XRP <a class="ticker-link" data-ticker="XRP" data-exchange="CRYPTO" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/XRP-USD" target="_blank" rel="noopener">(CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/xrp/usd">XRP</a>)</a> has gained about 15% over the past week as cryptocurrencies are <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/crypto/cryptocurrency/26/01/49686642/bitcoin-reclaims-92000-as-ethereum-xrp-spike-2">kicking off 2026 strong</a>.



<figure class="wp-block-table"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><tbody><tr><td>Cryptocurrency</td><td>Ticker</td><td>Price</td><td>Market Cap</td><td>7-Day Trend</td></tr><tr><td>XRP</td><td>(CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/xrp/usd">XRP</a>)</td><td>$2.13</td><td>$129.4 billion</td><td>+14.8%</td></tr><tr><td>Bitcoin</td><td>(CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>)</td><td>$93,101.52</td><td>$1.85 trillion</td><td>+7.3%</td></tr><tr><td>Ethereum</td><td>(CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/eth/usd">ETH</a>)</td><td>$3,178.36</td><td>$383.6 billion</td><td>+9%</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



Trader Notes: CrediBULL Crypto <a href="https://x.com/CredibleCrypto/status/2007912405209092189">said</a> XRP is forming a bullish lower-timeframe triple-tap pattern, suggesting short-term pullbacks remain buyable, with price targeting local range highs near $2.30. 



However, he cautioned that the move likely represents a lower-timeframe bounce rather than confirmation that the broader, months-long correction has ended.



CrediBULL added that a retest of the higher-timeframe demand zone around $1.60 remains possible and would represent a strong long-term buying opportunity.



Cryptoinsightuk <a href="https://x.com/Cryptoinsightuk/status/2008095769820323974">offered</a> a bullish but measured outlook. 



On the weekly chart, XRP's RSI has flipped bullish—a signal that has historically preceded rallies of 50% to more than 500% but still requires one additional positive weekly close for confirmation.



In the near term, four-hour and hourly indicators show XRP is overbought, making a pullback toward the $1.90–$1.95 area likely and healthy without invalidating the broader bullish setup. 



Key resistance levels sit at $2.26–$2.30, followed by the critical $2.60–$2.70 zone.



A reclaim of this October liquidation area could trigger a rapid move toward $4.30 or higher, driven by overhead liquidity and potential short squeezes.



Statistics: SoSoValue data shows XRP spot ETFs recorded $13.6 million in daily net inflows, bringing total net assets to $1.4 billion as of Jan. 2.



Coinglass data indicates XRP liquidations totaled $10.2 million, with $7.6 million from short liquidations, signaling forced short covering amid the sharp price spike.



Read Next:&nbsp;



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/crypto/cryptocurrency/26/01/49686642/bitcoin-reclaims-92000-as-ethereum-xrp-spike-2">Bitcoin Reclaims $92,000 As Ethereum, XRP Spike 2%</a></li>
</ul>



Image: Shutterstock

XRP Surges 15% In A Week: What Is Going On?

Bitcoin is firmly back above $92,000 as the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/crypto/cryptocurrency/25/12/49602922/bitcoin-ethereum-xrp-dogecoin-move-sideways-while-stocks-silver-gain-analyst-says-volatility-is-likely-in-last-week-of-2025">Crypto Fear &amp; Greed Index</a> returned to &#8220;Neutral&#8221;.



Bitcoin ETFs saw $471.1 million in net inflows on Friday, while Ethereum ETFs reported $174.4 million in net inflows.



<figure class="wp-block-table"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><tbody><tr><td> Cryptocurrency</td><td>Ticker</td><td>Price</td></tr><tr><td>Bitcoin</td><td><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/BTC" target="_blank" class="ticker-link" data-ticker="BTC" data-exchange="CRYPTO">(CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>)</a></td><td>$92,879.84</td></tr><tr><td>Ethereum</td><td><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/ETH" target="_blank" class="ticker-link" data-ticker="ETH" data-exchange="CRYPTO">(CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/eth/usd">ETH</a>)</a></td><td>$3,174.12</td></tr><tr><td>Solana</td><td><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/SOL" target="_blank" class="ticker-link" data-ticker="SOL" data-exchange="CRYPTO">(CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/sol/usd">SOL</a>)</a></td><td>$135.60&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td></tr><tr><td>XRP</td><td><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/XRP" target="_blank" class="ticker-link" data-ticker="XRP" data-exchange="CRYPTO">(CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/xrp/usd">XRP</a>)</a></td><td>$2.14</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



Will This Time Be Different?



Trader PostyXBT <a href="https://x.com/PostyXBT/status/2008115335560311275">said</a> his broader Bitcoin outlook remains largely unchanged. On the bullish side, he views the recent pullback as a higher-timeframe higher low, noting that a roughly 35% correction is typical within bull markets.



The bearish case, however, centers on Bitcoin's lack of follow-through despite the pullback, alongside the risk that the four-year cycle may have already peaked.



PostyXBT said it is difficult to turn decisively bullish until Bitcoin reclaims the $98,000–$100,000 range, warning that the current move could still represent a dead-cat bounce or bearish retest. 



He remains bullish but sees Q1 and Q2 as uncertain without clearer structural confirmation.



Crypto trader Jelle <a href="https://x.com/CryptoJelleNL/status/2008113053951561745">highlighted</a> a strong bullish setup on Bitcoin, with a confirmed three-day bullish divergence and a bullish MACD cross. Historically, this combination has preceded powerful rallies.



Crypto chart analyst Ali Martinez <a href="https://x.com/alicharts/status/2007949914714919245">said</a> Ethereum is consolidating tightly, a structure that often precedes a sharp move. Once direction is confirmed, Martinez sees scope for a potential 30% price swing.



For Solana, Martinez <a href="https://x.com/alicharts/status/2007905119816302792">noted</a> signs of a local top, with the TD Sequential flashing a sell signal that points to a possible short-term pullback.



Web3Niels of TedLabsBio <a href="https://x.com/Web3Niels/status/2007853454581019107">said</a> XRP has broken out of a three-month downtrend, signaling a shift in momentum and setting the stage for a potential rally.



The broader meme coin market rose 4.4% in a single day, reclaiming a $50 billion market capitalization.



Trader Cantonese Cat <a href="https://x.com/cantonmeow/status/2007966588788781206">noted</a> Dogecoin printed a strong bullish weekly engulfing candle, fully erasing the prior five weeks of bearish price action and signaling a potential trend reversal, even as short-term profit-taking weighed on price.



Javon Marks <a href="https://x.com/JavonTM1/status/2007900448804786274">said</a> Shiba Inu has broken out following bullish divergences, pointing to renewed upside momentum. The setup targets a potential move of more than 246%, with the $0.000032 divergence level coming into focus as the rally develops.



<figure class="wp-block-table"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><tbody><tr><td>Cryptocurrency</td><td>Ticker</td><td>Price</td></tr><tr><td>Dogecoin</td><td><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/DOGE" target="_blank" class="ticker-link" data-ticker="DOGE" data-exchange="CRYPTO">(CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/doge/usd">DOGE</a>)</a></td><td>$0.1471</td></tr><tr><td>Shiba Inu</td><td><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/SHIB" target="_blank" class="ticker-link" data-ticker="SHIB" data-exchange="CRYPTO">(CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/shib/usd">SHIB</a>)</a></td><td>$0.058639</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



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Bitcoin Reclaims $92,000 As Ethereum, XRP Spike 2%

The Polymarket bettor who <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/26/01/49681284/polymarket-trader-turns-34k-into-436k-by-betting-on-maduros-capture-by-trump-administration">turned a $33,000</a> bet on Venezuela-related developments&#8217; into over $400,000 could be a geopolitical insider, a platform that tracks the top trades on the prediction market said on Sunday.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Trader Executes Laser-Focused Geopolitical Strategy</h2>



Sonar Pro analyzed the trader&#8217;s moves on X, highlighting an &#8220;ultra-concentrated&#8221; strategy that focused only on geopolitical events.



