystem, which originated from an NFT collection. Launched in 2021 on the Ethereum blockchain, Pudgy Penguins has expanded over time to include licensing, digital brand rights, and utility tokens. However, the price volatility of NFT-based assets and the sharp value losses experienced after token launches raise questions about the appropriateness of offering such products to investors under an ETF umbrella. The SEC's final decision on this application could set a significant precedent regarding the extent to which NFTs and assets associated with meme culture can be included in regulated investment products. The debate takes on a different dimension with T. Rowe Price. The company's actively managed crypto ETF envisions a multi-asset strategy that can invest in up to 15 digital assets, not just Bitcoin and Ethereum. T. Rowe Price, known for its mutual funds and pension products for many years, entering the crypto space on this scale is noteworthy as it demonstrates the level of institutional interest. However, active management and a broader token portfolio mean additional oversight and risk assessment for the SEC. Meanwhile, the SEC has also formally accepted and opened for public comment a separate application by NYSE American. This application concerns the listing of standardized option contracts on the CoinDesk Crypto 5 ETF offered by Grayscale. This fund tracks five major crypto assets: Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP, Solana, and Cardano. This proposal, which is currently undergoing a review process, is seen as critical to determining whether options trading will become possible on a multi-asset crypto ETF.
Standard Chartered Introduces New Structure to the Crypto Market
London-based global banking giant Standard Chartered is preparing to take a new step as institutional demand for crypto assets rapidly increases. According to sources close to the matter who spoke to Bloomberg, the bank plans to establish a crypto prime brokerage service targeting hedge funds and asset management companies. This structure is expected to be located within SC Ventures, the bank's wholly owned venture and innovation arm. Discussions are in the early stages, and there is no definite launch date yet. This strategic move could allow Standard Chartered to grow its crypto activities while avoiding regulatory capital pressures. Basel III regulations, which make it difficult for banks to directly hold crypto assets on their balance sheets, mandate a very high risk weighting of 1,250% for assets like Bitcoin and Ether, which operate on permissionless blockchains. In contrast, this rate is as high as 400% for some venture capital investments. Establishing the new structure outside the main bank, under the umbrella of SC Ventures, is seen as the most practical way to avoid this heavy capital burden. Standard Chartered is not a new player in the crypto space. The bank has previously supported initiatives such as Zodia Custody, which offers institutional custody services, and Zodia Markets, an institutional trading platform. Approximately six months ago, it announced that it would be offering spot crypto trading services to institutional clients as a large, systemically important global bank. The announcement of a joint venture called “Project37C,” shared by SC Ventures on LinkedIn in December, also signaled this expansion. This project was described as a “light financing and market platform” including services such as custody, tokenization, and access to digital markets.What does prime brokerage mean?Prime brokerage models provide institutional investors with financing, custody, and trading services under one roof, creating a critical infrastructure, especially for hedge funds. With rapidly increasing institutional interest, this area is growing globally. In April, Ripple acquired Hidden Road, a major brokerage firm, for $1.25 billion. In October, FalconX announced an acquisition agreement with 21Shares, an ETF issuer. These developments are not limited to Europe. In the US, major banks are also delving deeper into cryptocurrency. JPMorgan Chase announced it is evaluating crypto trading services for its institutional clients, while Morgan Stanley applied for ETFs based on Bitcoin, Ether, and Solana. These moves further intensify competition in the spot crypto ETF market, where giants like BlackRock and ARK Invest are already active. The total size of spot crypto ETFs in the US has reached approximately $140 billion in just two years. On the market front, Bitcoin started 2026 just above $92,000. After a brief drop to $90,000, the price shows a limited year-on-year decline. According to Brian Vieten of Siebert Financial, this sideways movement was linked to tax optimization-driven sell-offs and concerns that MSCI might delist digital asset treasuries. MSCI's reversal of this idea has removed one of the uncertainties in the market.
