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Ethereum price remains under pressure after a sharp decline that unsettled investors across the crypto market. 

Although Ethereum appears to be entering a historically favorable accumulation zone, on-chain indicators reveal mixed conviction among different holder cohorts.

Ethereum Is In a Prime Accumulation Range

Ethereum’s Market Value to Realized Value, or MVRV, ratio indicates that ETH has entered what analysts describe as an “opportunity zone.” This range lies between negative 18% and negative 28%. Historically, when MVRV falls into this band, selling pressure approaches exhaustion.

Previous entries into this zone often preceded price reversals. Investors typically accumulate when unrealized losses deepen. Such behavior can stabilize the Ethereum price and initiate recovery phases. However, historical probability does not guarantee immediate upside.

Want more token insights like this? Sign up for Editor Harsh Notariya’s Daily Crypto Newsletter here.

Ethereum MVRV Ratio. Source: Santiment

Current macro conditions complicate the outlook. Liquidity constraints and cautious sentiment may delay accumulation. While MVRV suggests undervaluation relative to realized cost basis, broader market weakness could suppress momentum and extend consolidation before any meaningful rebound begins.

Ethereum Holders Are Leaning Differently

Short-term holders are regaining influence over Ethereum price action. The MVRV Long/Short Difference measures profitability between long-term and short-term holders. Deeply negative readings signal greater profitability among short-term holders compared to long-term investors.

Toward the end of January, the metric suggested profitability was shifting away from short-term traders. That trend hinted at an improving structure. However, the recent decline reversed that dynamic, restoring short-term holder profits. These investors typically sell quickly, increasing vulnerability to renewed downside pressure.

Ethereum MVRV Long/Short Difference. Source: Santiment

The HODLer net position change metric reveals another shift. Long-term holders previously exhibited steady accumulation. In recent days, the buying pressure has transitioned into distribution, reflecting reduced confidence among strategic investors.

Long-term holder selling adds structural risk. These participants often provide foundational support during downturns. Without renewed accumulation from this cohort, the Ethereum price may struggle to absorb supply. Current data shows limited evidence of strong counterbalancing demand.

Ethereum HODLer Net Position Change. Source: Glassnode ETH Price May Look At Consolidation

Ethereum price trades at $1,983 and remains above the $1,811 support level. Despite this stability, the altcoin recently marked a nine-month low at $1,743. Maintaining $1,811 is critical to prevent deeper technical deterioration.

Given ongoing selling from both short-term and long-term holders, recovery may face resistance near $2,238. Continued weakness could keep ETH trading closer to support rather than challenging overhead barriers. A confirmed breakdown below $1,811 may expose Ethereum to $1,571.

Ethereum Price Analysis. Source: TradingView

Alternatively, reduced selling from short-term holders could ease pressure. If long-term holders resume accumulation, Ethereum may attempt a stronger rebound. A decisive move above $2,238, followed by a rally past $2,509, would invalidate the bearish thesis and improve the medium-term outlook.

Decentralized perpetuals trading platform Lighter saw its native token LIT surge nearly 10% during the early hours of the US session.  

It follows news that it had struck a major revenue-sharing deal with USDC issuer Circle.

Lighter Strikes $920 Million USDC Revenue-Sharing Deal with Circle — A Win for DeFi Traders

LIT, the powering token for the Lighter ecosystem, exploded by nearly 10% on the news, and was trading for $1.46% on the news.

Lighter (LIT) Price Performance. Source: TradingView

The agreement covers approximately $920 million in USDC deposits on Lighter’s platform, marking a significant milestone for the young DeFi exchange.

Under the partnership, interest income generated from Circle’s USDC reserves will be shared between Circle and Lighter.

This aligns with Circle’s broader revenue-sharing model, which it has previously implemented with leading exchanges such as Coinbase and Bybit.

For Lighter, the deal offers a fast and capital-efficient path to grow its yield engine, fund user incentives, and support platform features such as funding rate rebates and rewards programs.

Unlike some of its competitors, Lighter has opted to lean on USDC rather than launching a proprietary stablecoin.

Hyperliquid, for instance, introduced its native stablecoin USDH in late 2025 after a competitive governance auction. The move diverted billions in deposits and yield away from Circle and other stablecoin issuers.

That move allowed Hyperliquid to capture revenue internally and reduce centralization risks, but required significant capital and infrastructure investment.

Lighter Leverages Circle Partnership to Boost Adoption, Liquidity, and LIT Token Sentiment

Lighter’s approach, by contrast, allows the platform to tap directly into Circle’s established reserves while still benefiting from shared yield.

This could accelerate adoption by leveraging Circle’s USDC ecosystem, enabling Lighter to scale more efficiently while delivering value to traders and token holders.

The deal represents a potential win-win scenario:

Circle benefits by locking in a large volume of USDC on a growing DeFi platform, incentivizing adoption and circulation.

Lighter gains access to a steady revenue stream, which could enhance platform sustainability, attract more liquidity, and increase user engagement.

Moving forward, interest will be on on-chain USDC flows to Lighter contracts as this could show early signs of the agreement’s impact on liquidity and token sentiment.

Lighter has been gaining traction in the DeFi perpetuals market, with growing trading volumes, loyalty points programs, and community engagement.

Token listings on popular platforms like Robinhood have also contributed to its growing bullish sentiment.

The revenue-sharing announcement is expected to boost confidence, perhaps further than during its LIT token event in December.

Nevertheless, it is impossible to forget past controversies surrounding Lighter, including allegations of secret token sales.

While official details on the exact share split of USDC interest have not yet been disclosed, even a conservative arrangement could provide a meaningful boost to LIT holders.

Crypto investors are advised to monitor announcements from both Lighter and Circle for updates, as revenue-sharing agreements of this scale can change quickly.

