Blockcast

In a largely stagnant crypto market, PEPE managed to edge higher by 1.25% over the past 24 hours—posting modest gains while the total cryptocurrency market cap dipped slightly by 0.09%. This divergence underscores a growing wave of coin-specific interest in the meme token, driven less by macro trends or technical breakouts and more by a resurgence in retail enthusiasm and social media momentum.

The outperformance is notable in context: amid sideways or declining price action across most major assets, capital appears to be rotating selectively into high-volatility names like PEPE. Such behavior often signals either tactical positioning ahead of a potential altcoin rally or short-term speculative flows chasing narrative-driven moves. For a token with no intrinsic utility beyond its cultural cachet, this kind of attention can be both a catalyst and a vulnerability.

Retail sentiment has played a pivotal role. On-chain metrics and social listening tools have flagged a sharp uptick in trading activity, with daily volume recently surging past $77 million—a fourfold increase from baseline levels. Platforms like X (formerly Twitter) are buzzing with posts anticipating a “PEPE pump,” and coverage from outlets such as Coinspeaker naming it a top short-term pick for January 2026 has likely amplified visibility. While PEPE lacks fundamental news, its price action remains tightly coupled to community sentiment, where optimism can quickly become self-fulfilling—until it isn’t.

Technically, however, the picture remains cautious. PEPE currently trades at $0.00000501, below both its 7-day and 30-day simple moving averages, reflecting an underlying bearish bias in the near term. Yet traders are watching closely for potential reversal patterns; some analysts have pointed to a possible wedge breakout forming on lower timeframes, a setup that has historically preceded short-lived rallies in meme coins. With the Relative Strength Index hovering around 43.55—neither overbought nor oversold—the token sits in a neutral zone, leaving room for volatility in either direction. A decisive close above the 7-day SMA could ignite bullish momentum, while a drop below $0.00000490 might invite renewed selling.

In sum, PEPE’s recent uptick reflects a cocktail of retail FOMO, social media buzz, and opportunistic technical positioning—but not a structural shift in market dynamics. Without a fundamental catalyst or broader altcoin strength, the move remains fragile, tethered to the whims of sentiment rather than sustained demand. For now, it’s a reminder that in the world of meme tokens, narrative often writes the price chart.

Bonk (BONK) slipped 1.04% over the past 24 hours, extending a more pronounced 16.08% weekly decline. While the drop appears modest on the surface, it reflects deeper undercurrents of technical fragility and sector-wide profit-taking rather than any sudden negative catalyst. The token’s recent trajectory underscores how even established memecoins remain vulnerable to shifts in market psychology and speculative rotation.

Technically, BONK is showing signs of sustained bearish pressure. Currently trading at $0.00000898, it sits below both its 7-day and 30-day simple moving averages—a classic signal that short-term momentum favors sellers. Compounding this weakness, the MACD histogram has turned decisively negative, registering at -0.00000025645 and reinforcing the notion that downward momentum is accelerating. The price now hovers just above a critical Fibonacci support level at $0.000008675. A daily close beneath this threshold could trigger a cascade of stop-loss orders, potentially opening the door to a retest of the January swing low near $0.00000742.

This technical vulnerability coincides with a broader cooling-off period across the memecoin sector. Earlier in the week, memecoin trading volume surged by 106%, peaking at $5.62 billion on January 20—only to retreat by over 24% within the same day. Market observers widely interpreted this spike as a wave of profit-taking by short-term traders who had ridden the early-2026 rally. Without fresh capital entering the space, such speculative surges often fizzle quickly, leaving high-beta assets like BONK exposed to sharp corrections. As one of Solana’s most liquid and recognizable memecoins, BONK tends to amplify these sector-wide swings, both on the way up and down.

Sentiment within BONK’s ecosystem presents a mixed picture. On one hand, social chatter continues to affirm its status as Solana’s flagship meme token, and on-chain data hints at accumulation by large holders. On the other, the broader crypto market remains in a risk-off posture, with the Crypto Fear & Greed Index lingering at 35—solidly in “Fear” territory. For a token whose value is almost entirely sentiment-driven, this macro backdrop poses a significant headwind. Moreover, competition within Solana’s crowded meme landscape means that speculative capital can rotate rapidly into newer, flashier alternatives, diluting demand for even well-established names like BONK.

In sum, BONK’s recent dip is less about project-specific issues and more a reflection of technical exhaustion and the natural unwinding of speculative fervor. Its deep integration into Solana’s DeFi and NFT ecosystems ensures ongoing relevance, but in the near term, its price action will likely remain tethered to broader market sentiment and its ability to defend key technical levels. Traders should watch closely for either a breakdown below $0.000008675 or a resurgence in risk appetite—both of which could set the tone for BONK’s next major move.

Dogecoin slipped 2.24% over the past 24 hours, settling at $0.124 and deepening its weekly decline to 11.21%. The drop reflects a broader risk-off mood sweeping across cryptocurrency markets, where uncertainty and waning investor confidence have weighed heavily on speculative assets—especially those with high beta like DOGE. Despite a much-anticipated milestone—the launch of the 21Shares Dogecoin ETF (TDOG) on January 22, 2026—the token failed to find meaningful support, as the market had already priced in the development well before its debut.

The ETF’s listing on Nasdaq, backed by explicit SEC approval and public endorsement from the Dogecoin Foundation, was expected to inject fresh institutional interest. Yet, initial inflows into TDOG have been minimal, underscoring a critical reality: for sentiment-driven assets such as Dogecoin, structural advancements alone rarely translate into immediate price rallies without accompanying demand. In this case, the absence of new capital allowed existing holders to dominate the narrative—many opting to sell rather than hold through the volatility.