Dubai Takes a Firm Stake in Crypto: Privacy Tokens Banned
Regulations governing crypto assets at the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), Dubai's financial free zone, have been significantly updated. The new Crypto Token Regulatory Framework, implemented by the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA), came into effect on January 12th. The updated framework clearly defines privacy-focused crypto assets, narrows the definition of stablecoins, and directly assigns responsibility for token compliance to licensed companies. The most notable aspect of the new regulations concerns privacy tokens. The DFSA has banned the use of crypto assets designed to conceal transaction history or wallet holders across the DIFC. This ban covers not only trading but also marketing activities, exposure to funds, and derivative products based on these assets. Thus, all financial activities associated with privacy tokens are inaccessible to institutions under the DIFC umbrella. This decision comes at a time of increased market interest in privacy-focused cryptocurrencies. Recently, Monero (XMR) has seen new highs, while Zcash (ZEC) has also experienced a significant increase in trading volume. However, the DFSA believes that such assets are incompatible with global compliance obligations. The institution's approach is based on the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) standards, which mandate the identification of sender and receiver information in crypto transactions. The nature of privacy tokens, which makes this transparency difficult, is considered an unacceptable risk by the regulator.The ban is not limited to tokens alone. Licensed institutions under the DIFC are also no longer allowed to use or offer mixers, tumblers, or other tools that conceal transaction details. This step brings Dubai closer to the centers adopting the strictest stance against privacy-enhancing technologies. While the MiCA framework and upcoming AML restrictions on anonymous crypto activities in the European Union are moving in a similar direction, some centers, such as Hong Kong, theoretically allow privacy tokens but practically impose serious restrictions. Stablecoins are also on the agendaAnother critical aspect of the regulation was the changes made to the definition of stablecoins. The DFSA limited the stablecoin category, which it calls "Fiat Crypto Token," only tokens that are pegged one-to-one to fiat currency and backed by high-quality, liquid assets. It is stipulated that reserves must be sufficient to meet repayment demands even during periods of high market stress. In this context, algorithmic stablecoins were excluded from the definition of stablecoins. Projects like Ethena, which have attracted attention with their rapid growth, are not banned; however, within the DIFC, they are now considered standard crypto tokens, not stablecoins. One of the structural changes made within the framework was leaving the assessment of token suitability directly to the sector. The DFSA will no longer maintain a list of approved crypto assets. Instead, licensed companies operating in the DIFC will assess the suitability of the tokens they offer themselves, be obliged to document these assessments, and review them regularly. Charlotte Robins, DFSA's director of policy and legal affairs, notes that this approach represents a shift towards a more flexible and principles-based model. Across Dubai, however, the picture remains fragmented. The Dubai Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA), which operates outside the DIFC, imposed an explicit ban on privacy-enhanced cryptocurrencies in 2023. In Abu Dhabi, the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) is taking a more cautious, risk-based approach.
Binance Announces New Stablecoin Listing
Cryptocurrency exchange Binance has announced the listing of another stablecoin. According to the official statement from the exchange, the stablecoin called United Stables (U) will begin trading on the Binance Spot market as of January 13, 2026. The listing will include the U/USDT and U/USDC trading pairs. Binance is also launching a zero-fee campaign for these two trading pairs to incentivize the listing.Binance shared details of the U listingAccording to Binance's announcement, trading for the U token will begin on January 13, 2026 at 11:00 AM UTC. Users can already deposit U. Withdrawal transactions will be activated on January 14, 2026 at 11:00 AM UTC. Binance specifically emphasizes that the withdrawal time is an estimate and the current status can be tracked on the withdrawal page on the platform. The statement also noted that no BNB is being charged as a listing fee. The zero-fee trading campaign launched alongside the listing will apply to U/USDT and U/USDC pairs. During the campaign, eligible users will be exempt from both maker and taker fees on spot and, where applicable, margin trading. The campaign will begin on January 13, 2026 at 11:00 AM UTC and will continue until further notice. Binance also stated that trading volumes within the scope of the campaign will not be included in VIP level calculations and liquidity provider programs.United Stables (U) is positioned as a next-generation stablecoin. With its structure fully backed by liquid assets, the project aims to consolidate distributed liquidity under a single umbrella. U's core vision is to make value transfer more fluid between trading, payment systems, DeFi applications, corporate consensus processes, and AI-powered autonomous systems. The project team describes U as a tangible product of a "liquid future" approach that enables seamless value flow between humans and AI systems. From a technical perspective, U is among the first stablecoins issued on BNB Chain and supports the EIP-3009 standard. This feature aims to provide more efficient use in cross-chain and cross-ecosystem transfers by allowing authorization without paying gas fees. In this respect, U is expected to stand out especially in DeFi and institutional use cases.Binance also reminded that it reserves the right to remove relevant transactions and users from the campaign if market manipulation, wash trading, or self-trading behavior is detected under the campaign terms. In addition, it was stated that standard transaction fees will be reapplied and the VIP fee structure will be valid when the campaign ends. On the other hand, U/USDT and U/USDC trading pairs will not be accessible in all countries. Under current regulations, users in certain countries and regions, including Canada, the USA, Japan, the Netherlands, and Iran, will not be able to trade these trading pairs. Binance stated that this list may be updated over time depending on legal and regulatory changes.
