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Jim Cramer Says Saylor Could Push Bitcoin to $82,500 for “Double Bottom” Signal

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The sharp Bitcoin drop during the weekend has stirred debate, with TV host Jim Cramer issuing sarcastic remarks as Michael Saylor looks to buy more BTC.

As prices sank to multi-month lows, commentary from both figures added fresh momentum to an already volatile market narrative.

Key Points

  • Bitcoin dropped below $75,000, its largest sell-off since early April.
  • Jim Cramer mocked traders’ short-term optimism, suggesting Saylor could “push Bitcoin” higher to trigger a bullish signal.
  • Michael Saylor posted “More Orange,” a familiar signal often preceding Strategy Inc.’s Bitcoin purchases.
  • Strategy Inc.’s shares rose 4.55% to $149.71 despite Bitcoin’s decline, hinting at positioning ahead of earnings.

Cramer Mocks Market Reaction to Bitcoin Drop

As Bitcoin dipped over the weekend, Jim Cramer took to X with a tongue-in-cheek message about short-term market psychology. He joked that Michael Saylor could lift Bitcoin from around $76,500 to $82,500, creating a “double bottom” signal, even as the broader downtrend continues.

Cramer framed his comments humorously but criticized traders who ignore big drops and overreact to small recoveries. He also speculated that bearish pressure might be building ahead of Strategy Inc.’s earnings, suggesting short sellers could be testing Saylor.

Strategy Founder Sends Familiar Signal

While Cramer focused on market behavior, Michael Saylor added his own familiar signal to the discussion. The Strategy Inc. founder posted a short message on X, reading “More Orange,” a phrase closely associated with his history of Bitcoin purchases.

Historically, Saylor has repeatedly issued cryptic messages on Sundays. These messages have frequently preceded Bitcoin purchases by Strategy at the start of the following week. Against the backdrop of falling prices, the latest post was widely interpreted as a hint that the company may once again buy into the dip.

At the time of writing, Bitcoin was trading at $76,448, down 2.1% over the past 24 hours. This decline marked Bitcoin’s most pronounced drop since early April.

Despite the pressure on Bitcoin, Strategy Inc.’s shares moved higher at the end of last week. The stock closed Friday’s regular session up 4.55% at $149.71, though it remains down 1.47% year-to-date.

This divergence between Bitcoin’s slide and the stock’s advance suggests equity investors may be positioning ahead of Strategy’s upcoming earnings report.

Cramer’s Evolving View on Bitcoin

Cramer’s remarks also reflect his shifting stance on digital assets. He has previously said he prefers owning Bitcoin directly rather than holding derivatives or shares of Bitcoin-focused treasury companies. Previously, he described Bitcoin as a potential hedge against rising U.S. national debt.

That view marks a sharp change from three years ago, when he publicly dismissed cryptocurrency as an investment. His continued engagement with Bitcoin’s price action suggests sustained interest, even as he remains openly critical of market behavior during downturns.

With Bitcoin hovering near recent lows and Strategy Inc.’s earnings approaching, investor focus remains split between price action and corporate signals.

XRP Direct Expansion and Liquidity Grab Details as Price Touches 33 EMA

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XRP recently recorded a second liquidity grab on the monthly timeframe following the recent price drop below the pivotal 33-month EMA.

The recent development occurred on the back of the latest wave of bearish pressure. Specifically, after the most recent recovery attempt failed on Jan. 28, XRP collapsed alongside the broader crypto market, recording four consecutive intraday losses. Within this period, XRP has dropped 16%, having lost the $1.8, $1.7 and $1.6 levels.

Notably, amid this decline, XRP recorded what appeared to be a second liquidity sweep around the 33-period exponential moving average (EMA) on the 1-month chart, as well as an ascending central support trendline. Interestingly, this formed part of a larger structure that may eventually lead to XRP’s price expansion phase.

