The US dollar has been a bit choppy against the Japanese yen early on Tuesday, as we continue to see a lot of noisy trading behavior.
This is not a surprise considering that Friday is the non-farm payroll announcement and that will have a major influence on the US dollar and quite often influences the bond market, which has a major influence on this pair.
That being said, we are essentially in the middle of an overall consolidation range between 158 yen on the top and 154.5 yen on the bottom.
Over the longer term, I think the interest rate differential continues to be a major driver of where we go, and that, of course, favors the United States dollar.
The Potential Strengthening Point for the Yen
We might have a bit of a shrinking of the interest rate differential over the next several months, but I do not think it is likely to be enough to turn the market around on its own. The one thing that could come into the picture as a potential strengthening point for the yen would be if we get some type of economic problem that affects the globe or geopolitical concerns.
This is a market that generally favors the US dollar due to interest rate differential, but if we have a major risk-off event, then traders will, of course, come running to the Japanese yen.
As long as we stay above the 154.5 yen level, I think buying the dips will continue to be the move, as the interest rate differential continues to get you paid at the end of each session. The carry trade seems to still be alive and well at the moment.
Christopher Lewis has been trading Forex and has over 20 years experience in financial markets. Chris has been a regular contributor to Daily Forex since the early days of the site. He writes about Forex for several online publications, including FX Empire, Investing.com, and his own site, aptly named The Trader Guy. Chris favours technical analysis methods to identify his trades and likes to trade equity indices and commodities as well as Forex. He favours a longer-term trading style, and his trades often last for days or weeks.
If you’ve spent any time on social media lately, you’ll know that matcha has officially graduated from a niche health-shop staple to a full-blown lifestyle aesthetic. Whether you’re here for the “clean girl” vibes or you just genuinely enjoy drinking something that tastes like a premium garden, there is no denying the power of the green powder.
Well, the doughnut gods have finally listened. Krispy Kreme Australia has just announced the launch of its first-ever ‘Matcha Moment’ collection, and honestly? It’s about time. Starting today, 7 January 2026, the iconic glaze-masters are leaning into the green tea trend with a limited-edition lineup that includes two new doughnuts and three specialty drinks.
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But is it actually worth the hype, or just a very photogenic distraction? Let’s break down the menu.
The Doughnuts: A Tale of Two Textures
Krispy Kreme isn’t just dusting things with green powder and calling it a day. They’ve gone for two distinct vibes here:
The Matcha Ring Doughnut: This is for the purists. It’s the legendary Original Glazed® we all know and love, but it’s been dipped and drizzled with a smooth matcha-flavoured truffle icing. It’s simple, it’s sleek, and it’s the kind of treat that feels slightly more “sophisticated” to eat at your desk.
The Strawberry Matcha Doughnut: If the ring is the classy older sibling, this one is the fun, chaotic cousin. It’s packed with a sweet strawberry filling, coated in matcha icing, and topped with a white icing drizzle and sour raspberry sprinkles. It’s a sweet-meets-earthy-meets-tangy situation that shouldn’t work, but absolutely does.
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The Drinks: Hot, Cold, and Fruity
You can’t have a “Matcha Moment” without something to sip on. Krispy Kreme is rolling out three different ways to get your caffeine fix:
Matcha Latte: The classic. Steamed, frothy milk blended with their signature matcha. Perfect for those rare summer mornings when the office air conditioning is set to “arctic.”
Iced Matcha Latte: The standard summer go-to. It’s chilled, lightly sweetened, and layered over ice.
Iced Strawberry Matcha Latte: This is the one that will likely break the internet. With a layer of fruity strawberry puree at the bottom and creamy matcha on top, it’s basically a sunset in a cup.
The Verdict: Don’t Sleep on This
Aimee Cutajar, Marketing Director at Krispy Kreme ANZ, noted that matcha has been “at the top of the wishlist” for fans for a while. It’s a smart move, matcha demand has skyrocketed globally, and pairing that earthy umami flavour with the sugary hit of a doughnut is a classic “habit stack” for anyone looking for a little luxury in their day.
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The Catch? It’s called a “moment” for a reason. This collection is only available from 7 January to 3 February 2026. You can find them at participating shops across Australia (though South Australia will unfortunately have to sit this one out) or order them online.
Crypto prices lost momentum today, January 7, as investors started to book profits. Bitcoin retreated to $92,670 after hitting a key resistance level at $94,500. The Crypto Fear and Greed Index has moved to near 50, while the Altcoin Season Index rose to 23.
This article provides a prediction for top altcoins like Ethereum (ETH), JasmyCoin (JASMY), and Ripple (XRP).
Ethereum price technical analysis
ETH price has rebounded in the past few weeks, moving from a low of $2,768 in December to the current $3,255. It formed a double-bottom pattern at $2,768 and the neckline at $3,478, its highest point on December 10.
The token has moved above the 23.6% Fibonacci Retracement level and the 50-period Exponential Moving Average (EMA). The Supertrend indicator has turned green for the first time since December.