Compounding the pressure is the wider crypto environment, which has entered a state of pronounced caution. The total market capitalization dipped 0.66% in the last day, while spot trading volume collapsed by nearly 39%, according to CoinMarketCap. The Fear & Greed Index now sits at 34, solidly in “Fear” territory—a clear signal that traders are retreating from risk. Meme coins, historically among the first casualties during risk-off episodes, are particularly vulnerable in such conditions. With liquidity thinning, even modest sell orders can trigger outsized price moves, further reinforcing downward momentum.

Technically, Dogecoin remains locked in a persistent downtrend. Price action continues to unfold within a well-defined descending channel, with DOGE trading below all key moving averages—including the 200-day simple moving average at $0.19151. Momentum indicators echo the bearish tone: the 14-day RSI hovers at 38.52, signaling weakening but not yet oversold conditions, while the MACD histogram registers a negative value of -0.0021054, confirming sustained selling pressure. Each attempted rally has met resistance, reinforcing a pattern of lower highs. Currently, the token is testing the 78.6% Fibonacci retracement level near $0.12473. A decisive break below this support could open the path toward the lower boundary of the channel around $0.11.

For Dogecoin to reverse course, it would need either a significant shift in macro sentiment or tangible evidence of sustained ETF inflows that rebuild buyer conviction. Until then, the path of least resistance remains downward. All eyes are now on the $0.12 psychological and technical support level—its defense or breach will likely determine whether DOGE stabilizes or accelerates toward its next downside target.

Over the past 24 hours, the OFFICIAL TRUMP token has declined by 2.56%, lagging behind a largely flat cryptocurrency market. This recent dip is part of a broader downward trajectory—the token has now shed nearly 10% of its value over the last week. The sell-off appears to be driven by a confluence of structural and sentiment-based pressures, ranging from scheduled token unlocks to shifting behavior among major holders and mounting political headwinds.

A significant contributor to the price weakness was the release of 4.89 million TRUMP tokens—worth roughly $24.8 million—into circulation through a scheduled unlock event. Such supply expansions often create immediate downward pressure, particularly when market demand fails to absorb the influx. Early recipients of these tokens, which may include team members or early investors, are frequently inclined to monetize their holdings, especially amid weakening price action. On-chain data will be critical in the coming days to determine whether these newly unlocked tokens are being funneled toward exchanges, a telltale sign of active selling.

Compounding this supply-side strain, large holders—commonly referred to as “whales”—have been steadily transferring TRUMP tokens to centralized exchanges. According to on-chain analytics firm Nansen, this distribution pattern has persisted over the past month, with no corresponding accumulation by so-called “Smart Money” addresses. Historically, such movements signal an intent to liquidate positions, as exchanges provide the necessary liquidity for large-scale exits. The absence of counterbalancing buying from sophisticated investors further tilts market dynamics toward bearish sentiment.

Beyond technical and on-chain factors, the token faces intensifying regulatory scrutiny. Recent legislative proposals, including the “Stop TRUMP in Crypto Act of 2025,” aim to bar former presidents and their families from holding cryptocurrency assets. While still in early stages, such initiatives inject uncertainty into a project whose entire value proposition is tethered to a polarizing political figure. For a meme coin that thrives on narrative and cultural momentum, any threat to its foundational premise can quickly erode investor confidence and trigger defensive selling.

Together, these forces—mechanical sell pressure from unlocks, strategic offloading by whales, and looming policy risks—paint a challenging near-term outlook for TRUMP. The token’s fate may now hinge on whether it can stabilize above the critical support band between $4.70 and $4.20. A breakdown below this zone could invite further downside as exchange order books swell with supply, underscoring the volatile, sentiment-driven nature of politically branded digital assets.

Cardano (ADA) posted a 2.00% gain over the past 24 hours, outpacing the broader cryptocurrency market’s modest 0.90% rise and partially recovering from a steep 9.12% weekly decline. This uptick appears to be fueled by a confluence of governance advancements, technical indicators signaling a potential rebound, and Cardano’s distinctive positioning amid ongoing regulatory debates.

A significant catalyst emerged on January 21, when the Cardano Foundation announced the delegation of 220 million ADA—valued at approximately $80.5 million—to 11 community-elected representatives, known as DReps. This move marks a pivotal step in Cardano’s evolution toward decentralized on-chain governance, effectively transferring voting power from centralized entities to individual stakeholders. By reducing institutional influence and empowering the community, the initiative not only strengthens Cardano’s decentralization credentials but also fosters deeper engagement among long-term holders—an alignment that could translate into sustained buying interest.

From a technical standpoint, ADA appears to be emerging from oversold territory. The 7-day Relative Strength Index (RSI) dipped to 39.36, just below the 40 threshold commonly associated with oversold conditions. This coincided with a bounce off the $0.33 support level and a 19% surge in intraday trading volume, suggesting renewed buyer conviction. While ADA has endured a punishing 43.93% drop over the past 90 days, such prolonged weakness often sets the stage for short-term recoveries. However, for this rally to gain traction, ADA must hold above its 30-day simple moving average at $0.380—a key technical hurdle that will likely determine near-term momentum.

Meanwhile, the regulatory landscape remains ambiguous. U.S. Senate discussions on comprehensive crypto legislation have been postponed until February or March, prolonging market uncertainty. In this context, Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson has taken a firm public stance, criticizing what he describes as “flawed” legislative proposals—even calling out Ripple for endorsing them. While regulatory delays typically dampen sentiment across the sector, Cardano’s principled resistance to compromise may resonate strongly with decentralization-focused investors, potentially insulating it from some of the broader market’s bearish pressures.

In sum, ADA’s recent price action reflects a strategic inflection point: governance maturation meets technical opportunity, all while navigating a complex regulatory environment. The critical question now is whether this momentum can propel ADA above $0.380, thereby validating a more durable bullish reversal—or if lingering macro and policy headwinds will cap its upside in the coming weeks.

