This article was first published on The Bit Journal. The gold price continues its robust upward trajectory, crossing the rare and symbolic $5,000 level in what This article was first published on The Bit Journal. The gold price continues its robust upward trajectory, crossing the rare and symbolic $5,000 level in what

Gold Price Breaks $5,000 as Bitcoin Price Lingers Below $90,000

2026/01/26 19:00
5 min read

This article was first published on The Bit Journal.

The gold price continues its robust upward trajectory, crossing the rare and symbolic $5,000 level in what analysts are increasingly calling a durable macro regime shift. This breakout arrives as the Bitcoin price hovers near $87,000 in a low-conviction environment marked by thin participation.

According to the source, research desks across Asia describe this moment as a widening divergence between macro-driven assets like gold and internally constrained digital markets. Across global markets, investors are reallocating toward assets that offer long-term security.

Gold benefits from this move as central banks increase reserves, geopolitical tensions rise, and several major currencies weaken. Meanwhile, the Bitcoin price remains sluggish as traders hesitate to deploy leverage amid thinning liquidity. Analysts agree this divergence reflects two very different engines powering each asset.

Macro Pressure Fuels Gold’s Rise as Investors Brace for Risk

Analysts note that the gold price now reflects structural forces instead of short-term speculation. New data from a widely used global economic platform shows that countries are increasing their gold reserves amid currency instability. This steady institutional demand adds persistent upward pressure.

A second set of data from a major market-monitoring network highlights strong inflows into metal-backed funds, reinforcing the view that the current rally represents a long-term realignment rather than a temporary surge.

Prediction markets support this outlook. Polymarket traders assign elevated odds that gold will hold above $5,500 by mid-year, showing that participants expect the current trend to endure rather than fade.

The upsurge is also buttressed by two specs: ongoing global inflation worries, increased geopolitical stress; combined with a soft U.S. dollar against most major Asian currencies, which together help cement gold’s status as something dependable and valuable when there’s turmoil elsewhere in the world.

Bitcoin PriceGold Price Hits Record High as Bitcoin Holds Near $87,000 in a Split Market Landscape

Bitcoin Struggles Under Supply Weight as On-Chain Data Turns More Cautious

The Bitcoin price faces very different pressures. The latest report showed that holders of BTC are now selling at a loss for the first time since October 2023, a sign that usually indicates that we are about to see some consolidation happening. The company also notes selling pressure from older investors and buying power outpace supply among newer traders, contributing to a movement in markets sideways.

Additional data reinforces this trend. Analysts there highlight a dense supply overhang around Bitcoin’s short-term holder cost basis near $98,000, meaning rallies routinely run into sellers at their breakeven levels. Each approach toward the $95,000–$100,000 zone draws out investors who bought near the 2025 cycle highs, creating consistent resistance.

Market mechanics deepen the slowdown.

  • Futures volume remains compressed, showing little appetite for aggressive positioning.
  • Leverage deployment is subdued across major exchanges.
  • Liquidity stays thin, making the Bitcoin price more vulnerable to swift selling.

This outlook is reinforced by prediction markets: Derivatives dealers are pricing in further consolidation, and there is little prediction soon to break out above $100,000. All agree that stronger inflows, or the return of some macro catalysts, are essential to rekindle bull momentum.

Ether Lags as Traders Avoid Higher-Beta Crypto Assets

Ether continues to underperform, mirroring the broader caution across altcoin markets.

Low derivatives participation, minimal rotation from bitcoin, and a shrinking pool of liquidity keep traders firmly in risk-off mode. With participants avoiding higher-beta assets, ether remains locked in a slow pattern that reflects deep uncertainty in the crypto ecosystem.

Asian Markets Trade Mixed as Macro Stress Escalates

The strength in the gold price contrasts sharply with performance in regional equity markets.

Japan’s Nikkei 225 slipped as a stronger yen pressured major exporters. Asia-Pacific benchmarks delivered mixed results as geopolitical uncertainty weighed on investor sentiment across the region.

Conclusion

The gold price sustaining its move above $5,000 marks a defining moment in global finance, signaling how investors react when macro uncertainty escalates. Meanwhile, the Bitcoin price stagnates near $87,000 as supply dynamics, loss-driven selling, and weak liquidity cap upward movement.

Ether and regional equity markets follow similarly cautious paths, forcing gold in what one might call a thicket of perfect highways. Crypto assets, on the other hand, are ensnared in their own structural weaknesses with no easy answers or escape solutions evident.

For investors keeping an eye on these signals, the contrast in behavior between gold and bitcoin gives a more precise road map of how the next stage at financial strategy may play out.

Glossary of Key Terms

Safe-haven asset: A holding used to protect long-term value during global risk.

