Blockchain analytics firm Santiment reported that fear, uncertainty, and doubt have surged across crypto social channels after Bitcoin fell 16% over the past week and briefly touched $74,600. Analysts highlighted that retail selling drove a market drop that erased $440 billion in value and pushed BTC toward key support near $74,000, while opinions remain split on whether a relief rally or deeper bear-phase continuation is ahead.

Crypto assets slid into bear market territory over the weekend as more than $250 billion left spot markets and total capitalization fell to $2.67 trillion. Bitcoin briefly dropped below $76,000 in Monday's Asian session, while upcoming US labor and manufacturing data and major tech earnings could add further volatility this week.

About 91,000 Bitcoin options contracts, with a notional value near $8.3 billion, are set to expire on Friday, Jan. 30. The batch has a put/call ratio of 0.54 and max pain around $90,000, while Ethereum expiries add $1.3 billion. Crypto markets fell this week, and Friday’s Asia session saw sharp declines.

Fidelity Investments is preparing to roll out its Fidelity Digital Dollar (FIDD) stablecoin, pegged 1:1 to the US dollar and backed by reserves. The token will operate on Ethereum, target both institutional and retail clients, and enter a market where Tether and Circle collectively hold most of the share.

During Wednesday’s Asian session, Ether rose 2.6% to $3,028, reclaiming the $3,000 threshold after six days below it. Analysts flagged nearby resistance at $3,100, while Santiment said Wednesday that non-empty Ethereum wallets exceeded 175 million. Glassnode’s Chris Beamish on Tuesday described price as sitting on a dense cost basis cluster.

From Jan. 26 to 30, traders face a 100% Canada tariff threat, a possible U.S. government shutdown, Tuesday's Consumer Confidence, Wednesday's Fed rate decision (97% odds of no change), and Friday's PPI. Early Monday, total crypto cap fell 1.8% to $3 trillion as Bitcoin hit $86,000 before rebounding to $87,700.

Around 21,700 Bitcoin options with a notional value near $1.8 billion are set to expire on Friday, Jan. 23. The batch shows a 0.75 put/call ratio and max pain around $92,000, per Coinglass, while roughly 118,000 Ethereum contracts worth $346 million also expire with a 0.86 ratio. Spot markets remained weak, with total cap down 1% and BTC near $89,500.

On January 19, 2026, Milk Road said Ethereum staking hit an all‑time high after Token Terminal reported the staking ratio above 30%. Ultrasound Money shows 36.2 million ETH worth around $115 billion locked and earning about 2.8% annually, while Validator Queue lists 2.7 million ETH waiting and exits near zero; by Tuesday morning, ETH dipped below $3,200.

Crypto markets started the week with sharp price swings as traders reacted to new US–EU trade tensions and looming macroeconomic data. Bitcoin briefly dropped below $92,000 and the total crypto market cap slid to about $3.21 trillion, while altcoins saw even steeper declines. Investors now face a packed calendar of US and Asian economic events, along with major corporate earnings and the Davos forum, which could inject further volatility.