Blockonomi

TLDR

President Trump imposes a 25% tariff on countries conducting business with Iran, effective immediately.

The tariff aims to apply economic pressure on Iran amid ongoing protests against the government.

Protests in Iran, triggered by economic hardship, have spread across major cities, calling for regime change.

Trump’s administration is considering military action against Iran in response to the regime’s crackdown on protesters.

Iran has warned of retaliation, targeting U.S. military sites in the region if the U.S. takes action.

President Donald Trump has issued a new directive, imposing a 25% tariff on any country conducting business with Iran. This order, effective immediately, is part of a broader strategy to apply economic pressure on Tehran amid ongoing unrest. The decision comes as the Iranian government faces growing protests, and the U.S. seeks to respond to Tehran’s crackdown on demonstrators.

Could This be the Decision Behind Tariffs?

President Trump made the decision in light of the ongoing protests in Iran, which erupted over economic hardships and political suppression. The protests, which began in December 2025, have grown into a widespread rejection of the ruling regime.

The unrest, which has spread across major cities including Tehran, Isfahan, and Mashhad, has led to calls for regime change. In response to the protests, Iranian security forces have fired live ammunition on demonstrators. Reports indicate that dozens, if not hundreds, of people have been killed.

The Iranian government has also cut off internet access in an attempt to suppress the protests and prevent the world from witnessing the violence. In the wake of these developments, President Trump’s administration has taken a hard stance, imposing economic sanctions on any country that continues to engage in trade with Iran.

Trump Considers Military Response to Iranian Crackdown

While President Trump’s latest tariff decision has garnered attention, the administration is also considering military action against Iran. U.S. officials have reported that Trump has been briefed on options for strikes in response to the Iranian regime’s actions against protesters. Though no final decision has been made, Trump is reportedly contemplating airstrikes, with options on nonmilitary sites in Tehran under consideration.

The White House has not confirmed specific plans but pointed to Trump’s public comments on the matter. On social media, Trump stated, “Iran is looking at FREEDOM, perhaps like never before. The USA stands ready to help!!!” Despite the ongoing discussions about potential military strikes, the U.S. has so far focused on economic and diplomatic measures.

In reaction to the possibility of U.S. military action, Iran’s government has warned of retaliation. Iran’s parliament speaker, Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, announced that Iran would target U.S. military sites, including bases and ships in the region. “We will act based on any objective signs of a threat,” he warned, signaling the possibility of further escalation.

The post Trump Imposes 25% Tariff on Iran Trade Partners: Will This Strategy Pressure Tehran? appeared first on Blockonomi.

TLDR:

JP Morgan withdrew its January 2026 rate cut forecast, now predicting a rate hike in Q3 2027 instead.

Goldman Sachs lowered US recession probability to 20% from 30% as labor market shows stability signs.

Traders see 95% chance Fed keeps rates unchanged in January, up from 86% before employment data release.

Political tensions rise as Powell reveals Trump administration threatened indictment over rate policy.

 

JP Morgan has withdrawn its forecast for US Federal Reserve rate cuts in 2026, marking a notable change in Wall Street expectations. 

The investment bank now projects the central bank will maintain current rates throughout the year. This revision follows December employment data showing a resilient labor market despite slower job growth.

The shift reflects growing confidence that economic conditions will support steady monetary policy.

Major Banks Delay Rate Cut Expectations

JP Morgan now anticipates the Fed’s next move will be a rate hike in the third quarter of 2027. The bank previously expected a 25 basis point reduction in January 2026. Macquarie maintains its prediction for a rate increase in December 2026.

Following recent jobs data, JP Morgan has revised its outlook and no longer anticipates any US Federal Reserve rate cuts in 2026, compared with its earlier prediction of a 25 basis point reduction in January.

— First Squawk (@FirstSquawk) January 12, 2026

“If the labor market weakens again in the coming months, or if inflation falls materially, the Fed could still ease later this year,” JP Morgan stated in a Friday note. 

The firm added it expects the labor market to tighten by the second quarter. The bank also projects the disinflation process will proceed gradually rather than rapidly.

Goldman Sachs and Barclays have also postponed their rate cut forecasts to mid-2026. Both institutions initially projected cuts in March and June but now expect reductions in September and December. 

Morgan Stanley revised its timeline to June and September from January and April. Friday’s employment report showed job growth slowed more than expected in December. However, the unemployment rate dropped to 4.4% with solid wage increases.

Central Bank Independence Concerns Emerge

Traders assign a 95% probability to unchanged rates at the January Fed meeting, according to CME FedWatch tool data. 

This represents an increase from 86% before the employment figures were released. Wells Fargo and BofA Global Research continue to expect cuts between March and July.

“If the labor market stabilizes as we expect, the FOMC will likely shift from risk management mode to normalization mode,” Goldman Sachs noted in a Sunday report.

 The firm reduced its 12-month recession probability to 20% from 30%. These adjustments reflect improved economic confidence among major financial institutions.

Political tensions have intensified between President Donald Trump and Fed Chair Jerome Powell. Powell stated Sunday that the Trump administration threatened him with criminal indictment. 

The Fed chair characterized this as a “pretext” to gain influence over interest rates. Trump has publicly advocated for dramatic rate cuts.

BofA Global Research observed that the “mix of data is consistent with our view that breakeven job growth might be falling even faster than the Fed will concede.” 

The bank attributes this to potential labor supply shocks affecting employment dynamics. These indicators suggest ongoing complexities in interpreting current labor market conditions.

 

The post JP Morgan Abandons 2026 Fed Rate Cut Forecast, Projects 2027 Hike Instead appeared first on Blockonomi.

TLDR:

Exchange reserves plummeted from 370.3T to 290.3T SHIB tokens, removing significant sell-side liquidity.

Fresh wallets withdrew 82T SHIB from centralized exchanges over 60 days, mainly from Coinbase at $0.0000085.

Top 100 wallets increased holdings by 15.11% to control 57% of total supply, showing concentration growth.

Whale accumulation surged 428% while smart money wallets expanded 68.27%, signaling institutional interest.

 

Shiba Inu is experiencing a significant supply shift as large holders remove tokens from centralized exchanges. 

Recent data shows 80 trillion SHIB exited exchanges since December 5, reducing available trading liquidity. 

This withdrawal pattern suggests major accumulation by sophisticated investors at current price levels.

Exchange Balances Drop Sharply Amid Persistent Outflows

The memecoin’s exchange reserves have declined substantially over recent weeks. Total SHIB held on centralized platforms fell from 370.3 trillion to 290.3 trillion tokens. This represents a notable contraction in sell-side pressure across major trading venues.

TKResearch Trading reported that fresh wallets withdrew approximately 82 trillion SHIB from exchanges over the past 60 days. 

Coinbase accounted for a large portion of these transfers. The accumulation occurred primarily around the $0.0000085 price point, indicating strategic positioning by new market participants.

Big Players Control Supply: $SHIB Exchange Liquidity Nearly Locked

$SHIB Supply Breakdown
Circulating Supply: 589.24T $SHIB (Coinmarketcap)
Supply on Exchange: 290.4T $SHIB
⇒ Net Circulating Supply (excluding exchanges): 289T SHIB

Discover more below pic.twitter.com/kTtAnDjOmI

— TKResearch Trading (@TKR_Trading) January 12, 2026

Of the 589.24 trillion SHIB in circulation, only 290.4 trillion tokens remain on exchanges. Less than half of the total supply is now readily accessible for trading. This distribution change marks a shift in how SHIB tokens are held across the market.

Top Wallets Consolidate Control Over Available Supply

Large holders have steadily increased their share of the total token supply. The top 100 wallets now control 57% of all SHIB, amounting to roughly 831.8 trillion tokens. This concentration has grown 15.11% over the past six months.

Smart money wallets expanded their holdings by 68.27% during the same period, reaching 10.01 billion SHIB. 

