Stay ahead with the latest cryptocurrency news and analysis
Blockchain
Blockchain
Blockchain
Bitcoin
Blockchain
Blockchain
This week, XRP is demonstrating a classic market phenomenon: how swiftly positive developments can be overshadowed by a broader shift toward risk reduction. Despite the activation of a significant protocol upgrade, Thursday’s trading was dominated by a severe wave of selling. The key question is why this fundamental progress failed to provide immediate price support.
Market analysis points to the derivatives sector as the primary catalyst for the downturn. As XRP breached key technical chart levels, a cascade of liquidations for leveraged long positions was triggered. Data from Coinglass reveals that XRP liquidations totaled approximately $46 million over a 24-hour period, with the majority stemming from bullish bets.
This sell-off pushed the price below a zone previously considered an area of demand. Technical observers note that this former support level may now act as resistance. Further signs of caution emerged in options activity on the Deribit exchange, where positioning turned more defensive. Interest increased in strategies designed to profit from either declining prices or rising volatility.
Adding to trader anxiety is the chart structure itself. Historically, there has been relatively little trading activity between the current price zone and the psychologically significant $1.00 level. This “air pocket,” as traders call it, can often accelerate price movements in either direction.
Compounding the pressure, U.S. spot XRP ETFs experienced notable outflows in January 2026. According to FXStreet, this included a single-day withdrawal of $93 million on January 30. Consequently, cumulative inflows receded toward $1.17 billion, down from a peak near $1.37 billion in mid-January.
These flows suggest waning demand through the ETF channel, indicating reduced structural support from institutional capital. The price action reflects this: XRP currently trades at $1.37, marking a 52-week low. Its 14-day Relative Strength Index (RSI) sits at 28.8, deep in oversold territory.
Amidst this turbulent market phase, a major protocol-level advancement went live. On February 4, the “Permissioned Domains” feature was activated on the XRP Ledger, supported by over 91% of validators.
The core of this upgrade (XLS-80) enables the creation of restricted access areas within the public XRPL. Participation in these domains is limited to accounts holding specific verified credentials. The objective is to provide regulated institutions with a compliant environment without requiring them to operate separate, isolated private blockchains. Domain operators set the rules, and qualified accounts are automatically enrolled as members.
This represents a clear step toward greater institutional utility. However, such infrastructure improvements typically do not produce immediate price impacts. Their true value will be determined by subsequent real-world implementation and measurable on-chain activity.
Several other favorable announcements coincided with the upgrade but did little to stem the selling pressure:
The overall picture reveals a distinct short-term disconnect. While fundamental developments are accumulating, the current price is being driven more forcefully by market positioning, momentum, and the broader risk-off environment.
The immediate focus is on whether XRP can reclaim the area around its former support near $1.44. Failure to do so may see the weakness persist, even as the network upgrade begins the longer-term task of proving it can attract tangible institutional adoption.
The cryptocurrency sector is in the grip of a severe downturn, with XRP suffering some of the most pronounced losses. The digital asset has now shed over 60% of its value since its July peak of $3.65, trading at its lowest level in months. This decline is being fueled by a confluence of negative macroeconomic signals from the United States and a destabilizing wave of forced liquidations in derivatives trading.
Interestingly, a divergence is emerging between institutional and retail investor behavior. While Bitcoin and Ethereum exchange-traded funds (ETFs) have recently seen outflows, XRP-focused ETFs have attracted approximately $1.3 billion in inflows since their launch in November 2025. This suggests that larger, professional investors may be using the depressed price environment to establish or increase their holdings.
Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse alluded to this potential opportunity in recent public comments. Quoting famed investor Warren Buffett on social media, he invoked the adage to “be fearful when others are greedy, and greedy when others are fearful.” His implication was clear: the current valuation may represent a strategic entry point rather than a sign of fundamental failure.
The downward spiral accelerated significantly on February 5th, when forced liquidations of XRP long positions totaled around $6.6 million. This deleveraging event created substantial additional selling pressure in the market.
Broader economic concerns are also weighing heavily on risk assets. Disappointing U.S. labor market data revealed that initial jobless claims came in at 231,000, higher than analysts had forecast. Furthermore, the anticipated “Market Structure Bill,” which promised greater regulatory clarity for the crypto industry, has been postponed in the U.S. Senate until early 2026, extending a period of uncertainty.