Zcash at a Crossroads: Developers Leaves, Forms New Company
The Zcash ecosystem has faced one of the most serious governance crises in recent years with a mass resignation. The entire development team behind the privacy-focused blockchain project, Electric Coin Company, announced their resignation due to deep disagreements with the board of directors of Bootstrap, the non-profit organization to which the company belongs. The decision has raised questions about Zcash's technical roadmap and the future of the ecosystem. Electric Coin Company CEO Josh Swihart stated in a statement on X that team members were "forced to leave in a non-constructive manner." According to Swihart, the board of directors pushed working conditions and authority to a point where it became impossible for the team to perform their duties effectively and ethically. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, this is called "constructive discharge," which technically means the resignation is not considered voluntary. Bootstrap is a 501(c)(3) organization established to support the Zcash ecosystem and oversee Electric Coin Company. In his statement, Swihart argued that board members Zaki Manian, Christina Garman, Alan Fairless, and Michelle Lai adopted an approach inconsistent with Zcash's core mission. However, he specifically emphasized that the protocol itself was not technically affected by this personnel change. Following the mass resignation, the ECC team began preparations to establish a new company to continue its vision of privacy-focused digital currency. Swihart stated that this step does not mean abandoning Zcash, but rather a result of the desire to independently pursue the goal of an "unstoppable private currency." It is also frequently recalled that thanks to Zcash's open-source and permissionless nature, the network continues to operate independently of any single institution or team. This development is the latest in a series of high-level departures from the Zcash ecosystem in recent years. Zooko Wilcox, the project's founder and longtime leader, stepped down as CEO in December 2023, and another key figure resigned from the Zcash Foundation board in early 2025. All these changes further fueled debates about the sustainability of the governance model.The resignations came just weeks after ECC announced its internal restructuring plan on December 1st. This plan brought the core protocol and mobile development teams under a single leadership and unified marketing and communication activities. The aim was to improve user experience, particularly around the Zashi wallet, and reduce operational friction.ZEC price experienced a dropOn the market front, the impact of the news was quickly felt. The ZEC price experienced a sharp pullback following the resignation news, followed by a volatile course with increased trading volume. The ZEC price fell by nearly 17% in the last 24 hours, from $490 to $405. Zcash, which previously re-entered the top 20 crypto assets with a market capitalization exceeding $10 billion in November, managed to remain positive on a monthly basis despite the recent pullback. However, the token is still trading well below its all-time peak in 2016. While Zcash's complex governance structure aimed to increase decentralization from the outset, this multi-layered model has generated significant tensions over time. In the coming period, attention will be focused on the path the newly formed company will take and how Bootstrap and the Zcash Foundation will reshape the protocol development and funding mechanisms.