The bettor placed wagers on just four outcomes — all tied to Venezuela — including &#8220;Maduro out by January 31, 2026&#8221; and &#8220;US forces in Venezuela by January 31, 2026.&#8221; Sonar Pro found it unusual that, unlike other traders, this entity didn&#8217;t gamble anything on sports and cryptocurrency.



&#8220;When you see high PnL + Low Predictions + 100% Win Rate, you aren&#8217;t looking at a &#8216;trader.&#8217; You&#8217;re looking at Smart Money or a Geopolitical Insider,&#8221; Sonar Pro stated.



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">War Insider or Macro Sniper? &#x7C; Venezuela&#x1f575;&#xfe0f;&#x200d;&#x2642;&#xfe0f; A random account appeared on <a href="https://twitter.com/Polymarket?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Polymarket</a>, dropped a $33K bet on Venezuela, and walked away with $400,000 in 24 hours. Lucky? Maybe. But the data says otherwise. &#x1f9f5;&#x1f447; 1/ The &quot;Insider&quot; Signal？&#x1f6a9; Using Sonar's Leaderboard, we… <a href="https://t.co/MZl2aahz8F">pic.twitter.com/MZl2aahz8F</a>&mdash; Sonar Pro &#x7C; Prediction Terminal (@SonarProTrade) <a href="https://twitter.com/SonarProTrade/status/2007689439061963070?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 4, 2026</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



Sonar Pro stated that the bettor identified the U.S. policy shift early when the broader market was pricing in only 6-7% odds of Maduro&#8217;s ouster.



&#8220;He isn&#8217;t a &#8216;diamond hand&#8217; dreamer; he's a professional harvesting volatility,&#8221; the platform concluded.



See Also:<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44621245/gold-backed-cryptos-match-yellow-metals-highs-following-trumps-liberation-day-shock"> </a><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/events/26/01/49683194/trumps-venezuela-strike-raises-odds-of-a-broader-war-with-iran-in-crypto-betting-market">Trump&#8217;s Venezuela Strike Raises Odds Of A Broader War With Iran In Crypto Betting Market</a>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">&#8216;Insider Trading&#8217; Allegations Arise</h2>



Meanwhile, popular on-chain tracking platform Lookonchain also described the development as a &#8220;clear case&#8221; of insider trading.



Polymarket didn&#8217;t immediately return Benzinga&#8217;s request for comment.



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Three insider wallets on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Polymarket?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Polymarket</a> bet on Venezuelan President Maduro being out of office just hours before his arrest, netting a total profit of $630,484! The three wallets were created and pre-funded days in advance. Then, just hours before Maduro&#39;s arrest, they suddenly… <a href="https://t.co/VRAkQh8i9a">pic.twitter.com/VRAkQh8i9a</a>&mdash; Lookonchain (@lookonchain) <a href="https://twitter.com/lookonchain/status/2007639475497881625?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 4, 2026</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Not The First Time</h2>



Polymarket has been under scrutiny for insider trading in the past, most notably during the 2024 presidential elections. The platform accurately predicted Trump's victory, but concerns about&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/10/41434026/mark-cuban-dismisses-polymarket-election-odds-as-meaningless-most-of-the-money-is-foreign" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">foreign influence and market manipulation</a>&nbsp;dominated headlines.



More recently, former SEC chief of staff Amanda Fischer criticized billionaire hedge fund manager Bill Ackman&#8217;s suggestion to NYC Mayor Eric Adams to bet on Cuomo&#8217;s Polymarket election odds, calling it &#8220;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/crypto/25/09/47541918/ex-sec-official-slams-bill-ackmans-very-illegal-proposal-urging-nyc-mayor-adams-to-bet-on-cuomos-polymarket-election-odds">very illegal</a>&#8220;.



Polymarket&#8217;s founder and CEO, Shayne Coplan, had previously <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/crypto/cryptocurrency/25/12/49129837/polymarket-is-most-accurate-thing-in-mankind-says-ceo-shayne-coplan-addresses-insider-trading-la-fires-controversy">emphasized the accuracy of his platform</a>, stating it to be &#8220;the most accurate thing&#8221; in mankind. Addressing the&nbsp;possibility of insider trading, he acknowledged the "inevitability" of people seeking an edge in the market.



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<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/26/01/49683449/bernie-sanders-kamala-harris-warren-and-others-slam-trumps-venezuela-raid-as-illegal-warn-oil-driven-military-strike-risks-global-precedent">Bernie Sanders, Kamala Harris, Warren And Others Slam Trump&#8217;s Venezuela Raid As &#8216;Illegal,&#8217; Warn Oil-Driven Military Strike Risks Global Precedent</a></li>
</ul>



 Image via Shutterstock

Polymarket Trader Who Bagged Massive Profit From US-Venezuela Bets Could Be Geopolitical Insider: Sonar Pro

Bitcoin&#8217;s <a class="ticker-link" data-ticker="BTC" data-exchange="CRYPTO" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/BTC-USD" target="_blank" rel="noopener">(CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>)</a> acceptance among merchants sharply increased in 2025, with analysts attributing the growth to Block Inc.&#8217;s (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/XYZ">XYZ</a>) integration of BTC payments into its point-of-sale business. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Bitcoin Adoption Surges</h2>



The number of up-to-date merchants, i.e, businesses verified within the last year, rose 53% last year, <a href="https://btcmap.org/dashboard">according </a>to BTC Map, a platform that tracks businesses accepting Bitcoin.



The count of &#8220;recently verified&#8221; merchants rose to 11,242 as of this writing, while the overall number of merchants increased to 19,910.



Jameson Lopp, Chief Security Officer at self-custody platform firm&nbsp;Casa, was &#8220;pretty sure&#8221; that Square, Block&#8217;s point-of-sale arm, drove the growth by allowing merchants to accept BTC in everyday transactions.



While BTC Map agreed that Square was a &#8220;big contributor,&#8221; it said the growth was across the board.



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">The number of up-to-date merchants accepting BTC cataloged by <a href="https://twitter.com/btcmap?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@btcmap</a> surged by 53% in 2025. Pretty sure this is due to <a href="https://twitter.com/Square?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@square</a> enabling bitcoin payments in their point of sale terminals. <a href="https://t.co/vkZ3YbDQnP">pic.twitter.com/vkZ3YbDQnP</a>&mdash; Jameson Lopp (@lopp) <a href="https://twitter.com/lopp/status/2006794552829415709?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 1, 2026</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



Interestingly, BTC accounted for over<a href="https://www.bitpay.com/stats"> 31%</a>&nbsp;of global payments processed by&nbsp;BitPay in 2025, one of the world's top cryptocurrency payment processors



See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/crypto/cryptocurrency/26/01/49680932/the-best-time-to-buy-bitcoin-in-2026-isnt-a-date-its-a-process">The Best Time to Buy Bitcoin in 2026 Isn&#8217;t a Date — It&#8217;s a Process</a>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Square&#8217;s Bold Move</h2>



Block rolled out BTC payments for Square merchants last year, letting them <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/crypto/cryptocurrency/25/10/48118780/block-shares-hit-8-month-high-after-jack-dorseys-firm-announces-bitcoin-payments-for-square-pos-system" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">accept BTC payments with no processing fees&nbsp;</a>until 2027



Additionally, a "Conversion" feature enables them to convert a portion of card sales into Bitcoin.&nbsp;



The company also introduced a native wallet that will allow sellers to manage their BTC holdings, including buy, sell, hold, and withdrawal options.



