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Bitcoin Funding rates across major exchanges have collapsed to their most negative levels since August 2024.

Back then, the market looked equally convinced that lower prices were inevitable. Instead, that extreme short crowding marked a major bottom and preceded an 83% rally over the following months.

Source: Santiment

We are seeing a similar structure now. Traders are aggressively positioned for downside. Shorts are piling in.

At the same time, on-chain data shows profit cushions are thin. NUPL has returned to the 0.18 zone, historically associated with Hope and Fear.

In this regime, markets become reactive. Small moves trigger outsized responses because holders lack deep unrealized gains to buffer volatility.

Sentiment remains cautious. ETF outflows and macro uncertainty keep the bearish narrative alive. But crowded trades rarely unwind quietly.

The setup is not about pure technical strength. It is about positioning risk. If Bitcoin’s price clears the $70,000 to $70,600 range, the short squeeze thesis will gain credibility quickly.

Key Takeaways

Negative funding rates across exchanges have hit 2024 lows, indicating extreme bearish sentiment.

A break above the $70,610 resistance level could trigger a massive Bitcoin short squeeze targeting $76,000.

On-chain signals show thin profit margins, guaranteeing high market volatility in the short term.

Bitcoin Price Prediction: Is BTC Setting Up for a Violent Squeeze?

On the chart, Bitcoin has already broken out of that steep descending channel and is now grinding just below the $70K to $71K supply zone.

That area matters. It lines up cleanly with prior resistance. Above $71K, resistance thins out toward $80K, with $90K and even $98K acting as higher air pockets if momentum builds.

Source: BTCUSD / TradingView

$64K remains the line that holds the structure together. If that fails, $60K becomes the final major demand zone before the chart starts looking unstable again.

Now add positioning. Funding is deeply negative. Shorts are crowded. NUPL sits in the Hope and Fear range. That combination often creates fuel for a sharp upside when resistance breaks.

So technically, Bitcoin is compressing under a key ceiling. Structurally, it is no longer in free fall. And positioning suggests the market is leaning heavily short.

When Bitcoin Sets Up for a Squeeze, Bitcoin Hyper Adds Fuel

Bitcoin still moves in heavy waves. It needs macro alignment, ETF stability, and strong spot demand to fully ignite. That takes time.

Bitcoin Hyper ($HYPER) is built for speed.

This Bitcoin-focused Layer-2, powered by Solana technology, makes BTC faster, cheaper, and usable for real on-chain activity without changing core security. It captures Bitcoin’s narrative strength while unlocking functionality that the base layer cannot provide on its own.

Momentum is already visible. The Bitcoin Hyper presale has raised over $31 million so far, with $HYPER priced at $0.0136751 before the next increase. Staking rewards currently reach up to 37%.

If Bitcoin squeezes, Bitcoin Hyper accelerates. If Bitcoin stalls, Bitcoin Hyper still moves.

Visit the Official Bitcoin Hyper Website Here

The post Bitcoin Price Prediction: BTC Shorts Hit Their Most Extreme Level Since the 2024 Bottom – Is a Massive Squeeze Coming? appeared first on Cryptonews.

February is putting XRP price prediction under pressure.

Over 50 million XRP hit the market in less than 12 hours, and price reacted instantly.

A heavy wave of selling on Upbit pushed XRP back below key levels, wiping out short-term momentum.

Source: Traderview

Upon that, Sentiment flipped. Prediction markets now show less than a 6% chance of XRP reclaiming $2 before March. That is not breakout positioning.

Demand is climbing. Liquidity is still thin. Even with some on-chain accumulation in the background, the short-term structure remains fragile.

Now the market is asking the only question that matters. Was that the reset, or just the beginning?

Xrp (XRP)

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XRP Price Prediction: Can Still Do Well If You Ask Me

Despite all that panic selling and the 50M XRP dump, price is actually trying to stabilize here.

On the chart, XRP is still respecting that broader descending channel, but it just printed a sharp bounce off the $1.10–$1.30 support cluster.

Now it is pushing back toward the channel resistance around $1.50. That is the key wall. If price gets rejected there, the structure stays weak, and a move back toward $1.30 is on the table again. Lose that, and $1.10 becomes a real target again.

But if bulls manage to reclaim and hold above that descending trendline, things shift quickly.

A clean break and hold above $1.50 opens the path toward $1.90, and that is where momentum could really start to rebuild.

Many whales are getting bored and have already started looking elsewhere. New coins like Maxi Doge are benefiting from that.

They Looked Elsewhere. They Found Maxi Doge.

While XRP fights descending resistance, momentum hunters are already scanning for cleaner setups. In choppy conditions, capital rarely waits. It rotates.

That is where Maxi Doge ($MAXI) comes in.

Maxi Doge is not trying to reclaim a broken channel. It is built for explosive shifts in sentiment. Clear meme identity. High-conviction positioning. Community-driven energy that thrives when larger caps stall.

Early traction is already strong. The $MAXI presale has raised around $4.6 million so far, with staking rewards offering up to 68% APY for early participants.

When majors look fragile, meme momentum often moves first. Maxi Doge is positioned exactly for that window.

Visit the Official Maxi Doge Website Here

The post XRP Price Prediction: A 50M Token Sell-Off Just Rocked the Market — Is More Downside Coming? appeared first on Cryptonews.

Bitcoin just got hit with one of its most extreme warnings yet. A well known strategist is calling this an imploding bubble, with a potential slide toward $10,000 price point.

That would mean roughly 85% downside from current levels. A scenario that sounds unthinkable to many, but impossible to ignore when it is coming from experienced market voices.

Bitcoin (BTC)

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Is the Bubble Finally Bursting?

Mike McGlone, senior commodity strategist at Bloomberg Intelligence, is not calling this a healthy pullback. He says the crypto story needs a reality check.

In his view, capital is rotating into the so called AI scare trade and away from digital assets.

Collapsing Bitcoin/Cryptos May Guide the Next Recession –

"Healthy Correction" is what we should hear soon from stock market analysts (who risk unemployment if not onboard), following collapsing cryptos. The buy the dips mantra since 2008 may be over, here's why:

– US stock… pic.twitter.com/fPPc2fV3EU

— Mike McGlone (@mikemcglone11) February 15, 2026

McGlone describes it as a post inflation deflation cycle. When inflation fades, the most speculative assets usually feel it first.

He also points to Bitcoin’s tight link with tech stocks. That correlation used to help. Now it is a risk. If tech gets pressured by AI disruption fears, crypto can get dragged down with it.

Bitcoin Price “Possible” Path to $10,000

The numbers are not comforting. McGlone points to $64,000 as the key level right now.

If Bitcoin price closes below that level, he believes the door opens to a much deeper deflationary slide, potentially all the way toward $10,000.

Technical breakdowns can accelerate downside momentum, but projecting a drop from $64,000 to $10,000 implies a full macro reset comparable to 2018 or 2022. Those episodes were driven by forced deleveraging events and systemic liquidity shocks, conditions not currently evident in credit markets.

Source: BTCUSD / TradingView

Roughly $678 million left Bitcoin ETFs in February, extending a multibillion dollar selloff that started in November. Still, ETF positioning must be viewed in context.

Total assets under management across major vehicles remain significantly higher than pre-approval levels. A multi-billion-dollar unwind would be more concerning if it erased the entirety of prior inflows — which has not occurred.