Coinbase Makes New Move: Four Altcoins Added to Roadmap
In the cryptocurrency market, exchange listing moves are among the most important developments driving investor interest. In this context, Coinbase announced that it has added four new digital assets to its watchlist with an update to its listing roadmap.Coinbase Updates Listing RoadmapWhile listing developments in the cryptocurrency market continue to be closely monitored, Coinbase, one of the world's largest exchanges, has come to the forefront with a new move. In a statement made through official channels, the company announced that it has updated its listing roadmap and added four new digital assets to its watchlist. According to the update, Raydium (RAY), Energy Dollar (ENERGY), Elsa (ELSA), and Sport fun (FUN) are among the projects that Coinbase has included in its evaluation process. Coinbase's listing roadmap provides important signals about which assets the exchange potentially plans to add to its platform. While projects included in this list do not automatically mean they will be listed, it indicates that they are being examined in terms of criteria such as technical suitability, regulatory compliance, and market demand. Therefore, this step is considered a critical threshold in terms of increasing visibility and intensifying investor interest for the relevant tokens.Raydium (RAY) is known as one of the prominent projects in the decentralized finance space within the Solana ecosystem. Operating with an automated market maker (AMM) model, Raydium combines Solana's high transaction speed and low cost advantages with DeFi applications. Coinbase's inclusion of this project on its watchlist is seen as a development indicating continued institutional interest in Solana-based assets.Energy Dollar (ENERGY), on the other hand, stands out as a project focusing more on stable value mechanisms and energy-themed economic models. Such projects, aiming to bring energy markets together with blockchain technology, have recently gained more attention with discussions on sustainability and integration with real-world assets. ENERGY's inclusion on Coinbase's radar shows that the exchange is opening up space not only for classic crypto assets but also for thematic and niche projects. Elsa (ELSA) and Sport fun (FUN) stand out as projects shaped around community-focused and entertainment-based use cases. Web3 games, NFT integrations, and sports-focused digital interactions are among the areas that increase user adoption in the crypto ecosystem. Coinbase's addition of such projects to its watchlist aligns with the exchange's strategy of expanding its user base and catering to different interests.In a statement from Coinbase, it was emphasized that the listing process is conducted within the framework of the principle of transparency and that the roadmap is for informational purposes only for investors. The company reminded that criteria such as regulatory compliance, network security, and project sustainability will continue to be decisive in the final listing decisions. This approach reveals Coinbase's cautious stance, especially given the increasing regulatory pressures on US-based exchanges.Which of these projects will be officially listed in the coming period will become clear with both market conditions and regulatory developments.
Barclays Makes a Stablecoin Move: Initial Investment in Ubyx
Barclays has strengthened its strategy in the digital currency space with a concrete step. The British banking giant has invested in Ubyx, a US-based stablecoin consensus initiative, marking its first direct capital injection into a stablecoin-focused company. The development was announced by Reuters. While Barclays did not share the financial details of the agreement, it was emphasized that the move is consistent with the bank's goal of exploring "new forms of digital currency."According to Barclays, the Ubyx investment is a step towards its goal of developing tokenized currency solutions within regulatory boundaries. The bank prefers to proceed through infrastructure providers and consortia rather than acting alone in this area. This is where Ubyx comes in. Founded in 2025, the company is developing a clearing and consensus system to reconcile transactions between different stablecoin issuers. The aim is to create a common technical layer in the increasingly fragmented stablecoin market.Ubyx investors are well-known companiesThe investor profile behind Ubyx is also noteworthy. In July, the company completed a $10 million seed funding round led by Galaxy Ventures. Significant participants included Coinbase Ventures, Founders Fund, and VanEck. This demonstrates the increasingly blurred lines between traditional finance and the crypto ecosystem. Furthermore, the recent appointment of former CFTC Commissioner Brian Quintenz as an advisor to Ubyx suggests the company aims to take a strong position on the regulatory side as well. Barclays' investment is part of a broader trend spearheaded by banks. In October, the bank joined a consortium of nine institutions, including Goldman Sachs and UBS, to explore the idea of a regulated stablecoin pegged to a basket of G7 currencies. On the European side, a separate initiative announced last September stands out. A group including ING, UniCredit, KBC, and other European banks decided to create a new company to launch a MiCAR-compliant, euro-based stablecoin. This Amsterdam-based entity is expected to launch its token in the second half of 2026. These steps are driven by the scale of the stablecoin market. The total circulating stablecoin supply has exceeded $290 billion. Tether's USDT holds over 64% of the market with a supply of approximately $187 billion. While stablecoins are still primarily used as a medium of exchange and liquidity in cryptocurrency markets, their share in cross-border payments is steadily increasing. Despite this, banks appear cautious about directly issuing stablecoins. Although Societe Generale's crypto arm, SG-FORGE, launched a euro-based stablecoin in 2023, the circulating supply remained limited. In the US, giants like Bank of America and Citigroup have stated they are investigating the matter, but there is no concrete launch yet. Barclays' approach is to adopt the role of an infrastructure player rather than a coin issuer. Finally, it should be noted that the bank had previously restricted cryptocurrency purchases with credit cards due to volatility and fraud risks. Therefore, this purchase attracted more attention in the crypto space.
