Blockonomi

TLDR:

Global liquidity continues rising, and equity markets remain aligned with historical liquidity-led cycles.

Bitcoin pricing reflects elevated fear despite supportive macro and financial conditions.

Financial conditions indices show easing, not stress, across rates, credit, and the dollar.

The 2026 market debate centers entirely on the future direction of global liquidity.

 

Global liquidity Bitcoin divergence is drawing attention across macro and crypto markets as 2026 approaches. Equities and credit continue to reflect expanding liquidity conditions. 

Bitcoin, however, remains disconnected from these signals. Recent chart analysis shared by Julien Bittel presents a clear divergence that now defines the risk asset debate.

Global Liquidity Keeps Equities Anchored Near Record Levels

Julien Bittel recently shared a detailed macro thread comparing global liquidity with equity performance. 

The analysis uses the GMI Daily Liquidity Composite with a twelve-week lead. This relationship has remained stable across multiple cycles.

From 2023 through 2024, liquidity trended higher with modest interruptions. Equity markets followed with volatility but maintained upward structure. When liquidity dipped in mid-2024, equities corrected shortly after.

I posted this earlier in the week on @RealVision, but thought it was worth sharing here as well, just to give everyone something to think about.

If you step back and look at the data, something interesting is happening in markets right now…

When you line up liquidity with… pic.twitter.com/VNOO1elQ9r

— Julien Bittel, CFA (@BittelJulien) January 15, 2026

Liquidity then rebounded aggressively into late 2024 and early 2025. That rebound accurately preceded the strong equity rally seen in 2025. This reinforced liquidity’s role as a forward indicator.

Current liquidity readings show a decisive move to new highs into 2026. Equity markets remain near record levels but have not fully matched the liquidity surge. Historically, such gaps tend to close through equity catch-up rather than liquidity reversal.

Bittel’s charts suggest equities are behaving as expected within a rising liquidity regime. Credit spreads remain contained. Broader risk assets continue to reflect expansion rather than contraction.

Bitcoin Divergence Signals Excess Fear, Not Macro Stress

A separate chart compares global liquidity with Bitcoin price behavior. Historically, Bitcoin acts as a high-beta response to liquidity changes. Rising liquidity has often produced amplified Bitcoin rallies.

That pattern broke during 2025. Liquidity accelerated while Bitcoin corrected sharply. The divergence widened as equities and other risk assets held firm.

Bittel notes that events around October temporarily disrupted Bitcoin price discovery. Since then, sentiment and positioning appear to dominate crypto pricing. Macro conditions do not confirm the level of caution reflected in Bitcoin.

Additional charts compare Bitcoin with a macro composite. This includes the dollar, interest rates, BTC-correlated commodities, and equity styles. The macro basket trends higher through 2025 and into 2026.

Bitcoin momentum, however, falls deep into negative territory. This creates what Bittel describes as an excess fear gap. Financial conditions indices remain stable to easing during this period.

Historically, such gaps do not persist for extended periods. Resolution typically comes through asset repricing or macro deterioration. Current data does not show broad tightening across liquidity or financial conditions.

Rates remain contained. Dollar pressure remains limited. Credit conditions remain supportive. These factors reduce the probability that Bitcoin weakness reflects systemic stress.

Instead, the divergence frames a sentiment-driven disconnect within crypto markets. Bittel emphasizes probabilities rather than forecasts. As long as liquidity continues rising, pressure builds on the divergence.

The broader market focus now rests on alignment. Either Bitcoin realigns with liquidity, or liquidity trends reverse. For now, global liquidity Bitcoin divergence remains the defining macro tension heading into 2026.

The post Bitcoin Lags While Global Liquidity and Equities Signal Ongoing Expansion appeared first on Blockonomi.

TLDR:

Bitmine’s $200 million stake in Beast Industries targets 450 million subscribers as blockchain wallet users.

Beast Industries plans Q2 beta launch of financial platform with embedded decentralized finance features.

ARK Invest, Kraken, and Fundstrat back the deal, signaling institutional confidence in creator-led adoption.

MrBeast’s 1.4 billion quarterly views position content as primary distribution channel for retail DeFi access.

 

Bitmine, recognized as the largest corporate Ethereum holder globally, has committed $200 million to acquire a stake in Beast Industries, the business empire of content creator MrBeast. 

The investment arrives as the digital asset sector seeks effective channels to reach mainstream retail audiences. 

Industry observers note the deal represents more than traditional brand partnerships, pointing instead to strategic infrastructure development for decentralized finance adoption.

Unprecedented Reach Meets Blockchain Capital

MrBeast commands an audience of 450 million subscribers across his content platforms. His channels generated 1.4 billion views during the past 90 days, while Beast Industries reported $473 million in revenue for 2025. The creator’s demographic skews heavily toward Generation Z and Generation Alpha audiences.

Analyst Shanaka Anslem Perera highlighted the strategic implications on social media platform X.

“This isn’t a crypto company buying brand exposure. This is the construction of the largest retail DeFi onramp ever built,” Perera wrote. The investment comes from Bitmine’s substantial Ethereum treasury holdings.

JUST IN: The largest corporate Ethereum holder on Earth just acquired a stake in the most powerful content creator in human history.

$200 million from Bitmine into MrBeast’s Beast Industries.

Here’s what every analyst is missing:

This isn’t a crypto company buying brand… pic.twitter.com/cmv0XBNYQ9

— Shanaka Anslem Perera (@shanaka86) January 15, 2026

The deal attracted backing from prominent financial entities. Cathie Wood’s ARK Invest, cryptocurrency exchange Kraken, and Tom Lee’s Fundstrat joined the funding round. 

These institutional participants bring experience in both traditional finance and digital asset markets to the arrangement.

Platform Development and Market Positioning

Beast Industries plans to launch a financial platform featuring embedded decentralized finance capabilities. The timeline indicates a beta release by the second quarter, with full deployment expected before year end. 

Each MrBeast video could serve as an introduction point for blockchain wallet adoption among viewers unfamiliar with cryptocurrency infrastructure.

The transaction closes within four days. Following the platform launch, market participants anticipate measurable user metrics that could reshape industry assumptions about retail cryptocurrency adoption rates. 

Traditional financial institutions have focused on exchange-traded fund flows as primary indicators of market growth.

However, this partnership creates direct access between Ethereum capital and hundreds of millions of content consumers. 

The creator economy emerges as a potentially powerful distribution mechanism for blockchain technology. 

MrBeast’s content strategy, known for ambitious challenges and substantial giveaways, could translate into practical transaction experiences for viewers.

The investment reflects broader trends where content creators develop financial products for their audiences. Beast Industries already operates multiple business lines beyond video production. 

Adding blockchain-based financial services extends this diversification while providing Bitmine with youth-oriented market access that traditional cryptocurrency companies struggle to achieve through conventional marketing approaches.

The post Bitmine Invests $200M in MrBeast’s Beast Industries for DeFi Distribution Infrastructure appeared first on Blockonomi.

TLDR:

Hedera progressed from pilot testing to live institutional deployments across finance, public infrastructure, and AI systems.

Regulated tokenized assets on Hedera operated within existing legal, reporting, and compliance frameworks globally.

HashSphere enabled hybrid blockchain models balancing privacy, interoperability, and public ledger transparency.

Verifiable AI tooling strengthened auditability standards aligned with regulatory and enterprise requirements.

Hedera (HBAR) trades at $0.119 as of writing, posting a 24-hour volume of $186.5 million. The token slipped 5.38% over the past day, while holding flat on the weekly chart. 

This price action comes as Hedera records growing institutional traction across tokenization, hybrid blockchain networks, and verifiable AI infrastructure.

Institutional Tokenization Enters Regulated Financial Workflows

Hedera’s 2025 developments reflected growing institutional confidence in public distributed ledger infrastructure. Financial institutions adopted tokenized assets that operated within established regulatory and operational frameworks. 

Tokenized UK money market fund units and gilts were issued on Hedera and used as collateral in live foreign exchange trades between Lloyds Banking Group and Aberdeen.

The Canary HBAR ETF began trading on Nasdaq, marking a notable milestone for blockchain-native assets entering traditional capital markets. 

A lot has been happening across the Hedera ecosystem. From continued momentum in tokenization and trust to real-world adoption taking shape, it’s been an exciting stretch for the network.

