Strive Inc. (Nasdaq: ASST), a publicly traded asset management bitcoin treasury company, announced on Jan. 13 that Semler Scientific Inc. (Nasdaq: SMLR) shareholders approved an all-stock acquisition, significantly expanding Strive’s bitcoin holdings. The deal includes acquiring Semler’s 5,048.1 bitcoin, resulting in the combined company holding 12,797.9 bitcoin—surpassing Tesla and Trump Media & Technology Group to become the 11th largest corporate bitcoin holder. Prior to closing, Strive purchased 123 bitcoin at an average price of $91,561 (totaling $11.3 million including fees), boosting its standalone holdings to 7,749.8 bitcoin.

The announcement triggered volatile trading: Strive shares closed at $0.97, down 11.82% after ranging from $0.8911 to $1.17 with volume exceeding 360 million shares (versus a 117 million average). Semler fell 9.64% to $20.34, trading between $18.81 and $24.19. Pre-market on Jan. 14 showed modest stabilization, with Semler up 0.20% and Strive down 1.00%, at market caps of $311 million and $867 million, respectively. Strive’s board approved a 1-for-20 reverse stock split to attract institutional investors.

CEO Cole highlighted the deal’s alignment with Strive’s capital strategy, projecting over 15% bitcoin yield by Q1 2026. Post-closing, Strive plans to monetize Semler’s operating business within 12 months and retire legacy obligations, including a $100 million convertible note and $20 million Coinbase loan. Eric Semler will join Strive’s board, with Cantor Fitzgerald and Liontree Advisors as financial advisers.

Bitcoin's price surged 1.23% to $96,617.34, achieving a year-to-date gain of over 10%, driven by investor optimism ahead of the Senate's vote on a cryptocurrency bill that could provide a clearer regulatory framework.

The Crypto Fear & Greed Index shifted from 'Neutral' to 'Greed', signaling rising demand for Bitcoin and potential for a breakout above $100,000, according to analysts.

Market volatility intensified, with over $380 million liquidated across cryptocurrencies in the last 24 hours, mainly short positions, while Bitcoin's open interest climbed 2.76%, indicating strong investor engagement.

In contrast, the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 42.36 points (0.09%) amid geopolitical tensions and caution toward risk assets. On Coinbase, Barclays cut its price target to $258 from $291, maintaining Equal Weight ahead of the Q4 report, citing softer trading volumes, mixed crypto prices, and slowing USDC growth. Bank of America upgraded Coinbase to Buy from Neutral with a $340 target, noting the stock's 40% decline from July highs but highlighting increased product velocity and expansion into stock/ETF trading and prediction markets to become the "everything exchange." Compass Point's Ed Engel initiated Coincheck coverage with a Buy rating and $5 target.

Bitcoin is not merely a trade but an asset owned for a purpose, though its market is heavily leveraged, resulting in heightened volatility. Despite perceptions of Bitcoin as an "asset of fear," it represents inevitability, prompting nation states to accumulate it patiently.

Institutions are undeterred by volatility; their primary concern is arriving late to Bitcoin's base layer. Late entrants miss out on upside potential and face dilution.

Adding a force multiplier, artificial intelligence (AI) is likened to electricity—an essential, non-investable technology. Just as electricity underpins modern infrastructure, AI amplifies Bitcoin's foundational role, emphasizing its long-term strategic value over short-term fluctuations.

Bitcoin Market Shift: Altcoin Season Index Declines

Written by Ohris M. Greyoon, a Blockchain & Crypto Expert with a Master’s in Computer Science from MIT and 10 years in blockchain and cryptocurrency markets, the article highlights a key market rotation. CoinMarketCap's Altcoin Season Index has dropped to 29, a one-point decline from the previous day, signaling capital shifting toward Bitcoin and prompting investors to reassess asset allocation strategies (dated 01/14 23:34).

Index Analysis and Bitcoin Preference

The index evaluates the 90-day performance of the top 100 cryptocurrencies. A score of 29 indicates only 29% of major altcoins are outperforming Bitcoin, underscoring a growing market preference for Bitcoin dominance.

Historical Context and Market Cycles

This reading aligns with historical crypto cycles, where scores below 75 typically signal strengthening Bitcoin dominance and subsequent market consolidation, as per CoinMarketCap data.

Investor Recommendations

In this Bitcoin-led environment, investors should consider boosting allocations to Bitcoin or related assets while eyeing opportunities to accumulate promising altcoins. Source: CoinMarketCap. Published by Intellectia.AI (Copyright © 2026).

SEC Chair Paul Atkins expects bipartisan U.S. crypto legislation to advance soon, with President Donald Trump signing it in the coming months to provide regulatory clarity. On Jan. 12, Atkins posted on X supporting Congress's efforts to define the jurisdictional split between the SEC and CFTC, moving crypto markets out of the "regulatory gray zone" to protect investors and position the U.S. as the global crypto capital. The legislation aims to future-proof against rogue regulators and promote innovation.

