The Wolf Of All Streets

With roughly 150 days left in what may be a critical accumulation window, Bitcoin is entering a phase where positioning could matter more than short-term price action. In this video, we break down why current market structure, macro uncertainty, and institutional behavior suggest Bitcoin may be in a quiet consolidation period before its next major move. We'll look at what historically defines accumulation phases, what's different this time with ETFs and derivatives in the mix, and why patience—not panic—may be the key strategy heading into the next stage of the cycle.

In this lively Crypto Town Hall episode, the hosts and guests dive into Bitcoin's recent price action around $69K, debating whether the pullback from the 70s is healthy consolidation or signals more downside. Discussions cover Coinbase premium myths, ETF liquidity shifts, technical support levels like the 200-week MA, options-driven volatility, and aggressive trading vs. long-term DCA strategies. The conversation heats up with heated exchanges on market manipulation, leverage risks, Epstein-related FUD, quantum concerns, institutional trust erosion, and broader macro/geopolitical uncertainty—ending on a note that Bitcoin may serve as the ultimate trustless asset amid institutional chaos. A raw, unfiltered Monday morning crypto debate.

Is Bitcoin nearing a bottom or still searching for one? The answer depends less on charts and more on what's happening beneath the surface. In this livestream, we break down the growing evidence of structural stress from Bitcoin ETFs, futures, and options, the hidden impact of forced institutional unwinds, weakening sentiment across crypto equities, and why macro signals like PMI, collapsing metals volatility, and policy uncertainty are complicating the picture. With regulation, liquidity, and derivatives now driving price discovery, this isn't a simple “buy the dip” moment—it's a test of whether exhaustion is finally setting in, or if one more wave of forced selling is still ahead.

Stablecoins are no longer just a crypto utility, they're becoming the rails of the next financial system, and the real battle over who controls them is only beginning. In this conversation, Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino and Bo Hines explain why Tether built its technology years before regulation caught up, how liquidity and distribution now matter more than ideology, and why banks, governments, and institutions are all racing to secure their place in a system that's quietly reshaping Bitcoin, stablecoins, and global finance from the inside out.

Bitcoin has survived every crash so far, but this cycle's biggest threat isn't price, hype, or retail panic. In this interview, we break down the structural catalyst quietly building beneath Bitcoin's market, from custody and exchange risk to the growing influence of institutions, regulation, and market structure. If you think the next collapse will look like the last one, this conversation will change how you see Bitcoin's real vulnerabilities and what happens next if they're ignored.

In this episode of **Crypto Town Hall**, host Dave and panelists tackle the question: **Is crypto dead?** They dismiss recent price capitulation as another typical cycle low, not a death knell, pointing to repeated "Bitcoin is dead" claims over the past decade that proved wrong. They highlight extreme bearish sentiment (Fear & Greed at historic lows), forced liquidations, over-leveraged positions, regulatory delays (e.g., Clarity Act), fake narratives (Epstein-Satoshi rumors, quantum threats), and macro factors, while emphasizing Bitcoin's stronger fundamentals today versus prior cycles (network growth, relative cheapness vs. gold). Panelists see this as a bottoming process with potential sideways action or relief bounces ahead, viewing the dip as a major accumulation opportunity rather than the end of crypto.

Bitcoin's sudden collapse may have come from a hidden structural pressure, not panic or on chain weakness. In this video, we break down how Bitcoin ETFs, futures, and options now drive price discovery and how stress inside these markets can force selling that never appears as traditional liquidations. With record activity in Bitcoin ETFs, the move looks less like fear and more like a forced unwind of institutional positions, revealing how synthetic supply and derivatives can overpower spot demand and move Bitcoin fast.

In this Crypto Town Hall episode (Feb 2025), hosts and guests discuss brutal market capitulation across Bitcoin, crypto, silver, and equities amid widespread despair. They debate whether Bitcoin is truly decentralized, the impact of recent Epstein-file revelations tied to Adam Back/Blockstream, shifting OG sentiment, concentration risks (e.g. MicroStrategy), and whether the "digital gold" narrative still holds. Panelists weigh value vs. utility, macro pressures, potential bounces, and whether this is healthy purging or deeper structural damage—while urging listeners to re-evaluate priors and do their own research.