Therefore, the token will likely continue rising as bulls target the key resistance level at $3,478, which is about 7% above the current level. A move above that price will point to more gains, potentially to the 50% retracement level at $3,695.
Ethereum has bullish catalysts that may drive it higher in the coming weeks. One of them is that the supply of Ethereum tokens in exchanges has continued falling.
One reason for this is that Ethereum ETF inflows have continued rising. They rose by $114 million on Tuesday, the third consecutive day of inflows.
Another one is that the amount of staked ETH tokens has jumped. For example, BitMine has continued to stake its huge holdings, a process that will continue.
The Ethereum price will also benefit from the ongoing growth of its ecosystem in areas like decentralized finance and real-world asset tokenization.
XRP price technical analysis
The daily chart shows that the XRP price formed a triple-bottom pattern at $1.800. It failed to move below that level in October, November, and December last year.
The token has moved above the 50-day Exponential Moving Average. It has also moved above the Supertrend indicator for the first time since July last year.
Ripple price is now forming a bullish flag pattern, a common continuation sign in technical analysis. It has also moved above the descending trendline that connects the highest swings since October 2nd.
Therefore, the token will likely continue rising as bulls target the psychological point at $3,000, which is about 33% above the current level.
Like Ethereum, XRP price has some bullish catalysts, including the continuing ETF inflows and its growing utility.
Jasmy price prediction
Jasmy, a popular cryptocurrency known as Japan’s Bitcoin, has also started the year well. It jumped from a low of $0.00545 last week to a high of $0.0100, its highest point since November 11.
The daily chart shows that the coin’s Supertrend indicator has turned green, which is a highly bullish sign in technical analysis. The coin’s rebound also formed a small double-bottom pattern, a common bullish continuation sign in technical analysis.
Therefore, JasmyCoin price will likely continue rising in the near term, with the next key target being at $0.0136, up by 53% above the current level. It was also its highest level on October 3rd.
That’s what you can expect out of Derrick Rutledge according to celebrity Oprah Winfrey and first lady Michelle Obama.
The great Derrick Rutledge shares a few of his make up tips. Check them out:
Rutledge prefers a combination of creams and liquids after prepping the skin with moisturizer. Then he applies tinted creams to hide discolorations, sealing the look with a natural mineral powder.
He is a master at contouring. He uses dark and light foundations (as opposed to powders) to create shadows and highlights along the jaw line, under the chin, and underneath the cheekbone area. “I love contouring. It’s the one feature that will lift the face up and make it appear 10 years younger,” he said, tweaking his technique according to the shape and colour of a woman’s face.
For manicured eyebrows he has some great tip: “Get a white pencil and draw your brows.” It may look funny but it’s the best way to map out your eyebrow shape. Once you have done that, Rutledge suggests that you use tweezers and “take out all the hair outside that white area and below. Once you take it out you will see you have a beautiful arched brow.” Rutledge uses good quality eyeliner and nutrient-rich mascara to enhance the eye area.
For a sexy lip, he often creates the impression of a gloss with no liner — using more tricks, of course. “You blend a (lip-coloured) pencil in with a brush, put powder on it, and then apply the gloss,” he said. Otherwise, he said the gloss bleeds into the skin, creating a glazed doughnut look.
For nighttime, Rutledge deepen the look by adding eye shadows with more colour and sheen, and more lashes. He may use rich lip colour, too, depending on the intensity of the eye. But he says the real challenge for a makeup artist is to make a celebrity’s face work outside during the day. Either way, it takes him about 45-minutes to complete.
Rutledge has little trace of a diva attitude; rather he exudes warmth and passion. He also has a knack for refashioning a scene so that his client always comes out looking and feeling her best.
Rutledge is set to release a new beauty care line called Ü, pronounced “ooh” with business partner, Tim Byrd. “The reason we pronounce it ‘ooh’ is because we find that women, when they immediately like something, they go ‘ooh!’ ” he explained.
Disclaimer The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
The EURJPY pair suffered strong negative pressures, reaching below the bullish channel’s support at 183.45 level, to suffer intraday losses by targeting 182.80 level, which forms a key support level to take advantage of its rally towards 183.40.
The confinement between extra support at 182.80 and 183.60 level makes us expect extending the support of the broken bullish channel, to keep the neutrality until confirming the trend by surpassing one of these levels, note that the price rally above 183.60 will reinforce the chances of renewing the bullish attempts, to expect targeting 184.40 barrier, and surpassing it will form next target at 184.90 level in the bullish trading.
The expected trading range for today is between 182.80 and 183.60
The Brazil nutraceuticals market size was estimated at USD 14.08 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 29.82 billion by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 8.7% from 2025 to 2033. The market is experiencing steady growth, driven by an aging population, rising health awareness, and a growing middle class with increased disposable income.
Key Market Trends & Insights
By product, the functional food segment held the highest market share of 32.8% in 2024.
