The Cryptonomist

Die regulatorische Freigabe für die PlusAI-Übernahme bringt das Unternehmen für autonome Lkw-Software näher an seinen geplanten Börsengang in den Vereinigten Staaten.

S-4 für PlusAI und Churchill Capital Corp IX wirksam erklärt

Plus Automation, Inc. („PlusAI“) gab bekannt, dass ihr Registrierungsantrag auf Formular S-4, der bei der Securities and Exchange Commission im Zusammenhang mit ihrer vorgeschlagenen Geschäftskombination mit Churchill Capital Corp IX eingereicht wurde, von der SEC am 12. Januar 2026 wirksam erklärt wurde. Dieser Meilenstein stellt einen wichtigen regulatorischen Schritt dar, um die zuvor angekündigte Übernahme zwischen PlusAI und Churchill Capital Corp IX („Churchill IX“) abzuschließen, die an der Nasdaq unter dem Kürzel CCIX gehandelt wird. Darüber hinaus ermöglicht der wirksam erklärte S-4, dass die Aktionäre von Churchill IX offiziell über den Deal abstimmen können.

Der morgige US-Kryptosession könnte von der Akkumulation von BitMine Ethereum abhängen, da eine entscheidende Aktionärsentscheidung mit zunehmend engeren On-Chain-Dynamiken und neuen regulatorischen Signalen kollidiert.

Hochriskantes BitMine-Votum zur Bestimmung der zukünftigen ETH-Kaufkraft

Am 14. Januar 2026 könnte eine einzelne Aktionärsabstimmung bei BitMine Immersion Technologies entscheiden, ob der größte unternehmerische Käufer von Ethereum seine Strategie beschleunigt oder aussetzt. Das Unternehmen, geleitet von Tom Lee von Fundstrat, hat rasch das aufgebaut, was es die weltweit größte öffentliche Ethereum (ETH)-Kasse nennt.

Institutionelle Anleger erlangen neue Möglichkeiten, auf das wachsende Ökosystem tokenisierter Geldmarktfonds zuzugreifen, da Franklin Templeton zwei Western Asset-Fonds für den Einsatz auf der Blockchain aktualisiert.

Franklin Templeton passt Western Asset-Fonds für die tokenisierte Finanzwelt an

Franklin Templeton, mit Sitz in San Mateo, gab bekannt, dass zwei institutionelle Staatsgeldmarktfonds, die von der Tochtergesellschaft Western Asset Management verwaltet werden, nun für zwei zentrale Anwendungsfälle in tokenisierten Produkten strukturiert sind.

Ein Anwendungsfall dient als regulierte Reserve für Stablecoins gemäß dem Gesetz zur Förderung und Schaffung von Innovationen für US-Stablecoins (GENIUS Act), während der andere die Verteilung über blockchainbasierte Plattformen unterstützt.

Der Kursverlauf wird durch einen dominierenden Abwärts-Trend auf dem höheren Zeitrahmen geprägt, während Monero einen taktischen kurzfristigen Erholungsversuch innerhalb einer weiterhin fragilen Struktur unternimmt.

XMR/USDT — Tageschart mit Kerzen und EMA20/EMA50 sowie Volumen.

Monero (XMR) – Wo wir uns aktuell befinden

Monero wird gegenwärtig um 118,7 USDT gehandelt, tief im mittelfristigen Abwärtstrend, jedoch mit einer deutlichen kurzfristigen Erholung, die von unten heraus entsteht. Die Tagesstruktur bleibt weiterhin eindeutig bärisch, doch die niedrigeren Zeitrahmen zeigen ein wachsendes Risikobewusstsein und einen Versuch, Short-Positionen zu quetschen.

Anleger stürzten sich auf Alphaton Capital, nachdem eine überraschende Nvidia-Hardwarevereinbarung den Mikrokap-Wert am Montag zu einer aggressiven Rally nach Börsenschluss veranlasste.

Preisanstieg nach Börsenschluss und Überblick über die Vereinbarung

AlphaTON Capital Corp schloss die reguläre Sitzung am Montag bei 0,91 USD, bevor sie nach der Börse um 2,61 USD explodierte, was eine Bewegung von 186,8 % nach Börsenschluss darstellt. Der Kauf erfolgte unmittelbar nach der Bekanntgabe des Unternehmens einer Kaufvereinbarung über 46 Millionen USD für 576 NVIDIA B300-Chips, ein mutiger Schritt für ein Unternehmen dieser Größe.

Die Größe der Verpflichtung fällt jedoch noch deutlicher ins Gewicht, wenn man sie im Verhältnis zum Unternehmenswert betrachtet. Die Marktkapitalisierung von AlphaTON beträgt 7,86 Millionen USD, was bedeutet, dass der Wert des neuen Hardware-Vertrags fast sechsmal so groß ist wie das gesamte öffentliche Eigenkapital des Unternehmens.

In einem Bemühen, seine Präsenz in Kryptozahlungen auszubauen, signalisieren die Akquisitionen von Polygon Labs eine strategische Verschiebung hin zu einer Full-Stack-Fintech- und Stablecoin-Infrastruktur.

Polygon Labs plant den Erwerb von Coinme und Sequence

Polygon Labs, der Blockchain-Entwickler hinter einer der führenden Ethereum-Skalierungsnetzwerke, hat sich darauf verständigt, zwei Akquisitionen der Kryptostarts Cointme und Sequence für insgesamt mehr als 250 Millionen US-Dollar durchzuführen. Die Firma hat jedoch nicht offen gelegt, wie viel sie für jedes Unternehmen bezahlt hat, oder ob die Gegenleistung in bar, Anteilen oder einer Mischung aus beiden erfolgte.

In a strategic move into digital assets, ClearBank is deepening its payments ambitions through a new collaboration branded under the clearbank taurus partnership for scalable, regulated stablecoin services.

ClearBank selects Taurus for digital asset infrastructure

ClearBank has appointed digital asset specialist Taurus as its core wallet infrastructure provider as it ramps up stablecoin-related products, according to a press release issued on Tuesday. The U.K.-based clearing bank said the agreement will underpin a broader push into digital assets and blockchain-based payments for its clients.

Under the deal, ClearBank will deploy Taurus-PROTECT as its main wallet infrastructure. The platform is designed to support secure, scalable and compliant digital asset services, giving the bank institutional-grade tools to store and manage tokenized value. Moreover, the bank aims to leverage this setup to accelerate product rollout for regulated customers.

The partnership sits at the center of ClearBank’s wider digital asset strategy, with an initial emphasis on stablecoin use cases. However, the parties also signal that the infrastructure could later extend to additional tokenized assets and new payment flows as regulation evolves.

Stablecoins as the backbone of new payment rails

Stablecoins, which are cryptocurrencies pegged to underlying assets such as fiat currencies or gold, now anchor a large share of the global crypto economy. They function as payment rails and provide a relatively stable unit of account for moving money across borders and between exchanges.

