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 formed a significant low at $80,537 on November 21, 2025, and has since traded sideways to upward in a double three corrective structure under the Elliott Wave framework. Wave (W) ended at $94,172, followed by wave (X) pulling back to $84,398. Wave (Y) is underway, subdividing into a smaller double three: wave W at $94,792, wave X at $89,190, and wave Y as a zigzag ((a))-((b))-((c)). Within ((a)), wave (i) reached $92,392, wave (ii) retraced to $90,016, and wave (iii) hit $97,939. Wave (iv) is expected to correct from the January 12, 2026 low, before wave (v) completes ((a)).
As long as the $89,222 pivot holds, dips should find support in 3, 7, or 11 swings, favoring upside. On Wednesday, Bitcoin traded above $95,000 amid positive sentiment, lifting altcoins like Ethereum and Ripple, which held Tuesday's gains from lower-than-expected US December core inflation. Ripple dipped to $2.15 after rallying to $2.19. Hyperliquid surged above $26.00 with improving on-chain metrics, while Pi Network held above $0.2000 after a 1% bounce.
By Friday, Bitcoin pulled back toward $90,000 after rejection at resistance, driven by fading institutional demand and net outflows from spot ETFs this week.
TD Cowen trimmed its price target for Michael Saylor’s Strategy (Nasdaq: MSTR) to $440 from $500 while maintaining a buy rating, citing near-term pressure from accelerated Bitcoin purchases amid price compression. Analysts Lance Vitanza and Jonnathan Navarrete, from TD Securities' research division, noted in a Wednesday report that Strategy raised roughly $1.25 billion and used nearly all of it to buy more Bitcoin, leaning into the downturn. They linked this to broader shifts in Bitcoin’s institutional market structure, affirming Strategy remains attractive for Bitcoin exposure despite flirting with a zero Bitcoin premium recently.
On Monday, Strategy announced its largest Bitcoin purchase in over five months, acquiring 13,600 Bitcoin in the past week for over $1.2 billion at current prices. The Tysons Corner, Virginia-based firm now holds 687,400 Bitcoin, valued at over $62.8 billion with Bitcoin at $91,415 per CoinGecko. A week ago, when U.S. markets opened, Bitcoin traded around $93,000, highlighting the recent price dip that Strategy aggressively exploited.
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.
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.
Bitcoin ETFs Hoover 8,260 Coins in 24hrs, Beat Mine Output
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www.bitcoinsensus.com
Bitcoin Meteo
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.
Bitcoin's price has tracked net institutional demand over the past year, defined by Bitwise as buying from global exchange-traded products (ETPs) and treasury companies minus new supply. This trend accelerated after Strategy (formerly MicroStrategy) purchased $1.25 billion in BTC, coupled with $753 million in net inflows into US spot BTC exchange-traded funds (ETFs). On Wednesday, Bitcoin surged above $97,000 for the first time in three months, extending its post-Consumer Price Index (CPI) gain by 6.7% over the past two days.
The rally triggered $360 million in BTC short liquidations in the past 24 hours—the largest since October 10—per Coinglass data, with the biggest at $34.9 million on the HTX exchange. A 47,244 decrease in BTC holders preceded gains on three occasions over the past two months, according to Santiment. Exchange supply hit a seven-month low of 1.18 million BTC, signaling reduced selloff risk; Santiment noted dropping non-empty wallets as a bullish sign.
Bitcoin traded near $97,100, up 2% in the past 24 hours on Wednesday. By Friday, it fell toward $90,000 amid fading institutional demand and spot ETF outflows.
Bitcoin Dominance Rises: Altcoin Index Hits 29 Low
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bitcoinworld.co.in
Bitcoin Meteo
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.
Bitcoin Surges to $97K on Whale Hoarding – $100K Rally Ahead?
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pintu.co.id
Bitcoin Meteo
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.
Crypto Bill Vote Nears; BTC ETFs Net $754M; Bitcoin Hits $95K
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www.tradingview.com
Bitcoin Meteo
The Digital Asset Market Clarity Act is set for markup this week, aiming to clarify regulations between the SEC and CFTC. This could boost institutional investment and improve market sentiment for Bitcoin.
US spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded their largest daily inflows in three months, drawing $753.7 million. This surge signals renewed institutional interest as investors redirect focus after year-end rebalancing.
Bitcoin has broken above its recent trading range, reaching $94,962.73 with a 1.0% increase. A sustained close above $94,400 could pave the way for further gains toward $100,000.
Bitcoin has surged above $95,000 for the first time since mid-November, extending its January recovery and ending a nearly two-month consolidation phase. At the time of writing, it trades around $97,200, per TradingView data, breaking the upper boundary of a multi-week range that capped prices since late 2025. Following a sharp correction from November highs, Bitcoin traded sideways between $88,000 and $94,000 through much of December and early January.