Bitcoin is selling off hard as the downturn spreads across every major asset class, signaling that this move is about more than crypto alone. Stocks, bonds, and even traditional safe havens are coming under pressure as liquidity tightens, leverage unwinds, and uncertainty rises around macro data, policy decisions, and global risk. In this livestream, we break down why Bitcoin is falling alongside broader markets, what this kind of synchronized selling usually means, and whether this represents a temporary volatility flush—or the early stages of a deeper, cross-market reset.

Bitcoin may be deeper into a crypto winter than headlines suggest, according to Matt Hougan, who argues the downturn has been quietly masked by institutional flows and ETF demand. In this discussion, we unpack how weakening retail participation, struggling altcoins, and collapsing crypto equities reveal underlying stress that Bitcoin's price alone doesn't show. Hougan's key takeaway is contrarian: if this has been a hidden winter all along, the market may be closer to exhaustion than collapse, setting the stage for stabilization or reversal as excess leverage clears and weaker participants exit the system.

The Crypto Town Hall panel discussed whether Bitcoin has already bottomed or is still in the process of bottoming, leaning toward cautious optimism given extreme fear, oversold signals, and a supportive macro environment. They touched on persistent crypto winter vibes, regulatory theater around stablecoins, growing institutional interest in tokenization, and the fast-emerging role (and risks) of autonomous AI agents in crypto trading and on-chain activity. They also noted shifting dynamics for alt tokens, with future value likely tied more to seamless interoperability, privacy, real-world asset tokenization, and efficient execution than raw transaction volume.

PMI may be quietly flashing an inflection signal for Bitcoin. While price action and sentiment remain under pressure, shifts in the Purchasing Managers' Index often lead changes in liquidity, rates, and risk appetite—and historically, Bitcoin has tended to turn before the broader economy does. In this livestream, we break down how recent PMI data could be signaling a slowdown that forces policy response, why that matters for Bitcoin more than most assets, and whether this macro indicator is hinting that the current selloff is closer to a reversal than a breakdown.

In this Crypto Town Hall episode, hosts discuss Bitcoin's recent dip to ~$74,000—still preserving its long-term higher-low structure—while contrasting crypto volatility with silver's dramatic 41% crash in just days versus Bitcoin's slower drawdown. The conversation covers Dave's X account hack and scam fallout, wild silver price swings due to thin liquidity and sentiment shifts, debates on no clear rotation from metals to crypto, lingering fallout from past events like 10/10 liquidations, and calls for better industry self-regulation. Amid bearish sentiment, thin buying interest, and potential further downside risks toward $58k–$60k, some see value in current levels long-term, with the episode wrapping on daily analysis returning tomorrow.

Bitcoin has plunged below $80,000, kicking off a broader wave of selling as uncertainty ripples through global markets. What started as a crypto move quickly spread into other asset classes, with precious metals, equities, and derivatives all feeling the pressure as leverage unwinds and liquidity tightens. In this livestream, we break down what's driving the crash, why correlations spike during moments of real stress, and whether this is a temporary volatility flush or the early stages of a deeper, cross-market reset fueled by macro risk and policy uncertainty.

Bitcoin didn't just survive the last cycle — it was reshaped by it. In this conversation, we break down how ETFs, regulation, politics, and institutional money are quietly transforming Bitcoin into a tool of power, not just a hedge or a trade. From why Bitcoin yield keeps failing, to why treasury companies and “safe” returns may be setting the stage for the next crisis, to how political polarization could become crypto's biggest threat, this interview cuts through the narratives and exposes what's actually happening beneath the surface. If you want to understand the real risks facing Bitcoin in the post-ETF era — before everyone else does — this is one you don't skip.

In this episode, the panel analyzes sharp volatility in metals, crypto, and markets following the Kevin Warsh Fed nomination, extreme crypto fear, and recent parabolic spikes in silver and gold. They debate potential peaks (silver possibly reverting to ~$50), Bitcoin's bearish setup and risk-asset correlation, decoupling from precious metals, reflation signals, energy/commodity trends, Trump-era deregulation for power and industry, stablecoin/tokenization growth, and Bitcoin's long-term thesis amid short-term pain.