Whale accumulation surged even more dramatically, increasing 428% to 1.3 billion tokens. These metrics point to growing interest from experienced market participants.

Exchange-held SHIB dropped 23.91% over the last 180 days, reinforcing the withdrawal trend. 

Meanwhile, balances linked to public figures decreased 4.88% to approximately 399.92 billion tokens. The shift away from exchange custody continues across multiple holder categories.

Technical Signals Suggest Potential Reversal Pattern

CryptoPulse highlighted emerging technical indicators on weekly charts. SHIB is trading within a falling wedge pattern accompanied by declining volume. 

The MACD indicator shows bullish divergence while RSI displays a golden cross formation.

$SHIB – Bullish

On the weekly TF, $SHIB shows a reversal signal: moving inside a falling wedge with low volume, MACD bullish divergence, and a golden cross on RSI.
Price could push up to resistance at $0.00001042. If it breaks out, $SHIB may start a new bullish trend pic.twitter.com/000iwtpuon

— CryptoPulse (@CryptoPulse_CRU) January 12, 2026

These technical developments align with the supply dynamics observed on-chain. Price could test resistance at $0.00001042 if current patterns continue. A breakout above this level might signal the start of a new upward trend.

SHIB currently trades at $0.000008480 as of writing, reflecting a 0.65% decline over 24 hours. The token has dropped 10.62% across the past seven days. 

However, reduced exchange liquidity could amplify price movements in either direction as supply becomes more constrained.

The post Shiba Inu Supply Crunch: 80 Trillion Tokens Exit Exchanges as Whales Accumulate appeared first on Blockonomi.

TLDR

Michael Selig, CFTC Chair, announces the launch of the newly named Innovation Advisory Committee to focus on financial technology.

The committee will feature members from diverse sectors like finance, fintech, academia, and regulators, with the CEO Innovation Council as charter members.

Public nominations for additional members of the committee are open until January 31, 2026, and should include relevant qualifications and suggested topics.

The committee will advise the CFTC on the impact of emerging technologies like AI, blockchain, and cloud computing on financial markets.

Selig emphasizes the need for updated market regulations to align with new technologies reshaping financial markets and business models.

Michael Selig, newly appointed Chair of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), has announced the launch of the Innovation Advisory Committee. The committee, formerly known as the Technology Advisory Committee, will advise the CFTC on emerging technologies in finance. Selig also opened nominations for new members, with submissions due by January 31, 2026.

CFTC Renames Committee and Sets New Direction

The Innovation Advisory Committee will explore how technology impacts derivatives, commodities, and financial services markets. It replaces the former Technology Advisory Committee and expands its mandate under Selig’s leadership.

The committee will include members from finance, fintech, academia, regulators, and public interest groups. Selig confirmed that the CEO Innovation Council will serve as the initial charter members of the committee. The council includes leaders such as Shayne Coplan of Polymarket and Adena Friedman of Nasdaq.

Selig said the CFTC will write market rules suited to current technologies and emerging platforms. “Under my leadership, the Commission will develop fit-for-purpose market structure regulations,” he stated. He added that new technologies are reshaping financial markets and require updated oversight frameworks.

Committee to Focus on Digital Assets and Prediction Markets

The CFTC continues to define its role in regulating digital assets and prediction markets. Congress is also reviewing legislation that may increase the agency’s authority over crypto markets. In late 2025, the CFTC approved the listing of spot crypto products on regulated exchanges.

Prediction markets have come under scrutiny following insider trading concerns and political wagers. Lawmakers are pushing for tighter rules, including a new bill by Rep. Ritchie Torres targeting political betting. That proposal followed a Polymarket user allegedly profiting $400,000 on a bet involving Nicolás Maduro.

Former Chair Rostin Behnam warned against federal oversight of election-based markets, urging state-level regulation instead. Still, during the Trump administration, several prediction market platforms received CFTC approvals. These include Gemini Titan, Polymarket US, MIAX Derivatives Exchange, and Bitnomial.

Nominations and Public Input Now Open

The CFTC has invited public nominations for additional Innovation Advisory Committee members. Each submission must include the nominee’s details and reasons for selection, with contact information of the person nominating. Suggestions for priority topics are also encouraged.

The committee will help the CFTC evaluate investment needs and policy frameworks related to innovation in financial markets. According to its charter, the IAC will assess how both regulators and market participants use new technologies. It will also advise on how the Commission can use technology to enhance surveillance and enforcement capabilities.

The post CFTC Chair Launches Innovation Advisory Committee, Calls for Nominations appeared first on Blockonomi.

TLDR:

Tornado Cash entity offloads $8.2M HYPE through two wallets at average prices between $23.97 and $24.23

The entity still controls $73M in HYPE tokens with 1.3M tokens unstaking across five tranches by Jan 19

Coordinated spot sales pushed Hyperliquid market to negative $3.4M taker delta during Monday execution

Historical patterns show entity liquidates all tokens within 24 hours following each unstaking completion

An entity directly funded through Tornado Cash has accelerated its exit from HYPE token positions. The wallet sold $8.2 million worth of tokens on Monday through coordinated market sells.

Qwantify identified the entity, which previously received 10,200 ETH from the crypto mixer. Another $2.9 million remains in spot holdings.

Coordinated Sales Push Market Into Negative Delta

Two linked addresses executed the sales within hours of each other. The first wallet moved $5.36 million at an average price of $24.23 per token. 

The second address sold $2.91 million at $23.97 per token. Both transactions hit Hyperliquid’s spot market hard.

The selling pressure created a peak delta of negative $3.4 million in taker sells. Market depth absorbed the impact, but prices slipped during execution. 

Moreover, the entity chose spot markets over derivatives for the liquidation. This approach maximized immediate liquidity while minimizing slippage exposure.

Trading data from Qwantify shows the entity still controls roughly 3 million HYPE tokens. Current valuations place this holding at approximately $73 million. 

The position represents one of the largest trackable wallets tied to mixer-sourced funds. Market participants are watching closely for additional selling activity.

The entity funded directly from Tornado Cash, which received a total of 10.2K ETH and is identified by @mlmabc, continues to aggressively unwind its HYPE position.

Earlier today, they sold $8.2M worth of HYPE on the open market. Roughly $2.9M worth of HYPE remains in their spot… pic.twitter.com/4BNxfuSywL

— Qwantify (@qwantifyio) January 12, 2026

Unstaking Schedule Points to More Selling Pressure

A significant portion of the remaining position is locked in staking contracts. 

Around 1.3 million tokens are currently unstaking across five separate tranches. The schedule runs through January 19, with releases spread over several days.

The first batch of 238,948 tokens unlocks on January 13. Two additional releases follow on January 15, totaling 592,475 tokens combined. 

Another 247,279 tokens become liquid on January 16. The final tranche of 242,462 tokens completes the schedule on January 19.

Past behavior suggests the entity will sell immediately after each unlock. Previous unstaking events resulted in full liquidation within 24 hours. The pattern has remained consistent across multiple cycles. 

Market makers are preparing for increased volatility during the release windows.

The entity originally accumulated its HYPE position using funds from Tornado Cash. Blockchain analysis tracked 10,200 ETH flowing through the mixer before conversion. 

The connection raises questions about the source of the original capital. Regulatory scrutiny of mixer-linked activity has intensified recently.

Hyperliquid’s native token has faced persistent selling pressure from large holders. The platform’s trading volume remains strong despite the liquidations. 

HYPE token economics include staking rewards that encourage long-term holding. This entity’s behavior runs counter to typical market participant strategies.

The post Tornado Cash-Linked Wallet Sells $8.2M in HYPE Tokens appeared first on Blockonomi.

TLDR:

Bitmine purchased 24,266 ETH for $75.59M, its lowest weekly buy since mid-2025 tracking began last year

The company now holds 4.17M ETH worth $12.98B, representing 3.45% of Ethereum’s circulating supply

Bitmine increased cash reserves by $73M to $988M while maintaining position as largest public ETH holder

Tom Lee expects crypto recovery in 2026 following October 2025 leverage reset resembling mini winter

Bitmine Immersion Technologies purchased 24,266 ETH last week for $75.59 million. The acquisition marks the company’s lowest weekly purchase on record. 

