Bitcoin’s renewed push to $100K sparked by fresh institutional demand

Sustained US Bitcoin ETF inflows are supporting prices near $97,000, raising questions about whether institutional demand is reshaping Bitcoin’s market cycle.

Bitcoin must hold $94K next, says trader as BTC price dips at US open

Bitcoin halted its bullish BTC price rebound to dip below $96,000 on news that Middle East geopolitical tensions were easing.

These three XRP charts hint at a price rally toward $2.80

XRP’s technical and onchain signals hint at a bullish breakout, with bulls eyeing a significant rally toward $2.80 by the month’s end.

Here’s what happened in crypto today

Need to know what happened in crypto today? Here is the latest news on daily trends and events impacting Bitcoin price, blockchain, DeFi, NFTs, Web3 and crypto regulation.

UK mulls under‑16 social media ban amid rising online ID push

The UK is weighing an Australia‑style ban on social media for under‑16s, as regulators ramp up enforcement of the Online Safety Act.

Five Bitcoin narratives analysts are watching beyond price

ETF flows, treasury stocks, mining fees, scaling trade-offs and regulation now explain Bitcoin’s market shifts better than price alone.

US crypto market structure bill in limbo as industry pulls support

The crypto market structure bill in the US Senate has been delayed amid disagreements among lawmakers and influential cryptocurrency companies.

SWIFT trials euro stablecoin in tokenized bond payments with SG-Forge

Societe Generale-Forge said its EUR CoinVertible stablecoin is the first MiCA-compliant digital asset that is “natively compatible” with SWIFT’s interoperability capabilities.

Galaxy closes first $75M blockchain-based loan deal on Avalanche

Galaxy Digital has completed its first tokenized CLO, using blockchain infrastructure to bring private credit and crypto-backed loans onchain.

BitMine to invest $200M in YouTuber MrBeast’s Beast Industries

BitMine Immersion Technology will invest $200 million in MrBeast’s Beast Industries, linking crypto capital with the world’s largest creator platform.

How AI crypto trading will make and break human roles

AI is spreading across crypto trading, heightening fears of displacement even as human traders remain responsible for key decisions.

Short squeeze hits top 500 cryptos as traders unwind bearish bets

Crypto markets saw the biggest short squeeze since October as short positions were liquidated and Bitcoin outperformed the US dollar amid geopolitical uncertainty.

Universal blockchains buckle under real-world demands

General-purpose blockchains can’t solve industry disputes over construction changes or equipment usage. Specialized layer 1s are optimized for stateless audit trails and regulatory compliance.

Indian crypto platforms push for tax rethink ahead of February budget

Industry leaders say transaction-level taxes and loss restrictions are draining liquidity as India tightens crypto compliance and enforcement.

Bitcoin’s $100K comeback hinges on $98K breakout and spot demand

A pickup in Bitcoin spot demand and persistent spot ETF inflows could push BTC above the next significant hurdle at $98,000 and secure a sustained recovery.

Sygnum sees tokenization and state Bitcoin reserves taking off in 2026

Sygnum predicts US crypto regulation will spur sovereign Bitcoin reserves and accelerate tokenized bond issuance by major financial institutions in 2026.

Bitcoin prints classic bottom signals as BTC nears $101K reclaim

Bitcoin nears two-month highs as RSI divergence and a bullish MACD cross build, with BTC eyeing $101,000 as the next major reclaim level for trend confirmation.

LSEG brings commercial bank money onto blockchain rails with DiSH

The London Stock Exchange’s new Digital Settlement House uses tokenized bank deposits for instant, round-the-clock settlement across blockchain and traditional payment networks.

Bitcoin ETFs post biggest inflows of 2026 so far as BTC rallies above $97K

Spot Bitcoin ETFs attracted over $1.7 billion in a three-day streak as BTC hit two-month highs and sentiment turned bullish.

Lemon launches Bitcoin-backed credit card in cash-hoarding Argentina

Crypto exchange Lemon has launched a Bitcoin-backed Visa credit card in Argentina, letting users lock up BTC as collateral to access peso credit lines without selling their coins.