Bitcoin, gold, and silver are all breaking down at the same time, sending a clear warning signal across global markets. In this video, we unpack why traditional safe havens and digital assets are selling off together, what this synchronized move says about liquidity stress, macro fear, and forced positioning, and why correlations tend to spike during moments of real market pressure. Is this a temporary flush driven by leverage and headlines—or the early signs of a deeper reset across hard assets? We break down what matters, what doesn't, and what to watch next as volatility accelerates.

In this Crypto Town Hall episode, host Scott and panelists discuss sharp market volatility as Bitcoin dips to ~$84K, gold and silver experience wild swings (including massive intraday moves and liquidations), and broader assets sell off amid macro uncertainty, geopolitical tensions, and precious metals speculation. The group debates whether crypto is in capitulation or awaiting a catalyst (Clarity Act progress, stablecoin adoption, central bank moves), why metals are outperforming right now, the risks of leverage, long-term rotation potential back to Bitcoin, and the enduring value of dollar-cost averaging through choppy times.

Bitcoin has gone unusually quiet just as gold and silver surge in parabolic fashion, creating a striking divergence across hard assets. In this livestream, we break down why capital is rushing into precious metals while Bitcoin's price stalls, what this shift says about macro fear, liquidity, and safe-haven demand, and whether Bitcoin is being left behind—or simply coiling for its next move. As markets digest geopolitical risk, policy uncertainty, and stress across traditional systems, this moment may reveal more about where Bitcoin fits in the global asset hierarchy than any short-term price char

In this Crypto Town Hall episode, the panel explores Bitcoin's stall around $89K amid strong gold and silver rallies drawing speculative crypto capital rotation (via Hyperliquid, tokenized metals, etc.). They discuss Tether's growing gold reserves, China's physical demand influence, silver's alt-season-like behavior, regulatory delays pushing trading offshore, and real-world asset tokenization. Guest Mike Cagney from Figure Markets details Democratized Prime, bringing high-yield on-chain assets (like mortgages) into DeFi for cross-collateralization and leapfrogging traditional finance.

Bitcoin and the broader crypto market are hitting a critical inflection point as regulatory pressure, government uncertainty, and Wall Street positioning collide. With major institutions preparing for the next wave of crypto exposure and policymakers debating rules that could reshape the industry, this moment may define how Bitcoin and digital assets evolve from here. In this livestream, we break down what's driving the tension, why clarity in regulation matters now more than ever, and whether the next move is led by conviction, compliance, or capital rotation.

In this Crypto Town Hall episode, Scott and guests discuss U.S. crypto legislation delays (Clarity Act, market structure bills), optimistic spring timelines, and token value accrual (hype vs. fundamentals, e.g., HYPE, BNB). They cover Bitcoin quantum risks (10–20 years away, not existential), Coinbase's advisory board, potential Fed Chair picks (Rick Rieder bullish on BTC), rising institutional adoption via ETFs/wirehouses, silver's frothy technicals, and the need for better marketing/education to attract new money amid current low inflows and market realism.

Gold and silver are surging as investors rush into safe-haven assets, driving sharp volatility across global markets—and raising new questions about what it means for Bitcoin's price action. In this livestream, we break down why precious metals are spiking, what the surge in volatility signals about macro stress and investor confidence, and whether Bitcoin is being treated as a risk asset or a competing store of value in this environment.

In this Crypto Town Hall episode, we unpack the wild silver surge hitting all-time highs amid euphoric (and defensive) sentiment, while Bitcoin and crypto stay frustratingly flat. We debate why precious metals are stealing the spotlight as the go-to safe haven right now, macro cross-currents shaking things up, Bitcoin's delayed breakout potential, self-custody hurdles, altcoin despair, and the growing role of Bitcoin-backed lending in 2026.

Bitcoin is trading in the shadow of Washington dysfunction as government shutdown risks collide with the stalled Crypto Clarity Act, keeping markets on edge. In this livestream, we break down how political gridlock, delayed regulation, and policy uncertainty are impacting Bitcoin's price action, liquidity, and investor confidence—and why clarity in Washington may matter more than any chart pattern right now.