Based on application, the weight management & satiety segment held the highest market share of 17.2% in 2024.
By distribution channel, the offline segment held the highest market share of 79.2% in 2024.
Market Size & Forecast
2024 Market Size: USD 14.08 Billion
2033 Projected Market Size: USD 29.82 Billion
CAGR (2025-2033): 8.7%
Consumers are increasingly turning to supplements for preventive healthcare, particularly to manage chronic conditions such as obesity and diabetes. Post-pandemic, there is heightened demand for immunity-boosting and natural products, including those featuring native superfoods such as acai and guarana. E-commerce and influencer marketing are further accelerating market expansion, especially among younger demographics. Moreover, regulatory clarity from ANVISA has boosted industry confidence and encouraged innovation.
In addition to demographic and health-driven factors, Brazil’s abundant biodiversity plays a crucial role in supporting the nutraceuticals market. The country’s vast natural resources enable the development of unique, plant-based products that appeal to both local consumers and international buyers seeking clean-label, functional products.
Consumer Insights
In Brazil, people’s choices around supplements vary a lot depending on their age and income. Older adults usually look for products that help with immunity, joint issues, and heart health, and they tend to trust recommendations from pharmacists. People in their 30s and 40s are more focused on staying energized, aging well, and managing stress, and many of them prefer easy-to-use formats such as powders or drinks. Younger adults, especially those in their 20s, are big on fitness, skin health, and convenience, often choosing gummies or energy shots they see promoted on social media. While wealthier consumers are willing to pay more for personalized or organic products, budget-conscious shoppers usually go for bundle deals or local brands that offer good value.
Probiotics are becoming more popular, especially with women in cities, thanks to growing awareness around gut health and immunity. Collagen, especially when combined with vitamin C or hyaluronic acid, is trending among women focused on beauty, with drinkable formats in high demand.
Product Insights
The dietary supplements segment dominated the Brazil nutraceuticals market and accounted for a revenue share of 32.8% in 2024. Growth of this segment is primarily driven by growing public interest in wellness and preventive health. With lifestyle-related conditions such as obesity, diabetes, and stress becoming more common, many Brazilians are turning to vitamins, minerals, and herbal supplements to stay ahead of chronic illnesses. This shift is especially noticeable among urban, health-conscious consumers who view supplements as part of a daily routine rather than a temporary fix.
The functional beverages segment is anticipated to experience the fastest CAGR of 10.0% during the forecast period. This segment is experiencing rapid growth as more consumers look for convenient ways to stay healthy on the go. Urban lifestyles, increased gym culture, and growing concern over chronic conditions such as diabetes and obesity are pushing demand for drinks that support immunity, digestion, hydration, or energy. Products such as kombucha, protein waters, and vitamin-fortified juices are gaining traction, especially among younger demographics in major cities.
Application Insights
The weight management & satiety segment dominated the Brazilian dietary supplements market in 2024. Rising obesity rates and growing public interest in preventive health drive growth. Consumers are increasingly drawn to natural ingredients such as glucomannan, guar gum, green tea extract, and Garcinia cambogia, which help suppress appetite and promote fullness. Functional foods and supplements that support satiety, such as fiber-rich powders, high-protein shakes, and metabolism-boosting capsules, are gaining ground across pharmacies and online platforms. Urban professionals and fitness-focused consumers especially favor these products for managing weight without relying on drastic diets. In April 2025, specialty‐ingredient distributor Barentz Brazil presented solutions focused on weight-control and satiety at the NIS 2025. Presentation highlighted Soluble Fiber Nutriose and Nutralys Pea Protein supporting weight control and satiety.
Based on application, the men’s health segment is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR from 2025 to 2033. This segment is expanding steadily, driven by increased awareness of male-specific health concerns such as testosterone support, prostate function, and metabolic health. Younger men are turning to supplements for muscle gain and energy, while older demographics seek support for vitality and chronic condition management. Popular products include protein powders, amino acids, omega-3s, and plant-based testosterone boosters. The country’s strong fitness culture and widespread use of digital wellness platforms have also amplified demand.
Distribution Channel Insights
The offline distribution segment held the largest revenue share of the market in 2024. Major pharmacy chains such as Raia Drogasil, Pague Menos, and DPSP are instrumental in providing consumer trust through face-to-face guidance and convenient access. Many Brazilians still prefer purchasing supplements in person, valuing pharmacist recommendations and product visibility. Supermarkets such as Carrefour and DIA also contribute significantly, offering functional foods and supplements alongside routine groceries. This physical retail presence is especially important for older consumers and those less active online, reinforcing brand credibility and boosting impulse purchases.
The online distribution segment is projected to experience the fastest CAGR from 2025 to 2033. In Brazil, the digital channel is becoming a key driver for the nutraceutical market as consumers increasingly prefer the convenience, breadth of choice, and home-delivery option offered by online platforms. These channels are especially attractive for urban, tech-savvy shoppers who seek functional foods and dietary supplements for weight management, men’s health, and other wellness purposes.
