Latest Crypto News | Bitcoin, Ethereum and Altcoin Updates

Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon confirmed at the World Liberty Forum on February 18, 2026 that he personally owns a "very, very limited" amount of Bitcoin, describing himself as an observer rather than a market forecaster. He stressed his personal holding does not reflect a change in Goldman Sachs’ institutional stance. Due to current U.S. banking rules, Goldman does not directly hold bitcoin tokens; instead the firm’s crypto exposure—about $2.36 billion as of February 2026—comes exclusively through exchange-traded funds, including over $1.1 billion tied to Bitcoin ETFs (notably BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust) and additional exposure via Solana and XRP ETFs. Solomon said Goldman could reconsider direct trading, custody or market-making for Bitcoin and Ethereum if regulatory constraints change, and reiterated the bank’s continued investments in blockchain, tokenization and digital-asset infrastructure. For traders: CEO confirmation of personal BTC ownership, Goldman’s sizable indirect Bitcoin ETF exposure, regulatory limits that bar direct bank holdings, and the potential for future market-making or direct involvement in BTC and ETH should rules evolve.

LIT is trading with high volatility and a sideways bias after an 8–10% recent drop; 24h volume is around $44–49M and RSI sits near neutral (~48–49). Technicals show a bearish Supertrend and short-term support at EMA20 (~$0.76), while key stop-loss levels are identified between $1.27 (Supertrend) and $1.15. Multi-timeframe analysis found 17 strong support/resistance levels across 1D/3D/1W, increasing fakeout risk. Suggested risk management: use ATR- or structure-based stops (daily ATR ≈10%), keep position risk to 1–2% of account, target at least a 1:2 risk/reward (short-term upside limited to $1.50–$1.60; higher resistance $1.1507). Downside targets include $0.91, $0.637, $0.521, and $0.387 if $1.27 breaks. Correlation with Bitcoin (~80%) means BTC weakness (current downtrend) raises altcoin downside risk; a BTC break below $65K likely pushes LIT toward stop levels. Conclusion for traders: prioritize capital protection with tight automated stops ($1.27–$1.15), reduce position size in high ATR conditions, and wait for clear multi-timeframe breakout before adding exposure. Bithumb listing is a positive fundamental but price action remains weak.

APEMARS (APRZ) has progressed to its Stage 8 presale, pricing tokens at $0.00006651 each and projecting a $0.0055 listing price — an implied upside of roughly 8,100% (about 83x from Stage 8). The project reports 1,045+ holders, over $220K raised and ~11.5 billion APRZ sold to date. A prior article covered Stage 7 pricing ($0.00005576), over 939 holders and $200K+ raised; Stage 8 updates the token price, holder count and funds raised, representing continued token distribution and fundraising momentum. The presale follows a 23-stage Mars-themed schedule with each stage lasting up to a week or until sold out; later stages reduce supply and scheduled burns are planned at stages 6, 12, 18 and 23 to remove unsold tokens and create scarcity. The articles position APRZ as a high-risk, high-reward presale opportunity and provide a step-by-step buying guide for ETH-compatible wallets (MetaMask/Trust Wallet), funding with BNB/USDT, and connecting to the presale site. The coverage also contrasts APEMARS’ presale mechanics with current market behavior of other tokens mentioned (Hyperliquid — HYPE — trading in a $28–$37 range with support near $27.5–$28.5; Canton Coin — CC — consolidating amid rebranding narratives). Both pieces are sponsored press releases and explicitly state they are not investment advice. Primary keywords: APEMARS, APRZ presale, token presale, presale burns, APRZ listing price. Secondary/semantic keywords included naturally: stage 8 presale, token holders, fundraising, Mars-themed schedule, high-risk high-reward.