Market leaders like Tether’s USDT and Circle’s USDC dominate this segment. The total stablecoin market capitalization climbed beyond the $300 billion threshold in 2025, representing roughly 50% year-over-year growth. That expansion has been fueled by rising institutional adoption of major tokens and clearer rules, including the U.S. GENIUS Act, which encourages regulated entities to participate.

That said, banks and payment institutions increasingly see stablecoins as a way to combine traditional financial safeguards with faster, programmable settlement. ClearBank’s latest move illustrates how regulated entities are positioning themselves at the intersection of these two systems.

Integration with Circle Mint and MiCAR-compliant stablecoins

As part of the integration, ClearBank will gain access to Taurus-PROTECT connectivity with Circle Mint, Circle’s platform for minting and redeeming regulated stablecoins. Through this connection, the bank will be able to support MiCAR-compliant USDC and EURC, aligning its offering with the European Union’s new digital asset framework.

Moreover, this technical link allows ClearBank to plug directly into Circle’s infrastructure while retaining full control over custody and wallet operations. The ability to issue and redeem tokens on demand is expected to be critical for serving institutional customers that require predictable liquidity and transparent on-chain settlement.

The integration also complements ClearBank’s previously announced plans to join the Circle Payment Network. That network is designed to enable near-instant value transfers using blockchain-based rails, connecting banks, fintechs and other financial institutions around the world.

Use cases: from corporate payments to international remittances

ClearBank said combining its traditional payment infrastructure with regulated stablecoin technology could significantly improve efficiency and reduce transaction costs. In particular, the bank is targeting use cases such as corporate payments and international remittances, where settlement speed and FX friction remain pain points for many clients.

However, the bank also sees potential in more advanced applications, including programmable payouts, on-chain treasury management and tokenized asset settlement. In this context, the clearbank taurus collaboration is framed as a foundation for future products rather than a one-off technology upgrade.

By leveraging existing clearing capabilities together with stablecoin-based rails, ClearBank aims to offer end users near-real-time settlement while preserving compliance with relevant regulations. That approach may appeal to fintech platforms and institutions looking to bridge conventional accounts with blockchain-native liquidity.

Taurus-PROTECT and Strategy for financial institutions

Taurus-PROTECT forms part of Taurus’s broader digital asset platform tailored for banks and regulated financial institutions. The infrastructure supports custody and lifecycle management of cryptocurrencies, tokenized assets and other digital instruments across multiple regulatory and operational models.

Moreover, Taurus provides tools for governance, key management and integration with core banking systems, helping institutions embed digital assets within existing processes. This modular design is intended to let firms adopt stablecoins and tokenization at their own pace, while maintaining security and regulatory alignment.

Commenting on the announcement, ClearBank CEO Mark Fairless said the partnership gives the bank the digital asset capabilities it needs as it introduces new services and helps shape the future of payments. That statement underscores ClearBank’s intention to position itself as a key infrastructure provider in the evolving digital money landscape.

In summary, ClearBank’s partnership with Taurus, its planned participation in Circle’s network and its focus on MiCAR-compliant stablecoins highlight how regulated institutions are building new payment rails on top of established banking infrastructure to deliver faster, cheaper and more programmable value transfer.

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Einführung: TokensCloud als visionäre Kraft im Bitcoin-Mining

Die Bitcoin-Mining-Industrie betritt eine neue Ära, geprägt von Energieeffizienz, Nachhaltigkeit und leistungsstarkem industriellen Maßstab. Während viele Plattformen weiterhin über zukünftige Mining-Infrastrukturen spekulieren, hat TokensCloud diese bereits realisiert. Das Unternehmen hat einen superenergieintensiven Rechenzentrum speziell für die nächste Generation des Bitcoin-Cloud-Mining konzipiert und betrieben. Durch die Kombination fortschrittlicher Ingenieurwissenschaften mit intelligenter Energieausnutzung hat sich TokensCloud als zukunftsorientierter Führer im globalen Mining-Ökosystem etabliert.

Unterstützt durch einen großen Kryptowährungsbörsenmarkt zielt die neueste Kraken SPAC-Bewegung darauf ab, das Interesse von Anlegern an der Listung digitaler Assets auszunutzen.

Details zum Angebot von KRAKacquisition Corp

KRAKacquisition Corp., ein neuer Spezialzweck-Akquisitionsunternehmen, das von einem Tochterunternehmen von Kraken gesponsert wird, hat eine Registrierung für ein Initial Public Offering von 250 Millionen US-Dollar eingereicht. Der SPAC plant, an der Nasdaq Global Market notiert zu werden, und bietet damit ein neues Instrument für die Exposition gegenüber kryptobezogenen Aktien.

Das blank-check-Unternehmen, das auf den Jungferninseln eingetragen ist, beabsichtigt, 25 Millionen Anteile zu je 10 US-Dollar anzubieten. Jeder Anteil besteht aus einer Stammaktie der Klasse A und einem Bruchteil einer Warrant, der Anlegern das Recht einräumt, zusätzliche Aktien zu einem späteren Zeitpunkt zu erwerben.

Die Behörden verfolgen eine aggressive Reinigung, während sich der kasachische Kryptomarkt unter strengerer finanzieller Aufsicht und ambitionierten regulatorischen Reformen weiterentwickelt.

Über 1.100 nicht lizenzierte Kryptoplattformen wurden in Kasachstan blockiert

Die Finanzüberwachungsbehörde Kasachstans (AFM) hat im vergangenen Jahr den Zugang zu mehr als 1.100 nicht lizenzierten Online-Kryptobörsen blockiert. Die Zahl unterstreicht, wie der Staat die Kontrolle über den Handel mit digitalen Werten verstärkt, gleichzeitig aber auch eine regulierte Branche fördert.

Die Zahl wurde von Zhanat Elimanov, Leiter der AFM, in einem Bericht über die Tätigkeit der Aufsichtsbehörde im Jahr 2025, dem Präsidenten Kasym-Jomart Tokajew vorgelegt. Darüber hinaus verdeutlicht der Bericht, wie die Durchsetzung von Vorschriften und die Marktentwicklung Hand in Hand gehen.

Investors gained a fresh look at the evolving universe of grayscale crypto assets as the firm updated its sector-based product lineup and pipeline of potential additions.

Updated snapshot of Grayscale’s crypto product family

The latest breakdown from Grayscale details both digital asset products already in the market and tokens still being evaluated. The firm published its newest sector-based overview as of January 12, 2026, reinforcing its role as a leading crypto-focused asset manager.

According to the company, assets in the Grayscale Product family are grouped using the internal Grayscale Crypto Sectors framework. This structure is designed to set a standard for organizing the broader crypto asset class across currencies, smart contract platforms, financials, consumer and culture, artificial intelligence, and utilities and services.

