Home Blog Page 268

Breakout or Dead Cat Bounce? Shiba Inu Key Levels to Watch

0

Amid the ongoing Shiba Inu sideways price trend, certain levels are critical to the meme coin’s near-term price trajectory.

These levels become more essential as Shiba Inu trades near its weekly support near $0.0000060. How it reacts to these areas will determine whether a breakout ensues or just a dead cat bounce.

Key Points

  • Amid the ongoing Shiba Inu sideways price trend, certain levels are critical to the meme coin’s near-term price trajectory.
  • These levels become more essential as Shiba Inu trades near its weekly support near $0.0000060.
  • SHIB burns are on the rise, yet its price has not followed this trajectory.
  • The SHIB downtrend reflects the broader meme coin sector, which has seen traction cool as investors rotate into major altcoins.
  • The volume profile shows a liquidity cluster slightly higher, suggesting SHIB might push towards the $0.0000066-$0.0000070 price area.
  • Subsequently, SHIB would pull back towards the $0.0000055 to $0.0000050 region.

Shiba Inu Unreactive Amid Capital Rotation

A TradingView analysis from “Trade Logic AI” spotlighted how SHIB has been unresponsive to events that usually boost momentum. For instance, SHIB burns are on the rise as part of a long-standing effort to reduce its supply, which is in the trillions.

Yet, the Shiba Inu price has not followed in the steps of these growing burns. This is understandable, as ongoing massive sell-offs neutralize demand and increase supply pressure, weakening the effect of token incineration.

A community-driven Shib burn tracker shows that, despite a 35.3% increase in burn rate in the past 24 hours, its price has not moved. This is likely due to the fact that the burns, at 3.5 million tokens, remain significantly low compared to the overall supply.

Shiba Inu Burns/S Shib Burn Tracker
Shiba Inu Burns/Shib Burn Tracker

Notably, “Trade Logic” sees this divergence as a sign that only speculators “are left in the game.” According to him, there is no real dip buying among SHIB whales and sharks.

Interestingly, the SHIB downtrend reflects the state of the broader meme coin sector. As one of the sector’s leaders, it has experienced cooled traction as investors rotate to major altcoins with better assurances.

Shiba Inu Stuck at Support Level—What Next?

An accompanying 4H chart shows that Shiba Inu is currently consolidating around the weekly support level of $0.0000060. The token experienced a brutal dump on February 6, capsizing to $0.00000507 before a notable rebound.

Shiba Inu Analysis/Trade Logic AI
Shiba Inu Analysis/Trade Logic AI

Meanwhile, the RSI is above the 30 oversold level but still below 50. Currently at 36.50, earlier climbs signal a relief rally rather than a reversal push. This keeps SHIB vulnerable to steeper declines in a bear-dominated market.

However, the analysis noted that the volume profile shows a liquidity cluster slightly higher. These price magnets might see Shiba Inu push towards the $0.0000066-$0.0000070 price area to grab liquidity. Subsequently, SHIB would pull back towards the $0.0000055 to $0.0000050 region.

Things could get interesting at the $0.0000066-$0.0000070 region if bulls manage to defend it. A successful close above $0.0000072 on the 4H timeframe could confirm a recovery rather than a dead cat bounce.

However, this remains very unlikely, according to the analyst. He plans to take SHIB down from the resistance level to the $0.0000050 region.

Nonetheless, the commentary reflects his opinion on potential price scenarios for SHIB and is not financial advice. The next direction for SHIB largely depends on broader crypto market trends.

VaynerMedia CEO Gary Vee Says “I’m Buying Bitcoin,” Calls Sub-$70K “Unexpected Opportunity”

0

Gary Vaynerchuk, widely known as Gary Vee, says he is once again accumulating Bitcoin as the cryptocurrency trades below $70,000.

Speaking during a FOX Sports event, the VaynerMedia CEO described the current price range as an unexpected opportunity in the ongoing market pullback.

Key Points

  • Gary Vaynerchuk says he is actively buying Bitcoin below $70,000, calling the price level an opportunity.
  • Bitcoin is trading at $66,755, down roughly 47% from its all-time high of $126,080.
  • Vaynerchuk warns BTC could fall toward $40,000 before resuming an uptrend.
  • Analyst Ali Martinez identifies $52,040 as a potential bottom based on the −1.0 MVRV Pricing Band.
  • Bernstein maintains a $150,000 Bitcoin price target by the end of 2026 despite the recent correction.

