The popular AI framework Virtuals Protocol will host an in-person meet-up in Hong Kong on Friday, January 17.

Analyst Murphy published a report explaining why Bitcoin is struggling to break through the $82,000 threshold, noting clues can be found in its coin holder distribution structure. First, Short-Term Holder (STH) coins are concentrated between $59,000 and $81,000 (marked red in Figure 1). A break above $82,000 would put all STHs in profit, prompting some short-term speculative funds to take profits, creating the first layer of selling pressure. Second, Long-Term Holder (LTH) coins are distributed across the entire price range, but their most concentrated price peak lies exactly between $81,000 and $82,000 (marked blue in Figure 1). Not all these LTHs are true "HODLers"—some are investors who got stuck in positions and became long-term holders passively, and may exit when prices approach their break-even points, forming the second layer of selling pressure. Additionally, this price level is also a hub for super whales: the group of whales holding over 100,000 BTC has two clusters near $40,000, with the rest concentrated between $78,000 and $82,000. The analyst believes there is indeed short-term resistance to breaking $82,000, as the market needs time to resolve divergences and absorb supply. Once the market regains momentum to break through, the path ahead will be clear.

According to GMGN market data, the Chinese Meme coin "Lobster" has exceeded $60 million in market capitalization, with a 24-hour increase of 58.7%. It should be noted that despite the rapid growth in market cap, Lobster’s 24-hour trading volume is only $3.5 million. BlockBeats reminds users that related tokens have high price volatility, and investors should exercise caution.

According to OnchainLens monitoring, a whale dormant for 119 days transferred 116,490 HYPE tokens out of OKX a few minutes ago, valued at approximately $9.6 million.

CNN cited two US officials as reporting that Saudi Arabia’s key East-West oil pipeline system was struck by projectile attacks on Thursday local time. Preliminary analysis shows a pumping station alongside the pipeline was hit; satellite imagery reveals one pumping station sustained extensive fire damage, while another suffered a small blaze and emitted thick smoke. It remains unclear who is behind the attacks, whether the pipeline itself was damaged, or how long repairs will take. One US official noted the drone used in the attack originated from Iraq. The East-West pipeline’s significance has risen since the outbreak of the US-Iran conflict. With Iran effectively closing the Strait of Hormuz, Saudi Arabia has diverted roughly 5 million barrels per day of crude oil originally destined for Persian Gulf tankers to flow through this pipeline to Yanbu Port on the Red Sea. Meanwhile, the Houthi movement has claimed it will target any Saudi vessels trying to transit the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, putting Saudi Arabia’s alternative oil export route at risk.

Per Lookonchain's monitoring, crypto market maker Wintermute is selling ETH. In the past three hours, Wintermute has deposited 61,847 ETH into Binance and Coinbase, worth $160.3 million.

US regulators have released proposed guidance on third-party risk management for banks. The Federal Reserve, Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), and National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) stated that the framework aims to help banks and credit unions "better calibrate and adjust their third-party risk management practices based on the risks of individual third-party relationships." Per the regulators’ joint announcement on the same day, the guidance is principles-based and non-binding; once finalized, it will replace the existing third-party risk management guidance. The public comment period will run for 60 days after the guidance is published in the Federal Register. The regulators also issued a separate statement on community banks’ dealings with core service providers, while the Federal Reserve is separately seeking comments on supporting guidance for the community banks it supervises.