Moreover, the firm distinguishes between assets already backing investment vehicles and those only identified as potential candidates for future funds. Assets currently in products are either part of single-asset trusts or multi-asset strategies, while the assets under consideration list signals tokens being monitored for possible inclusion.

Methodology, timing, and disclosure cadence

Grayscale states it aims to refresh this sector table as frequently as 15 days after each quarter-end. However, the list can change intra-quarter as multi-asset funds are reconstituted or new single-asset products launch. The firm emphasizes that inclusion on the watchlist does not guarantee a future product.

The current snapshot is explicitly dated January 12, 2026. That said, Grayscale notes that some tokens may enter the Grayscale Product family without first appearing on the table. This could occur if a product decision is made between scheduled updates or in response to fast-moving market conditions.

In addition, several tokens currently supported or monitored carry an asterisk indicating that they were not yet included in the Grayscale Crypto Sectors framework as of December 31, 2025. These assets may still appear in products or on the consideration list while their final sector classification is pending.

Currencies sector

The Currencies sector covers crypto assets designed to act as a medium of exchange, store of value, or unit of account. In this category, the assets currently listed in Grayscale’s product suite are Bitcoin (BTC), Bitcoin Cash (BCH), Litecoin (LTC), Stellar Lumens (XLM), XRP (XRP), and Zcash (ZEC).

However, there are currently no additional currency-focused tokens on the assets under consideration list. This suggests that, for now, Grayscale sees its existing currency exposure as sufficient within the current suite of trusts and multi-asset funds.

Smart contract platforms: current exposure and pipeline

The Smart Contract Platforms sector includes networks that provide the base layer for deploying self-executing contracts and decentralized applications. As of January 12, 2026, grayscale crypto assets already in products in this segment are Avalanche (AVAX), Cardano (ADA), Ethereum (ETH), Ethereum Classic (ETC), Hedera Hashgraph (HBAR), Horizen (ZEN)* , Optimism (OP), Solana (SOL), Stacks (STX), and Sui (SUI).

Moreover, the pipeline of smart contract platforms on the official consideration list is extensive. Tokens under review include Aptos (APT), Arbitrum (ARB), Binance Coin (BNB), Celo (CELO), Mantle (MNT), MegaETH* , Monad (MON), Polkadot (DOT), Toncoin (TON), and Tron (TRX). These names highlight the breadth of layer-1 and layer-2 ecosystems that Grayscale is tracking.

Financials: DeFi and on-chain services

Within the Financials sector, Grayscale groups crypto assets that deliver financial transactions and services, including DeFi protocols and related infrastructure. The assets currently in the product suite are Aave (AAVE), Aerodrome (AERO), Curve (CRV), DeepBook (DEEP), Ondo Finance (ONDO), and Uniswap (UNI).

The list of grayscale crypto assets under consideration for financials is even longer. It features Ethena (ENA), Euler (EUL), Hyperliquid (HYPE), Jupiter (JUP), Kamino Finance (KMNO), Lombard (BARD), Maple Finance (SYRUP), Morpho (MORPHO), Pendle (PENDLE), Plume Network (PLUME), and Sky (SKY). Together, they represent a broad slice of the evolving decentralized finance landscape.

Consumer and culture tokens

The Consumer & Culture sector captures assets that support consumption-centric activities across digital goods, media, and services. As of the latest update, Grayscale products hold Basic Attention Token (BAT), Decentraland (MANA), and Dogecoin (DOGE) within this category.

However, several additional consumer and culture tokens are on the monitoring list rather than in live products. Those assets under consideration are ARIA Protocol (ARIAIP)* , Bonk (BONK), and Playtron* . Their presence underscores growing institutional interest in culture-driven and meme-oriented crypto narratives.

Artificial intelligence-linked assets

The Artificial Intelligence sector covers crypto assets tied to AI development, infrastructure, or applications. In its current offerings, Grayscale includes Bittensor (TAO), Livepeer (LPT), Near (NEAR), Render (RENDER), and Story (IP).

Moreover, a growing set of AI-related tokens sits on the watchlist for potential future products. The crypto assets list under consideration in this segment consists of Flock (FLOCK), Grass (GRASS), Kaito (KAITO), Nous Research* , Poseidon* , Virtuals Protocol (VIRTUAL), and Worldcoin (WLD). Their evaluation reflects rising investor demand for exposure to AI-linked networks.

Utilities and services: infrastructure and data

The Utilities & Services sector encompasses crypto assets focused on practical, often enterprise-oriented applications and infrastructure. The assets currently listed in Grayscale products are Chainlink (LINK), Filecoin (FIL), Lido DAO (LDO), Pyth (PYTH), Space and Time (SXT), The Graph (GRT), and Walrus (WAL).

That said, several additional infrastructure projects are being evaluated. On the assets under consideration side, Grayscale names DoubleZero (2Z), Geodnet (GEOD)* , Jito (JTO), Layer Zero (ZRO), and Wormhole (W). These networks provide data, interoperability, and staking-related services that complement existing product exposures.

Sector framework and future evolution

Grayscale’s sector framework is central to how it presents and expands its product line. By grouping tokens into currencies, platforms, financials, culture, AI, and utilities, the firm aims to give investors a clearer lens on portfolio construction and thematic exposure.

Looking ahead, the roster of grayscale assets crypto and the pipeline of potential additions are likely to shift as the digital asset market matures. As new networks launch and existing ones gain traction, the tables of live holdings and watchlist names will remain a key indicator of Grayscale’s evolving institutional focus across the crypto ecosystem.

In summary, the January 12, 2026 update provides a detailed view of which tokens currently back Grayscale products and which are still being evaluated. The sector-based disclosure, combined with regular reviews, offers institutions and individual investors a structured way to monitor how the firm’s multi-asset and single-asset offerings adapt to a rapidly changing market.

Europäische Behörden verstärken die Aufsicht über Online-Finanzinhalte, da die Regulierung von Finfluencern zu einem zentralen Instrument wird, um riskante Kryptowellen und Investitions-Hypes einzudämmen.

CONSOB verstärkt die Warnung der ESMA an Finanzinfluencer in sozialen Medien

Italiens Wertpapieraufsichtsbehörde CONSOB, die Commissione Nazionale per le Societa e la Borsa, hat einer neuen Zusammenfassung der Europäischen Behörde für Wertpapiere und Märkte (ESMA) zu Inhalten über Finanzinvestitionen in sozialen Medien neue Aufmerksamkeit geschenkt. In einer am Montag veröffentlichten Mitteilung betonte die Aufsichtsbehörde, dass die Vorschriften der Europäischen Union zu Empfehlungen und Werbung im Bereich der Investitionen vollständig auf kryptobasierte Inhalte und sogenannte „schnell reich werden“-Materialien anwendbar sind.