Some on chain models place a more moderate bear market floor near $55,000. But McGlone’s thesis assumes a harsher unwind.

He also highlights aggressive profit taking in gold and silver, arguing that liquidity is being pulled from risk assets broadly. In that kind of environment, Bitcoin would not be immune.

It is important to note that Mike McGlone is mostly bearish on Bitcoin. He has been accurate on some longer-term upside milestones in the distant past, but his Bitcoin-specific predictions have mostly not come true on schedule, or at all.

Mike Mcglone Can’t Say The Same About Bitcoin Hyper

Bitcoin still depends on macro liquidity, ETF flows, and correlation with tech. When those wobble, price grinds. Momentum fades. Traders wait.

Bitcoin Hyper ($HYPER) is built differently.

This Bitcoin-focused Layer-2, powered by Solana technology, adds speed, lower fees, and real on-chain utility without changing Bitcoin core security. It is designed for activity, not just holding through volatility.

And traction is already building. The Bitcoin Hyper presale has raised over $31 million so far, with $HYPER priced at $0.0136751 before the next increase. Staking rewards currently reach up to 37%.

If Bitcoin spends months debating whether $64K holds or collapses, Bitcoin Hyper is positioned to move regardless of that macro noise.

Visit the Official Bitcoin Hyper Website Here

The post This Top Analyst Warns Bitcoin Price Could Fall to $10,000 as Bear Market Deepens appeared first on Cryptonews.

Chicago-based institutional trading firm BlockFills has halted client withdrawals and deposits, locking traders out of their funds just as market volatility begins to spike.

In light of recent market and financial conditions, and to further the protection of clients and the firm, BlockFills took the action last week of temporarily suspending client deposits and withdrawals. Clients have been able to continue trading with BlockFills for the purpose of…

— BlockFills (@blockfills) February 11, 2026

The freeze, reported by community members and active traders, comes amid a broader liquidity crunch that is punishing leveraged positions across the board.

Halting operations during a downturn isn’t just an inconvenience; it is a massive red flag for counterparty risk.

When an execution venue goes dark while red candles are printing, it usually signals that the plumbing behind the scenes is clogging up.

Key Takeaways

BlockFills has reportedly frozen client withdrawals and deposits without immediate explanation.

The firm was averaging over $100 million in daily trading volume as of mid-2025.

Founders include veterans from Deutsche Bank and Credit Suisse, highlighting risks even in “institutional-grade” platforms.

BlockFill’s Institutional Pedigree is Under Pressure

This isn’t some anonymous offshore exchange run by code hobbyists. BlockFills was purpose-built by heavyweights from the traditional finance (“TradFi”) world to bring adult supervision to crypto.

The leadership team includes former executives from Deutsche Bank and Citadel, who pivoted to crypto to bridge the gap between centralized TradFi structures and fragmented crypto liquidity. They pitched themselves as the safe, compliant option for proprietary trading firms.

But pedigree doesn’t immunize you from market mechanics. The halt coincides with a brutal rejection in price action.

As Bitcoin slides following reports on US labor market revisions, liquidity providers are facing severe stress tests.

Traders rely on these platforms for 24/7 access to credit and collateral management. When that access cuts off suddenly, it implies the firm is trying to stop a run on assets or manage a credit blow-up internally.

Is the Fallen Price of Bitcoin Causing a Liquidity Crunch at BlockFill?

Why now? The market structure is thinning out. We are seeing significant capital flight, with Bitcoin ETF outflows hitting $410M as BTC slips below $66k.

When institutions pull back, ECNs (Electronic Communication Networks) like BlockFills often face imbalances. If their liquidity providers pull quotes (i.e. stop offering buy or sell prices), or margin calls start cascading, the safest move for the venue is often to freeze the pipes. That protects the house, but it leaves clients exposed to the elements.

This follows a rough quarter for trading venues globally. Even giants are feeling the pinch, with Coinbase reporting a $667M loss amid the market downturn. However, there is a massive difference between reporting a loss and freezing client assets.

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What Happens Next?

Silence is expensive in this industry. Traders are already drawing parallels to the 2022 credit contagion, where “temporary” halts often turned into permanent restructuring.

BlockFill users are now keeping vigil for an official statement regarding solvency. Is this a technical glitch, or a liquidity crisis? If the latter, it challenges the narrative that institutional infrastructure has solved crypto’s counterparty risk problem.

Analysts are watching support levels closely. While CryptoQuant suggests the ultimate Bitcoin bear market bottom could be $55,000, blocked funds can’t buy the dip.

Ultimately though, for BlockFills clients, the price of Bitcoin matters less right now than the status of their withdrawal button.

The post BlockFills Freezes Withdrawals as Bitcoin Slides, Raising Counterparty Risk Concerns appeared first on Cryptonews.

The world’s largest corporate Bitcoin holder, Strategy, is playing the long game with its balance sheet in a bid to keep investors bullish after Bitcoin’s recent downturn.

Founder Michael Saylor revealed Sunday that the firm plans to “equitize” its massive $6 billion convertible debt load over the next three to six years, a move designed to wipe liability off the books by turning bondholders into shareholders.

Key Takeaways

Strategy aims to convert $6 billion in bond debt into equity shares over a 3–6 year timeline to clean up its balance sheet.

The firm claims it can withstand a severe Bitcoin crash to $8,000 while maintaining sufficient assets to cover obligations.

Converting debt avoids cash repayment pressure but introduces significant dilution risks for existing MSTR shareholders.

Strategy and the Mathematics of Debt Survival

This isn’t just accounting wizardry; it is a survival mechanism for the aggressive treasury strategy initiated in 2020.

With Bitcoin currently trading around $68,750 against an average purchase price of $76,000, the firm is currently underwater on its investment.

However, Saylor insists the company is robust. According to recent posts and interviews, he maintains that Strategy can survive an 88% crash in BTC prices down to $8,000 and still cover its debts.

First time I’ve seen Saylor look nervous speaking publicly.

He can’t say anything else, but deep down he knows extreme downside scenarios aren’t impossible.$BTC pic.twitter.com/PS3NDZhYao

— Alejandro₿TC (@Alejandro_XBT) February 11, 2026

This resiliency claim is crucial because, as some analysts note, Bitcoin is acting like a growth stock, bringing high volatility that demands a steel-stomach balance sheet.

Dilution vs. Default: Strategy’s Double-Edged Sword

Equitizing convertible debt means Strategy avoids repaying the principal in cash.

Instead, bondholders get stock. While this preserves cash flow, it implies diluting current investors by expanding the share count.

Currently, 100% of Strategy’s convertible debt is “out-of-the-money,” meaning the stock price hasn’t hit the conversion trigger. This forces a choice: pay cash, refinance, or wait for the stock to pump.

Saylor remains unfazed. On X (formerly Twitter), the firm posted: “Strategy can withstand a drawdown in BTC price to $8,000 and still have sufficient assets to fully cover our debt.”

Strategy can withstand a drawdown in $BTC price to $8K and still have sufficient assets to fully cover our debt. pic.twitter.com/vrw4z4Ex9q

— Strategy (@Strategy) February 15, 2026

While recent market movements have been shaky, with Bitcoin ETF outflows of $410 million dragging prices down to the $66k range, Strategy continues to buy.