Gary Vee Calls Sub-$70K Bitcoin an “Opportunity”

During the discussion, Vaynerchuk revealed that he is actively buying Bitcoin at current levels, expressing surprise that investors have been given another chance to accumulate below $70,000.

At the same time, he emphasized that his comments should not be taken as financial advice. He explained that decades of business experience have positioned him to take measured risks. In his assessment, Bitcoin no longer appears as risky as in its early years.

Looking ahead, Vaynerchuk linked his optimism to broader macro and technological trends. He argued that the global economy will become increasingly technology-driven, while skepticism toward governments and traditional fiat currencies could continue to grow. Together, he suggested, these forces may reinforce Bitcoin’s long-term relevance.

However, he also acknowledged the possibility of further short-term downside. Bitcoin, he warned, could decline toward the $40,000 level before resuming upward momentum.

Bitcoin’s Current Price and Market Context

Vaynerchuk’s comments come as Bitcoin trades well below its previous peak. The cryptocurrency reached an all-time high of $126,080 on October 6, 2025. Since then, prices have retreated significantly.

At the time of writing, Bitcoin is valued at $66,755. That places it roughly 47% under its record high. The asset has declined 3% over the past 24 hours and is down 27.2% month-over-month, according to CoinGecko data.

Collectively, these figures underline the scale of the recent correction. Even so, market analysts are closely watching key technical indicators for signs of stabilization.

Analysts Weigh Short-Term Risks and Long-Term Outlook

Adding to the discussion, crypto analyst Ali Martinez highlighted historical price behavior in a post on X. He noted that Bitcoin has often found a bottom near the −1.0 MVRV Pricing Band. Based on current calculations, that level stands at $52,040.

Image

While technical indicators point to possible downside levels, some institutional analysts remain constructive. As previously reported by The Crypto Basic, research and brokerage firm Bernstein reiterated its positive long-term stance. The firm continues to project a $150,000 Bitcoin price by the end of 2026.

According to Bernstein, the recent downturn reflects weakened market confidence rather than structural damage. The analysts argue that Bitcoin’s network fundamentals and core investment thesis remain intact.

Taken together, these perspectives highlight a market at a crossroads. While short-term volatility persists and downside risks remain, several prominent voices continue to express confidence in Bitcoin’s long-term trajectory.

XRP Now Have CME Gaps at $1.74—Will it be Filled?

0

Bitcoin and XRP have CME gaps sitting 25% and 27% away from their current prices, leading to speculation that the market could move to fill these gaps soon.

The crypto market currently faces one of its most bearish phases since 2022, a year marred by the Terra and FTX implosions. Since hitting the $4.27 trillion peak in October 2025, the global crypto market cap has lost $2.01 trillion in value. Bitcoin and XRP have suffered some of the most devastating blows, down 46% and 62% from their respective 2025 peaks.

Interestingly, market data now points to overhead CME gaps for these two assets, with Bitcoin facing its gap at $84,000 and XRP witnessing one at $1.74, representing a 24% and 27% rise from current prices. Will they be filled anytime soon?

Key Points

  • Amid the ongoing downtrend, the global crypto market cap now stands at $2.06 trillion, having lost $2.01 trillion since the $4.27 trillion peak last October.
  • Bitcoin and XRP have suffered some of the biggest losses amid this downward trend, having respectively dropped 46% and 62% from their 2025 peaks.
  • Both assets now face CME gaps overhead, with Bitcoin observing one at $84,000, representing a 25% rise, and XRP seeing its own gap at $1.74, a 27% increase from current prices.
  • When CME gaps emerge on the chart, whether to the downside or upside, prices often gravitate toward them to fill the vacuum.  

Bitcoin and XRP Suffering Severe Losses

Zach Rector, a media personality and XRP community figure, first called attention to these gaps amid the persistent downward trend. Notably, Bitcoin has collapsed 23.52% this year, on track to record its largest yearly decline since the 2022 bear market.