Key Points

  • XRP has crashed to $1.58, as the latest bearish wave triggered a collapse below the $1.8, $1.7, and $1.6 levels in one fell swoop.
  • With this drop, XRP has declined 16% since Jan. 28, having retested an important area around the 33-period exponential moving average and an ascending central trendline.
  • Market data indicates that this retest may be part of a much larger structure that could lead XRP to a price expansion phase.
  • Historical data suggests this expansion phase may trigger price rallies toward $7 or $27 depending on the period XRP mirrors.

XRP Seeing Renewed Bearishness

EGRAG Crypto, a well-known chartist, highlighted this development while speaking on the recent bearish wave. For context, since the start of this year, XRP has faced a major roadblock each time it attempts to recover the losses from Q4 2025. During this period, it has consistently seen lower highs.

Notably, the first attempt witnessed resistance at $2.41 on Jan. 6, leading to seven days of consecutive intraday losses. The second attempt saw a roadblock at $2.19 on Jan. 14, resulting in steeper declines to $1.80 by Jan. 25. The third and latest attempt faced a roadblock at $1.93 and has since led to the ongoing downward push.

XRP Touches 33 EMA and Central Trendline

In his analysis, EGRAG called attention to the intersection of the 33-period EMA and a central ascending trendline that may be pivotal to XRP. Importantly, amid the ongoing downward push, XRP touched the 33 EMA and the central line, sweeping the liquidity at this area before eventually bouncing back up. 

XRP Sweeps Liquidity at 33 EMA EGRAG Crypto
XRP Sweeps Liquidity at 33 EMA | EGRAG Crypto

For context, the EMA and central line intersect at the $1.6 to $1.61 price area, which XRP dropped to before recovering to $1.64. The recovery effort allowed XRP to begin this month at a price of $1.66 after successfully sweeping the liquidity at the intersection.

Why is The Liquidity Sweep Important?

Interestingly, EGRAG confirmed that this recent liquidity sweep was actually the second one within a larger structure. For context, the first liquidity sweep occurred when XRP dropped to $1.61 in April 2025. 

In an earlier analysis, EGRAG suggested that XRP could take one of two paths. The first path would involve a second liquidity sweep after the April 2025 one, before the expansion phase. Meanwhile, the second path would involve a direct run to greater price levels.

With XRP now completing the second liquidity sweep, it shows that the crypto asset is following the first path. Notably, XRP has since dropped to the current price of $1.58. From here, EGRAG believes XRP would start building the structure necessary to enter the expansion phase. According to him, the recent breakdown does not mean game over.

History Points to Two Possible Targets

The market analyst expects the expansion phase to lead to higher prices for XRP. Citing historical data, he suggests $7 or $27. For context, XRP witnessed a similar pattern to the current trend twice in its history: first in 2017 and then in 2021.

Historical Data
Historical Data

Notably, the 2017 pattern led to a 1,600% increase in price during the expansion phase, while the 2021 pattern resulted in a milder 340% rise. If XRP follows the 2021 pattern, the 340% jump would lead to $7 in the forthcoming expansion phase. However, following the 2017 would result in a 1,600% rise to $27.

Bitcoin Price Analysis for Feb 2: Further Downside as Key Support Levels Flip to Resistance?

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Bitcoin remains under pressure as former support zones turn into resistance, with heavy long liquidations shaping near-term market direction. Where next?

Bitcoin (BTC) has come under renewed selling pressure, sliding 4.1% over the past 24 hours to trade around $75,441. During the session, BTC moved within a wide intraday range, touching highs near $79,049 before dipping to lows around $74,592. The broader performance trend also remains weak, with Bitcoin down roughly 14% over the past week, nearly 19% in the last 14 days, and more than 16% over the past month.

BTC’s chart shows a steady intraday decline punctuated by sharp downside moves, suggesting fragile market confidence as buyers struggle to reclaim lost ground. This price weakness comes amid a challenging macro backdrop, with traders reacting to a mix of risk-off catalysts.

These include a partial U.S. government shutdown, renewed trade-war headlines, rising long-dated Japanese government bond yields, and escalating geopolitical tensions tied to the unrest in Iran and growing friction in South China Sea. 