The rally marks a technical shift, forming a higher high on the 12-hour chart with expanded trading volume, indicating broad participation rather than thin liquidity. CryptoQuant reports Bitcoin’s 90-day Spot Taker Cumulative Volume Delta (CVD) turned positive in January, signaling taker buy dominance after seller control in September–November. The Accumulation/Distribution (A/D) indicator has risen, reaching a local high of 5.05 million, confirming sustained inflows during the breakout.
By Adewale Olarinde, edited by Jibin Mathew George, the analysis highlights buyers regaining spot market control. The $94,000–$95,000 zone may now serve as support, with Bitcoin nearing the psychological $100,000 level, where momentum could extend if demand persists.
Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong announced on Wednesday that the exchange is withdrawing support from the U.S. Senate Banking Committee's crypto market structure bill, released Monday, citing "too many issues" including a de facto ban on tokenized equities, regulations on decentralized finance (DeFi), CFTC approaches, and proposed amendments. The committee was set to debate and vote on Thursday, but Chairman Tim Scott later canceled the markup amid unfinished business, with stakeholders continuing negotiations. Armstrong prefers no bill over a bad one but remains optimistic about a better draft through ongoing talks. Over 75 amendments were proposed, addressing contentious issues like stablecoin yield rewards, AML/KYC for DeFi, registration pathways, and SEC disclosures. Democrats raised ethics concerns over President Donald Trump and family profiting from crypto.
The Digital Chamber supports revisions, while Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse praised the bill on X as a "massive step forward" for clarity and consumer protection. The Blockchain Association is discussing Coinbase's stance. Banking lobbyists, via the American Bankers Association's petition signed by over 3,200 banks, oppose stablecoin yields, arguing they siphon funds from local lending.
Separately, KuCoin achieved a record $1.25 trillion in 2025 trading volume ($114 billion monthly average), capturing the highest centralized exchange share as volumes outpaced the broader crypto market slowdown. Spot and derivatives each exceeded $500 billion, with altcoins dominating beyond BTC and ETH.
CME Supercharges Silver: Cutting-Edge Contracts Debut as Buying Peaks
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news.bitcoin.com
Bitcoin Meteo
Silver Futures Market Surge
On Jan. 13, 2026, CME Group (Nasdaq: CME) announced a new 100-ounce silver futures contract to tap into rising retail investor demand amid geopolitical uncertainty and the energy transition. Managing Director Jin Hennig highlighted silver's appeal for diversification. COMEX silver futures rose 18.34% over five trading days, from the mid-$70 range to $91.57 by early Jan. 14, 2026, with intraday highs near $91.80, volume of 79,700 contracts, and open interest over 101,800. The contract, set for a Feb. 9, 2026 launch pending review, will be financially settled based on the global benchmark's daily price. Industry partners like Robinhood's JB Mackenzie and Plus500US CEO Isaac Cahana praised its accessibility for retail traders. CME's 2025 saw record retail activity: 301,000 average daily volume in Micro Gold futures, 48,000 in Micro Silver, and over 6 million in 1-ounce gold contracts.
XRP Price Momentum
On Jan. 13, 2026, at 8:30 p.m., XRP traded near $2.17 USD after advancing from $2.10, briefly hitting $2.18 amid bullish volatility. Technicals show a breakout above key moving averages ($2.08 50-period, $2.15 200-period), with RSI at 72 (overbought), positive MACD (0.0269 line above 0.0181 signal), and widened Bollinger Bands ($2.02 lower, $2.18 upper). Optimism stems from the Senate Banking Committee's Jan. 15 markup of the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act, led by Chair Tim Scott, potentially clarifying regulations for XRP. Holding above $2.14–$2.15 supports upside; a pullback risks testing mid-$2.10s. Broader crypto strength and inflation data bolster sentiment.
Silver surged past $90 per ounce for the first time, rising from under $80 on Friday to over $91 today, while copper hit a new all-time high, up 40% in six months. Gold, stocks, homes, debt, and money market funds also reached records, signaling currency debasement amid a $1.65 trillion money supply increase in the past year ($116 billion monthly). The US Mint suspended silver sales due to shortages, as the Fed panics with PPI reaccelerating and rate cuts delayed, leaving Jerome Powell boxed in amid $38 trillion US debt (over 120% debt-to-GDP) and interest exceeding 100% of revenue. Trump may react strongly.
Bitcoin, the hardest asset, previously flipped silver in market cap and is poised to do so again, running hardest last in this repricing. Michael Saylor views volatility as a "gift" to the faithful, warning that widespread agreement could send Bitcoin to $10 million, ending stacking opportunities. Samson Mow's Max Pain theory suggests a surge to $1 million would price out masses, benefiting billionaires. Iran's currency collapse saw Bitcoin hit $100 billion, enriching savers while fiat holders lost 96%.