Market sentiment, as measured by the Crypto Fear & Greed Index, has collapsed to a reading of 5, indicating “Extreme Fear.” Historically, such levels have coincided with major market bottoms, including those seen in 2018, 2020, and 2022.
From a technical analysis perspective, XRP has breached several critical support levels. The previous support zone near $1.44 has now flipped to become a significant resistance barrier. All eyes are now on the psychologically important $1.00 mark, which is viewed as the next major line of defense.
A sustained break below $1.00 could trigger algorithmic selling programs, potentially leading to a steeper decline. Analysts suggest that if this level fails, a “maximum accumulation zone” between $0.70 and $0.90 could come into play. Such a move would effectively erase nearly all of the gains from the 2025 rally.
The upcoming weekend trading sessions are likely to prove decisive for XRP’s near-term direction, with the $1.00 threshold serving as the focal point for traders and algorithms alike.
As Ethereum approaches a critical development phase in February 2026, a potential strategic overhaul is emerging. Beyond the closely watched technical roadmap, a fundamental shift in the network’s core scaling philosophy is being considered, moving the focus away from scheduled upgrades alone.
The regulatory approval of spot ETFs provided Ethereum with a firmer footing within regulated capital markets. However, underlying cracks are becoming apparent. Activity on Layer-2 networks continues to grow, yet the total value locked (TVL) on these solutions has been declining since its mid-2025 peak. This divergence highlights that increased transaction volume has not translated into a proportional capture of economic value, underscoring a key challenge for the ecosystem.
Market sentiment has turned punitive toward delays or technical shortcomings. This was starkly illustrated by recent price action, where Ethereum’s value fell over 30% on a weekly basis, touching new 52-week lows. This pressure has intensified investor focus on flawless technical execution.
In response, developers are implementing a more structured timeline featuring two major semi-annual updates to enhance network predictability. The first upgrade, “Glamsterdam,” is anticipated in the first half of the year. Its primary objectives are more efficient transaction processing and optimized gas costs.
The second update, “Hegota,” is slated for the latter half of 2026. This release will concentrate on data cleansing, alongside enhancements to privacy and censorship resistance. These continual adjustments are deemed essential for the network’s competitiveness and health.
A particularly intriguing aspect of the current strategic debate concerns the future role of Layer-2 solutions. Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin recently suggested a reevaluation of the established “rollup-centric roadmap.” With the base layer’s (Layer 1) capacity expanding and gas limits projected to rise in 2026, the mainnet may reassume greater direct responsibility for network scaling. This would represent a significant directional correction in the ecosystem’s long-term architectural planning.
The success of the Glamsterdam and Hegota upgrades in substantially boosting the base layer’s efficiency could be pivotal. Achieving this would likely reinforce confidence in the network’s economic sustainability. Ultimately, 2026 will determine whether this technical recalibration is sufficient to bridge the gap between growing usage and tangible value accrual.
A surprising source is providing tailwinds for gold: signs of a softening US economy. Typically, weaker economic data would unsettle investors, but in this case, it is fueling speculation that the Federal Reserve may cut interest rates sooner than previously anticipated. This prospect is weighing on the US dollar and Treasury yields, creating a more favorable environment for the non-yielding precious metal.
Recent US labor market indicators are the primary catalyst for this shift in sentiment. Weekly initial jobless claims rose to 231,000, up from 209,000 the previous week. Adding to this picture, the Challenger Report showed 108,400 job cuts were announced in January—the highest January total since 2009.
This combination has led markets to price in a higher probability of earlier monetary policy easing. According to the source material, traders are now increasingly factoring in a first Fed rate cut for June 2026. In such a scenario, declining yields and a weaker US dollar typically enhance the appeal of gold as an asset.
Key Data Points:
* US Initial Jobless Claims: 231,000 (previous week 209,000)
* Challenger Report (Jan): 108,400 job cuts (highest January figure since 2009)
* Market Expectation: Fed rate cut in June 2026 gains stronger focus
* Recent Gold Price: $4,842.60, down -1.32% over 7 days, but up +8.41% over 30 days
Despite the supportive macro shift, the trading environment remains tense. The source describes activity marked by “extreme” nervousness, with the Cboe Gold Volatility Index reaching its highest level since 2020. This aligns with recent price action: after hitting an all-time high in January (cited as over $5,600), gold underwent a noticeable correction, falling to the vicinity of $4,800.