Together, these factors have pressured risk assets broadly, setting the stage for the next section to examine whether Bitcoin can stabilize or if further downside risks remain in play.

Can Bitcoin Stabilize?

Bitcoin’s daily chart shows a decisive breakdown below key Fibonacci extensions, confirming strong bearish control. After slicing through the 1.0 level at $84,440, price continued lower and has now broken beneath the 1.618 Fibonacci extension at $76,150, which had acted as a critical downside target. 

BTCUSD Price Chart
BTCUSD Price Chart

This move signals accelerating downside momentum rather than a simple pullback. With this extension lost, the immediate focus shifts to the next demand zone at $62,735, last seen around October 2024. Here, buyers may attempt to stabilize price, though the current structure suggests support is fragile and reactive rather than strong.

On the upside, prior support zones have now flipped into resistance. The 0.618 ($89,565) and 0.786 ($87,371) retracement zones stand out as key resistance bands, as they align with previous price congestion and failed recovery attempts. As long as Bitcoin remains below these levels, rallies are likely to be corrective in nature, with sellers defending aggressively on moves higher.

Momentum indicators reinforce the bearish outlook. Specifically, the MACD has crossed firmly into negative territory, with the signal line and histogram expanding lower, indicating strengthening downside momentum. There are no clear bullish divergences visible yet, suggesting selling pressure remains dominant. Until momentum indicators begin to flatten or show early reversal signals, the technical picture favors continuation risk to the downside.

Bitcoin Liquidation Data

Meanwhile, over the past 24 hours, total Bitcoin liquidations reached $254.92 million, with long positions accounting for $203.14 million, compared to $51.78 million in short liquidations. This confirms that the market heavily punished bullish positions during the sell-off.

Screenshot 2026 02 02T085931488
Screenshot 2026 02 02T085931488

On shorter timeframes, the imbalance remains clear. In the last 12 hours, liquidations totaled $181.87 million, including $142.15 million in longs versus $39.73 million in shorts. Even on the 4-hour timeframe, long liquidations stood at $84.61 million, far exceeding $13.50 million in short liquidations, showing sustained pressure on leveraged buyers.

Ripple Pressed to Demand Government Disclosure of Epstein-Linked Influence Over XRP

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Dr. Russell McGregor has urged Ripple to demand the release of government records relating to Epstein–linked influence on early crypto policy targeting XRP.  

The release of the Epstein files has reignited controversy within the crypto community, particularly around XRP. A viral email sparked debate over whether the disgraced financier may have influenced early crypto regulations that negatively affected Ripple, XRP, or Stellar. 

Key Points

  • Dr. Russell McGregor says the Epstein files raise questions about possible undisclosed efforts targeting XRP. 
  • He urges Ripple to seek full disclosure of any Epstein-linked influence on early crypto policy. 
  • Ripple CTO Emeritus David Schwartz believes the controversy likely runs deeper.
  • Some community members doubt Ripple will pursue the issue aggressively due to its ties with the U.S. government.

Blockstream Co-Founder Kicks Against Investment in Ripple and Stellar  

This speculation gained momentum after emails surfaced showing Blockstream co-founder Austin Hill urging Jeffrey Epstein and Joichi Ito to withdraw or limit funding for Jed McCaleb–linked projects, notably Ripple and Stellar. 

In a July 2014 email titled “Stellar isn’t so stellar,” Hill labeled both companies harmful to the industry. He also argued that backing them would damage crypto’s image, and proposed discussing ways to “deal” with the issue. Consequently, the correspondence revived debate over ideological rifts in early crypto circles. 

Ripple Must Demand Government Records on Epstein-Linked Influence Against XRP 

Reacting, McGregor, a widely followed crypto pundit, suggested that the emails raise broader questions about behind-the-scenes Epstein influence during crypto’s formative years. 

Accordingly, he called on Ripple to press the SEC, DOJ, and Congress to disclose whether Epstein-linked individuals or networks shaped early crypto policy, enforcement priorities, or regulatory narratives targeting Ripple, XRP, or Stellar. 

