January’s financial markets are witnessing a dramatic rotation into GameFi, a breakdown in Bitcoin’s correlation with gold, and a high-stakes earnings play for Meta. This analysis breaks down the key moves in crypto and equities to help traders navigate the volatility. Understanding these shifts is crucial for positioning in the current turbulent environment.
about AXS, Bitcoin, Meta: Navigating January's Market VolatilityUpbit
0 in Finance and 0 in Crypto last weekXRP Golden Cross Signals Rally as Analysts Eye $8 Target by 2026
Ripple’s XRP token is flashing a rare bullish signal with a 5-day MACD Golden Cross, reminiscent of its July rally. Analysts are divided on whether the current retest of $2 support will hold or lead to a drop below $1.80. Long-term forecasts project XRP could reach $8 by 2026 if ETF demand and adoption accelerate.
about XRP Golden Cross Signals Rally as Analysts Eye $8 Target by 2026XRP Exchange Reserves Plummet as Analysts Eye $10 Target
Ripple’s XRP token is once again at the center of market speculation as significant withdrawals from major cryptocurrency exchanges echo a pattern last seen before a historic price surge. With reserves on platforms like Upbit and Binance falling sharply, analysts are divided on short-term direction but some see a compelling case for a major rally, with targets as high as $10 to $20 in the current cycle. This activity coincides with XRP outperforming major rivals Bitcoin and Ethereum in early 2026, solidifying its status as a focal point for traders seeking alternative crypto investments.
about XRP Exchange Reserves Plummet as Analysts Eye $10 TargetCrypto Hacks Hit Record $2.72B in 2025 Despite Market Slump
The cryptocurrency industry suffered its most devastating year for security breaches in 2025, with total hack losses reaching a staggering $2.72 billion according to data from TRM Labs. This figure surpasses the previous record set in 2024, a particularly alarming development given the year’s depressed market conditions. The historic $1.5 billion breach of exchange Bybit in February, attributed to North Korean actors, set a grim tone for a year marked by increasingly sophisticated and professionalized attacks on both centralized exchanges and decentralized finance (DeFi) protocols worldwide.
about Crypto Hacks Hit Record $2.72B in 2025 Despite Market SlumpMirae Asset Acquires Korbit Crypto Exchange for $70-100M
In a strategic move that underscores traditional finance’s deepening interest in digital assets, South Korea’s Mirae Asset Group is acquiring cryptocurrency exchange Korbit in a deal valued between $70 million and $100 million. The transaction, structured through the group’s non-financial subsidiary, Mirae Asset Consulting, aims to navigate strict local regulations while positioning the financial conglomerate within the country’s expanding crypto sector. This acquisition highlights the complex interplay between established financial institutions and the evolving digital asset landscape in one of Asia’s most active markets.
about Mirae Asset Acquires Korbit Crypto Exchange for $70-100MBinance Blacklists Fake Listing Agents, Offers $5M Bounty
In a decisive move to cleanse its ecosystem, cryptocurrency exchange giant Binance has declared war on fraudulent intermediaries, publicly blacklisting individuals and companies while offering bounties as high as $5 million for information. This aggressive crackdown targets the long-running scam of “listing agents” who prey on crypto projects with false promises of guaranteed token listings for substantial fees. The action, announced by co-CEO Yi He, aims to protect projects, reinforce official channels, and solidify trust as Binance navigates expansion and heightened scrutiny.
about Binance Blacklists Fake Listing Agents, Offers $5M BountyBinance Freezes Only 17% of Upbit Hack Funds, Sparking Security Debate
In the wake of a major cryptocurrency hack targeting South Korea’s Upbit exchange in late November 2025, the industry’s largest platform, Binance, has come under fire for its limited and delayed response. The exchange froze only 17% of the stolen funds requested by authorities, a move that has intensified scrutiny on how major exchanges handle illicit crypto flows and ignited a debate over systemic security failures.
about Binance Freezes Only 17% of Upbit Hack Funds, Sparking Security DebateXRP Whale Sell-Off Sparks Price Volatility, ETF Hopes Rise
Ripple’s XRP is navigating turbulent waters as significant selling by large-scale holders, known as whales, has driven its price down from over $3 to hover precariously near the $2.05 mark. This sell-off, involving hundreds of millions of tokens, has introduced pronounced short-term pressure. However, the narrative is not solely bearish. Concurrent developments, including the nearing approval of a spot XRP exchange-traded fund (ETF) and the launch of a wrapped version for decentralized finance (DeFi) use, are injecting long-term optimism into the market. Analysts are now closely monitoring the critical $2 support level, which could dictate the token’s next major directional move.
about XRP Whale Sell-Off Sparks Price Volatility, ETF Hopes RiseBinance Freezes Only 17% of Upbit Hack Funds, Raising Cross-Border Enforcement Questions
A recent report from South Korea has cast a spotlight on the challenges of international cryptocurrency law enforcement, revealing that Binance froze only about 17% of the funds requested by authorities investigating the Upbit hack. The incident, involving a delayed and partial freeze of Solana tokens, raises critical questions about the protocols and responsiveness of global exchanges to cross-border legal requests, potentially undermining efforts to combat crypto-related crime.
about Binance Freezes Only 17% of Upbit Hack Funds, Raising Cross-Border Enforcement QuestionsMaryland Man Jailed for Helping North Korea Infiltrate US Tech Firms
A Maryland man has been sentenced to 15 months in prison for his role in a sophisticated scheme that placed North Korean IT workers inside U.S. technology firms, granting foreign operatives unauthorized access to sensitive government systems, including those tied to national defense. The case, involving over $970,000 in fraudulent earnings, underscores a broader and financially motivated campaign by Pyongyang to fund its weapons programs through cyber fraud and digital asset theft, posing a significant threat to corporate and national security.
about Maryland Man Jailed for Helping North Korea Infiltrate US Tech FirmsAI to Boost Cyber Threats in 2026, AhnLab Warns
Artificial intelligence will enable bad actors to launch more sophisticated cyber attacks in 2026, according to cybersecurity firm AhnLab. North Korean state-backed hackers, particularly the Lazarus Group, have been the most active threat actors targeting financial institutions and crypto exchanges, employing spear phishing tactics that have resulted in massive financial losses including the $1.4 billion Bybit hack and recent $30 million Upbit exploit.
about AI to Boost Cyber Threats in 2026, AhnLab WarnsUpbit Hacked: $37M Stolen, North Korea Suspected
South Korea’s largest cryptocurrency exchange Upbit has suffered a major security breach resulting in $36.9 million in stolen assets. Authorities suspect North Korea’s notorious Lazarus Group may be behind the sophisticated attack, which comes exactly six years after the exchange’s previous major hack.
about Upbit Hacked: $37M Stolen, North Korea Suspected