Crypto-Tied Stocks and Insurers Lead Financials Movers This Week

Charles Schwab stock reached a record high of $104.77 on January 17, 2026, as investors awaited the firm’s upcoming Winter Business Update on January 21 according to reports. The event will feature presentations from President and CEO Rick Wurster and CFO Mike Verdeschi. This performance highlighted the broader trend of investor confidence in financial services tied to crypto and digital assets.

Meanwhile, crypto infrastructure firms and exchanges attracted significant capital inflows. Alpaca and LMAX Group each secured $150 million in funding during the week, with Alpaca valued at $1.15 billion in its Series D round. The funding rounds underscored growing demand for institutional-grade crypto trading and custody infrastructure.

Regions Financial Corporation saw its stock fall nearly 10% after it reported fourth-quarter earnings that missed expectations, despite a solid full-year performance. The bank cited higher tax reserves and an effective tax rate of 24.5% as key factors behind the earnings shortfall.

Why the Move Happened

Charles Schwab’s record high was driven by anticipation for its business update, which will likely highlight strategic growth initiatives in digital investing and wealth management. The firm’s strong customer acquisition and product innovations have positioned it as a key player in the evolving financial technology landscape.

Crypto funding activity was dominated by infrastructure and payments projects, including Alpaca and LMAX Group. These firms are expanding access to trading APIs and custody solutions, catering to both institutional and retail investors. The funding rounds reflect increased institutional adoption of digital assets and the need for robust operational tools.

Regions Financial’s earnings miss stemmed from an unexpected increase in state income tax reserves. The bank’s effective tax rate rose from 19.7% in the third quarter to 24.5% in Q4. Despite the earnings shortfall, the bank reported strong year-end performance in key metrics like net interest margin and asset quality.

How Markets Responded

Charles Schwab’s stock hitting a new high demonstrated the market’s continued trust in the firm’s digital transformation and customer-centric strategy. The firm’s recent product launches and expansion into new services have supported its market leadership.

Regions Financial’s stock fell 9.5% in pre-market trading after the earnings report, reflecting investor concerns over short-term earnings performance and regulatory risks. However, the bank’s long-term financial metrics, such as its 3.70% net interest margin and 10.8% Common Equity Tier 1 ratio, remain strong.

What Analysts Are Watching

Analysts are closely following upcoming IPOs, including BitGo and EquipmentShare.com, which aim to raise a combined $936 million. These offerings highlight the market’s appetite for both digital infrastructure and physical equipment rental services. BitGo’s focus on institutional-grade custody solutions and EquipmentShare’s capital-light model are key differentiators.

Regulatory developments in the crypto space are also attracting attention. Galaxy Digital received approval from ERCOT for an additional 830 MW of power capacity, boosting confidence in its data center expansion plans. This regulatory approval could lead to further valuation increases for firms operating in the crypto infrastructure sector.

The financial risk management software market is also gaining momentum. SNS Insider reported that the market is projected to reach $12.91 billion by 2033, driven by regulatory compliance and market volatility. This growth highlights the increasing importance of risk monitoring tools for both financial and non-financial firms.

Investors are also monitoring the performance of new SPACs and IPOs, particularly those in the crypto and fintech spaces. The launch of the WOW Exchange’s upcoming cryptocurrency trading platform and the IPO of Green Circle Decarbonize Technology reflect the sector’s expansion. These developments could influence broader market sentiment in the coming weeks.

As the financial services industry continues to evolve, the interplay between crypto infrastructure, traditional banking, and regulatory compliance will remain a focal point for investors and analysts alike.