Fundstrat chairman Tom Lee’s firm now controls 4.17 million ETH valued at $12.98 billion. The reduced buying pace comes as Ethereum trades at $3,096 after a 2.31% weekly decline.

Bitmine Reduces Weekly ETH Purchases Despite Bullish Outlook

The NYSE-listed company revealed its crypto holdings totaled $14 billion as of January 11. 

Bitmine’s treasury includes 4,167,768 ETH purchased at an average price of $3,119 per token. The firm also holds 193 Bitcoin and $23 million in Eightco Holdings stock. Cash reserves reached $988 million after growing $73 million during the same week.

Bitmine controls 3.45% of Ethereum’s 120.7 million circulating supply. The company maintains its position as the largest public ETH treasury holder. 

Tom Lee stated the firm only issues equity at a premium to modified net asset value. He described Bitmine as the largest fresh money buyer of ETH globally.

The slowdown follows months of aggressive accumulation through 2025. 

According to data from Lookonchain, the latest purchase represents a sharp drop from previous weekly averages. Bitmine still increased its cash position while acquiring tokens. The company positioned itself for Q1 2026 commercial staking operations through MAVAN.

Tom Lee(@fundstrat)'s #Bitmine bought 24,266 $ETH($75.59M) last week, marking its lowest weekly purchase on record.

Bitmine currently holds 4,167,768 $ETH($12.98B).https://t.co/q9f8M38IAn pic.twitter.com/dRGfGjyOgZ

— Lookonchain (@lookonchain) January 12, 2026

Lee pointed to stablecoin adoption and tokenization as key drivers for blockchain infrastructure. He compared recent market conditions to a mini crypto winter following leverage resets in October 2025. 

The chairman expects crypto prices to recover in 2026 with stronger gains through 2028.

Ethereum Price Action Tests Key Levels Amid Institutional Buying

Ethereum traded at $3,096 with 24-hour volume exceeding $20.4 billion. 

The token pushed to $3,170 before pulling back to current levels. Daily trading data shows a 0.46% decline over the past day.

Trader Lennaert Snyder noted ETH appears stronger than Bitcoin in current market structure. He maintains a bearish thesis targeting $2,970 monthly open levels.

$ETH pushed to $3,170 and retraced.

Compared to BTC, Ethereum is looking stronger looking at current structure.

I'm still sticking with my bearish thesis though, targeting the weak ~$2,970 monthly open.

There are a few trades I'm looking at for this week, I'll execute when I… pic.twitter.com/hwu8hZdsTY

— Lennaert Snyder (@LennaertSnyder) January 12, 2026

Short positions look attractive until price breaks above the $3,309 monthly high. Snyder identified potential reversal zones at $3,184 and $3,263 resistance levels.

Bitmine’s reduced buying pace coincides with choppy price action across crypto markets. The company aims to reach 5% of total ETH supply through continued accumulation. 

MAVAN’s staking platform launch could position Bitmine as the largest staking provider in crypto. The firm’s treasury strategy depends on selective equity issuance and premium valuations.

Market participants watch institutional buying patterns for directional clues. 

Bitmine maintains its long-term accumulation strategy despite weekly fluctuations. The company’s $14 billion position represents significant exposure to Ethereum’s infrastructure development.

The post Bitmine Slows Ethereum Buying Spree With Record Low $75.59M Purchase appeared first on Blockonomi.

TLDR

Micron Technology has 29 Buy ratings and trades at single-digit P/E with 50%+ revenue growth forecast

TSMC manufactures AI chips for Nvidia and Apple with analysts projecting 40-45% stock upside

Qualcomm’s Snapdragon chips power AI in phones and cars with P/E below competitors

Marvell expects 42% revenue jump and 80% earnings growth in fiscal 2026 from data center demand

Alibaba’s AI cloud business trades cheaper than US tech stocks with 17 analyst Buy ratings

AI stocks dominate headlines in 2026, but many trade at expensive valuations. Five companies offer AI exposure without extreme price tags.

These stocks combine growth potential with reasonable valuations. Analysts rate most of them as Buy or Strong Buy.

Micron Technology: Memory Chips for AI Computing

Micron makes DRAM and high-bandwidth memory used in AI servers. Data centers running AI programs need these memory chips to function.

The stock has a single-digit forward P/E ratio. Few S&P 500 companies with 50% revenue growth trade this cheap.

Analysts strongly back Micron with 29 Buy and 5 Strong Buy ratings. Just 3 analysts say Hold.

The average price target reaches $295. Tight memory supply should keep chip prices elevated through 2026.

TSMC: Manufacturing Chips for Tech Giants

Taiwan Semiconductor builds processors for Apple, Nvidia, and AMD. The company runs the world’s most advanced chip factories.

Goldman Sachs rates TSMC a Buy with 40 to 45 percent upside potential. Revenue should climb 30 percent in 2026 and 28 percent in 2027.

Analyst ratings show 10 Buy and 2 Hold with zero Sells. TSMC dominates the chip manufacturing market with proven profitability.

Qualcomm: AI Chips for Phones and Vehicles

Qualcomm makes Snapdragon processors found in smartphones and cars. The company brings AI features to devices people use daily.

About 56 percent of analysts rate Qualcomm as Buy or Strong Buy. Another 38 percent say Hold with just 6 percent rating it Sell.

The stock trades below most AI competitors on a P/E basis. Earnings should grow as more phones and cars add AI capabilities in 2026.

Marvell Technology: Networking Gear for AI Data Centers

Marvell sells high-speed networking equipment to cloud providers. These products connect AI processors in large data centers.

Zacks Research forecasts 42 percent revenue growth in fiscal 2026. Earnings could jump 80 percent in the same period.

The stock has 4 Strong Buy, 22 Buy, and 12 Hold ratings. Average analyst targets sit around $115 per share.

Data center construction drives demand for Marvell products. The stock offers direct exposure to AI infrastructure spending.

Alibaba: Chinese E-Commerce With AI Cloud Services

Alibaba runs China’s biggest online shopping sites. The company also operates cloud computing with AI tools and language models.

The stock trades cheaper than American tech companies. MarketBeat shows 17 Buy, 3 Hold, and 1 Sell ratings.

Multiple firms rate Alibaba as Overweight or Outperform. Price targets in the high $100s suggest room for gains.

Cloud revenue grows faster than e-commerce sales. The AI cloud business provides a new growth engine for the company.

The post Top Undervalued AI Stocks: Micron, TSMC, Qualcomm Dominate appeared first on Blockonomi.

TLDR

Piper Sandler rates Nvidia top data center investment with $225 price target

Vera Rubin AI platform in production with H2 2026 shipments expected

Analysts forecast 50% revenue growth and $170 billion profits for fiscal 2027

Stock trades at 24.5x forward earnings with 43% upside to consensus target

Nvidia positioned to overtake Alphabet as world’s most profitable company

Piper Sandler analyst Harsh Kumar has named Nvidia the top data center stock for 2026. The firm maintains a Buy rating with a $225 price target on shares.

Kumar ranks #9 among over 10,000 analysts on TipRanks. He has a 72% success rate and 35% average return per rating.

The analyst points to Nvidia’s AI infrastructure leadership as the main driver. The company delivered 65.22% revenue growth over the past year while expanding its technology lead.

NVDA currently trades at 24.5 times forward earnings. Kumar views this valuation as reasonable given the company’s growth rate and market position.

Vera Rubin Production Underway

Nvidia’s Vera Rubin computing platform is already in production. The company expects first shipments in the second half of 2026.

Vera Rubin combines six chips into one integrated AI system. Nvidia unveiled the platform at CES 2026 as its most advanced data center offering.