At the same time, XRP has dropped 25.88% year-to-date, as it battles the bears below the $1.37 mark. Interestingly, the altcoin has recorded five consecutive weeks of losses and is on track to witness the sixth one this week amid a 4.62% drop.

The XRP CME Gap

While the downturn threatens to get even uglier, Rector believes the CME gaps may pull prices toward a recovery. For the uninitiated, a CME gap in crypto occurs when the market closes at a particular price for the weekend and then opens at a significantly different price the next week. Prices often gravitate towards these gaps, whether upward or downward, to fill them.

For XRP, the CME gap occurred between Jan. 30 and Feb. 2. Specifically, XRP closed Friday, Jan. 30, at a price of $1.7480 on derivatives exchange CME. However, by the time the market opened the next week, the price had corrected significantly. As a result, XRP opened the new week starting Feb. 2 at $1.5965, representing an 8.6% decline from the previous week’s close.

XRP CME Gap
XRP CME Gap

So far, XRP has consistently declined from these prices, now trading for $1.3680 at the time of reporting. Market commentators such as Zach Rector believe XRP’s price could recover to fill this gap. At the current price, a push toward filling the CME gap would result in a rise of 27.7% in XRP’s value.

The Bitcoin CME Gap

Bitcoin’s CME gap also occurred between Jan. 30 and Feb. 2. Notably, Bitcoin closed Jan. 30 at a price of $84,105 on CME. However, as the new week began on Feb. 2, the weekend downturn had already pushed the price to $77,730. This marked a 7.57% decline from the previous week’s closing price, creating the CME gap.

Bitcoin CME Gap
Bitcoin CME Gap

Like XRP, Bitcoin has also collapsed from these prices amid the persistent downtrend, now down 13.65% from the $77,730 value. Rector also suggests that Bitcoin’s price could appreciate to fill the gap. With BTC now trading for $67,100, a recovery of the $84,105 price would mark a 25% increase in value.

Important Caveats

Despite his confidence that the assets will fill these gaps, Rector admitted that the possibility of making new lows before eventually filling the gap remains. However, whether they make new lows or not, he insists the gap will eventually be filled. He also expects XRP to rise further toward clearing the order blocks around $2 and $3. 

Nonetheless, investors should note that, while most CME gaps eventually get filled, the markets do move on without filling some of them for months or even years. For instance, Bitcoin never filled the CME gap in late April until November 2025. Also, up till today, BTC has not filled the CME gap of around $20,000 that occurred between March 10 and 13, 2023.

Shiba Inu Loses 82 Trillion SHIB Threshold As Over 700B SHIB Leave Exchanges in Weeks 

0

Shiba Inu remains under intense bearish pressure, but fresh on-chain data shows exchange reserves have shrunk massively from 82 trillion last month.

The rapid decline in Shiba Inu’s exchange reserve has sparked debate over how the shift could influence SHIB’s price action.

Key Points 

  • Shiba Inu remains under intense bearish pressure even as on-chain metrics are improving.
  • The token’s exchange reserve has declined from above 82 trillion to roughly 81.35 trillion SHIB in just weeks.
  • If the reserve continues to shrink, reduced sell-side liquidity could support a potential trend reversal. 
  • SHIB trades near the critical $0.0000056 support, where analysts anticipate a possible rebound. But broader market weakness could still drive prices lower. 

Shiba Inu Exchange Reserve Loses 82T Threshold 

For months, centralized exchanges held about 82 trillion SHIB, a level many analysts argued created persistent sell pressure, as the tokens were readily available for sale. As of January 26, centralized exchanges held roughly 82.066 trillion SHIB.

However, recent CryptoQuant data shows that the reserve has fallen to 81.357 trillion SHIB. This indicates that investors have withdrawn about 709 billion SHIB from exchanges over the past two weeks. Notably, the metric declined by 0.01% in the past 24 hours, with 8.13 billion SHIB leaving exchanges during that period. 

Shiba Inu exchange reserve
Shiba Inu exchange reserve

Retail-Driven?

Following the sharp drop in exchange reserves, many market participants argue that retail investors are growing more bullish on SHIB and withdrawing tokens for long-term holding. However, the situation remains more nuanced, as not all exchange outflows stem from retail activity.