HBAR de la Hedera depășește piața mai largă de criptomonede. În timp ce Bitcoin și Ethereum au crescut cu aproximativ 2% în ultimele 24 de ore, prețul HBAR astăzi a câștigat aproape 10% în ultima săptămână și aproximativ 8% în ultimele 24 de ore, tranzacționându-se aproape de $0.096 la momentul redactării.

Raliul a ridicat așteptările de rupere. Dar momentum-ul, volumul și datele despre derivate sugerează că riscul crește mai repede decât convingerea.

Speranțele pentru o rupere a wedge-ului descendent cresc, dar cu un risc.

HBAR a fost tranzacționat într-un model de wedge descendent începând cu sfârșitul anului 2025.

Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as “criminal aggression.” He advocates applying crypto-inspired governance principles to transform Russia’s political system.

His remarks, published ahead of the fourth anniversary of the invasion on February 24, 2026, link blockchain concepts to the long-term security of Europe and Ukraine.

Vitalik Buterin Condemns Aggression Amid Support for Ukraine

The Russo-Canadian innovator directly rejected narratives that frame the conflict as morally ambiguous. He emphasized that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine cannot be justified.

Drawing on his Russian heritage and Canadian upbringing, he highlighted the dramatic contrast between:

Ukraine’s institutional improvements over the past decade and

Russia’s escalating repression, imperial ambitions, and military aggression.

“Ukraine needs a lot of help — to continue defending itself and to minimize human suffering from attacks on residential buildings, the energy system, etc.,” Buterin wrote, urging sustained international support to protect civilians and maintain Ukraine’s defense capabilities.

Buterin also criticized Western narratives that downplay Russian responsibility, asserting that Moscow’s leadership currently lacks incentive to pursue peace.

Based on this, he suggests that only continued military and economic pressure could compel meaningful negotiations.

Applying Crypto Principles to Political Reform

Drawing parallels from his experience in Ethereum and blockchain governance, Buterin proposed that long-term reform in Russia could benefit from:

Decentralized governance

Quadratic voting, and

Digital democracy

These mechanisms, already explored in crypto ecosystems, are designed to spread power, prevent authoritarian consolidation, and allow citizens to influence decisions proportionally.

“The goal is to build a country that, when the objective is improving people’s lives, will be maximally strong, but when the goal is oppressing minorities or aggression against neighbors, will be maximally uncoordinated and weak,” he explained.

Buterin emphasized that decentralization is not merely a conceptual exercise; it could guide real-world political transitions.

Systems like https://pol.is, which enable large-scale consensus-building and public deliberation, could help identify shared priorities among citizens and inform policy without relying solely on traditional hierarchical structures.

The remarks come only weeks after internet providers began blocking access at the network level, barring several crypto news sites on Russian home internet connections.

Vision for a “Beautiful Russia of the Future”

Nonetheless, beyond immediate conflict resolution, Buterin argued that European and Ukrainian security depends on fundamentally transforming Russia.

He envisioned a state in which internal governance structures prioritize public welfare and economic prosperity over military aggression, thereby reducing the likelihood of future conflicts.

Buterin stressed that this transformation requires new leadership and novel ideas within Russia’s political opposition.

Drawing lessons from crypto, he noted that entrenched systems rarely yield progress without fresh strategies, experimentation, and inclusive participation. He framed this approach as a two-step process:

First, Ukraine must receive every possible form of support to weaken the Russian military and compel a ceasefire.

Second, after Putin, the focus should shift to empowering moderate factions in Russia willing to adopt reform, peace, and decentralized governance principles.

Buterin’s proposal reflects a growing intersection between technological governance models and international politics.

While blockchain-inspired methods have been tested primarily in digital networks, applying these concepts to national governance represents a radical, untested approach.

Nonetheless, the Ethereum co-founder’s perspective offers a novel lens on conflict resolution and state-building. It suggests that beyond diplomacy or military pressure, systemic innovation may be essential for lasting peace.

Prețul Berachain a șocat piața cripto după o creștere bruscă și rapidă. BERA a crescut cu aproape 210% în timpul maximului intraday de miercuri înainte de a se retrage.

Mișcarea explozivă a declanșat un interes larg răspândit, totuși datele on-chain sugerează că rally-ul a fost în mare parte generat de speculații, mai degrabă decât susținut de fluxuri de capital constante.

Ce a cauzat creșterea prețului BERA?

Catalizatorul principal din spatele creșterii BERA pare a fi o comprimare majoră a vânzărilor în lipsă. Ratele de finanțare au fluctuat violent în timp ce traderii bearish au fost prinși pe nepregătite. Rapoartele au arătat că finanțarea a căzut la un minim de -5,900%, semnalând un dezechilibru extrem în poziționarea derivatelor.

Chainlink (LINK), one of the leading oracle platforms, has struggled to find a recovery throughout February. Despite multiple pieces of positive news, selling pressure has remained persistent.

As price action reaches a support level that has held for six years, February could be the decisive moment for LINK to enter a new price phase.

Positive Developments in February Fail to Offset Selling Pressure

Price data shows that the current level around $8.4 aligns with a long-term support trendline that has held since 2020. This makes LINK’s price behavior in the coming days a key reference point for analysts when forming longer-term projections.

Chainlink (LINK) Price Performance. Source: TradingView

Recent signals from strategic partnerships could, in theory, strengthen LINK’s appeal.

Robinhood has launched a public testnet for Robinhood Chain, a Layer 2 network on Arbitrum designed for tokenized assets. More importantly, Chainlink serves as the platform’s oracle provider. The integration allows developers to leverage Chainlink’s data feeds, interoperability, and compliance standards to support advanced tokenization use cases.