Ripple's Clear Message: IPO is Not on the Agenda
Ripple has given a clear answer to the IPO discussions. Company President Monica Long stated that Ripple has no plans to go public in the near or medium term. In an interview with Bloomberg on Tuesday, Long said the company is in a strong financial position and wants to continue its growth strategy while maintaining its private company structure.According to Long, the main motivation for IPOs is usually to secure liquidity from public markets and reach a wider investor base. However, it was emphasized that there is no such need for Ripple at this stage. Long stated, “We plan to remain private for now. An IPO is often preferred for the purpose of accessing investors and the liquidity offered by public markets. We, however, are in a very healthy position to finance our company's growth and continue investing without going public.”Ripple received $500 million in investmentThese statements come after Ripple completed a major funding round in November 2025. In that round, the company received approximately $500 million in investment, raising its valuation to $40 billion. Among the investors were Fortress Investment Group, Citadel Securities, and various crypto-focused funds. This showcased the level of relationship Ripple has built with the traditional financial world. Responding to questions about the details of the funding round, Long stated that some of the protective clauses granted to investors were quite positive and balanced for Ripple. These clauses included provisions such as the right for investors to sell their shares back to the company at a certain return and price, or priority treatment in scenarios such as bankruptcy and company sale. Long did not elaborate on whether these conditions were mandatory to attract large investors or whether they were designed to support valuation. Ripple's aggressive growth moves throughout 2025 also explain why the company hasn't felt pressure to go public. Last year, the company completed four significant acquisitions: global multi-asset prime broker Hidden Road, stablecoin-based payment platform Rail, treasury management software provider GTreasury, and Palisade, which offers digital asset wallet and custody services. These acquisitions, worth approximately $4 billion, are seen as a crucial part of Ripple's goal to become a comprehensive player offering institutional digital asset infrastructure. Operational data also supports this strategy. The Ripple Payments platform reached a total transaction volume of over $95 billion by November 2025. Ripple Prime, developed through the Hidden Road acquisition, has begun expanding into secured lending and institutional XRP products. At the heart of all these services is Ripple's dollar-denominated stablecoin, RLUSD. Monica Long summarizes the company's long-term vision with a "product-focused" strategy. According to Long, Ripple's primary goal is to build the infrastructure that will enable traditional finance to functionally intersect with blockchain, cryptocurrencies, stablecoins, and tokenized assets in the real world.
Morgan Stanley Submits Bitcoin and Solana ETF Applications
US-based investment bank Morgan Stanley has taken its moves into the cryptocurrency markets a step further. The company has formally applied to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that will track Bitcoin and Solana prices. According to documents released on Tuesday, Morgan Stanley submitted S-1 registration statements for two separate funds, "Morgan Stanley Bitcoin Trust" and "Morgan Stanley Solana Trust." Morgan Stanley applies for Bitcoin and SOLThis move by the Wall Street giant, which manages approximately $6.4 trillion in assets, shows the increasing interest of traditional financial institutions in the crypto ETF market. In particular, the inclusion of a staking feature in the Solana ETF application indicates that Morgan Stanley aims to integrate on-chain return models into its products, not just price tracking. This is noteworthy in terms of bringing crypto assets together with classic investment instruments in a more complex and functional way. If the applications are approved, Morgan Stanley will be in the same league as major issuers like BlackRock and Fidelity, who are prominent in this field after spot Bitcoin ETFs in the US receive the green light in January 2024. This shows that the position of crypto assets within mainstream investment products is steadily strengthening. Data also reveals that the interest in crypto ETFs is not limited to applications alone. The total trading volume of spot crypto ETFs listed in the US has exceeded $2 trillion. While it took over a year to reach the first $1 trillion volume, the subsequent $1 trillion increase occurred in just about eight months, highlighting the acceleration in liquidity and trading appetite in the market. The total value of assets held in spot Bitcoin ETFs alone has exceeded $123.5 billion. This figure corresponds to approximately 6.6% of Bitcoin's total market capitalization. Despite prices recently hovering below the $100,000 level, strong demand for ETFs reflects the long-term perspective of institutional investors. Morgan Stanley's move also aligns with changes in the US regulatory climate. Following Donald Trump's return to the presidency, the SEC appears to have adopted a more favorable approach towards crypto. Thanks to new and more general listing standards approved in September 2025, eligible crypto ETFs can now be launched more quickly, without going through lengthy individual 19b-4 rule change processes. The shortening of these approval processes, which previously took up to 240 days, has significantly increased the appetite of traditional financial institutions. Last year, Morgan Stanley set an allocation cap limiting digital assets to 4% for "opportunity-focused" portfolios. This approach parallels that of competitors such as BlackRock and Grayscale. The bank is also taking steps to gradually open up access to crypto assets in all customer accounts, including retirement accounts.