Canadian crypto lender Ledn has securitized $188 million of loans backed entirely by Bitcoin collateral, issuing a bond in two tranches. Jefferies acted as sole structuring agent and distributor. One tranche received an investment-grade rating and priced at 335 basis points over the benchmark. The pool comprises more than 5,400 individual loans with an average loan interest rate of 11.8%. S&P Global Ratings highlighted investor exposure to Bitcoin price volatility and noted that Ledn uses algorithmic liquidation to sell collateral when delinquency triggers are hit. After a sharp Bitcoin drawdown in early February, Ledn liquidated a significant portion of its portfolio and increased cash weighting, maintaining portfolio value near $200 million. S&P modeled a stress case with a 79% default rate and 68% recovery for the senior (BBB-) tranche, and emphasized structural protections including overcollateralization, early amortization triggers, a 5% liquidity reserve, and automated liquidation processes. Ledn plans to require cash interest payments on renewed loans from 2027 to reduce liquidity risk. Bitcoin has partially recovered and is trading near $66,000, roughly 46% below its October peak. This deal sets a precedent for securitizing crypto-collateralized loans and will be watched closely by markets and institutional investors for risk-management standards and potential wider adoption.

XRP’s on-chain ecosystem is expanding as the XRP Ledger moved into sixth place by tokenized real-world-asset (RWA) value, surpassing Solana and closing the gap with BNB Chain after adding roughly $354 million in tokenized assets over 30 days. This infrastructure growth contrasts with muted price action: XRP traded under $1.50 while networks activity increased. Technicals show XRP broke out of a descending channel and is consolidating below a $1.50 supply zone. Immediate support is at $1.30, with a loss likely reopening a move toward $1.10 — the recovery’s invalidation level. If $1.50 flips to support, upside targets include $1.90 and $2.10. The article contrasts XRP’s quiet utility-driven buildup with the louder momentum of meme tokens, citing Maxi Doge ($MAXI) as an example of retail capital chasing high-yield, high-momentum presales. Key takeaways for traders: monitor on-chain RWA issuance and the $1.50 zone; a confirmed hold above the broken trendline and higher lows on the 4H chart would be bullish, while a drop under $1.30 raises odds of deeper weakness. Primary keywords: XRP price, XRP Ledger, tokenized assets, XRP price prediction.

Barry Sternlicht, founder of Starwood Capital Group which manages more than $125 billion in assets, said the firm is prepared to begin tokenizing real-world assets such as real estate but is prevented from doing so by U.S. regulatory barriers. Speaking at the World Liberty Forum in Palm Beach, Sternlicht called tokenization “the future,” arguing blockchain-based tokens could open new capital-raising options and provide investor access to illiquid markets. He compared the current stage of tokenization to an earlier phase than artificial intelligence and urged regulatory catch-up. The article cites industry activity and projections — including Deloitte’s estimate that tokenized real estate could grow from $0.3 trillion in 2024 to $4 trillion by 2035 — and mentions firms like Propy already pursuing property-related blockchain initiatives. Key implications: tokenization promises operational efficiency, lower administrative costs, and greater retail participation, but U.S. regulatory uncertainty is a major adoption barrier.

Solana (SOL) faces a critical technical juncture: analysts warn a daily close below $80 could accelerate declines toward a $48 target tied to a completed head-and-shoulders pattern. Technical breakdowns show SOL breached multiple supports and sits in a precarious zone, with $80 identified as the last major daily support. Analysts outline support bands at $50–$60 (primary accumulation area) and a worst-case pattern target near $48. On-chain metrics are mixed—MVRV is approaching historical lows (suggesting potential accumulation) while network activity and developer activity remain robust. Spot SOL ETFs have continued to attract inflows, providing institutional buying that may counteract technical selling. Traders are advised to watch the $80 level closely and employ disciplined risk management: position sizing, stop-losses below key supports, and time-horizon alignment. The report highlights that a breach could reverberate across altcoins given Solana’s role as a major layer-1, while a defended $80 could restore confidence. This note is informational and not trading advice.

U.S. federal regulators are advancing frameworks and approvals that would ease institutional access to cryptocurrency products, even as traditional banks and some financial institutions continue to oppose or limit crypto-related services. Key moves include regulatory guidance, pilot programs, and approvals that clarify custody, trading, and custody-by-banks issues—aimed at integrating crypto into the mainstream financial system. Banks’ objections focus on compliance, risk, and reputational concerns; some banks have limited client services or declined custody/trading roles. The tension highlights a transitional phase: regulators pushing clearer rules and pathways for crypto adoption, while banks weigh operational, legal and AML risks. Market implications: potential increased institutional flows and product launches if regulatory clarity persists, offset by constrained bank participation that may slow liquidity and on-ramps. Primary keywords: crypto regulation, banks, institutional adoption; secondary keywords: custody, AML, trading access, regulatory guidance.

