Hello Cointribe! 🚀
It’s Saturday, January 31, 2026. 👋 Let’s catch up on the latest developments across the crypto markets over the past 24 hours.
But first…
✍️ Cartoon of the day:
A quick look at the market…
🌡 Weather:
☁️ Cloudy
24h crypto recap! ⏱
📈 Institutional Tokenization Surges on Avalanche Despite AVAX Price Slide
Avalanche’s blockchain is seeing rapid growth in tokenized real-world assets, with institutional players like BlackRock and traditional finance groups bringing billions of dollars of assets on-chain. Data shows nearly 950% annual growth, expanding use cases such as tokenized loans and indices. Yet the native AVAX token has fallen significantly in value, diverging from broader crypto market gains. Activity metrics show increased DeFi engagement and transactions, suggesting infrastructure adoption may be outpacing investor confidence in the token itself. The coming months will test whether this institutional momentum eventually supports AVAX’s market performance.
👉 Read the article
⚖️ SEC Offers Clearer Guidance on Tokenized Securities Regulation
U.S. regulators have clarified how traditional securities laws apply to tokenized assets on blockchain networks. The SEC’s new guidance confirms that even when recorded on distributed ledgers, tokenized securities are still treated as regulated financial instruments with the same disclosure, reporting, and investor protection requirements. Certain models, such as custodial or synthetic tokenization, may carry extra risks. The statement also signals openness to future on-chain regulated trading of tokenized equities as adoption grows.
👉 Read the article
🤖 Amazon Eyes Up to $50 Billion Investment in OpenAI to Boost AI Strategy
Amazon is reportedly in talks to commit up to $50 billion to OpenAI as part of a broader funding round that could value the AI company at hundreds of billions of dollars. The discussions include integrating OpenAI’s models into Amazon products and expanding access to advanced AI technologies, even as Amazon reduces its workforce. Other major investors and regional partners may also participate in the fundraising. This potential deal underscores the intensifying competition among big tech firms to secure leading AI capabilities.
👉 Read the article
🔒 Binance to Shift $1B SAFU Fund from Stablecoins Into Bitcoin Reserves
Binance announced it will convert its $1 billion Secure Asset Fund for Users (SAFU) out of stablecoins and into Bitcoin over the next 30 days, signaling a shift in how the exchange backs emergency protections. The fund will be rebalanced to maintain its $1 billion target even if Bitcoin’s price fluctuates, with internal reserves stepping in if needed. Binance frames the move as aligning user protection with what it views as the core long-term crypto asset, though critics warn of added volatility risk in periods of market stress.
👉 Read the article
📊 Trump Moves Toward Naming Kevin Warsh as Federal Reserve Chair
U.S. President Donald Trump is preparing to appoint Kevin Warsh, a former Federal Reserve governor, to lead the central bank, potentially replacing Jerome Powell when his term ends. Warsh’s background blends traditional monetary expertise with openness toward market innovations, including positive remarks about bitcoin as an economic signal. The nomination could shift the Fed closer to the White House’s economic priorities, reflecting Trump’s criticism of current policies and desire for lower interest rates. Markets are reacting as traders weigh potential changes in monetary strategy and the central bank’s independence.
👉 Read the article
💎 Crypto of the Day: Solana (SOL)
Solana Finds Breathing Room as Network Growth Stays Strong
Solana (SOL) steps into focus today after recording a roughly 4% rise over the past 24 hours. While the move offers a moment of relief, it does little to overturn the reality that SOL remains locked in a broader, longer-term downtrend that has shaped price action in recent weeks. Even so, the bounce suggests selling pressure may be easing, allowing the market some breathing room after an extended slide.
Network Activity Tells a Different Story
Away from the charts, Solana’s on-chain data continues to flash resilience. The network is currently onboarding around 10.2 million new addresses per day, made up of wallets completing their first transaction. This steady rise in first-time participants points to expanding usage across the ecosystem. In many cases, sustained growth at the address level reflects increasing adoption and the gradual entry of fresh capital, even during periods when price momentum remains subdued.