Price Action: At the time of writing, BTC was exchanging hands at $92,611.00, up1.38% in the last 24 hours, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard?_gl=1&#x2A;380nj0&#x2A;_ga&#x2A;MTEyOTAyOTcxMy4xNzEzMzY0NTYy&#x2A;_ga_V7ZK73W7N0&#x2A;MTcxNDk4MzIzMi42LjEuMTcxNDk4OTE0Ni4wLjAuMA.." target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">data from Benzinga Pro</a>.



Block shares closed 0.09% higher at $65.15&nbsp;&nbsp;during Friday&#8217;s regular trading session. The stock fell nearly 30% last year.



Benzinga&#8217;s proprietary Edge Rankings show Growth as the strongest category for XYZ at 90.36/100. To find more information about the stock,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-2#:~:text=Turn%20Market%20Chaos,when%20markets%20rebound" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">click here.</a>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-2#:~:text=Turn%20Market%20Chaos,when%20markets%20rebound"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="997" height="207" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/05012908/image-24.png" alt="" class="wp-image-1242160" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/05012908/image-24.png 997w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/05012908/image-24-300x62.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/05012908/image-24-768x159.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 997px) 100vw, 997px" /></a></figure>



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Image via Shutterstock

Bitcoin Merchant Adoption Surges 53% In 2025 As Block's Square Drives Growth

BitMine Immersion Technologies Inc.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/BMNR" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/BMNR">BMNR</a></a>) shares rallied in Sunday overnight trading on Robinhood after Chair Tom Lee urged shareholders to support a board proposal to raise the company&#8217;s authorized share count from 500 million to 50 billion.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Why Lee Is Proposing Increasing Share Count</h2>



Shares of the company climbed 14.84% to $31.73 on the Robinhood platform after Lee said in a New Year message that the move is not aimed at diluting shareholder value, but rather is part of a &#8220;strategic&#8221; plan to support future capital raising, &#8220;opportunistic&#8221; acquisitions, and, most importantly, for possible stock splits.



Lee said that BitMine&#8217;s stock price has closely tracked Ethereum&#8217;s <a class="ticker-link" data-ticker="ETH" data-exchange="CRYPTO" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/ETH-USD" target="_blank" rel="noopener">(CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/eth/usd">ETH</a>)</a> price since the company pivoted to an ETH-centric treasury strategy last year. He predicted that ETH could climb as high as $250,000 if Bitcoin <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/BTC-USD" target="_blank" class="ticker-link" data-ticker="BTC" data-exchange="CRYPTO" rel="noopener">(CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>)</a> hits $1 million, making stock splits necessary to keep shares accessible for investors.



Shareholders have until Jan. 14 to vote on the proposal, with the annual meeting scheduled for Jan. 15 in Las Vegas, Lee added.



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<iframe loading="lazy" title="BitMine Chairman's Message &#x7C; Tom Lee Explains the Authorized Shares Increase &amp; Vote Yes" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Vy85Wz24l7c?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
</div></figure>



See Also:<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44621245/gold-backed-cryptos-match-yellow-metals-highs-following-trumps-liberation-day-shock"> </a><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/ethereum-eth-price-predictions">Ethereum (ETH) Price Prediction: 2025, 2026, 2030</a>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Short-Term Crypto Pullbacks To Follow?</h2>



BitMine has <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/crypto/cryptocurrency/25/12/49617005/bitmine-grabs-44463-eth-but-23-could-be-on-the-cards-soon-for-bmnr-stock">emerged as a cryptocurrency treasury giant</a>, holding 4.11 ETH, valued at over $12 billion as of this writing



Lee&#8217;s explanation comes in the context of his previous statements on the future of cryptocurrency. In early 2026, he predicted a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/crypto/cryptocurrency/26/01/49673498/tom-lee-sees-10-to-15-crypto-pullback-in-early-2026-as-white-house-fed-policy-risks-loom">10% to 15% crypto pullback</a> due to policy risks from the White House and the Federal Reserve. However, he maintained that any weakness would reflect growing pains and not the end of crypto&#8217;s long-term upside



Price Action: At the time of writing, ETH was exchanging hands at $3,173.93, up 0.83% in the last 24 hours, according to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard?_gl=1&#x2A;380nj0&#x2A;_ga&#x2A;MTEyOTAyOTcxMy4xNzEzMzY0NTYy&#x2A;_ga_V7ZK73W7N0&#x2A;MTcxNDk4MzIzMi42LjEuMTcxNDk4OTE0Ni4wLjAuMA..">data from Benzinga Pro</a>.



BMNR shares closed 14.88% higher at $31.19&nbsp;on Friday. The stock gained over 300% last year.



According to Benzinga&#8217;s Edge Stock Rankings, BMNR exhibited a weaker price trend in the short, medium and long term horizon.&nbsp;Find out how it compares with other cryptocurrency treasury stocks <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-2#:~:text=Turn%20Market%20Chaos,when%20markets%20rebound">by clicking here</a>.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-2#:~:text=Turn%20Market%20Chaos,when%20markets%20rebound"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="976" height="192" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/04231802/image-23.png" alt="" class="wp-image-1241923" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/04231802/image-23.png 976w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/04231802/image-23-300x59.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/04231802/image-23-768x151.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 976px) 100vw, 976px" /></a></figure>



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Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Neuro</a>&nbsp;and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/apis?utm_source=benzinga.com&amp;utm_campaign=article-bottom" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank"></a>



Photo: PJ McDonnell / Shutterstock

BitMine Stock Climbs 14% Overnight As Tom Lee Asks Investors To Support Share Increase To Keep Prices 'Accessible'

The new year meme coin frenzy continued on Sunday as major coins extended their gains.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">New Year Festivities Continue For Memecoins</h2>



Solana <a class="ticker-link" data-ticker="SOL" data-exchange="CRYPTO" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/SOL-USD" target="_blank" rel="noopener">(CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/sol/usd">SOL</a>)</a>-based dogwifhat <a class="ticker-link" data-ticker="WIF" data-exchange="CRYPTO" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/WIF-USD" target="_blank" rel="noopener">(CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/">WIF</a>)</a> lifted over 17% in the last 24 hours. Trading volume for the dog-themed cryptocurrency jumped 132% to $450 million, signaling high trading interest and buying pressure.



Pepe <a class="ticker-link" data-ticker="PEPE" data-exchange="CRYPTO" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/PEPE-USD" target="_blank" rel="noopener">(CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/">PEPE</a>)</a> and Bonk <a class="ticker-link" data-ticker="BONK" data-exchange="CRYPTO" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/BONK-USD" target="_blank" rel="noopener">(CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/">BONK</a>)</a> led the gains among memecoins with a market capitalization exceeding $1 billion, rallying 17% and 14%, respectively. 



These two coins also ranked as the second and third-largest gainers across the entire market in the past 24 hours.