Liquidity: The ease with which an asset trades without moving its price.

On-chain data: Blockchain information showing real-time investor behavior.

Cost basis: The original price paid for an asset.

FAQs About Gold Price

Why is the gold price rising?

It benefits from central bank buying, currency weakness, and global tensions.

Why is the Bitcoin price slowing down?

Supply pressure and thin liquidity limit upward movement.

Is Ether following Bitcoin’s trend?

Ether struggles more due to weak demand and low derivatives activity.

Can Bitcoin break past $100,000 soon?

Analysts believe stronger inflows and better liquidity are needed.

References

CoinDesk

CoinMarketCap

International Monetary Fund

Blockchain

Read More: Gold Price Breaks $5,000 as Bitcoin Price Lingers Below $90,000">Gold Price Breaks $5,000 as Bitcoin Price Lingers Below $90,000

Disclaimer: The articles reposted on this site are sourced from public platforms and are provided for informational purposes only. They do not necessarily reflect the views of MEXC. All rights remain with the original authors. If you believe any content infringes on third-party rights, please contact [email protected] for removal. MEXC makes no guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of the content and is not responsible for any actions taken based on the information provided. The content does not constitute financial, legal, or other professional advice, nor should it be considered a recommendation or endorsement by MEXC.

You May Also Like

U.S. Moves Grip on Crypto Regulation Intensifies

U.S. Moves Grip on Crypto Regulation Intensifies

The post U.S. Moves Grip on Crypto Regulation Intensifies appeared on BitcoinEthereumNews.com. The United States is contending with the intricacies of cryptocurrency regulation as newly enacted legislation stirs debate over centralized versus decentralized finance. The recent passage of the GENIUS Act under Bo Hines’ leadership is perceived to skew favor towards centralized entities, potentially disadvantaging decentralized innovations. Continue Reading:U.S. Moves Grip on Crypto Regulation Intensifies Source: https://en.bitcoinhaber.net/u-s-moves-grip-on-crypto-regulation-intensifies
Share
BitcoinEthereumNews2025/09/18 01:09
The Role of Blockchain in Building Safer Web3 Gaming Ecosystems