Analysts highlighted on MEXC that the $8,000 figure is a theoretical “stress floor.” If BTC drops that low, the company’s Bitcoin stash would roughly equal its debt load.

Meanwhile, institutional interest continues to grow. Just as the world’s largest asset manager, BlackRock, increases stakes in crypto miners, Strategy is also playing the long game with crypto.

Saylor is hoping that a few years is enough time for the asset class to mature effectively, allowing Strategy to bail out the convertible notes naturally through price appreciation.

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Can They Hold the Line?

Saylor signaled yet another purchase recently, marking 12 consecutive weeks of accumulation.

This conviction is testing the nerves of traders who know that if Bitcoin drops below $8,000, insolvency becomes a mathematical probability, according to Strategy CEO Phong Le in a recent earnings call.

If you are watching the macro picture, cooling inflation is testing investor conviction across the board. Strategy is betting the house that time is on their side.

If they are right, the equity dilution will be a small price to pay for solvency. If they are wrong, the liquidation cascade could be historic.

The post Strategy Plans to Equitize Convertible Debt Over 3–6 Years: What It Means for BTC appeared first on Cryptonews.

Standard Chartered just dropped a fear signal on Solana. They cut their 2026 target to $250. But then they doubled down on a bold $2,000 call by 2030.

That is a sharp contrast. Near term pressure. Long term conviction.

The bank sees Solana shifting away from pure speculation toward real utility. That kind of transition is rarely smooth. It can mean volatility now and growth later.

Target Adjustment: 2026 prediction cut from $310 to $250, citing transitional risks.

Long-Term Bull: 2030 target set at $2,000, driven by dominance in micropayments.

Market Signal: Analysts see the shift from memecoins to stablecoins as a key utility driver.

What Standard Chartered’s Revised Targets Mean for Solana

Standard Chartered sees Solana at a turning point. Geoffrey Kendrick, who leads digital asset research at the bank, says SOL is shifting away from its memecoin casino image and moving toward something more serious. More infrastructure. More real finance.

Source: Geoffrey Kendrick

That shift is not frictionless. The revised $250 target for 2026 reflects that transition. Growth is still there, but it may not look like the explosive runs from past cycles.

For retail investors, it is a trade off. The near term upside could be more measured. But the long term foundation looks stronger if real utility keeps building.

Solana Price Prediction: Breaking Down the New SOL Valuations

The roadmap is detailed. Standard Chartered trimmed the 2026 target to $250 from $310, expecting a period of consolidation as activity shifts.

But after that, the projections accelerates. $400 by 2027. $700 in 2028. $1,200 in 2029. And $2,000 by the end of 2030.

The thesis centers on network velocity. Stablecoin turnover on Solana is reportedly 2 to 3 times higher than on Ethereum, which makes it well suited for fast, low value transactions. That kind of throughput is what long term valuation models are leaning on.

Source: Glassnode

Solana coins have continued to leave exchanges. Historically, that kind of outflow points to accumulation. So even with a short-term downgrade, some players appear to be positioning for the bigger picture.

The post Solana Price Prediction: Standard Chartered Cuts 2026 Target, Sees $2,000 by 2030 appeared first on Cryptonews.

XRP price is sprinting. Since the February 6 low, the token has ripped about 38% to $1.55. Meanwhile, Bitcoin and Ether are crawling with gains closer to 15%.

That kind of gap does not happen by accident.

After the recent liquidation wave shook the market, traders seem to be piling into XRP as the higher beta play. When momentum comes back, capital usually chases the coins that move the fastest. Right now, that coin is XRP.

Key Takeaways

XRP has surged 38% to $1.55 since early Feb, outperforming BTC and ETH (15%).

Binance reserves dropped by 192 million XRP, signaling distinct accumulation.

Technical targets sit at $2.40 if the current supply shock narrative holds.

Is Smart Money Rotating? What Is Next For XRP Price

Bitcoin is sitting near $68,920. Ether is around $1,982. Solid recoveries, sure. But XRP has gone almost vertical, jumping more than 5% in the last 24 hours alone and racing to $1.55.

That kind of outperformance usually means money is rotating. With Bitcoin ETFs seeing outflows recently, traders are hunting for better upside elsewhere.

Xrp (XRP)

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Bitcoin still looks hesitant, trying to confirm a real reversal. XRP, right now, has clear drivers behind it. Optimism around Ripple’s regulatory positioning. Growing ETF chatter. Strong narrative.

Supply Shock Signals to Watch

There is an interesting supply squeeze building. Data shows Binance XRP reserves dropped by about 192.37 million tokens between Feb. 7 and 9. That is roughly a 7% cut, bringing total holdings down to 2.553 billion. Levels we have not seen since early 2024.

When exchange balances fall that quickly, it usually means bigger players are pulling coins into cold storage. And we have seen this movie before. A similar wave of withdrawals came right before XRP ran from $0.60 to $2.40 in late 2024.

In the short term, traders are focused on the $1.91 resistance. If that level breaks cleanly, it opens a path toward prior cycle highs.

Source: XRPUSD / TradingView

This week is a real stress test. Fed minutes are coming. Core PCE data too. Both can shake the entire market in seconds.

If macro sparks volatility, XRP will feel it. But the level that matters is $1.45. If price defends that zone while everything else is choppy, that is strength. And strength during chaos is what fuels the next leg higher.

A sustained hold above that area keeps the $2.40 target in play. Especially with options markets already pricing in a meaningful chance of that breakout this year.

The post XRP Price Outruns Bitcoin and Ether as Post-Crash Rotation Favors Ripple Token appeared first on Cryptonews.

Ethereum just had one of those moments that makes you double check the chart. A veteran whale moved around $543 million in ETH onto Binance.

Analysts are already warning that if key support levels crack, ETH could be staring at a potential 40% drop.

Key Takeaways

Whale wallet “Garrett Jin” deposited 261,024 ETH into Binance in rapid tranches.

Technical indicators show a bear pennant formation targeting a drop to $1,200.

Bears need a confirmed break below $1,950 to trigger the 40% downside move.

Is a Massive Sell-Off Beginning?

Data shows a wallet linked to early investor Garrett Jin moved exactly 261,024 ETH to Binance in three large batches. When that kind of size hits a centralized exchange, traders assume one thing. Either a major hedge or a sell.

The whale still controls more than $1.6 billion in assets, so this is not a full exit. But even a fraction of that supply hitting the market could shake things up.

Source: Arkham

Sentiment is already fragile after weak earnings across the sector and broader price weakness. If this whale starts unloading into thin spot liquidity, the order books could dry up.

Ethereum Price Path to $1,200

The chart looks tense, no doubt. Ethereum price is compressing into a classic bear pennant on the daily.

That pattern often breaks in the direction of the prior move, which was the drop from $2,800 to the $1,900 zone earlier this month.

Source: ETHUSD / TradingView

A break below $1,950 would technically open the door toward the $1,200 area.

But here is the thing. Pennants are compression patterns. And when price coils this tightly, the eventual breakout can be explosive in either direction.

If Ethereum can defend the $1,950 zone and push back above the upper trendline of the pennant, it could trap late shorts and spark a relief rally.

The post Ethereum Price Faces 40% Crash Risk as Legendary Whale Dumps $543M ETH – What Happens Next? appeared first on Cryptonews.

Washington just got a new crypto headache. Two U.S. Senators are pushing Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to open an urgent national security review over a $500 million foreign investment in World Liberty Financial.