ETF Flows and Technical Outlook Remain Mixed
Institutional sentiment has shown early signs of hesitation. Spot Solana ETFs had attracted steady inflows for close to two weeks, helping support market confidence during consolidation. That trend shifted late in the week. On Thursday, ETFs recorded $2.2 million in outflows, followed by a sharper $11.24 million withdrawal on Friday, extending the pullback across consecutive sessions. While this does not yet confirm a lasting change in institutional positioning, it does signal growing caution.
From a technical standpoint, Solana continues to trade within a dominant downward structure, though momentum indicators suggest bearish pressure is slowly fading. Price remains near a key support area, opening the door for short-term stabilization. A sustained recovery would require stronger confirmation, leaving the outlook finely balanced for now.
📊 Real-time Performance (CMC)
💵 Current Price: $116.16
📉 24h Change: 0.75%
💰 Market Capitalization: $65.77B
🏅 CoinMarketCap Rank: #7
🪙 Circulating Supply: 566.3M SOL
📊 Trading Volume (24h): $5.55B
🐋 Whales Accumulate While XRP Price Drifts
XRP has spent an extended period moving sideways, showing little momentum despite broader market fluctuations. Yet behind this calm price action, large holders are steadily increasing their exposure. Wallets holding at least one million XRP have started rising again, marking the first meaningful uptick in several months.
This change stands out because it is happening without a visible price breakout. Instead of chasing momentum, whales appear to be building positions during uncertainty. In January alone, dozens of new high-balance wallets were added, signalling renewed confidence among deep-pocketed participants even as market sentiment remains mixed.
🔍 A Clear Disconnect Between Price and Behaviour
One of the most striking developments is the gap between on-chain activity and market price. XRP’s value has struggled to gain traction, yet whale wallet growth tells a very different story.
Rather than waiting for confirmation through rising prices, large holders have moved early. This type of divergence is often viewed as constructive, as it reflects accumulation happening quietly before wider participation returns. Historically, similar patterns have preceded periods of stronger price movement, although timing remains uncertain.
📉 Supply Tightens as Tokens Leave Exchanges
Another layer reinforcing this trend is the decline in XRP balances held on exchanges. When large amounts of tokens move off trading platforms, it typically signals long-term positioning rather than short-term speculation.
Reduced exchange supply can limit immediate selling pressure and create tighter market conditions over time. Combined with rising whale wallet counts, this shift suggests that accumulation is not only increasing but also becoming more deliberate and less reactive to short-term price swings.
🏦 Structural Shifts Strengthen the Backdrop
Beyond on-chain metrics, broader structural changes are also shaping sentiment. The introduction of spot XRP exchange-traded funds has expanded access for institutional and traditional investors. This development has altered how exposure can be gained, potentially encouraging larger, longer-term allocations rather than frequent trading.
When viewed alongside shrinking exchange balances, these structural shifts help explain why accumulation is happening beneath the surface, even while price action appears muted.
🧠 A Cautious but Improving Picture
Despite the recent uptick, the total number of millionaire XRP wallets remains below previous peaks. This suggests the current phase is still early, with confidence rebuilding gradually rather than flooding back all at once.
The combination of rising whale counts, declining exchange supply, and expanded institutional access paints a cautiously optimistic picture. While it does not guarantee an immediate breakout, it does indicate that larger investors are positioning ahead of potential future developments, rather than reacting after the fact.
🔗 How the Signals Connect
Sideways price action masks renewed accumulation by large holders.
Whale growth alongside falling exchange balances points to long-term positioning.
Structural changes like ETFs provide a supportive backdrop for continued accumulation.
Taken together, these signals suggest that while XRP’s price remains stalled for now, confidence among major holders is quietly rebuilding, setting the stage for a possible shift once broader market conditions align.
