Legendary Trader Warns on XRP as Morgan Stanley Bets on Bitcoin and Solana

Article with AI Analysis

Date: 11 January 2026

Source: U.Today (compiled & analysed)

Introduction

This week’s weekly crypto news analysis highlights a market caught between growing institutional confidence and fragile price action. While Morgan Stanley moves decisively deeper into crypto with Bitcoin and Solana ETF filings, retail-driven assets like Shiba Inu struggle to hold breakouts. At the same time, legendary trader John Bollinger urges caution on XRP, reminding investors that fast rallies are not the same as strong structures.

Together, these developments paint a clear picture of a maturing but still emotionally driven market.

Bitcoin Struggles Near $90,000 as Optimism Fades

Bitcoin started 2026 with momentum, briefly approaching $95,000 before stalling. Since November 2025, BTC has failed three times to hold above the psychologically important $90,000 level.

This has shifted sentiment. What initially looked like a New Year breakout is increasingly being viewed as a bull trap rather than a confirmed trend reversal. Volatility has narrowed, Bollinger Bands are tightening, and traders are watching closely for a decisive move.

Notably, this is the first post-halving year where Bitcoin has printed a red annual candle a break from the historical four-year cycle. ETF-driven demand appears to have pulled future liquidity forward, changing how the cycle behaves.

Morgan Stanley Signals Institutional Confidence with Bitcoin and Solana ETFs

Morgan Stanley made headlines by filing for both a Bitcoin ETF and a Solana ETF, marking a clear shift from passive exposure to actively structured crypto products.

The proposed Solana fund would track SOL’s price while also engaging third-party staking providers, with staking rewards reflected directly in the fund’s net asset value. This move places Solana alongside Bitcoin as a serious institutional-grade asset.

This development reinforces a broader trend: crypto is no longer treated as an experimental side bet but as a long-term financial instrument within traditional portfolios.

Shiba Inu’s Breakout Fails to Hold Above Key Resistance

Shiba Inu briefly delivered what many holders hoped for the removal of another zero. The price touched $0.00001 after pushing above its 100-day exponential moving average.

However, the move lacked follow-through. Once buying pressure faded, SHIB quickly reversed, confirming that the breakout was driven more by short-term momentum than structural demand.

The episode highlights a familiar pattern in meme-driven assets: strong emotional rallies that struggle to hold without sustained volume and broader market support.

John Bollinger Warns: XRP Rally Lacks Structural Strength

John Bollinger, creator of the Bollinger Bands, offered a sober assessment of XRP despite its sharp January rally.

XRP is up roughly 32% since the start of the year, outperforming many major assets. Yet Bollinger cautioned that “verticality is not structure.” In his view, the technical hierarchy remains Bitcoin first, Ethereum second, and XRP trailing behind.

The warning is simple but important: fast price appreciation does not automatically signal long-term strength.

What This Week’s Crypto News Really Tells Us

Across Bitcoin, Solana, XRP and Shiba Inu, one theme stands out: the gap between institutional conviction and short-term market behaviour.

Institutions are building carefully, while traders remain reactive. This tension is likely to define the next phase of the crypto market.

AI-Powered Sentiment Analysis

Our AI analysis of this article revealed:

• sentiment_score: 1.58 Indicates cautiously positive sentiment, driven mainly by institutional developments rather than price action.

• Financial Sentiment: Moderately Bullish ETF filings and staking-based products strengthen long-term confidence despite short-term volatility.

• Polarity Score: 0.12 Slightly positive tone, balanced by repeated mentions of failed breakouts and cautionary signals.

• Subjectivity Score: 0.34 The article is largely fact-based, with limited opinion layered on top of market data.

These scores suggest that the market narrative is constructive but restrained. Confidence is shifting from hype-driven assets towards regulated, institutionally supported crypto products.

In deeper terms, sentiment analysis shows that capital is becoming more selective. Emotional spikes still occur, but credibility increasingly flows towards assets with infrastructure, compliance, and long-term utility.

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Disclaimer

This article was generated using AI and reviewed for accuracy. The information presented is for educational purposes only and should not be construed as financial advice. Always consult with a professional before making investment decisions.