Group 1 - The article discusses Bluerock, an institutional alternative asset manager based in New York, highlighting its relevance in the investment landscape alongside other firms like BlackRock and Blackstone [1] Group 2 - Binary Tree Analytics (BTA) is introduced as a firm with a background in investment banking cash and derivatives trading, focusing on providing transparency and analytics for capital markets instruments and trades [2] - BTA specializes in Closed-End Funds (CEFs), Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs), and Special Situations, aiming to deliver high annualized returns with low volatility [2] - The firm has over 20 years of investment experience, having been established by individuals with a finance major from a top university [2]

Core Viewpoint - CoinShares International Limited is progressing with a merger with Vine Hill Capital Investment Corp, with a court hearing scheduled for February 17, 2026, to discuss the proposed business combination [1][2]. Transaction Progress - The directions hearing is a significant procedural step in the Scheme of Arrangement, where the Court will approve shareholder documentation and direct the necessary shareholder meetings [2]. - Following court approval, CoinShares plans to publish the Scheme Circular around February 18, 2026, and Odysseus Holdings Limited will publish the Swedish offer document around February 25, 2026 [3]. Path to U.S. Listing - CoinShares and Odysseus Holdings Limited submitted a draft registration statement on Form F-4 to the SEC on November 21, 2025, and will provide updates on the timeline after further engagement with the SEC [4]. Transaction Valuation - The merger values CoinShares at USD 1.2 billion, based on the Company's 2024 full-year adjusted EBITDA, which was generated when bitcoin averaged USD 65,964, compared to current prices of approximately USD 90,000 [5]. Completion Conditions - The completion of the transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including shareholder approvals, court acts, effectiveness of the F-4, and local regulatory approvals [6]. Company Background - CoinShares is a leading global digital asset manager, providing a range of financial services to various clients, and is regulated by multiple financial authorities [7]. - Vine Hill is a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) that completed a USD 220 million IPO in September 2024 and is focused on unlocking shareholder value through public markets [8].

Group 1: Ethereum's Market Position - Ethereum is leading the tokenization of real-world assets, holding 66% of all tokenized assets, significantly ahead of Binance's BNB Chain at 10% [1] - Other competitors include Solana at 5%, Arbitrum at 4%, Stellar at 4%, and Avalanche at 3%, all of which have a combined market share well below Ethereum's [1] Group 2: Price Performance and Institutional Interest - Despite Ethereum's price being around $3,000, nearly 40% below its all-time high, Wall Street is making significant investments in Ethereum [3] - JPMorgan selected Ethereum for its first tokenized money market fund, valued at $9 trillion, and Morgan Stanley filed for an Ethereum exchange-traded fund [4] - BlackRock's iShares Ethereum Trust ETF has $11 billion in assets under management, with similar ETFs from Grayscale and Fidelity also reporting billions in AUM [4] Group 3: Corporate Investment Trends - Digital asset treasury firms are actively purchasing and staking Ethereum, with Bitmine acquiring an additional $100 million, adding to its $13 billion holdings [5] - Corporate players are typically long-term holders, and their acquisition of Ethereum may reduce liquid supply, potentially supporting price increases [5] Group 4: Broader Market Outlook - BlackRock's 2026 outlook also anticipates growth in the artificial intelligence and defense sectors, suggesting that the ongoing AI revolution has significant implications [6] - The report indicates that while some investors may take profits in AI companies, the overall data does not suggest a bubble [6]

Core Viewpoint - Strive plans to raise $150 million through a follow-on sale of its Variable Rate Series A Perpetual Preferred Stock, SATA, to manage debt and acquire more bitcoin [1][2]. Group 1: Financial Strategy - The proceeds from the SATA sale will be used to repay or repurchase portions of debt from Semler Scientific, which Strive acquired in an all-stock transaction [1]. - Funds will also be allocated to discharge Semler's borrowings from Coinbase Credit and to facilitate further bitcoin acquisitions [1]. Group 2: Stock and Dividend Information - SATA stock is valued at $100 for dividend calculations, with an initial annual payout rate of 12.25%, which can be adjusted downward within strict limits [3]. - Unpaid dividends on SATA compound monthly and can increase up to 20% annually [3]. - As of the latest trading session, SATA stock closed at $99.50, while Strive's common shares increased by 0.8% to 89 cents [3]. Group 3: Negotiations and Market Position - Strive is negotiating private exchanges with certain noteholders to swap convertible notes for SATA stock, which would be exempt from registration and not generate cash proceeds [2]. - Strive holds the 11th-largest bitcoin stash among publicly traded companies, indicating a significant position in the market [2].