Venture capitalist Peter Thiel has exited ETHzilla, a firm that is refocusing its business from crypto infrastructure toward tokenization of jet engines and aviation assets. The pivot follows strategic restructuring at ETHzilla, where leadership changes and a narrowed operational focus prioritize securitizing high-value physical assets via blockchain-based tokens. The move positions ETHzilla to develop tokenized ownership models for jet engines, targeting institutional investors and specialized asset managers. Key details: a prominent backer (Peter Thiel) departs; ETHzilla’s primary direction shifts from general crypto services to asset tokenization; the new strategy emphasizes tokenizing aviation equipment to unlock liquidity and fractional ownership. Traders should note increased institutional interest in non-traditional tokenized assets and potential partnerships between aviation, finance and blockchain firms. The shift could drive demand for blockchain platforms and tokenization infrastructure, while decreasing direct enthusiasm for consumer-facing crypto products previously associated with ETHzilla.

XRP perpetual futures funding rates across major exchanges have moved into deeply negative territory, with the lowest observed funding around -0.0748%, indicating dominant short positioning. Aggregated funding weighted by open interest is at its weakest weekly level since late 2022 (except the November 2022 FTX week). Open interest has fallen back to a multi‑year accumulation base that has historically preceded rebounds. Price action shows XRP trading near $1.48–$1.50; key supports to hold are ~$1.45 (short‑term) and a broader demand zone between $1.15–$1.30. Negative funding can signal overcrowded shorts that may trigger short squeezes if price stabilizes, but it also reflects current bearish derivatives stress. A weekly close above $1.50 would help confirm a return to bullish momentum. Primary keywords: XRP, funding rate, open interest, perpetual futures; secondary/semantic keywords included: short squeeze, derivatives positioning, accumulation base, support levels.

Base, the Ethereum Layer-2 network launched by Coinbase, is migrating off Optimism’s tech stack to a single, unified in-house software architecture. The move aims to reduce dependence on external providers, shorten upgrade cycles, and simplify the sequencer that orders transactions. Base will release one official distribution per upgrade — a single Base binary for node operators — and the migration will roll out in four phases over several months. Node runners must adopt the new Base client to receive official upgrades. The protocol remains open-source and the team encourages developers to continue building on Base. The decision follows broader debate in the Ethereum ecosystem about the future role of Layer-2s after Vitalik Buterin said L2s need to evolve beyond being merely “Ethereum but cheaper.” Market-sensitive implications include potential operational risk during the phased client transition and a longer-term improvement in upgrade speed and autonomy for Base.

Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong said banking trade groups — not individual banks — are primarily responsible for the impasse over updated U.S. market-structure legislation that would affect stablecoin rewards. Speaking at the World Liberty Forum in Palm Beach, Armstrong argued many banks view crypto as an opportunity, and that smaller banks’ real concern is deposit migration to bigger banks rather than stablecoin issuers. Banking trade groups have pressed for the bill to block stablecoin rewards in recent White House-hosted meetings after the Senate Banking Committee’s effort to advance the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act stalled last month. Armstrong expects a compromise that grants new benefits to banks under a revised bill; he noted Coinbase supports crypto infrastructure for several of the world’s largest banks. The dispute follows Armstrong’s withdrawal of Coinbase’s support for the earlier bill. Key names: Brian Armstrong, Coinbase; policy focus: market-structure bill, stablecoin rewards, banking trade groups. Primary keywords: market structure bill, stablecoin rewards, banking trade groups. Secondary/semantic keywords: Coinbase, Brian Armstrong, Digital Asset Market Clarity Act, deposit flight, White House talks.