Notably, whales and exchanges themselves can also influence the metric by transferring funds to cold storage.

Nonetheless, consistent outflows often reflect a stronger preference for holding rather than short-term trading. As a result, the reduced supply available for immediate sale could ease sell-side pressure and improve supply-demand balance. 

If the trend continues, it could support price stabilization and trigger a bullish reversal. Yet, broader market sentiment and macroeconomic conditions will remain decisive in shaping SHIB’s next move. 

SHIB Remains Under Bearish Pressure 

In the meantime, Shiba Inu remains subjected to intense bearish pressure, alongside the broader crypto market. It has plunged below the $0.000006 mark and now trades at $0.000005851, reflecting a 24-hour decline of 2.33%. 

Despite the recent pullback, Shiba Inu continues to trade above its key $0.0000056 support level. Notably, this zone has served as a strong foundation for SHIB over the past few years, triggering multiple rebounds. As a result, many analysts expect a similar bounce from this level.

However, since SHIB closely tracks the broader market’s performance, it could slide further if the market suffers another sharp downturn similar to the February 5 crash. 

Dogecoin Prediction for Feb 11: What’s Next After DOGE Falls Below Key Fib Extension

0

Dogecoin breaks below a key Fibonacci extension as weekly RSI nears oversold, but an analyst says chance to buy.

Dogecoin (DOGE) is slipping again, and the numbers show sellers are pressing their advantage. DOGE is currently trading at $0.09089, down 4.0% over the past 24 hours, after steady intraday weakness erased earlier attempts to stabilize. The meme coin printed a 24-hour range between $0.09073 and $0.09448, reflecting a tight but decisive breakdown toward the lower boundary.

Relative performance against Bitcoin also shows mild weakness, with DOGE down 0.8% versus BTC on the day. Broader timeframes reinforce the bearish structure, as losses extend to 15.6% over 7 days, 27.4% over 14 days, and 35.5% over 30 days.

With price pressing toward the bottom of its daily range and longer-term performance still under pressure, the key question now is whether this slide marks exhaustion or the beginning of another leg lower.

Can Dogecoin Find a Bottom?

On the weekly timeframe, Dogecoin remains under clear technical pressure, with price falling below the 1 Fibonacci extension at $0.13. This region has previously acted as a historical demand area. Another weekly close below this band would weaken the structure further and expose the next Fibonacci extension target near 1.618 at $0.0208, marking a deeper downside projection.

Dogecoin 1-Week Chart
Dogecoin 1-Week Chart

On the upside, Dogecoin faces layered resistance from prior Fibonacci retracement levels. Immediate resistance sits near the 0.786 retracement around $0.168. This is followed by the 0.618 level near $0.198 and the 0.5 region around $0.218. However, until DOGE reclaims at least the 0.618–0.786 retracement cluster, any recovery attempts will likely remain corrective within a bearish structure.

Momentum indicators further reinforce caution. Specifically, the weekly RSI is currently near 32.10, placing momentum close to oversold territory but not yet signaling a confirmed reversal. RSI remains below the 50 midline and continues trending downward, reflecting sustained bearish momentum. Unless RSI stabilizes and pushes back above its signal line while price reclaims key Fibonacci levels, downside risks remain elevated.

Another Chance to Buy Dogecoin?

Meanwhile, Trader Tardigrade highlighted on X that Dogecoin has returned to what he describes as its long-term “Historical Bottom Channel” on the monthly chart around the $0.1 level. He pointed to earlier opportunities when DOGE traded near $0.0002 and later around $0.002, levels that preceded significant upside cycles. 

Dogecoin Prediction
Dogecoin Prediction

According to his analysis, if anyone missed the chance to buy Dogecoin at those levels, they should not make the same mistake. Looking ahead, failure to buy now could see some buying at higher levels, like $3, if the previous structures repeat.

Goldman Sachs Confirms Holding $153M in XRP

0

Goldman Sachs has disclosed a significant position in XRP-linked exchange-traded funds (ETFs).

According to its latest Q4 2025 13F filing, the Wall Street giant now holds approximately $153 million worth of XRP exposure.