Huge thanks to the community, builders, partners, and governing Council for making it all…

— Hedera (@hedera) January 14, 2026

Archax later facilitated an out-of-hours transaction of the tokenized ETF during a U.S. market holiday, demonstrating operational flexibility without altering regulatory structures.

Additional activity across the ecosystem reinforced this trend. The Australian Digital Dollar launched on Hedera using Stablecoin Studio, while KAIO expanded access to alternative funds. 

Swarm introduced compliant tokenized equities and commodities, including U.S. stocks and gold. Hedera’s Asset Tokenization Studio added ERC-3643 support, complementing existing ERC-1400 functionality for regulated assets.

Institutional real estate tokenization also advanced. StegX tokenized more than $100 million in assets using jurisdiction-aware standards that embedded compliance requirements directly into token lifecycles. 

These deployments reflected execution-focused adoption rather than experimental testing.

Hybrid Networks and Verifiable AI Strengthen Infrastructure Trust

Beyond asset tokenization, Hedera expanded its role through hybrid infrastructure and AI accountability tools. HashSphere launched as a managed platform enabling private, permissioned networks to interoperate with Hedera’s public ledger. 

This model addressed enterprise requirements for privacy, jurisdictional control, and regulatory oversight. HashSphere was incorporated into initiatives such as Australia’s Project Acacia, which explored wholesale CBDC issuance and interoperability. 

In Qatar, a digital receipt system pilot supported Shariah-compliant, asset-backed finance through collaboration with financial institutions and technology providers. AI accountability formed another pillar of Hedera’s 2025 strategy. 

The launch of AI Studio provided open-source tooling for building transparent and auditable AI applications. Hedera also joined the Decentralized AI Society to contribute enterprise experience to emerging standards.

EQTY Lab introduced a Verifiable Compute platform integrating NVIDIA Blackwell hardware with Hedera Consensus Service to anchor immutable AI computation logs.

Governance updates supported these efforts, as the Hedera Foundation refined its mandate and the Hedera Council expanded with members from energy, technology, and infrastructure sectors. 

Together, these developments positioned Hedera as infrastructure evaluated by institutions rather than emerging technology.

The post Hedera Gains Institutional Ground as Tokenization and AI Reach Production appeared first on Blockonomi.

TLDR:

MetaMask now supports TRON natively alongside Solana and Bitcoin in its multichain wallet platform.
Users can swap between TRON, EVM, Solana, and Bitcoin networks without requiring additional wallet applications.

TRON processes over $21 billion in daily stablecoin transfers across millions of active global accounts.

The integration provides access to TRON dApps, USDT transfers, and TRX staking through MetaMask’s interface.

 

MetaMask has integrated native TRON support into its wallet infrastructure, enabling users to access TRON’s blockchain network directly through both mobile and browser extension platforms. 

The integration marks a significant expansion of MetaMask’s multichain capabilities, bringing TRON alongside other non-EVM networks like Solana and Bitcoin. 

Users can now manage TRON-based digital assets and interact with decentralized applications without requiring additional wallet solutions.

Unified Access to Multiple Blockchain Networks

The TRON integration provides MetaMask users with seamless connectivity across multiple blockchain ecosystems within a single wallet interface. 

Users can execute swaps between TRON, EVM-compatible chains, Solana, and Bitcoin networks directly through the platform. 

This eliminates the need for managing separate wallets or navigating complex technical processes.

TRON DAO announced the development through its official channels, confirming that Consensys-developed MetaMask now supports the full range of TRON network functionalities. 

The integration allows users to send USDT transfers, stake TRX tokens, and connect to native TRON decentralized applications. 

TRON announced today that @MetaMask has launched native TRON support across both its mobile and browser extension platforms.

Through this integration, TRON’s reliable and accessible blockchain infrastructure becomes available within MetaMask’s multichain self-custody… pic.twitter.com/ZZnDlJ1EsV

— TRON DAO (@trondao) January 15, 2026

These features operate within MetaMask’s established security framework while maintaining TRON’s characteristic low transaction costs.

The wallet integration addresses practical user needs by consolidating blockchain access points. Sam Elfarra, Community Spokesperson at TRON DAO, stated that the integration “significantly broadens access to a blockchain that processes more than $21 billion in daily stablecoin transfer volume.” 

He added that the development “empowers more users worldwide to interact with TRON’s growing ecosystem directly through a familiar wallet environment, supporting real-world payment and DeFi use cases at scale.”

Expanding Access to High-Volume Stablecoin Network

TRON processes substantial daily stablecoin transfer volume, serving millions of active accounts across regions including Asia, Latin America, and Africa. 

The blockchain has established itself as a core settlement layer for global stablecoin activity. MetaMask’s integration brings this high-performance network to users who previously required separate wallet solutions.

Rizvi Haider, Staff Product Manager at MetaMask, explained that “native TRON integration represents another milestone in our multichain expansion strategy, joining Solana and Bitcoin as non-EVM networks now accessible through a unified interface.” 

He characterized the development as meeting “users where they are as we continue to move closer to delivering a truly universal gateway to the decentralized economy.”

The collaboration combines TRON’s blockchain infrastructure with MetaMask’s wallet technology to reduce barriers for both emerging and established market participants. 

The integration supports real-world payment applications and decentralized finance use cases at scale. 

Users benefit from TRON’s fast transaction processing and cost efficiency while accessing the network through MetaMask’s widely adopted platform.

The post MetaMask Integrates Native TRON Support for Seamless Multi-Chain Asset Management appeared first on Blockonomi.

TLDR:

SUI remains bullish if weekly closes stay above $1.20, validating the macro accumulation structure.

The $1.50–$1.30 weekly demand zone has already delivered a 45–50% bounce for early buyers.

Resistance at $3.50–$4.80 must break and hold before SUI can target $5 and continue upward momentum.

Long-term bullish targets of $10 and $20 remain achievable if higher lows hold and structure remains intact.

 

The price of Sui is $1.83 as of writing. Its 24-hour trading volume is $1.3 billion. SUI gained 0.69% in the last 24 hours and 4.07% over the past week. 

With 3.8 billion coins in circulation, the market cap stands at $6.93 billion. Short-term momentum shows steady buyer interest.

Weekly Accumulation Confirms Market Strength

SUI is currently forming a textbook high-timeframe accumulation structure following a correction from 2024 highs. The weekly chart shows a liquidity sweep at lows, followed by immediate recovery. 

This movement indicates that smart money has absorbed selling pressure. CryptoPatel highlights that the $1.50–$1.30 weekly order block has been fully respected. 

It overlaps with a Fair Value Gap, creating a high-probability demand zone. From this zone, price has already delivered a 45–50% bounce, confirming its strength for future upward moves.

$SUI PRICE PREDICTION | IS $20 POSSIBLE? | ANALYSIS BY CRYPTOPATEL#SUI Is Holding A HTF Accumulation Zone On The Weekly Chart After A Deep Correction From 2024 Highs. Market Structure Suggests Re-Accumulation With Smart Money Participation.

Current Technical Structure:
… pic.twitter.com/iITvWxvLaj

— Crypto Patel (@CryptoPatel) January 15, 2026

The rising channel structure remains intact, showing that the macro bullish trend has not been broken. Weekly closes above the $1.20 macro validation level ensure the market maintains its bullish structure. 

Short-term price action shows higher lows forming, signaling buyers are actively absorbing dips rather than exiting positions.This accumulation phase suggests that the market is transitioning from a corrective structure to an impulsive upward trend. 

Historically, major expansions in SUI have originated from similar structural compressions. Traders monitoring weekly levels above $1.20 are likely to see continued validation of the bullish thesis.

Resistance Levels and Target Zones

Immediate resistance for SUI lies between $3.50 and $4.80, a zone that previously acted as distribution. A clean break and weekly close above this range could pave the way for the first major target at $5. 

Beyond this, SUI enters thin liquidity areas, increasing the potential for momentum-driven moves toward $10. According to CryptoPatel, $20 remains possible as a full-cycle target. 

Achieving this level requires patience, higher lows, and sustained support above key macro levels. Between $10 and $20, structural resistance is minimal, suggesting rapid upward movement if accumulation continues.

Short-term intraday patterns show consolidation around $1.80–$1.85. Support near $1.78–$1.80 has successfully held as a liquidity grab before price rebounds. 

A break above $1.85–$1.88 could open the path toward $1.95–$2.00. Volume remains steady, indicating controlled accumulation rather than distribution.