<figure class="wp-block-table"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><thead><tr><th>Cryptocurrency</th><th>24-Hour&nbsp;Gains +/-</th><th>Price (Recorded at 9:30 p.m. ET)</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Dogwifhat</td><td>+17.17%</td><td>$0.4032</td></tr><tr><td>Pepe &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td><td>+14.50%</td><td>$0.000007106</td></tr><tr><td>Bonk</td><td>+13.67%</td><td>$0.00001191</td></tr><tr><td>Shiba Inu</td><td>+8.54%</td><td>$0.000008959</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



See Also:<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44621245/gold-backed-cryptos-match-yellow-metals-highs-following-trumps-liberation-day-shock"> </a><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/crypto/cryptocurrency/26/01/49661599/dogecoin-shiba-inu-rally-as-memecoins-kick-off-2026-with-strong-gains">Dogecoin (DOGE) Price Prediction 2025, 2026, 2030</a>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Market Leaders Rise</h2>



Meme heavyweight Shiba Inu <a class="ticker-link" data-ticker="SHIB" data-exchange="CRYPTO" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/SHIB-USD" target="_blank" rel="noopener">(CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/shib/usd">SHIB</a>)</a> popped over 8% as top wallets of the cryptocurrency continued to accumulate. As of this writing, the ten largest addresses held nearly 63% of the supply, according to Santiment.



Similarly, Dogecoin <a class="ticker-link" data-ticker="DOGE" data-exchange="CRYPTO" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/DOGE-USD" target="_blank" rel="noopener">(CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/doge/usd">DOGE</a>)</a> rose nearly 2% in the last 24 hours



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">&#x1f63c; Shiba Inu&#39;s price has jumped +13% Sunday with the 2026 meme coin frenzy continuing to jump between assets. &#x1f4c8; According to <a href="https://twitter.com/santimentfeed?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@santimentfeed</a> data, the 10 largest wallets hold nearly 63% of the supply. The largest holds ~41%, currently worth ~$3.3B. &#x1f517;: <a href="https://t.co/FGHSOOl3zV">https://t.co/FGHSOOl3zV</a> <a href="https://t.co/UL4vTWptqT">pic.twitter.com/UL4vTWptqT</a>&mdash; Santiment (@santimentfeed) <a href="https://twitter.com/santimentfeed/status/2007964007421063400?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 4, 2026</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



The overall memecoin market capitalization increased by 5.72% in the last 24 hours to $47.75 billion, a level not seen in nearly two months. The total trade volume increased by 50% to $8.83 billion in the last 24 hours.



Memecoin bulls would hope that the New Year surge leads to long-term gains for the sector <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/crypto/cryptocurrency/25/12/49643090/trump-coin-and-this-token-emerge-victorious-in-a-year-marked-by-memecoin-bloodbath-dogecoin-shiba-inu-end-2025-lower">following a dismal 2025</a>.



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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/crypto/cryptocurrency/26/01/49661599/dogecoin-shiba-inu-rally-as-memecoins-kick-off-2026-with-strong-gains">Disappointed By Bitcoin And Dogecoin In 2025? These Coins Soared Over 2000% To Dominate The Gainers List</a></li>
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Photo Courtesy: Dennis Diatel on Shutterstock

Dogecoin, Shiba Inu Extend New Year Gains, But Pepe, Bonk Top The Pack With Double-Digit Rally

The cryptocurrency crowd raised the odds of a U.S. military strike on Iran in the wake of the successful operation in Venezuela.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Are Investors Betting On A US War With Iran?</h2>



The probability that the U.S. will strike Iran by Jan. 31 rose from 10% to <a href="https://polymarket.com/event/us-strikes-iran-by">18%</a> in the last 24 hours on Polymarket. 



Similarly, the odds that such a military action happens by the end of March increased to 28% from 21% the day before. The likelihood of a strike by June 30 has risen to 35%, the highest of all outcomes currently.



Nearly $700,000 has been wagered on the outcome. The market resolves to &#8220;Yes&#8221; if the U.S. initiates a drone, missile or air strike on Iranian territory, including its embassies and consulates.



See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/26/01/49682222/venezuela-aftermath-armed-groups-roaming-the-cities-people-are-very-scared">Venezuela Aftermath: &#8216;Armed Groups Roaming the Cities,&#8217; People Are &#8216;Very Scared&#8217;</a>



Polymarket, based on&nbsp;Polygon&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/POL-USD" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">(CRYPTO:&nbsp;</a><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">POL</a>), has faced criticism in the past for launching betting events that&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/10/41110897/ethereum-creator-vitalik-buterin-bats-for-polymarkets-model-amid-concerns-over-betting-on-" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">aim to profit from conflicts and wars</a>. 



Meanwhile, a disclaimer on the Polymarket&#8217;s website reads, &#8220;After discussing with those directly affected by the attacks, who had dozens of questions, we realized that prediction markets could give them the answers they needed in ways TV news and X could not.&#8221;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Trump&#8217;s Warning To Iran</h2>



The spike in odds comes after the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/26/01/49681852/trump-says-us-oil-giants-will-pump-billions-into-venezuelas-energy-sector-post-regime-change">U.S. struck Venezuela during the weekend</a> and toppled President Nicolás Maduro&#8217;s regime.&nbsp;



Earlier this week, President&nbsp;Donald Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/12/49623715/trump-warns-iran-of-more-strikes-if-it-doesnt-stop-building-nuclear-weapons-we-know-exactly-where-theyre-going-what-theyre-doing" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cautioned Iran against rebuilding its nuclear program</a>, stating that the U.S. was aware of Iran's activities and could launch another major strike on the Middle Eastern nation.



Iran has also been battling with&nbsp;an internal crisis,&nbsp;with shutdowns triggered by escalating protests severely impacting businesses, educational institutions, and government offices. Trump said that the U.S. would come to the &#8220;rescue&#8221; of Iranian protesters if the regime resorts to violence.



Iran has warned <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/26/01/49664942/iran-warns-us-intervention-would-destabilize-region-after-trump-threatens-action-over-protests-amer">that any U.S. intervention</a> could lead to "destabilizing the entire region."



Last year, Iran became entangled in a major confrontation with Israel that later saw the U.S. join in to bomb the sanctioned nation's nuclear facilities.



Read Next:&nbsp;



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/crypto/cryptocurrency/26/01/49662672/iran-taps-into-cryptocurrency-payments-for-advanced-weapons-trade-amid-sanctions-economic-crisis-report">Iran Taps Into Cryptocurrency Payments For Advanced Weapons Trade Amid Sanctions, Economic Crisis: Report</a></li>
</ul>



Image via Shutterstock

Trump's Venezuela Strike Raises Odds Of A Broader War With Iran In Crypto Betting Market

Leading cryptocurrencies spiked on Sunday evening, while stock futures held steady after the U.S. struck Venezuela and toppled Maduro&#8217;s regime.



<figure class="wp-block-table"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><thead><tr><th>Cryptocurrency</th><th>Gains +/-</th><th>Price (Recorded at 8:25 p.m. ET)</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Bitcoin <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/BTC" target="_blank" class="ticker-link" data-ticker="BTC" data-exchange="CRYPTO">(CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>)</a></td><td>+1.80%</td><td>$92,845.22</td></tr><tr><td>Ethereum <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/ETH" target="_blank" class="ticker-link" data-ticker="ETH" data-exchange="CRYPTO">(CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/eth/usd">ETH</a>)</a> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td><td>+0.96%</td><td>$3,181.92</td></tr><tr><td>XRP <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/XRP" target="_blank" class="ticker-link" data-ticker="XRP" data-exchange="CRYPTO">(CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/xrp/usd">XRP</a>)</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td><td>+4.52%</td><td>$2.12</td></tr><tr><td>Solana <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/SOL" target="_blank" class="ticker-link" data-ticker="SOL" data-exchange="CRYPTO">(CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/sol/usd">SOL</a>)</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td><td>+1.43%</td><td>$136.02</td></tr><tr><td>Dogecoin <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/DOGE" target="_blank" class="ticker-link" data-ticker="DOGE" data-exchange="CRYPTO">(CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/doge/usd">DOGE</a>)</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td><td>+3.85%</td><td>$0.1512</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Crypto Market Gains Momentum</h2>



Bitcoin nearly broke past $93,000 Sunday evening as millions worth of shorts got liquidated over the last 60 minutes. Trading volume for the apex cryptocurrency surged 30%, signalling high buying pressure.