Kumar expects Vera Rubin to boost revenue starting later this year. The system addresses strong demand from major cloud customers building out AI infrastructure.

Profit Leader Target in Reach

Wall Street projects Nvidia will generate $170 billion in profits for fiscal 2027. That forecast would make it the world’s most profitable company, surpassing Alphabet’s expected $146 billion.

Over the past 12 months, Alphabet earned $125 billion while Nvidia came in under $100 billion. The gap narrows quickly with Nvidia’s 50% projected revenue growth versus Alphabet’s 14%.

Global data center spending drives the expansion. Nvidia estimates capital expenditures will reach $3 trillion to $4 trillion by 2030. Its GPUs represent up to half of data center hardware costs.

Market Cap Milestone Ahead

The profit surge positions Nvidia to cross $6 trillion in market capitalization during 2026. Shares currently trade at a $4.6 trillion valuation.

At 40 times forward earnings and $170 billion in profits, the company could reach $6.8 trillion. That would make Nvidia the first company to breach the $6 trillion threshold.

Wall Street consensus shows a Strong Buy rating based on 39 Buy recommendations, one Hold, and one Sell. The average price target sits at $264.97, implying 43.34% upside from current levels.

Piper Sandler’s $225 target suggests 21% gains. Kumar’s bullish call stems from Nvidia’s technology advantages, expanding partnerships, and software ecosystem strength.

The analyst sees Vera Rubin as a key catalyst for the second half of 2026. Production is on track and customer demand remains robust for next-generation AI computing systems.

The post Nvidia (NVDA) Stock: Piper Sandler Picks Chip Maker as Best Data Center Play for 2026 appeared first on Blockonomi.

TLDR

Computer memory prices set to rise 50-55% in Q1 2026 compared to previous quarter due to AI server demand

Major suppliers Micron, SK Hynix, and Samsung have allocated all 2026 production to AI chipmakers

Manufacturing one unit of AI memory reduces consumer RAM output by three units

Laptop memory costs now account for 20% of hardware expenses, up from 10-18% in early 2025

Production facilities scheduled for 2027-2030 mean shortage will persist through next several years

The computer memory industry faces its worst supply shortage in years as artificial intelligence infrastructure consumes production capacity. RAM prices will jump over 50% this quarter while manufacturers struggle to meet demand.

AI chip producers including Nvidia, AMD, and Google need specialized memory components for their processors. This requirement has emptied warehouses and left consumer device makers without adequate supply for smartphones, laptops, and personal computers.

Micron, SK Hynix, and Samsung Electronics manufacture nearly all RAM sold globally. These three companies report complete sellout of 2026 production runs to datacenter and AI customers.

“We have seen a very sharp surge in demand for memory, and it has far outpaced our ability to supply that memory,” Micron executive Sumit Sadana said at CES in Las Vegas. The company has no remaining inventory available this year.

Memory Costs Drive Product Price Increases

TrendForce analysts forecast DRAM prices will increase 50% to 55% during the first quarter of 2026 versus the December 2025 quarter. The research firm’s Tom Hsu called this price movement unprecedented in memory market history.

RAM components now cost manufacturers about 20% of total laptop hardware expenses. This represents a jump from the 10% to 18% range seen during early 2025. Computer makers must decide whether to absorb these costs or pass them to customers.

Dell Technologies warned investors it anticipates higher manufacturing costs across all product categories. The company’s operations chief Jefferey Clarke said Dell would modify product specifications to reduce impact but expects consumer pricing to reflect the shortage.

“I don’t see how this will not make its way into the customer base,” Clarke stated on an earnings call. Apple finance chief Kevan Parekh mentioned seeing price pressure but characterized it as minimal during October remarks.

Production Tradeoffs Create Supply Gap

AI processors use high-bandwidth memory that requires complex manufacturing processes. Suppliers stack 12 to 16 memory chip layers into single components designed for extreme data transfer speeds.

This production method creates inherent supply conflicts. Each unit of high-bandwidth memory consumes enough manufacturing capacity to produce three units of standard RAM. The three-to-one tradeoff explains shortages in consumer markets despite rising overall production.

Nvidia’s new Rubin processors include 288 gigabytes of specialized memory per chip. Complete AI server systems use 72 processors together. Consumer smartphones contain 8 to 12 gigabytes of standard memory by comparison.

Market prices reflect the shortage. Technology professionals report 256GB RAM kits that sold for $300 recently now cost around $3,000. Micron shut down its consumer PC component division in December to prioritize AI and enterprise server orders.

New Factories Years Away

Memory companies are adding capacity cautiously after industry-wide losses in 2023. Micron, Western Digital, Seagate, and SK Hynix all posted negative operating results that year during the last market downturn.

Micron has two Idaho factories under construction that will begin operations in 2027 and 2028. A third facility in New York has a target date of 2030 for initial production.

Sandisk’s David Goeckeler said short contract terms from buyers make capacity investments risky. The CEO suggested customers should commit to supply agreements lasting longer than three months to justify factory construction.

Tech industry capital spending continues rising. Amazon, Google, Microsoft, and Meta spent approximately $407 billion in 2025 with projections reaching $523 billion for 2026.

Micron currently fulfills only two-thirds of customer demand, Sadana confirmed.

The post Micron and Samsung Deplete Inventory as AI Creates Consumer Memory Shortage appeared first on Blockonomi.

TLDR

SB Energy receives $1 billion investment split equally between OpenAI and SoftBank at $500 million each

The funding supports construction of OpenAI’s 1.2-gigawatt data center in Milam County, Texas

Investment is part of the $500 billion Stargate initiative backed by President Trump in January 2025

SB Energy and OpenAI form preferred partnership to develop new data center construction model

First facilities expected to begin operations in 2026 with SB Energy using OpenAI’s ChatGPT technology

OpenAI and SoftBank Group announced a $1 billion investment in SB Energy on Friday. Each company is contributing $500 million to the deal.

OpenAI and SoftBank have jointly invested $1 billion in SB Energy, an infrastructure company that’s working with the tech firms on a massive US buildout of data centers to power AI https://t.co/54CajL3tJv

— Bloomberg (@business) January 9, 2026

The investment will fund data center and power infrastructure expansion for AI operations. SB Energy is owned by SoftBank and backed by Ares Management.

The funding is part of Stargate, a $500 billion multi-year project to build AI data centers. President Donald Trump endorsed the initiative when it launched in January 2025, with Oracle also participating as a backer.

SB Energy will build and operate OpenAI’s 1.2-gigawatt data center in Milam County, Texas. OpenAI announced this facility in September 2025.

Partnership Creates New Data Center Development Model

The companies formed a non-exclusive preferred partnership to develop data center infrastructure. This model combines OpenAI’s data center design with SB Energy’s expertise in construction speed, cost management, and energy delivery.

SB Energy operates energy projects across the United States. The company has offices in Redwood City, San Diego, and Denver.

SB Energy has several multi-gigawatt data center campuses under development. Initial facilities are under construction and expected to start service in 2026.

SB Energy co-CEO Rich Hossfeld said the partnership accelerates delivery of AI data center campuses and energy infrastructure. He stated this scale is required to advance Stargate.

SB Energy will become an OpenAI customer under the agreement. The company will use OpenAI’s APIs and deploy ChatGPT for employees.

OpenAI president Greg Brockman said the partnership brings together infrastructure and energy development strength with data center engineering expertise. He described it as a fast way to scale computing through optimized AI data centers.

Energy Access Drives Tech Company Investments

Tech companies are investing directly in power infrastructure as energy access limits AI expansion. Demand for larger and more data centers is pushing electricity requirements higher.

The data center construction boom has prompted major tech firms to allocate large budgets to infrastructure. These projects require investments in chips, power systems, cooling, and servers.

SoftBank and OpenAI have deepened their relationship over the past year. OpenAI closed a $40 billion financing round led by SoftBank two months after announcing Stargate.

That round was the largest private tech funding on record. Microsoft, Coatue, Altimeter, and Thrive participated.