The development was first highlighted by Eleanor Terrett, host of Crypto In America. She revealed that Goldman Sachs holds $1.1 billion in Bitcoin, $1 billion in Ethereum, $153 million in XRP, and $108 million in Solana.

Key Points

  • Goldman Sachs disclosed $153M in XRP exposure via spot ETFs in its Q4 13F filing.

  • The bank’s crypto holdings include $1.1B BTC, $1B ETH, $153M XRP, $108M SOL.

  • The exposure comes through regulated ETFs, not direct token custody.

  • XRP ETFs saw $3.26M inflows, signaling steady institutional interest.

XRP Exposure Comes Through ETFs, Not Direct Holdings

A key clarification is that Goldman’s crypto exposure is through spot crypto ETFs rather than direct token ownership. This structure confirms a preference for regulated investment vehicles over holding digital assets directly.

For XRP specifically, the bank’s holdings spread across multiple products, including:

  • Bitwise XRP ETF (AUM: $254 million)
  • Franklin Templeton XRP ETF (AUM: $227 million)
  • Grayscale XRP ETF (AUM: $86 million)
  • 21Shares XRP ETF (AUM: $171 million)

In other words, Goldman’s $153 million investment in XRP ETFs significantly contributes to the total $1.01 billion in XRP ETF assets and $1.2 billion in cumulative inflows.

Notably, on the day of the disclosure, XRP ETFs reported $3.26 million in new investments. Asset managers recording inflows were only Bitwise and Grayscale, while others posted zero flows. XRP ETFs also recorded daily trading volume of just under $15 million.

Latest XRP ETF record
Latest XRP ETF record

Institutional Signal for XRP

XRP community figures Xaif and Chad Steingraber described the disclosure as a notable step toward institutional adoption in regulated markets. They argue that Wall Street is no longer just observing XRP but is actively allocating capital to it.

This is further reinforced by The Crypto Basic’s recent report that eight public firms have committed $2 billion toward establishing XRP-focused treasuries.

Meanwhile, Bitcoin and Ethereum still dominate Goldman’s crypto exposure by dollar value. Yet the size of its XRP allocation places the asset firmly within the institutional conversation.

Goldman Sachs crypto holdings with XRP
Goldman Sachs crypto holdings with XRP

Broader Policy and Market Context

The disclosure comes as Goldman Sachs maintains a visible presence in ongoing crypto policy discussions. The firm has representation at a White House meeting on stablecoin yield.

Crypto industry leaders, including executives from Ripple and Coinbase, have in recent weeks been debating this topic, contributing to delays in the passage of the Clarity Act as stakeholders have yet to reach a compromise.

Meanwhile, Goldman CEO David Solomon is set to speak at the World Liberty Financial Forum in Palm Beach next week.

With regulated XRP ETFs now attracting capital from one of the world’s largest investment banks, institutional interest appears to be shifting toward compliant, exchange-traded exposure rather than direct token custody. For XRP holders, regulated access is gaining ground on Wall Street.

Bitcoin Wallet Linked to Nancy Guthrie Ransom Note Shows Activity

0

A Bitcoin wallet referenced in the alleged ransom demand for Nancy Guthrie has recorded new activity, according to reports from TMZ and Fox News.

The update comes as law enforcement agencies expand their efforts to locate the missing 84-year-old near Tucson, Arizona.

Nancy Guthrie was reported missing on the night of January 31. Investigators believe she was abducted from her home in the Tucson area. Since then, the Pima County Sheriff’s Department has led a coordinated investigation, with support from the FBI and specialized SWAT units.

As the search continues, attention has increasingly shifted toward the financial trail tied to the case.

Key Points

  • Nancy Guthrie, 84, was reported missing on January 31 in Tucson, Arizona. 
  • A ransom note demanded $6 million in Bitcoin for her release. 
  • TMZ founder Harvey Levin reported new activity on the referenced Bitcoin wallet.
  •  KGUN9 confirmed the recorded transaction was less than $300. 
  • The Pima County Sheriff’s Department is leading the investigation with FBI support.

Ransom Demand and Crypto Trail

Shortly after Guthrie’s disappearance, several media organizations, including TMZ and KGUN9, received a message demanding payment for her release. The note called for $6 million in Bitcoin.