Similarly, Ondo Finance, a platform focused on tokenized real-world assets, has selected Chainlink as its official data provider. The goal is to accelerate the adoption of tokenized stocks and ETFs. This collaboration enables tokenized U.S. securities to operate across Ethereum’s DeFi ecosystem, secured by institutional-grade data.

“Using Chainlink, DeFi protocols can now price Ondo Global Markets assets with best-in-class accuracy, manage positions safely, and provide users with more protection during volatile market conditions,” Ondo Finance stated.

The benefits from the Robinhood and Ondo partnerships have not translated into an immediate price increase. Weak overall market sentiment appears to be the main constraint. LINK showed no clear rebound from the six-year support level when these announcements were released.

On another front, exchange-side selling pressure has intensified. Exchange Inflow (Top 10) rose sharply in February 2026.

Chainlink Exchange Inflow (Top 10). Source: CryptoQuant

This metric measures the total amount of coins from the top 10 inflow transactions to exchanges. Elevated values indicate that large volumes of LINK are being deposited at once. This behavior often signals rising sell-side pressure.

A similar spike occurred in September last year. LINK’s price began to decline shortly afterward. The metric has now started rising again. This trend may suggest that some large holders are preparing to liquidate, adding to downward price pressure.

Sustained selling pressure could push LINK below its six-year support. However, partnerships with Robinhood and Ondo still provide long-term optimism. A meaningful recovery will likely require a more favorable market environment to align with Chainlink’s underlying fundamentals.

Prețul Cardano a crescut cu aproximativ 3% în ultimele 24 de ore, tranzacționându-se aproape de 0,26 USD la momentul raportării. Aceasta se remarcă, deoarece piața criptomonedelor în general rămâne în mare parte plată. Pe grafic, ADA începe să formeze o structură de rebound familiară care a dus la raliuri înainte. Dar datele on-chain și cele despre derivate sugerează că această configurație ar putea să nu aibă un suport puternic.

Aceasta creează un conflict clar între îmbunătățirea semnalelor tehnice și convingerea slabă a investitorilor.

Modelul de rebound se formează din nou - La fel ca în decembrie

Din începutul lunii decembrie, Cardano a construit o structură familiară. Între 1 decembrie și 11 februarie, ADA a făcut minime din ce în ce mai joase, în timp ce Indicele de Forță Relativă, sau RSI, a făcut minime mai ridicate. RSI măsoară momentumul urmărind forța de cumpărare și vânzare. Atunci când prețul slăbește în timp ce RSI se îmbunătățește, indică faptul că presiunea de vânzare se diminuează.

Welcome to the US Crypto News Morning Briefing—your essential rundown of the most important developments in crypto for the day ahead.

Grab a coffee as the crypto market may be heading into another turbulent stretch. Analysts are warning that more volatility could lie ahead as macro uncertainty builds and investor sentiment weakens, setting the stage for a potentially decisive moment before any meaningful recovery begins.

Crypto News of the Day: Standard Chartered Warns of Final Capitulation, Sees Bitcoin Falling to $50,000 Before Recovery

Standard Chartered is warning that crypto markets may face one final wave of selling pressure before staging a broader recovery. According to the bank, Bitcoin could drop to $50,000 and Ethereum to $1,400 in the months ahead.

In a note to clients, Geoff Kendrick, the bank’s Head of Digital Asset Research, said the near-term outlook remains challenging amid intensifying macroeconomic headwinds and weakening ETF flows.

“I think we are going to see more pain and a final capitulation period for digital asset prices in the next few months,” Kendrick wrote. “The macro backdrop is unlikely to provide support until we near Warsh taking over at the Fed.”

According to Kendrick, the current correction has further to run before markets find a durable bottom. On the downside, he expects:

“BTC to USD 50,000 or just below, ETH to USD 1,400.”

Despite the bearish short-term call, Kendrick framed these levels as strategic entry points rather than structural breakdowns.

“They will be buy levels, for end-of-year forecasts of $100,000 (BTC) and $4,000 (ETH). Take care out there.”

The revised projections mark a notable reduction from the bank’s previous targets of $150,000 for Bitcoin and $7,500 for Ethereum, reported in a recent US Crypto News publication.

Bitcoin and Ethereum Price Performance. Source: TradingView

Still, Standard Chartered maintains a constructive long-term view once the current drawdown plays out.

Macro Headwinds and ETF Outflows

Kendrick emphasized that macroeconomic conditions are weighing heavily on digital assets. While the US economy may be softening, markets are not pricing in imminent rate cuts.

“The macro risk backdrop is also becoming more challenging – the US economy may be softening, but markets expect no further rate cuts until Warsh takes over as Fed chair in June,” he said.

With liquidity support likely delayed, investor behavior is shifting. The Standard Chartered executive observes that holdings of digital asset ETFs have fallen (albeit in an orderly manner), and the average Bitcoin ETF holding is now down around 25%.

“Against this backdrop, we think ETF holders are more likely to sell, rather than buy the dip, for now.”

The decline in ETF holdings is particularly significant given that spot Bitcoin ETFs were a key driver of inflows during the last rally. A sustained period of redemptions could amplify downside volatility if sentiment deteriorates further.

A More Resilient Market Structure with Recovery Path Into 2026

Despite forecasting further losses, Standard Chartered argues that the current sell-off differs materially from previous crypto downturns.

“Recent price action for digital assets has been challenging, to say the least. We expect further declines in the near term and are lowering our forecasts across the asset class. However, we expect prices to recover after hitting their lows in the next few months, and our long-term constructive view remains intact,” Kendrick said.

Importantly, he added that this sell-off has been less extreme than previous ones and has not seen the collapse of any digital asset platforms (as was the case in 2022). This, according to Kenrick, suggests that crypto as an asset class is maturing and becoming more resilient.