SOL Commentary and Price Analysis - January 5, 2026
SOL Technical AnalysisSolana made a strong start to 2026. In the first week of the new year, on-chain data shows that whale wallets continue to accumulate SOL. This indicates that long-term confidence in the market is being maintained. At the same time, the value of tokenized real-world assets (RWA) on the Solana network reached a record high. This development shows that Solana stands out not only with fast and low-cost transactions but also with institutional financial solutions. Along with the expansion of the ecosystem, network usage and liquidity are also trending upward. These strong fundamental data support the structure behind the technical movements in the SOL price. Falling Trend Theme On the SOL side, the long-standing descending trend line is now being clearly tested. The price is trading very close to the upper band of this structure, and the 141 region stands out as a decisive resistance in the short term.Closings at this level are critical. If the descending trend is broken to the upside, the structure will be invalidated and the 166 region emerges as the first short-term target. This area overlaps with both previous horizontal resistances and the region where intermediate reactions were concentrated.If the 141 region cannot be surpassed, the current move remains a touch under the trend, and the price may re-enter a sideways–weak consolidation process. In this scenario, it is difficult to talk about an aggressive trend change without breakout confirmation.In the medium-term picture, if the descending trend is completely left behind and sustainability above 166 is achieved, the region above 200 dollars technically comes back onto the agenda. The main condition for these levels is a clear upward break of the current descending trend structure.In summary, SOL has reached a decision stage. The 141 level is critical for short-term direction; if a breakout occurs, the range of movement may expand rapidly.These analyses, which do not provide investment advice, focus on support and resistance levels that are thought to create short- and medium-term trading opportunities depending on market conditions. However, the responsibility for trading and risk management belongs entirely to the user. In addition, it is strongly recommended to use stop loss for the positions shared.
CoinShares Data: Fund Flows Shifted Towards ETH, XRP, and SOL in 2025
CoinShares' 2025 Digital Asset Fund Flows report reveals that crypto investment products ended the year with a strong but complex picture. Total money flowing into global digital asset funds reached $47.2 billion in 2025. This figure is just below the record of $48.7 billion recorded in 2024. A strong start to the year ensured that investor interest was generally maintained, despite the volatile movements and short-lived outflows seen in the middle of the week.In the last week of the year, there was a net inflow of $582 million into global funds. Following the outflows at the beginning of the week, the inflow of $671 million on Friday alone showed that institutional demand is still strong. Looking at the regional distribution, the US maintained its clear lead. US-originated inflows reached $47.2 billion throughout 2025. Although this figure indicates a 12% decrease compared to 2024, it did not change the country's weight in global digital asset funds.On the European side, a remarkable recovery stood out. Germany recorded a net inflow of $2.5 billion in 2025 after experiencing outflows of $43 million in 2024. A similar turnaround was seen in Canada. Canada, which experienced outflows of $603 million in 2024, closed 2025 with inflows of $1.1 billion. In Switzerland, appetite was more limited but stable; the country saw inflows of $775 million into digital asset funds, representing an 11.5% increase year-on-year. In contrast, Sweden was among the countries where outflows were concentrated, both weekly and year-on-year.The balance is shifting in the altcoin arenaAsset-based allocation clearly reveals one of the most important trends of 2025: a rotation from a Bitcoin-centric structure towards selected altcoins. While Bitcoin still holds the largest share, fund inflows decreased by 35% in 2025 to $26.9 billion. Price pressure and volatility led some investors to short Bitcoin products. Throughout the year, $105 million inflows were recorded into short Bitcoin funds, but the total assets under management for these products remained at a niche level of $139 million.Ethereum, however, was the clear winner of the year. In 2025, $12.7 billion inflows were recorded into Ethereum funds. This represents a 138% increase year-on-year. Both the expansion of institutional use cases for Ethereum and updates within the ecosystem significantly strengthened investor sentiment.On the altcoin side, the most striking performance came from XRP and Solana. XRP recorded growth of approximately 500% with $3.7 billion inflows in 2025. Solana showed an increase approaching 1000% with $3.6 billion inflows. This picture shows that investors are increasingly gravitating towards projects with scalability, low transaction costs, and specific use cases. The other altcoins in the image are showing more limited but noteworthy signals. Sui saw steady interest in 2025 with $152 million in inflows. Chainlink, with a net inflow of $22 million, demonstrated continued institutional interest, particularly in oracle infrastructure. Older projects like Zcash and Litecoin, however, saw limited inflows, indicating investor caution. Demand for multi-asset products and altcoins in the "other" category weakened throughout the year. According to CoinShares data, total inflows for altcoins excluding Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP, and Solana declined by 30% year-on-year. The overall picture shows that 2025 was a year of selectivity in digital asset markets. While total inflows remained near record levels, capital was concentrated in certain assets. Although Bitcoin still held a central position, Ethereum and some major altcoins gained a stronger position in institutional portfolios in the past year.