In response, Guthrie’s children — TODAY show anchor Savannah Guthrie and her siblings, Annie and Camron — signaled their willingness to comply to secure their mother’s safe return. Consequently, the spotlight turned firmly to the cryptocurrency address included in the demand.

That scrutiny deepened when TMZ founder Harvey Levin stated that the Bitcoin wallet showed recent activity. Soon after, Fox News correspondent Bill Melugin shared the update on X, attributing the information to Levin. The reported movement occurred within minutes of the disclosure.

Despite this development, key details remain unclear. It is unknown whether funds were withdrawn or transferred between accounts. However, KGUN9 later confirmed on X that the transaction involved less than $300. Although modest in size, the activity has added a new dimension to the investigation.

Expanding Law Enforcement Presence

The reported wallet movement coincided with a heightened police response in the Tucson area. The Pima County Sheriff’s Department mobilized SWAT teams and additional officers as part of the ongoing probe.

Authorities have not publicly explained the reason for the deployment. However, scanner reports indicate that a large-scale search operation is underway. This intensified activity has fueled speculation about potential developments behind the scenes.

Additionally, TMZ reported that investigators are examining whether the ransom note originated locally. Sources cited by the outlet indicated that specific elements of the message may point to someone based in Tucson.

Officials are working under a preliminary theory that the individual who sent the note could also be responsible for the alleged kidnapping. However, that connection has not been formally established.

FBI Releases Footage of Masked Individual

Earlier in the investigation, the FBI released images and video of a person seen near Guthrie’s driveway on the night she disappeared. The individual was wearing gloves and a ski mask. Authorities have not identified the person shown in the footage.

Although no suspects have been officially named, public discussion has included Tommaso Cioni, Guthrie’s son-in-law. According to reports, he was the last person known to have seen her that evening, after dropping her off at home following dinner with his wife, Annie Guthrie.

In addition, federal agents and other officers were reportedly observed in Annie Guthrie’s neighborhood. Officials have not clarified the purpose of that presence.

For now, as the investigation unfolds, authorities continue to withhold key details. No arrests have been announced, and the case remains active.

No Golden Cross or Death Cross Yet as Shiba Inu Faces Severe Uncertainty

0

Shiba Inu has struggled since the start of February, yet two major pace-setting moving averages have yet to interact on significant timeframes.

Notably, this is a rare event, as Shiba Inu typically experiences several crosses between the 200-period and 50-period moving averages (MA) in the past. Yet, none have happened 11 days into the month on major timeframes.

Key Points

  • Shiba Inu has struggled since the start of February, yet two major pace-setting moving averages have yet to interact on significant timeframes.
  • This is a rare event, as Shiba Inu has experienced several crosses between the 200-period and 50-period moving averages (MA) in the past.
  • A lack of those crosses highlights the uncertainty dominant in the crypto market, as this major trend indicator has yet to surface.
  • Shiba Inu is on course for its fourth straight downtrend day and its eighth so far this year.
  • Data shows deleveraging as futures flows trend negatively.

Shiba Inu Price Struggles 

It is glaring to all that Shiba Inu, the second-largest meme coin by market cap, is struggling to find its footing. The token is on course for its fourth straight downtrend day and its eighth so far this month.

The persistent correction has brought its 7-day performance to -12%, further extending its YTD decline to -14%. This sideways trend, however, is not relative to the token, as it has mirrored bearish moves seen in the broader crypto ecosystem.

For context, the crypto market cap has dropped from above $3 trillion earlier in the year to $2.34 trillion, as major assets chalk off a considerable amount of their valuation. 

The pullback comes from whale sell-offs and a lack of new capital inflows as investors take a skeptical stand. This is evident in the Fear and Greed Index, which has dropped to 10, signaling extreme fear.

No MA Trend Indicator Yet

Meanwhile, despite sinking below $0.0000060, Shiba Inu’s key MA trend indicators have remained silent on significant timeframes. Neither have we seen a golden cross or a death cross since February, as SHIB continues to wave off this key signal.

For the uninitiated, the interaction between the 200-period and 50-period MA produces these trend indications. When the former moves below the latter, it is a golden cross, while a converse situation prints a death cross.