Overall, SUI’s market structure reflects a patient, high-probability setup. Weekly accumulation and strong demand zones reinforce the potential for higher targets. 

Traders focusing on weekly support levels are likely to benefit from structured upward movements toward $5, $10, and potentially $20.

The post SUI Price Analysis: Accumulation Structure Targets $5 With Long-Term Potential to $20 appeared first on Blockonomi.

TLDR:

Canton Network executed cross-border intraday repo transactions using multiple assets including U.S. Treasuries and EGBs.

LSEG Digital Settlement House provided tokenized commercial bank deposits as an alternative to stablecoin settlement.

European institutions Euroclear, Euronext, and LSEG joined the working group, expanding Canton Network participation.

The transactions demonstrate progress toward always-on capital markets infrastructure with 24/7 real-time settlement.

 

Canton Network has completed a third set of onchain repurchase transactions, marking progress in capital markets infrastructure development. 

Digital Asset led the initiative alongside major financial institutions including Euroclear, Euronext, LSEG, TreasurySpring, Cumberland DRW, Societe Generale, Tradeweb, and Virtu Financial. 

The transactions featured cross-border intraday repo activity across multiple assets and currencies while utilizing tokenized commercial bank deposits through LSEG Digital Settlement House.

Multi-Asset Framework Enables Cross-Border Repo Operations

The latest transaction round introduced several technical advancements over previous Canton Network activities. 

Participants conducted intraday repurchase transactions across borders using multiple currencies and asset classes for the first time. 

The operations included European Government Bonds, U.S. Treasuries, Euro cash, and US Dollar cash within a single framework.

This development builds on momentum from earlier Canton Network milestones. The initial July transactions demonstrated feasibility of fully onchain U.S. Treasury financing against USDC. 

October’s second round expanded participation across counterparties while leveraging stablecoins for settlement purposes. 

Kelly Mathieson, Chief Business Development Officer at Digital Asset, explained the progression: “We’ve had incredible momentum over the last year.”

The working group expanded to include European market participants. LSEG, Euroclear, and Euronext joined existing members to advance onchain initiatives within the Global Collateral Network. 

Their participation demonstrates growing traction for tokenized infrastructure across European financial markets. 

David Leblache, Head of Innovation & AI Products at Euronext, stated the initiative “reflects the industry’s collective effort to explore how tokenisation and on-chain infrastructure can enhance collateral mobility.”

Canton Network announced the completion on social media, noting the transactions delivered cross-border intraday repo capabilities across multiple assets and currencies. 

A third set of onchain repo transactions has been completed on @CantonNetwork, expanding on December’s second set of transactions.

This round delivered three clear advancements:
• Cross-border, intraday repo across multiple assets + currencies (USTs, EGBs, USD/EUR cash)
•… pic.twitter.com/4htLJpNANi

— Canton Network (@CantonNetwork) January 15, 2026

The platform stated these transactions move markets closer to scalable, always-on capital markets infrastructure.

Tokenized Bank Deposits Provide Alternative Cash Settlement Method

LSEG Digital Settlement House played a central role by providing tokenized commercial bank deposits instead of stablecoins. 

This approach created an onchain cash option using actual commercial bank deposits rather than cryptocurrency-backed alternatives. 

LSEG DiSH allows users to transfer commercial bank deposits instantaneously to any network member.

The tokenized deposit system operates around the clock in real time without requiring users to maintain relationships with every bank on the network. 

Deposits were tokenized on Canton specifically for use as the cash leg of each intraday repo transaction. 

Bud Novin, Head of Payment Systems at LSEG Post Trade Solutions, expressed enthusiasm about the development: “We are excited about the potential for our LSEG DiSH cash service to provide a real cash solution.”

Jorgen Ouaknine, Global Head of Innovation and Digital Assets at Euroclear, emphasized the collaborative approach.

 “As a trusted financial market infrastructure, we believe that meaningful progress in digital finance can only be achieved through close partnership with the market,” he noted. The institution aims to unlock new forms of liquidity through its position in global collateral flows.

The working group plans to continue collaboration on additional onchain financing initiatives throughout 2026. 

Mathieson described the milestone as “groundwork for a truly global collateral network with on-chain liquidity for high-quality assets.” 

The development represents continued acceleration toward scalable capital markets infrastructure operating continuously.

The post Canton Network Completes Third Cross-Border Repo Transaction Round Using Tokenized Bank Deposits appeared first on Blockonomi.

TLDR:

Sei Network trading achieves sub-400ms block finality after the GIGA upgrade.

Perps trading volume surged over 19,500% in 90 days, showing strong market adoption.

Institutions including BlackRock, Circle, and Binance use Sei for trade settlement.

Sei’s parallel EVM and exchange-native infrastructure support high-frequency trading. 

 

Sei Network trading has emerged as a specialized settlement layer optimized for high-speed execution. 

Post-GIGA upgrade, the network enables low-latency perps and high-frequency trading while attracting professional traders and institutional participants.

High-Speed Infrastructure Enables Perps and HFT

Sei Network trading achieves ultra-fast block finality, expected between 0.4 and 0.6 seconds after the GIGA upgrade. This allows thousands of orders per second to execute efficiently with minimal slippage.

The network uses a parallel EVM design, separating consensus from state execution. This enables asynchronous processing and massive concurrency, targeting over 200,000 transactions per second post-GIGA. 

Transaction bottlenecks are minimized even during peak trading periods. Exchange-native infrastructure supports high-frequency trading. 

Features include fast order matching, clean order books, and trading-optimized state management. Sei’s architecture prioritizes trading performance over generalized computation.

➥ Why Perps and High-Frequency Trading Fit Sei

I’ve written extensively about the impact of $SEI GIGA on the entire @SeiNetwork ecosystem. At this point, SEI fundamentally positions Sei as an execution layer optimized for trading first DeFi.

SEI GIGA is designed for… https://t.co/uJ7hfl9o8a pic.twitter.com/I60FUIh1ny

— Tanaka (@Tanaka_L2) January 15, 2026

Real-world adoption reflects these capabilities. Perps on Sei can maintain positions without expiration while enabling real-time arbitrage. 

Over the past 90 days, perps trading volume increased 19,527%, signaling adoption by professional traders.

Institutional Adoption and Active Ecosystem

Sei Network trading has attracted institutions for settlement. BlackRock, Apollo, Hamilton Lane, and Ondo use Sei for real-world assets. Circle’s USDC, PYUSD, and USDT0 also settle trades on the network.

Validator participation confirms institutional confidence. Binance runs a validator, while Kalshi, a CFTC-regulated platform, uses SEI/USDC settlement. 

Other participants include Robinhood, OKX, Fireblocks, Coinbase Custody, and Elliptic. The application ecosystem continues to grow. 

DragonSwap and MonacoOnSei offer low-latency spot and perpetual trading. Oxium is building central limit order book infrastructure, while Toro DEX launches high-leverage perps thanks to Sei’s speed.

Market metrics indicate strong adoption. Spot volume reached $4.6 billion in Q3 2025, growing 75% quarter-over-quarter. Daily active wallets increased to 824,000, nearly doubling year-over-year.

Recent price action shows consolidation within a range. Between Jan 9–11, the price stayed near $0.120–$0.121. 

Liquidity sweeps on Jan 12–13 dipped to $0.118, then reversed. Momentum surged on Jan 14 to $0.128+, before retracing to $0.122–$0.124 by Jan 15.

Sei Network trading has positioned itself as a reliable settlement layer for high-speed on-chain trading. GIGA upgrades, ecosystem growth, and institutional adoption reinforce its performance and capacity for perps and HFT strategies.

The post Sei Network Emerges as the Go-To Layer for High-Speed Perpetuals and HFT appeared first on Blockonomi.

TLDR:

Brevis and BNB Chain are building a three-dimensional privacy framework covering targets, unmasking protocols, and access controls.

The Intelligent Privacy Pool launches Q1 2026, requiring users to prove compliance before conducting private transactions.

Users verify eligibility through on-chain provenance or exchange account status using zero-knowledge proof technology.

The system maintains an Association Set allowing deposit removal for sanctioned or malicious activity while preserving privacy.

 

Brevis and BNB Chain have announced an expanded collaboration focused on privacy infrastructure for Web3. 

The partnership aims to build a generalized framework that extends beyond traditional transaction privacy. Their first implementation will be an Intelligent Privacy Pool, developed with 0xbow, scheduled to launch on BNB Chain in Q1 2026. 