Here is where it gets tense. The money comes from a UAE backed investment vehicle and reportedly gives foreign players a 49% stake in the Trump linked crypto venture. That is a big slice.

The timing makes it even more explosive. This all surfaced just days after the inauguration, raising concerns about who might gain access to sensitive financial or user data.

Key Takeaways

Senators Elizabeth Warren and Andy Kim formally requested a CFIUS probe into a UAE-backed vehicle purchasing 49% of WLFI.

The $500 million deal allegedly funnels $187 million directly to Trump-family linked entities, raising conflict of interest flags.

Lawmakers argue the structure grants foreign actors dangerous leverage over a firm collecting sensitive U.S. financial data.

The Deal and the Threat

In a letter sent Friday, Senators Elizabeth Warren and Andy Kim asked Treasury to confirm whether CFIUS was even alerted about the deal.

The transaction would give a UAE backed investment vehicle nearly 49% of World Liberty Financial, the DeFi project widely promoted by the Trump family. That is not a minor stake.

Reports link the funding to Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE national security adviser. If finalized, the foreign fund becomes the largest shareholder overnight.

Source: Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan And Trump / UAE Embassy

And this is happening as Trump affiliated ventures are expanding deeper into crypto, putting everything under a brighter spotlight.

The real tension is about influence. A $500 million stake is not passive money. It can mean access, leverage, and potentially sensitive internal data. For a project tied to a sitting President’s family, the optics alone are enough to spark political fire.

National Security Red Flags

The concern is not just the $500 million. It is the data.

Senators pointed out that WLFI privacy policy admits to collecting wallet addresses, device identifiers, and even approximate location data. If a foreign backed fund gains influence over a company holding that kind of financial information, it raises serious national security flags.

The letter also references executives tied to G42, a tech firm that has faced U.S. scrutiny over alleged links to China.

GM family — BIG ANNOUNCEMENT! Watch what our co‑founder @DonaldJTrumpJr has to say about the World Liberty Forum. pic.twitter.com/rkTocmlkem

— WLFI (@worldlibertyfi) January 20, 2026

Warren and Kim want confirmation by March 5 on whether a formal review is underway. With Treasury pushing for clearer crypto rules, ignoring a potential security gap tied to presidential business interests could turn into a political storm.

All of this is unfolding while the broader Trump linked crypto network keeps expanding. Reports suggest roughly $187 million from the deal would flow to entities connected to the Trump family which makes it even more complicated.

Will The Deal Unwind?

If CFIUS steps in, this could get serious. The committee has the authority to unwind deals retroactively, especially if cybersecurity or national security risks are involved. High profile foreign investments with political ties rarely escape scrutiny.

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With crypto increasingly intersecting with federal oversight, headlines like this can move markets quickly. If Treasury confirms an active review, expect volatility to spike.

The post Senators Urge CFIUS Probe Into $500M UAE Stake in Trump-Linked WLFI appeared first on Cryptonews.

Binance reserves have dropped to levels not seen since early 2024, and the timing is interesting. Right as liquidity thins out, price ripped 4.5% toward $1.50. That is not a coincidence the market can ignore.

On chain data shows Binance now holds only about 2.5 billion XRP. That is a noticeable squeeze on the sell side. Less supply sitting on exchanges usually means less immediate selling pressure.

And with sentiment slowly turning bullish again, this kind of liquidity drain can add fuel fast. When supply tightens and demand wakes up at the same time, things can move quicker than most expect.

Key Takeaways

Binance XRP reserves have plummeted to roughly 2.5 billion, the lowest point since early 2024.

Nearly 700 million coins have exited the exchange since November 2024, signaling a potential move to cold storage.

Analysts interpret shrinking exchange balances as a classic accumulation signal that reduces selling pressure.

Is a Supply Shock Incoming?

The shift is not small. In November 2024, Binance was holding around 3.2 billion XRP. Now that number is closer to 2.5 billion. That is roughly 700 million tokens gone, about 22% of the stack wiped from exchange wallets in just over a year.

Analysts says this kind of drop usually signals tighter sell side liquidity. When coins leave exchanges, they often move into self custody. That is typically a longer term play, something institutions and whales tend to do when they are positioning, not trading.

What makes it more interesting is the timing. This reserve drain happened right after Binance rolled out full XRPL support for RLUSD. Many expected higher on chain velocity. Instead, XRP itself started flowing out.

Less supply on exchanges. Stronger price reaction. That combination is getting hard to ignore.

The Short Squeeze Scenario

What happens next comes down to funding rates. XRP funding recently hit 10 month lows, and historically that kind of reset has often come before strong upside moves.

If shorts are getting crowded while exchange supply keeps shrinking, a clean break above $1.55 could spark a sharp squeeze toward $1.80.

Xrp (XRP)

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The setup is also getting support from improving regulatory sentiment, especially with Ripple leadership gaining more visibility in Washington.

For now, $1.45 is the key level to watch. If price holds there while reserves continue falling, that is the kind of confirmation bulls want before aiming for new highs.

The post Binance XRP Reserves Drop to 2024 Lows as Traders Eye Accumulation Signal appeared first on Cryptonews.

XRP price just caught a serious bid. The token jumped more than 8% in 24 hours after news broke that Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse secured a seat on the CFTC Innovation Advisory Committee.

Traders are clearly betting that having Ripple closer to regulators could shift the narrative around XRP.

Key Takeaways

XRP rallied 8.09% to trade near $1.53 on news of the Ripple CEO’s federal appointment.

The CFTC tapped Garlinghouse and other crypto leaders to advise on digital asset frameworks.

Institutional flows are rising, with Goldman Sachs revealing a $152 million crypto ETF position.

Garlinghouse Joins Expanded CFTC Committee

This is a pretty big shift from Washington. The CFTC just expanded its Innovation Advisory Committee to 35 members, and Brad Garlinghouse is now officially part of it. Chairman Michael S. Selig says the goal is to future proof U.S. markets by working closer with the industry instead of fighting it.

It is important to keep this in perspective. The CFTC mainly regulates derivatives markets, not spot crypto securities. XRP past legal fight was with the SEC, not the CFTC.

Source: CFTC

And Garlinghouse is not alone. The lineup includes Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong, leaders from Chainlink, Solana Labs, and Uniswap, plus names from traditional finance like CME Group and Nasdaq. That is a serious mix of crypto and Wall Street in one room.

The focus areas matter too. Tokenization. Perpetual contracts. Blockchain market structure. All directly tied to how XRP fits into the bigger picture.

For XRP holders, this feels symbolic. Ripple went from battling regulators to sitting at the policy table. And with lawmakers pushing for clearer crypto rules, this could mark a new chapter in how the industry and Washington interact.

XRP Price Bulls Eye $1.54 Breakout

The market reacted fast. XRP is trading around $1.57609, up 10% on the day after bouncing from a low near $1.40731. That move pushed price cleanly out of its mid $1.40 consolidation range, backed by stronger volume and widening Bollinger Bands.

Source: XRPUSD / TradingView

Bulls are now testing the $1.60 session high. Short term moving averages are stacking underneath price around $1.47 and $1.48, creating a stair step style support zone. That gives the rally some structure.

On the fundamental side, momentum is building too. Binance recently completed RLUSD integration on the XRP Ledger, a development many analysts see as a potential catalyst for a much larger move if momentum continues.