Institutional adoption drives growth: Since January 2024 Bitcoin ETF launches, prices rose from $35,000–$40,000 to $90,000. Bitwise predicts a positive 2026, bucking four-year cycles, with multi-year tailwinds. Strive forecasts 30–50% CAGR over the next eight years, tapering at $10 trillion market cap. Network effects ensure Bitcoin's dominance, ignoring FUD like quantum threats. Supreme Court tariff delays add uncertainty, potentially sparking Bitcoin buying chaos.
Michael Saylor, CEO of MicroStrategy, has proposed that the US government sell all its gold reserves to acquire 5 million Bitcoins, aiming to normalize Bitcoin adoption. He emphasizes the role of Bitcoin advocates in shifting the Overton window—making concepts like self-custody of assets and individual control of wealth seem mainstream rather than radical.
Saylor urges Bitcoiners to push these ideas publicly, citing examples such as former President Donald Trump's call to audit the Federal Reserve. He also references Elon Musk's social media post labeling economist John Maynard Keynes (referred to as "the economist") a "great evil," highlighting efforts to challenge traditional financial systems.
Through bold statements on TV and online, advocates like Saylor seek to broaden acceptance of Bitcoin as a legitimate store of value, countering hoarding criticisms and promoting decentralized wealth management.
Bitcoin has surged in early 2026, surpassing $97,000 on Wednesday for the first time in two months, up more than 6% in the last week. The rally follows Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell's statement accusing President Donald Trump’s administration of directing a baseless criminal investigation to intimidate the Fed, raising concerns over its independence. This uncertainty, combined with cool CPI inflation data released on Tuesday, pressured the dollar—negatively correlated to Bitcoin—and drove investors toward safe havens like gold and precious metals. Russell Thompson, chief investment officer at Hilbert Group, noted the supportive global macro backdrop amid these factors.
Smaller cryptocurrencies have also risen: Ethereum increased over 4% to about $3,338, while Solana gained more than 3% to roughly $144.
In contrast, 2025 was disappointing for Bitcoin, dropping over 6% despite favorable Trump policies, including the Genius Act signed in July. It hit an all-time high above $126,000 in early October but plummeted 33% to $84,000 in late November, exacerbated by the "October flash crash" where traders lost $19 billion. The S&P 500 rose 17% that year, highlighting Bitcoin's underperformance.
Bitcoin has rebounded strongly as interest rates declined, outperforming meme coins like Shiba Inu (SHIB). As the world's most valuable cryptocurrency, Bitcoin (BTC) is viewed as a "blue chip" token with lower volatility, akin to digital gold due to its finite supply of 21 million tokens—nearly 20 million already mined, with the last expected by 2140. It uses energy-intensive proof-of-work (PoW) mining, with halvings every four years reducing rewards; the latest in 2024 tightened supply further.
Historically, a $200 investment in Bitcoin's 2010 debut would be worth $6.4 billion today. Over the past two years, amid Federal Reserve rate cuts six times in 2024 and 2025, Bitcoin's price rose over 120%, boosted by SEC approval of spot price ETFs two years ago (2024) and institutional adoption, including some countries accepting it as legal tender.
Challenges include high mining costs via ASICs. For a $10,000 investment to reach $1 million, Bitcoin's market cap must surge 9,900% to $193 trillion. Strategy's Michael Saylor predicts $21 million per token by 2045, implying a $410 trillion cap. Analyst Leo Sun remains bullish, expecting Bitcoin to outperform Shiba Inu long-term as a safe-haven asset, though growth may slow with wider acceptance.
Bitcoin retreated from above $103,000 but stabilized near the $92,000–$95,000 support band as of 2026/01/14 19:00, with spot demand absorbing dips during Asian and early European sessions. Trading at around $95,400 after rebounding from $92,000, it later reached 94,957.33, up 3.17% in the last 24 hours. The $94,500 level acts as a short-term pivot, with failed breakdowns reinforcing bullish structure.
Ted Pillows via X described it as a “classic BTC breakout,” highlighting the ascending trendline post-$94,500 reclaim, aligned with historical 50–60 day consolidations resolving higher. Crypto Tony via X noted the $94,400 reclaim opens doors to $98,000, supported by Asian buying. Don Wedge via X views the pullback from $103,040 to $95,000 as measured, with potential rebound to $103K amid post-halving volatility, unless $92,000 breaks.
Technical indicators show bullish MACD on daily charts and RSI hidden divergence on weekly. Softer U.S. CPI at 2.6% eases macro pressure, while MicroStrategy added over 13,600 BTC, boosting institutional stability. Near-term targets of $98,000–$100,000 hinge on holding $95,000 with rising volume.