He also pointed to former SEC Chair Gary Gensler’s prior academic involvement in blockchain education at MIT as an area warranting scrutiny. McGregor suggests that undisclosed influence may have affected policy decisions that later affected Ripple’s regulatory treatment.  

Ripple’s Regulatory Woes in the U.S. 

Although the email exchange occurred in July 2014, Ripple later came under sustained regulatory scrutiny from FinCEN and the SEC. In 2015, FinCEN, working with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, imposed a $700,000 civil penalty on Ripple for violations of the Bank Secrecy Act.

Subsequently, in December 2020, the SEC launched a multi-year lawsuit alleging that Ripple raised over $1.3 billion through XRP sales it classified as unregistered securities. The case dragged on for five years and ended with Ripple paying a $125 million penalty and accepting a permanent injunction on future XRP sales to institutions. 

Now, the recent public awareness of Hill’s letter to Epstein and his call to discuss ways to “deal” with the issue has fueled speculation that industry figures may have influenced Ripple’s legal troubles.

Consequently, McGregor urged Ripple to formally request all government records linked to any Epstein-related influence on early crypto policy affecting the company, XRP, or even rival Stellar. 

Will Ripple Request Government Records Relating to XRP? 

His view aligns with comments from Ripple CTO Emeritus David Schwartz, who said he would not be surprised if Hill’s letter proved to be only the tip of a much larger iceberg, suggesting deeper issues may emerge.

Meanwhile, some users argue that Ripple may avoid pressing federal agencies due to its ties with the U.S. government.

Dogecoin Price Outlook for Feb 2: Momentum Favors Bears but DOGE is Repeating Previously Bullish Setup

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Dogecoin remains under bearish pressure, but long-term indicators show a setup that previously preceded major upside cycles. Where next?

Notably, Dogecoin (DOGE) remains under modest selling pressure, slipping 1.5% over the past 24 hours to trade around $0.1032. The meme coin moved within a tight intraday range, holding above a low near $0.1001 while facing resistance around $0.1065, reflecting choppy and indecisive price action.

Despite the short-term dip, DOGE has shown relative strength against Bitcoin, gaining about 0.6% on the DOGE/BTC pair, even as broader performance remains weak. However, Dogecoin has seen losses of roughly 15% over the past week, 18.5% over 14 days, and more than 27% in the last month.

Can DOGE Bulls Defend Next Support?

Dogecoin is trading above the $0.103 area, which is now acting as the immediate support after the latest sell-off. The long lower wick on the most recent candle suggests buyers are attempting to defend this zone, but the structure remains fragile.

If this support fails to hold on a daily closing basis, the next downside area to watch sits around the psychological $0.10 level, followed by a deeper support zone near $0.095.

Dogecoin 1-Day Prediction
Dogecoin 1-Day Prediction

On the upside, former breakdown zones have turned into clear resistance. Specifically, the first key resistance lies around $0.123, which aligns with the Parabolic SAR level and prior price congestion.

As long as DOGE remains below this area, rebounds will likely be corrective rather than trend-reversing. Above that, the $0.135–$0.15 region represents a stronger resistance band, where selling pressure previously intensified during January’s failed recovery attempts.

Momentum indicators continue to favor the bears. The Parabolic SAR dots remain positioned above price, confirming that the prevailing trend is still bearish. Additionally, the Awesome Oscillator is firmly in negative territory and expanding lower, signaling strengthening downside momentum.

Until the AO begins to flatten or flip back toward positive territory and price reclaims the SAR level, Dogecoin remains vulnerable to further downside despite short-term support attempts.

Dogecoin’s PMO Repeats Previous Bullish Pattern

In related market commentary, analyst Trader Tardigrade highlighted a long-term historical signal on Dogecoin’s weekly chart tied to the Price Momentum Oscillator (PMO). According to the analyst, previous instances where the PMO dropped to similarly low levels preceded major upside cycles.

