Linera Launches Babbage Testnet

January 8 (CoinDesk) — JPMorgan Chase’s latest analysis indicates the recent cryptocurrency market sell-off may be nearing an end. Analyst Nikolaos Panigirtzoglou noted outflows from Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs have stabilized in January, while futures market positioning metrics show investors’ deleveraging that began late last year has largely concluded. JPMorgan also highlighted that market liquidity remains robust, explaining the correction was primarily spurred by de-risking following MSCI’s October 2024 announcement it could exclude crypto-related firms — not broader market pressure. MSCI recently ruled against excluding crypto-related companies in its February 2025 global index review, providing short-term market relief and reducing forced selling risks tied to index rebalances.

On January 8, U.S.-listed cryptocurrency-related stocks opened lower, per Bitget market data, with the following moves: - BitMine Immersion (BMNR): down 2.7% - Robinhood (HOOD): down 1.9% - American Bitcoin (ABTC): down 1.8% - SharpLink Gaming (SBET): down 0.9% - MicroStrategy (MSTR): down 0.5%

Jan. 8 — Per Onchain Lens monitoring, BitMine has staked an additional 57,600 ETH, valued at $176.16 million. To date, the firm’s total staked ETH stands at 965,792, with an aggregate value of $2.97 billion.

On January 8, the Optimism Foundation put forward a proposal to more closely link the OP token to the Superchain’s success. Under the plan, starting this February, 50% of Superchain revenue will go toward repurchasing OP tokens.

On January 8, Ethereum treasury management firm SharpLink announced it has deployed $170 million worth of ETH to Linea, leveraging an enhanced yield strategy. The strategy combines Ethereum’s native yield, EigenCloud restaking rewards, direct incentives from Linea and ether.fi, with all assets held in custody by institutional-grade qualified custodian Anchorage Digital.

**January 8 – CNBC: U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has called on the Federal Reserve to keep cutting interest rates, ramping up pressure on U.S. monetary policymakers.** Yellen stated lower rates are “the only missing ingredient for stronger economic growth — which is why the Fed shouldn’t delay.” She also noted 2026 will see the “payoff” of former President Trump’s “America First” agenda. Per CNBC, Yellen said Trump laid the groundwork for robust growth via last year’s tax cut legislation, trade deals, and deregulatory policies. Yellen is leading the administration’s process to select a successor to Fed Chair Jerome Powell, whose term expires in May. She has repeatedly echoed Trump’s calls for rate cuts. （Note: The original content references Trump’s 2024 tax cut legislation and agenda, aligning with the context provided.）