Institutional Interest Deepens

Beyond the CFTC news, bigger money is quietly getting into position for what could be a more crypto friendly 2026.

Recent filings show Goldman Sachs holds around $152 million in crypto ETFs, a clear sign that Wall Street is not stepping away from digital assets.

Source: Cryptonews

Garlinghouse has also doubled down on his vision, calling XRP the “North Star” of Ripple strategy and pointing to 2026 as a pivotal year.

While the U.S. tone appears to be softening, the global picture is still mixed. Dutch lawmakers, for example, are pushing a 36% capital gains tax on crypto, showing how fragmented regulation remains worldwide.

XRP is the "North Star" for Ripple

@BradGarlinghouse highlights how Ripple Payments, Ripple Prime, & Ripple Treasury all drive utility & liquidity around $XRP. pic.twitter.com/g9xlCPpToy

— 𝗕𝗮𝗻𝗸XRP (@BankXRP) February 11, 2026

Broader market conditions also matter. XRP remains highly correlated with Bitcoin and overall crypto risk sentiment, meaning macro catalysts, including rate expectations and ETF flows, could amplify or cap this breakout attempt.

With price now pressing against the $1.60 resistance zone, the next move could set the tone for where momentum heads from here.

The post XRP Price Surges as Ripple CEO Takes Role Influencing Crypto Regulation appeared first on Cryptonews.

Trump Media and Technology Group is expanding its push into digital assets, filing for two new cryptocurrency exchange-traded funds tied to Bitcoin, Ether and the Cronos ecosystem.

Key Takeaways:

Trump Media filed for two crypto ETFs tracking Bitcoin, Ether and the Cronos token.

The Cronos fund would include staking rewards with Crypto.com providing custody and services.

The move deepens ties between US politics and the growing crypto investment sector.

Truth Social Funds, the ETF arm of the company behind the Truth Social platform, submitted applications Friday for the “Truth Social Bitcoin and Ether ETF” and the “Truth Social Cronos Yield Maximizer ETF.”

The filings mark another step in the growing overlap between US politics and the crypto investment industry.

Truth Social ETFs Target Bitcoin, Ether and CRO With Staking Rewards

The proposed Bitcoin and Ether ETF would track the performance of the two largest cryptocurrencies, reportedly using an allocation weighted toward Bitcoin.

The Cronos product, meanwhile, would provide exposure to CRO, the native token of the Crypto.com-linked Cronos blockchain, while also offering staking rewards to investors.

Crypto.com is partnering with Trump Media on the products and is expected to provide custody, liquidity and staking services.

CEO Kris Marszalek said the company supports the funds and plans to enable trading access once they launch.

Let me clear up a bit: Truth Social today filed for "Truth Social Cronos Yield Maximizer ETF" and the "Truth Social Bitcoin and Ether ETF"… this is IN ADDITION to the spot bitcoin ETF they filed for last June as well as a crypto blue chip basket ETFs, which I would think should… https://t.co/Sn6XUyqmq6

— Eric Balchunas (@EricBalchunas) February 13, 2026

The new filings follow a previous agreement between the firms to introduce crypto investment products and continue a broader strategy by Trump Media to establish a presence in digital finance.

The company had already sought approval for a standalone Bitcoin ETF and a multi-asset crypto fund that included several major tokens.

The ETF market is increasingly competitive. Asset managers such as BlackRock, Fidelity and Grayscale already operate widely traded Bitcoin investment vehicles, giving investors indirect exposure to crypto without holding tokens directly.

Trump Media has also signaled interest in integrating blockchain beyond ETFs.

The company recently said it intends to distribute a new digital token to shareholders on the Cronos network and previously disclosed plans for a corporate crypto treasury involving CRO.

The expansion has drawn political scrutiny, with critics arguing the president’s business ventures could create conflicts of interest, particularly as regulatory decisions affecting digital assets are debated in Washington.

Last year, Trump Media also announced a partnership with Crypto.com to bring prediction markets to the social media platform, positioning it as the first publicly traded social media company to integrate such technology.

Bitcoin Loses 25,000 Millionaire Addresses Under Trump

As reported, Bitcoin has shed roughly 25,000 millionaire addresses in the year since Donald Trump returned to the White House, even as US policy shifted toward a more crypto-friendly stance.

Blockchain data shows the number of addresses holding at least $1 million in BTC fell about 16% year over year, suggesting regulatory optimism has not translated into sustained on-chain wealth growth.

The pullback was less severe among the largest holders. Addresses with more than $10 million in Bitcoin declined by about 12.5%, indicating that top-tier investors were better able to withstand price volatility, while wallets near the millionaire threshold were more exposed to market swings.

Much of the increase in Bitcoin millionaire addresses occurred before Trump took office, driven by a late-2024 rally fueled by election-related optimism and expectations of deregulation.

The post Trump-Linked Truth Social Files for Bitcoin, Ethereum and CRO Staking ETFs appeared first on Cryptonews.

Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin is voicing concern about the current direction of prediction markets, arguing that the sector is drifting away from useful economic tools and toward short-term betting.

Key Takeaways:

Vitalik Buterin warns prediction markets are drifting toward short-term speculation and betting.

He proposes using onchain markets and AI to hedge everyday expenses and inflation risk.

Supporters say platforms like Polymarket and Kalshi can also serve as decentralized market intelligence.

In a recent post on X, Buterin said many platforms are “over-converging” into products centered on rapid price wagers and speculative trading rather than practical applications.

He warned that the trend risks turning prediction markets into little more than gambling venues instead of systems that support real-world economic planning.

Buterin Says Prediction Markets Should Shift From Betting To Hedging

Rather than focusing on event betting or short-term financial outcomes, Buterin suggested prediction markets should evolve into hedging mechanisms designed to protect consumers and businesses from price volatility.

He outlined a model in which onchain prediction markets work alongside large language models (LLMs).

The system would track price indices across categories of goods and services, such as food, housing or transportation, separated by region.

A user’s personal AI assistant would analyze spending patterns and construct a tailored portfolio of prediction-market positions representing expected future expenses.

The idea is to help households and companies offset rising costs. Individuals could hold traditional investments for growth while maintaining a basket of prediction-market shares tied to living expenses, creating a buffer against inflation in fiat currencies.

Supporters of prediction markets say the technology already has broader value beyond speculation.

These platforms crowdsource expectations about events, financial trends and economic conditions, producing signals some researchers argue can rival polling data.

Recently I have been starting to worry about the state of prediction markets, in their current form. They have achieved a certain level of success: market volume is high enough to make meaningful bets and have a full-time job as a trader, and they often prove useful as a…

— vitalik.eth (@VitalikButerin) February 14, 2026

Markets such as Polymarket and Kalshi have gained traction by offering alternative views on political and economic developments.

Advocates say they provide a decentralized source of intelligence that is harder to shape by centralized narratives.

State Opposition to Prediction Markets Builds Over Consumer Concerns

State opposition to prediction markets has been building for months.

In 2025, the SWC urged the CFTC to prohibit sports event contracts, arguing that such products bypass state safeguards such as age verification, responsible gaming rules and anti-money laundering requirements.

As reported, a new legislation to limit the interactions between government officials and the prediction markets is being supported by more than 30 Democrats in the US House of Representatives, including former Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

The lure behind new restrictions is a controversial Polymarket bet, which started as a bet of $32,000 but eventually became more than $400,000 shortly before the unexpected detention of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.