That structural resilience may ultimately support a stronger recovery phase once macro conditions stabilize and liquidity expectations shift.

Looking beyond the expected capitulation phase, Standard Chartered anticipates a rebound through the remainder of 2026.

“Once the lows have been reached, we expect the asset class to recover for the rest of 2026,” Kendrick said.

The bank now forecasts Bitcoin at $100,000 and Ethereum at $4,000 by year-end 2026, with other digital assets likely to “broadly follow the majors.”

Chart of the Day

Bitcoin Price Performance. Source: TradingView

Standard Chartered projects the Bitcoin price falling to $50,000 before recovery. Such a move would constitute a 26% drop below current levels.

Byte-Sized Alpha

Here’s a summary of more US crypto news to follow today:

MicroStrategy plans to issue more perpetual preferred stock: What it means for MSTR.

Four signs that Bitcoin is in the early stages of a bear market: How long could it last?

Elon Musk reveals X Money may launch soon, fueling crypto speculation.

Bitcoin whale accumulation resembles 2022 structure – Can it revive BTC price?

Solana long-term holder capitulation reaches a 3-year high as price nears losing $80.

A crypto lender has halted withdrawals: Is this another FTX moment?

XRP flashes historic rebound hint, but buying drops 85% — What’s next for price?

Crypto market sentiment falls into extreme fear: What does it mean for investors?

Crypto Equities Pre-Market Overview

CompanyClose As of February 11Pre-Market OverviewStrategy (MSTR)$126.14$127.54 (+1.11%)Coinbase (COIN)$153.20$154.29 (+0.71%)Galaxy Digital Holdings (GLXY)$20.40$20.46 (+0.29%)MARA Holdings (MARA)$7.56$7.64 (+1.06%)Riot Platforms (RIOT)$14.80$14.89 (+0.41%)Core Scientific (CORZ)$18.09$18.19 (+0.55%)

Crypto equities market open race: Google Finance

Solana price remains under sustained pressure, extending a three-week downtrend amid weak investor support and bearish macro conditions. 

SOL trading near $80, reflecting declining demand across the broader crypto market. Adding to concerns, long-term holders are now showing signs of weakening conviction.

Solana Profitable Supply Falls To Multi-Year Low

On-chain data shows that Solana’s supply in profit has dropped to 15%. This marks the lowest level since November 2022. A falling profitable supply typically indicates that most holders are underwater, which often reduces the incentive to sell further.

Historically, such low profitability has coincided with stabilization phases. Selling pressure tends to ease when fewer investors remain in profit. However, current conditions differ due to broad market weakness and deteriorating long-term holder sentiment, limiting the usual recovery effect.

Want more token insights like this? Sign up for Editor Harsh Notariya’s Daily Crypto Newsletter here.

Solana Supply In Profit. Source: Glassnode

A key metric highlighting the shift is Liveliness, which measures long-term holder activity. The recent spike in Liveliness signals increased token movement from previously dormant wallets. This behavior suggests Solana LTHs are distributing rather than accumulating during the downturn.

When LTHs begin selling, macro momentum often weakens further. Their participation typically reflects high conviction. A sustained rise in Liveliness indicates eroding confidence, which can amplify bearish trends and reduce the probability of a swift Solana price recovery.

Solana Liveliness. Source: Glassnode Why Are LTHs Selling?

Signs of LTHs selling became evident toward the end of January. The long-term holder Net Unrealized Profit and Loss, or NUPL, fell below zero. This shift marked capitulation, meaning long-term holders moved into aggregate losses.

The last time Solana LTH’s NUPL dropped below zero was in May 2022. Capitulation at that time triggered widespread distribution before eventual stabilization. Selling by long-term investors during loss phases often reflects psychological exhaustion rather than tactical repositioning.

Solana LTH NUPL. Source: Glassnode

LTHs capitulated on January 24, yet the spike in Liveliness appeared roughly a week later. This delay suggests holders initially waited for a rebound. But as the Solana price continued to decline, those investors ultimately sold. If this dynamic persists, recovery prospects may weaken further.

SOL Price Downtrend Continues

Solana price trades near $80 and remains within a defined downtrend that began three weeks ago. SOL is holding just above the $79 support level. Sustained weakness in investor demand increases the risk of a breakdown below this threshold.

If LTH selling continues and the downtrend remains intact, SOL could lose $79 support. A confirmed breakdown may send Solana toward $70, which aligns with the 1.786 Fibonacci extension level. That zone represents the next major technical support.

Solana Price Analysis. Source: TradingView

Alternatively, a halt in long-term holder selling could improve momentum. If SOL breaches the descending trendline and clears $88 resistance, recovery may accelerate. A move toward $95 would invalidate the bearish thesis and signal renewed bullish strength in Solana price action.

Bitcoin (BTC) has fallen 23.4% so far this year, after declining more than 6% in 2025. Prices have remained under sustained pressure, with the leading cryptocurrency currently trading at $67,214.

Amid this, a key question continues to weigh on market sentiment: when will the Bitcoin downtrend end? Four key signals suggest that the asset may still be in the early stages of a bear market, raising the possibility of further downside.

Capital Flight Confirms Bearish Sentiment Shift 

Investor flow data sends the first warning sign. CryptoQuant data showed new investor inflows have turned negative. An analyst said this indicates the ongoing sell-off is not being absorbed by new capital entering the market.

Bitcoin New Investor Flows Turn Negative. Source: CryptoQuant

The analyst explained that in bull markets, capital tends to accelerate during price drawdowns, as investors treat dips as buying opportunities. In contrast, the early stages of bear markets are often marked by capital withdrawal amid weakness.

“Current readings resemble post-ATH transitions, in which marginal buyers exit and price is driven by internal rotation, not net inflows. Without renewed inflows, upside moves remain corrective. This behavior is consistent with early bear market conditions: contracting liquidity and narrowing participation,” the analyst added.