DOGEUSD Prediction
DOGEUSD Prediction

These include a rally of roughly 21,000% between 2015 and 2018 and another advance of about 800% from 2022 to 2024. With the PMO once again hovering near these historical troughs, Trader Tardigrade suggests Dogecoin may be approaching another critical inflection point, possibly targeting $1.15-$1.8. To reach $1.80, Dogecoin must surge by approximately 1,644% from the current price of $0.1032.

Ripple Ex-CTO Says ‘Tip of a Giant Iceberg’ as Epstein Emails Reignite XRP Controversy

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Ripple CTO Emeritus David Schwartz addressed renewed claims linking Jeffrey Epstein to early crypto projects like Ripple, XRP, and Stellar.

His comments followed the resurfacing of a 2014 email involving Blockstream co-founder Austin Hill, which has recently circulated on X after the release of Epstein-related documents by the U.S. Department of Justice.

Key Points

  • Ripple ex-CTO David Schwartz says Epstein-linked claims around XRP and Stellar harm crypto unity.
  • His comments follow a resurfaced 2014 email from Blockstream’s Austin Hill now spreading on X.
  • Schwartz says there’s no evidence Epstein had direct links to Ripple, XRP, or Stellar projects.
  • Analysts say timelines point to Stellar, not XRP, based on Jed McCaleb’s 2013 Ripple exit.

David Schwartz: “This Kind of Attitude Hurts Everyone”

Reacting to the discussion, Schwartz said he would not be surprised if the controversy was “just the tip of a giant iceberg”. Meanwhile, he argued the bigger problem is the mindset behind such claims.

He stressed that framing parts of crypto as enemies only deepens divisions in an industry where projects are interconnected, ultimately hurting everyone regardless of which network they support. “This kind of attitude hurts everyone in the space,” Schwartz noted.

The 2014 Email Fueling the Debate

The controversy centers on a July 2014 email sent by Austin Hill to Joichi Ito, Jeffrey Epstein, and Reid Hoffman. In the message, Hill argued that Ripple and Jed McCaleb’s Stellar were “bad for the ecosystem”.

Accordingly, he stressed that investors backing rival chains were “backing two horses in the same race”. He suggested cutting or removing such investors, saying the overlap was hurting Blockstream and its broader vision.

Screenshots of the email have since spread widely on X. Some users are taking Epstein’s inclusion as proof of early financial influence over Ripple, XRP, or Stellar.

Schwartz Rejects Claims of Direct Epstein Links

In a separate response, Schwartz directly addressed the speculation, stating that he is unaware of any links between Epstein and XRP, Ripple, or Stellar. He said there is no evidence that anyone at Stellar or Ripple ever met Epstein or worked with individuals closely tied to him.

Schwartz added that while Epstein had indirect connections to figures linked to Bitcoin, this is common among ultra-wealthy individuals and does not suggest control over, or involvement in, specific crypto projects.

Timeline Suggests Stellar, Not XRP

Some analysts have also pushed back on claims that Epstein was monitoring Ripple or XRP in their earliest days. While one leaked document referenced Jed McCaleb working on a “secret Bitcoin project” in mid-2014, the timeline tells a different story.

Ripple and XRP were launched in 2012, and McCaleb exited Ripple in 2013. He went on to co-found Stellar in 2014, positioning it as a separate project aligned more closely with Bitcoin’s philosophy. Based on this timeline, analysts argue the reference likely points to Stellar rather than Ripple or XRP.

Ethereum Forecast for Feb 2: Here Are Levels Holding ETH From Further Downside

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Ethereum remains under pressure as strong downside momentum puts bears in control, leaving traders focused on whether key support zones can stabilize price.

Ethereum (ETH) has come under sharp selling pressure, dropping nearly 10% over the past 24 hours. The altcoin market leader is now trading around $2,207 after failing to hold above recent intraday highs near $2,435. 

