Crypto today: Safe-yield vaults hit $6B as traders chase gold and silver

The market can certainly look a bit better right now, but there’s something arguably more important that you should keep an eye on. On-chain “vaults,” designed to offer steadier, more transparent yields, are becoming one of the sector’s fastest-growing products.

Source: X

According to industry data, assets locked in crypto vaults have crossed $6 billion. Bitwise now expects that figure to double by the end of 2026, with rising demand for yield on stablecoins.

In a market where prices have lagged behind traditional assets, investors seem highly focused on earning predictable returns.

Vaults work by pooling user funds into smart contracts that deploy capital across lending or trading strategies, all on-chain and non-custodial.

Revolut’s banking model goes global

Revolut has taken a major step beyond Europe, officially launching full banking operations in Mexico. This is its first bank established outside the region. Fintech is pushing aggressively into high-growth, underbanked markets where digital banking still has limited competition.

To enter Mexico, Revolut obtained a full banking license through direct application, becoming the country’s first independent digital bank to do so. The unit has been capitalized with over $100 million, more than double the regulatory minimum.

The license enables Revolut to offer high‑yield savings accounts, foreign exchange services, holdings in over 30 currencies, and international money transfers.

Mexico is probably a testing ground for Revolut’s wider ambitions. The company is pursuing a full banking license in Peru and plans to roll out a payments platform in India. With more than 70 million customers worldwide, Revolut aims to reach 100 million daily active users across 100 countries.

Is crypto falling out of favor?

Over the past 12 months, nearly every major asset class has delivered positive returns, except crypto. Silver is up a staggering 267%, gold has gained 84%, copper is up 38%, and even equities like the Nasdaq and S&P 500 are solidly higher.

Source: X

In contrast, Bitcoin [BTC] is down 14%, Ethereum [ETH] is off 8%, the total crypto market cap has fallen 14%, with altcoins down nearly 50%.

Source: Google Trends

So, where is attention shifting? Google Trends data from the past week shows strong global interest in gold and silver, while searches for crypto remain largely flat.

Source: Santiment

Santiment’s social data backs this up. January began quietly as traders returned from holidays. Then gold stole the spotlight with sky high numbers, followed by a spike in Bitcoin interest when prices dipped.

That coincided with another crypto sell-off. Most recently, silver took center stage, surging past $117 before reversing to nearly $102 within hours as retail FOMO peaked.

Retail is chasing whatever is moving fastest. Right now, that’s not crypto.

Final Thoughts

• As crypto prices lag, capital is moving to safer on-chain yield, with vault assets already above $6 billion.
• Retail attention is rotating out of crypto and also into gold and silver.