The word Shutdown is back on the radar, and markets are clearly reacting to it.
While crypto still feels close to levels where scaling into a few long positions could make sense, we stay disciplined. We do not trade on gut feeling. We wait for charts, liquidity, and macro signals to align.
That said, slowly building exposure through a simple DCA strategy at these levels is hard to ignore. Especially for longer-term holders who do not trade actively.
With Shutdown risks, geopolitical noise, and tightening liquidity, staying informed matters more than ever. Once or twice per week, we break down crypto, metals, and macro news so you can stay sharp, even when you are not trading.
Precious metals reverse sharply as Shutdown fears hit markets
Gold and silver experienced violent intraday reversals, but the bigger picture remains intact. Despite the chaos, medium-term and long-term uptrends are still holding.
Gold briefly surged toward the $5,600 area before reversing hard. Silver followed with an aggressive move above $120, only to drop more than 12 percent in just over an hour.
These moves happened as markets digested Shutdown headlines, tightening liquidity, and growing geopolitical uncertainty.
Gold’s key level remains around $5,100. As long as this zone holds, the broader trend remains constructive. For silver, holding the $107 low would signal stability, while consolidation around $110 could help reset momentum.
Interestingly, physical silver prices remain elevated in China and India. Premiums are still high, suggesting that most of the selling pressure is coming from Western paper markets, not physical demand.
This type of price action is a reminder that volatile markets become even more unstable when Shutdown risk enters the equation. Risk management matters more than prediction.
Airdrop claims and updates to check
When markets turn choppy, airdrops remain one of the best ways to stay involved without forcing trades. However, Shutdown-driven volatility often distracts people from checking claims.
Here are the most recent updates worth reviewing:
- The Mezo airdrop checker is now live
- Hyperlend distributed millions in secret point allocations. Check your balance to see if you were included
- Aster season 4 claim is open, season 5 is nearing completion, and season 6 starts in February
- INK score is live, and a free INK NFT can now be claimed on OpenSea. More details here.
- Limitless season 2 claim is live
We also published a guide on the biggest airdrop mistakes traders keep making. Many miss out simply due to bad links, outdated steps, or following inexperienced sources. In uncertain markets, clean execution matters.
Trump nominates Kevin Warsh as Fed chair
Donald Trump has officially nominated Kevin Warsh as the next chair of the Federal Reserve, ending months of speculation as Shutdown risks intensify.
Warsh is a former Fed governor and a long-time critic of ultra-loose monetary policy. Trump praised him publicly and emphasized his willingness to cut rates when needed.
Markets reacted immediately. The dollar strengthened briefly, gold sold off sharply, and risk assets remained volatile.
Warsh is widely viewed as a credible choice. Analysts believe his nomination eases concerns that political pressure would completely undermine the Fed’s independence.
From a crypto perspective, Warsh is seen as relatively open to innovation and digital assets. He has consistently warned about inflation risks while criticizing delayed policy responses.
His appointment could shift expectations around liquidity and interest rates, especially if Shutdown negotiations further strain financial conditions.
Tether holds 140 tons of gold as Shutdown risks reshape reserve strategy
Tether has quietly accumulated approximately 140 tons of physical gold, now worth around $24 billion.
That amount equals roughly 4.5 million troy ounces, placing Tether among the largest private gold holders globally. If it were a country, it would rank among the top 40 official gold reserves.
Bloomberg reports that Tether purchased around 70 tons last year alone. Two senior gold traders reportedly left HSBC to join the company.
Chief executive Paolo Ardoino compared Tether’s approach to that of a central bank. He also suggested that declining trust in fiat currencies and recurring Shutdown risks are pushing institutions toward hard assets.
Part of the gold backs Tether’s gold-pegged token XAUT, which could grow significantly in circulation. The broader strategy appears focused on long-term reserve protection rather than short-term speculation. We first wrote about Tether gold in Feb 2020, and have provided a string of gold blogs since early 2025, even before the big gold pump. Goes to show that even tho we won’t trade perfectly, we will always be early and provide you with the info you need to make the best decisions.
With gold trading near record highs above $5,200, Tether is sitting on substantial unrealized gains.
Shutdown deal progress eases fears, but liquidity remains tight
US lawmakers have outlined a tentative framework to avoid a government Shutdown, but key votes are still pending.
Trump stated that avoiding a Shutdown is critical, while negotiations continue around funding and immigration enforcement.
Bitcoin recently dropped to the low $80,000 range, while Bitcoin and Ether ETFs have seen roughly $1 billion in outflows this week.
According to market participants, the move appears driven by liquidity tightening rather than a loss of conviction. The US Treasury has been rebuilding its cash balance, draining dollars from the system.
Arthur Hayes highlighted that roughly $300 billion in dollar liquidity has been removed in recent weeks. Historically, this pressures risk assets first, including crypto.
Onchain data shows whale wallets remain largely inactive. This supports the view that the current move is macro-driven, not panic selling.
Geopolitical risks remain elevated, adding further uncertainty to already fragile markets.
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Final words on the Shutdown and market outlook
The Shutdown narrative has become a key driver across crypto, metals, and traditional markets.
Liquidity is tight. Headlines are heavy. Volatility is elevated.
This is not the environment to chase trades or force conviction. Patience remains the strategy. Preparation remains the edge.
Whether you are trading actively, building long-term positions, or farming airdrops, understanding how the Shutdown impacts liquidity and sentiment is essential.
Sometimes the best move during a Shutdown scare is not action, but awareness.
If you enjoyed this blog, you may want to check our other crypto news updates.
As always, don’t forget to claim your bonus below on Bybit. See you next time!