Bitcoin is up nearly 4% since the U.S. began its operations in Venezuela.



Over $117 million was liquidated from the cryptocurrency market in the last 1 hour, <a href="https://www.coinglass.com/LongShortRatio">according </a>to Coinglass, with an overwhelming $115 million in bearish shorts wiped out.



Meanwhile, Ethereum reached an intraday high of $3,210 after breaking through the critical resistance at $3,100.



The "Fear" sentiment prevailed in the market, <a href="https://alternative.me/crypto/fear-and-greed-index/#google_vignette">according</a> to the Crypto Fear and Greed Index.



Top Gainers (24 Hours)&nbsp;



<figure class="wp-block-table"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><tbody><tr><td>Cryptocurrency (Market Cap&gt;$100 M)</td><td>Gains +/-</td><td>Price (Recorded at 8:25 p.m. ET)</td></tr><tr><td>Onyxcoin (XCN )&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td><td>+32.69%</td><td>&nbsp; &nbsp; $0.006167</td></tr><tr><td>Brett (BRETT )&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td><td>+22.28%</td><td>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; $0.02065</td></tr><tr><td>Bonk (BONK )&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td><td>+19.95%</td><td>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; $0.00001180</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



The global cryptocurrency market capitalization increased to $3.13 trillion, following an increase of 0.68% in the last 24 hours.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Stock Futures Stable After US Captures Maduro</h2>



Stock futures held steady on Sunday evening. Futures tied to the S&amp;P 500 gained 0.05%, while Nasdaq 100 Futures rose 0.24%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average Futures slipped 21 points, or 0.04%, as of 7:45 p.m. EDT.



Geopolitical shifts led weekend headlines following <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/26/01/49681852/trump-says-us-oil-giants-will-pump-billions-into-venezuelas-energy-sector-post-regime-change">U.S. military strikes on Venezuela</a>, where forces captured President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.



Trump later announced that U.S. oil companies are preparing to invest billions in Venezuela's oil industry following Maduro's ouster.



Oil prices are trading higher, with Brent crude gaining 0.76% to $61.24 per barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate rose 0.61% to $57.66.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Bitcoin&#8217;s Last Frontier Before $100,000?</h2>



Widely followed cryptocurrency analyst and trader Ali Martinez spotted a symmetrical triangle pattern for Ethereum, signaling a breakout that could yield a 30% move to either side.



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Ethereum <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24ETH&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$ETH</a> is consolidating, awating a 30% price move! <a href="https://t.co/hHngsnQiwS">pic.twitter.com/hHngsnQiwS</a>&mdash; Ali Charts (@alicharts) <a href="https://twitter.com/alicharts/status/2007949914714919245?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 4, 2026</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



Michaël van de Poppe, another popular cryptocurrency commentator, stated that Bitcoin is "fighting the final resistance" before a break to $100,000.



"Great move, I think that we&#8217;ll see a slight pullback to close the CME gap tomorrow, and after that, markets are ready to continue breaking upwards to $100,000," Van De Poppe predicted.



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bitcoin?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Bitcoin</a> goes for it. Fighting the final resistance before a break towards $100K is on the cards. Great move, I think that we&#39;ll see a slight pullback to close the CME gap tomorrow, and after that, markets are ready to continue breaking upwards to $100K. <a href="https://t.co/26HUX7yvnB">pic.twitter.com/26HUX7yvnB</a>&mdash; Michaël van de Poppe (@CryptoMichNL) <a href="https://twitter.com/CryptoMichNL/status/2007763435984212054?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 4, 2026</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



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Image via Shutterstock

Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP, Dogecoin Rally Following US Military Operations In Venezuela: Analyst Says BTC 'Fighting Final Resistance' Before $100,000

President Donald Trump moved several sectors by aggressively deregulating emerging technologies while simultaneously shielding domestic manufacturers from <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/10/48439748/palantirs-ai-in-the-sky-the-data-driven-future-of-drones">global competition in 2025.&nbsp;&nbsp;</a>



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<li>MSTR stock is sinking.<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/MSTR"> See the chart and other details here. </a></li>
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From the institutionalization of digital assets and the liberation of the domestic drone industry to a high-stakes overhaul of the healthcare pricing model, Trump's policies established a new, state-backed industrial framework.&nbsp;



Read Next— <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/12/49654604/palantir-from-meme-stock-to-market-leader-in-2025">Palantir: From Meme Stock To Market Leader In 2025</a>&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Digital Assets and Crypto</h2>



In late January 2025, the administration moved to solidify the U.S. as the &#8220;crypto capital of the planet.&#8221;



Trump's Digital Financial Technology <a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/01/31/2025-02123/strengthening-american-leadership-in-digital-financial-technology">executive order </a>established a national digital asset stockpile and a federal framework for stablecoins.



Bitcoin <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/BTC-USD" target="_blank" class="ticker-link" data-ticker="BTC" data-exchange="CRYPTO" rel="noopener">(CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>)</a> reached record highs above $100,000, and crypto-linked stocks like Coinbase Global, Inc. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/COIN" target="_blank" class="ticker-link" data-ticker="COIN" data-exchange="NASDAQ" rel="noopener">(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/COIN">COIN</a>)</a> and Strategy, Inc. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/MSTR" target="_blank" class="ticker-link" data-ticker="MSTR" data-exchange="NASDAQ" rel="noopener">(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/MSTR">MSTR</a>)</a> saw massive inflows as the regulatory environment turned sharply more positive.&nbsp;&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Drones</h2>



Trump drove momentum in the drone sector with the June 6 signing of two executive orders, <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/06/unleashing-american-drone-dominance/">Unleashing American Drone Dominance,</a> and <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/06/restoring-american-airspace-sovereignty/">Restoring American Airspace Sovereignty.</a>&nbsp;



These directives mandated a strict &#8220;buy American&#8221; policy for all federal drone procurement and banned the use of foreign-manufactured drones in critical infrastructure, targeting dominant Chinese competitors.&nbsp;



Simultaneously, the administration ordered the FAA to fast-track beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) regulations, a long-awaited move that unlocked the economic potential of long-range delivery and industrial inspection.&nbsp;



Read Next: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/26/01/49671587/retail-investors-historic-2025-streak-record-inflows-record-influence">Retail Investors&#8217; Historic 2025 Streak: Record Inflows, Record Influence</a>



Investors responded by pouring capital into pure-play drone stocks like AeroVironment, Inc. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/AVAV" target="_blank" class="ticker-link" data-ticker="AVAV" data-exchange="NASDAQ" rel="noopener">(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/AVAV">AVAV</a>)</a> and Red Cat Holdings, Inc. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/RCAT" target="_blank" class="ticker-link" data-ticker="RCAT" data-exchange="NASDAQ" rel="noopener">(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/RCAT">RCAT</a>)</a> saw sustained rallies throughout the summer, while tech-integrated firms like Axon Enterprise, Inc. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/AXON" target="_blank" class="ticker-link" data-ticker="AXON" data-exchange="NASDAQ" rel="noopener">(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/AXON">AXON</a>)</a> reached all-time highs as they integrated NDAA-compliant drone swarms into public safety contracts.&nbsp;



The Trump administration announced a year-end push to procure 300,000 low-cost attritable drones for the Pentagon on Dec. 22, firmly positioning<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/movers/25/12/49586281/drone-stocks-catch-a-tailwind-as-fcc-grounds-china"> the drone sector</a> as a high-growth defense and logistics powerhouse.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Health Care&nbsp;</h2>