XRP posted a 2.54% gain over the past 24 hours, comfortably outpacing the broader cryptocurrency market’s modest 0.9% rise. This short-term strength stands in contrast to a 7.07% weekly decline, though it fits within a more optimistic 3.39% monthly uptrend. The recent price action appears driven by a confluence of institutional momentum, on-chain accumulation, and technical support levels aligning at a critical juncture.

A major catalyst emerged from Ripple’s newly announced strategic integration with DXC Technology, a global IT services leader. Through DXC’s Hogan banking platform—which supports over 300 million bank accounts and manages more than $5 trillion in deposits—XRP-powered settlement solutions are now positioned for seamless adoption by traditional financial institutions. Crucially, this integration allows banks to leverage blockchain-based cross-border payments without costly overhauls of legacy infrastructure. Historically, similar partnerships with institutions like Santander and MoneyGram have preceded notable rallies in XRP, as market participants anticipate increased transactional demand and liquidity needs.

Compounding this institutional tailwind is a surge in whale activity. On January 21, large XRP transactions valued at $100,000 or more reached 2,802—a three-month high according to Santiment. Data from on-chain analyst @chachakobe4er further shows a net inflow of 20.2 million XRP into tracked whale wallets. Critically, these movements occurred without significant deposits to exchanges, suggesting strategic accumulation rather than distribution. Such behavior often precedes volatility expansions and reduces near-term sell-side pressure, reinforcing the asset’s foundational support.

From a technical perspective, XRP found footing at the $1.92 level after its 14-day Relative Strength Index dipped to 37—hovering near oversold territory on shorter timeframes. The bounce coincided with a test of the 78.6% Fibonacci retracement level at $1.94, sparking algorithmic and short-covering interest. However, the $2.00 psychological barrier looms large, reinforced by the 76.4% Fibonacci resistance zone. A decisive breakout above this level could signal a shift in sentiment, while failure to clear it may invite renewed selling pressure.

In context, XRP’s resilience arrives amid a cautious macro environment—the Crypto Fear & Greed Index sits at 34, reflecting prevailing market anxiety. Yet the combination of real-world utility expansion, institutional-grade accumulation, and technical stabilization has provided a compelling counter-narrative. The critical question now is whether XRP can maintain support above $1.92 and ultimately flip the $2.00 resistance into sustained support, especially as broader crypto markets contend with ETF outflows and macro uncertainty.

Pudgy Penguins’ native token, PENGU, slid 5.48% in the past 24 hours—lagging behind the broader crypto market’s 4.09% decline—and extending a steep 27% weekly loss. The downturn stems from a confluence of fading enthusiasm around its high-profile Manchester City partnership, reputational turbulence following a controversial social media post, and a decisive technical breakdown that amplified selling pressure.

The initial excitement surrounding PENGU’s January 15 announcement of a collaboration with Manchester City—a club with over 300 million global fans—briefly lifted the token. However, the rally quickly reversed as traders capitalized on short-term gains. The partnership, centered on co-branded NFTs and merchandise launched on January 17, offered no immediate utility for the PENGU token itself, triggering a classic “buy the rumor, sell the news” dynamic. Historical precedent supports this pattern: similar retracements followed other major announcements, such as the market’s reaction to the SEC’s delayed ETF decision earlier in January. Investors are now watching closely to see whether the tie-in translates into sustained NFT demand or tangible revenue from merchandise sales.

Compounding the bearish sentiment was a self-inflicted wound on social media. On January 19, the Pudgy Penguins account posted a tweet perceived as mocking India’s economy—an act widely criticized as culturally insensitive. Though the post was swiftly deleted, the backlash lingered, tarnishing the project’s carefully cultivated family-friendly image. Social analytics reflected the fallout: conversation volume spiked by 23%, coinciding with a noticeable dip in price, according to CoinMarketCap data. For a brand built on whimsy and inclusivity, the incident risked alienating a core segment of retail supporters.

Technical indicators further reinforced the downward momentum. PENGU breached the critical $0.011 support level, unleashing a wave of stop-loss orders and algorithmic liquidations. Trading volume surged by nearly 24% to $151.5 million, underscoring strong bearish conviction. The RSI (14) dipped to 38.03—approaching oversold territory but without bullish divergence—while the MACD confirmed bearish momentum with a crossover and a histogram reading of -0.000305. The next significant technical floor lies at $0.00968, representing the 78.6% Fibonacci retracement level.

In sum, PENGU’s recent slump is less about fundamental deterioration and more a reflection of evaporating short-term hype, reputational missteps, and technical vulnerability. While the Manchester City alliance holds long-term promise for brand expansion, the market has so far prioritized immediate catalysts—or the lack thereof. Traders should monitor whether PENGU can stabilize near the $0.00968 support zone, alongside shifts in broader market sentiment, NFT sales performance, and social sentiment recovery as potential reversal signals.

Dogecoin slipped 2.81% over the past 24 hours—a modest underperformance compared to the broader cryptocurrency market’s sharper 4.14% decline. While the drop may seem incremental on the surface, it unfolds against a backdrop of intensifying bearish pressure driven by macro market dynamics, cascading liquidations, and deteriorating technical structure.

The catalyst for the latest downturn was a pronounced selloff in Bitcoin, which dipped below the critical $90,000 threshold. Historically, such moves trigger amplified losses across higher-beta altcoins, and Dogecoin—despite its meme origins—has long behaved as a liquidity-sensitive asset within this ecosystem. As Bitcoin dominance edged slightly lower to 59.07%, sentiment soured across the board, with Ethereum and Solana shedding 7% to 11% respectively. The Crypto Fear & Greed Index tumbled to 32, signaling a return to “Fear” territory and reinforcing risk-off behavior among traders.

Compounding the pressure, a wave of leveraged liquidations swept through the market. In just one hour, approximately $190 million in positions—predominantly longs betting on upward price movement—were forcibly closed. This cascade of forced selling created a self-reinforcing feedback loop: falling prices triggered more liquidations, which in turn accelerated the decline. Dogecoin, with its high concentration of retail traders often employing leverage, proved especially vulnerable to this dynamic.

