New week, new crypto horoscope dedicated to the upcoming week from February 16 to 22, 2026.
This week will be marked by two transits
the New Moon in Aquarius during the Solar Eclipse on Tuesday 17/2;
the new Sun in Pisces from Wednesday 18/2
For several months now, we have been dedicating space to the crypto horoscope written by Stefania Stimolo, an expert in astrology and blockchain. This is a weekly column featuring the horoscope for each zodiac sign, available every Sunday exclusively on The Cryptonomist.
In our slogan “We Tell the Future,” we wanted to delve deeper into the topic, playfully speaking, with this entertainment column.
The Crypto Horoscope
We call it a crypto horoscope simply because industry-specific terminology is used.
Words like NFT, metaverse, and Over-The-Counter to describe actions and scenarios, but also trading terminology like bullish, bull run, bear market, or dump to identify the mood of each zodiac sign during the days of the week.
Obviously, the famous to-the-moon cannot be missing to indicate the mood of that sign!
In general, you might experience a period akin to a “hard-fork,” understood as an “internal split,” or pass your lightning torch to the next zodiac sign, meaning the Sun is moving into the next sign.
Or, simply, you need to reflect on certain situations that go into “verify,” meaning when the planet is in dissonance with the zodiac sign. Moreover, with each new transition of the Sun through the zodiac constellations, the roadmap of each sign will reach a new step.
Obviously, no investment advice is given; rather, it is purely for entertainment, just like any other horoscope. It should be noted that many industry beginners have understood specific crypto terminology thanks to the horoscope on The Cryptonomist.
“Don’t Trust, Verify”
Astrology is not an exact science, but it aims to predict the future in its own way. So why not associate the typical blockchain phrase “Don’t Trust, Verify” here as well.
Indeed, what the author aims to offer is her interpretation of the planetary transits occurring during the week, describing the reaction of each zodiac sign, following the “logic” of traditional astrology.
For those who are astrology enthusiasts, they might stay updated simply by following the transits that are communicated weekly, which, in some way, influence us. A Mercury Retrograde, rather than the days of a Full Moon.
Others, on the other hand, might visit the dedicated page, which is updated every Sunday, and read the horoscope for their zodiac sign, their ascendant, or why not, even the horoscope of friends and loved ones. So, for entertainment purposes only, don’t waste time and click here to read your horoscope for this week!
Lorenzo Capone (Kraken): “Crypto marketing is maturing: the audience today is much more aware”
From the cultural difference between Binance and Kraken to the evolution of the retail audience, covering AI, market cycles, and career in the crypto sector: the interview with Lorenzo Cappone.
Marketing in the crypto sector is entering a new phase. After years of hype, explosive growth, and aggressive communication, the audience has changed — and brands must change with it.
This is one of the key messages that emerged from the interview between Amelia Tomasicchio, founder of Cryptonomist, and Lorenzo Capone, currently at Kraken and formerly at Binance, among the most experienced Italian managers in the retail growth of exchanges.
The meeting provides a rare insider’s view of the industry: corporate culture, audience evolution, use of artificial intelligence, and crypto market dynamics in 2026.
Binance vs Kraken: speed versus identity
One of the most intriguing parts of the interview concerns the cultural difference between the two giants of the industry.
According to Capone, Binance epitomizes speed and aggressive execution:
“Binance is pure execution, scale, speed. Kraken, on the other hand, is more reflective: branding, values, identity. It is a more organized structure in terms of marketing.”
Kraken, a company historically perceived as solid and compliance-first, has a still limited presence in Italy and Southern Europe. This very absence has represented an opportunity for Capone:
“The brand is strong, the company is solid, but the local presence is almost nonexistent. I saw a great opportunity to make it known.”
It’s not just about market strategy, but also operational philosophy. Binance was created as a hyper-scalable machine; Kraken, with its American roots, prioritizes structure and brand consistency. Two opposing models that reflect different approaches to growth.
The crypto audience has changed
If there’s one point Capone is clear about, it’s this: the retail crypto audience is no longer naive.
“Today, people have a shield. They immediately recognize when someone is paid to say something. They understand when there’s shill, when there’s FUD, when there’s forced marketing.”
According to Capone, many medium to small exchanges still make a fatal mistake: underestimating the intelligence of the public.
After years of market cycles, failures, scandals, and speculative bubbles, users have developed a strong critical sense. Superficial or manipulative communication not only no longer works — it risks damaging the brand.
This change necessitates a thorough overhaul of crypto marketing:
less hype
more transparency
real education
consistent branding
AI in Marketing: Tool, Not Shortcut
Another central theme is artificial intelligence. Capone is clear: AI will not replace marketers, but it will raise the bar.
“It will not replace anyone. On the contrary, it will enhance the creativity needed for effective marketing.”
The issue isn’t AI itself, but its superficial use. Today, many brands chase trends without strategy, producing easily recognizable “cringe” AI content.
The public, once again, takes notice.
“They can tell in milliseconds when content is poorly generated with AI.”
The winning approach is holistic: integrating AI tools into workflows without distorting the brand’s human message.
Crypto Marketing in 2026: Education or Entertainment?
The marketing of retail exchanges today faces a segmentation challenge. The audience is vast and heterogeneous: experienced users coexist with novices.