In 2025, the healthcare sector experienced significant volatility as the Trump administration issued a series of executive orders aimed at radically lowering drug costs and reshuffling domestic supply chains.&nbsp;



President Trump signed an executive order granting regulatory relief for the domestic <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/05/regulatory-relief-to-promote-domestic-production-of-critical-medicines/">production of medicines </a>on May 5, which accelerated the permitting process for U.S.-based manufacturing.&nbsp;



However, Trump signed the<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/05/delivering-most-favored-nation-prescription-drug-pricing-to-american-patients/"> moved-favored nation</a> pricing EO on May 12, 2025 and sent shockwaves through the biopharma industry, as it linked U.S. prescription prices to the lowest costs paid in other developed nations.&nbsp;



By late 2025, specific stocks like Eli Lilly And Co. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/LLY" target="_blank" class="ticker-link" data-ticker="LLY" data-exchange="NYSE" rel="noopener">(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/LLY">LLY</a>)</a> and Novo Nordisk A/S <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/NVO" target="_blank" class="ticker-link" data-ticker="NVO" data-exchange="NYSE" rel="noopener">(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/NVO">NVO</a>)</a> saw significant activity following high-profile deals to offer GLP-1 medications through the administration&#8217;s TrumpRx platform.&nbsp;



Conversely, health insurance giants like UnitedHealth Group Inc. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/UNH" target="_blank" class="ticker-link" data-ticker="UNH" data-exchange="NYSE" rel="noopener">(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/UNH">UNH</a>)</a> faced year-end pressure, dropping nearly 10% in a single day in December after Trump signaled a mandate for insurers to ease up on premiums.&nbsp;



The blend of aggressive price-cutting and pro-manufacturing deregulation made healthcare one of the most active sectors of the 2025 market.



Read Next:&nbsp;



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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/rumors/25/12/49620258/metals-acting-like-meme-stocks-unconfirmed-rumor-of-major-silver-margin-call">Metals Acting Like Meme Stocks—Unconfirmed Rumor Of Major Silver Margin Call</a></li>
</ul>



Photo: Shutterstock

How Trump Moved Stocks In 2025: Crypto, Drones, Health Care Sectors

In the wake of the arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro by U.S. forces, the Bitcoin <a class="ticker-link" data-ticker="BTC" data-exchange="CRYPTO" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/BTC-USD" target="_blank" rel="noopener">(CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>)</a> and crypto market has seen a significant uptick.



The market is bracing for a potential oil price shock, which could have profound implications for the U.S. dollar in 2026.



As per the report <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/digital-assets/2026/01/04/just-the-beginning-bitcoin-and-crypto-suddenly-braced-for-a-critical-173-trillion-oil-price-shock/">by</a> Forbes, the Bitcoin&#8217;s price has experienced a near 5% increase over the past three days, exceeding $90,000 per Bitcoin. The broader crypto market has gained about $100 billion as traders speculate on the potential economic fallout of the U.S. intervention in Venezuela.



President Donald Trump has committed to &#8220;run the country&#8221; until a &#8220;judicious transition&#8221; can be achieved. His media company has also teased a crypto surprise, leading analysts to prepare&nbsp;for a $17.3 trillion oil&nbsp;price shock that could impact the Bitcoin and crypto market.



In the aftermath&nbsp;of the U.S. military action&nbsp;in Venezuela, Trump unveiled plans to seize control of Venezuela&#8217;s extensive oil reserves and to encourage&nbsp;U.S. companies to invest billions&nbsp;in the country&#8217;s oil sector. Analysts believe this could result in a substantial decrease in oil prices, which could be advantageous for Bitcoin.



Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/26/01/49682135/from-bus-driver-to-president-the-story-behind-maduros-rise-and-venezuelas-economic-collapse">From Bus Driver to President: The Story Behind Maduro&#8217;s Rise and Venezuela&#8217;s Economic Collapse</a>



"U.S. oil prices should be&nbsp;sub $50 a barrel by&nbsp;Monday opening," equity fund manager Grant Cardone told the outlet. 



Analysts suggest that this could lead to lower inflation rates in the U.S. and worldwide, potentially providing a boost for Bitcoin.



The arrest of Maduro and the subsequent U.S. intervention in Venezuela could have far-reaching implications for the global economy. 



The potential oil price shock, estimated at $17.3 trillion, could destabilize the U.S. dollar and create a favorable environment for Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. 



The market&#8217;s reaction, with Bitcoin&#8217;s price surpassing $90,000 and&nbsp;the wider crypto market adding&nbsp;approximately $100 billion, underscores the potential impact of these geopolitical events on the crypto market. 



The situation continues to evolve, with traders and analysts closely monitoring the developments.



Read Next



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/26/01/49682009/after-venezuela-trump-says-something-must-be-done-about-mexico" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">After Venezuela, Trump Says ‘Something Must Be Done About Mexico'</a>

Venezuela Aftermath: Bitcoin and Crypto Markets Soar Amid $17.3 Trillion Oil Price Shock

Max Keiser, known for his unrivaled enthusiasm for Bitcoin <a class="ticker-link" data-ticker="BTC" data-exchange="CRYPTO" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/BTC-USD" target="_blank" rel="noopener">(CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>)</a>, was one of the earliest broadcasters to cover the cryptocurrency alongside his wife Stacy Herbert, long before it gained mainstream traction.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">When Bitcoin Was &#8216;Explained&#8217; For The First Time On TV</h2>



Back then, Keiser and Herbert co-hosted the Keiser Report, a popular financial program on Russia&#8217;s RT Network. The show was noted for its informal and outspoken tone as well as the banter between the husband-wife duo.



In an episode aired on December 22, 2010, the two discussed the financial blockade on the whistleblowing website WikiLeaks and the broader debate around financial access.



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">At 12:05 E-106 "Keiser Report," Dec. 22, 2010 <a href="https://twitter.com/stacyherbert?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@stacyherbert</a> explains Bitcoin for the first time on international TV. This was the first of more than 750 episodes where we talk about Bitcoin through 1900 episodes over 13 years. <a href="https://t.co/Rf7fv9Da31">https://t.co/Rf7fv9Da31</a>&mdash; Max Keiser (@maxkeiser) <a href="https://twitter.com/maxkeiser/status/1933140918791754190?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 12, 2025</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



&#8220;So one solution is Bitcoin, and this differs because there&#8217;s no central bank or other kind of controlling interest. It&#8217;s entirely decentralized,&#8221; Herber said.



She went on to discuss Bitcoin&#8217;s peer-to-peer transactions, its &#8220;no single point of failure&#8221; attributes and that it was immune to censorship.



Keiser later called it the first time Bitcoin had been &#8220;explained&#8221; on international television.



See Also:<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44621245/gold-backed-cryptos-match-yellow-metals-highs-following-trumps-liberation-day-shock"> </a><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/bitcoin-price-prediction-oct-14">Bitcoin (BTC) Price Predictions: 2025, 2026, 2030</a>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Jaw-Dropping Returns</h2>



Bitcoin was in its nascent stages when this discussion happened, trading at a mere 26 cents apiece. Today, it&#8217;s a beast at over $88,617.



So, for any of you who bought BTC after watching that Keiser Report show, you&#8217;ll be up an eye-popping 33,016,800% today. 



Let&#8217;s pause a bit to grasp the sheer enormity of that figure.



