A regulated, capital-based benchmark delivering forward-looking insight into digital asset markets DeFi Technologies (via Valour) launched the DEFT Valour Investment Opportunity (DVIO) Index, an institutional-grade benchmark that tracks how regulated investor capital is allocated across digital assets using real flows through Valour's ETP platform. The Index is designed to deliver higher "signal quality" than typical crypto data by relying on consistent, regulated product structure and execution, with wee ...

With the crypto market seemingly in free fall these days, it's no surprise that investors are searching for potential safe haven assets. At one time, Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) was supposed to be that safe haven. But it's down more than 25% in 2026, and that hardly sounds safe to me. So what about dollar-pegged stablecoins such as USDC (CRYPTO: USDC)? These stablecoins are specifically designed to retain their value over time. At any time, they can be redeemed 1:1 for U.S. dollars and are fully backed by cash ...

While major cryptocurrencies have declined over the past two weeks, Hyperliquid's price has posted a defiant double-digit rally over the same period, a divergence analysts attribute to its fundamental utility and reduced token supply pressure rather than speculative hype. HYPE’s performance follows two key developments for Hyperliquid: a major institutional partnership and a drastic reduction in its monthly token supply unlock. Hyperliquid’s HYPE token is up 41.5% over the past two weeks. It surged over ...

Core Insights - Ethereum's network is experiencing unprecedented transaction volume, with a record daily transaction count of 2,885,524 in mid-January, indicating potential demand for the coin and higher prices [1] Transaction Dynamics - Increased transaction volume does not necessarily equate to value capture for holders, as lower transaction fees can lead to higher usage but also reduce the amount of Ether paid and burned per transaction [2] - A significant portion of Ethereum's transaction growth is occurring on Layer-2 (L2) networks, known as "rollups," which bundle transactions and settle them back to Ethereum, meaning transaction fees primarily benefit the L2 chains rather than Ethereum itself [3] Investment Perspectives - The bullish outlook suggests that Ethereum will continue to serve as the primary settlement layer for decentralized finance (DeFi) applications, potentially capturing a larger share of capital flows as the network becomes more efficient [4] - Conversely, a less optimistic view posits that if users predominantly engage with rollups, the base Ethereum chain may not experience the fee pressure necessary for stronger value capture and returns for holders [5] Investment Recommendation - Ethereum is considered a crucial component of the cryptocurrency infrastructure, making it a core investment for those building a crypto portfolio. A $1,000 investment is deemed a reasonable initial commitment, balancing potential portfolio impact with risk [6][7]

Core Perspective - The debate over the true purpose of Decentralized Finance (DeFi) has been reignited by Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin and crypto analyst c-node, who challenge the industry to rethink its priorities [1][2] Group 1: Critique of Current DeFi Practices - Much of the current DeFi hype is considered superficial, primarily serving speculative interests rather than advancing genuine DeFi infrastructure [2] - Common yield-generating strategies, such as depositing USDC into lending protocols, are dismissed as "cargo cults," which mimic DeFi's success without embodying its original ethos [3] - Non-Ethereum chains may struggle to replicate Ethereum's DeFi boom due to a lack of ideological commitment to self-custody among newer ecosystems, which are often dominated by venture capital funds [3] Group 2: Definition and Vision of "Real" DeFi - Buterin argues that algorithmic stablecoins, especially those that are overcollateralized or structured to decentralize counterparty risk, qualify as genuinely decentralized [4] - The ability to transfer counterparty risk to a market maker is highlighted as a significant feature of DeFi, even if most liquidity is backed by collateralized debt positions (CDPs) [5] - Buterin criticizes USDC-based strategies, asserting that depositing centralized stablecoins into lending protocols does not meet the criteria for DeFi [6] Group 3: Ideological Divide in DeFi - There exists a deeper ideological divide within the crypto community regarding the purpose of DeFi, with some viewing it as a tool for speculative capital efficiency while others see it as a foundational financial system capable of reshaping the global monetary sector [6][7] - The long-term vision articulated by Buterin involves moving away from dollar-denominated systems towards diversified units of account backed by decentralized collateral structures [6]

Core Insights - Ethereum is undergoing significant upgrades that enhance its functionality and user experience, yet its price has decreased by 38% over the past three months, suggesting it may be undervalued [2][4]. Upgrade Details - The Pectra upgrade, launched in May 2025, improved wallet user experience, staking efficiency, and Layer-2 throughput. The Fusaka upgrade, implemented on December 3, introduced PeerDAS, enhancing performance and reducing costs [5][7]. - Ethereum's transaction fees have decreased by approximately 75% over the past three years, with average token swaps now costing around $0.30, indicating the effectiveness of these upgrades [5]. Future Developments - The upcoming Glamsterdam upgrade in 2026 aims to build on previous successes and introduce new censorship resistance features, although past price performance post-upgrades suggests that investors should not expect immediate price boosts [7][9]. - Ethereum's value proposition lies in its role as a settlement layer for Layer-2 solutions and on-chain finance, with upgrades focused on reducing transaction costs rather than increasing them [9]. Investment Considerations - Despite the current price decline, Ethereum remains a significant asset in the crypto sector, with a market cap of $254 billion. An investment of $5,000 would yield approximately 2.5 coins, providing exposure to potential future price increases if the development roadmap is successful [6][10]. - There is no immediate urgency to purchase Ethereum before the Glamsterdam upgrade, as the market does not show a rush for buying [8].

There are a few ways to earn passive income from your crypto holdings, including staking, crypto lending, yield farming, and decentralized finance (DeFi). As I write this, platforms like Aave (CRYPTO: AAVE) and Compound (CRYPTO: COMP) pay annual percentage yields (APYs) of 4.79% and 3.27%, respectively, on USD Coin (CRYPTO: USDC). Image source: Getty Images. Will AI create the world's first trillionaire? Our team just released a report on the one little-known company, called an "Indispensable Monopoly" pr ...

Coinbase customers are experiencing pain in new ways as Bitcoin and Ethereum tumble, with losses piling up for thousands of users through the exchange’s crypto-backed lending product. Over the past week, Coinbase users have lost $170 million worth of collateral through liquidations on DeFi platform Morpho, according to a Dune dashboard. As Bitcoin and Ethereum notched double-digit declines, some 2,000 users lost $90.7 million on Thursday alone. When Coinbase began providing access to Bitcoin-backed loans l ...

U.S. President Donald Trump has a long list of crypto ventures, profiting to the tune of some $1.4 billion as of January 2026. Of them, a DeFi project dubbed World Liberty Financial might be the biggest. The platform, which President Trump co-founded, according to its website, along with his three sons, wants to make finance "reliable, open, and made for how the world works today." World Liberty Financial was announced by President Trump's son Eric in August 2024. It is led by DeFi builders Chase Herro ...

Neither Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) nor Cardano (CRYPTO: ADA) have performed well during the past 12 months. The king cryptocurrency is down 35%, whereas Cardano is faring even worse, with a decline of 66% (as of Feb. 5). But the good news is that 2026 might bring better returns for these assets. So which has more upside from now through 2030? Where to invest $1,000 right now? Our analyst team just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks to buy right now, when you join Stock Advisor. See the stocks » ...