The system allows users to prove compliance through zero-knowledge verified on-chain behavior or exchange account status before conducting private transactions.

Brevis is partnering with @BNBCHAIN to redefine Privacy Infrastructure

We're building a generalized privacy framework that goes beyond first-gen transaction hiding.

Our first implementation is an Intelligent Privacy Pool launching soon in collaboration with @0xbowio pic.twitter.com/4Xg1qB3jI7

— Brevis (@brevis_zk) January 15, 2026

Advanced Privacy Framework Introduces Three-Dimensional Design Approach

The collaboration addresses limitations in first-generation privacy tools like Zcash and Tornado Cash. Those systems focused primarily on hiding transaction details but lacked sophisticated access controls and compliance mechanisms. 

Modern zero-knowledge technology now enables more complex operations beyond simple payment privacy.

The new framework operates across three distinct dimensions. Privacy targets determine what information receives protection, ranging from transaction counterparties to user attributes and computation processes. 

Users can shield wallet addresses while proving properties about their on-chain history without revealing specific wallet identities.

Unmasking protocols establish how protected information can be revealed under specific conditions. Different systems employ varying approaches, from user-controlled disclosure to committee-based governance mechanisms. 

This dimension shapes trust boundaries and determines compliance capabilities for real-world adoption.

Target user controls specify who can access the privacy mechanism. Some systems offer permissionless access while others require criteria like KYC status or on-chain history verification. Users can prove group membership without revealing their specific identity within that verified set.

Privacy Pool Combines Compliance with Transaction Unlinkability

The Intelligent Privacy Pool builds on 0xbow’s core privacy functions while adding sophisticated compliance layers. Users deposit assets and withdraw to new addresses without creating on-chain links between transactions. 

The system maintains an Association Set of deposits meeting compliance criteria, allowing only eligible deposits to be withdrawn privately.

Two verification paths establish deposit eligibility. On-chain provenance proves funds originated from compliant sources through the Brevis ZK Data Coprocessor. 

Off-chain KYC binding demonstrates control of verified exchange accounts like Binance using zkTLS technology without exposing user identities.

Both pathways utilize zero-knowledge proofs to verify eligibility without revealing sensitive information or requiring third-party trust. 

Deposits flagged by sanctions or associated with malicious activity can be removed from the Association Set. 

This removal mechanism blocks further withdrawals and provides controlled disclosure for enforcement purposes.

The implementation demonstrates practical applications of the three-dimensional framework. It combines information privacy through attribute verification, transactional privacy through unlinkable deposits, and configurable access controls with removal capabilities. 

The system shows how expanded design parameters apply to familiar payment privacy use cases while enabling compliance features impossible with earlier technology generations.

The post Brevis and BNB Chain Launch Intelligent Privacy Pool With Zero-Knowledge Compliance Framework appeared first on Blockonomi.

TLDR

ARK Invest dumped 86,136 Tesla shares for $38.5 million on January 14 after Musk announced FSD would become subscription-only after February 14

Wood bought 143,089 Broadcom shares worth $50.7 million following a 4.1% drop caused by China’s software vendor restrictions

Tesla remains ARK’s largest holding at 10.68% weight despite the sale, valued at $805.74 million

ARK added $1.7 million in Klarna stock and sold $6.4 million in Taiwan Semiconductor and $5.8 million in Unity Software

The trades reflect portfolio rebalancing toward semiconductors and fintech while reducing exposure to electric vehicles and chipmakers

Cathie Wood’s ARK Invest executed major portfolio changes on January 14, offloading Tesla shares while purchasing Broadcom stock at a discount. The transactions came as both companies dealt with separate issues impacting their stock prices.

The ARK Innovation ETF sold 86,136 Tesla shares worth $38.52 million. This marked a substantial reduction in one of ARK’s core holdings. However, Tesla still maintains its position as ARKK’s top holding with a 10.68% portfolio weight and current value of $805.74 million.

Tesla stock declined 1.8% that day following CEO Elon Musk’s announcement on X. Musk stated Tesla would discontinue direct sales of Full Self-Driving technology after February 14. The autonomous driving feature will only be available through monthly subscription after that date.

Wood Invests $50M in Broadcom Following China News

ARK purchased 143,089 Broadcom shares across its ARKK and ARKW funds totaling $50.74 million. The purchase came after Broadcom stock dropped 4.1% in trading. Wood has a track record of buying quality stocks during price declines.

The Broadcom selloff was triggered by Chinese government actions. Chinese authorities instructed domestic companies to avoid approximately 12 U.S. and Israeli software vendors on national security grounds. Broadcom’s VMware software was included on the list.

Broadcom paid $69 billion to acquire VMware. The company produces semiconductors and infrastructure software for AI, networking, and cloud computing applications. The $50.7 million purchase represents one of ARK’s largest single-day investments recently.

Additional ARK Portfolio Moves

ARK Next Generation Internet ETF sold 19,310 Taiwan Semiconductor shares for $6.39 million. The fund also offloaded 126,437 Unity Software shares valued at $5.77 million. Other sales included smaller positions in Kratos Defense, Teradyne, Natera, Intuit, and Global-E Online.

ARK added 56,993 Klarna Group shares worth $1.71 million. The Swedish fintech company operates in the buy now, pay later sector competing with Affirm and Afterpay. Klarna has been expanding its global operations.

The funds also purchased 72,320 Kodiak AI shares for $679,084. Kodiak develops autonomous trucking systems. This aligns with Wood’s investment focus on innovative transportation technology.

These trades demonstrate ARK’s strategy of rotating capital between tech sectors. The firm decreased positions in certain growth stocks while increasing semiconductor and fintech exposure. Wood appears to be diversifying across multiple technology categories.

The Tesla sale represents a shift in strategy but not a complete exit. Tesla has been central to Wood’s investment thesis for years. The stock continues to be ARK’s single largest holding even after the $38.5 million reduction.

The Broadcom purchase suggests Wood sees value after the China-related price drop. Broadcom’s semiconductor and software business positions it for growth in AI and cloud infrastructure. Wood frequently takes advantage of short-term price weakness in companies she believes have strong long-term prospects.

The post Cathie Wood Sells $38M Tesla Position, Buys $50M Broadcom After 18% Pullback appeared first on Blockonomi.

TLDR

RBC Capital initiated coverage with a ‘Sector Perform’ rating and $400 price target, citing NAND flash memory demand

Bernstein raised price target from $300 to $580 on unprecedented NAND shortage and price increases

Barclays boosted target from $220 to $385 as part of 2026 semiconductor outlook

SanDisk plans to double prices for high-capacity enterprise NAND in Q1 2026

Stock jumped nearly 6% in pre-market trading on Thursday

The rally comes as Wall Street firms raised their outlook for the memory storage company. RBC Capital initiated coverage with a ‘Sector Perform’ rating and a $400 price target, according to TheFly. That represents a modest 3% upside from Wednesday’s closing price.

The firm pointed to strong demand for NAND flash memory storage as a key driver. RBC analysts also highlighted growth opportunities from artificial intelligence infrastructure needs.

Price Target Surge from Multiple Firms

Bernstein delivered the most bullish call. The firm lifted its price target to $580 from $300 while keeping an ‘Outperform’ rating intact.

That target implies 53% upside from current levels. Bernstein cited an unprecedented NAND memory shortage driving the revision.

The firm raised estimates for SanDisk based on escalating prices in the memory market. Bernstein believes SanDisk offers the most upside potential in the near term.

Barclays joined the upgrade party with its own target increase. The firm raised its price target to $385 from $220 while maintaining an ‘Equal Weight’ rating.

The adjustment came as part of Barclays’ broader 2026 outlook for the semiconductor industry.

Enterprise Price Hike on the Horizon

SanDisk’s pricing strategy added fuel to the stock’s momentum. A Toms Hardware report last week revealed the company plans to double prices for 3D NAND enterprise solid state drives in Q1 2026.

The exact impact on mainstream flash memory prices remains unclear. However, enterprise segment changes typically filter down to smartphone and personal computer memory pricing.

The move reflects tight supply conditions in the NAND market. Memory manufacturers have struggled to keep pace with surging demand from data centers and AI applications.

SanDisk’s pre-market gains Thursday reflected investor confidence in the company’s ability to capitalize on these market dynamics. The stock’s surge put it firmly in the spotlight among semiconductor plays.