So far, the 1-hour and higher timeframes have not recorded these interactions, which is surprisingly rare. Some might argue that the 200-period is already above the 50-period, and a death cross is not logically feasible.

Shiba Inu 4H Chart Showing 200 MA and 50 MA
Shiba Inu 4H Chart Showing 200 MA and 50 MA

Yet we have seen instances of a brief golden cross during market rebounds, followed by a death cross to confirm the next leg down. The only recorded death cross so far this month was on the 15-minute timeframe on February 5, which preceded the crash to $0.00000507 the next day.

What Does It Mean for Shiba Inu

Notably, this highlights the uncertainty dominant in the crypto market, as this major trend indicator has yet to surface. It also indicates that there has been no major bounce for SHIB since February, as the 200 MA remains above the 50 MA.

Further data from Coinglass shows deleveraging as futures flows trend negatively. Specifically, outflows have outpaced inflows on all timeframes, as market traders slowly reduce risk appetite. A decline in open interest confirms this, with OI dropping from $74.4 million on February 1 to $66.2 million yesterday.

Has Shytoshi Kusama Finally Abandoned Shiba Inu for Another Project?

0

The ‘beyond crypto’ venture by Shiba Inu lead developer Shytoshi Kusama has intensified discussions over whether he has fully abandoned SHIB.

In late January, the Shiba Inu ecosystem welcomed lead developer Shytoshi Kusama back to social media after weeks of online inactivity. However, his recent statements quickly ignited debate over whether he is shifting focus away from Shiba Inu toward a broader mission beyond blockchain. 

Key Points 

  • Shiba Inu’s lead developer Shytoshi Kusama returns to social media after several weeks of inactivity. 
  • His latest focus revolves around a new AI venture that extends beyond Shiba Inu and crypto entirely. 
  • Kusama has scheduled February 14 for the launch of a new software application for this venture. 
  • While uncertainty remains over his full return to SHIB, his recent retweet of Astra Nova’s SHIB post suggests continued alignment with the ecosystem. 

Shiba Inu Lead Returns to Social After Weeks of Silence 

For context, Kusama stepped back from social media in early December to concentrate on strengthening the Shiba Inu ecosystem. He left during a brutal market downturn, in which SHIB closed the year near $0.0000069. 

Frustration mounted across the community, with many investors expressing displeasure at SHIB’s performance and hoping Kusama would return with renewed clarity and direction.

Consequently, enthusiasm surged when he resurfaced online in late January. Shortly after his return, Kusama teased the possible launch of an artificial intelligence project. This announcement sparked widespread speculation that the initiative would directly benefit SHIB and its ecosystem. Initially, his remarks reinforced this belief, as he suggested the AI effort could enhance Shiba Inu’s long-term development.

“Kusama Is Pivoting Away from Shiba Inu” 

However, Kusama soon tempered expectations by clarifying that the AI venture extends beyond Shiba Inu and even the broader crypto space. 

During a 3.5-hour podcast titled Game Over, Kusama disclosed that the project is being developed at the request of an unnamed corporate partner. He added that the app, scheduled to launch on February 14, will focus on helping couples and preserving family legacies. 

To market watchers, Kusama has effectively deprioritized Shiba Inu, channeling his attention toward this personal AI initiative. 

The Road Ahead

So far, Kusama has largely shared religious quotes on X, with minimal references to Shiba Inu. Notably, his only SHIB-related posts since returning have centered on updates from Astra Nova, including a new partnership from both ecosystems. 

Meanwhile, uncertainty persists over whether he will refocus on Shiba Inu after the software launch on February 14. In the short term, the launch remains pivotal, as it will test his ability to sustain a major tech project outside the SHIB ecosystem. 

Nevertheless, Kusama’s recent retweet of Astra Nova’s SHIB-related post indicates his continued alignment with the cryptocurrency, even as the timeline for his full return remains unclear. 

XRP Now Repeating the Same Structure That Led to the Late 2024 Rally

0

XRP now appears to be forming another hidden bullish divergence, the same pattern that led to the November 2024 and early 2017 rallies. 