In this in-depth and candid interview, Gary Cardone shares his unique perspective on Bitcoin, emphasizing that success in the space isn't just about timing the market but maintaining disciplined, long-term commitment. The conversation dives deep into the mindset that separates speculative traders from genuine builders, highlighting Bitcoin as a revolutionary “business” free from human error, offering unparalleled control over one's financial destiny. Gary explores how “old money” is now entering the Bitcoin market methodically, contrasting with the youthful speculative culture, and discusses the complexities of “clean” versus “dirty” Bitcoin, regulatory challenges, and institutional adoption. The interview also touches on how Bitcoin has transformed his worldview, politics, and approach to wealth preservation, making it a must-watch for anyone serious about understanding Bitcoin beyond price action and hype.

In this eye-opening episode, we sit down w/ George Tung w/ CryptosRUs to dive deep into why the traditional Bitcoin four-year cycle is breaking down, with geopolitical forces and Trump's policy moves now driving crypto's fate instead of just price action. Discover how ETFs, macro chaos, and leverage liquidations are reshaping markets, why gold and silver surged unexpectedly in 2025, and how serious players are pivoting to big-cap cryptos like Bitcoin and Ethereum amid retail uncertainty.

In this Crypto Town Hall, the crew dives into crypto's current flatline, Bitcoin and majors stuck while gold nears $5K and silver tops $100, with AI and commodities stealing the spotlight. They unpack flawed tokenomics from the early days (non-dilutive cash grabs with no real value flow), the need to purge worthless projects, and how institutional buyers like ETFs and MicroStrategy are quietly holding the line against long-term holder dumps. Plus, optimism around next week's SEC-CFTC coordination potentially fixing token economics, frustration with taxes killing real-world use, and why precious metals strength could set Bitcoin up for a big rebound."

Bitcoin is increasingly being shaped not just by markets, but by policy, as regulators around the world split into six distinct regulatory paths that could dramatically alter adoption, capital flows, and innovation. From Washington's stalled legislation and shifting SEC–CFTC dynamics to global divergence between enforcement-heavy regimes and innovation-friendly frameworks, today's stories highlight a growing reality: regulatory clarity is becoming a competitive advantage.

In this episode of Crypto Town Hall, hosts and guests vent frustration over the crypto market's prolonged stagnation, low volatility, extreme fear sentiment, shrinking altcoins, and repetitive headlines dominated by Trump, political gridlock, and regulatory uncertainty. They dissect the stalled Clarity Act and related bills, criticizing banking-lobby influence, ethics clause deadlocks, yield restrictions on stablecoins, and clauses that hinder tokenization and innovation. The conversation critiques elite control, Europe's regulatory self-sabotage, and the need for crypto to prioritize simple, user-friendly retail adoption over institutional capture or tribal infighting.

Crypto is back in the Washington spotlight as momentum around U.S. regulation slows, bipartisan alliances fracture, and pressure mounts on lawmakers to clarify the rules of the road. From stalled Senate negotiations and collapsing crypto coalitions to growing concerns over software developer protections, today's headlines highlight just how fragile regulatory progress has become. In this segment, we break down what's really happening in D.C., why political gridlock is creating uncertainty for builders and investors, and how upcoming election dynamics are reshaping the crypto narrative in Washington. Is this just a temporary pause—or a warning sign that U.S. policy risks falling further behind global competitors?

Bitcoin holds near $90,000 amid $1B+ in liquidations and extreme fear sentiment. We discuss capitulation among crypto natives, price resilience in a tight range, new money inflows, Bitcoin dominance, and why precious metals are outperforming.

Bitcoin and the broader crypto market are under heavy pressure this morning as a perfect storm of macro-driven selling, technical breakdowns, and forced liquidations hits risk assets. More than $1 billion in leveraged positions were wiped out, Bitcoin printed its longest losing streak in over a year, and traders are now debating whether the recent death cross signals deeper downside—or a classic shakeout before the next move.

In this Crypto Town Hall episode, the hosts and panelists break down Bitcoin's stubborn $90K-$95K range amid tariff threats from Trump targeting NATO allies over Greenland, sparking trade-war fears that weigh on crypto. They discuss altcoins lagging harder, capital flowing into record-high gold/silver, the NYSE's tokenized 24/7 equities plan (likely permissioned, not public-chain friendly), stalled U.S. market-structure legislation due to bank lobbying against stablecoin yield, and bullish long-term views on tokenization (HBAR/XRP inflows), institutional adoption, and neo-banks challenging traditional finance.