From a technical perspective, a support zone between $4,600 and $4,800 is viewed as critical. On the upside, $5,000 is noted as a key resistance level. The metal is currently trading above its 50-day moving average ($4,621.77), a signal that the recent recovery has not been immediately sold into.
Even amidst current turbulence, several major institutions maintain a constructive long-term outlook. JP Morgan, as per the source, continues to forecast a price target of up to $6,300 per ounce by the end of 2026. Standard Chartered points to structural supports, including sustained central bank demand and ongoing geopolitical uncertainties, which reinforce gold’s traditional role as a safe haven. Sprott Asset Management highlights physical purchases (notably by China) and inflows into gold ETFs as additional potential stabilizing factors.
Ultimately, the near-term trajectory appears heavily dependent on whether the flow of economic data continues to pressure the Fed toward a June 2026 policy shift. If so, further weakness in the dollar and yields could provide a fundamental underpinning for gold. Technically, the $4,600 to $4,800 zone remains the essential safety net for the bullion market.
Ethereum’s Contradiction: Institutional Progress Meets Market Turmoil
The Ethereum ecosystem finds itself pulled in opposing directions. While institutional adoption reaches new milestones, the broader cryptocurrency market has been rocked by a severe deleveraging event. This clash between long-term development and short-term panic is defining the current landscape, with upcoming regulatory signals poised to set a crucial precedent.
A Wave of Fear Sweeps Derivatives Market
The immediate narrative is dominated by fear. Market sentiment, as measured by the Fear & Greed Index, has plunged into single-digit territory (5–11), signaling a state of “Extreme Fear.” This dramatic shift was triggered by a massive liquidation cascade across leveraged positions.
Over the past 24 hours, more than $2.6 billion in positions were forcibly closed. Of this total, approximately $1.85 billion stemmed from long positions, indicating a classic long squeeze. The selling pressure drove Ethereum below key support levels around $1,900, as falling prices triggered further waves of mandatory sell-offs. Reflecting this intense pressure, Ethereum’s price currently sits at $1,930.38, marking a new 52-week low.
Bitwise Files Groundbreaking Uniswap ETF
Amidst the market chaos, a significant institutional advancement has emerged. Asset manager Bitwise has officially submitted an S-1 filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for a Uniswap ETF. The key detail is the fund’s proposed holding: not Bitcoin or Ethereum directly, but UNI, the governance token of the Uniswap protocol—the largest decentralized exchange (DEX) operating on Ethereum.
This move represents a subtle shift in focus from “Layer-1” blockchain assets to the application layer, specifically the protocols built on top of them. According to the filing, the fund would hold UNI directly. A potential approval would serve as a major signal, suggesting regulators are seriously considering the economic relevance of DeFi infrastructure within a regulated framework.
Tether Deepens Ethereum’s Real-World Asset Links
Parallel to these developments, the trend of bringing “Real World Assets” (RWA) onto the blockchain continues to build. Tether has announced a strategic equity investment of $150 million into the precious metals platform Gold.com.
Critically, this is not a direct purchase of gold bullion. Instead, it is an equity investment designed to more deeply integrate Tether’s gold-backed token, XAUt, with the marketplace. The objective is to enable seamless conversion between physical gold bars and the Ethereum-based XAUt token. This further positions Ethereum as a settlement layer for high-value, off-chain assets.
Key Market Focus Points Ahead
Following the liquidation storm, market participants are closely watching two primary factors. First, how will the SEC respond to the Uniswap ETF application, and could it pave the way for similar funds tied to other DeFi tokens? The industry views the regulator’s decision as a critical gauge for whether ETFs for protocols like Aave or Maker could become feasible in the future.
Concurrently, the state of the derivatives market remains a decisive question. Analysts are monitoring metrics such as Open Interest and the normalization of funding rates to determine whether the recent deleveraging cascade has fully concluded or merely represents a temporary pause in the volatility.