Three major firms raising price targets in quick succession is rare. The convergence of analyst optimism and pricing power gave investors clear reasons to buy.

The post SanDisk (SNDK) Stock: Three Upgrades Send Shares Soaring Thursday appeared first on Blockonomi.

TLDR

Bitmine Immersion Technologies (BMNR) is investing $200 million in Beast Industries, the company behind YouTube creator MrBeast

The deal is expected to close by January 19, 2026, giving Bitmine a stake in a brand reaching over 450 million subscribers

Beast Industries plans to use the funds to launch a financial services platform leveraging decentralized finance technology

Bitmine currently holds more than 4.07 million ether valued at around $13.6 billion, making it the largest corporate holder of ETH

Beast Industries has expanded beyond content creation into consumer products like Feastables chocolate bars and Beast Philanthropy initiatives

Bitmine Immersion Technologies is making a big bet on creator economy. The company announced a $200 million investment in Beast Industries on Thursday morning.

$BMNR Bitmine Immersion Technologies (BMNR) Announces $200 Million Investment in @MrBeast’s Beast Industries:https://t.co/qgC5v5UMXp pic.twitter.com/9KCMsf5tZI

— Filing Tracker (@TrackFilings) January 15, 2026

Beast Industries is the company behind Jimmy Donaldson, better known as YouTube star MrBeast. The deal is expected to close by January 19, 2026.

The investment gives Bitmine a piece of one of the biggest names in digital content. Beast Industries reaches more than 450 million subscribers across its YouTube channels.

Those channels generate approximately 5 billion monthly views. That’s the kind of reach most media companies can only dream about.

Bitmine Chairman Tom Lee praised the alignment between the two companies. “Beast Industries is the largest and most innovative creator based platform in the world and our corporate and personal values are strongly aligned,” Lee said.

For Bitmine, this investment represents a strategic move beyond its core crypto holdings. The company is the largest corporate holder of ether, with more than 4.07 million ETH valued at around $13.6 billion.

That represents more than 3.36% of ether’s total supply. Bitmine also holds around $1 billion in cash according to StrategicEtherReserve data.

DeFi Platform in the Works

Beast Industries CEO Jeff Housenbold laid out plans for the cash infusion. The company intends to launch a financial services platform that leverages decentralized finance technology.

This isn’t the first hint at crypto involvement from MrBeast’s companies. Beast Industries previously filed a U.S. trademark application for “MrBeast Financial.”

The language in that application suggested potential crypto integration in the product. Now with Bitmine’s investment, those plans appear to be moving forward.

Beast Industries has already expanded well beyond just YouTube content. The company sells Feastables chocolate bars and runs Beast Philanthropy, a social impact initiative.

The investment gives Bitmine exposure to Gen Z and millennial audiences. These demographics have been harder for traditional finance companies to reach.

Strategic Alignment

The partnership aligns with Bitmine’s stated goal of acquiring 5% of all circulating ether. The company has been aggressive in building its crypto position.

Housenbold stated the investment will help Beast Industries become “the most impactful entertainment brand in the world.” That’s a lofty goal, but the numbers suggest it’s not entirely unrealistic.

With 450 million subscribers and 5 billion monthly views, Beast Industries already operates at massive scale. The $200 million from Bitmine will fuel further expansion.

The deal comes at an interesting time for both crypto and creator economy businesses. Bitmine is betting that the combination of both sectors will pay off.

The investment is expected to close by January 19, 2026, according to information released by both companies.

The post Bitmine (BMNR) Stock: Why This Crypto Giant Just Bet $200 Million on MrBeast appeared first on Blockonomi.

TLDR:

EmCoin becomes first SCA-regulated virtual asset platform in UAE to partner with major global exchange.

Integration will provide EmCoin users access to wider cryptocurrency selection with tighter spreads and better execution.

Partnership explores real-world asset tokenization using Cronos EVM chain technology under regulatory framework.

Collaboration strengthens UAE’s position as emerging global hub for regulated digital finance and innovation.

 

Crypto.com has entered a strategic partnership with EmCoin, the UAE’s first Securities and Commodities Authority-licensed virtual asset trading platform. The collaboration aims to improve liquidity and expand trading capabilities for UAE users. 

Both companies signed a Memorandum of Understanding to explore integration opportunities that could transform the digital asset landscape in the region.

Enhanced Trading Infrastructure and Liquidity Solutions

The partnership between Crypto.com and EmCoin centers on integrating institutional-grade solutions to strengthen the trading experience. 

EmCoin users will potentially gain access to improved trade execution through Crypto.com’s global liquidity infrastructure. 

This integration could enable traders to access a broader range of cryptocurrencies while benefiting from tighter spreads on their transactions.

Subject to regulatory approvals, the collaboration will leverage Crypto.com’s extensive network and technical capabilities. 

The partnership seeks to simplify how users interact with digital assets while maintaining compliance with relevant regulatory frameworks. 

EmCoin’s platform will potentially incorporate Crypto.com’s technology to support larger trade volumes and enhance overall market efficiency.

The companies announced their collaboration through social media channels, with Crypto.com sharing the news on their official Twitter account. 

The announcement highlighted EmCoin’s status as the first SCA-regulated virtual asset platform in the UAE. 

Partnership Alert: https://t.co/vCNztATkNg to explore new ways of enabling EmCoin users in the UAE to seamlessly access and trade digital assets.

EmCoin is the UAE’s first virtual asset trading platform licensed by the Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA) and we’re… pic.twitter.com/rIAP3nSnyK

— Crypto.com (@cryptocom) January 15, 2026

This regulatory foundation provides a secure environment for the planned integrations and service enhancements.

Real-World Asset Tokenization and Regional Growth

Beyond trading enhancements, Crypto.com will explore supporting EmCoin’s real-world asset tokenization initiatives. 

The company plans to apply its technologies alongside strategic partners, including the Cronos EVM chain. These efforts align with regulatory requirements while expanding the scope of digital asset applications in the region.

Yasin Arafat, Chief Operations Officer of EmCoin, explained the partnership’s focus on accessibility and security. “Our focus is on making digital asset holdings easier to access, manage, and move without compromising on security and user protection,” Arafat stated. 

He added that partnering with Crypto.com combines expertise and enhanced liquidity to support large trade volumes across the platform.

Eric Anziani, President and Chief Operating Officer of Crypto.com, highlighted the company’s commitment to regulated environments. “We’re looking forward to seeing how our industry-leading products and deep liquidity can advance the EmCoin user experience,” Anziani noted. 

He emphasized that making digital asset interaction easier in regulated settings remains core to reaching one billion cryptocurrency users worldwide.

The collaboration reflects the UAE’s position as an emerging hub for regulated digital finance. Alain Yacine, President of Middle East and Latin America for Crypto.com, stressed the importance of regional partnerships. 

“Collaborating with ground-breaking innovators, like EmCoin, is key to advancing digital asset adoption in the region,” Yacine remarked. 

Both organizations prioritize security, regulatory alignment, and user confidence throughout the implementation process.

The post Crypto.com Partners with EmCoin to Enhance Digital Asset Trading in UAE appeared first on Blockonomi.

TLDR

Morgan Stanley reported Q4 earnings of $2.68 per share, beating analyst estimates of $2.44, with revenue of $17.89 billion exceeding expectations of $17.77 billion.

Wealth management drove results with $8.4 billion in net revenue, up from $7.5 billion a year ago, while total client assets reached $9.3 trillion.

Investment banking revenue jumped 47% to $2.41 billion, driven by stronger advisory fees and increased M&A activity across all regions.

The bank bought back $1.5 billion in stock during Q4 and $4.6 billion for the full year under its share repurchase program.

Morgan Stanley shares gained 38% over the past 12 months but fell nearly 3% this week as other banks reported results.

Morgan Stanley posted fourth-quarter earnings that topped Wall Street estimates on Thursday. The results were driven by strong performance in wealth management and investment banking.

$MS (Morgan Stanley) #earnings are out: pic.twitter.com/MKqldw2AGK

— The Earnings Correspondent (@earnings_guy) January 15, 2026

The bank reported earnings of $2.68 per share. Analysts had expected $2.44 per share. Revenue came in at $17.89 billion, beating the $17.77 billion estimate.

Net income for the quarter rose to $4.40 billion. That’s up from $3.71 billion in the same period last year. The earnings translated to $2.68 per share compared to $2.22 per share a year ago.