SoftBank sold its entire Nvidia stake for $5.83 billion in November 2025. The company said it was focusing on its OpenAI investment.

OpenAI has signed over $1.4 trillion in infrastructure deals recently to build data centers. CEO Sam Altman said in November the company was on track for over $20 billion in annualized revenue in 2025.

The post SB Energy Stock: Company Gets $1 Billion from OpenAI and SoftBank for AI Data Centers appeared first on Blockonomi.

TLDR

Millennium Management sold 91% of Palantir holdings, added 311,000 Tesla shares in Q3.

Palantir trades at 110x sales vs AppLovin’s 38x, the second-highest in S&P 500.

Tesla EV deliveries dropped 8.5% in 2025 due to Model Y refresh timing.

Model 3 sales grew 17.6% in first nine months of 2025 in U.S. market.

Tesla’s robotaxi and humanoid robot markets projected to grow 74% and 54% annually.

Israel Englander made a contrarian bet in Q3 2025. His Millennium Management fund dumped 4.5 million Palantir shares while quadrupling its Tesla stake.

Billionaire Israel Englander dumped Palantir $PLTR and loaded up on Tesla $TSLA — betting on a rebound even as EV sales and market share slipped in 2025 https://t.co/gW3Jmmb2gO

— CoinCentral (@realcoincentral) January 11, 2026

The move defies conventional wisdom. Palantir dominated returns while Tesla posted its worst annual performance. Yet Millennium’s record speaks volumes—the fund outpaced the S&P 500 by 39 percentage points over three years.

Millennium cut Palantir by 91% after it ranked among top 10 holdings. The fund added 311,000 Tesla shares despite declining EV sales. Tesla has returned 27,300% since its 2010 IPO.

Why Palantir Got Cut

Palantir’s Q3 results looked stellar. Revenue surged 63% to $1.1 billion. Customer count jumped 45%. Non-GAAP earnings climbed 110% to $0.21 per share.

Forrester Research calls Palantir a leader in AI platforms. The company excels at operationalizing AI projects. But one metric stands out: valuation.

Palantir trades at 110 times sales. AppLovin, the second-priciest S&P 500 stock, trades at 38 times sales. Palantir is nearly three times more expensive.

The stock could fall 65% and remain the index’s most expensive. No software company has sustained a 100x sales multiple long-term.

Tesla’s 2025 Struggles

Tesla delivered its worst year in recent memory. Full-year EV deliveries dropped 8.5%. Market share fell 5 percentage points. BYD overtook Tesla as the global EV leader.

The Model Y refresh drove most of the decline. The SUV represents over 25% of U.S. EV sales. Production shifts for the new Juniper model crushed first-half deliveries.

Model 3 sales tell a different story. They rose 17.6% in the first nine months of 2025 domestically. This wasn’t a Tesla problem. It was a Model Y timing issue.

Second-half numbers improved. Annualized deliveries hit 1.83 million vehicles. Analyst consensus for 2026 projects 1.75 million deliveries. The Juniper now ships globally with more affordable pricing.

The AI Play

Tesla’s future revolves around physical AI. That means robotaxis and Optimus humanoid robots, not just electric cars.

Tesla’s camera-only system cuts costs versus Waymo’s lidar approach. No expensive sensors. No high-definition mapping requirements. Just computer vision.

Tesla has 8 million vehicles on roads today. Owners can add cars to a crowdsourced robotaxi network. That fleet advantage is massive.

Elon Musk projects Optimus could hit $10 trillion in revenue eventually. He claims “Optimus will be an incredible surgeon.” The robotaxi market should grow 74% annually through 2030. Humanoid robots are projected at 54% annual growth through 2035.

Musk expects 2026 robotaxi approvals. Cybercab production starts in April. Netherlands FSD approval could arrive early in the year. Lower interest rates will help vehicle financing across the board.

The post Tesla (TSLA) Stock: Billionaire Fund Manager Exits Palantir, Loads Up on Tesla appeared first on Blockonomi.

TLDR

Michael Burry owns put options on Oracle and shorted the stock in recent months

Oracle shares fell 40% from September peak after AI-driven cloud rally faded

The company carries $95 billion debt from data center expansion efforts

Burry questioned Oracle’s cloud strategy and suggested ego drives decisions

He prefers shorting Oracle over diversified tech giants like Meta and Microsoft

Michael Burry revealed he’s betting against Oracle. The investor owns put options on Oracle shares and disclosed the position Friday.

Michael Burry just revealed put options against Oracle $ORCL, adding to his bearish AI trades after bets targeting Nvidia $NVDA and Palantir $PLTR pic.twitter.com/0rFLIm1X0n

— Trader Edge (@Pro_Trader_Edge) January 10, 2026

Burry also shorted Oracle stock directly over the last six months. He shared this information in a Substack post after markets closed.

The Big Short investor previously disclosed bearish positions on Nvidia and Palantir in November. Now he’s targeting Oracle’s cloud expansion.

“I do not like how it is positioned or the investments it is making,” Burry wrote. He called the strategy unnecessary.

When asked why he chose Oracle, Burry suggested ego might be a factor. “Maybe ego,” he stated.

Oracle has pushed hard into cloud computing services. This requires expensive data center construction. The company is borrowing heavily to fund the buildout.

Oracle Stock Performance

Oracle shares had a wild ride in 2024. The stock jumped 36% in a single September session on bullish cloud forecasts.

The company signaled strong AI-related demand for its services. Investors initially embraced the growth story.

Those gains evaporated as reality set in. Capital expenditure concerns mounted. Questions arose about cloud deal structures.

The debt load became a focus point for investors. Oracle now holds about $95 billion in outstanding debt.

This makes Oracle the biggest corporate bond issuer outside financial companies. The stock finished 2024 roughly 40% below its September peak.

Burry didn’t share specific details about his put options or short position sizes.

Selective Short Strategy

Burry explained why he avoids shorting Meta, Alphabet, and Microsoft. These companies have strong businesses beyond AI.

“If I short Meta, I’m also shorting its social media and advertising dominance,” he said. The same logic applies to Google’s search engine and Microsoft’s productivity software.

These firms can weather AI losses while maintaining profitable core operations. “These three will not go away,” Burry noted.

Oracle doesn’t have that safety cushion. The cloud strategy represents a major bet requiring huge capital commitments.

Burry views Nvidia as the purest AI short. He called it “the most loved, and least doubted.”

This makes Nvidia puts relatively cheap compared to other bearish trades. Burry would even short OpenAI at a $500 billion valuation.

His comments reflect broader skepticism about AI spending and economics. Oracle didn’t respond to requests for comment outside regular business hours.

The post Oracle (ORCL) Stock: Burry Takes Short Position on Database Company appeared first on Blockonomi.

TLDR:

South Korea ends nine-year corporate crypto ban, permits 5% equity allocation to Bitcoin and Ethereum

Major firms like Naver could deploy trillions of won into Bitcoin under new investment guidelines

Regulators limit investments to top 20 cryptocurrencies by market cap on domestic exchanges only

Industry criticizes 5% cap as US and Japan maintain no restrictions on corporate crypto holdings

South Korea has officially ended its nine-year prohibition on corporate cryptocurrency holdings. 

Listed companies and professional investors can now allocate up to 5% of their equity capital to digital assets like Bitcoin and Ethereum. The Financial Services Commission shared new trading guidelines with a public-private task force on January 6. 

Approximately 3,500 corporations are expected to participate once regulations take effect.

South Korea Corporate Bitcoin Investment Guidelines Take Shape

According to a report, the regulatory framework limits annual deposits to 5% of equity capital for risk management purposes. 

Investment targets include the top 20 cryptocurrencies by market capitalization as listed on five major domestic exchanges. Financial authorities are still deliberating whether to include dollar-based stablecoins like USDT in permitted assets. The government plans to establish standards for fractional trading and large orders to prevent excessive market volatility.