The bill proposed by the New York Representative Ritchie Torres is the Public Integrity in Financial Prediction Markets Act of 2026.

Last month, Kalshi opened a new office in Washington, D.C., as it ramps up efforts to shape federal and state policy amid growing scrutiny of its products across the United States.

The company also hired veteran political strategist John Bivona as its first head of federal government relations.

The post Vitalik Buterin Warns Prediction Markets Are Becoming Overly Speculative appeared first on Cryptonews.

Elon Musk’s social media platform X is preparing to roll out a feature that could transform the app from a discussion forum into a trading venue.

Key Takeaways:

X plans to launch Smart Cashtags allowing users to trade stocks and cryptocurrencies directly in posts.

The feature advances Musk’s vision of turning X into an all-in-one financial and social platform.

It will roll out alongside X Money, a peer-to-peer payments system currently in beta testing.

Nikita Bier, X’s head of product, said the company plans to introduce “Smart Cashtags,” a tool that will allow users to buy and sell stocks and cryptocurrencies directly from their timelines.

The feature is expected to arrive within weeks, according to a post published Saturday.

X To Roll Out Smart Cashtags Enabling Stock And Crypto Trades From Posts

“We are launching a number of features in a couple of weeks, including Smart Cashtags that will enable you to trade stocks and crypto directly from the timeline,” Bier wrote.

Bier had previously hinted at the feature in January, sharing an image showing trading functionality embedded in posts, but the company had not confirmed the details at the time.

X previously experimented with financial features. In 2022, it added a basic Cashtag system that displayed price charts and market data for major assets such as Bitcoin and Ether.

Users could view market movements inside posts, though the feature only tracked prices and did not enable transactions. The earlier system was later discontinued.

The planned trading capability would mark a major shift for the platform, which already hosts a large share of online crypto conversation. Allowing direct transactions would move X beyond information sharing and into financial services.

I genuinely want crypto to proliferate on X, but applications that create incentives to spam, raid, and harass random users is not the way.

It meaningfully degrades the experience for millions of people — only to enrich a few people.

And yes, we are launching a number of…

— Nikita Bier (@nikitabier) February 14, 2026

The development aligns with Musk’s long-standing plan to turn X into an “everything app,” comparable to China’s WeChat, where messaging, payments and services operate in one place.

The trading feature comes alongside X Money, a peer-to-peer payments system. Speaking during a presentation at his artificial intelligence company xAI, Musk said the payment tool is currently in limited beta testing and could expand globally after the trial period.

“This is intended to be the place where all money is — the central source of monetary transactions,” Musk said.

According to Musk, the platform reaches roughly 600 million monthly users.

X Cracks Down on Crypto-Linked Engagement Apps

As reported, X has recently come under scrutiny after restricting API access for so-called InfoFi and engagement-reward projects, many of which were tied to crypto incentives.

The company said it would no longer allow apps that reward users for posting or interacting on X, citing concerns over AI-generated spam and manipulation.

Beyond crypto, X’s broader AI strategy has drawn regulatory attention, particularly in Europe, where authorities have raised concerns about Grok’s image-generation features.

The platform has since limited certain capabilities and introduced safeguards after investigations were launched.

X’s decision to clamp down on so-called InfoFi applications sent fresh shockwaves through the crypto market, dragging several tokens sharply lower and forcing a rethink across a niche that had grown tightly intertwined with the social media platform.

The immediate market reaction was led by KAITO, the token linked to the Kaito platform, which slid roughly 20% in a single day as investors digested what many saw as a structural threat rather than a short-term policy tweak.

The post Elon Musk’s X to Launch Smart Cashtags Enabling In-App Stock and Crypto Trading appeared first on Cryptonews.

Bitcoin may not have hit true capitulation yet. On chain analytics firm CryptoQuant is warning that the real bear market floor could sit closer to $55,000. That is lower than many bulls want to admit.

If their data is right, the market still has some pain to process before a proper structural base forms. Weak hands may not be fully flushed. And until that final reset happens, calling this the ultimate bottom might be a bit premature.

Key Takeaways

CryptoQuant data suggests the “ultimate” bear market bottom is near $55,000 based on realized price models.

Bitcoin recently saw $5.4 billion in realized losses on Feb. 5, the highest since March 2023.

Key valuation metrics like MVRV and NUPL have not yet reached historical capitulation zones.

Is The Selling Finally Over?

CryptoQuant says we are still in a normal bear phase, not the extreme panic zone that usually marks once in a cycle buying opportunities. In their view, bottoms are not single candles. They are long, messy processes that take time to build.

Meanwhile, price action keeps slipping. ETF outflows are stacking up and Bitcoin losing $66,000 has traders nervous. But according to the data, we still have not seen the kind of pain that typically resets the market.

Source: Coinglass

Bitcoin price is trading more than 25% above its realized price, a level that has historically acted as strong support.

In past cycles like 2018 and the FTX collapse, Bitcoin bottomed 24% to 30% below realized price. If that pattern plays out again, the $55,000 area becomes the zone to watch.

Realized Losses And Valuation Metrics

The latest CryptoQuant data shows real damage under the surface.

On February 5, Bitcoin holders locked in $5.4 billion in daily losses as price slid 14% to $62,000. That was the biggest single day loss since March 2023.

But even with those numbers, key valuation metrics are not flashing full bottom yet.

The MVRV ratio has not dropped into the extreme undervalued zone that usually shows up at cycle lows. The NUPL metric also has not hit the deep unrealized loss levels that typically mark capitulation.

Source: CryptoQuant

Long term holders tell a similar story. Right now, many are selling around breakeven. In past bear market bottoms, they were sitting on losses of 30% to 40%.

If history is any guide, the final phase of capitulation may require a deeper reset before a durable floor forms. Until then, patience may prove more valuable than premature bottom calls.

If Bitcoin Needs Another Reset, Bitcoin Hyper Does Not

When analysts start talking about “true capitulation,” it means one thing. Bitcoin could stay slow and heavy for longer than bulls expect.

That is not the environment for explosive base-layer moves.

Bitcoin Hyper ($HYPER) is built for momentum regardless of where BTC chops. This Bitcoin-focused Layer-2, powered by Solana technology, adds speed, lower fees, and real on-chain utility without touching Bitcoin core security.

Bitcoin Hyper is already gaining traction. The presale has raised over $31 million so far, with $HYPER priced at $0.0136751 before the next increase, plus staking rewards up to 37%.

If Bitcoin needs more time to bottom, Bitcoin Hyper is positioned to move during the wait.

Visit the Official Bitcoin Hyper Website Here

The post Analysis Puts Bitcoin Price ‘Ultimate’ Bear Market Bottom Near $55,000 appeared first on Cryptonews.

Kevin O’Leary just walked away with a $2.8 million courtroom win. The Shark Tank investor secured a default judgment against former crypto influencer Ben Armstrong, better known as BitBoy Crypto.

The funny thing? Armstrong did not even properly defend himself. A federal judge in Florida stepped in and awarded heavy punitive damages after claims surfaced that Armstrong publicly called O’Leary a “murderer.”

Judge Beth Bloom awarded O’Leary $2 million in punitive damages plus $750,000 for emotional distress.

The court rejected Armstrong’s attempt to blame the default on mental health struggles and incarceration.