Key Companies & Market Share Insights
Some of the key companies operating in Brazil dietary supplements industry include Amway, Haleon plc, GSK plc., Yakult S/A Indústria e Comércio, and others.
Amway is a leading player through its Nutrilite brand, supported by a certified-organic acerola farm in Ubajara, Ceará, which serves as a key global supply source. The farm cultivates vitamin C-rich botanicals using sustainable, traceable farming methods.
Key Brazil Nutraceuticals Companies:
Amway
Haleon plc
GSK plc.
Yakult S/A Indústria e Comércio
The Kraft Heinz Company
Recent Developments
In April 2024, MuscleTech entered a manufacturing and marketing agreement with Brazil-based Trust Group to produce Brazil-specific SKUs, including male-performance oriented products (e.g., NitroTech, Creatine Chews) in-country. This expansion underlines men-oriented supplement demand in Brazil.
Brazil Dietary Supplements Market Report Scope
Report Attribute
Details
Market size value in 2025
USD 15.30 billion
Revenue forecast in 2033
USD 29.82 billion
Growth rate
CAGR of 8.7% from 2025 to 2033
Actuals
2021 – 2024
Forecast period
2025 – 2033
Quantitative units
Revenue in USD million and CAGR from 2025 to 2033
Report coverage
Revenue forecast, company ranking, competitive landscape, growth factors, trends
Segments covered
Product, application, distribution channel
Key companies profiled
Amway; Haleon plc; GSK plc.; Yakult S/A Indústria e Comércio; The Kraft Heinz Company
Customization scope
Free report customization (equivalent up to 8 analysts working days) with purchase. Addition or alteration to country, regional & segment scope.
This report forecasts revenue growth at the country level and provides an analysis of the latest industry trends in each of the sub-segments from 2021 to 2033. For this study, Grand View Research has segmented the Brazil nutraceuticals market report based on product, application, and distribution channel:
Product Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2021 – 2033)
Dietary Supplements
Tablets
Capsules
Soft Gels
Powders
Gummies
Liquid
Others
Functional Food
Functional Beverages
Energy drink
Sports drink
Others (Functional dairy based beverages, kombucha, kefir, probiotic drinks, and functional water)
Infant Formula
Application Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2021 – 2033)
Distribution Channel Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2021 – 2033)
Jakarta, Pintu News – Dogecoin (DOGE) is showing signs of a significant shift after several years in a predominantly bearish market structure.
Recent price movements on both short-term and long-term time frames indicate that the meme coin may be preparing for a larger directional move, while market participants are closely watching DOGE’s response around key technical levels.
On January 7, 2026, Dogecoin saw a 1.85% dip over the past 24 hours, trading at $0.1478, which is approximately IDR 2,487. During the same 24-hour period, DOGE fluctuated between IDR 2,606 and IDR 2,417.
At the time of writing, Dogecoin holds a market capitalization of around IDR 428.33 trillion, with a 24-hour trading volume of roughly IDR 31.55 trillion.
Analyst X by the name of Trader Tardigrade notes that Dogecoin is currently visible on the weekly chart, where the price continues to touch the descending trendline that has limited the upside since its peak in 2021. It is this trendline that has kept Dogecoin in a downward trend throughout most of the current cycle.
What makes this situation different is the price response after breaking the trendline in 2024. Instead of experiencing a sharp rejection, DOGE showed a retracement and retest in the same region.
This retest is important because it signals that an area of resistance may turn into an area of acceptance, especially if there is confidence from buyers to continue defending the region.
The current price structure also suggests compression around the trendline, with a series of higher lows compared to the bottoms formed in 2022 and 2023.
From a market cycle perspective, if DOGE is able to hold strong above this trend line, it could turn into a support level and potentially push the price back to test higher resistance levels as recorded in late 2021 to 2022.
Dogecoin Daily Chart Shows Accumulation After Liquidity Sweep
On the daily chart (6/1), BitGuru analysts pointed out some clear market phases to explain why the bearish bias still remains in the Dogecoin market.
In the early stages of the market movement, it was seen that DOGE formed arounded base pattern and then entered a strong expansion phase until it peaked slightly above the $0.25 level. However, in the first week of October, the price started to fall and swept away late long positions, resulting in the market sentiment turning negative.
The price declines that occurred in November and December were fairly controlled without any strong rallies or consistent patterns of lower highs. This suggests a distribution pattern, not a panic sell-off. When prices broke through equal lows, many stop losses were triggered, and liquidity on the sell side was absorbed.
After that liquidity sweep phase, Dogecoin entered a period of tight consolidation. Volatility began to diminish, and the downward pressure began to lose steam, although the price remained above the $0.12-$0.13 range.
The latest breakout in January 2026 shows that DOGE managed to return to the $0.14-$0.15 range with strong buying pressure, signaling a potential further upside movement after this accumulation phase.