Als neuer Hinweis auf eine Umstellung positionierte Cathie Wood ARK Invest in dieser Woche neu, da die ARK Invest-Handelstätigkeiten von etablierten Tech-Führern weg in hochvolatiles Genomik- und Emerging-Innovation-Namen wechselten.

Großer GeneDx-Kauf legt die Bewegungen vom 12. Januar fest

Am 12. Januar zeigten regulatorische Einreichungen, dass Wood mehrere bedeutende Portfoliowechsel über mehrere ARK-Exchange-Traded-Fonds durchführte. Das Unternehmen verlegte Kapital von etablierten Tech-Aktien weg und tiefer in frühe Biotechnologieunternehmen.

Der größte Einzeltitel war ein Kauf von 133.191 Aktien von GeneDx Holdings im Wert von insgesamt 15,88 Millionen US-Dollar über den ARK Innovation ETF und den ARK Genomic Revolution ETF. GeneDx wird als globaler Marktführer bei der Diagnose seltener Erkrankungen beschrieben und verfügt über die größte genetische Datenbank in diesem Bereich.

In today’s session, the Bitcoin price remains above $92,000, with a daily structure still neutral but intraday decidedly more constructive on the bullish side.

BTC/USDT — daily chart with candles, EMA20/EMA50, and volumes.

Market Context: Bitcoin Price, Dominance, and Sentiment

The Bitcoin price is moving in a macro crypto context of about $3.23 trillion in total market cap, with daily growth around 1.5% and volumes increasing by about 21%. The BTC dominance at 57.1% confirms that, at this stage, the market is favoring Bitcoin over altcoins.

Operational Reading: when the Bitcoin value rises with high dominance and sentiment in fear, we are often in a phase where money seeks refuge in BTC but does not yet have the courage to push the entire sector. This tends to favor directional movements on BTC, but with strong sensitivity to news and macro flow.

Daily Framework (D1): Main Scenario on BTC Price

On the daily timeframe, the BTC price closes at $92,414.91, with a neutral regime. We are therefore neither in a clear bullish trend nor in a true structural bearish trend: the market is working an equilibrium zone after the previous correction.

Moving Averages (EMA20, EMA50, EMA200) on D1

20-day EMA: $90,563.38

50-day EMA: $91,610.25

200-day EMA: $99,530.49

What They Tell Us: the Bitcoin price today is slightly above EMA20 and EMA50, but still well below EMA200. This suggests a short/medium-term recovery structure within a long-term context still weighed down by the 200-day average. In other words: the rebound is there, but the long-term trend has not yet been regained.

Daily RSI

RSI 14D: 58.68.

Reading: the RSI is in a neutral-bullish area, above 50 but far from overbought. This indicates a healthy but not euphoric momentum: there is demand, but we are not in a blind rush phase. Often these readings are compatible with further extensions of the movement, but still leave room for technical pullbacks.

Daily MACD

MACD Line: 601.58

Signal: 376.47

Histogram: +225.11

What It Implies: the MACD line is above the signal, with a positive and widening histogram. This confirms that the recovery of the Bitcoin price is not just a random bounce but is taking on characteristics of a short-term structured rise. As long as the histogram remains positive, the bullish pressure maintains control of the pace.

Daily Bollinger Bands

Mid Band: $90,036.49

Upper Band: $94,136.53

Lower Band: $85,936.46

The BTC price today is at $92,414.91, thus between the mid and upper band, but without yet a full test of the upper part.

Reading: Bitcoin is working the bullish side of the volatility range, but is not yet in an explosive breakout phase. This usually indicates a trend in construction. If the price starts moving along the upper band, we would have a more aggressive strength signal; conversely, returns towards the mid band would signal a phase of consolidation or profit-taking.

Daily ATR (Volatility)

ATR 14D: $2,004.14.

Implications: a daily average volatility around $2,000 means that the chart of the main asset can easily oscillate by 2–3% in a single session without this really changing the technical structure. For risk management, stops that are too tight risk being hit by simple market noise.

Daily Pivot Point

Pivot Point (PP): $91,962.52

Resistance R1: $92,882.39

Support S1: $91,495.05

With the real-time reference area at $92,400, BTC is trading slightly above the pivot and very close to the R1 area.

Reading: the market is respecting the 91,900–92,000$ area as a daily equilibrium level. Above the pivot, control passes to buyers; a stable return below S1 would again question the strength of the movement.

1-Hour Timeframe: Confirmation of Bitcoin Price Recovery

On the 1H, the BTC price today is at $92,429.99, with a bullish regime. Here the structure is clearer compared to the daily: we have a short-term ascending trend.

Hourly Moving Averages

EMA 20H: $91,645.94

EMA 50H: $91,349.42

EMA 200H: $91,021.72

The Bitcoin price in real-time is well above all hourly EMAs, with the averages aligned in bullish order (20 > 50 > 200).

Reading: in the short term, buyers have control. Moreover, any retracement towards the 91,600–91,000$ area can become a dynamic support test rather than the start of a reversal, as long as this structure of averages remains intact.

RSI 1H

RSI 14H: 63.15.

Implications: RSI above 60 indicates a good intraday strength, but not yet excess. The market is buying pullbacks with conviction. As long as RSI remains steadily above 50–55, the short-term trend maintains a credible bullish direction.

MACD 1H

MACD Line: 248.75

Signal: 153.44

Histogram: +95.31

Reading: the hourly MACD is aligned with the daily: active bullish momentum, although the histogram begins to signal a phase of slight slowdown in pace compared to previous spikes. Typical of a trend that might enter a lateral consolidation phase before a new impulse.

Bollinger Bands 1H

Mid: $91,610.41

Upper: $92,434.65

Lower: $90,786.18

With the BTC price today at $92,429.99, we are practically in contact with the upper hourly band.

Implications: the ongoing movement is stretched in the very short term. This can still extend in case of strong demand. However, usually when the price sticks to the high band on 1H, the probability of small pullbacks or lateral phases increases to relieve intraday excesses.

ATR 1H and Intraday Pivot

ATR 14H: $407.48.

Movements of $300–400 in a few hours fall within the normal range of the current context. This makes it risky to seek perfect tick entries: the intraday oscillation margin is significant.

Pivot Point H1: $92,341.89

R1 H1: $92,518.10

S1 H1: $92,253.79

The Bitcoin price in real-time is just above the hourly pivot and near the R1 resistance.

Reading: the market is working the upper part of the intraday range. Above R1, room for quick extensions; below the pivot, first signs of buyer fatigue in the very short term.

15-Minute Timeframe: Short-Term Operations

On 15m, BTC is quoted at $92,430 with a declared bullish regime. Here we see the most aggressive push, but also the first signs of possible excess.

15m Moving Averages

EMA 20 (15m): $91,934.40

EMA 50 (15m): $91,690.39

EMA 200 (15m): $91,297.86

Price well above all EMAs and averages well ordered to the upside.