Armstrong previously taunted O’Leary online, posting his personal phone number and alleging a cover-up regarding a 2019 boat crash.

The Feud Behind Kevin O’Leary Lawsuit

This whole fight traces back to a tragic 2019 boat crash involving O’Leary’s wife, Linda, where two people lost their lives. She was fully acquitted in 2021. Case closed.

Years later, Armstrong went online and ignored that outcome completely. He posted claims saying O’Leary and his wife “murdered a couple and covered it up.” Then it escalated. He shared O’Leary’s private phone number and urged followers to call him, throwing out lines like he was a “rabid dog” going after him.

Source: ALM

At one point, Armstrong even mocked critics by asking, “What are you gonna do, sue me?”

Turns out, that is exactly what happened. And on March 26, 2025, he got his answer in court.

Breaking Down the $2.8 Million Judgment

The ruling included $78,000 for reputational damage and $750,000 for emotional distress.

O’Leary even pointed to increased security measures and changes to studio access because of fears tied to Armstrong’s online following.

Then came the real blow. An extra $2 million in punitive damages, meant to send a message. Armstrong had already defaulted after failing to respond to the lawsuit in 2025. He later tried to undo that default in early 2026, arguing incarceration and mental health struggles kept him from defending himself.

The court did not buy it.

Source: Lastest Appearance For Bitboy

This judgment adds to what has already been a brutal stretch for Armstrong, who was pushed out of the HIT Network and is now staring at serious financial fallout.

The post Kevin O’Leary Wins $2.8 Million Defamation Judgment Against BitBoy Crypto appeared first on Cryptonews.

Trump Media is stepping deeper into crypto, and this time it is not subtle.

The company just filed with the SEC to launch two new crypto linked ETFs tied to Bitcoin, Ether, and even Cronos.

This is not just about tracking price either. The plan targets active traders who want exposure plus potential yield through staking rewards. It is an expansion of the so called America First strategy straight into digital assets.

TMTG filed for a blended Bitcoin/Ether fund and a specialized Cronos Yield Maximizer ETF.

Both funds propose a 0.95% management fee, with Crypto.com providing custody and liquidity services.

The move defies current trends, as Bitcoin ETFs recently saw heavy outflows totaling over $360 million.

Truth Social Expands Crypto ETFs Footprint Amid Desperate Market

The new ETFs would be managed by Yorkville America Equities and offered through Foris Capital. More interesting though is the deeper link with Crypto.com.

Back in September, they teamed up to build a treasury vehicle focused on accumulating CRO. So this is not random.

The timing is intersting. U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs have seen four straight weeks of outflows. That tells you institutions are cautious right now.

Trump Media is basically a crypto fund now. These new SEC filings for BTC/ETH staking and a "Cronos Yield Maximizer" ETF prove the real strategy is that $6.4B partnership with https://t.co/1C3jP5l6fB.

It’s a bet that political brand power can force a mid-cap like CRO into the…

— Murtuza J Merchant (@murtuza_merc) February 13, 2026

Big asset managers are not leaving the space. Some are still quietly increasing exposure, treating this dip as a longer term opportunity. Trump Media seems to be doing exactly that.

Staking Rewards and The Cronos Surprise

These are not basic spot ETFs. The structure is built for yield. The Truth Social Bitcoin and Ether ETF would hold roughly 60% BTC and 40% ETH, with a clear plan to stake the ETH portion and generate rewards.

Then there is the Cronos Yield Maximizer ETF. Pretty sound name if you ask me. It is designed to track CRO while also earning income through staking on the Cronos network.

That puts a direct spotlight on Crypto.com ecosystem exposure, not just Bitcoin and Ethereum.

Source: United States Securities and Exchange Commission

With a projected 0.95% management fee, these funds are positioning themselves as more active, premium vehicles rather than low cost, passive spot trackers.

The post Is Trump Media Good for Crypto After All? Files for Bitcoin, Ether, and Cronos ETFs appeared first on Cryptonews.

Bitcoin holders may be entering a different phase of the market cycle as inflation eases, according to entrepreneur and investor Anthony Pompliano, who says the asset’s core thesis is now being challenged.

Key Takeaways:

Pompliano says easing inflation is testing Bitcoin investors’ long-term conviction.

Bitcoin’s scarcity thesis depends more on money supply expansion than short-term CPI moves.

Weak sentiment and macro uncertainty may pressure prices before a potential recovery.

In an interview with Fox Business on Thursday, Pompliano argued that many investors first turned to Bitcoin during a period of rising prices and aggressive monetary expansion.

With inflation slowing, he said, the real question is whether participants still believe in Bitcoin’s long-term purpose.

Pompliano: Bitcoin’s Case Tested Without High Inflation

“I think the challenge for Bitcoin investors, can you hold an asset when there is not high inflation in your face on a day-to-day basis?” he said.

“Can you still believe in what Bitcoin’s value proposition is, which is that it’s a finite-supply asset. If they print money, Bitcoin is going higher.”

Government data shows inflation cooling modestly. The Consumer Price Index slowed to 2.4% in January from 2.7% a month earlier, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Even so, Moody’s Analytics chief economist Mark Zandi recently told CNBC that the improvement appears stronger in statistics than in everyday costs faced by consumers.

Bitcoin has long been promoted as a hedge against currency debasement because its supply is capped at 21 million coins.

When central banks expand liquidity and weaken purchasing power, investors often move toward scarce assets, including Bitcoin and gold, both of which Pompliano described as durable long-term stores of value.

Market sentiment, however, has deteriorated. The Crypto Fear & Greed Index recently dropped to an “Extreme Fear” reading of 9, a level not seen since June 2022.

Bitcoin was trading near $68,850 at publication, down roughly 28% over the past month, according to CoinMarketCap.

I joined @cvpayne yesterday from the floor of Bitcoin Investor Week to discuss bitcoin, inflation, deflation, and the strength of the US economy. pic.twitter.com/eTYeeCfGul

— Anthony Pompliano (@APompliano) February 12, 2026

Pompliano expects macroeconomic conditions to create turbulence before any sustained recovery.

He anticipates deflationary pressures in the short run, followed by policy responses such as rate cuts and renewed liquidity injections.

“We’re going get deflationary-type forces in the short term, people are going to ask to print money and to drop interest rates,” he said.

He described the dynamic as a “monetary slingshot,” where currency devaluation occurs while falling prices temporarily obscure its effects.

Over time, he argued, additional money creation would weaken the U.S. dollar and strengthen scarce assets.

Bitcoin Slides as US Jobs Revision Shakes Market Confidence

Bitcoin’s recent decline followed a sharp shift in economic expectations after US authorities revised last year’s employment data lower by nearly 900,000 jobs.

While January payrolls showed a modest gain of 130,000 positions, the large adjustment undermined confidence in earlier reports and unsettled financial markets.

Investors reacted less to the weak headline figure and more to the reliability of the data itself, as uncertainty tends to weigh heavily on risk assets.

The change quickly rippled across markets. US Treasury yields rose, with the 10-year moving from about 4.15% to 4.20%, while expectations for a March interest-rate cut dropped sharply from 22% to 9%.

Derivatives activity also intensified, with large traders increasing hedging positions against further downside.

Analysts noted that preliminary labor estimates, including statistical models used during economic transitions, may have overstated job creation in prior readings.

