Fed Holds Rates Steady, Nasdaq Slightly Up
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Jan 28 2026
0mins
Should l Buy CRCL?
The major averages finished the day mostly unchanged, with the Nasdaq marginally higher after the Federal Reserve left the federal funds rate unchanged at 3.50%-3.75%, as was expected. In a statement on the move, the Fed cited unemployment stabilization as a reason to hold rates steady, noting that Fed governors Miran and Waller wanted to cut rates. Meanwhile, investors are positioning ahead of after-hours earnings releases from big tech names including Meta, Microsoft and Tesla, which could set the tone for risk appetite once those reports start rolling in.Looking to commodities, gold continued to surge to record highs, while oil was also on the rise.Get caught up quickly on the top news and calls moving stocks with these five Top Five lists.1. STOCK NEWS:Seagatereportedand provided guidance for Q3Texas Instrumentsreportedbut provided an upbeat outlook for Q1AT&Treportedand issued its outlook for 2026-2028Amazonannounced plans toamid "organizational changes"The Federal Reserve left the federal funds rate2. WALL STREET CALLS:Visato Buy from Neutral at Rothschild & Co RedburnKorro Bioto Overweight at Cantor Fitzgerald and to Outperform at OppenheimerCircle Internetto Neutral at Mizuho with Polymarket as a "looming catalyst"PayPalto Sell at Rothschild & Co RedburnBJ's Wholesaleto Hold at Jefferies3. AROUND THE WEB:Blackstoneis mulling a debt investment in Oracle'sdata center project in Michigan, Bloomberg reportsC3 AIis in talks to merge with startup Automation Anywhere, The Information saysTeslaCEO Elon Musk is targeting mid-June for the timing of SpaceX's initial public offering, IPO, FT reportsSoftBankis in talks to invest up to an additional $30B in OpenAI, WSJ saysDeutsche Bank'soffices in Frankfurt and Berlin have been raided by German authorities as part of a money laundering probe that is looking at past dealings by staff with firms linked to the now-sanctioned Roman Abramovich, Bloomberg reports4. MOVERS:Palladynehigher after being awarded a contract by theStrideincreases afterand providing guidance for Q3 and FY26Nextpowerrises afterand raising its guidance for FY26Regenxbiofalls after the FDA placed aRichtech Roboticslower after announcing a5. EARNINGS/GUIDANCE:Starbucksreportedand provided guidance for FY26Corning, with EPS and revenue beating consensusExtreme Networksand provided guidance for Q3 and FY26Scotts Miracle-Gro, with EPS beating consensusBrinkerand raised its guidance for FY26INDEXES:The Dow rose 12.19, or 0.025%, to 49,015.60, the Nasdaq gained 40.35, or 0.17%, to 23,857.45, and the S&P 500 declined 0.57, or 0.0082%, to 6,978.03.
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Analyst Views on CRCL
Wall Street analysts forecast CRCL stock price to rise over the next 12 months. According to Wall Street analysts, the average 1-year price target for CRCL is 143.07 USD with a low forecast of 65.00 USD and a high forecast of 280.00 USD. However, analyst price targets are subjective and often lag stock prices, so investors should focus on the objective reasons behind analyst rating changes, which better reflect the company's fundamentals.
17 Analyst Rating
10 Buy
4 Hold
3 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 50.230
Low
65.00
Averages
143.07
High
280.00
Current: 50.230
Low
65.00
Averages
143.07
High
280.00
About CRCL
Circle Internet Group, Inc. is a global financial technology company. It operates as a platform, network, and market infrastructure for stablecoin and blockchain applications and the issuer of a United States dollar-denominated stablecoin, USDC and a euro-denominated stablecoin, EURC (collectively Circle stablecoins). It provides a stablecoin network and a range of blockchain-specific software infrastructure. Its product offerings include Stablecoins, Developer Services, Integration Services, and Tokenized Funds. Developer Services develops an array of developer-ready and enterprise-grade infrastructure services that developers can plug into their own applications. It connects and integrates products, such as USDC across blockchain networks. Its Tokenized Funds are regulated yield-bearing investments for collateral use in capital markets. It also offers liquidity services, which provides institutional minting, reserving, redemption, and foreign exchange services for Circle stablecoins.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
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- Software Stocks Decline: The iShares Expanded Tech Software ETF fell every trading day for eight sessions leading up to February 5, 2026, marking its worst streak since March 2020, with software stocks down roughly 30%, reflecting dual concerns over both software and cryptocurrency markets.