The Role of Blockchain in Building Safer Web3 Gaming Ecosystems

The gaming industry is in the midst of a historic shift, driven by the rise of Web3. Unlike traditional games, where developers and publishers control assets and dictate in-game economies, Web3 gaming empowers players with ownership and influence. Built on blockchain technology, these ecosystems are decentralized by design, enabling true digital asset ownership, transparent economies, and a future where players help shape the games they play. However, as Web3 gaming grows, security becomes a focal point. The range of security concerns, from hacking to asset theft to vulnerabilities in smart contracts, is a significant issue that will undermine or erode trust in this ecosystem, limiting or stopping adoption. Blockchain technology could be used to create security processes around secure, transparent, and fair Web3 gaming ecosystems. We will explore how security is increasing within gaming ecosystems, which challenges are being overcome, and what the future of security looks like. Why is Security Important in Web3 Gaming? Web3 gaming differs from traditional gaming in that players engage with both the game and assets with real value attached. Players own in-game assets that exist as tokens or NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens), and can trade and sell them. These game assets usually represent significant financial value, meaning security failure could represent real monetary loss. In essence, without security, the promises of owning “something” in Web3, decentralized economies within games, and all that comes with the term “fair” gameplay can easily be eroded by fraud, hacking, and exploitation. This is precisely why the uniqueness of blockchain should be emphasized in securing Web3 gaming. How Blockchain Ensures Security in Web3 Gaming?
  1. Immutable Ownership of Assets Blockchain records can be manipulated by anyone. If a player owns a sword, skin, or plot of land as an NFT, it is verifiably in their ownership, and it cannot be altered or deleted by the developer or even hacked. This has created a proven track record of ownership, providing control back to the players, unlike any centralised gaming platform where assets can be revoked.
  2. Decentralized Infrastructure Blockchain networks also have a distributed architecture where game data is stored in a worldwide network of nodes, making them much less susceptible to centralised points of failure and attacks. This decentralised approach makes it exponentially more difficult to hijack systems or even shut off the game’s economy.
  3. Secure Transactions with Cryptography Whether a player buys an NFT or trades their in-game tokens for other items or tokens, the transactions are enforced by cryptographic algorithms, ensuring secure, verifiable, and irreversible transactions and eliminating the risks of double-spending or fraudulent trades.
  4. Smart Contract Automation Smart contracts automate the enforcement of game rules and players’ economic exchanges for the developer, eliminating the need for intermediaries or middlemen, and trust for the developer. For example, if a player completes a quest that promises a reward, the smart contract will execute and distribute what was promised.
  5. Anti-Cheating and Fair Gameplay The naturally transparent nature of blockchain makes it extremely simple for anyone to examine a specific instance of gameplay and verify the economic outcomes from that play. Furthermore, multi-player games that enforce smart contracts on things like loot sharing or win sharing can automate and measure trustlessness and avoid cheating, manipulations, and fraud by developers.
  6. Cross-Platform Security Many Web3 games feature asset interoperability across platforms. This interoperability is made viable by blockchain, which guarantees ownership is maintained whenever assets transition from one game or marketplace to another, thereby offering protection to players who rely on transfers for security against fraud. Key Security Dangers in Web3 Gaming Although blockchain provides sound first principles of security, the Web3 gaming ecosystem is susceptible to threats. Some of the most serious threats include:
Smart Contract Vulnerabilities: Smart contracts that are poorly written or lack auditing will leave openings for exploitation and thereby result in asset loss. Phishing Attacks: Unintentionally exposing or revealing private keys or signing transactions that are not possible to reverse, under the assumption they were genuine transaction requests. Bridge Hacks: Cross-chain bridges, which allow players to move their assets between their respective blockchains, continually face hacks, requiring vigilance from players and developers. Scams and Rug Pulls: Rug pulls occur when a game project raises money and leaves, leaving player assets worthless. Regulatory Ambiguity: Global regulations remain unclear; risks exist for players and developers alike. While blockchain alone won’t resolve every issue, it remediates the responsibility of the first principles, more so when joined by processes such as auditing, education, and the right governance, which can improve their contribution to the security landscapes in game ecosystems. Real Life Examples of Blockchain Security in Web3 Gaming Axie Infinity (Ronin Hack): The Axie Infinity game and several projects suffered one of the biggest hacks thus far on its Ronin bridge; however, it demonstrated the effectiveness of multi-sig security and the effective utilization of decentralization. The industry benefited through learning and reflection, thus, as projects have implemented changes to reduce the risks of future hacks or misappropriation. Immutable X: This Ethereum scaling solution aims to ensure secure NFT transactions for gaming, allowing players to trade an asset without the burden of exorbitant fees and fears of being a victim of fraud. Enjin: Enjin is providing a trusted infrastructure for Web3 games, offering secure NFT creation and transfer while reiterating that ownership and an asset securely belong to the player. These examples indubitably illustrate that despite challenges to overcome, blockchain remains the foundational layer on which to build more secure Web3 gaming environments. Benefits of Blockchain Security for Players and Developers For Players: Confidence in true ownership of assets Transparency in in-game economies Protection against nefarious trades/scams For Developers: More trust between players and the platform Less reliance on centralized infrastructure Ability to attract wealth and players based on provable fairness By incorporating blockchain security within the mechanics of game design, developers can create and enforce resilient ecosystems where players feel reassured in investing time, money, and ownership within virtual worlds. The Future of Secure Web3 Gaming Ecosystems As the wisdom of blockchain technology and industry knowledge improves, the future for secure Web3 gaming looks bright. New growing trends include: Zero-Knowledge Proofs (ZKPs): A new wave of protocols that enable private transactions and secure smart contracts while managing user privacy with an element of transparency. Decentralized Identity Solutions (DID): Helping players control their identities and decrease account theft risks. AI-Enhanced Security: Identifying irregularities in user interactions by sampling pattern anomalies to avert hacks and fraud by time-stamping critical events. Interoperable Security Standards: Allowing secured and seamless asset transfers across blockchains and games. With these innovations, blockchain will not only secure gaming assets but also enhance the overall trust and longevity of Web3 gaming ecosystems. Conclusion Blockchain is more than a buzzword in Web3; it is the only way to host security, fairness, and transparency. With blockchain, players confirm immutable ownership of digital assets, there is a decentralized infrastructure, and finally, it supports smart contracts to automate code that protects players and developers from the challenges of digital economies. The threats, vulnerabilities, and scams that come from smart contracts still persist, but the industry is maturing with better security practices, cross-chain solutions, and increased formal cryptographic tools. In the coming years, blockchain will remain the base to digital economies and drive Web3 gaming environments that allow players to safely own, trade, and enjoy their digital experiences free from fraud and exploitation. While blockchain and gaming alone entertain, we will usher in an era of secure digital worlds where trust complements innovation. The Role of Blockchain in Building Safer Web3 Gaming Ecosystems was originally published in Coinmonks on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story
Share
Medium2025/09/18 14:40
Why your phone number shows as private and how to remove it

Why your phone number shows as private and how to remove it

Table of contents How to remove private number on your Android How to remove private number on your iPhone (iOS) What to do if your number still shows as Private
Share
Techcabal2026/02/07 00:23