The chart shows a steady downward grind punctuated by sharp sell-offs, reflecting weakening short-term sentiment as ETH also slid roughly 23% over the past week and more than 31% over the last 14 days. Despite elevated trading volume near $51.9 billion, buyers have struggled to stabilize price, leaving Ethereum underperforming both the broader market and Bitcoin over 24 hours.

Ethereum Price Analysis

Ethereum’s price action on the 4-hour chart shows continued downside pressure, with ETH now consolidating just above the $2,200 area after a sharp sell-off. This zone is acting as immediate support. A clean break below this level would expose Ethereum to further weakness toward the next psychological support around $2,100, where buyers may attempt a short-term defense.

ETH 4-Hour Analysis
ETH 4-Hour Analysis

On the upside, former consolidation zones have turned into clear resistance. Specifically, the $2,300–$2,350 region stands out as the first major resistance area, aligning with prior breakdown levels and recent failed rebound attempts. Above that, the $2,450–$2,500 zone represents a stronger ceiling, where sellers previously stepped in aggressively.

Moreover, momentum indicators reinforce the bearish structure. The Relative Strength Index is deeply oversold, hovering around 15, which signals extreme selling pressure. However, it also raises the possibility of a short-term relief bounce if selling exhausts. 

Meanwhile, the Average Directional Index is elevated above 65, confirming that the current trend is strong and well-established to the downside. This combination suggests Ethereum remains firmly in a bearish trend until signs of a reversal appear.

Ethereum Reversal to $6,000 Incoming?

In social media commentary, analyst Crypto GVR outlined both a potential reversal zone and upside targets for Ethereum. The analyst noted that ETH could begin forming a base between the $1,800 and $2,200 range, an area viewed as a critical demand zone after the recent sell-off. 

ETH Prediction
ETH Prediction

If price stabilizes and confirms a reversal from this region, Crypto GVR expects a broader recovery phase to follow. He sets upside targets in the $4,000 to $6,000 range over the coming period.

Cardano Founder Urges to Go All In Amid Crypto Market Dip

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Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson is among a few prominent market participants who have urged to go all in following the market downtrend.

In his recent podcast from Japan, he highlighted what has changed in crypto and what participants should do now as the correction continues. According to him, this could be the best time to recommit to building the ecosystem.

Key Points

  • Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson is among a few prominent market participants who have urged to go all in following the market downtrend.
  • In his recent podcast from Japan, he highlighted what has changed in crypto and what participants should do now as the correction continues.
  • Hoskinson noted that the space has deviated from its real purpose.
  • The Cardano founder believes the crypto vision is not a lost cause, and it is time to relinquish his opulent lifestyle and go all in on building.

What Changed for Crypto

For context, Hoskinson discussed the red candles that Bitcoin and most major cryptocurrencies have been printing in recent times.

Data from CoinMarketCap shows that BTC is down 13.6% since the start of the year, owing to its 15.77% correction in the past 30 days. Cardano has followed a similar trajectory, with YTD and monthly corrections of 15.8% and 29%, respectively.

During the podcast, Hoskinson highlighted how crypto got to this stage. He noted that the space has deviated from its original purpose, saying it was meant to be the “punk rock of finance,” the “outsiders,” and the “nonconformists.”

However, the 2021 rally drew attention to crypto, and, unfortunately, widespread acceptance made the industry part of the system. According to the Cardano founder, crypto lost its magic touch when this happened.

Remarkably, this is not the first time Hoskinson has shared this sentiment. He did so in his first broadcast for 2026, where he criticized the crypto industry for a misstep “somewhere along the way.”

Time to Go All In

Nonetheless, Hoskinson believes the crypto vision is not a lost cause. He insisted it is time to relinquish his opulent lifestyle and go all in on building.

The casualties in this refocus include Hoskinson’s famous Blackhawk helicopter, his jets, and his Lamborghinis. This emphasizes his stance on rolling back the year to when Cardano and the broader crypto ecosystem were still in their early stages, before holders and builders became rich.

While he did not directly mention buying the dip, he highlighted his commitment to reallocating his finances to making Cardano great again. He also joked about selling ADA and NIGHT tokens to AIs and building new exit liquidity for the ecosystem.