Bitcoin just printed one of the market's most feared technical signals — the Death Cross — and traders are already eyeing a potential move toward $58,000. In this episode, we break down what the Death Cross actually means, why some analysts believe it signals further downside, and why others argue it's a lagging indicator that often marks local bottoms. With sentiment cooling, liquidity thinning, and macro uncertainty still in play, is this the start of a deeper correction… or a classic bear trap before the next explosive move? Tune in for a no-nonsense breakdown of the charts, the psychology, and the levels that matter right now.

Join the daily roundtable we dive into Bitcoin holding steady around $92K amid weekend reversals and heavy liquidations, record ETF inflows clashing with crypto selling pressure, silver's explosive push toward $94+ with wild US Mint premiums, gold's industrial/monetary parallels, punishing leverage on breakouts, geopolitical headlines (Trump's Greenland interest, rare earths scramble, China/Canada tensions, NATO concerns), the NYSE exploring 24/7 blockchain trading, fierce altcoin debates and infighting, meme coin risks, and why momentum is flowing into metals over crypto right now.

Markets are flashing warning signs as Bitcoin struggles to gain traction and stocks wobble amid growing concern that Trump's latest policy moves could trigger a liquidity shock. In this episode we break down the weak BTC price action, rising macro stress and why traders are suddenly bracing for a potential liquidity dump that could hit both crypto and traditional markets at the same time.

Ben Cowen breaks down why the current Bitcoin market feels fundamentally different from previous cycles, highlighting that the recent peak resembled the 2019 style top characterized by apathy rather than euphoria. Ben remains cautiously optimistic, emphasizing the importance of diversification, patience, and data-driven analysis to navigate this misunderstood phase of the crypto cycle.

Bitcoin's price action is raising uncomfortable questions as capital floods in, regulation stalls, and power players all pull in different directions. In today's show we dig into whether Bitcoin manipulation is reaching new extremes, breaking down the role of banks, exchanges, and governments as Senate infighting delays the CLARITY Act, stablecoin rules become a battleground, privacy coins surge, and enforcement pressure ramps up alongside rising crypto-related crime. Is this growing pain—or a coordinated squeeze as crypto collides with the traditional system?

The latest episode of Crypto Town Hall dives into the dramatic postponement of the Senate Banking Committee's markup on the Clarity Act following Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong's public withdrawal of support. Panelists, including Scott Melker and guests like Carlo and Tom, unpack key controversies: recent amendments imposing a de facto ban on tokenized equities, restrictions on DeFi and privacy, erosion of CFTC authority, and a banking lobby push to block stablecoin yield/rewards to protect deposits. While some view Coinbase's influence as a bullish sign of crypto's growing DC power, others see it as evidence of entrenched banking interests stalling innovation. The group debates the bill's near-term viability (likely dead or heavily scaled back before midterms), its broader implications for tokenization and competition with traditional finance, and why Bitcoin's recent rally appears resilient despite the regulatory setback.

Crypto regulation hits another roadblock as the Senate Banking Committee delays the CLARITY Act markup, following industry pushback and intensifying political friction around stablecoin rewards, jurisdiction, and consumer protections. In today's show we break down why the delay happened, who's applying pressure behind the scenes, and what this pause means for Bitcoin, crypto markets, and near-term U.S. regulatory clarity as Washington once again struggles to move the industry's biggest bill forward.

In this Crypto Town Hall, the panel dives into Bitcoin's explosive rally past $97K, strong institutional buying via ETFs, and the "sticky" capital flowing from wirehouses and advisors making multi-year allocations. Guests break down Strategy's convertible debt flywheel, persistent demand absorbing supply, shifting market correlations, and the grinding higher move that could trigger FOMO. The conversation turns fiery on regulatory battles, stablecoin restrictions, banking lobbying risks, and the deeper debate: is mainstream ETF adoption real progress for Bitcoin's sovereignty ideals, or a centralized detour diluting its revolutionary promise?

Bitcoin and crypto got a jolt today as headlines pointed to a massive $130B jump in total crypto market cap in 24 hours, even while the policy backdrop stays messy with the Senate crypto bill markup reportedly pushed back amid negotiations over flashpoints like stablecoin rewards—fueling frustration that's now spilling into public pressure campaigns (including calls for Trump's “crypto czar” to step aside if a bill doesn't pass soon).