From a technical standpoint, the damage was equally telling. Dogecoin breached a key support band between $0.127 and $0.128, a level that had previously acted as a floor during recent consolidations. With the price now hovering near $0.125, attention turns to the next layer of support around $0.123. Although the 7-day RSI has dipped to an oversold reading of 23.72, historical precedent suggests that oversold conditions alone rarely halt momentum-driven declines in volatile markets. A sustained recovery would likely require a daily close back above $0.127 to signal waning selling pressure.

In sum, Dogecoin’s recent slide reflects a convergence of three interrelated forces: a broad-based crypto market retreat, a deleveraging event sparked by Bitcoin’s weakness, and a technical breakdown that has shifted short-term momentum firmly into bearish territory. For investors, the path forward hinges largely on Bitcoin’s ability to stabilize—and ideally reclaim—the $90,000 mark within the next 24 to 48 hours. Should that fail to materialize, Dogecoin could face further downside, potentially revisiting the deeper accumulation zone between $0.115 and $0.090.

Over the past 24 hours, Shiba Inu (SHIB) posted a modest gain of 2.42%, offering a brief reprieve amid a broader weekly decline of 3.99%. Despite the short-term volatility, SHIB has maintained strong monthly performance, climbing 8.80% since the start of January 2026. This resilience stems from a confluence of on-chain dynamics, strategic investor behavior, and favorable sector-wide momentum.

A significant factor underpinning SHIB’s recent rebound is the notable outflow of tokens from centralized exchanges. Between January 16 and 19, approximately 361 billion SHIB—worth millions at current prices—were withdrawn from platforms like Binance. This reduced the circulating supply available for immediate sale to just 82.28 trillion SHIB, according to CoinMarketCap. Crucially, this exodus occurred even as SHIB’s price dipped by 6.78% during the same window, suggesting that holders were not reacting with panic but instead consolidating their positions for the longer term. With fewer tokens sitting on exchanges, the potential for sudden sell-offs diminishes, creating a more stable environment for price recovery.

Adding further support, a previously inactive whale reemerged on January 19 to acquire 15.18 billion SHIB—valued at roughly $119,000—at a critical technical support level near $0.0000076. This purchase brought the investor’s total holdings to 61.84 billion SHIB ($484,000), marking their first major move in six months. Such accumulation near key support zones often reflects institutional or high-net-worth confidence in a price floor, and can catalyze follow-on buying from both algorithmic traders and retail participants. The timing of this buy—the deepest point of SHIB’s intraday slide—points to a calculated “buy-the-dip” strategy, reinforcing market sentiment at a vulnerable juncture.

Beyond SHIB-specific developments, the broader memecoin sector has also regained traction. Over the past 30 days, the collective market capitalization of memecoins surged by 7.17%, reaching $44.69 billion, while trading volumes jumped by 17.42%. This renewed speculative interest has lifted liquidity and attention across top-tier tokens like SHIB, demonstrating how sector-wide tailwinds can buoy individual assets even in the absence of project-specific news. Historically sensitive to shifts in memecoin sentiment, SHIB has benefited from this macro uplift, helping to fuel its recent 24-hour rally.

Together, these forces—diminished exchange supply, strategic whale accumulation, and resurgent sector momentum—have created a supportive backdrop for SHIB’s short-term recovery. Looking ahead, market participants will be watching closely to see whether SHIB can maintain support above the 14-day RSI level of 46.97 and translate reduced liquid supply into sustained upward movement in the weeks ahead.

Ethereum slipped 0.556% over the past 24 hours, lagging behind the broader cryptocurrency market, which edged up 0.15%. The modest decline comes amid a confluence of short-term headwinds—including a notable treasury sale and stiff technical resistance—yet remains within the context of a stronger weekly performance, with ETH up 3.06% over the last seven days.

A key catalyst for the dip emerged four hours ago when FG Nexus offloaded 2,500 ETH, valued at approximately $8 million, according to Foresight News. This move added localized selling pressure at a time when market liquidity was already thin. FG Nexus originally accumulated 50,770 ETH at an average price of $3,944 and still holds 37,594 ETH, suggesting this sale may reflect portfolio rebalancing rather than a full exit. Nevertheless, such institutional-scale transactions can unsettle sentiment, particularly when they coincide with technical vulnerabilities or trigger algorithmic stop-loss mechanisms.

On the chart, Ethereum encountered firm resistance near the $3,212 pivot level—a critical psychological and technical threshold. The price also remains below the 200-day simple moving average, currently hovering around $3,661, underscoring the prevailing medium-term bearish bias. While the MACD histogram shows a slight uptick in bullish momentum (+6.19), the 14-day RSI sits at a neutral 51.76, reflecting indecision among traders. The recent weekly gain likely encouraged profit-taking, and the failure to break above $3,212 reinforced cautious positioning among short-term traders.

Broader market conditions haven’t helped either. Escalating geopolitical tensions and a wave of derivatives liquidations have dampened risk appetite across digital assets. Yet despite these crosscurrents, Ethereum’s underlying trend remains constructive on the weekly timeframe. The critical question now is whether buyers can reclaim the $3,212 level. A decisive close above it would open the path toward the next resistance zone near $3,400. Conversely, a drop below $3,150 could invite further downside pressure in the near term.

Solana’s price tumbled 6.15% over the past 24 hours—significantly underperforming the broader cryptocurrency market, which declined by just 2.84%. This sharp correction stems from a confluence of technical, macroeconomic, and ecosystem-specific pressures that have converged to weigh heavily on investor sentiment.