Revenue increased to $17.89 billion from $16.22 billion in the prior year. The wealth management division led the charge with $8.4 billion in net revenue. This marked an increase from $7.5 billion a year earlier.

For the full year, wealth management generated a record $31.8 billion in net revenue. Total client assets in the wealth and investment management business climbed to $9.3 trillion. The firm pulled in more than $350 billion in net new assets.

CEO Ted Pick praised the results in a statement. “Morgan Stanley delivered outstanding performance in 2025,” he said. “Our performance reflects multi-year investments which have contributed to growth and momentum across the Integrated Firm.”

Investment Banking Delivers Strong Results

The investment banking segment showed impressive growth. Net revenue for the division jumped 47% to $2.41 billion from $1.64 billion a year earlier.

The increase came from stronger advisory fees. Completed M&A activity increased across all regions during the quarter.

Morgan Stanley bought back $1.5 billion of its stock during the quarter. For the full year, the bank repurchased $4.6 billion under its share repurchase program.

The firm also filed paperwork for spot Bitcoin and Solana ETFs. This move signals an expansion into crypto products that could boost fee revenue.

Morgan Stanley’s private equity arm took majority control of engineering firm Olsson. The deal shows the bank is expanding its alternative investment offerings.

Stock Performance and Analyst Views

Morgan Stanley shares gained 38% over the past 12 months. However, the stock fell nearly 3% this week as other major banks reported their results.

The stock opened at $180.77 on Thursday. The bank has a market cap of $287.30 billion.

Several analysts have updated their price targets recently. Jefferies Financial Group lifted its target from $186 to $212 with a buy rating. UBS Group raised its target from $156 to $165 with a neutral rating.

Three analysts rate the stock as a strong buy. Eight have given it a buy rating. Eight analysts issued a hold rating. The consensus rating is “Moderate Buy” with an average price target of $181.85.

CEO Edward Pick sold 100,000 shares in late October at an average price of $164.34. The transaction totaled $16.43 million. Following the sale, Pick directly owned 574,986 shares.

Institutional investors own 84.19% of Morgan Stanley stock. Several hedge funds adjusted their positions in the stock during the third quarter.

The bank reported a return on equity of 16.40% and a net margin of 13.85%. The company has a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.54 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.27.

The post Morgan Stanley (MS) Stock: Earnings Beat Expectations as Wealth Management Fuels Growth appeared first on Blockonomi.

TLDR

Goldman Sachs reported Q4 profit of $4.38 billion, up from $3.92 billion a year earlier, with earnings per share of $14.01 beating Wall Street estimates of $11.70.

Equity trading revenue hit a record $4.31 billion while fixed income trading climbed 12.5% to $3.11 billion as traders capitalized on market volatility.

Investment banking fees rose 25% to $2.58 billion, with Goldman securing the top spot for global M&A advisory with $1.48 trillion in deal volume.

The bank exited its credit card partnership with Apple, adding 46 cents per share to earnings and releasing $2.48 billion from loan loss reserves.

Goldman increased its quarterly dividend to $4.50 per share and saw assets under supervision grow to $3.61 trillion from $3.14 trillion a year ago.

Goldman Sachs delivered strong fourth-quarter results with profit jumping to $4.38 billion from $3.92 billion a year earlier. Earnings per share came in at $14.01, crushing analyst estimates of $11.70.

$GS (Goldman Sachs) #earnings are out: pic.twitter.com/51nMldRCMu

— The Earnings Correspondent (@earnings_guy) January 15, 2026

The beat comes as traders took advantage of market swings tied to Federal Reserve interest rate speculation and AI company valuations. Revenue, however, missed expectations at $13.45 billion versus the $14.52 billion analysts projected.

Equity trading stole the show with a record $4.31 billion in revenue, up from $3.45 billion in Q4 2024. Fixed income, currencies, and commodities trading wasn’t far behind, climbing 12.5% to $3.11 billion.

The bank’s traders capitalized on volatility in a market that saw wild swings throughout the quarter. Return on equity ticked up 1% year-over-year, showing improved profitability.

Investment Banking Comeback Continues

Goldman’s investment banking division saw fees rise 25% to $2.58 billion compared to the previous year. The bank advised on some of the year’s biggest deals, including Electronic Arts’ $56.5 billion leveraged buyout and Alphabet’s $32 billion acquisition of Wiz.

Those blockbuster transactions helped Goldman maintain its crown as the top global M&A advisor in 2025. The bank advised on $1.48 trillion in total deal volume and collected $4.6 billion in fees.

Global M&A volumes reached $5.1 trillion in 2025, up 42% from 2024. President Trump’s friendlier regulatory stance, lower interest rates, and excess corporate cash drove companies to pursue more deals.

The bank expects this momentum to carry into 2026 as large AI investments fuel more tech consolidation. Goldman served as lead underwriter for Medline’s IPO, the largest global listing of 2025.

The IPO market showed signs of life in recent months despite government shutdown turbulence in the fall. Investment banks like Goldman are positioning themselves for potential 2026 listings from SpaceX, OpenAI, and Anthropic.

Wealth Management Hits Record

Management fees reached an all-time high of $3.09 billion for the quarter. Goldman has doubled down on wealth management to generate more predictable income compared to the ups and downs of trading and dealmaking.

Assets under supervision grew to $3.61 trillion from $3.14 trillion a year earlier. The bank acquired Innovator Capital Management, an active ETF provider, for $2 billion last month to expand this business line.

The Apple card exit marked another step away from Goldman’s failed consumer banking push. The bank struck a deal with JPMorgan Chase to take over the partnership.

Goldman expected the exit to boost results by 46 cents per share. The bank released $2.48 billion from reserves previously set aside for potential credit card losses, with Morningstar estimating an additional $145 million gain from the transaction.

CEO David Solomon said the firm sees high client engagement and expects momentum to accelerate in 2026. The bank increased its quarterly dividend to $4.50 per share, up from previous levels.

Analyst Stephen Biggar from Argus Research called the dividend increase “a powerful testament to management’s faith in sustainably higher earnings.” Goldman Sachs shares rose more than 50% in 2025.

The post Goldman Sachs (GS) Stock: Q4 Earnings Jump on Record Trading Revenue appeared first on Blockonomi.

TLDR

Joseph Gebbia unloaded 58,000 Airbnb shares for $8.03 million on January 12 at $138.45 each

The director has dumped 936,000 shares since October totaling over $115 million in sales

Stock closed at $132.79 with analysts maintaining “Hold” rating and $147.84 average target

RBC Capital keeps Outperform rating at $170, betting on hotel expansion growth

Institutional ownership stands at 80.76% with Vanguard holding largest position

Joseph Gebbia just cashed out another chunk of his Airbnb stake. The company director sold 58,000 shares on January 12 for $8.03 million.

The shares went for an average price of $138.45 each. After the sale, Gebbia holds 518,015 shares worth $71.7 million.

This latest transaction cut his position by 10.07%. But it’s hardly the first time he’s hit the sell button lately.

Massive Selling Spree Continues

Gebbia has been systematically reducing his stake since October. The numbers tell the story.

He sold 236,000 shares on October 27 for $30.3 million. Another 236,000 went on November 10 for $28.5 million.

The selling continued with 232,000 shares on November 24 bringing in $26.5 million. Then came three consecutive monthly sales of 58,000 shares each.

December 1 netted $6.9 million. December 15 brought $7.6 million. December 29 added $7.9 million to the total.

All told, Gebbia has dumped nearly 936,000 shares. Total proceeds top $115 million across these transactions.

Stock Takes a Hit

Airbnb shares dropped Wednesday. The stock fell $7.28 to close at $132.79.

Volume spiked to 7.68 million shares. That’s well above the average 4.23 million daily trades.

The company’s market cap sits at $81.74 billion. Its P/E ratio is 31.54 with a beta of 1.09.

Shares trade between a 52-week range of $99.88 and $163.93. The 50-day moving average is $127.16.

Analysts Eye Hotel Strategy

RBC Capital doubled down on its bullish call January 14. The firm kept its Outperform rating with a $170 price target.

The bank sees hotels as a game changer. RBC’s analysis of Madrid suggests each 10% market penetration adds 40-80 basis points to room night growth.

The firm thinks the stock will move before financials show full impact. They’re betting the market will price in success early.

Multiple analysts have upgraded recently. B.Riley jumped from Neutral to Buy at $170.