Reading: the very short-term trend is strong, but the further the price moves away from the averages, the greater the risk of a technical pullback. Late entrants are exposed to returns towards at least the EMA20 as a normal market breath.

RSI 15m

RSI 14 (15m): 71.38.

Implications: we are in intraday overbought zone. This does not necessarily mean an imminent collapse, but it usually indicates that the bulk of the immediate movement has already been made. From here, it is more likely to see congestion phases, small retracements, or volatile spikes rather than a linear rise.

MACD 15m

MACD Line: 188.36

Signal: 164.53

Histogram: +23.83

Reading: the MACD is still positive but the histogram is flattening. Typical signal of a trend starting to lose acceleration. Often, after these phases, either it enters sideways, or a pullback towards the short averages is seen.

Bollinger Bands 15m and Pivot

Mid: $91,931.05

Upper: $92,421.48

Lower: $91,440.62

The BTC price today on 15m is practically glued to the upper band, at $92,430.

Implications: we are at a short-term extreme. It is the classic zone where those already in, rather than opening new positions, start thinking about profit management and protection. For new entries, it often makes more sense to wait for a return towards the mid band or a tight consolidation below the highs.

Pivot Point 15m: $92,341.90

R1: $92,518.10

S1: $92,253.79

The BTC price is working just above the 15m pivot.

Reading: the micro-range 92,250–92,520$ is the hot zone in the very short term. A clean break above R1 with volumes and solid candle closures can push another leg; losing 92,250$ would open space for a return towards 91,900–91,700$.

Bullish Scenario on Bitcoin Price

The bullish scenario starts from a base: daily neutral but improving and intraday clearly positive. For those looking at the BTC price today with a bullish bias, the key points are:

Defense above the daily pivot at $91,962. As long as hourly and daily closures remain above this area, buyers maintain control of the framework.

Consolidation above 92,000–92,200$: a tight lateral phase here, with RSI unloading without breaking supports, would be constructive for a new impulse.

Break and confirmation above the daily upper band at 94,100–94,200$: this would be the signal that the main asset is really exiting the current range and aims to reattach first the 96,000–98,000$ area, then the psychological zone 100,000$, where the EMA200 also transits.

Operational Bullish Trigger: those working on the short term might look at 1H closures above 92,520$ (intraday R1) accompanied by an RSI holding above 55–60 after a small pullback. This would configure a new intraday impulse consistent with the improving daily framework.

Level of Invalidation of the Bullish Scenario: a daily closure below 90,500–90,000$ (area between EMA20 and mid Bollinger band) would significantly weaken the recovery narrative, transforming the current movement into a simple corrective bounce.

Bearish Scenario on BTC Price

The bearish scenario leverages the idea that the Bitcoin price is simply staging a technical rebound within a still fragile long-term context (daily EMA200 above the price and sentiment in fear).

For a short reading, the sensitive points are:

Loss of the daily pivot at $91,962 with 4H/1D closures below this area. This would signal a return of control to sellers.

Decisive break of daily S1 at $91,495, opening space towards the mid Bollinger band ($90,000) and, in extension, towards the lower band in the $86,000 area.

Reversal of intraday indicators: RSI 1H steadily falling below 45–40 and MACD 1H turning negative, while the price re-enters below the hourly EMA50 (area $91,300). This would paint a picture of rebound exhaustion.

Possible Bearish Targets, in case of a negative scenario gaining strength:

First step: 90,000–89,500$, psychological zone and central area of the volatility range.

Second step: 86,000–85,500$, near the daily lower band.

Level of Invalidation of the Bearish Scenario: a daily closure above 94,000–94,500$, with the price starting to work steadily above the daily upper band, would significantly weaken the simple rebound hypothesis, shifting the reading towards a new more structured bullish swing.

What This Context Means for Those Looking at Bitcoin Price

The overall picture is that of a market in recovery phase, but not yet locked in an uptrend. Daily neutral improving, intraday bullish, sentiment in fear, and volatility under control: a combination that can be interesting for those seeking gradual entries, but that does not forgive those entering leveraged on intraday highs without a plan.

Two key points:

The Bitcoin price in euros or dollars can still see sharp movements within a relatively clear range (about 90,000–94,000$). Those operating in the short term must accept the idea that false breakouts and quick returns will be the norm.

As long as the daily EMA200 remains above the price, the market has not yet declared a fully bullish long-term trend. For now, work is being done on swings and medium structures, not on a bull market without questions.

In this type of context, those trading the BTC price today should focus more on the quality of levels (pivot, bands, key EMAs) and the consistency between timeframes than on seeking maximum potential profit. The main risk is not missing the movement, but getting stuck on one side of the market while BTC is still painstakingly building the next direction.

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The year 2025 marked a turning point for Binance and the entire crypto sector, amidst user growth, advanced regulation, and the tangible integration of Web3 into centralized markets.

In summary

Binance surpasses 300 million registered users globally

Obtained the first full ADGM authorization for a global exchange

34 trillion dollars in trading volume by 2025

Binance Alpha 2.0 brings Web3 into the CEX experience

Strong acceleration of institutional adoption and tokenization

Where Crypto Liquidity Thrives: Binance as a Global Hub

In 2025, Binance solidified its role as the main liquidity hub of the global crypto market. Among 32 exchanges analyzed by independent researchers, the platform handled between one-third and nearly half of the total volume of BTC and ETH, with even higher shares during periods of high volatility.

The most significant figure is not just the volume, amounting to 34 trillion dollars in 2025, but the liquidity structure. Binance processes almost ten times more trades compared to the second centralized exchange, with a volume that is “only” five times higher. This indicates a deeply distributed liquidity, composed of millions of individual orders.

This model generates a virtuous cycle: more users bring more orders, orders make the order books deeper, spreads tighten, and costs decrease, attracting new participants. It is a mechanism that has been strengthened over eight years of continuous activity.

Spot, Futures, and Automation: An Ecosystem of Advanced Tools

Spot trading remains the foundation of the system. In 2025, Binance Spot surpassed 7.1 trillion dollars in volume, increasing its market share despite the sector’s maturation. The listed assets rose to 490, with 1,889 trading pairs, thanks to a strategy that prioritizes quality and sustainable liquidity.

A key element is the introduction of AI reports on tokens, which summarize fundamentals, risks, trends, and sentiment. This reduces informational asymmetry for retail users.

On the derivatives front, Binance Futures evolves into a true advanced informational platform. Tools like Smart Money & Smart Signal allow real-time observation of the most profitable traders’ moves. Over 1.2 million users adopted these tools in 2025.

Automation becomes central. The new Futures DCA Bot and the integration between Recurring Buy and Binance Earn transform trading into a continuous, disciplined strategy that is less dependent on market timing.