Technical Pattern Signals Room for Another Leg Lower in Bitcoin

Crypto analyst Jelle pointed to historical cycle data to frame the current downside risk. He explained that in previous major bear markets, price bottomed below the 0.618 Fibonacci retracement measured from the prior cycle peak.

The earliest cycle saw a significantly deeper move, with Bitcoin falling roughly 64% beyond the 0.618 level. In later cycles, however, the depth of those breakdowns moderated. 

The most recent bear market bottom formed about 45% below that retracement threshold, reflecting a pattern of progressively shallower declines.

“0.618 from the current cycle high sits at $57,000. If Bitcoin bottoms just 30% below the 0.618 retracement this time around, we’re still looking at $42,000,” the analyst remarked.

Bitcoin Bottom Prediction. Source: X/Jelle

This suggests the price may fall further. Additionally, other experts have previously forecasted that Bitcoin could find a bottom even below $40,000.

Market Cycle Indicator Points to Further Downside Risk

In addition, the Bull-Bear Market Cycle Indicator, which tracks broader market phases, signals that bearish conditions began in October 2025. However, the metric has not yet entered what is typically classified as an extreme bear phase.

In previous cycles, the indicator has moved into the dark-blue zone, suggesting that lower levels may still lie ahead.

Bitcoin Bull-Bear Market Cycle Indicator. Source: CryptoQuant Whales Stack BTC, Yet Recovery May Take Time

Finally, on-chain data shows that Bitcoin whales have been accumulating during the recent dip, as exchange outflows continue to rise. The 30-day simple moving average of exchange outflows has climbed to 3.2%.

This pattern closely mirrors the first half of 2022. Although whale accumulation is often interpreted as a constructive signal, history suggests caution. In the previous cycle, a broader recovery did not materialize until early 2023.

The similarity in structure suggests that while smart money may be positioning, it does not necessarily mean an immediate rebound is imminent. Instead, the data implies that the market could remain under pressure in the near term, even as long-term holders continue to build exposure.

Separately, Kaiko analysis suggested that Bitcoin still appears to be tracking its traditional four-year cycle. Based on that framework, the firm stated,

“The four-year cycle framework predicts we should be at the 30% mark.”

Taken together, these four indicators point to the possibility that Bitcoin could remain under pressure. However, when the bear market will end remains a point of division among experts.

Ray Youssef, CEO of NoOnes, said it is unlikely that Bitcoin will see a V-shaped recovery before the summer of 2026. Julio Moreno, Head of Research at CryptoQuant, has also suggested that the current bearish phase could end in Q3 2026. 

In contrast, Bitwise CIO Matt Hougan has expressed a more optimistic view, indicating that the end of the crypto winter could be approaching.

Ca parte a strategiei de a transforma X (fost Twitter) într-o „super aplicație” sau Everything App, o piesă esențială lipsă, X Money, începe să prindă contur.

X vizează să fie mai mult decât o platformă de socializare. Elon Musk dorește să o transforme într-o revoluție în domeniul finanțelor personale. Utilizatorii ar putea gestiona mesagerie, cumpărături și gestionarea completă a activelor personale într-un singur loc.

De ce sunt investitorii în criptomonede entuziasmați de X Money?

În cadrul unei prezentări xAI „All Hands” din februarie 2026, Elon Musk a dezvăluit că X Money este deja în teste interne printre angajații X. O lansare limitată pentru utilizatori este așteptată în următoarele una până la două luni.

Bitcoin price remains under pressure, extending its recent decline without a confirmed reversal. BTC trades near $66,996 at publication, reflecting cautious sentiment across the crypto market. 

Growing uncertainty has pushed many investors toward selling, though one major cohort is actively attempting to stabilize price action.

Bitcoin Holders Are Underwater

The Spent Output Profit Ratio, or SOPR, highlights rising skepticism among Bitcoin investors. SOPR measures the ratio between the USD value of sold coins and their original purchase price. When the indicator remains above 1, investors are selling at a profit.

Recently, SOPR has trended closer to or below 1. Readings below 1 signal that investors are selling at a loss. This behavior often reflects fear-driven capitulation rather than calculated distribution.

Want more token insights like this? Sign up for Editor Harsh Notariya’s Daily Crypto Newsletter here.

Bitcoin SOPR. Source: Glassnode

Historically, extended periods of SOPR below 1 have coincided with local bottoms. Loss realization can mark exhaustion among weak hands. However, sustained negative readings also confirm fragile sentiment and reduced short-term conviction in Bitcoin price recovery.

Whales Arrive To Bitcoin’s Rescue

While smaller investors sell, Bitcoin whales are rotating capital back into BTC. Addresses holding between 10,000 and 100,000 BTC have accumulated more than 70,000 BTC since the start of the month. This accumulation equals roughly $4.6 billion at current prices.

Such large-scale buying provides structural support. Whale demand appears to be offsetting part of the panic selling. Without this absorption, the Bitcoin price could have experienced deeper downside acceleration during recent volatility.

Bitcoin Whale Supply. Source: Santiment

Exchange whale outflows provide further insight into macro positioning. This metric tracks the percentage of exchange balances moving to large entities daily. Since Bitcoin dropped below $80,000, the 30-day simple moving average has climbed to 3.2%.

This pattern resembles the structure seen in the first half of 2022. During that period, whales accumulated in waves before the next bull market began. Their steady withdrawals signaled long-term positioning rather than short-term speculation.

Bitcoin Exchange Whale Outflow. Source: Glassnode

However, historical parallels require caution. In 2022, price consolidation persisted for months before recovery gained traction. Whale accumulation does not guarantee immediate upside momentum. Broader macro conditions and liquidity cycles still influence Bitcoin’s trajectory.