The most immediate catalyst was a wave of forced liquidations in the derivatives market. On January 19 alone, $680 million in crypto positions were liquidated globally, with Solana bearing the brunt: $59.95 million in long positions were wiped out, accounting for nearly 98.5% of all SOL liquidations. This deleveraging followed a failed attempt to hold above the $140 mark, triggering a cascade of margin calls. The surge in trading volume—up 123.96%—reveals how overcrowded long positions left the market vulnerable to sudden reversals. As prices dipped, leveraged traders were automatically liquidated, fueling further downward momentum in a self-reinforcing feedback loop. Although Solana’s funding rate has turned slightly positive at +0.0023%, it remains 63.67% lower than a week ago, underscoring a marked retreat in speculative appetite.

Compounding this pressure was a broader risk-off shift across digital assets. Bitcoin dropped 3% to around $92,500, dragging altcoins lower as investors rotated into perceived safe havens. Bitcoin dominance climbed to 59.07%, reflecting capital flight from riskier assets like Solana. Over the past 60 days, SOL has returned -6.91% compared to Bitcoin’s +6.23%, reinforcing its reputation as a high-beta asset—offering amplified gains during rallies but steeper losses during downturns.

Adding to the bearish sentiment was controversy within Solana’s ecosystem. Trove Markets’ abrupt pivot from Hyperliquid to Solana sparked backlash from early supporters, some of whom demanded refunds. Reports of a $10 million dump of the project’s HYPE token further rattled confidence, raising questions about governance and transparency. While this incident doesn’t reflect on Solana’s underlying technology, it contributes to a narrative of the chain as a hub for experimental—and sometimes volatile—projects. Such headlines can temporarily erode retail enthusiasm, especially during periods of market fragility.

Technically, Solana’s price has breached a critical support level at $135, defined by the 61.8% Fibonacci retracement of its recent rally. With the asset now hovering near $130.50, another breakdown could open the path toward $125.70. However, there are countervailing forces: spot Solana ETFs recorded $46.88 million in net inflows last week, suggesting sustained institutional or strategic interest that may help buffer against derivatives-driven volatility.

In sum, Solana’s recent decline is not the result of a single factor but rather the intersection of excessive leverage, macro-driven risk aversion, and localized ecosystem turbulence. How quickly it recovers will depend on whether underlying demand—particularly through regulated investment vehicles—can offset short-term speculative weakness.

Aster (ASTER) plunged 11.31% over the past 24 hours, significantly underperforming the broader cryptocurrency market, which declined just 2.96% in the same period. The sharp selloff stems from a confluence of technical weakness, macro headwinds, and growing skepticism around the sustainability of its newly expanded token buyback mechanism.

On January 19, Aster announced it would double its fee allocation to token burns—raising it from 20% to 40% of daily platform revenue—as part of an accelerated five-stage burn plan. While the move was framed as a bullish supply-reduction strategy, traders reacted with caution. On-chain data reveals that platform fees have already tumbled 41% month-over-month, casting doubt on whether current trading volumes can support the ambitious $3.2 million daily burn rate implied by the new policy. With 24-hour spot volume down nearly 20% to $271 million, concerns are mounting that the buyback program may become a liability if fee income continues to erode, potentially forcing the protocol into a precarious position where it must sell reserves or dilute incentives to maintain operations.

Compounding these fundamental worries, ASTER’s price action suffered a critical technical breakdown. The token breached the pivotal $0.72 support level—a key Fibonacci retracement (38.2%) of its 2025 rally—and slipped below its 30-day simple moving average at $0.719. This triggered a cascade of stop-loss orders, exacerbated by thin liquidity beneath the psychological barrier. Despite the 7-day RSI dipping into oversold territory at 34.72, buyers failed to step in, leaving the next major support zone at the 2025 low of $0.6656—a level representing roughly 4% further downside from its current price near $0.638. Traders are now watching closely whether ASTER can reclaim the January 17 low of $0.68; failure to do so could confirm a bear flag pattern with a measured move target near $0.35.

The broader market environment hasn’t helped. A risk-off sentiment has gripped the altcoin sector, with the Altcoin Season Index falling 7.14% over the week and the Crypto Fear & Greed Index slipping from 49 to 45. In the past 24 hours alone, $632 billion in derivatives positions were liquidated—68% of which came from altcoins. While ASTER’s decline outpaced the average altcoin drop of 7.3%, suggesting project-specific vulnerabilities, the 305% surge in spot volume hints at both panic selling and potential accumulation near yearly lows by contrarian investors.

Ultimately, ASTER’s recent slump reflects a market punishing tokens with high effective inflation—its circulating supply is still expanding at a monthly rate of 4.8%—despite aggressive deflationary promises. The sustainability of its revenue-dependent tokenomics is now under intense scrutiny. One key metric to monitor is the Binance ASTER/USDT perpetual funding rate, currently at -0.0023%; prolonged negative funding could signal continued bearish sentiment. Should price decisively break below the $0.6656 yearly low, it may not only trigger further technical selling but also undermine the narrative behind its impressive 656% annual gain.

World Liberty Financial’s native token, WLFI, declined 1.0% over the past 24 hours to trade at $0.168, lagging behind the broader cryptocurrency market, which saw Bitcoin dominance inch up by 0.09%. The dip reflects mounting headwinds stemming from political controversy, constrained utility within its own ecosystem, and deteriorating technical indicators—all converging to erode investor confidence.

The regulatory environment surrounding WLFI has grown increasingly hostile. A group of Democratic lawmakers, spearheaded by Representative Maxine Waters, recently accused the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) of halting enforcement actions against Justin Sun—founder of Tron and a key figure in WLFI’s development—in exchange for his $75 million investment in the project. Dubbed a “pay-to-play scheme,” this allegation has thrust WLFI into the crosshairs of political scrutiny, raising serious questions about its regulatory viability. Such controversy not only jeopardizes ongoing initiatives like its application for a banking charter but also invites potential delays or heightened oversight that could deter institutional participation.

