Movements in the crypto and global financial markets this week have been driven by a combination of infrastructure developments and macroeconomic pressure. Bitcoin continues to trade around the $69,000 level, while Ethereum is testing a key support zone. At the same time, institutional players are making strategic moves, including Robinhood’s official entry into the Layer 2 space and a rally in precious metals that reflects shifting market sentiment.
Robinhood Launches Arbitrum-Based Layer 2
Robinhood has launched a public testnet for its own Ethereum Layer 2 blockchain built using the Arbitrum stack. The network, called Robinhood Chain, is designed to focus on the tokenization of Real World Assets (RWA) and deeper DeFi integration for retail users.
Johann Kerbrat, GM of Crypto at Robinhood, stated that the testnet serves as an initial foundation for a more integrated tokenized asset ecosystem. The launch comes amid a 38% year-over-year decline in Robinhood’s crypto transaction revenue, which fell to $221 million in its Q4 2025 earnings report. This move signals a strategic shift away from reliance on trading fees toward longer-term on-chain activity.
Bitcoin Holds $69,000, Ethereum Tests Demand Zone
Bitcoin (BTC) remains range-bound around $69,000 after rebounding roughly 14%. Market data shows cooling long-to-short ratios, reflecting a cautious stance among derivatives traders. However, ETF inflows totaling $516 million and continued whale accumulation suggest sustained buying interest at current levels.
Ethereum (ETH) is in a more critical phase. Price action is currently testing a demand zone between $1,300 and $2,000 after failing to hold the psychological $2,000 level. Some analysts point to fractal similarities with the 2021 and 2024 cycles, where ETH tended to build a base for an extended period before a potential trend reversal.
Ark Invest Active, SBF Seeks New Trial
Cathie Wood’s Ark Invest remained active in equities, purchasing more than 57,000 shares of Bullish, which climbed nearly 17% to $32.05. At the same time, Ark reduced its exposure to Coinbase shares.
Meanwhile, crypto mining company Canaan (CAN) reported Q4 revenue of $196 million, up 121% year over year and above expectations. However, losses widened to $0,89 per share, well above forecasts, leading to stock price volatility.
On the legal front, Sam Bankman-Fried has filed a motion seeking a new trial despite currently serving a 25-year prison sentence. The filing cites newly discovered evidence and additional testimony from former FTX executives, arguing that the original trial process was fundamentally unfair.
Vitalik Buterin’s View on AI and Ethereum
Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin released a new framework exploring the intersection of AI and crypto. He outlined four key areas:
- AI as a participant in prediction markets and governance,
- Ethereum as a trust layer to verify AI outputs,
- The use of AI in smart contract security audits,
- Privacy-preserving AI training using blockchain cryptography.
Gold and Silver Rise on Weak US Data
Gold surged past $5,000 per ounce and is trading around $5,038, while silver climbed to $81.49. The rally was driven by declining US Treasury yields following a weak December retail sales report that showed zero growth.
The data strengthened market expectations for interest rate cuts by mid-2026, prompting investors to rotate out of the US dollar and into safe-haven assets such as precious metals.
Kaito Studio Opens Waitlist
Kaito AI has opened a waitlist for Kaito Studio, marking an expansion beyond its original focus on Crypto Twitter into a broader content ecosystem. The platform allows users to connect Instagram and TikTok accounts, with YouTube integration coming soon.
With this move, Kaito is no longer just a tool for tracking crypto conversations on X. It is positioning itself as a bridge between creators and brands across mainstream social media platforms. Creators can establish verified cross-platform track records while Kaito aggregates broader public attention signals. This ensures that its analytics and prediction markets accurately reflect real internet trends, rather than merely discussions within the crypto community.
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