Market Overview - U.S. stock futures rose on Thursday following a more than 1% gain in major indices on Wednesday after President Trump withdrew tariff threats against the EU [1] - The 10-year Treasury bond yielded 4.24%, while the two-year bond was at 3.59%, with a 95% likelihood of unchanged interest rates projected for January [2] Index Performance - Dow Jones increased by 1.21% to 49,077.23 - S&P 500 rose by 1.16% to 6,875.62 - Nasdaq Composite gained 1.18% to 23,224.82 - Russell 2000 saw a 2.00% increase to 2,698.17 [10] Stocks in Focus - Intel Corp. (NASDAQ: INTC) was up 1.60% in premarket trading, projected to post quarterly earnings of 8 cents per share on revenue of $13.38 billion [7] - Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ: MSFT) rose 1.06% after announcing a multiyear partnership with Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team to integrate cloud and AI technologies [7] - Moderna Inc. (NASDAQ: MRNA) jumped 5.64% following positive updates on a cancer therapy study in collaboration with Merck & Co. Inc. [7] - The Metals Company Inc. (NASDAQ: TMC) gained 5.51% after a new rule by NOAA modernized regulations for deep-seabed mining permits [16] - Micron Technology Inc. (NASDAQ: MU) increased by 2.73% as CEO highlighted a memory chip shortage due to rising AI demand [16] Analyst Insights - BlackRock maintains a "pro-risk" investment stance for early 2026, driven by AI's transformative power and a supportive macroeconomic backdrop [11] - They expect the Federal Reserve to continue cutting interest rates, supported by a softening labor market and declining inflation [11] - BlackRock prefers equities over government bonds, keeping an underweight position on long-term U.S. Treasuries due to fiscal sustainability concerns [13]

Group 1 - GoldenTree Asset Management will invest $200 million in a $1 billion debtor-in-possession (DIP) financing for Saks Global Enterprises during its Chapter 11 restructuring [1] - The DIP loan has super-priority status in the bankruptcy repayment order, and final financing terms are expected to be finalized this week [1][2] - Saks Global Enterprises has secured $1.75 billion in financing as part of the bankruptcy process, including $1.5 billion from senior secured bondholders [3] Group 2 - The $1 billion DIP facility is intended to support day-to-day operations and fund restructuring measures while the bankruptcy process is underway [3] - Saks Global has already drawn $500 million from the financing since entering Chapter 11, which will help preserve business continuity and support transformation initiatives [3] - Saks Global expects access to an additional $500 million in funding once it exits Chapter 11, anticipated later this year [4] Group 3 - Existing lenders, including Pentwater Capital Management and Bracebridge Capital, are converting their current claims into higher-ranking debt [2] - Amazon has filed objections against the financing arrangement, arguing it would create billions in additional obligations and include unfavorable provisions for unsecured creditors [4] - Saks Global's retail operations, including Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus, will continue throughout the Chapter 11 proceedings, with all customer programs remaining in place [5]

Group 1 - Franklin Resources, Inc. (NYSE:BEN) has been included among the 15 Best High Yield Stocks to Buy [1] - Barclays raised its price target on Franklin Resources to $25 from $22 while maintaining an Underweight rating, driven by updates to asset manager models and factoring in full quarterly fund flows [2] - Preliminary month-end AUM for Franklin Resources was reported at $1.68 trillion as of December 31, 2025, reflecting a slight increase from $1.67 trillion at the end of November, supported by long-term net inflows of $28 billion [3] Group 2 - For the full quarter ending December 31, 2025, preliminary AUM reflected long-term net inflows of $27 billion, with $29 billion from reinvested distributions, although Western Asset Management reported $7 billion in long-term net outflows [4] - Franklin Resources operates as a global investment management firm under the Franklin Templeton umbrella, serving clients in over 150 countries [5]

NEW YORK, Jan. 21, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Gross Law Firm issues the following notice to shareholders of Blue Owl Capital Inc. (NYSE: OWL). Shareholders who purchased shares of OWL during the class period listed are encouraged to contact the firm regarding possible lead plaintiff appointment. Appointment as lead plaintiff is not required to partake in any recovery. CONTACT US HERE: https://securitiesclasslaw.com/securities/blue-owl-capital-inc-loss-submission-form/?id=183179&from=3 CLASS PERIOD: Februa ...

Core Viewpoint - President Trump has expressed dissatisfaction with Jerome Powell's tenure as chair of the Federal Reserve, suggesting that Powell's continued presence on the Board of Governors could lead to an unhappy experience for him [1][2]. Group 1: Federal Reserve Dynamics - The Trump administration has intensified its scrutiny of Powell, including issuing subpoenas related to a potential criminal investigation into the Fed's renovation of its headquarters, which Powell has labeled as political pressure [2][4]. - If Powell remains on the Board after his term as chair ends in May, he would maintain significant influence over monetary policy decisions [4][6]. - Powell's continued presence would also prevent Trump from appointing a new chair unless another current governor is selected, which would require the White House to fill the position currently held by Governor Stephen Miran [6]. Group 2: Search for New Chair - Trump's search for a new Fed chair is reportedly narrowing, with the president indicating that he has reduced the list of candidates to potentially one [7]. - The final contenders for the position include Rick Rieder from BlackRock, National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett, Fed Governor Christopher Waller, and former governor Kevin Warsh [8][9]. - Hassett was initially seen as the frontrunner, but Trump has expressed concerns about losing a key economic policy messenger if Hassett were to move to the Fed [8][10]. Group 3: Confirmation Challenges - The ongoing subpoenas from the Trump administration may complicate the confirmation process for any new Fed chair nominee, with Senator Thom Tillis indicating he will oppose any nomination until the investigation is resolved [10]. - Trump has downplayed these concerns, suggesting that Tillis's political future is uncertain as he is not seeking reelection [10].

Core Viewpoint - Shares of private asset managers such as Blackstone and KKR experienced significant declines last year, falling by double-digit percentage points despite an overall market rise [1] Group 1: Market Performance - Private-equity funds encountered challenges with fewer exits from their holdings, indicating a slowdown in liquidity and investment opportunities [1] - The stock of Blue Owl Capital was negatively impacted by a private-credit scare, reflecting broader concerns in the private credit market [1]