For Bitcoin, the bond market remains a key signal. Higher yields typically tighten liquidity conditions, making it harder for speculative assets to recover.

Although some traders believe prices could be nearing a bottom, current market behavior suggests hesitation.

The post Pompliano Says Cooling Inflation Tests Bitcoin Investors’ Conviction appeared first on Cryptonews.

Lawmakers in the Netherlands have taken a major step toward reshaping how digital assets are taxed.

The country’s House of Representatives voted Thursday to advance legislation introducing a 36% capital gains tax on savings and most liquid investments, including cryptocurrencies.

Key Takeaways:

Dutch lawmakers advanced a 36% tax on savings, equities and crypto, including unrealized gains.

Critics warn the proposal could trigger investor relocation and capital outflows.

The bill still requires Senate approval before a planned 2028 implementation.

The proposal cleared the chamber comfortably, receiving 93 votes, well above the 75 required to move forward, according to the official tally.

Netherlands Targets Unsold Crypto Profits in New Tax Proposal

If adopted, the measure would apply broadly. Bank savings, crypto holdings, most equities and returns generated from interest-bearing instruments would all fall under the levy.

Notably, the tax would be assessed regardless of whether investors actually sell their assets, meaning unrealized gains could still be taxed.

The Dutch Senate must still approve the bill before it can become law. Implementation is targeted for the 2028 tax year, but reaction from investors has already been swift.

Critics argue the policy risks pushing wealth out of the country. Some investors warn that higher-net-worth individuals could relocate to jurisdictions with lighter tax regimes, particularly within the European Union where cross-border movement is relatively straightforward.

Entrepreneur Denis Payre pointed to historical precedent, saying France experienced a wave of business departures after imposing similar policies in the late 1990s.

Crypto analyst Michaël van de Poppe was even more blunt, calling the plan deeply misguided and predicting significant relocation by investors.

The Netherlands has gone insane.

The government wants to tax unrealized gains on #Bitcoin from 2028 onwards.

I simply don't understand why people are blindly accepting this and not going all-in to demonstrate against this particular law.

The amount of tax being paid each… pic.twitter.com/HIJhLl6qHq

— Michaël van de Poppe (@CryptoMichNL) January 23, 2026

Financial projections circulating among market participants illustrate the concern. According to data shared by Investing Visuals, an investor starting with €10,000 and contributing €1,000 monthly over 40 years could accumulate roughly €3.32 million without the tax.

Under the proposed 36% levy, the ending value would drop to about €1.885 million, a reduction of roughly €1.435 million.

The debate echoes similar disputes elsewhere. In the United States, technology leaders and crypto industry figures pushed back strongly against California’s proposed wealth tax on billionaires, with some entrepreneurs openly discussing relocation.

While supporters argue the Dutch plan modernizes taxation across financial assets, opponents say it could discourage long-term investment and weaken the country’s position as a destination for fintech and digital asset businesses.

The Senate’s decision will determine whether the proposal becomes one of Europe’s strictest crypto tax regimes.

Dutch Indirect Crypto Investments Hit €1.2B

As reported, Dutch exposure to cryptocurrency through financial securities has grown rapidly over the past five years, reaching about €1.2 billion by October 2025, according to De Nederlandsche Bank (DNB).

The increase largely reflects rising prices of major digital assets rather than a surge of new investor money.

Holdings stood at roughly €81 million at the end of 2020, showing how valuation gains have expanded crypto-linked investments across households, institutions and companies.

Despite the jump, direct ownership of cryptocurrencies remains relatively limited for many investors.

Even with the growth, crypto securities represent only about 0.03% of the Netherlands’ overall investment market, indicating traditional assets still dominate portfolios.

Last year, Dutch crypto firm Amdax raised €30 million ($35 million) to launch Amsterdam Bitcoin Treasury Strategy (AMBTS), a dedicated Bitcoin treasury company that plans to accumulate up to 1% of the total BTC supply, or roughly 210,000 Bitcoin.

The post Dutch Lawmakers Advance 36% Capital Gains Tax on Crypto appeared first on Cryptonews.

The cryptocurrency market has swung sharply in recent weeks, with both Bitcoin and Ethereum trading well below the record levels they reached last year.

Key Takeaways:

Bessent says the proposed Clarity Act could reduce uncertainty and stabilize crypto markets.

He attributes part of Bitcoin’s recent drop to industry resistance to regulation.

The bill faces political hurdles and opposition from some firms despite a 62% passage outlook.

However, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent believes a pending regulatory framework could help steady sentiment.

Speaking to CNBC on Friday, Bessent said passage of the proposed Clarity Act, a market structure bill aimed at defining oversight of digital assets, would ease uncertainty among investors.

Bessent Urges Swift Passage of Crypto Clarity Bill This Spring

“Some clarity on the Clarity bill would give great comfort to the market,” he said, adding that lawmakers should move quickly to place the legislation on the president’s desk this spring.

Bessent described part of the recent downturn as avoidable. Bitcoin has fallen more than 29% over the past month, a decline he characterized as partly driven by industry resistance to regulation.

“There is a group of Democrats who want to work with Republicans on getting a market structure bill,” he said.

“But there are a group of crypto firms who have been blocking it… that doesn’t seem to have been good for the overall crypto community.”

His latest comments were more measured than earlier criticisms directed at companies opposing the proposal.

In recent interviews, Bessent labeled dissenting firms “recalcitrant actors” and argued that participants unwilling to operate under a regulatory framework could relocate elsewhere.

Thank you to @SenLummis for your continued efforts in the Senate to advance critical market structure legislation for digital assets.

As I said during my testimony, it is vital that the CLARITY Act is signed into law.

The digital asset revolution is here, and I am confident… pic.twitter.com/XJQabS9wBZ

— Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent (@SecScottBessent) February 6, 2026

US-based exchange Coinbase withdrew support over provisions restricting companies from offering yield on stablecoins to retail users.

Chief executive Brian Armstrong said at the time the firm would prefer no legislation over one it considers flawed.

Political dynamics could also shape the bill’s prospects. Bessent warned that a shift in congressional control following upcoming midterm elections might halt negotiations entirely.

He also pointed to prior regulatory pressure on the sector, saying policies during the previous administration came close to an “extinction event” for parts of the industry.

Prediction market Polymarket currently assigns roughly a 62% probability that the Clarity Act becomes law by the end of 2026.

Gold Rally, Clarity Act Uncertainty a Turning Point for Crypto

As reported, Bitwise Chief Investment Officer Matt Hougan has said that gold’s surge past $5,000 an ounce and mounting uncertainty around US crypto legislation are shaping a critical moment for digital asset markets.

Hougan said the combination of rising demand for assets outside government control and fading confidence in near-term regulatory clarity could influence both crypto adoption and price action in the months ahead.

He also flagged growing uncertainty around the Clarity Act, legislation aimed at cementing a pro-crypto regulatory framework in the US.

Political and geopolitical factors are adding further uncertainty. Internal divisions at the Fed, combined with leadership questions and rising tensions following a US naval deployment toward Iran, have pushed investors toward traditional havens.

“This flight to safety is bypassing Bitcoin entirely in favor of tangible commodities. Until the geopolitical dust settles or the Fed turns the liquidity taps back on, Bitcoin remains a high-risk play in a world looking for a bunker.

The post Treasury’s Bessent Says Crypto Clarity Act Could Calm Markets appeared first on Cryptonews.