- Liquidity Risk Intensifies: As capital markets tighten, investors are increasingly worried that Strategy may be forced to sell Bitcoin, with current market expectations of a 26% chance of this occurring, which could jeopardize the company's position as the largest Bitcoin holder and impact its future strategy.
- Eroding Market Confidence: Economist Ed Yardeni has adopted a bearish view on Bitcoin, suggesting that recent legislation undermines its transactional utility and exposes weaknesses as a store of value, further exacerbating uncertainty surrounding Strategy's market position.
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- Standardization of Settlements: This move supports a consistent dollar-denominated settlement standard, which enhances market integrity and reliability, and is expected to attract more users as participation on the platform continues to grow.
- Stablecoin Market Position: USDC, currently the second-largest stablecoin with a market cap of $70.7 billion, while still trailing behind Tether's $185.4 billion, is gaining increasing importance in the crypto market.
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- Increased Bank Concerns: Banks and credit unions fear that if crypto firms can offer interest on stablecoins, it could lead to a potential outflow of up to $6.6 trillion in deposits, undermining their ability to fund loans and impacting their financial stability.
- Unsuccessful White House Meeting: A White House meeting aimed at resolving the stalemate between banks and crypto firms ended without agreement, with both sides acknowledging fundamental disagreements, indicating that further discussions will be necessary to find a resolution.
- Regulatory Uncertainty Intensifies: The delay in the bill removes the prospect of near-term regulatory clarity that could attract institutional capital, especially as Bitcoin trades down nearly 40% from its October peak, suggesting banks perceive crypto as a long-term structural threat regardless of short-term price fluctuations.
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- Strong Profitability: Despite reduced external capital needs, Ardoino emphasized Tether's annual profits of approximately $10 billion, indicating the company does not require outside funding and that insiders show little interest in selling shares.
- Regulatory Pressure: Following a downgrade of Tether's reserves by S&P Global Ratings and the absence of a full independent audit, investor skepticism regarding transparency and valuation has intensified, although Ardoino argues that their profitability is comparable to leading AI firms.
- Continued Expansion: Despite scrutiny, Tether's USDT supply has reached $185 billion, and the firm has become a significant buyer of U.S. Treasuries and gold, with plans to launch a compliant U.S.-based stablecoin, demonstrating resilience in the market.
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- Market Cap Decline: The global cryptocurrency market cap fell to $2.59 trillion, with analysts noting the potential for a short-term relief rally despite prevailing bearish sentiment, indicating the pressure on high-risk assets.
- Coinbase Stock Fluctuation: Coinbase's stock dropped 4.36% to close at $179.66, while ARK Invest's ARKF fund purchased 3,510 shares of Coinbase, totaling approximately $630,606, demonstrating continued confidence in the crypto market.
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AI Companies: Among the upcoming IPOs, only two companies are recognized as leaders in artificial intelligence.
Market Trends: The trend indicates a diversification in the types of companies going public, beyond just tech-focused firms.
See More
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- Market Value Plunge: Strategy Inc. has seen its market value drop by approximately 70% from October 2025 to February 2026, contrasting sharply with Bitcoin's 50% decline, highlighting the company's vulnerability in the cryptocurrency market and potentially undermining investor confidence.
- Software Stocks Decline: The iShares Expanded Tech Software ETF fell every trading day for eight sessions leading up to February 5, 2026, marking its worst streak since March 2020, with software stocks down roughly 30%, reflecting dual concerns over both software and cryptocurrency markets.
- Liquidity Risk Intensifies: As capital markets tighten, investors are increasingly worried that Strategy may be forced to sell Bitcoin, with current market expectations of a 26% chance of this occurring, which could jeopardize the company's position as the largest Bitcoin holder and impact its future strategy.
- Eroding Market Confidence: Economist Ed Yardeni has adopted a bearish view on Bitcoin, suggesting that recent legislation undermines its transactional utility and exposes weaknesses as a store of value, further exacerbating uncertainty surrounding Strategy's market position.