In this episode of Crypto Town Hall, the panel dives into the latest U.S. Senate draft amendments to the crypto market structure bill, exploring bipartisan compromises on stablecoin "rewards" (not yield), ongoing banking lobby influence, and the fluid markup timeline. Discussions cover the temporary protections banks may secure, and why many in crypto believe tokenization and automated sweeps will render much of the debate irrelevant in 5 years. The conversation also touches on Fed independence tensions, Powell's recent statements, CPI data quirks amid grocery affordability concerns, potential DeFi regulatory impacts, and why Bitcoin may be coiling for a breakout despite short-term chop.

The Senate Banking Committee just dropped updated market-structure language that would allow certain stablecoin rewards, setting up a major flashpoint ahead of markup and potentially reshaping how platforms can incentivize stablecoin use. At the same time, the market rotated hard into the privacy trade with Monero ripping into the top 15 and printing fresh all-time highs as headlines around privacy-token restrictions (including the UAE ban narrative) reignited demand for censorship-resistant assets.

In this Crypto Town Hall episode, the panel dives into Bitcoin's stall near $90K–$92K amid Strategy's record $1.25B BTC buy (13,627 coins), fueling talk of institutional accumulation, debt bets, and time-based capitulation. They cover Dubai's privacy-coin ban, stablecoin yield fights in the CLARITY Act, and Coinbase's lobbying pushback. The conversation turns macro with the Trump-Fed feud, DOJ subpoenas targeting Powell over Fed HQ spending, and shifting speculative flows into silver.

Markets are flashing warning signs as Bitcoin struggles to gain traction and stocks wobble amid growing concern that Trump's latest policy moves could trigger a liquidity shock. In this episode we break down the weak BTC price action, rising macro stress, questions around Fed independence, and why traders are suddenly bracing for a potential liquidity dump that could hit both crypto and traditional markets at the same time.

Charles Hoskinson Founder of IOHK & Cardano reflects on the crypto industry's turbulent past four years, marked by regulatory chaos, failed projects, and political mismanagement, which wiped out retail investors and left altcoins stagnant while Bitcoin became institutionalized. He emphasizes that 2026 is not a typical bull market but a necessary reset, driven by the need for a new generation of protocols focused on rational privacy, smart compliance, and chain abstraction that simplify user experience and enable mass adoption. Despite significant setbacks, including his own $2.5 billion paper loss, Charles remains optimistic about the future, comparing the upcoming crypto evolution to Amazon's transformation, where real utility and global decentralization will drive growth, reclaim retail trust, and resist Wall Street's institutional grip, ultimately shaping a stronger, privacy-centered, and politically neutral crypto ecosystem.

2025 may not have been a failure for Bitcoin but a crucial setup for a massive liquidity-driven surge in 2026, requiring $8 trillion to support debt interest payments. Raoul Pal explains how liquidity—not narratives—dominates price action, the Fed's diminished role due to fiscal dominance, and how AI, tokenization, and smart contracts will transform crypto and global markets. Despite setbacks like government shutdowns and market overhangs, institutional adoption and technological integration position 2026 as a pivotal year for a potential crypto bull run and economic shift.

In this insightful interview with Ran Neuner, we unpack the unprecedented October 10th crypto crash, a seemingly unnatural event that wiped out retail investors and drained market liquidity, leaving the crypto space in a state of apathy despite soaring global markets; yet, with Bitcoin breaking key technical levels and altcoins showing strength, Ran remains cautiously bullish, emphasizing that the market only needs “one green candle” — a decisive rally — to reignite retail interest, spark FOMO, and potentially signal the start of a significant recovery, especially as blockchain technology aligns with the AI revolution, making crypto poised to become the essential infrastructure for future trustless transactions.

In this Crypto Town Hall episode, hosts Scott and Dave discuss Bitcoin's prolonged consolidation around $90K-$92K amid remarkably low volatility and volume, describing it as time-based capitulation with the market awaiting a major catalyst. Panelists explore macro factors including persistent fiscal spending, dollar dilution, booming precious metals (gold nearly doubled, silver more than doubled in 2025), institutional moves like Morgan Stanley's crypto push, and potential capital rotation from gold/silver into Bitcoin and alts. Optimism remains high for 2026 upside driven by liquidity, infrastructure demand, and regulatory clarity, while the group debates risk appetite, fraud cleanup, and the inevitability of higher nominal growth despite near-term sideways action.