<figure class="wp-block-table"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><thead><tr><th>Cryptocurrency</th><th>Price (Recorded on December 22, 2010)</th><th>Price (Recorded at 8:35 p.m. ET)</th><th>Gains +/-</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Bitcoin</td><td>$0.2684</td><td>$88,617.41</td><td>+33,016,800%</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Kaiser Remains Supremely Bullish</h2>



Keise<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/10/41541573/max-keisers-bitcoin-fortune-swells-by-whopping-6-800-000-since-investing-in-the-satoshi-er">r hasn&#8217;t looked back since then</a>. In 2011, when Bitcoin was priced around $1, he projected it would eventually reach $100,000. The rest, as they say, is history.



Today, he serves as the senior Bitcoin advisor to the government of El Salvador and his social media posts <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/crypto/cryptocurrency/25/12/49153932/max-keiser-says-bitcoin-is-like-an-eel-ignore-the-volatility-tail-focus-on-head-going-up">promote the asset to the fullest extent</a> possible.



It&#8217;s worth noting that <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/crypto/cryptocurrency/25/12/49626950/bitcoin-may-have-had-a-bumpy-ride-in-2025-but-long-term-patterns-show-apex-cryptos-resilience-strength-against-major-assets">Bitcoin ended 2025 lower</a> after rallying to an all-time high of $126,198.07.



Read Next:&nbsp;



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/crypto/cryptocurrency/25/12/49645676/bitcoin-to-bottom-out-at-55000-before-350000-surge-analysts-have-this-to-say-on-btcs-2026-p">Bitcoin To Bottom Out At $55,000 Before $350,000 Surge? Analysts Have This To Say On BTC&#8217;s 2026 Prospects</a></li>
</ul>



Photo courtesy: PV productions on Shutterstock.com

Max Keiser Pioneered Bitcoin TV Coverage 15 Years Ago, Anyone Who Purchased The Crypto That Day Has Gained 33,016,800%

The FBI has revealed a drastic surge in Bitcoin <a class="ticker-link" data-ticker="BTC" data-exchange="CRYPTO" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/BTC-USD" target="_blank" rel="noopener">(CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>)</a> ATM fraud, with swindlers making off with $333 million in 2025.



Scammers have been found to impersonate a bank or a company, flagging purported&nbsp;suspicious activity on the victim&#8217;s&nbsp;account. They then instruct the victim&nbsp;to deposit money into a&nbsp;Bitcoin ATM to secure their funds or rectify the issue. The deposited money, however, lands in the scammers&#8217; account.



Bitcoin ATMs have seen a rapid rise&nbsp;in popularity in the US,&nbsp;with over 30,000 machines in&nbsp;operation in 2024, making up approximately 81.27% of the world&#8217;s Bitcoin ATMs.&nbsp;



The FBI&#8217;s Internet Crime Complaint&nbsp;Center (IC3) revealed&nbsp;that more than 10,000 people&nbsp;fell prey to Bitcoin&nbsp;ATM-related fraud in 2025 alone.



Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/crypto/cryptocurrency/26/01/49680775/crypto-market-move-shiba-inu-hits-significant-price-point-bitcoin-eyes-100000-ethereum-steady-at-3000-and-dogecoin-broke-above-key-resistance">Crypto Market Move: Shiba Inu Hits Significant Price Point, Bitcoin Eyes $100,000, Ethereum Steady At $3,000, And Dogecoin Broke Above Key Resistance</a>



&#8220;Based on IC3 reporting, data&nbsp;shows from January to November&nbsp;of 2025 there are over&nbsp;12,000 complaints and over $333.5&nbsp;million in monetary losses, an&nbsp;increase compared to the same&nbsp;time span last year,&#8221; the&nbsp;FBI said in a statement.



In 2024, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) highlighted that cryptocurrency scams can be more financially ruinous&nbsp;than other types of fraud.&nbsp;



Bitcoin ATMs were responsible&nbsp;for $114 million in reported&nbsp;losses in 2023 and $78&nbsp;million in losses in 2022,&nbsp;indicating a more than twofold increase in just two years.



The FTC has issued a warning to the public to exercise caution&nbsp;when contacted by a bank&nbsp;or company, encouraging them to verify phone numbers and reach out to companies directly. 



The agency also suggests not rushing transactions as scammers often press for a quick transaction.



Read Next



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/crypto/cryptocurrency/25/10/48033619/bitcoin-soars-to-unprecedented-heights-breaking-125000-barrier">Bitcoin Soars To Unprecedented Heights, Breaking $125,000 Barrier</a>

Bitcoin ATM Fraud Hits Record High, $333 Million Pilfered In 2025: Report

In crypto news this week, Bitcoin soared past the $90,000 mark, while Ethereum, Dogecoin, and XRP also experienced significant rallies.



Meanwhile, Iran is reportedly using cryptocurrency to trade advanced weapons amid sanctions and economic crisis. In other news, Michael Saylor of Strategy Inc. made headlines with his comments on Bitcoin, and the FBI revealed a surge in Bitcoin ATM scams in 2025. Memecoins also kicked off the new year with strong gains.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Bitcoin Breaks $90,000 Barrier</h2>



Bitcoin started the year on a high note, spiking above $90,000. This surge came despite spot Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs recording net outflows this week.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/crypto/cryptocurrency/26/01/49674197/bitcoin-taps-90000-as-ethereum-dogecoin-xrp-rally-on-first-market-day-in-2026">Read the full article here.</a>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Iran Turns To Cryptocurrency For Weapons Trade</h2>



Iran is reportedly using cryptocurrency to circumvent Western financial sanctions, offering to sell advanced weapons systems to foreign governments in exchange for digital currencies. The state-run Ministry of Defence Export Center, or Mindex, is open to negotiating military contracts that allow payment in digital currencies.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/crypto/cryptocurrency/26/01/49662672/iran-taps-into-cryptocurrency-payments-for-advanced-weapons-trade-amid-sanctions-economic-c">Read the full article here.</a>



See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://benzinga.com/crypto/cryptocurrency/25/12/49651556/bitcoin-ethereum-xrp-etfs-end-the-year-strong-with-443m-inflows" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP ETFs End The Year Strong With $443M Inflows</a>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Michael Saylor&#8217;s Bitcoin Comments Stir Controversy</h2>



Michael Saylor, executive chairman of&nbsp;Strategy Inc., stated that Bitcoin makes the company&#8217;s stock &#8220;interesting.&#8221; However, Polymarket traders bet 76% that the company gets booted from MSCI by March 31.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/crypto/cryptocurrency/26/01/49673661/michael-saylor-says-bitcoin-makes-mstr-interesting-but-polymarket-arent-so-sure">Read the full article here.</a>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Bitcoin ATM Scams On The Rise</h2>



The Federal Bureau of Investigation revealed that scammers defrauded Americans of more than $300 million in 2025 through Bitcoin ATMs. The FBI observed a &#8220;clear and constant rise&#8221; in fraudulent transactions involving cryptocurrency kiosks.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/crypto/cryptocurrency/26/12/49643926/bitcoin-atm-scams-skyrocket-in-2025-americans-defrauded-of-over-333-million-report">Read the full article here.</a>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Memecoins Start 2026 With Strong Gains</h2>



Memecoins began 2026 on a strong note, with popular names recording sharp rallies on New Year's Day. Frog-themed Pepe rose 26% from the previous day, topping the large-cap memecoin gainer list. Solana-based Bonk followed Pepe with a 12% uptick.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/crypto/cryptocurrency/26/01/49661599/dogecoin-shiba-inu-rally-as-memecoins-kick-off-2026-with-strong-gains">Read the full article here.</a>



Read Next:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://benzinga.com/crypto/cryptocurrency/26/01/49668012/trump-pardoned-3-crypto-felons-in-10-months-heres-what-each-one-cost" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Trump Pardoned 3 Crypto Felons In 10 Months—Here&#8217;s What Each One Cost</a></li>
</ul>



Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.