See More
Circle Partners with Polymarket for USDC Settlement Transition
- Partnership Announcement: Circle Internet Group has partnered with Polymarket to transition the prediction marketplace to native USDC stablecoin for dollar-denominated settlements in the coming months, marking a significant shift from Bridged USDC and enhancing transaction transparency and reliability.
- Standardization of Settlements: This move supports a consistent dollar-denominated settlement standard, which enhances market integrity and reliability, and is expected to attract more users as participation on the platform continues to grow.
- Stablecoin Market Position: USDC, currently the second-largest stablecoin with a market cap of $70.7 billion, while still trailing behind Tether's $185.4 billion, is gaining increasing importance in the crypto market.
- Industry Impact: Polymarket's CEO Shayne Coplan stated that partnering with Circle is a crucial step in strengthening prediction markets, highlighting the importance of stablecoin infrastructure and potentially driving further development across the industry.
See More
Senate Delays Crypto Bill Vote Amid Bank Concerns
- Vote Delay: Senator Cynthia Lummis announced that the Senate Banking Committee pulled the crypto bill a day before the scheduled vote due to banks' concerns about deposit loss, pushing the timeline to spring and highlighting the complexities of the legislative process.
- Increased Bank Concerns: Banks and credit unions fear that if crypto firms can offer interest on stablecoins, it could lead to a potential outflow of up to $6.6 trillion in deposits, undermining their ability to fund loans and impacting their financial stability.
- Unsuccessful White House Meeting: A White House meeting aimed at resolving the stalemate between banks and crypto firms ended without agreement, with both sides acknowledging fundamental disagreements, indicating that further discussions will be necessary to find a resolution.
- Regulatory Uncertainty Intensifies: The delay in the bill removes the prospect of near-term regulatory clarity that could attract institutional capital, especially as Bitcoin trades down nearly 40% from its October peak, suggesting banks perceive crypto as a long-term structural threat regardless of short-term price fluctuations.
See More
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- Funding Plan Reduction: Tether initially aimed to raise $15 billion to $20 billion at a valuation near $500 billion, but discussions have now narrowed to about $5 billion, reflecting investor unease over valuation and regulation.
- Strong Profitability: Despite reduced external capital needs, Ardoino emphasized Tether's annual profits of approximately $10 billion, indicating the company does not require outside funding and that insiders show little interest in selling shares.
- Regulatory Pressure: Following a downgrade of Tether's reserves by S&P Global Ratings and the absence of a full independent audit, investor skepticism regarding transparency and valuation has intensified, although Ardoino argues that their profitability is comparable to leading AI firms.
- Continued Expansion: Despite scrutiny, Tether's USDT supply has reached $185 billion, and the firm has become a significant buyer of U.S. Treasuries and gold, with plans to launch a compliant U.S.-based stablecoin, demonstrating resilience in the market.
See More
Bitcoin Falls Below $73,000, Triggering Massive Selloff
- Bitcoin Price Drop: Bitcoin slid below $73,000, marking its lowest level since November 2024, triggering over $750 million in liquidations, which reflects extreme fear sentiment and may exacerbate investor risk aversion.
- Market Cap Decline: The global cryptocurrency market cap fell to $2.59 trillion, with analysts noting the potential for a short-term relief rally despite prevailing bearish sentiment, indicating the pressure on high-risk assets.
- Coinbase Stock Fluctuation: Coinbase's stock dropped 4.36% to close at $179.66, while ARK Invest's ARKF fund purchased 3,510 shares of Coinbase, totaling approximately $630,606, demonstrating continued confidence in the crypto market.
- ETF Investment Activity: ARKF and ARKW funds collectively acquired 135,131 shares of the ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF, valued at around $3.4 million, despite the ETF's 1.97% decline to $25.36, highlighting ARK's firm belief in Bitcoin's future potential.
See More
Major Test for the IPO Market This Week as Multiple Unicorns Prepare to Launch.
Stock Market Rally: The stock market rally is expanding, impacting the initial public offering (IPO) market positively.
Upcoming IPOs: Eight significant private companies are set to debut on Wall Street this week.
AI Companies: Among the upcoming IPOs, only two companies are recognized as leaders in artificial intelligence.
Market Trends: The trend indicates a diversification in the types of companies going public, beyond just tech-focused firms.
See More
