Today’s podcast episode was created from the following stories:

Bitcoin price outlook: Why this expert predicts at least $130K

Author: Not specified | Date: Not specified

An expert forecast lays out why Bitcoin could climb to at least $130,000, framing the path ahead for long-term holders and traders. The segment underscores the drivers that could propel a new cycle while acknowledging the volatility and policy risk that come with it.

Source: Yahoo Finance

Bitcoin Approaches $98,000 as Holder Behavior Signals a Critical Test

Author: Not specified | Date: Not specified

As Bitcoin presses toward $98,000, on-chain data highlights a pivotal support/resistance zone shaped by recent buyer behavior. The analysis tracks speculators and whales, suggesting that how holders react at this level could determine whether momentum sustains or stalls.

Source: Yahoo (consent link)

Bitcoin traders predict ‘strong run-up’ as classic chart targets $113K

Author: Nancy Lubale | Date: Jan 16, 2026

Traders are watching a potential breakout above ~$98,000, with an ascending triangle projecting a measured move toward ~$113,200. Momentum indicators have improved without flashing overbought, and analysts note that reclaiming key levels could reaccelerate upside.

Source: Cointelegraph

CoinDesk 20 Performance Update: Bitcoin Cash (BCH) Gains 3.1%, Leading Index Higher

Author: Not specified | Date: Jan 16, 2026

Bitcoin Cash rose 3.1%, outpacing peers and lifting the CoinDesk 20 index. The update provides a concise snapshot of price action across major crypto assets, useful for gauging short-term sentiment beyond Bitcoin.

Source: CoinDesk

KBC Bank to launch Bitcoin and Ether trading in Belgium under MiCA

Author: Helen Partz | Date: Jan 16, 2026

KBC will enable retail customers to trade Bitcoin and Ether via its Bolero platform starting Feb. 16, positioning itself as an early mover under the EU’s MiCA regime. While KBC claims compliance, observers note ESMA’s register has yet to reflect Belgian licenses, underscoring a fast-evolving regulatory rollout that still matters for mainstream access.

Source: Cointelegraph

Interactive Brokers to allow stablecoins for account funding

Author: Stephen Katte | Date: Jan 16, 2026

Interactive Brokers now supports 24/7 deposits via USDC across Ethereum, Solana, and Base, auto-converting funds to USD on arrival, with RLUSD and PYUSD support coming. The move trims settlement friction and costs for global clients, aligning traditional brokerage rails with a stablecoin market that recently topped $310 billion.

Source: Cointelegraph

Belarus creates legal framework for ‘cryptobanks’ in new presidential decree

Author: Ezra Reguerra | Date: Jan 16, 2026

Belarus formalized “cryptobanks” as joint-stock companies operating under dual oversight from the central bank and the Hi-Tech Park, integrating token-based services with traditional finance. The framework aims to attract fintech innovation while keeping crypto activity within tightly controlled, state-approved channels.

Source: Cointelegraph

President Trump plans an “emergency power auction”: What it could mean for Bitcoin miners

Author: Kamina Bashir | Date: Jan 16, 2026

The administration is backing a PJM power auction that would have tech firms pre-fund 15-year contracts for new generation, responding to rising electricity costs and AI-driven demand. If successful, expanded supply and lower power prices could improve miner margins over time, easing pressure that has pushed some operators toward AI/HPC pivots.

Source: BeInCrypto

US housebuilder to launch crypto rewards after SEC ‘no-action’ letter

Author: Ciaran Lyons | Date: Jan 16, 2026

Megatel Homes received an SEC no-action letter for MegPrime, a token-based rewards platform that lets renters earn benefits for paying with MP Tokens. The program pitches up to $25,000 toward a future home purchase and below-market mortgage rates, signaling growing openness to tokenized incentives under clear guardrails.

Source: Cointelegraph

Iran’s crypto ecosystem spikes to $7.8B amid mass protests: Chainalysis

Author: Stephen Katte | Date: Jan 16, 2026

Chainalysis reports Iran’s crypto activity reached $7.78 billion in 2025, with withdrawals to self-custody rising sharply during protests and the rial’s collapse. The data shows Bitcoin serving both civil society and state-linked entities, highlighting crypto’s dual role in financial resilience and geopolitical friction.

Source: Cointelegraph

Wrapping up

From price levels that could unlock Bitcoin’s next leg up to real-world adoption through banks, brokerages, and even homebuilding, today’s stories track crypto’s march into mainstream finance. Policy and infrastructure changes—from Belarus’s cryptobank decree to potential US energy shifts—underscore how rails, rules, and power costs shape market outcomes. Keep an eye on the $98K zone, stablecoin funding rails, and MiCA-driven rollouts as key catalysts in the weeks ahead.