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*Disclaimer
This content aims to enrich readers’ information. Pintu collects this information from various relevant sources and is not influenced by outside parties. Note that an asset’s past performance does not determine its projected future performance. Crypto trading activities have high risk and volatility, always do your own research and use cold cash before investing. All activities of buying and selling bitcoin and other crypto asset investments are the responsibility of the reader.
Gold is correcting from weekly highs of $4,500 early Wednesday as buyers take a breather after the recent relentless upsurge, backed by geopolitical flare-ups globally and increased US Federal Reserve (Fed) interest rate cut bets for 2026.
Gold sees profit-taking ahead of key US jobs data
Having climbed nearly 4% so far this week, traders resort to profit-taking on their Gold long positions in a readjustment move after the bright metal ran into the $4,500 barrier.
Traders also gear up for a bunch of high-impact US economic data releases due later on Wednesday, including the ADP monthly Employment Change, JOLTS Job Openings and ISM Services PMI data.
These data will be closely scrutinized to gauge the timing of the next Fed rate cut as markets continue pricing in two rate reductions for this year. Weaker-than-expected jobs and private services sector data could reaffirm bets for two cuts in the coming months, boding well for non-yielding assets like Gold at the expense of the US Dollar (USD).
On Monday, the US ISM Manufacturing PMI declined to 47.9 in December, against the forecast of 48.3, reinforcing dovish Fed expectations and keeping the recovery attempts in the USD short-lived.
The ongoing bearish undertone around the USD, combined with the escalating geopolitical tensions globally, continues to keep the positive momentum intact in Gold, despite the latest retracement.
On the latest geopolitical developments, Russia deployed submarine and other naval vessels to escort an aging oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela, according to the Wall Street Journal (WSJ).
Meanwhile, China ramped up tensions with Japan by banning exports of goods with potential military uses, following Taiwan-related remarks by Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.
Gold price technical analysis: Daily chart
In the daily chart, the 21-day Simple Moving Average (SMA) advances above the 50-day, with price holding over both, signaling firm bullish momentum. The 21-day SMA at $4,363.88 acts as nearby dynamic support. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) at 63.41 remains in bullish territory without overbought readings, keeping the bias tilted to the upside.
Broader trend metrics stay supportive as the 100- and 200-day SMAs continue to climb and the market trades above them. The moving average stack shows buyers in control, with secondary support at the 50-day SMA around $4,212.04 and deeper layers near the 100-day at $3,997.46 and the 200-day at $3,653.43. As long as price holds above the 21-day SMA, the uptrend would extend, while pullbacks could be absorbed into the rising averages.
(The technical analysis of this story was written with the help of an AI tool)
Economic Indicator
ADP Employment Change
The ADP Employment Change is a gauge of employment in the private sector released by the largest payroll processor in the US, Automatic Data Processing Inc. It measures the change in the number of people privately employed in the US. Generally speaking, a rise in the indicator has positive implications for consumer spending and is stimulative of economic growth. So a high reading is traditionally seen as bullish for the US Dollar (USD), while a low reading is seen as bearish.
Monetary policy in the US is shaped by the Federal Reserve (Fed). The Fed has two mandates: to achieve price stability and foster full employment. Its primary tool to achieve these goals is by adjusting interest rates.
When prices are rising too quickly and inflation is above the Fed’s 2% target, it raises interest rates, increasing borrowing costs throughout the economy. This results in a stronger US Dollar (USD) as it makes the US a more attractive place for international investors to park their money.
When inflation falls below 2% or the Unemployment Rate is too high, the Fed may lower interest rates to encourage borrowing, which weighs on the Greenback.
The Federal Reserve (Fed) holds eight policy meetings a year, where the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) assesses economic conditions and makes monetary policy decisions.
The FOMC is attended by twelve Fed officials – the seven members of the Board of Governors, the president of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, and four of the remaining eleven regional Reserve Bank presidents, who serve one-year terms on a rotating basis.
In extreme situations, the Federal Reserve may resort to a policy named Quantitative Easing (QE). QE is the process by which the Fed substantially increases the flow of credit in a stuck financial system.
It is a non-standard policy measure used during crises or when inflation is extremely low. It was the Fed’s weapon of choice during the Great Financial Crisis in 2008. It involves the Fed printing more Dollars and using them to buy high grade bonds from financial institutions. QE usually weakens the US Dollar.
Quantitative tightening (QT) is the reverse process of QE, whereby the Federal Reserve stops buying bonds from financial institutions and does not reinvest the principal from the bonds it holds maturing, to purchase new bonds. It is usually positive for the value of the US Dollar.
Maya Schneidman and Daniela Kolber are heirs to two of Israel’s most prominent business families. Both are in their twenties, childhood friends whose bond was forged through close family ties. In recent years, they have also built a trendy lifestyle empire entirely of their own making. At the height of the coronavirus pandemic in 2021, the two launched Mix and Matcha, a wellness brand centered on powdered green tea sourced from Japan. The product has taken the global superfood world by storm, and increasingly, Israeli consumers as well.