His renewed devotion underscores his view that the current market conditions will be temporary if the necessary change occurs. This encourages dip buying in preparation for the market recovery. However, this remains speculative and is not financial advice.

Bitcoin Dips to $75,000, Down 40% From ATH

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Crypto markets started the week on the back foot, with Bitcoin, Ethereum, and major altcoins extending a steep sell-off on Monday to multi-month lows.

The slide reflected eroding investor confidence and a surge in forced liquidations across exchanges. After days of heightened volatility, the downturn showed little sign of abating. As prices pushed lower, traders retreated to the sidelines, exacerbating losses across the market.

Key Points

  • Bitcoin and Ethereum both fell to multi-month lows as selling pressure intensified across major tokens.
  • The total cryptocurrency market lost roughly 4.4% of its value in the past 24 hours.
  • Bitcoin slid below $75,000, extending weekly losses by more than 14%.
  • Ethereum dropped nearly 10% in a single session, deepening a week-long decline of about 23%.
  • Roughly $800 million in leveraged crypto positions were liquidated in the past day.
  • Long positions accounted for more than three-quarters of total liquidations, underscoring a rapid unwind of bullish bets.

Bitcoin and Ethereum Lead the Sell-Off

Bitcoin led the move lower, slipping below the $75,000 mark during the session. According to CoinGecko, the largest cryptocurrency fell 4.7% over the past 24 hours to around $74,900, its lowest price in roughly nine months. BTC has now declined more than 14% over the past week and sits about 40% below its October peak of $126,080.

Meanwhile, Ethereum recorded even steeper losses. CoinGecko data shows ETH sliding nearly 10% in a single day to about $2,190. Consequently, weekly losses stand close to 23%, leaving the second-largest cryptocurrency roughly 55% below its August high, when prices neared $5,000.

Together, the sharp declines in Bitcoin and Ethereum set a broadly negative tone, curbing any meaningful recovery attempts across the digital asset market.

Altcoins Turn Lower

Selling pressure quickly spread beyond the leading tokens. XRP fell more than 7% to approximately $1.54, while Solana declined about 6.6% to near $98. Dogecoin also weakened, slipping over 4% to trade around $0.10.

With losses widespread, total cryptocurrency market capitalization fell roughly 4.4% over the past 24 hours. The breadth of the decline suggests investors reduced risk exposure across the board rather than rotating into alternative assets, underscoring a market-wide retreat from risk. 

Liquidations Accelerate in Derivatives Markets

The downturn triggered significant losses among leveraged traders. Data from CoinGlass shows that approximately $800 million in crypto futures positions were liquidated over the past day, with long positions accounting for about $578 million of the total.

Specifically, Ethereum futures accounted for the largest share of forced liquidations, at roughly $278 million, followed closely by Bitcoin at around $254 million. This scale of liquidations illustrates how quickly bullish positioning unraveled, further pressuring already fragile markets.

Crypto Liquidations in the Past 24 Hours
Crypto Liquidations in the Past 24 Hours

Macro Headwinds Weigh on Sentiment

The crypto sell-off unfolded amid broader macroeconomic uncertainty. Over the past week, investors have been grappling with political risks in the United States, including concerns over a government shutdown. Indeed, those fears materialized early Saturday when a partial shutdown began.

At the same time, skepticism has grown around valuations linked to artificial intelligence investments, with market participants increasingly questioning whether enthusiasm in the sector has outpaced underlying fundamentals.

Together, these factors reinforced a risk-off environment that spilled over into cryptocurrencies and other speculative assets.

ETF Outflows Signal Risk-Off Shift

Investor caution was also evident in fund flows. Data from Farside Investors shows that nearly $1.5 billion exited U.S. spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds over the past week, while Ethereum-focused ETFs recorded outflows of about $327 million.

Sustained withdrawals from crypto ETFs suggest investors have been actively reducing exposure amid elevated volatility. ETF flows often mirror broader sentiment, and the latest data points to a defensive shift.