Japan Shifts Gears into Crypto: 2026 Declared the “Digital Year”
Japan has sent one of its clearest and strongest messages yet regarding the integration of crypto assets into the traditional financial system. Speaking at the Tokyo Stock Exchange on the occasion of the new year, Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama stated that making digital assets more accessible to a wider audience through securities and commodity exchanges is critically important. Katayama officially declared 2026 as the "digital year," emphasizing that the Japanese financial system will play an active role in this transformation. According to local media agencies, Katayama stated that exchanges play a central role in the widespread public offering of blockchain-based digital assets. Recalling that cryptocurrency exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are used by individual investors as a hedge against inflation in the US, Katayama indicated that similar products could be considered in Japan. Currently, there is no cryptocurrency ETF open to local investors in the country, but the statements suggest this may change. Katayama said that the government will not only remain in a regulatory position but will also provide full support to exchanges for the modernization of financial market infrastructure. Katayama stated that they aim to create an environment that will pave the way for the integrated use of fintech solutions with digital asset trading, adding that this approach could put Japan back in the spotlight in global financial competition.Japan continues to take steps towards cryptoThis opening towards crypto assets is also consistent with Japan's recent accelerated regulatory reforms. Last year, the Financial Services Agency, the country's financial supervisory authority, opened discussions on allowing banks to directly hold and trade crypto assets. During the same period, JPYC, the first stablecoin pegged to the Japanese yen, was also approved. These steps are paving the way for crypto to become a legitimate tool not only for individual investors but also for institutional finance.Another important step taken in November was the reclassification of 105 major crypto assets as "financial products" under existing financial legislation. This list includes the largest assets in the market, such as Bitcoin and Ethereum. This change could pave the way for these tokens to be used more widely alongside traditional financial products.There is also a remarkable transformation on the tax side. Japan plans to reduce the tax rate applied to crypto gains from as high as 55% to 20%. This would place digital assets under the same tax regime as stocks and other traditional investment instruments. Furthermore, investors will be able to carry forward losses from crypto transactions for three years.These regulations have whetted the appetite of Japanese financial giants. SBI Holdings has long been waiting for a suitable legal framework for crypto ETFs. Meanwhile, Ripple is reportedly preparing to launch its stablecoin, RLUSD, with SBI support in the first quarter of 2026.Katayama describes 2026 as a turning point not only for digital assets but also for the chronic problems of the Japanese economy. In this process, supported by combating deflation, growth-oriented investments, and fiscal policies, digital finance is expected to play a significant leverage role.
