Today in crypto, Bitcoin’s (BTC) price is approaching a key resistance zone after rebounding nearly 4% from its recent low. Meanwhile, Divine Research issued 30,000 unbacked USDC loans using Sam Altman’s World ID to verify borrowers, targeting underserved users, and Bitcoin may be heading for significant upside in 2026, according to Bitwise.
Bitcoin nears key resistance zone as traders prepare for larger price swings
Bitcoin’s price resumed its upward momentum on Sunday, trading once again within a key resistance zone that analysts believe could determine the cryptocurrency’s short-term direction.
The BTC/USD pair climbed above $119,300 on Sunday, according to data from Cointelegraph Markets Pro and TradingView, extending its recovery from Friday’s brief dip below $115,000.
Friday’s volatility was likely triggered by the sale of 80,000 BTC from a Satoshi-era Bitcoin whale. However, the market quickly absorbed the sell-off, prompting analysts to forecast a potential continuation of the rally.
Bitcoin is now approaching a “strong resistance” level between $119,000 and $120,000, according to crypto analytics platform Coinank, which has identified “dense liquidation clusters” in this range.
Analyst TheKingfisher noted that traders should brace for “potentially larger price swings in the near term” as market participants hedge their positions.
Divine Research issues unbacked crypto loans using Sam Altman’s World ID
San Francisco-based lender Divine Research has issued around 30,000 unbacked short-term crypto loans since December, using OpenAI CEO Sam Altman’s iris-scanning platform World ID to verify borrowers.
Divine offers loans under $1,000 in the USDC (USDC) stablecoin, mainly to overseas borrowers underserved by traditional finance. It uses World ID to ensure users cannot open multiple accounts after defaulting.
“We’re loaning to average folks like high-school teachers, fruit vendors . . . basically anyone with access to the internet can get access to our funds,” Divine founder Diego Estevez told the Financial Times. “This is microfinance on steroids.”
Interest rates range from 20% to 30%, with a reported first-loan default rate of around 40%. “High interest rates compensate for these losses,” Estevez said, adding that free World tokens issued to borrowers can be “partially” reclaimed.
Bitcoin ‘up year’ is 2026, and the four-year cycle is dead: Bitwise
Bitcoin’s price could see significant upside in 2026, bucking the traditional four-year market cycle, according to Bitwise chief investment officer Matt Hougan.
The prediction comes as other analysts are divided on whether Bitcoin will stray from its historical pattern or follow the traditional halving cycle and peak in the coming months.
“I bet 2026 is an up year,” Hougan said in an X video on Friday. “I broadly think we’re in for a good few years,” Hougan added.
Hougan said the four-year halving cycle “is dead” for several reasons, including the Bitcoin halving becoming “half as important” every four years, and the interest rate cycle being positive for crypto. Since April, US President Donald Trump has been publicly pressuring Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell to cut interest rates, a potentially bullish catalyst for Bitcoin, as lower rates make traditional assets like bonds and term deposits less appealing to investors.