Precious Metals Offer Mixed Signals

While cryptocurrencies struggled, traditional safe-haven assets attracted attention last week. Gold and silver climbed to record highs amid growing risk aversion. However, both metals reversed sharply by the end of the week.

Notably, silver experienced particularly heavy selling, plunging more than 31% during Friday’s U.S. trading session. This abrupt reversal highlights how quickly sentiment can shift across asset classes during periods of heightened uncertainty.

In conclusion, Monday’s sell-off underscores the fragile state of crypto markets amid leveraged positioning and broader economic headwinds. With volatility still elevated, traders remain cautious as they assess whether prices can find a stable footing in the days ahead.

XRP Closes Below the Pivotal 100-Week EMA: What Happens Next?

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XRP has recently closed below the 100 EMA on the weekly chart, a development that previously led to a 60% price decline.

With the broader crypto market facing sustained bearish pressure, XRP has suffered some of the worst losses over the past few weeks, having recorded four consecutive bearish weekly candles since Jan. 5, and is on track to secure the fifth consecutive loss this new week, now trading below $1.6.

However, a more troubling development has seen XRP close below the pivotal 100-week exponential moving average (EMA) support, pointing to potentially steeper declines. The last time such a decisive close below this area played out in 2022, XRP recorded a 60% crash.

Key Points

  • Amid the ongoing selling pressure in the broader market, XRP has suffered some of the worst losses, down 29% from its yearly peak.
  • The current downturn has led to four consecutive bearish weekly candlesticks for XRP, with the current candle already 1.9% down.
  • In a more troubling development, XRP has closed below the 100-week EMA, now trading well below this pivotal level.
  • The last time XRP witnessed a decisive close of this magnitude below the 100-week EMA was in 2022, which led to a rapid 60% crash. 

XRP’s Interaction Around the 100W EMA

Market analyst Chart Nerd spotlighted this important development in a recent commentary. For context, XRP traded around the 100-week EMA from 2023 to 2024, casually slipping below and above it, as prices ranged between a low of $0.42 to highs around $0.7.

However, following the Trump-led upsurge in November 2024, XRP pushed way above the moving average. For context, as of early December 2024, XRP hit a peak of $2.9 while the 100-week EMA stood at just $0.64. As prices traded at a new range of $2 to $3 throughout 2025, the moving average gradually saw an uptick.

Notably, XRP again started retesting the 100-week EMA from October 2025 as prices saw rapid declines below $3. The first retest occurred on Oct. 10 when XRP crashed to $1.58 and rebounded immediately. Another retest emerged in November 2025 when XRP dropped to $1.81. Meanwhile, the latest retest occurred on Dec. 31 as XRP hit $1.8091.

XRP Slips Below the 100W EMA

Each of these retests followed a rebound above the EMA, but the case was different two weeks ago. Specifically, when XRP closed the week ending Jan. 25 at a price of $1.83, this close played out below the 100-week EMA, which stood at $1.87 at the time. 

According to Chart Nerd, the last time this bearish close happened was in April 2022, and XRP recorded a subsequent crash of 60% to an ascending support trendline that has held the market together during downturns since 2020.

XRP Drops Below 100W EMA Chart Nerd
XRP Drops Below 100W EMA | Chart Nerd

With the EMA sitting at $1.87 at the time of the analysis, the market watcher suggested that a similar 60% drop from the breakdown price of $1.87 would take XRP to $0.7490, aligning with the ascending support trendline. Currently, XRP trades for $1.55.

Important Caveat

However, Chart Nerd admitted that this was merely a theory, as it may not play out. According to him, while it remains a theory, investors should consider it a warning sign. Notably, there is no guarantee XRP could actually drop to as low as $0.7490.

Meanwhile, Chart Nerd stressed that wherever the downward push takes XRP, the market could witness a recovery run back above the 100-week EMA, which currently sits at $1.86. He suggested that reclaiming the pivotal moving average to avoid steeper declines should be XRP’s primary objective now.