Compounding these concerns is the limited functional role of the WLFI token within its newly launched WLFI Markets platform, which went live on January 12. Despite initial expectations, on-chain data reveals that WLFI can only be used as collateral and cannot be lent, borrowed, or deployed to generate yield—effectively offering 0% return to holders. In a DeFi landscape where token utility often drives demand, this structural limitation undermines core incentives for long-term holding. Without mechanisms to accrue value through staking, lending, or governance participation, the token lacks the economic flywheel necessary to sustain price appreciation. Although community governance could theoretically unlock new functionalities, no such proposals are currently scheduled, leaving investors with little near-term catalyst for optimism.

From a technical standpoint, the picture remains equally unconvincing. The MACD indicator has registered a bearish crossover, with its histogram dipping to -0.000403, while the Relative Strength Index (RSI) hovers at a tepid 51.7—unable to break above the 55 threshold that might signal renewed buying interest. Price action further confirms weakness, as WLFI trades below its 7-day simple moving average of $0.171. Should the token breach the $0.165 support level, it could trigger a wave of stop-loss selling and accelerate downward momentum.

While World Liberty Financial’s USD1 stablecoin continues to gain traction—now boasting a $3.4 billion market cap and representing a significant long-term asset—the WLFI token itself remains disconnected from this success. Without urgent reforms to its tokenomics, particularly the introduction of yield-generating mechanisms through governance, the token risks becoming an afterthought in its own ecosystem. Market participants are now watching closely: if no concrete steps are taken before January 20 to restore utility and confidence, the sell-off may deepen.

Dogecoin slipped 0.84% over the past 24 hours, extending its seven-day decline of 1.40% despite having posted a solid 13% gain over the last month. The recent pullback unfolded alongside a broader softening in the cryptocurrency market, which shed 0.33% during the same window. While DOGE’s monthly performance remains buoyant, short-term pressures have resurfaced—driven by a confluence of technical rejection, risk-averse sentiment, and deteriorating momentum indicators.

The immediate catalyst for the dip was a failed breakout above the $0.1383 resistance level. Dogecoin briefly pierced this psychological barrier, only to reverse sharply—a classic “false breakout” that triggered a wave of stop-loss orders and liquidations. This pattern often traps optimistic buyers who enter on the assumption of a sustained rally, only to exit en masse when price fails to hold. The swift rejection underscored a lack of genuine bullish conviction and reaffirmed bearish control. With support now resting at $0.1358, a breach could open the door to a deeper test of the $0.132–$0.134 range.

Compounding the technical setback is a broader shift toward risk-off behavior across digital asset markets. Spot trading volumes collapsed by more than half in the last 24 hours, while derivatives activity tumbled 53.4%, according to CoinMarketCap. This liquidity drought coincided with renewed regulatory uncertainty, as the U.S. Senate delayed a key bill aimed at establishing a clearer framework for crypto market structure. In such an environment, speculative assets like Dogecoin—known for their volatility and narrative-driven price action—tend to suffer disproportionately. Capital has rotated toward perceived safety, with Bitcoin dominance climbing to 58.96%, further starving altcoins of the momentum needed to sustain rallies.

Technical momentum indicators echo this caution. Dogecoin’s seven-day Relative Strength Index (RSI) sits at 43.97—approaching oversold territory but not yet signaling a strong reversal. Meanwhile, the MACD histogram hovers in negative territory at -0.000165, reflecting persistent bearish momentum. Price action remains below the seven-day simple moving average of $0.1407, dissuading new buyers from stepping in. Although historically low RSI readings can precede bounces, the absence of a clear catalyst—and the sharp year-over-year decline in trading volume (-53.95%)—suggests waning interest and heightened vulnerability to further downside.

In sum, Dogecoin’s current retreat appears to be less about fundamental deterioration and more a reflection of technical exhaustion after a failed breakout, layered atop macro-level caution and weakening market participation. For current holders, defending the $0.1358 support level will be critical to staving off accelerated losses. The path forward hinges on whether DOGE can reclaim $0.138 in an environment of thinning liquidity—or whether fresh regulatory headlines tip the scales toward another leg down.

Shiba Inu (SHIB) posted a modest but notable gain of 1.64% over the past 24 hours, bucking a largely stagnant broader crypto market that edged down by just 0.06%. This divergence reflects a confluence of strategic accumulation, technical momentum, and growing anticipation around ecosystem developments—all contributing to renewed investor confidence in the once-meme-dominated token.

A significant catalyst emerged on January 16, when a previously dormant Ethereum wallet—inactive since 2025—suddenly received 472 billion SHIB tokens, valued at approximately $4 million, alongside $7 million in ETH. The transfer originated from Coinhako, a Singapore-based exchange operating within one of the region’s most crypto-friendly regulatory environments. Such large-scale off-exchange movements are often interpreted as signs of high-conviction accumulation, typically reducing immediate sell-side pressure. Given Singapore’s reputation as a hub for institutional crypto activity, this transaction may signal deeper institutional interest in SHIB beyond retail speculation—a shift that could influence near-term price action.

Technically, SHIB is also showing signs of recovery. After a 1.26% weekly decline, the token has stabilized above the critical support level of $0.00000829. More importantly, its MACD histogram recently turned positive, registering a value of +0.000000026, which confirms the return of bullish momentum. Compounding this signal, a golden cross formed earlier this week as the 23-day exponential moving average crossed above the 50-day EMA—a pattern historically associated with short- to medium-term upward moves. With the Relative Strength Index (RSI) sitting at a neutral 51.87, there remains ample room for further upside before entering overbought territory, potentially targeting the next resistance level at $0.00000897.