Barclays moved from Underweight to Equalweight at $120. Cantor Fitzgerald went from Underweight to Neutral at $141.

The consensus rating stays at “Hold” though. Average price target across all analysts is $147.84.

Financial Performance

Airbnb missed earnings expectations in Q3. The company posted $2.21 per share versus $2.31 estimates.

Revenue came in at $4.10 billion. That beat the $4.08 billion consensus and grew 9.9% year-over-year.

Net margin stands at 22.03%. Return on equity hit 32.14%.

Analysts project $4.31 earnings per share for the full year. Institutional investors control 80.76% of outstanding shares.

Vanguard Group leads institutional holders. The fund increased its stake by 1.7% to 38.3 million shares worth $4.65 billion.

Harris Associates holds 14.2 million shares. Geode Capital owns 9.9 million shares.

The post Airbnb (ABNB) Stock Drops as Director’s $115 Million Exit Raises Eyebrows appeared first on Blockonomi.

TLDR

Microsoft shares fell to $459.53, the lowest level in seven months, down 8% over three months.

KeyBanc survey reveals IT spending will increase 5.3% in 2026 versus 4.6% in 2025.

Public cloud spending expectations jumped 17 percentage points, benefiting Azure growth prospects.

Microsoft purchased 2.85 million soil carbon credits in a deal worth $171M-$228M.

Analysts maintain positive outlook with KeyBanc targeting $630 and Goldman Sachs at $655.

Microsoft shares touched $459.53 on Wednesday, marking a seven-month low. The 2.4% decline extended a rough three-month period that saw the stock fall 8%.

Market concerns about software companies and AI investments have pressured the price. But new data from KeyBanc suggests the selling may be overdone.

A survey of IT resellers points to accelerating budget growth. Customer spending is projected to increase 5.3% in 2026, up from 4.6% in 2025.

The improved spending outlook should help Microsoft’s cloud and AI businesses. Azure and Copilot products are expected to capture a larger share of IT budgets.

Azure Benefits from Cloud Optimism

The KeyBanc survey included a striking data point about cloud spending. 30% of respondents expect public cloud investments to grow faster in 2026.

That’s a 17-percentage-point jump from the third quarter. KeyBanc analyst Eric Heath highlighted this as “a tailwind for Azure that goes beyond GPUs.”

Copilot adoption is also progressing. More survey participants reported customers moving from experimentation to actual deployment.

KeyBanc rates Microsoft as Overweight with a $630 price target. Goldman Sachs recently went higher, setting a $655 target based on the company’s diversified AI strategy.

Microsoft’s investments in Anthropic complement its partnership with OpenAI. This dual approach has won over some analysts worried about concentration risk.

AI Adoption Questions Persist

Adoption rates remain a sticking point for investors. The Information reported last month that Microsoft was adjusting sales quotas for enterprise AI products.

Microsoft disputed that characterization. The company stated that overall AI product quotas had not been reduced.

The KeyBanc survey shows customers are still mostly experimenting. Production deployments of generative AI remain in the low-to-mid-single digits.

But the trend is moving in the right direction. More companies are piloting AI tools each quarter.

Record Carbon Credit Agreement

Microsoft announced a major sustainability deal this week. The company will buy 2.85 million soil carbon removal credits from Indigo Carbon over 12 years.

The agreement supports Microsoft’s goal to become carbon negative by 2030. It’s the third deal between the two companies after purchases in 2024 and 2025.

The credits come from regenerative agriculture practices across the United States. These farming methods remove carbon dioxide while improving soil quality.

A source told Reuters the deal is valued between $171 million and $228 million. Microsoft has not confirmed those figures publicly.

The carbon credit purchase ranks among the largest soil-based deals ever completed. The 12-year commitment provides stable funding for participating farmers using regenerative techniques.

The post Microsoft (MSFT) Stock: Why This Seven-Month Low Could Be a Buying Opportunity appeared first on Blockonomi.

TLDR

TD Cowen reduced Strategy’s price target to $440 from $500 due to declining bitcoin yield projections

Strategy acquired 13,627 bitcoins for $1.25 billion last week, boosting total holdings to 687,410 bitcoins

Stock climbed 5.6% as bitcoin crossed $95,000, but shares remain 62% below July 2024 peak

Analysts project bitcoin yield will fall to 7.1% in fiscal 2026 from 22.8% in fiscal 2025

MSCI decided against removing bitcoin treasury companies from its indexes

TD Cowen slashed its price target on Strategy to $440 from $500, pointing to a weaker bitcoin yield outlook. The investment bank’s concerns center on dilution from the company’s ongoing equity and preferred stock sales.

Strategy stock gained 5.6% to $182.71 as bitcoin pushed past $95,000 for the first time since November. The crypto rally lifted spirits, but the stock still trades 62% below its July 2024 high of $457.22.

The company owns 687,410 bitcoins worth over $65 billion at current prices. That makes it the largest corporate holder of the cryptocurrency, and its stock price typically mirrors bitcoin’s movements.

TD Cowen analysts led by Lance Vitanza expect Strategy to buy approximately 155,000 bitcoins during fiscal 2026. That’s up from a previous estimate of 90,000. But here’s the problem: these purchases will rely more heavily on equity sales rather than debt.

This shift matters because it tanks bitcoin yield. The metric measures percentage change in bitcoin held per fully diluted share. Analysts now forecast just 7.1% bitcoin yield for fiscal 2026, down from 8.8% previously projected and far below the 22.8% achieved in fiscal 2025.

Aggressive Buying Continues Despite Price Weakness

Strategy hasn’t pumped the brakes during bitcoin’s recent slump. The company issued roughly 6.8 million common shares and 1.2 million STRC preferred shares during the week ended January 11. The $1.25 billion raised bought 13,627 additional bitcoins.

These purchases generated barely any bitcoin yield since the equity was issued close to parity with bitcoin prices. TD Cowen noted this strategy only pays off if bitcoin rebounds strongly.

The firm thinks that’s likely. They’re modeling bitcoin at around $177,000 by December 2026 and roughly $226,000 by December 2027. Favorable macro conditions and regulatory developments support this outlook, including Thursday’s Senate Banking Committee consideration of the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act.

Premium to Holdings Collapses

Strategy now trades at just a 10% premium to its bitcoin holdings. That’s a massive drop from the approximately 100% premium seen in summer 2024.

The company’s aggressive accumulation strategy has raised eyebrows. Founder Michael Saylor keeps buying even as prices dip, betting on a recovery that TD Cowen believes will materialize.

Bitcoin currently sits 24% below its October record high above $126,000. The cryptocurrency has gained 9.7% in 2026, while Strategy stock is up around 20% year-to-date.

MSCI provided some relief by announcing it won’t exclude bitcoin treasury companies from its indexes. TD Cowen called this positive for the near term but warned uncertainty persists.

The analysts expressed concern that major MSCI clients like BlackRock might view bitcoin treasury companies as threats to their spot bitcoin ETPs. BlackRock’s bitcoin products generate its largest revenue stream.

Other crypto assets rallied alongside bitcoin. Ethereum and XRP posted gains, while Coinbase stock rose 2% following a 4% jump Tuesday.

TD Cowen expects yield dynamics to reverse in fiscal 2027, with bitcoin yield accelerating to 8.1% and BTC dollar gain exceeding $13.5 billion.

The post Strategy (MSTR) Stock: TD Cowen Lowers Price Target to $440 on Yield Concerns appeared first on Blockonomi.

TLDR

AWS European Sovereign Cloud launches Thursday with physically separate infrastructure from U.S. operations

Over 7.8 billion euro investment funds Brandenburg data center with expansion to Belgium, Netherlands, and Portugal

EU citizens will operate and manage the cloud to comply with European data security regulations

Service can operate independently even if Europe loses internet connection to the U.S.

Microsoft and Google competing with similar European data security solutions

Amazon Web Services introduced its European Sovereign Cloud on Thursday. The launch represents a strategic push into the European market where data security concerns continue to grow.

Now generally available: the AWS European Sovereign Cloud.

Built & operated in Europe, designed to help you innovate and grow while maintaining digital sovereignty. pic.twitter.com/k8TZUS78At

— Amazon Web Services (@awscloud) January 15, 2026

The new cloud infrastructure operates from Brandenburg, Germany. AWS separated these facilities physically and legally from its American-based servers.