AVAX Commentary and Price Analysis - January 4, 2026
AVAX Technical OutlookAvalanche made a strong start to 2026. In the first days of the year, the AVAX price rose by approximately 11%, while trading volume also increased significantly. Behind this rise are preparations for spot ETF products for Avalanche and signals of institutional interest. Major investment institutions such as Grayscale and VanEck updated their Avalanche ETF applications to include staking rewards, which increased investor demand for AVAX. Falling Wedge Fracture On the AVAX side, the long-followed descending channel structure has clearly been broken to the upside. The price surpassed the upper band of the channel with a high-volume candle, leaving this structure behind and now appears to have entered a post-breakout pricing phase.After the breakout, it is technically important that the former upper band of the channel acts as support from below during pullbacks. The preservation of this region supports the view that the move is not a “fake break” but a structural trend change. The current price behavior is also progressing in line with this scenario.On the upside, the 15.5 region stands out as the first meaningful target. This level is a natural technical target, as it was previously a strong horizontal resistance area and also overlaps with Fibonacci levels. The price is advancing toward this region gradually and in a controlled manner.If the 15.5 region is surpassed, upward momentum may be carried into a higher band; however, it is also normal to see short-term profit-taking as this level is approached. On the other hand, as long as the price does not slip back below the 14 band, the overall outlook remains positive.In summary, AVAX has completed a descending channel breakout and is in a structure that is trying to confirm this breakout through price behavior. In the current technical outlook, the main focus will be the 15.5 level and the price reaction in this region.These analyses, which do not provide investment advice, focus on support and resistance levels that are thought to create short- and medium-term trading opportunities depending on market conditions. However, the responsibility for trading and risk management belongs entirely to the user. In addition, it is strongly recommended to use stop loss for the positions shared.
Binance Announces Close Monitoring of Four Altcoins
Increased volatility and project-based risks in cryptocurrency markets are making exchanges' listing policies stricter and more dynamic. In this context, Binance has updated its Monitoring Tag list, which it uses to warn investors about potential risks. The platform announced that it will add four more crypto assets to its closely monitored list as of January 2, 2026.Binance Adds 4 Cryptocurrencies to MonitoringBinance announced that it has expanded its Monitoring Tag coverage as of January 2, 2026, adding four more crypto assets to its closely monitored list. According to the official statement, Acala Token (ACA), DAR Open Network (D), Streamr (DATA), and Flow (FLOW) are now among the assets that Binance classifies as high-risk. This decision was made as a result of the platform's periodic project evaluations. Binance, one of the world's largest cryptocurrency exchanges, uses the Monitoring Tag application to warn investors about high volatility and increasing risks. Tokens with this tag may exhibit more volatile price movements compared to other listed assets and may carry certain risk factors on the project side. Binance regularly reviews these assets to assess whether they sustainably meet the listing criteria.Tokens included in the Monitoring Tag do not directly mean a trading ban. However, users who wish to trade these assets must complete a risk awareness test every 90 days on the Binance Spot and/or Binance Margin platforms. In addition, users are required to accept the relevant terms of use. With this practice, Binance aims to ensure that investors consciously evaluate the risks carried by these tokens. Risk warning banners are also displayed on the trading pages and market overview screen of all assets with a Monitoring Tag. According to the exchange, numerous criteria are considered when adding a token to the Monitoring Tag list. These criteria include the commitment of the project team to the work, the level and quality of development activities, trading volume, and liquidity status. The network's security against attacks, technical stability, and the project's communication with the public are also important parts of the evaluation process.Binance goes further, paying attention to the transparency of project teams, their interaction with the community, and their responses to regular audit requests. Unethical or fraudulent behavior, sudden and unjustified increases in token supply, significant changes in the token economy, or radical transformations in the team and ownership structure are also among the factors influencing the Monitoring Tag decision. In addition, community perception and new regulatory requirements are also considered in the review process. Acala (ACA), added to the Monitoring Tag list, is known for its DeFi solutions within the Polkadot ecosystem; DAR Open Network (D) stands out as a project focusing on gaming and Web3 infrastructure; Streamr (DATA) operates in the field of decentralized data sharing; and Flow (FLOW) is known as a blockchain network particularly associated with NFT and gaming projects. Flow may have been placed on the monitoring list due to a $3.9 million security breach on the network and subsequent unusual token activity. The Flow Foundation announced that following the attack, approximately 150 million FLOW tokens, representing about 10% of the total supply, were deposited into an exchange via a single account and quickly converted to BTC. Finally, Binance emphasized that other services related to these tokens will not be affected by this decision. Monitoring Tag updates are expected to be reflected platform-wide shortly after the announcement is published. Binance stated that the tag may be added or removed in the future based on further reviews.