A senior financial industry official confirmed the timeline for implementation. Authorities will release final guidelines between January and February 2025. 

Corporate trading for investment and financial purposes will begin after the Framework Act on Digital Assets passes in the first quarter. Listed companies and registered professional investors should gain market access within the year.

The 2017 ban stemmed from money laundering concerns and market overheating fears. 

South Korea joins global markets in permitting institutional crypto participation. The United States and Japan impose no restrictions on corporate digital asset investments.

The European Union and Singapore also allow broad corporate cryptocurrency allocations without percentage caps.

Market Impact and Corporate Participation Potential

Major corporations could deploy significant capital under the new rules. 

Naver holds 27 trillion won in equity capital as of September 2024. A 5% allocation would enable the tech giant to acquire over 10,000 Bitcoin at current prices around 130 million won per coin. Financial institutions expect tens of trillions of won to enter the domestic market.

The domestic cryptocurrency market exceeded 10 million investors in the first half of 2024. 

However, 76 trillion won flowed out of the country during the same period. Individual investors comprise nearly 100% of market participants, driving speculative behavior. Altcoins represent approximately twice the market capitalization percentage compared to overseas markets.

Industry participants welcome the regulatory shift but question the 5% limitation. 

A financial sector insider noted that investment caps do not exist in competing markets. The restriction could limit fund inflows and prevent specialized cryptocurrency investment firms from emerging. Corporate entry is expected to reduce speculative demand and establish long-term investment foundations.

The regulatory approval accelerates the development of won-denominated stablecoins and Bitcoin spot ETFs. Corporations bring substantial financial resources and risk management expertise to the market. 

Exchange operators selected assets within the top 20 by market cap on a semiannual basis. Financial authorities designed the framework to minimize volatility while enabling institutional participation.

The post South Korea Finally Lets Corporations Buy Crypto After Nine-Year Freeze appeared first on Blockonomi.

TLDR

Citi Research upgraded Palantir Technologies (PLTR) to Buy from Neutral with a price target raised to $235 from $210

Palantir stock surged 135% in 2025, crushing the S&P 500’s 16% gain during the same period

Analyst Tyler Radke expects continued growth driven by enterprise AI adoption, AI agents, and increased global defense spending

The stock trades at a forward P/E ratio of 177.61 compared to the S&P 500’s 22.49, but bulls say valuation is justified

Citi estimates fiscal 2026 government revenue growth at 51% year-over-year, roughly 800 basis points above consensus expectations

Palantir Technologies got a vote of confidence from Citi Research on Monday morning. Analyst Tyler Radke upgraded shares to Buy from Neutral and bumped his price target to $235 from $210.

The stock climbed 0.7% in premarket trading following the upgrade. Shares had already gained 135% in 2025, leaving the S&P 500’s 16% increase in the dust.

Radke believes the data analytics company has “broken” traditional valuation frameworks. The stock trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 177.61 as of Friday’s close. That’s nearly eight times the S&P 500’s multiple of 22.49.

But the analyst isn’t worried about the stretched valuation. He thinks Palantir’s growth story has more room to run.

The upgrade comes as the stock has traded sideways despite Radke raising his revenue estimates by more than 10% since mid-year. He expects 2026 to bring another wave of positive estimate revisions.

Recent conversations with chief information officers and industry contacts suggest AI budgets and use cases are picking up speed in the enterprise sector. That plays right into Palantir’s wheelhouse.

Enterprise AI and Government Defense Spending

The company’s strength in data ontology positions it well for 2026 themes. Enterprise AI adoption is accelerating. AI agents are gaining traction. Defense spending is ramping up globally.

Radke’s government revenue estimates are particularly bullish. He expects 51% year-over-year growth in fiscal 2026, about 800 basis points above what other analysts are forecasting.

There’s even potential for 70% or higher growth in the government segment. A defense supercycle is building. The 2025 government shutdown created easy comparisons. International allies are modernizing their systems.

Golden Dome and Defense Initiatives

Radke will be watching announcements around Golden Dome and other major defense initiatives. These programs could serve as catalysts throughout the year. The financial impact would likely hit harder in 2027.

The analyst described Palantir’s recent performance as featuring “vicious growth acceleration and equally impressive margin expansion.” Revenue growth has been strong. Profit margins have widened at the same time.

Citi raised its estimates alongside the upgrade. The firm now projects higher revenue numbers for both 2025 and 2026. The price target of $235 implies roughly 31% upside from Friday’s closing price of $178.94.

Defense modernization urgency is spreading across U.S. allies. Budget allocations are increasing. Palantir’s government contracts could benefit from both trends.

The company’s commercial business is also seeing momentum. AI project implementations are moving from pilot phases to production deployments. That transition typically brings larger contract values and longer-term commitments.

Citi’s upgrade represents a shift in thinking about Palantir’s valuation. Traditional metrics suggested the stock was overvalued. But Radke argues the growth profile justifies premium pricing.

The analyst’s revenue estimates now sit 10% above where they were in mid-2026. That’s a material increase over a relatively short time period.

Palantir’s data platform has become central to how enterprises and governments approach AI deployment. The company’s ontology layer helps organizations structure and use their data more effectively.

Radke expects government growth to accelerate from an already strong baseline. The 51% growth estimate for fiscal 2026 would represent a meaningful pickup from current levels.

Citi upgraded Palantir stock to Buy with a $235 price target, citing accelerating AI adoption and defense spending despite elevated valuation.

The post Palantir (PLTR) Stock Gains as Citi Upgrades to Buy on AI and Defense Contracts appeared first on Blockonomi.

TLDR

Oklo stock rose 8% Friday after Meta Platforms agreed to prepay for energy from Ohio nuclear project

Meta funding helps Oklo develop 1.2-gigawatt facility to power AI data centers, expected online by 2030

Stock has gained 260% year over year despite $15 billion market cap and zero current revenue

Company still needs Nuclear Regulatory Commission design approval before building full-scale reactors

Meta’s prepayment validates Oklo’s nuclear technology for powering AI infrastructure needs

Oklo stock closed up nearly 8% Friday after announcing an energy supply deal with Meta Platforms. The nuclear technology company will provide power for Meta’s AI data centers.

Meta agreed to prepay for electricity from Oklo’s 1.2-gigawatt project in Pike County, Ohio. The funding helps Oklo obtain nuclear fuel and advance Phase 1 development on 206 acres purchased from the Department of Energy.

Oklo plans to start site suitability studies and pre-construction activities this year. The first phase should come online by 2030.

“Meta’s funding commitment in support of early procurement and development activity is a major step in moving advanced nuclear forward,” Oklo CEO Jacob DeWitte said.

Nuclear Power for AI Growth

AI companies need massive amounts of electricity for data centers. Nuclear power offers cleaner, potentially more affordable energy than gas-fired plants.

Meta’s deal shows how tech giants are locking in future energy supplies. Oklo designs small fast-spectrum reactors to provide reliable power at scale.

The stock jumped as high as 18.6% during Friday’s session before settling at 8%. This extends Oklo’s strong run into 2026.

Valuation Concerns Remain

Oklo stock has surged 260% year over year. Shares were up almost 30% year to date as of January 8.

The company carries a $15 billion market cap but generates no revenue today. Oklo plans to own and operate nuclear facilities, selling electricity under long-term power purchase agreements.

Oklo recently signed an agreement with the Department of Energy for a radioisotope pilot facility through its Atomic Alchemy subsidiary. Even with this expansion, significant sales could take years.

The company hasn’t secured a Nuclear Regulatory Commission design license yet. Oklo also hasn’t built or operated a full-scale Aurora powerhouse.

Reactors might not perform as expected in real-world conditions. The NRC approval process continues without guarantees.

For near-term investors, upside could be limited by unproven fundamentals. Long-term investors willing to wait five or 10 years might see different results if Oklo gets NRC approval.