Beyond market mechanics, SHIB’s fundamentals are evolving. The team behind Shibarium, SHIB’s Layer-2 scaling solution, has announced plans for a major privacy upgrade slated for 2026, leveraging cutting-edge fully homomorphic encryption to enhance user confidentiality. Meanwhile, real-world integrations—such as the recent partnership with Unity Nodes to embed SHIB into telecom infrastructure—are gradually transforming the project’s narrative from pure meme to functional utility. Coupled with consistent token burns (averaging 4.4 trillion SHIB per month), these efforts provide structural support for long-term value accrual. That said, Shibarium still faces adoption challenges, with daily transaction volumes hovering around just 65,000—a figure that underscores the gap between ambition and real-world usage.

In sum, SHIB’s recent uptick is underpinned by a rare alignment of whale activity, technical strength, and ecosystem progress. While short-term sentiment appears robust, sustained growth will ultimately depend on broader meme coin market dynamics and whether Shibarium can meaningfully scale its utility. All eyes now turn to the next 48 hours: can SHIB break through the $0.00000897 resistance amid rising institutional-sized transactions?

BNB has posted a modest 0.71% gain over the past 24 hours, continuing its broader upward trajectory with a 4.66% increase over the week and an 11.25% rise across the last month. This sustained momentum stems from a confluence of fundamental innovation, technical strength, and renewed ecosystem confidence.

A key driver behind BNB’s recent resilience is the emergence of novel utility models that blend social impact with deflationary mechanics. Life K Line, a Web3 initiative, has introduced a donation system powered by BNB in which half of all contributions support Giggle Academy—a charitable education project—and the other half are permanently burned. This dual-purpose mechanism not only reduces BNB’s circulating supply but also taps into growing investor appetite for socially conscious blockchain applications. The market response has been swift: Life K Line’s valuation surged from $2 million to $42 million, signaling strong retail interest in BNB-based utilities that deliver both purpose and scarcity.

From a technical standpoint, BNB is exhibiting robust structure. The asset is trading comfortably above both its 7-day ($918.89) and 30-day ($876.60) simple moving averages, with the MACD histogram registering a bullish +6.1—indicative of positive momentum divergence. The relative strength index sits at 61.49, suggesting room for further upside before entering overbought territory. Crucially, buyers have successfully defended the 50% Fibonacci retracement level near $885.94, reinforcing it as a key support zone. A decisive daily close above the January 16 high of $951 could open the path toward the 127.2% Fibonacci extension target at $987, though the $928–$951 band remains a critical resistance zone to watch.

Adding to the positive sentiment, Binance founder Changpeng Zhao (CZ) recently reaffirmed his long-term conviction in BNB Chain during a January 14 AMA. While he refrained from making price forecasts, CZ emphasized BNB Chain’s strategic role in the evolving Web3 landscape and confirmed he continues to hold his substantial BNB stake—reportedly around 94 million tokens. His remarks provided reassurance to investors, especially as he contrasted BNB’s foundational utility with the speculative risks of memecoins, indirectly positioning BNB as a more stable cornerstone within the volatile crypto ecosystem.

Notably, BNB’s gains arrived even as the broader cryptocurrency market dipped slightly by 0.035%, underscoring the strength of its coin-specific catalysts. Looking ahead, confirmation of a breakout above $951 will be pivotal in validating the current bullish structure. Investors should closely monitor on-chain burn activity—particularly from new dApps adopting similar charity-burn hybrids—as well as any developments around VanEck’s rumored BNB ETF filing, which could further fuel institutional interest.

XRP declined 2.17% over the past 24 hours, lagging behind the broader cryptocurrency market, which posted a more modest 1.18% loss. The underperformance stems from a confluence of technical and macro-level pressures that have collectively weighed on sentiment and price action.

A significant driver of the sell-off was a wave of leverage unwinding in the derivatives market. As XRP dipped below the $2.10 threshold, it triggered a cascade of stop-loss orders, resulting in $6.57 million in long positions being liquidated—more than five times the value of short liquidations during the same period. This sharp deleveraging amplified downward momentum, especially as futures open interest had recently surged by 18.68%, indicating an overcrowded long bias that proved fragile under even minor price pressure.

Compounding the bearish dynamics, U.S. spot XRP ETFs recorded their first net outflow in over a month. According to data from SoSoValue, investors withdrew $40.8 million—the first reversal after 36 consecutive days of inflows that had cumulatively totaled $1.2 billion since November. This shift suggests institutional buyers may be taking a breather or reassessing their exposure, thereby removing a key source of buy-side support that had previously helped buoy the asset.

Meanwhile, broader market rotation has further disadvantaged altcoins like XRP. Bitcoin’s market dominance climbed by 0.15 percentage points to 59.12%, reflecting a flight of capital toward the flagship cryptocurrency amid neutral risk sentiment—as measured by a Fear & Greed Index reading of 50. The Altcoin Season Index plummeted 11.11% to 24, firmly placing the market in “Bitcoin Season” territory. In this environment, XRP’s relative weakness becomes more pronounced, as speculative flows retreat from riskier assets.

Looking ahead, the $2.00 level looms as a critical psychological and technical support. A decisive break below this mark could invite further selling, particularly if leveraged positions remain elevated. Market participants will be closely watching whether XRP ETFs can reignite strong inflows—ideally surpassing $20 million per day—to restore confidence and provide a floor for prices.

Bitcoin continues to command the spotlight in the cryptocurrency market, with altcoins struggling to keep pace. According to today’s CoinMarketCap Altcoin Season Index, which stands at just 25 out of 100, the market remains firmly in “Bitcoin Season.” This reading—down 40% over the past week—underscores a pronounced investor preference for the flagship asset amid broader macroeconomic uncertainty and shifting capital flows.

Bitcoin’s market dominance has climbed to 59.1%, up 0.13 percentage points in the last 24 hours, edging closer to its 2025 peak of 65.1%. The concentration of capital in Bitcoin reflects growing confidence in its liquidity, regulatory clarity, and institutional adoption—particularly through spot ETFs—while risk appetite for alternative cryptocurrencies wanes. Investors appear to be favoring safety and stability over the speculative upside typically associated with altcoins.