Six years later, Mix and Matcha is Israel’s first dedicated matcha company. It has played a central role in introducing authentic Japanese matcha culture to the local market and has cultivated a loyal and growing community of enthusiasts. Schneidman and Kolber went door to door at cafes in major cities, armed with samples of green tea powder. They traveled across the country to coffee carts looking for the next big thing and pitched bartenders and restaurant owners on the commercial appeal of the healthy, stylish trend. Over the past five years, the two have become key figures in Israel’s matcha revolution. “We are matcha pioneers,” they say with a smile.
Maya Schneidman and Daniela Kolber, leading Israel’s matcha revolution
(Photo: Reyan Preuss)
Along the way, they taught Israelis to order matcha alongside a croissant, to drink it at home with milk and cinnamon, and to incorporate it into cocktails, smoothies and desserts. Soon, they say, consumers will also be able to experience matcha-based fragrances. Their perfume line is being developed in New York, and the testers they have already brought to Israel hint at scents that are addictive and well suited to fans of artisanal fragrances.
One sensitive topic for them is the assumption that their success stems from their parents’ wealth. “I did not want money from my parents. It was a matter of principle for me,” Schneidman says. “I knew this would either be a very big success or a very big failure, and in either case, I wanted it to be on me. I invested the money I earned from my fashion blog.” Kolber adds: “I invested my military grant.”
How much did you invest? “I will not say exactly how much, but not a lot at all,” Schneidman says. Kolber adds: “Let’s say that when we started, we bought 300 units of 30 grams of matcha. Today we buy matcha by the ton. You can do the math.”
They import only high-quality matcha that is also used in Japan for ceremonial purposes. For years, they have focused on building a complete experience around the product, including market education, branding and developing a category that did not previously exist in Israel.
Since its founding, Mix and Matcha has grown into a leading national brand, with thousands of loyal customers and a clear ambition to make matcha a daily staple, like coffee or wine, while expanding into additional health-focused products.
Today, the company employs about 10 full-time and part-time staff members and is in the midst of rapid expansion ahead of opening offices in Tel Aviv. Schneidman and Kolber also dream of conquering the American market and have already begun taking concrete steps toward New York.
Muki Schneidman Photo: Orel Cohen
Their confidence is rooted, in part, in the environment in which they were raised. Schneidman, 26, is the daughter of business leaders Ronit and Muki Schneidman, founders of fashion and real estate ventures and current owners of Direct Insurance. She splits her time between New York and Tel Aviv after completing a bachelor’s degree in finance at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
Jonathan KolberPhoto: Nimrod Glikman
Kolber, 28, who is engaged to be married, is the daughter of business leaders and philanthropists Irit and Yonatan Kolber. Her mother owns the well-known Claro restaurant in Tel Aviv. Kolber earned a bachelor’s degree in marketing and fashion at FIT in New York and a master’s degree in marketing and psychology in London. She says she relied heavily on consumer psychology in building the brand.
“The Israeli palate is very open to trends. People here like trying new things,” Schneidman says. “For example, there was a crazy trend recently of drinking matcha with coconut water,” Kolber says. “We bring it to Israel and educate the audience. In the summer, people were making matcha with strawberries or blended mango, and we will bring that idea to the cafes we work with as well.” They insist that people who say they dislike matcha likely encountered a low-quality product that tastes like seaweed, not the premium matcha they import.
To demonstrate, Schneidman prepares a seasonal winter matcha they developed themselves and teach cafe owners to make. She whisks the green powder with almond milk, adds cinnamon and a hint of vanilla extract, and serves it. They wait anxiously as I taste it. It is genuinely delicious, all wrapped in the meticulous aesthetic they are known for.
Beyond the product itself, the founders have successfully created a vibrant matcha-loving community that has been consuming their products for five years, requesting them at cafes and restaurants and showing strong brand loyalty. Together with their partner Amit Mendel, who left a high-tech career to join the green vision two years ago, they are now looking overseas.
“We are entering the US market soon, opening a warehouse and shipping across the continent,” Schneidman says. “Other markets also interest us.”
The global matcha market is experiencing rapid growth and is currently valued at an estimated $4 billion to $5 billion, counting only the powder itself and excluding related accessories. Forecasts project the market will reach $8 billion to $10 billion within less than a decade.
The American market, however, is crowded with matcha brands. “That is true, but we know what we are doing,” she says. “There is always room for another brand, especially one that is young and speaks to its audience.”
Today, Mix and Matcha supplies more than 400 cafes across Israel. They work exclusively with ceremonial-grade matcha imported directly from Japan, a product now facing a global shortage due to production limits and lengthy growing processes. “We plan our inventory quarterly and order tons in advance,” Schneidman says. Kolber adds: “Bringing a new product to market is incredibly challenging. Sustaining a consumer brand over time requires depth, strategy and constant evaluation. We hold weekly and long-term planning meetings to understand where we are and where we want to be.”