The Meta deal represents real progress toward commercialization. Major tech companies backing Oklo’s technology validates the business model to some degree.

Oklo shares traded between $104.03 and $115.72 Friday with volume of 40,000 shares. The 52-week range stands at $17.42 to $193.84.

The post Oklo Stock Jumps as Meta Platforms Prepays for Ohio Nuclear Project Energy appeared first on Blockonomi.

TLDR

NovaBay Pharmaceuticals stock surged 103% Friday, closing at $19.16 with 10 million shares traded.

The company sold Avenova trademark to PRN Physician Recommended Nutriceuticals effective January 17, 2025.

NovaBay board approved dissolution plan for shareholder vote to unlock remaining value.

Pre-funded warrants allow conversion to common shares after January 1, 2026, pending approval.

Next earnings report scheduled for March 26 after market close.

NovaBay Pharmaceuticals closed Friday up 103% at $19.16. The stock opened lower and climbed throughout the session.

Trading volume exceeded 10 million shares during regular hours. That volume brought the stock back onto momentum trader watchlists.

The intraday range stretched from $9.69 to $19.95. After-hours pricing showed shares near $20.50 heading into the weekend.

NovaBay sold its Avenova trademark to PRN Physician Recommended Nutriceuticals. The transaction became effective January 17, 2025, according to SEC filings.

The company also sold PhaseOne and NeutroPhase U.S. trademarks. That deal closed January 8, 2025.

Dissolution Plan Gets Board Approval

The board determined dissolution offers the best path to unlock remaining shareholder value. Investors will vote on the wind-down plan in coming months.

NovaBay held $5.3 million in cash and equivalents at the end of June 2025. Outstanding shares totaled 5.82 million as of August 12, 2025.

Last August, NovaBay paid a special cash dividend of $0.80 per share. CEO David Lazar described it as a commitment to returning value directly to stockholders.

The stock previously hit a 52-week high of $11.49. That milestone marked a 2,141% gain over the prior year.

Warrant Structure and Leadership Change

Pre-funded warrants linked to an investor agreement can convert to common shares after January 1, 2026. Shareholder approval is required for conversion.

The warrant structure lets buyers pay upfront and convert shares later. This setup is common in small-cap financing deals.

CEO David Lazar will resign following a stock transfer agreement with R01 Fund LP and Framework Ventures IV L.P. Lazar will transfer rights to 441,325 shares of Series D Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock.

He will also transfer purchase rights for 268,750 shares of Series E Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock. Both transfers are part of the investor agreement.

NovaBay’s market cap reached $1.38 billion despite revenue of just $10.3 million. The company posted revenue growth of 390% but analysts don’t expect profitability this year.

The stock delivered a 2,104% return over six months. The past week alone showed a 61% gain before Friday’s doubling.

Small-cap stocks with thin trading can see sharp price swings. The same volume driving rallies can reverse quickly on profit-taking or outlook changes.

Markets reopen Monday with focus on whether volume continues. Traders are watching for any new company disclosures after last week’s move.

NovaBay’s next earnings report is due March 26 after the close.

The post NovaBay Pharmaceuticals (NBY) Stock: Why Shares Exploded 103% on Friday appeared first on Blockonomi.

TLDR

Eli Lilly preparing €15 billion acquisition offer for French biotech Abivax, awaiting French Finance Ministry guidance

Tirzepatide generated $24.8 billion revenue in first nine months of 2025, becoming world’s best-selling drug

Orforglipron oral weight loss treatment under priority review with decision expected by February 2026

Retatrutide achieved 28.7% mean weight loss in phase 3 trials, highest industry performance recorded

Stock trades at 33 times forward earnings with P/E-to-growth ratio of 0.98

Eli Lilly is preparing a €15 billion acquisition offer for French biotech company Abivax. The pharmaceutical company has not submitted a formal proposal yet.

The deal requires guidance from the French Finance Ministry first. Eli Lilly needs clarity on foreign investment control requirements before proceeding with an official bid.

The potential acquisition would expand Eli Lilly’s European biotech operations. The company continues generating strong revenue from its weight loss and diabetes portfolio.

Tirzepatide produced $24.8 billion in revenue through the first nine months of 2025. The drug surpassed Keytruda to become the world’s best-selling medicine.

Sold as Mounjaro for diabetes and Zepbound for obesity, tirzepatide shows no signs of slowing. Analysts forecast sales could reach $62 billion by 2030.

Eli Lilly reached a $1 trillion market cap in 2025. The company became the first healthcare firm to hit this milestone.

Oral Weight Loss Drug Nears Approval

Orforglipron represents Eli Lilly’s next major product launch. The oral weight loss and diabetes candidate completed phase 3 trials successfully.

Regulators granted the drug a priority review voucher. This designation shortens the review period from 10-12 months to just one or two months.

Eli Lilly expects an approval decision by the end of February 2026. Orforglipron is already under regulatory consideration.

Competition in weight loss treatments continues growing. Novo Nordisk recently approved the first oral weight loss pill.

Amgen and Pfizer are also developing competing products. Eli Lilly’s clinical data remains industry-leading.

Record Weight Loss Results Achieved

Retatrutide delivered 28.7% mean weight loss at the highest dose in phase 3 trials. No other weight loss treatment has matched this performance.

The results strengthen Eli Lilly’s dominance in obesity medications. Tirzepatide has also gained approval for obstructive sleep apnea treatment.

These additional indications expand market opportunities. The drug’s versatility supports continued revenue growth.

Eli Lilly stock trades at 33 times forward earnings. The healthcare sector average is 18.2 times forward earnings.

The company’s P/E-to-growth ratio stands at 0.98. This suggests undervaluation despite premium pricing.

Strong revenue and earnings growth justify the higher valuation. The pipeline supports continued expansion expectations.

Eli Lilly maintains multiple growth catalysts heading into 2026. Tirzepatide sales keep climbing while new treatments near launch.

The company awaits French regulatory guidance on the Abivax acquisition. Eli Lilly will submit its €15 billion offer after receiving formal direction from the French Finance Ministry.

The post Eli Lilly (LLY) Stock: Pharma Giant Eyes €15 Billion French Buyout appeared first on Blockonomi.

TLDR

Nineteen analysts rate IREN “Moderate Buy” with a $67.64 average price target, 47% above the current $46.03 price.

Q1 fiscal 2026 revenue hit $240.3 million, up 355% year-over-year, though EPS missed at ($0.34) versus $0.14 expected.

A $9.7 billion five-year Microsoft agreement will generate $1.94 billion annually deploying NVIDIA GB300 GPUs in Texas.

Bernstein analyst named IREN his top AI pick for 2026 as the company transitions from Bitcoin mining to AI infrastructure.

Sweetwater facility energization scheduled for April 2026 will add 1.4 gigawatts of capacity and 140,000 GPU deployment target.

IREN Limited closed Friday at $46.03, up 0.7% as analysts debate whether the stock’s 30% pullback from its $76.87 high creates a buying opportunity.

Nineteen analysts cover the stock with a “Moderate Buy” consensus. Twelve recommend buying, five rate it hold, and two say sell. The average 12-month price target of $67.64 suggests 47% upside from current levels.

Bernstein analyst Gautam Chhugani called IREN his “top AI pick” for 2026 on Friday. He urged investors to buy the dip and said crypto markets have bottomed. Sanford C. Bernstein maintains an “outperform” rating with a $75 target.

BTIG Research lifted its target from $32 to $75 in October. Roth Capital set a $94 price target in November. JPMorgan raised its target from $28 to $39 but kept an “underweight” rating.

Revenue Explosion Meets Earnings Reality

Q1 fiscal 2026 results showed IREN’s transformation in numbers. Revenue reached $240.3 million, up 355% year-over-year. That growth reflects the shift from pure Bitcoin mining to AI data center services.

The earnings miss tells a different story. IREN posted ($0.34) EPS versus the $0.14 consensus, missing by 48 cents. Revenue also came in below the $244.6 million estimate.