BTC Price Finds Support

Bitcoin price trades at $66,996, holding slightly above $66,749 support. The recent rejection near $70,610 reflects psychological resistance tied to profit-taking. Sellers appear active near that zone, limiting upward continuation attempts.

In the short term, BTC must defend $65,000 while consolidating below $70,610. Sustained stabilization could build momentum for a breakout. A confirmed recovery would require reclaiming $78,656 as a support level.

Bitcoin Price Analysis. Source: TradingView

If whale accumulation slows, downside risk may intensify. Loss of current support could send Bitcoin toward $63,185. A deeper slide toward $60,000 would invalidate the bullish thesis and reinforce the broader corrective trend.

BlockFills, un creditor cripto cu sediul în Chicago și furnizor de lichiditate, a suspendat temporar depozitele și retragerile clienților.

Mutarea vine în contextul în care piața cripto continuă să experimenteze volatilitate notabilă, cu prețurile activelor în scădere.

Furnizorul de lichiditate cripto BlockFills oprește retragerile și depozitele în timpul stresului de piață

BlockFills funcționează ca o firmă de soluții criptografice și furnizor de lichiditate pentru active digitale. Servește aproximativ 2.000 de clienți instituționali, inclusiv fonduri de hedging și manageri de active axați pe cripto. În 2025, firma a gestionat 60 de miliarde de dolari în volum de tranzacționare.

Prețul XRP astăzi se tranzacționează aproape de 1,38 USD, arătând semne timpurii de stabilizare după săptămâni de slăbiciune. Pe grafic, a început să se formeze un model de revenire familiar, similar cu setările anterioare care au dus la raliuri puternice. Dar datele on-chain și cele ale derivativele nu confirmă optimismul.

Presiunea de cumpărare a scăzut brusc, deținătorii pe termen lung se retrag, iar riscurile de levier rămân ridicate. Aceasta creează un conflict între ceea ce sugerează graficul și modul în care investitorii se comportă de fapt.

Prețul XRP construiește un model familiar de revenire

The Crypto Fear & Greed Index fell to 5 on Thursday, signaling a sharp deterioration in market sentiment as digital asset prices continue to slide.

The decline reflects intensifying panic among investors, with risk appetite eroding amid broader global market uncertainty.

Crypto Sentiment Sinks Deeper Into “Extreme Fear” 

The Crypto Fear & Greed Index measures the overall emotional state of the cryptocurrency market on a scale from 0 to 100. Readings between 0 and 24 indicate Extreme Fear, 25 to 49 signal Fear, 50 represents Neutral conditions, 51 to 74 reflect Greed, and 75 to 100 denote Extreme Greed.

At 5, the index places the market firmly in Extreme Fear territory. The latest drop comes amid a steady decline in sentiment over recent weeks. 

Extreme Fear in Crypto Markets. Source:Alternative.me

A month ago, the index stood at 26, already within the Fear range. It slid to 12 a week earlier and registered 11 just a day before reaching its current low. The rapid deterioration highlights how quickly confidence has unraveled as prices weakened.

The collapse in crypto sentiment coincides with a broader surge in global economic anxiety, as evidenced by the World Uncertainty Index. The index tracks how frequently the term “uncertainty” appears in Economist Intelligence Unit country reports. 

It covers more than 140 countries and provides a quarterly, cross-country indicator widely used in macroeconomic research and global risk analysis.

In the third quarter of 2025, the World Uncertainty Index surged to an all-time high above 100,000. In the fourth quarter, it was recorded at 94,947. 

Those levels are roughly double the peaks observed during previous major crises, including the COVID-19 pandemic, Brexit, and the Eurozone debt crisis.

“Rising geopolitical tensions, volatile markets, and policy uncertainty are driving the spike, as investors struggle to price in what comes next,” Coin Bureau wrote.

World Uncertainty Index. Source: Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

The elevated reading signals heightened anxiety across global markets as investors grapple with unpredictable economic and political conditions. Against this backdrop, the crypto market’s plunge into Extreme Fear reflects not only falling prices but also a broader retreat from risk assets worldwide.

Crypto Market Cap Falls 22% in 2026 as Bitcoin and Ethereum Extend Losses 

The collapse in sentiment comes as the broader crypto market continues to move downwards. In 2026, total market capitalization has fallen by more than 22%, reversing the optimism that defined the start of the year.

Bitcoin, which began January on a stronger footing, ended the month down by more than 10%. It has dropped another 14.6% so far in February.

Ethereum has also fallen 33.8% year to date. The sustained drawdown has weighed on market activity.

Analysts Weigh Crypto Market’s Next Move 

Amid these bear market conditions, the community remains uncertain about what comes next. Analyst Kyle Chassé pointed to historical precedents, noting that similarly depressed readings in the Crypto Fear & Greed Index were seen in 2018, March 2020, and in the aftermath of the FTX collapse in 2022.

“Every time, it marked a massive opportunity window. No, it doesn’t guarantee the bottom. But historically, peak fear is where asymmetry lives,” he said.

Other analysts argue the current downturn could represent a shakeout phase before a potential breakout. Still, it remains unclear when, or if, a broader crypto market recovery will follow. 

Ray Youssef, CEO of NoOnes, has forecasted that Bitcoin could trade sideways until summer 2026. He noted that the exact location of the Bitcoin bottom remains unclear and that current dynamics increasingly suggest the market has entered a protracted reassessment of risk.

Youssef pointed to several structural factors, including US political and monetary cycles, persistent inflation constraints, weakened retail capital flows, and cautious institutional demand following heavy losses.

“As a result, we are unlikely to see a V-shaped reversal before the summer of 2026. More likely, we will see regular rebounds, triggered by short-covering and short squeezes,” he told BeInCrypto.