Binance Alpha 2.0: Web3 Discovery Enters the CEX

The most disruptive innovation of 2025 is Binance Alpha 2.0, a Web3 discovery layer integrated directly into the centralized exchange. Alpha allows users to participate in airdrops, on-chain launches, and points programs while maintaining the experience, security, and speed of a CEX platform.

The numbers are significant:

1 trillion dollars in processed volume

17 million users onboarded

$782 million distributed through 254 airdrops

At various times throughout the year, Alpha’s activity has matched or exceeded the daily volume of major centralized exchanges outside of Binance.

This scale required advanced checks. The Risk team blocked 270,000 fraudulent participants, preserving the fairness of the programs. Alpha redefines the concept of trading: no longer just orders on a book, but early access to Web3 ecosystems, connected to regulated liquidity.

Institutional Adoption Moves from Experimentation to Production

The year 2025 marks the transition of institutions from the pilot phase to daily operations. Institutional volume on Binance grows by 21% year-on-year, while OTC fiat sees an increase of 210%.

The key change is tokenization as operational collateral. Binance integrates tools such as BlackRock’s BUIDL, USYC, and cUSDO as off-exchange collateral. The assets remain productive without sacrificing margin and risk requirements.

Simultaneously, Binance evolves from an exchange to an infrastructure provider. With the Crypto-as-a-Service (CaaS) model, banks and brokers can offer crypto to their clients using Binance’s matching engine, liquidity, and wallet, while maintaining regulatory control and proprietary front-end.

Regulation and Security: Trust as Infrastructure

Obtaining the ADGM license represents a turning point. It is one of the most stringent regimes in the world and covers governance, custody, clearing, and consumer protection.

The results are measurable:

-96% direct exposure to illicit funds compared to 2023

$6.69 billion in potential losses avoided

71,000 requests from law enforcement handled

Binance obtains 29 international certifications, including ISO 27001, ISO 27701, ISO 22301, and ISO 42001 for AI management. This positions the platform at the same level, if not beyond, that of major traditional financial institutions.

The year 2025 demonstrates that crypto is entering a new phase. Binance establishes itself as a regulated, modular, and global infrastructure, capable of uniting centralized liquidity and Web3 discovery. The real change is not technological, but structural: digital finance finally becomes operational, integrated, and accessible on a global scale.

Gesetzgeber in Washington beschleunigten diese Woche die Arbeit an einem wegweisenden Kryptogesetz, das die digitalen Vermögenswerte in den USA verändern und die Aufsichtsregelungen neu definieren könnte.

Der Vorsitzende der SEC signalisiert, dass Trump umfassende Gesetzgebung im Jahr 2025 unterzeichnen wird

Der Vorsitzende der Securities and Exchange Commission, Paul Atkins, sagte am Montag, dass er sicher sei, dass Präsident Donald Trump umfassende Kryptogesetze im Jahr 2025 unterzeichnen werde, und stellte diese Bemühung als entscheidenden Schritt für die finanzielle Führung der USA dar. In einer Aussage auf Fox Business lobte er die seltene bi-parteiliche Anstrengung, klare Regeln für digitale Vermögenswerte zu schaffen.

Standard Chartered hat seine langfristigen Kryptowährungsprognosen aktualisiert, und seine überarbeitete Ethereum-Preisprognose erstreckt sich nun bis 2030 mit einem deutlich höheren Höchststand.

Standard Chartered überarbeitet langfristige Ethereum-Ziele

In einer neuen Forschungsnotiz legte Standard Chartered ein neues Ziel für Ende 2030 von 40.000 US-Dollar für Ethereum (ETH) fest, obwohl es sein Ziel für Ende 2026 deutlich herabgesetzt hat. Die Bank betonte jedoch, dass die relative Position von Ethereum auf dem Markt für digitale Assets sich verbessert, trotz der durch Bitcoin getriebenen Schwäche, die die absoluten Kursniveaus in US-Dollar für Kryptowährungen nach unten drückt.

In the current crypto environment, the Shiba inu price sits in a quiet, neutral pocket while broader market conditions look conflicted and risk appetite remains fragile.

SHIB/USDT — daily chart with candlesticks, EMA20/EMA50 and volume.

Daily timeframe: neutral bias with a slight bullish tilt

Shiba Inu (SHIBUSDT) is sitting in an oddly quiet spot: the broader crypto market cap is grinding higher, Bitcoin dominance is elevated above 57%, but sentiment is stuck in Fear (26). That combination usually means capital crowds into majors while speculative names like SHIB are treated cautiously rather than aggressively sold or bought.

On the daily chart, the system flags a neutral regime for Shiba Inu. There is no confirmed trend in either direction, and the intraday picture (1H and 15m) mirrors the same neutral stance. In other words, this is not a trending environment for SHIB right now; it is a positioning phase where the next leg, up or down, will be driven more by shifts in risk appetite than by any current momentum.

The daily chart defines the main scenario, and here SHIB is neither clearly trending nor oversold. With a neutral regime, the market is in a range or transition, not a mature trend.

RSI (Daily)

RSI 14 (D1): 56.71
RSI is hovering just above the midline. That is modest positive momentum, but far from euphoric. It tells us buyers have an edge, yet the market is not stretched. In practice, that is the kind of RSI you see in an early or uncommitted up-leg, or in the upper half of a sideways range.

MACD (Daily)

MACD (D1): line, signal, and histogram all reported as flat (0)
With the automated feed showing MACD effectively flat, there is no meaningful trend signal here. When MACD offers no real separation between line and signal, it is usually because price has been chopping around a mean. That aligns with the neutral regime: no strong acceleration either way.

EMAs (Daily)

EMA 20 / 50 / 200 (D1): values not provided
We do not have usable EMA levels in the data, so we cannot talk about classic structures like price above the 200-day or 50-day. What matters conceptually, though, is that the system still categorizes the regime as neutral rather than bullish or bearish, which implies SHIB is not clearly trending above or below its key moving averages. Think of it as price gravitating around its medium-term mean, not breaking away from it.

Bollinger Bands (Daily)

Bollinger Bands (D1): mid, upper, lower bands not provided
We cannot reference exact band levels, but combined with a neutral regime and a mid-range RSI, Shiba Inu is likely not riding the upper band with aggression. If anything, this is the environment where bands are comparatively tighter and price oscillates around the middle area rather than hugging extremes. That typically means volatility is contained and breakouts need a catalyst.

ATR (Daily)

ATR 14 (D1): not provided
Even without a value, we can infer from the neutral regime and flat MACD that realized volatility is not at an extreme. SHIB is not in a blow-off phase; it is in a waiting room. That matters for traders: you will not get rewarded for chasing, but you might get rewarded for being patient around key levels once they are visible on your own charts.