Michael Hanisch, AWS Germany’s Chief Technology Officer, confirmed the cloud functions independently. The system works even if the European Union loses internet connectivity to the United States or faces software export restrictions.

European businesses want alternatives to American cloud providers. The Cloud Act allows U.S. authorities to access data stored by American companies anywhere globally.

EU Control Over Cloud Operations

A German company manages the European AWS cloud with an entirely EU citizen leadership team. The management board and advisory board include only European Union residents.

AWS requires all employees to hold EU citizenship eventually. Stéphane Israël heads the AWS European Sovereign Cloud alongside managing director Stefan Hoechbauer.

The infrastructure includes no critical dependencies on non-EU systems. Authorized EU resident employees can access source code replicas during extreme situations to maintain services.

AWS designed the cloud with controls and legal protections meeting European standards for sensitive data. The company announced the project in 2023 before Thursday’s official launch.

Competition and Market Expansion

Microsoft and Google are pursuing European customers with strict security needs. Microsoft stores European customer data exclusively in regional facilities when requested.

Google committed 5.5 billion euros to German data centers last year. The three companies control 70% of Europe’s cloud computing market according to Synergy Research Group.

AWS plans to invest more than 7.8 billion euros through 2040 in the European Sovereign Cloud. The Brandenburg data center marks the first phase of this expansion.

Additional facilities will open in Belgium, the Netherlands, and Portugal. AWS hasn’t announced specific timelines for these new locations.

European regulators are examining cloud services from Amazon and Microsoft under the Digital Markets Act. The legislation targets Big Tech’s market power in the region.

The AWS European Sovereign Cloud addresses regulatory concerns while competing for market share. AWS hasn’t disclosed customer targets for the new service.

The cloud operates with physical and logical separation from other AWS regions worldwide. This architecture allows the service to function during communication disruptions with non-European infrastructure.

The post Amazon (AMZN) Stock: AWS Opens European Sovereign Cloud With Multi-Billion Euro Investment appeared first on Blockonomi.

TLDR

Rocket Lab shares surged 6% to an all-time high of $91.80 on Wednesday

$816 million U.S. Space Development Agency contract doubles company backlog

Cantor Fitzgerald calls Rocket Lab the leading SpaceX alternative

Neutron rocket launch scheduled for first half of 2026

Stock has gained over 250% in the past year

Rocket Lab stock climbed more than 6% during Wednesday’s session, hitting a record high of $91.80. The rally came as satellite stocks rose across the sector.

The gains followed increased geopolitical tensions related to recent White House policy shifts. Fellow satellite companies Planet Labs and EchoStar posted similar 6% increases.

Cantor Fitzgerald analyst Andres Sheppard reaffirmed his Buy rating on the stock. He identified Rocket Lab as the premier commercial alternative to SpaceX in the launch market.

The company recently landed an $816 million contract from the U.S. Space Development Agency. This represents the largest deal in Rocket Lab’s history.

Contract Win Doubles Company Backlog

The defense contract effectively doubled Rocket Lab’s total backlog. The company will design and manufacture 18 satellites for missile-warning, tracking, and defense operations in low Earth orbit.

This contract marks a major step in Rocket Lab’s evolution. The company continues expanding beyond launch services into comprehensive space infrastructure.

Rocket Lab completed 21 Electron launches in fiscal 2025, its highest annual total. The company has now successfully completed 79 missions, making it the third-most active launch provider worldwide and second in the U.S. behind SpaceX.

The company’s latest quarterly results showed revenue up 48% year-over-year. Rocket Lab posted an EPS of -$0.03, beating analyst expectations of -$0.05.

Neutron Launch Key to Future Growth

Sheppard identified the upcoming Neutron launch as the most critical catalyst for the stock. The first flight is expected in the first half of 2026.

Neutron is a medium-lift, reusable launch vehicle. Management plans to have the rocket on the launchpad in Q1 2026, with its maiden flight following soon after.

A successful Neutron launch could transform Rocket Lab’s economics. The vehicle would establish the company as the only viable commercial alternative to SpaceX’s Falcon 9.

Potential risks include Neutron delays, regulatory hurdles, and supply-chain issues. However, Sheppard expressed confidence in Rocket Lab’s proven execution track record.

The stock currently trades above analyst consensus targets. The average price target of $61.25 suggests over 20% downside from current levels, though several analysts have recently raised their targets.

Insider selling has been active over recent months. Corporate insiders sold approximately 4.2 million shares worth around $262 million in the past 90 days. CFO Adam Spice sold 1.365 million shares valued at roughly $103 million.

Rocket Lab stock has soared more than 250% over the past 12 months. The shares dipped 2% in after-hours trading following the record high.

The post Rocket Lab (RKLB) Stock: Defense Contract Win Drives Shares to All-Time High appeared first on Blockonomi.

TLDR:

Coinbase withdrew support for the 278-page crypto bill citing concerns over tokenized equities bans and DeFi restrictions.

Major firms including Kraken, Circle, and Ripple, reaffirmed their commitment to the legislative process despite challenges.

The bill’s amendments allegedly favor traditional banks through stablecoin yield restrictions and tokenization provisions.

Chairman Tim Scott postponed the markup but confirmed all parties remain engaged in good faith negotiations.

 

Senate Banking Committee Chair Tim Scott announced Wednesday evening the postponement of a crucial markup session for comprehensive crypto market structure legislation. 

The decision came after Coinbase withdrew its support for the bill, citing significant concerns about provisions that would disadvantage the crypto industry. 

The 278-page legislation had been scheduled for markup on Thursday, representing months of bipartisan negotiations aimed at establishing regulatory clarity for digital assets.

I’ve spoken with leaders across the crypto industry, the financial sector, and my Democratic and Republican colleagues, and everyone remains at the table working in good faith.

As we take a brief pause before moving to a markup, this market structure bill reflects months of…

— Senator Tim Scott (@SenatorTimScott) January 15, 2026

Industry Backlash Triggers Withdrawal of Support

The crypto industry expressed mounting frustrations on Wednesday afternoon over proposed amendments to the market structure bill. 

Companies argued that lawmakers were making excessive concessions to traditional banks and financial institutions. 

Specific concerns centered on stablecoin yield restrictions and tokenization provisions that critics claimed favored legacy finance.

Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong delivered a decisive blow around 4:00 p.m. when he announced the company’s withdrawal of support. 

In a post on X, Armstrong detailed multiple problematic elements affecting the legislation. His concerns included what he characterized as a de facto ban on tokenized equities and DeFi prohibitions that would grant the government unlimited access to financial records.

Armstrong further objected to provisions that would erode the Commodity Futures Trading Commission’s authority. 

The proposed changes would make the CFTC subservient to the Securities and Exchange Commission, he argued. 

Draft amendments targeting rewards on stablecoins drew particular criticism for allegedly allowing banks to eliminate competition.

“We appreciate all the hard work by members of the Senate to reach a bipartisan outcome, but this version would be materially worse than the current status quo,” Armstrong wrote. “We’d rather have no bill than a bad bill.” 

Despite the withdrawal, he expressed continued optimism about reaching better outcomes through ongoing engagement.

Path Forward Remains Uncertain Despite Continued Support

Several major industry players quickly moved to counter Coinbase’s withdrawal by reaffirming their commitment to the legislative process. 

Companies, including a16z, Circle, Paradigm, Kraken, and Ripple, issued separate statements supporting the markup. 

Trade associations such as Coin Center and the Digital Chamber also backed moving forward with negotiations.

Kraken co-CEO Arjun Sethi emphasized the importance of persistence through difficult negotiations. “It is easy to walk away when a process gets difficult. What is hard and what actually matters is continuing to show up, working through disagreements, and building consensus in a system designed to require it,” Sethi said on X. 

The statements collectively aimed to prevent other undecided senators from viewing Coinbase’s exit as grounds for opposition.

Chairman Scott addressed the postponement in a statement announcing the delay. “I’ve spoken with leaders across the crypto industry, the financial sector, and my Democratic and Republican colleagues, and everyone remains at the table working in good faith,” Scott stated. However, he provided no specific timeline for rescheduling the markup session.

The Senate will be out of session next week for Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The Senate Agriculture Committee had also postponed its own markup originally scheduled for Thursday. 

Whether the Banking Committee’s delay affects the Agriculture Committee’s timeline remains unclear. The core issues that sparked Wednesday’s conflict will likely dominate future negotiations as stakeholders work toward a consensus.

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