Image via Shutterstock

Weekend Roundup: Bitcoin Hits $90,000, Iran's Crypto Weapon Trade And A Strong 2026 Start For Memecoins

Shiba Inu <a class="ticker-link" data-ticker="SHIB" data-exchange="CRYPTO" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/SHIB-USD" target="_blank" rel="noopener">(CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/shib/usd">SHIB</a>)</a> has reached a crucial price point for the first time in 2026. Bitcoin <a class="ticker-link" data-ticker="BTC" data-exchange="CRYPTO" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/BTC-USD" target="_blank" rel="noopener">(CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>)</a> is charting a course towards the $100,000 mark, and Ethereum <a class="ticker-link" data-ticker="ETH" data-exchange="CRYPTO" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/ETH-USD" target="_blank" rel="noopener">(CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/eth/usd">ETH</a>)</a> is comfortably trading around the $3,000 level. And the Dogecoin <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/DOGE-USD" target="_blank" class="ticker-link" data-ticker="DOGE" data-exchange="CRYPTO" rel="noopener">(CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/doge/usd">DOGE</a>)</a> broke above key resistance on strong volume, hitting $0.126 and shifting focus to whether it can hold above the $0.124–$0.125 zone.



Shiba Inu&#8217;s price has risen slightly above the $0.0000075-$0.0000077 range, a level that has frequently provided temporary support. Momentum indicators are showing signs of stabilization, indicating a reduction in downward pressure. The current market structure suggests that SHIB is up against a thin layer of resistance, which could trigger a significant reaction with even a minor increase in demand.



Bitcoin, on the other hand, has seen a sharp correction recently, setting the stage for a more sustainable breakout. The price has stabilized and is now rebounding, making the $100,000 level a realistic target. The market is transitioning from distribution to accumulation, with Bitcoin returning to critical moving-average territory.



See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://benzinga.com/news/politics/26/01/49662690/did-elon-musk-just-confirm-he-is-funding-the-gop-for-midterms-america-is-toast-if-the" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Did Elon Musk Just Confirm He Is Funding The GOP For Midterms? &#8216;America Is Toast If The&#8230;&#8217;</a>



Ethereum&#8217;s casual&nbsp;return to the $3,000 mark&nbsp;suggests&nbsp;that the market is becoming&nbsp;more accepting of ETH&#8217;s current value. After a lengthy correction, Ethereum is showing significant signs of stabilization. The $3,000 level, which was once a technical and psychological hurdle, is now being traded around without any noticeable stress.



The trading volume for all three cryptocurrencies remains moderate, suggesting strategic positioning rather than reckless leverage. If current trends persist, the future for these cryptocurrencies appears bright.



Talking about the Dogecoin, it jumped to $0.126 after a surge in buying pressure pushed it past the long-standing $0.121 ceiling, with trading volume hitting its highest level in weeks and signaling a clear bullish breakout that now puts the spotlight on DOGE's ability to stay above the $0.124–$0.125 support range.



The shift reflects an effort by meme tokens to find footing in late-year and early-January trading, following a turbulent December marked by shrinking liquidity and spot markets that swung sharply in response to concentrated trading activity.



The recent price movements of Shiba Inu, Bitcoin, and Ethereum are indicative of the broader trends in the cryptocurrency market. The stabilization of momentum indicators for these cryptocurrencies suggests a decrease in selling pressure, which could pave the way for future price increases. 



Moreover, the transition from distribution to accumulation in the Bitcoin market indicates a shift in investor sentiment, which could potentially lead to a more sustainable price rally. 



The comfort with which Ethereum is trading around the $3,000 mark also suggests growing market acceptance of its current value, which could support its price in the future.

Crypto Market Move: Shiba Inu Hits Significant Price Point, Bitcoin Eyes $100,000, Ethereum Steady At $3,000, And Dogecoin Broke Above Key Resistance

Convicted Bitfinex hacker Ilya Lichtenstein said a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/12/42599660/bitfinex-hacker-of-biggest-heist-ever-documentary-takes-responsibilitybut-his-wife-has-other-ideas">prison reform law signed</a> by President Donald Trump led to his early release after serving part of a five-year sentence for one of the largest cryptocurrency thefts on record.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Prison Reform Law Cited In Early Release</h2>



Lichtenstein, a Russian-U.S. national who <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/11/42011697/bitcoin-hacker-sentenced-to-5-years-for-laundering-billions-in-crypto-theft">admitted to hacking crypto exchange</a> Bitfinex in 2016 and stealing nearly 120,000 bitcoin <a class="ticker-link" data-ticker="BTC" data-exchange="CRYPTO" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/BTC-USD" target="_blank" rel="noopener">(CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>)</a>, said on Thursday he has been released from prison early under the First Step Act, the bipartisan criminal justice reform law signed by Trump in 2018.



In a post on his X, he added that he plans to pursue work in cybersecurity and thanked supporters while saying he intends to prove critics wrong.



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Thanks to President Trump&#39;s First Step Act, I have been released from prison early. I remain committed to making a positive impact in cybersecurity as soon as I can. To the supporters, thank you for everything. To the haters, I look forward to proving you wrong.&mdash; Ilya Lichtenstein (@cipherstein) <a href="https://twitter.com/cipherstein/status/2006939277230297536?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 2, 2026</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



A Trump administration official <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2026/01/02/bitcoin-hacker-ilya-lichtenstein-bitfinex-razzlekhan.html">confirmed</a> to CNBC on Friday that Lichtenstein has served a significant portion of his sentence and is now on home confinement.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Sentence, Custody Credits And Official Release Date</h2>



Lichtenstein, 38, pleaded guilty to money laundering conspiracy and was sentenced in November 2024 to five years in prison.



His sentence included credit for time already served following his 2022 arrest, more than five years after the Bitfinex hack.



As of Friday morning, the federal inmate locator still listed Lichtenstein's scheduled release date as Feb. 9, indicating he remains under supervision despite leaving prison custody. 



See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/26/01/49679708/fbi-thwarts-alleged-isis-inspired-new-years-eve-terror-attack-in-north-carolina-charges-18-year-old">FBI Thwarts Alleged ISIS-Inspired New Year&#8217;s Eve Terror Attack In North Carolina, Charges 18-Year-Old</a>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Wife Heather Morgan Also Released Early</h2>



Lichtenstein's wife, Heather Morgan, who pleaded guilty to helping launder the stolen bitcoin, shared his message on social media, calling his return home the "best New Year's present" after four years apart.



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">The best New Years present I could get was finally having my husband home after 4 years of being apart. &#x1f49c;&#x1f64f;&#x1faac; <a href="https://t.co/toUJ0Bz70h">https://t.co/toUJ0Bz70h</a> <a href="https://t.co/plsnktmJ5l">pic.twitter.com/plsnktmJ5l</a>&mdash; Heather &quot;Razzlekhan&quot; Morgan (@HeatherReyhan) <a href="https://twitter.com/HeatherReyhan/status/2006939858774929720?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 2, 2026</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



Morgan, 35, who performs as a rapper under the name "Razzlekhan," was sentenced to 18 months in prison and entered custody in February.



She announced her own early release in October, also crediting Trump's prison reform law.



The First Step Act allows eligible federal inmates to earn time credits and transition to home confinement, but does not involve presidential pardons or individual intervention.



Read Next:&nbsp;



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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/12/49600116/zelenskyy-heads-to-florida-for-high-stakes-ukraine-peace-talks-with-trump" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Zelenskyy Heads To Florida For High-Stakes Ukraine Peace Talks With Trump</a></li>
</ul>



Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.



Image via Shutterstock

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