According to Capone, the winning strategy remains diversification:
“A mix is needed. There are those who speak the crypto language and those who need basic financial education.”
There is no longer a dominant platform. Instagram, Twitter/X, TikTok, and YouTube require different languages and strategies. The challenge is not only creative but also operational: the marketing teams of exchanges are often made up of very few people.
Managing a multiplatform presence is a matter of priorities and resources.
Working in the Crypto Sector Today: End of the Easy Era
Another significant step concerns employment in the sector.
In 2021, simply labeling oneself as a “Web3 enthusiast” on LinkedIn was enough to secure interviews. By 2026, the landscape is radically different.
“Today you need to deliver value. Titles matter little. What counts is the track record.”
Companies seek tangible results, not generic enthusiasm. Determination and personal initiative make the difference.
Capone shares a telling anecdote: a candidate who, after an interview, sent a 40-page document to develop an idea discussed during the call.
“What distinguishes people is hunger.”
The sector is more selective, yet also more professional. The impulsive hiring of the 2021 cycle has given way to a logic of efficiency and sustainability.
Crypto Market: Cycles and Human Psychology
In the market, Capone avoids making predictions, but notes a historical constant: it’s not just the price that is cyclical — human behavior is as well.
“Every cycle tells the same story. Hype at the top, panic at the bottom.”
According to him, bear markets are the times to study and build skills, not to chase the price.
The “Bitcoin is dead” narrative continues to resurface with every correction, despite a fifteen-year history of resilience.
A Maturing Sector
The interview portrays a more mature crypto sector compared to the past:
more critical audience
more structured brands
more selective hiring
less improvised marketing
The era of blind enthusiasm gives way to professionalization.
For those entering today, the opportunities remain vast — but they require real skills, strategic vision, and adaptability.
As Capone summarizes:
“This is the right time to study. Not when the market explodes.”
Animoca Brands: Web3 Investments, NFTs, Metaverse, and the Future of Utility Tokens — Exclusive I...
Animoca Brands is one of the most influential entities in the global Web3 landscape, with over 600 investments in projects related to blockchain, gaming, DeFi, and digital ownership.
In this exclusive interview, the Cryptonomist team spoke with a company representative to delve into investment strategy, vision on the metaverse, NFTs, and the role of utility tokens in the upcoming market cycle.
Watch the full interview: https://youtu.be/CQRib8hCutA
How Animoca Selects Projects to Invest In
Animoca Brands describes its mission as “reimagining the economies of the future”. Each investment is evaluated based on a central question: is the project creating a new digital economy that is more efficient, scalable, and sustainable?
The company primarily focuses on the founder’s vision. In early-stage projects, the team is often more important than the product itself. It’s crucial to understand:
why the founder is building that project
whether there is a genuine mission or just opportunism
deep understanding of tokenomics and blockchain
A fundamental requirement is the project’s crypto-native nature. Animoca avoids companies that “add Web3 for fashion”. The blockchain must offer a structural advantage, not just marketing.
AI is not a category, it’s a standard
According to Animoca, artificial intelligence should no longer be viewed as a standalone vertical. AI will become a competitive standard for all companies.
Companies that combine AI and token economy have a strategic advantage: they can build scalable systems with integrated economic incentives. For this reason, Animoca is keenly interested in mass consumer products that integrate AI, gaming, entertainment, and digital infrastructures.
The Cultural Issue of Digital Ownership
One of the key topics of the interview is digital ownership.
The main issue, according to Animoca, is not technological but cultural: many people do not understand the concept of ownership due to a lack of financial education. Without ownership, there is no capitalism, value exchange, or wealth accumulation.
In Asian countries, where the historical memory of property loss is more recent, crypto adoption is faster. In Europe and partly in the United States, property is taken for granted — and thus undervalued.
Crypto and blockchain bring the concept of individual sovereignty back to the forefront of the economic system.
NFT: status symbol of digital wealth
NFTs are not dead — they are maturing.
Animoca compares them to the art market: their value increases alongside the wealth of the audience that collects them. Today, NFTs represent status symbols of the new crypto elite.
Even though volumes are not at the peaks of 2021, the NFT market still moves approximately 300 million dollars per month. Billionaire collectors continue to purchase rare digital assets as a sign of belonging to a community.
As long as wealth in the crypto sector grows, the symbolic value of NFTs will also increase.
The Metaverse is Already Here
According to Animoca, the metaverse hasn’t disappeared: it has simply changed its name.
We already live in virtual spaces:
video games like Roblox and Minecraft
social network
call Zoom
shared digital environments
The difference is that today we do not own these spaces. The true Web3 metaverse introduces digital property rights.
The decline in media coverage of the term is primarily linked to Meta’s (formerly Facebook) communication strategy, not to a failure of the concept.
The Future: The Year of Utility Tokens
Animoca believes that the next cycle will not be a generic “alt season,” but rather a natural selection of projects with real utility.
The comparison is with the stock market: you don’t buy everything, you choose solid companies. The same applies to tokens.
Meme coins will continue to exist, but the market will shift towards:
tangible utility
real adoption
measurable value
sustainable ecosystems
Animoca aims to build and finance precisely these projects.
In conclusion, the company announced its goal of a public listing by the end of the year through a merger with Currency — a move that could mark a new phase of maturation for the entire Web3 sector.