Adjusted EBITDA hit $92 million for the quarter. Net margin reached 86.96% while return on equity was negative at 3.60%. Analysts forecast 0.43 EPS for the full fiscal year.

The stock carries a market cap of $13.05 billion with a 23.73 price-to-earnings ratio. Its 4.25 beta reflects high volatility relative to the broader market.

The Microsoft Game Changer

November 2025 brought a $9.7 billion five-year Microsoft agreement. The deal will generate approximately $1.94 billion in annual revenue with 85% EBITDA margins projected.

IREN will deploy NVIDIA GB300 graphics processing units at its Childress, Texas campus. Co-CEO Daniel Roberts called it a “milestone partnership” that validates the company’s technical capabilities.

The contract provides stable revenue compared to volatile cryptocurrency mining. IREN raised $1 billion through convertible notes in late 2025 to fund the infrastructure buildout.

Sweetwater facility energization is scheduled for April 2026. That project adds 1.4 gigawatts of power capacity. Management targets 140,000 GPU deployments by year-end 2026. Total secured power capacity now stands at 3 gigawatts.

Institutional investors own 41.08% of shares. Value Aligned Research Advisors holds 3,873,337 shares worth $181.8 million after increasing its stake 18.6% in Q3.

Bitcoin traded near $90,600 heading into the weekend. Mining peers showed mixed performance: Marathon Digital fell 2.0%, Riot Platforms rose 1.3%, CleanSpark dropped 3.1%.

December CPI data arrives January 13 at 8:30 a.m. ET. The Fed’s next policy meeting runs January 27-28. Traders pared rate cut expectations after Friday’s jobs data.

IREN filed a Form S-8 to register 17.5 million shares for its 2025 employee compensation plan. The next earnings release is expected around February 11 according to Zacks.

The post IREN Stock: Bernstein Names Top AI Pick Despite Earnings Miss appeared first on Blockonomi.

TLDR

Apple secured 20% global smartphone market share in 2025, beating all competitors

iPhone 17 series and strong emerging market demand powered Apple’s market leadership

Samsung ranked second with 19% share while Xiaomi captured 13% of global shipments

Apple reports Q1 Fiscal 2026 earnings January 29 with $2.67 EPS expected

Counterpoint warns 2026 smartphone market faces chip shortages and rising costs

Apple claimed the top position in global smartphone sales for 2025 with a 20% market share, according to Counterpoint Research. The company beat all competitors in a year when global shipments grew just 2%.

The iPhone 17 series drove much of Apple’s success. Strong demand from emerging and mid-sized markets helped the company capture the largest share among the top five smartphone makers.

Samsung placed second with 19% market share. Xiaomi took third with 13%, supported by steady demand in emerging markets.

Apple’s market leadership comes just weeks before the company reports earnings. Q1 Fiscal 2026 results drop on January 29.

Wall Street expects Apple to post $2.67 earnings per share, up 11% year-over-year. Revenue forecasts point to $137.41 billion, a 10.5% increase from last year.

Market Growth and Competitive Landscape

Global smartphone shipments rose 2% in 2025. Improved economic conditions in emerging markets supported the modest gain.

Apple’s 20% share gave it a one-percentage-point lead over Samsung. The gap between first and second place remained tight throughout the year.

Many manufacturers rushed shipments early in 2025 to avoid potential tariffs. This created a temporary boost in first-half volumes.

The effect faded by mid-year. Second-half shipment volumes stayed largely flat as the early rush subsided.

Outlook for 2026

Counterpoint predicts a softer smartphone market in 2026. Chip shortages will likely limit production capacity.

Component costs are rising across the industry. Chipmakers are prioritizing AI data centers over smartphone chips, which could tighten supply further.

Higher costs may push device prices up or squeeze manufacturer profit margins. The supply constraints present challenges for all smartphone makers.

Analyst Ratings and Price Targets

Analysts maintain a Moderate Buy rating on Apple stock. The consensus includes 19 Buy ratings, 11 Hold ratings, and two Sell ratings from the past three months.

The average price target sits at $299.49 per share. This implies 15.47% upside potential from current levels.

Apple proved it can gain market share even in a slow-growth environment. The company’s 2025 performance shows continued strength in key markets, with the iPhone 17 series resonating with buyers in emerging regions where smartphone demand remains steady.

The post Apple (AAPL) Stock: Takes 20% Global Smartphone Market Share in 2025 appeared first on Blockonomi.

TLDR

Walmart plans to expand drone delivery to 270 stores by end of 2027, up from 120 stores currently

Partnership with Google’s Gemini AI assistant will help shoppers discover and buy products more easily

Drone service reaches over 40 million shoppers in new markets including Los Angeles, Houston, and Miami

Company already partnered with OpenAI’s ChatGPT in October for “Instant Checkout” feature

Wing drones carry up to 5 pounds and deliver within 30 minutes, free for Walmart+ members

Walmart announced plans to expand drone delivery to 150 additional stores by the end of 2027. This brings the total to 270 stores offering the service.

Google $GOOGL owned Wing posted this today:

“The future of retail is landing! We’re expanding our partnership with Walmart to 150 new stores , bringing drone delivery to 40M+ Americans from LA to Miami”
pic.twitter.com/hvaCBn8sY6

— Evan (@StockMKTNewz) January 12, 2026

The retailer currently partners with Alphabet’s Wing and Zipline for drone operations. Service areas include Dallas-Fort Worth, Atlanta, Northwest Arkansas, and Charlotte, N.C.

The expansion will reach over 40 million Walmart shoppers, up from 2 million today. New markets include Los Angeles, Houston, Cincinnati, St. Louis, and several Florida cities like Orlando, Tampa, and Miami.

Wing’s drones carry up to 5 pounds over 6-mile round trips. They deliver small tethered boxes in yards within 30 minutes.

Customers typically use drone delivery for last-minute essentials like ingredients or medicine. About 25% of customers use the service three times weekly.

Walmart offers drone delivery free to Walmart+ members. Other customers pay $19.99 for the service.

Google Partnership Targets AI Shopping

Walmart and Google announced a partnership Sunday at the National Retail Federation’s Big Show in New York City. Shoppers will use Google’s Gemini AI assistant to discover and buy products from Walmart and Sam’s Club.

Incoming CEO John Furner and Google CEO Sundar Pichai shared the news on stage. The companies did not disclose financial terms or a specific launch date.

The experience will start first in the U.S. before expanding internationally. Furner called the transition from traditional search to agent-led commerce “the next great evolution in retail.”

This follows Walmart’s October deal with OpenAI’s ChatGPT. That partnership introduced “Instant Checkout,” allowing buyers to purchase items without leaving the chatbot.

OpenAI has similar deals with Etsy and Shopify merchants like Skims, Vuori, and Spanx. Walmart also runs its own AI chatbot called Sparky on its app.

David Guggina, Walmart U.S.’s chief ecommerce officer, said agentic AI helps meet customers earlier in their shopping journey. The technology works across multiple platforms, reducing reliance on Walmart’s app and website.

Challenges and Competition

Drone delivery faces several obstacles. Requirements like human spotters for each drone have limited growth.

Complaints center on noise, safety, privacy concerns, and weather constraints. These factors could slow the planned expansion.

Competitors Amazon and DoorDash also offer drone delivery in select areas. The race for last-mile delivery innovation continues across the retail sector.

Furner said Walmart is “trying to close the gap between I want it and I have it.” The company views AI as central to this mission.

Walmart leaders have discussed how AI will change the workforce and employee roles. Current CEO Doug McMillon, who retires February 1, said AI “is going to change literally every job.”

On TipRanks, WMT stock has a Strong Buy consensus rating based on 25 Buys and one Hold rating. The average Walmart price target of $125.75 implies 9.8% upside potential from current levels.

The post Walmart (WMT) Stock: Retailer Pushes Into Drone Delivery and Google Gemini AI Shopping Tool appeared first on Blockonomi.