Pivot levels (Daily)

Pivots (D1): PP, R1, S1 not provided
The system does not give concrete pivot numbers, so we cannot name intraday reference prices. However, in a neutral environment, pivots generally act more like mean-reversion magnets than breakout lines. Price tends to oscillate around the daily pivot rather than one-way trending from S1 to R1 or beyond.

Daily takeaway: The daily timeframe points to a neutral-to-slightly-bullish bias. Momentum is mildly positive (RSI), trend strength is absent (flat MACD, neutral regime), and volatility is likely contained. This is not an environment for heroic directional bets; it is an environment to prepare for the next expansion in volatility.

1-hour timeframe: intraday confirmation of neutrality

The 1H chart is usually where traders check whether intraday action reinforces or contradicts the daily bias. Here, it largely agrees with the daily structure.

RSI (1H)

RSI 14 (H1): 58.02
Intraday RSI is slightly stronger than on the daily, leaning into the upper half of the range but not extended. That is a small intraday bullish lean, as buyers are a bit more active on shorter timeframes, yet it is still far from a blowout move. For traders, that often translates to dips getting bought more than rips getting chased.

MACD (1H)

MACD (H1): reported as flat (0)
Again, there is no meaningful trend separation here. Intraday, this looks like a market that moves in waves but lacks sustained follow-through. Rallies risk stalling quickly unless broader market conditions improve or SHIB-specific news hits the tape.

EMAs, Bollinger Bands, ATR, Pivots (1H)

With specific levels missing, we focus on structure. A neutral intraday regime typically means price oscillates around short-term EMAs rather than using them as a clean trend ladder. Moreover, Bollinger Bands intraday are usually not flared open; ATR is middling. That creates a tactical landscape for short-term mean reversion trades rather than big trend following.

1H takeaway: The hourly chart mildly leans bullish via RSI but confirms the core message: Shiba Inu is in a balanced, range-like condition, not a runaway trend.

15-minute timeframe: execution context only

The 15m chart should not drive your bias; it is there to refine entries and exits.

RSI (15m)

RSI 14 (M15): 57.3
Short-term momentum is in the same ballpark as the 1H: slightly positive, not overheated. For scalpers, that often means respecting short dips as potential buy zones within the intraday range, while being cautious about chasing at local 15m highs.

MACD and structure (15m)

MACD (M15): reported flat
There is no real edge here. Microstructure is likely choppy around a short-term mean, and Bollinger behavior would probably reflect that, with frequent band tags and reversion rather than directional walks along the band.

15m takeaway: Very short-term flows are aligned with the bigger picture: a slight bullish lean in momentum, without structural confirmation of a bigger breakout yet.

Market backdrop: fear with rising total cap

The macro context is important for a meme asset like Shiba Inu in 2024:

Crypto total market cap: about $3.22T, up roughly 1.1% over 24h

BTC dominance: ≈57.1%

Fear & Greed Index: 26, firmly in Fear

So money is flowing into crypto overall, but it is concentrated in Bitcoin and other majors. Risk appetite is selective, not broad-based. For Shiba Inu, that usually means:

Upside is more dependent on rotation out of BTC into high-beta names.

Downside can open quickly if the broader market wobbles, because fearful sentiment leaves little buffer for speculative assets.

Bullish scenario for Shiba Inu price

Given the daily neutral regime but mild positive momentum, the main path to a bullish outcome is a transition from quiet range to an organized uptrend.

For a convincing bullish scenario, you would want to see, on your own charts:

Daily candles starting to close consistently above key short- and mid-term EMAs, with those EMAs beginning to slope upwards.

Daily RSI pushing and holding in the 60–70 zone rather than hovering around 55–58.

MACD on D1 turning clearly positive: line crossing above signal with a growing positive histogram, showing real follow-through rather than noise.

Bollinger Bands on D1 widening with price leaning into the upper band instead of oscillating around the middle.

On 1H, pullbacks into EMAs getting bought quickly, with RSI repeatedly bouncing from mid-levels rather than breaking below them.

In that environment, the playbook shifts from fading strength to buying dips in the direction of the trend. Volume and volatility would need to pick up, but under a still-fearful sentiment regime, that upside can be surprisingly sharp once rotation into meme and high-beta names begins.

What would invalidate the bullish scenario?
If daily RSI rolls back toward the low 40s or lower and MACD stays flat or turns lower without ever establishing a positive trend phase, the story changes. Price chopping below major moving averages with repeated failures to reclaim them would also kill the bullish thesis. In short, if attempts to trend higher keep slipping back into the range and buyers cannot hold new highs for more than a session or two, the bull case is not in control.

Bearish scenario for Shiba Inu price

The bearish roadmap starts from the same neutral base but assumes that the combination of fearful sentiment and high BTC dominance resolves against speculative assets.

A credible bearish scenario would look like:

Daily structure rolling over below the main EMAs, with those EMAs flattening and then tilting down.

Daily RSI sliding below 50 and failing to reclaim it on bounces, with repeated rejections from the 50–55 band.

MACD on D1 crossing negative and staying there, with a clear build-up of negative histogram bars.

Bollinger Bands starting to open to the downside, with price hugging or walking the lower band instead of snapping back.

On 1H and 15m, bounces into short-term resistance getting sold quickly, with RSI unable to break above mid-range on those intraday rallies.

Under that setup, SHIB would not necessarily collapse in a straight line, but rallies would be better treated as liquidity for exits rather than buy-the-dip opportunities. Meme names tend to underperform in this kind of backdrop, especially if BTC consolidates near highs and traders cling to perceived safety.

What would invalidate the bearish scenario?
If, instead of rolling over, SHIB starts to hold higher lows on the daily chart, RSI stabilizes above 55–60, and MACD cannot maintain a negative cross, the bear case loses credibility. A clear upturn in total market risk appetite, with falling BTC dominance while total cap grows, would also weaken the bearish tilt, as it usually coincides with capital rotating into names like SHIB.

Neutral / mean-reversion scenario (current base case)

Right now, given all timeframes are labeled neutral and RSI prints in the mid-to-high 50s across the board, the base case remains a neutral, mean-reverting environment.

In that scenario:

Shiba Inu’s price action is primarily range-bound, with both breakouts and breakdowns prone to failure.

RSI oscillates around 50–60 on D1, never really committing to overbought or oversold territory.

MACD remains indecisive, flipping small positive or negative without trend continuity.

Daily and intraday pivots behave like magnets, with price spending a lot of time near them instead of trending away.

For active traders, the edge is in buying weakness and selling strength inside the range, not in holding directional bets for weeks. For longer-term participants, this is a period to gradually build or trim positions based on personal conviction and risk limits, rather than reacting to every intraday move.

Positioning, risk, and uncertainty

Shiba Inu is currently in a holding pattern: neutral regime on all key timeframes, modest bullish lean in momentum, and a macro backdrop where total crypto is rising but sentiment remains fearful and BTC-dominated. That is not a clean trend-trading environment; it is a patience environment.