The crypto market remains at the mercy of the bears, with Bitcoin (BTC) still trading below $70,000 and the global crypto market cap nursing around $2 trillion in losses since the peak of $4.27 trillion last October. This turbulence has impacted XRP’s price as well, leading to a 62% crash from the $3.66 all-time high in July 2025.

Despite the worrisome performance, market data shows that XRP may now be forming another hidden bullish divergence (HBD) on the weekly chart. For context, this pattern played out before XRP’s explosive 82,650% rally in 2017/2018 and also emerged before the more modest 1,162% increase in 2024/2025.

Key Points

  • XRP has now dropped 62% from its $3.66 all-time high in July 2025 as the global crypto market cap loses nearly $2 trillion from its October 2025 peak.
  • Despite the ongoing turbulence, market data suggests that XRP may now be forming another hidden bullish divergence on the weekly chart.
  • A hidden bullish divergence occurs when the price of an asset makes a higher low, but an indicator (like RSI or MACD) makes a lower low.
  • The last two times this pattern played out, XRP went on to record considerable spikes in value, including an 82,650% rise in 2017/2018 and a 1,162% increase in 2024/2025.
  • This time, the hidden bullish divergence may have formed with an initial low of $0.38 and a higher low at the recent $1.11 floor.

XRP’s Current Market Situation

“Guy on the Earth,” an anonymous yet well-known market analyst, shared this development with the investing public as market sentiments flip bearish amid the ongoing downturn. For context, XRP currently trades for $1.3864, on track to record its sixth consecutive weekly loss since early January. 

At the current price, XRP is down 24.8% this year, building on the more modest 11.51% decline last year. The crypto asset still trades at a 15-month low despite recovering sharply from an earlier crash to a floor of $1.11 on the back of the Feb. 5 market collapse.

XRP Forming a Hidden Bullish Divergence

Interestingly, Guy on the Earth believes this $1.11 floor price may have helped form the latest Hidden Bullish Divergence on the weekly chart. For the uninitiated, this pattern emerges when the asset price sees higher lows while a momentum indicator such as the RSI sees lower lows. 

In this case, XRP has been on an upward trend on the weekly chart since mid-2025, when it recovered from a low below $0.5. Specifically, this low emerged at $0.3834 in July 2024. At the time the price witnessed this local bottom, the weekly Relative Strength Index (RSI) stood at 33.18. 

XRP Hidden Bullish Divergence
XRP Hidden Bullish Divergence

Nineteen months later, XRP has now formed a higher low at the $1.11 floor that emerged on Feb. 6. However, this higher low on the price coincided with a lower low of 30.68 on the RSI indicator, forming the recent Hidden Bullish Divergence. 

What Does This Mean for XRP?

Notably, a Hidden Bullish Divergence typically occurs during a broader uptrend and indicates that the upward trend may continue after what appears to be market weakness. “Guy on the Earth” believes the ongoing consolidation from XRP’s all-time high may be preparing the stage for another upward push.

However, the market analyst admitted that this pattern does not automatically suggest that XRP has recorded its bottom at the $1.11 floor, as there remains the possibility of a drop to a lower low, especially with the ongoing downtrend showing no signs of slowing down.

Nonetheless, “Guy on the Earth” noted that what the pattern does indicate is that whenever XRP bottoms, whether at the $1.11 floor or at a lower low sometime in the future, a bullish price expansion could emerge if the Hidden Bullish Divergence structure continues to play out on the weekly timeframe.

Previous Patterns Led to XRP Price Surges

The analyst based this conclusion on historical data. Specifically, the last two times the pattern played out, XRP surged years later. For instance, a Hidden Bullish Divergence emerged when XRP saw a higher low of $0.0042 in November 2015, while the RSI saw a lower low of 32.76. Two years later, XRP soared to $3.3 by January 2018, an 82,650% rise from the $0.0042 low.

2014 to 2016 HBD
2014 to 2016 HBD

In the second instance, the XRP price saw a higher low of $0.29 in June 2022, while the RSI witnessed a lower low of 28.08. What followed was the run to $3.66 by July 2025, a 1,162% increase from the $0.29 low three years later. If the delay also materializes, XRP may not see such substantial gains until years later.

2020 to 2022 HBD
2020 to 2022 HBD