Matcha is a unique Japanese green tea in which the entire leaf is ground and consumed, rather than steeped, resulting in a highly concentrated nutritional profile. There are three grades of matcha: ceremonial grade, considered the highest quality; premium grade; and the lowest grade, cooking matcha. The finest leaves are grown under shade, harvested across three picking seasons each year, and then steamed, dried and slowly ground into an ultra-fine powder, a process that preserves their health benefits. Matcha contains antioxidants, chlorophyll and L-theanine, an amino acid that, according to aficionados, delivers focused yet calm energy over time.
The global matcha market is experiencing rapid growth and is currently valued at an estimated $4 billion to $5 billion, counting only the powder itself and excluding related accessories. Forecasts project the market will reach $8 billion to $10 billion within less than a decade, with annual growth of about 8 to 10 percent, among the highest rates in the tea and beverage category. Growth is being driven by global trends in health, functional drinks and coffee alternatives.
In Israel, the matcha market is estimated at tens of millions of shekels annually and is rising sharply, with rapid adoption in cafes, offices and home consumption.
How do you explain the hype around matcha? “That is the thing, it is not hype,” Kolber says. “My mother, for example, does not drink coffee. She drinks matcha. We always knew it was something real, something that was part of our routine.”
“I was a matcha-obsessed kid,” Schneidman says. “At 13, I was baking matcha cookies and handing them out to friends, and everyone said, ‘What is wrong with you?’ What hooked me was that you can do so much with the powder. It is both an everyday product and something trendy. You want to taste it and be part of a wellness, health and superfood community.”
‘Our parents truly believe in us,” Schneidman says. “Sometimes I tell my father, ‘You are just saying it is good because I am your daughter,’ and he tells me, ‘You have something good here. Do not give up in difficult moments.’’
It seems your connection to the trend is also linked to the environment you grew up in, where there is more exposure to experimentation and premium products. “Exposure to premium products definitely plays a role,” Schneidman says, “but that is not why there is hype. Matcha speaks to a broad palate. Coffee culture has evolved significantly in recent years, so has wine culture, and matcha has also become a drink you consume every day.”
The two have known each other since childhood and say they are “like cousins.” “Our families spent a lot of time together, shared meals and gatherings. We became family in every sense,” they say. “As teenagers, we also formed a close friendship of our own.”
What do your parents say about your success? “They are incredibly supportive and proud of us. They know how to give good advice when needed and are always there,” Schneidman says. “We have the best support system in the world,” Kolber adds. “My mother, Ronit, has been in our WhatsApp group from the very beginning,” Schneidman says. “She loves the brand and gives us tips. I always joke that she is our best salesperson, because at every cafe she sits in, she asks whether they serve Mix and Matcha. When we first started, there were months when she packed matcha and customer orders and helped keep the business running while we were both studying.”
Kolber adds: “My mother owns a restaurant in Tel Aviv, and her team advises us. I talk to them a lot.”
And yes, Claro serves matcha.
“It was not automatic,” Schneidman says. “They held tastings and did not accept the product right away.” “It was a normal process, like with any cafe and any supplier,” Kolber says. “Aside from an introduction, there were no shortcuts. There is no financial juice here. What there is, is a strong consulting framework.”
“Our parents truly believe in us,” Schneidman says. “Sometimes I tell my father, ‘You are just saying this is good because I am your daughter,’ and he says, ‘You have something good here. Do not give up during the hard moments.’”
Pi Network is steadily transforming the landscape of digital economies by bringing together millions of pioneers under a unified vision of utility, innovation, and community-driven development. With over 60 million users, Pi Network is no longer just a cryptocurrency platform—it is evolving into a Web3 ecosystem that fuses gaming, artificial intelligence, and decentralized finance, offering unprecedented utility for its participants.
The recent announcements highlight two major pillars of the Pi economy: Web3 gaming through CiDi Games and decentralized AI tasks via OpenMind. Both initiatives exemplify the network’s strategy of leveraging community power to generate real-world value, transcending traditional notions of digital currency and positioning PiCoin as a practical tool within a broader digital ecosystem.
Web3 gaming is a fast-growing sector within the blockchain space, offering decentralized ownership, tokenized rewards, and immersive experiences that empower users to participate actively in digital economies. CiDi Games, integrated with Pi Network, provides Pioneers the opportunity to become part of this emerging gaming universe. By participating in game economies, users can earn, spend, and utilize PiCoin, reinforcing the coin’s utility and creating a tangible bridge between digital assets and interactive entertainment.
Beyond gaming, Pi Network’s collaboration with OpenMind introduces a decentralized approach to artificial intelligence. Global AI tasks can be distributed across the network, harnessing the collective computational power and participation of Pi Pioneers. This not only accelerates AI development but also ensures that the benefits of innovation are shared broadly across the community. By combining PiCoin incentives with practical AI applications, Pi Network demonstrates a model where digital currency drives participation and value creation in real-world technological advancements.