According to Youssef, such rebounds could be strong, ranging between 20% and 30%, and potentially prolonged. However, he warned they may ultimately prove to be bull traps. 

He stated that crypto traditionally remains in a long accumulation phase within a single range before the start of a true bull market.

Prețul Uniswap a crescut cu aproximativ 3% în ultimele 24 de ore, tranzacționându-se aproape de $3.40. Dar această mișcare mică ascunde ceea ce s-a întâmplat cu adevarat pe 11 Februarie. În acea zi, UNI a crescut aproape cu 42% până la un maxim aproape de $4.57, după ce știrile au legat Uniswap de expansiunea fondului tokenizat BlackRock.

De atunci, vânzătorii au șters aproximativ 26% din acea rally. Aceasta ridică o întrebare cheie: a fost această spargere determinată de instituții o schimbare reală de trend sau o capcană pentru cumpărătorii retail?

Spargerea Prețului Uniswap pe 11 Februarie a fost Determinată de Momentum-ul Retail

Rally-ul de pe 11 Februarie nu s-a întâmplat aleatoriu.

Strategy, formerly known as MicroStrategy, plans to issue additional perpetual preferred stock in a bid to ease investor concerns over the volatility of its common shares, according to its chief executive officer.

The announcement comes as Strategy’s stock, trading under the ticker MSTR, has fallen nearly 17% year to date.

CEO Says Preferred Shares Could Become Major Funding Tool for Strategy 

In a recent interview with Bloomberg, Strategy CEO Phong Le addressed Bitcoin’s price swings. He attributed its volatility to its digital characteristics. When BTC rises, Strategy’s digital asset treasury plan drives outsized gains in its common stock. 

Conversely, during downturns, the shares tend to decline more sharply. He noted that Digital Asset Treasuries (DATs), including Strategy, are engineered to follow the leading cryptocurrency.

To address this dynamic, the company is promoting its perpetual preferred shares, branded “Stretch.” 

“We’ve engineered something to protect investors who want access to digital capital without that volatility and that’s Stretch,” Le told Bloomberg.” To me, the story of the day is Stretch closes at $100 exactly how it was engineered to perform.”

The preferred shares offer a variable dividend, currently set at 11.25%, with the rate reset monthly to encourage trading near the $100 par value.

It’s worth noting that preferred stock has so far represented only a small portion of Strategy’s capital-raising activity. The company sold approximately $370 million in common stock and about $7 million in perpetual preferred shares to fund its previous three weekly Bitcoin purchases.

However, Le said, Strategy is actively educating investors about what preferred shares can do.

“It takes some seasoning. It takes some marketing,” he said. “This year, we have seen extremely high liquidity with our preferreds, about 150 times other preferreds, and as we go throughout the course of this year, we expect Stretch to be a big product for us. We will start to transition from equity capital to preferred capital.”

MicroStrategy’s Bitcoin Bet Under Pressure With Shares Trading Below Net Asset Value

The shift could prove important as Strategy’s traditional funding model faces pressure. Strategy continues to expand its Bitcoin holdings, purchasing more than 1,000 BTC earlier this week. As of the latest data, the firm holds 714,644 BTC.

However, the recent decline in Bitcoin’s price has weighed heavily on the company’s balance sheet. At current market prices of around $67,422 per coin, Bitcoin is trading well below Strategy’s average purchase price of approximately $76,056. As a result, the company’s holdings reflect an unrealized loss of roughly $6.1 billion.

The company’s common stock has mirrored that decline, falling 5% on Wednesday alone. MSTR is roughly down 17% so far this year. In comparison, Bitcoin has fallen more than 22% over the same period.

MSTR Stock Performance. Source: Google Finance

As mentioned before, Strategy’s Bitcoin accumulation strategy has relied more on equity issuance. A key metric in this model is its multiple to net asset value, or mNAV, which measures how the company’s stock trades relative to the value of its Bitcoin per share.

According to SaylorTracker data, Strategy’s diluted mNAV was approximately 0.95x, indicating the stock traded at a discount to the Bitcoin backing each share.

Micro (Strategy) mNAV. Source: SaylorTracker

That discount complicates the company’s approach. When shares trade above net asset value, Strategy can issue stock, purchase additional Bitcoin, and potentially create accretive value for shareholders. When shares trade below net asset value, new issuance risks diluting shareholders instead.

By increasing its reliance on perpetual preferred stock, Strategy appears to be adjusting its capital structure to sustain its Bitcoin acquisition strategy while attempting to address investor concerns over volatility and valuation pressure.

For MSTR shareholders, the shift toward perpetual preferred stock could reduce dilution risk. By relying less on common equity issuance, Strategy may preserve Bitcoin per share and limit pressure from discounted share sales. 

However, the move also introduces higher fixed dividend obligations, increasing financial commitments that could weigh on the company if Bitcoin remains under pressure. Ultimately, the plan reshapes the risk profile rather than eliminating the underlying volatility tied to its Bitcoin treasury.

The Stellar Development Foundation (SDF) announced at Consensus Hong Kong that TopNod, a non-custodial wallet, will integrate with the Stellar network. The move is part of SDF’s broader push into Asia — a region where it faces stiff competition from Solana, TON, and XRP in the payments and tokenization markets.

TopNod’s wallet uses key sharding and Trusted Execution Environment (TEE) technology to eliminate the need for seed phrases. The platform focuses on tokenized real-world assets (RWAs) and stablecoins rather than speculative tokens, though it remains a relatively young project with limited brand recognition outside Web3 circles.

SDF Bets on Emerging Markets

In an exclusive interview with BeInCrypto, Stellar CBO Raja Chakravorti called Asia Pacific “a critical growth driver” and said SDF plans to build out anchor networks in Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam over the coming year.