The process is in a "dual-track" phase: The Senate Banking Committee, chaired by Tim Scott, will mark up the 278-page CLARITY Act (Digital Asset Market Clarity Act) on Jan. 15, facing over 100 amendments and pushback from Senator Elizabeth Warren on a "tokenization loophole." The Agriculture Committee, led by John Boozman, delayed its vote to Jan. 27, releasing a revised text on Jan. 21 to resolve disputes over "digital commodities" and stablecoin rewards. Atkins anticipates final passage by Q1's end, coordinating with CFTC's Michael Selig and White House A.I. and crypto czar David Sacks.

XRP surged to $2.17 against the USD by 8:30 p.m. on Jan. 13, holding gains after breaking above $2.10, with volatility expanding. Bullish indicators include RSI at 72, positive MACD (line at 0.0269 above signal at 0.0181), and price above 50-period ($2.08) and 200-period ($2.15) MAs, near upper Bollinger Band ($2.18). Momentum ties to CLARITY Act optimism, but overbought RSI risks pullback to $2.14–$2.15 support.

On January 15, 2026, Bitcoin ETFs recorded their strongest inflows of the year, absorbing 8,260 BTC compared to just 450 coins produced by miners. This imbalance underscores how regulated funds are removing far more supply from the market than new issuance can replenish. In dollar terms, over $700 million flowed into ETF products, marking the largest daily addition of 2026. BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) led with $126 million, followed by strong performances from Fidelity and Ark, signaling broad institutional demand for compliant Bitcoin exposure.

ETF buying has emerged as a dominant driver of Bitcoin’s price action, often surpassing spot exchange flows. Since the start of 2026, Bitcoin has risen over 10%, approaching $97,000, bolstered by softer U.S. inflation data and renewed political rhetoric on crypto adoption. These funds serve as gateways for traditional investors, amplifying market momentum.

The current environment reflects a supply squeeze, with ETFs daily absorbing thousands of coins while miners output under 500, thinning exchange liquidity. This scarcity has historically fueled rallies, especially alongside retail demand. Yesterday’s $700 million influx highlights how ETF flows are actively shaping Bitcoin’s trajectory, solidifying its role as the leading digital currency in 2026.

The global cryptocurrency market experienced a notable shift this week, with CoinMarketCap’s Altcoin Season Index dropping to 29 from the previous day's 30, signaling Bitcoin's dominant "Bitcoin season." This metric, calculated by assessing the 90-day performance of the top 100 cryptocurrencies (excluding stablecoins and wrapped assets), shows only 29% of major altcoins outperforming Bitcoin, indicating capital rotation toward the flagship asset as a safe haven.

Historically, such low scores align with bull market cycles starting with Bitcoin's surge, driven by its first-mover advantage and "digital gold" narrative, before altcoins gain traction. For instance, the prolonged altcoin season in early 2021, with the index above 75, preceded Bitcoin's reassertion and market consolidation. Analysts compare this to past patterns, noting Bitcoin's benefits from institutional inflows like ETFs amid macroeconomic uncertainty.

For investors, the index suggests overweighting Bitcoin while accumulating undervalued altcoins via dollar-cost averaging. Key watch areas include developer activity on GitHub, DeFi TVL, and on-chain metrics like transactions. External factors, such as rising interest rates and U.S./EU regulations, further bolster Bitcoin's position.

FAQs clarify: A score of 29 means Bitcoin dominance in returns, distinct from market cap-based Bitcoin Dominance; low indices aren't market-wide negatives but opportunities for strong altcoin picks. Updated daily by CoinMarketCap, per Sofiya's Bitcoinworld.co.in analysis (6-minute read, 0 comments). Disclaimer: Not trading advice; conduct independent research.

On January 15, 2026, Bitcoin (BTC) surged past $97,000, trading at $97,060 (IDR 1,635,475,268), up 2.18% in 24 hours, with a low of IDR 1,596,256,347 and high of IDR 1,650,370,351. Market cap reached IDR 32,687 trillion, and 24-hour volume rose 11% to IDR 1,158 trillion, per Pintu News in Jakarta.

The rally, driven by whales accumulating on the spot market rather than retail leverage in futures, signals a shift from ETF-fueled sell-offs. CryptoQuant data shows large order sizes increasing as prices rose from $85,000 to over $95,000, while small transactions surged in derivatives. Unlike past peaks where retail led and whales sold, whales bought first, indicating an initial uptrend phase, not a blow-off top.

Bitcoin's pattern shifted from November's sharp red spikes to January's stable green streak, bouncing from $84,400 to $96,000 amid real spot demand absorbing sales. US spot Bitcoin ETFs saw over $6 billion in outflows earlier this month, stabilizing at $86,000 support and cleansing weak hands. The drop from $110,000 to $85,000 ended speculative excess; now in re-accumulation and expansion, holding above $95,000, Bitcoin eyes $100,000 if whale buying persists.