Even prominent Layer 1 blockchains are failing to generate meaningful momentum. Ethereum has posted a modest 6.9% gain over the past seven days, while Solana—despite a notable 66.7% weekly surge—still trails Bitcoin’s more measured but consistent 5.2% increase. Binance Coin (BNB) and other ecosystem tokens have similarly underperformed, suggesting that network upgrades and technical advancements alone aren’t enough to lure capital away from Bitcoin. Instead, liquidity appears fragmented across niche verticals like AI-themed tokens, rather than consolidating around established smart contract platforms.

Derivatives markets reinforce this cautious stance. Open interest in altcoin perpetual futures has declined by 16.5% over the past month, signaling reduced leverage and speculative activity among altcoin traders. In contrast, Bitcoin’s open interest remains stable, and its 24-hour liquidations have plummeted by 56.6%, reflecting lower volatility and stronger holder conviction. The Fear & Greed Index, currently neutral at 50/100, further illustrates a market in wait-and-see mode—neither euphoric nor fearful, but clearly anchored to Bitcoin.

For now, Bitcoin is acting as the market’s gravitational center. A meaningful rotation into altcoins would likely require either a sustained drop in Bitcoin dominance below 57% or a breakout in the Altcoin Season Index above the 50 threshold. Until such signals emerge, capital is expected to remain concentrated in Bitcoin, reinforcing its role not just as a store of value, but as the primary barometer of crypto market sentiment.

Pepe (PEPE) slid 7.66% over the past 24 hours, significantly lagging behind the broader cryptocurrency market, which posted a modest gain of 0.44%. The decline stems from a confluence of factors: profit-taking following an extended rally, a failed test of key technical support, and cooling derivatives activity that reflects growing trader caution.

The recent pullback follows a dramatic 54% surge in PEPE’s price over the last 30 days, which carried it to a local peak near $0.00000680 on January 14. As the token approached well-watched resistance levels, traders—particularly large holders—began offloading positions to lock in gains. On-chain data reveals that whales have distributed approximately 2.8 trillion PEPE tokens since late December, adding meaningful sell-side pressure. This behavior is typical for memecoins, whose prices are driven almost entirely by sentiment rather than fundamentals, making them prone to sharp reversals after rapid ascents.

Technically, PEPE’s structure has turned bearish. The price failed to hold above the psychologically and technically significant $0.00000660 level—a zone aligned with both the midpoint of its Gaussian channel and the 23.6% Fibonacci retracement at $0.00000637. The breakdown below this support invalidated short-term bullish setups and reinforced a downtrend, especially as the token now trades beneath critical moving averages, including the 200-day simple moving average at $0.00000823. While the RSI sits at a neutral 60.08, the narrowing MACD histogram suggests waning upward momentum, tilting the near-term bias toward bears unless $0.00000660 is decisively reclaimed.

Derivatives markets echo this cautious sentiment. Open interest in PEPE futures contracts dropped by 10.13% within 24 hours, signaling reduced leverage and speculative appetite. Meanwhile, spot trading volume rose 8.12% to $990 million, indicating some absorption of sell orders by cash buyers. However, liquidation data shows a stark imbalance: $2.99 million in short positions were liquidated compared to just $0.11 million in longs, suggesting that while spot demand exists, fresh bullish conviction remains absent. Without renewed speculative interest or a catalyst, PEPE may struggle to mount a sustained recovery.

In the near term, all eyes are on the $0.00000585–$0.00000600 range, a potential demand zone that could determine whether this correction stabilizes or deepens. For PEPE to regain bullish traction, reclaiming $0.00000660 will be essential. Until then, the token remains vulnerable in a market increasingly wary of overextended memecoin rallies.

Monero (XMR) surged over 10% in the past 24 hours, extending an already impressive 70% weekly rally that has captured the attention of both retail and institutional crypto observers. The momentum stems from a confluence of factors: escalating demand for privacy-preserving digital assets, turmoil within the Zcash ecosystem, and a decisive technical breakout that has pushed XMR to new all-time highs.

The catalyst for this shift began with growing instability at Zcash’s core development team, Electric Coin Co., where key resignations and governance disputes have cast doubt on the project’s future direction. As ZEC tumbled by 12% over the week, capital rapidly rotated toward Monero—the most established and battle-tested privacy coin in the market. With a market capitalization now exceeding $13.6 billion—nearly double that of Zcash’s $7.2 billion—Monero is cementing its dominance in the privacy sector. Even secondary privacy assets like Dash and Horizen saw sharp rallies, reflecting broader FOMO across the niche.

Technically, Monero’s price action has been explosive. On January 14, it decisively cleared the critical $600 resistance level, rocketing to a new all-time high of $739.56. The Relative Strength Index (RSI-7) has spiked to 95, signaling extreme overbought conditions—a reading that historically precedes short-term corrections, as seen during Monero’s 60% crash following a similar RSI peak in May 2021. Still, the MACD confirms strong bullish momentum, and Fibonacci extension targets now point toward $915. Traders are closely watching the $607 level; a daily close below it could ignite significant profit-taking.

Adding fuel to the rally is a recent regulatory reprieve. On the same day as Monero’s breakout, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) officially closed its two-year investigation into Zcash, alleviating near-term fears of enforcement actions against privacy-focused protocols. While this development signals a more lenient regulatory stance—at least under the current administration—it’s worth noting that Monero remains excluded from major exchanges like Binance and Kraken, limiting its accessibility to institutional players and mainstream adoption.

In sum, Monero’s current ascent is powered by genuine sector rotation, robust technical momentum, and a window of regulatory optimism. Yet, with derivatives volume surging to $547 million (up nearly 20% year-over-year) and RSI readings deep in overbought territory, the path ahead may be volatile. The critical question now is whether XMR can consolidate above the psychologically important $700 mark—or if a pullback is imminent amid mounting speculative pressure.