“We brought employees in the region focused on Singapore first, but we’ve really been focusing on expanding rapidly,” Chakravorti said, adding that more APAC financial institution partnerships would be announced over the next two quarters — though he declined to share specifics.

SDF has also partnered with MarketNode, a Singapore-based tokenization platform, and said it is in discussions with financial institutions about tokenizing money market funds in the region.

The ambition is clear, but execution remains the question. Stellar’s on-chain RWA value crossed $1 billion over the past year, and its DeFi TVL tripled. Yet XLM has fallen roughly 71% from its 2025 high of $0.52, underperforming both Bitcoin and Ethereum. Daily transaction volumes have held steady, but average transaction values have dropped, suggesting that core payment use cases persist while speculative and high-value capital flows have dried up.

2026: The Distribution Problem

Chakravorti acknowledged that tokenization alone is no longer the differentiator.

“Last year was really about proving that tokenized products can be built at scale. This next year is really going to be about focusing on finding the right distribution outcomes for these assets,” he told BeInCrypto.

This is arguably Stellar’s biggest challenge. Franklin Templeton’s tokenized money market fund remains the network’s flagship RWA product, and US Bank recently announced a stablecoin partnership. But competing chains are moving fast — Solana and Polygon are both founding members of the same Blockchain Payments Consortium (BPC) as Stellar, and networks like Ethereum and Avalanche continue to attract institutional tokenization projects.

Privacy vs. Compliance

Stellar’s recent X-Ray upgrade (Protocol 25) introduced native zero-knowledge cryptography. Chakravorti framed this as an institutional necessity rather than a privacy-maximalist play.

“Privacy elements may encompass send, receive, who is the holder — but importantly, these have to be auditable,” he said. “The privacy may look slightly different depending on who you’re talking to.”

Whether this configurable approach satisfies both regulators and privacy-conscious users in Asia’s diverse regulatory landscape remains to be seen.

What’s Next

SDF confirmed its annual Meridian conference will move to Abu Dhabi in October 2026. The TopNod integration is expected to go live across the Philippines, Singapore, Japan, and other Asian markets, though no specific timeline has been provided.

For Stellar, the formula is familiar: strong infrastructure, growing institutional interest, and a clear narrative. The missing piece — as Chakravorti himself admitted — is distribution at scale.

Crypto hackers are now moving stolen funds in as little as two seconds after an attack begins. In most cases, they shift assets before victims even disclose the breach. 

That is the clearest finding from Global Ledger’s 2025 analysis of 255 crypto hacks worth $4.04 billion.

Blink and It’s Gone: Crypto Laundering Now Starts Before Disclosure

The speed is striking. According to Global Ledger, 76% of hacks saw funds move before public disclosure, rising to 84.6% in the second half of the year. 

How Fast Crypto Hackers Move Stolen Funds. Source: Global Ledger

This means attackers often act before exchanges, analytics firms, or law enforcement can coordinate a response.

However, speed tells only part of the story.

While first transfers are now near-instant, full laundering takes longer. 

On average, hackers needed about 10.6 days in the second half of 2025 to reach final deposit points such as exchanges or mixers, up from roughly eight days earlier in the year. 

In short, the sprint is faster, but the marathon is slower.

This shift reflects improved monitoring after disclosure. Once incidents go public, exchanges and blockchain analytics firms label addresses and increase scrutiny. 

As a result, attackers break funds into smaller pieces and route them through multiple layers before attempting cash-out. 

Hacking Speed Increased, but Crypto Laundering Speed Became Slower. Source: Global Ledger

Bridges, Mixers, and the Long Road to Cash-Out

Bridges have become the main highway for that process. Nearly half of all stolen funds, about $2.01 billion, moved through cross-chain bridges. 

That is more than three times the amount routed via mixers or privacy protocols. In the Bybit case alone, 94.91% of stolen funds flowed through bridges.

At the same time, Tornado Cash regained prominence. The protocol appeared in 41.57% of hacks in 2025. Its usage share jumped sharply in the second half of the year, following sanctions changes cited in the report.

State of Crypto Theft and Money Laundering. Source: Global Ledger 

Meanwhile, direct cash-outs to centralized exchanges fell sharply in the second half. DeFi platforms received a rising share of stolen funds. Attackers appear to avoid obvious off-ramps until attention fades.

Notably, nearly half of all stolen funds remained unspent at the time of analysis. That leaves billions sitting in wallets, potentially waiting for future laundering attempts.

The scale of the problem remains severe. Ethereum accounted for $2.44 billion in losses, or 60.64% of the total. 

Overall, $4.04 billion was stolen across 255 incidents.

Yet recovery remains limited. Only about 9.52% of funds were frozen, and 6.52% were returned.

Taken together, the findings show a clear pattern. Attackers now operate at machine speed in the first seconds after a breach. 

Defenders respond later, forcing criminals into slower, staged laundering strategies. The race has not ended. It has simply entered a new phase—measured in seconds at the start, and days at the finish.

Tokenul nativ al Berachain, BERA, a crescut cu peste 150% pe 11 februarie, marcând cea mai mare creștere într-o singură zi în luni. Raliul urmează săptămânilor de activitate reînnoită după ce proiectul a fost sub presiune din cauza scăderii prețurilor, a îngrijorărilor legate de deblocarea tokenurilor și a incertitudinii investitorilor.

Catalizatorul imediat pare a fi schimbarea strategică a fundației către un nou model numit „Bera Builds Businesses.”

Temerile de rambursare ale Berachain pentru ambițiile de venituri: Ce s-a schimbat?

Anunțată în ianuarie, inițiativa are scopul de a susține trei până la cinci aplicații generatoare de venituri destinate să creeze o cerere sustenabilă pentru BERA.