The fusion of gaming and AI within the Pi ecosystem represents a new paradigm of utility for cryptocurrency. Rather than being a speculative asset dependent on market fluctuations, PiCoin is positioned as a tool for active engagement, productivity, and creative participation. Users are no longer passive holders; they become contributors, decision-makers, and beneficiaries of a decentralized economic model.
Community engagement is central to Pi Network’s approach. The platform’s 60M+ pioneers are the backbone of its ecosystem, providing the computational, social, and economic input required to sustain both gaming and AI applications. The network’s design ensures that participation is accessible to a broad audience while incentivizing meaningful contributions through rewards, governance participation, and opportunities for skill development.
The decentralized nature of these initiatives reinforces Pi Network’s commitment to Web3 principles. By distributing both computational tasks and governance across its community, the network avoids centralization risks while fostering a cooperative and participatory environment. This model contrasts with traditional centralized platforms, where value creation and decision-making are concentrated among a few stakeholders. Pi Network empowers its pioneers, aligning incentives with active participation and long-term ecosystem growth.
Technically, the integration of CiDi Games and OpenMind within the Pi Network ecosystem requires robust infrastructure. The network has continuously enhanced its blockchain capabilities, ensuring scalability, security, and efficient transaction processing. These improvements are critical as PiCoin moves beyond simple transactions to more complex applications involving gaming economies and distributed AI computation. The technical readiness of the platform is a key factor in enabling widespread adoption and maintaining user confidence.
From a market perspective, these developments position Pi Network as a project with tangible utility, addressing a challenge faced by many cryptocurrencies: demonstrating real-world relevance. By connecting PiCoin to gaming and AI applications, the network creates clear avenues for value generation and economic participation, moving beyond speculative investment to practical engagement. This strategy also enhances liquidity, network activity, and long-term sustainability, as users interact with the coin in meaningful ways.
The integration of Web3 gaming and AI also illustrates the potential for Pi Network to influence broader trends in digital economies. Gaming, AI, and decentralized finance are converging sectors within the blockchain ecosystem. Projects that can successfully combine these domains have the potential to redefine digital engagement, offering users multifaceted opportunities to earn, interact, and innovate within a unified platform. Pi Network’s initiatives exemplify this approach, demonstrating how community-driven ecosystems can create both economic and technological value.
For pioneers, active participation in these initiatives is both rewarding and impactful. Gamers within CiDi Games can earn PiCoin through play, while contributors to OpenMind tasks can leverage their computational resources for AI problem-solving. These mechanisms create feedback loops where participation strengthens the network, enhances utility, and incentivizes further engagement. By fostering such loops, Pi Network ensures that value is continuously created, distributed, and reinvested into the ecosystem.
The broader implications for Web3 adoption are significant. Projects that demonstrate practical utility, community involvement, and technical readiness are better positioned to achieve mainstream recognition and adoption. Pi Network’s focus on gaming and AI not only drives pioneer engagement but also provides a blueprint for other decentralized ecosystems seeking to integrate multiple domains of utility under a single token economy.
Education and onboarding remain essential as the network grows. Pioneers need clear guidance on participating in gaming economies, contributing to AI tasks, and leveraging PiCoin within the ecosystem. The Pi Core Team continues to provide resources, tutorials, and community support, ensuring that participation is accessible, engaging, and productive for all users. This focus on user empowerment is a defining characteristic of the Pi Network model.
Looking ahead, Pi Network’s emphasis on utility positions it for long-term growth and sustainability. By aligning its 60M+ pioneers with Web3 gaming and decentralized AI, the network is creating a self-sustaining economy where value flows organically through participation, collaboration, and innovation. This approach contrasts with many cryptocurrencies that rely solely on speculative demand, demonstrating that a well-structured, community-driven ecosystem can generate real-world impact.
In conclusion, Pi Network is redefining the role of digital currency by combining gaming, AI, and decentralized participation within a single ecosystem. Its 60M+ pioneers are not just users—they are contributors, decision-makers, and beneficiaries of a growing Web3 economy. Through CiDi Games and OpenMind, PiCoin gains practical utility, real-world relevance, and a foundation for long-term adoption. As the network continues to expand, Pi Network exemplifies how community, innovation, and decentralized power can converge to create a sustainable, engaging, and valuable digital economy for pioneers worldwide.
hokanews – Not Just Crypto News. It’s Crypto Culture.
Writer @Victoria
Victoria Hale is a pioneering force in the Pi Network and a passionate blockchain enthusiast. With firsthand experience in shaping and understanding the Pi ecosystem, Victoria has a unique talent for breaking down complex developments in Pi Network into engaging and easy-to-understand stories. She highlights the latest innovations, growth strategies, and emerging opportunities within the Pi community, bringing readers closer to the heart of the evolving crypto revolution. From new features to user trend analysis, Victoria ensures every story is not only informative but also inspiring for Pi Network enthusiasts everywhere.
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