Best Packing Cubes for Every Kind of Trip (2026), Tested and Reviewed

Whether you’re a no-frills backpacker or a bag-checking fashionista, there’s a perfect packing cube out there for you.

11 Best Smartwatches (2026): Apple, Wear OS, Hybrid & Kids’ Watches

These WIRED-tested wearables reduce your reliance on a phone while keeping you connected.

9 Best Blind Boxes—Bag Charms, Plush Pendants, and More (2026)

In the market for a mystery treat? There’s more out there than Labubu. We bought a bunch of blind boxes online, and these are our favorites.

Former CISA Director Jen Easterly Will Lead RSAC Conference

The longtime cybersecurity professional says she’s taking the helm of the legacy security organization at “an inflection point” for tech and the world beyond.

What Is VO2 Max? Here’s What You Need to Know About the Longevity Metric (2026)

VO2 max can predict cardiorespiratory health and longevity, but only if you understand what the number can and can’t tell you.

Hundreds of Millions of Audio Devices Need a Patch to Prevent Wireless Hacking and Tracking

Flaws in how 17 models of headphones and speakers use Google’s one-tap Fast Pair Bluetooth protocol have left devices open to eavesdroppers and stalkers.

Livestream: Welcome to the Chinese Century

Join our livestream—and pose a question to WIRED’s panel of experts—on China’s dominance, influence, and how it is rewriting the future.

The Tea App Is Back With a New Website

Months after major data leaks, the app where women leave Yelp-style reviews about men is relaunching with a new website. It’s not back on iOS, but the Android app has new AI features.

The Real AI Talent War Is for Plumbers and Electricians

The AI boom is driving an unprecedented wave of data center construction, but there aren’t enough skilled tradespeople in the US to keep up.

Asus ROG Falcata Review: A Split Gaming Keyboard

With the looks and speed of a gaming keyboard and the comfort of an ergonomic keyboard, the Falcata is a unique and expensive hybrid for a niche audience.

Wikipedia’s Existential Threats Feel Greater Than Ever

As the free online encyclopedia turns 25, it’s facing political opposition, AI scraping, dwindling volunteers, and a public that may no longer believe in its ideals.

Lizn Hearpieces Review: Affordable but Uncomfortable Hearing Aids

These odd-looking hearing aids double as solid earbuds, but comfort is a major issue.

Our Favorite Coway Air Purifiers Are on Sale (2026)

Breathe easier with these discounts on one of WIRED’s favorite air purifier brands, including an option for large rooms.

Two Thinking Machines Lab Cofounders Are Leaving to Rejoin OpenAI

The departures are a blow for Thinking Machines Lab. Two narratives are already emerging about why they happened.

Tech Workers Are Condemning ICE Even as Their CEOs Stay Quiet

The killing of George Floyd in 2020 prompted a wave of statements from tech companies and CEOs. Today, pushback against ICE is largely coming from employees, not executives.

Neuroscientists Decipher Procrastination: A Brain Mechanism Explains Why People Leave Certain Tasks for Later

New research has discovered that a neural circuit may explain procrastination. Scientists were able to disrupt this connection using a drug.

Save Big on One of Our Favorite Desk Lamps from Lume Cube

Lume Cube has a variety of marked-down lighting products to help revamp your home office.

AI’s Hacking Skills Are Approaching an ‘Inflection Point’

AI models are getting so good at finding vulnerabilities that some experts say the tech industry might need to rethink how software is built.

Verizon Outage Knocks Out US Mobile Service, Including Some 911 Calls

A major Verizon outage appeared to impact customers across the United States starting around noon ET on Wednesday. Calls to Verizon customers from other carriers may also be impacted.

Trump Doesn’t Need the Proud Boys Anymore

In a world where ICE agents are shooting US citizens on the street, the need for militias and extremist groups like the Proud Boys to support far-right interests has evaporated.