For anyone trading or allocating around Shiba inu price:

Be explicit about which scenario you think you are trading: bullish breakout, bearish breakdown, or neutral range. Your timeframe and risk size should match that choice.

Respect volatility: even when ATR is not extreme, meme assets can move abruptly on flows and headlines. Position sizes should assume larger-than-expected swings.

Stay flexible: the current data does not strongly favor bulls or bears. A shift in market structure, with a clear trend on D1 confirmed by 1H, will matter more than any single indicator reading today.

This is not a market phase where blindly chasing Shiba Inu makes sense. It is a phase where monitoring structure, waiting for volatility to expand, and having clear invalidation levels for your own setups will matter far more than guessing the next candle.

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In summary, Shiba Inu sits in a neutral, slightly bullish structure within a fearful but growing crypto market, and the next decisive move will likely follow a volatility expansion rather than current, indecisive signals.

Während Kongress und Aufsichtsbehörden über digitale Vermögenswerte streiten, unterstreicht ein neuer Brief von Ripple an die SEC in Washington, wie die Klassifizierung von XRP die nächste Phase der US-amerikanischen Kryptowährungsaufsicht prägen könnte.

Ripple fordert die SEC auf, den Status des Tokens von Wertpapierangeboten zu trennen

In einer neuen Stellungnahme zur Marktstruktur an die Crypto Task Force der SEC drängt Ripple darauf, eine klare rechtliche Trennung zwischen einem Wertpapierangebot und dem zugrundeliegenden Token herzustellen, der später auf Sekundärmärkten gehandelt wird. Diese Formulierung könnte für XRP und andere Kryptowährungen entscheidend sein, während sich die Diskussionen über Offenlegung und Zuständigkeit verschärfen.

Questions over crypto governance and transparency are mounting after the sudden crash of nyc token following a high-profile Times Square launch.

Eric Adams backed launch and rapid market cap surge

Former New York City Mayor Eric Adams unveiled NYC Token on Monday at a Times Square press event, presenting it as a civic-minded crypto initiative. Within hours, the token briefly reached a market capitalization of $580 million, drawing intense interest from retail traders and onlookers across social platforms.

Social media posts quickly amplified the hype around the new coin. However, they also captured the first accusations of a possible scam. One viral post claimed that Adams had removed liquidity from his new memecoin $NYC just 30 minutes after launch, alleging that investors were being “scammed” for more than $2,536,301 following promotion on his personal channels.

On-chain data and liquidity controversy

The surge in attention prompted deeper scrutiny from blockchain analysts. Moreover, early on-chain data indicated troubling patterns in how liquidity was managed shortly after the Times Square launch. Soon after the token hit its market peak, analysts began flagging unusual movements tied to wallets associated with the project.

Blockchain tracking firm Bubblemaps identified a wallet linked to the token deployer that removed about $2.5 million in USDC liquidity near the price high. That timing triggered immediate concern among crypto traders, who are highly sensitive to abrupt token liquidity removal events in newly launched memecoins.

As the sell-off intensified, the token price fell by more than 60%. After this sharp decline, approximately $1.5 million in USDC was reportedly added back to the liquidity pool. However, analysts noted that roughly $900,000 in USDC remained unreturned, fueling fresh accusations that the nyc token rug pull scenario might be unfolding in real time.

Community reaction and rug pull accusations

Crypto commentators on X and other platforms quickly labeled the incident a potential rug pull. One widely shared post claimed that Adams had “rugged everyone,” asserting he walked away with more than $3 million in profit just eight hours after launch. The tone of these reactions reflected broader skepticism about politicians issuing personal coins.

A rug pull occurs when project insiders or developers drain liquidity from a token’s trading pools. This move leaves remaining holders unable to exit without absorbing heavy losses. Moreover, within the crypto community, rug pulls are considered a serious form of fraud, even when legal accountability can be difficult to establish.

Token structure, reserve model and nonprofit claims

The official NYC Token website states that the project has a fixed total supply of 1 billion coins. Of this amount, 70% is allocated to a so-called NYC Token Reserve, which is explicitly excluded from the circulating supply available for open-market trading. That reserve structure has drawn questions about control and transparency.

Adams said the token was designed to fund efforts against antisemitism and what he described as “anti-Americanism,” with proceeds earmarked for an unnamed nonprofit organization. However, he did not disclose the nonprofit’s identity, any governance framework, or independent oversight of token nonprofit proceeds during the launch.

At the press conference and in subsequent media appearances, Adams also declined to reveal the identities of any co-founders or team members involved in the project. That said, the lack of a visible core team and clear fund management plan has heightened investor concerns about accountability and long-term execution.

Unclear use case and media explanations

During an interview with Fox host Maria Bartiromo, Adams offered only vague explanations of the token’s practical use. He compared the project to Walmart adopting blockchain technology for supply chain tracking, but did not provide concrete mechanisms linking the coin to measurable outcomes or verifiable charitable distributions.

Moreover, he gave no detailed roadmap for how the reserve structure would operate, how funds would be unlocked, or how the unnamed nonprofit would report on the use of capital. These gaps in documentation and public communication have reinforced the perception of high risk around the asset.

Adams crypto history and ties to earlier city-focused tokens

Adams is no stranger to digital assets. During his term as mayor, he cultivated the image of a “Bitcoin mayor” and repeatedly pledged to make New York City the global crypto capital. He famously took his first three mayoral paychecks in Bitcoin via Coinbase, underscoring his public commitment to the sector.

He also previously endorsed other city-branded blockchain projects, including the original NYC Coin launched by CityCoins. However, that token struggled with low trading volume and was eventually delisted from major exchanges in 2023 due to liquidity issues, highlighting the challenges of sustaining municipal-themed crypto assets.

Adams further supported a concept called BitBond, a proposed product that would have allowed investors to earn returns tied to Bitcoin price appreciation. While the idea drew attention, it did not achieve broad implementation during his tenure. These prior efforts form the backdrop for current questions surrounding his latest token initiative.

Political timing and ongoing on-chain scrutiny

Adams left office on January 1, 2026, when Zohran Mamdani succeeded him as New York City mayor. Notably, the NYC Token launch occurred less than two weeks after he stepped down, a timing detail that some observers argue raises additional ethical and political questions.

Moreover, analysts continue to track the token’s on-chain flows and trading patterns for further signs of manipulation, wash trading, or insider selling. They are closely examining wallet clustering, liquidity movements, and the relationship between the deployer wallet and other large holders.

That said, formal investigations or regulatory actions have not yet been publicly announced. Until more information emerges about the project’s governance, reserve management, and ultimate disposition of funds, market participants are likely to treat the token as a high-risk speculative asset.

In summary, the NYC Token launch has shifted from headline-grabbing promotion to a test case for how the crypto market and regulators respond when high-profile political figures face detailed on-chain allegations of misconduct.