On-chain analytics show a divergence in Bitcoin demand: short-term holder accumulation has slowed over the past 90 days despite remaining net positive, while large holders (whales) have increased holdings by roughly 200,000 BTC. Alphractal reports the Short-Term Holder Net Position Change over 90 days is declining, signaling weaker short-term demand momentum that historically precedes consolidation, higher volatility, or regime shifts. Founder Joao Wedson noted institutional buys have not pushed short-term holder accumulation back to prior rates, recommending blockchain-wide analysis rather than isolated entity tracking. CryptoQuant finds whale-held supply (measured with monthly averages) rose ~3.4% in the past month, with whale-held BTC climbing from ~2.9M to over 3.1M. Whale accumulation of this scale previously helped absorb selling pressure during the April 2025 correction that preceded Bitcoin’s rise from $76,000 to $126,000. The report also notes recent whale inflows to exchanges have increased — typically a short-term sell signal — but overall whale balances grew. Bitcoin is consolidating roughly 46% below its most recent all-time high, which may be prompting opportunistic whale buying. Key data points for traders: slowing short-term holder accumulation (90-day net change declining), whale holdings +~200,000 BTC (+3.4% month-average), and increased exchange inflows from whales. Traders should watch on-chain short-term holder flows, whale exchange inflows, and price reaction to consolidation levels for signs of volatility or trend continuation.

OpenAI and crypto VC Paradigm have launched EVMbench, a benchmarking framework that tests AI agents on detecting, patching and exploiting high‑severity vulnerabilities in Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) smart contracts. EVMbench uses 120 curated real‑world vulnerabilities drawn from 40 audits and open‑audit competitions (including Code4rena) and includes scenarios from Stripe’s Tempo audit. The tool runs three modes—detect (vulnerability recall), patch (automated fixes that preserve intended functionality) and exploit (end‑to‑end fund‑draining attacks executed in a deterministic sandbox). In exploit mode, newer models performed significantly better: GPT‑5.3‑Codex reached a 72.2% success rate versus 31.9% for GPT‑5; detect and patch scores were weaker, reflecting incomplete audit traces and difficulty maintaining contract functionality after fixes. OpenAI stresses EVMbench does not capture all real‑world complexity but argues measuring model performance in economically relevant, replayable environments is crucial as AI becomes a tool for both attackers and defenders. Alongside the benchmark, OpenAI expanded the private beta of its security research agent Aardvark and committed $10 million in API credits through a Cybersecurity Grant Program to support defensive research for open‑source and critical infrastructure projects. The release underscores a growing intersection of AI and blockchain security with implications for audit automation, attacker tooling, and defensive workflows—factors traders should monitor as they may affect exploit risk, audit market demand, and valuations of EVM‑aligned projects.

AERO remains in a clear downtrend, trading around $0.30–$0.32 with 24h volume reported between roughly $8–15M across the two updates. Short-term technicals are bearish: price sits below EMA20 and EMA50, Supertrend is negative, and RSI is near the oversold area (~38–41). AERO shows some short-lived buying signals (rising MACD histogram and on‑balance volume uptick) but the overall EMA structure and Supertrend favor sellers. Key levels: primary support at $0.2725 (weekly demand, historical V-shaped reversal, order blocks and a high-volume node); secondary supports near $0.3054–$0.3195 with volume profile point-of-control around $0.30. Immediate resistance is $0.3118–$0.3350, with stronger barriers at $0.34 (EMA20) and $0.42–$0.55 (weekly breaker/volume gap and EMA200). Liquidity pools and clustered stops are noted below $0.2725, while sell-side liquidity concentrates between $0.3118–$0.34. BTC correlation is high (~+0.85). Analysts flag that Bitcoin direction will likely dictate AERO’s next move: BTC strength above ~68–71k could help AERO reclaim short-term pivots toward $0.34–$0.42; a BTC drop below ~65–66k risks accelerating a slide toward $0.2725. Trading plans and risk: suggested position sizing 1–2% of capital due to elevated volatility (~8–9% intraday). Tactical ideas include (1) long on a confirmed close above $0.3118 targeting $0.34–$0.42 with stop < $0.30, (2) range trades between $0.3195–$0.3350 or scalps while price holds $0.2725, and (3) short below $0.3054 targeting $0.2725 with stop > $0.3118. Expect high volatility and consider tight risk management. This is market commentary, not financial advice.

The U.S. Federal Reserve publicly recognized prediction market platform Kalshi as a valuable real-time indicator for policymakers. The Fed’s research report highlighted Kalshi’s “real-time, probability-based data” and noted that market prices contain distributional information about the economic outlook. Prediction markets aggregate participant trades into continuously updated probability estimates for events such as interest rate decisions, inflation, employment figures and GDP outcomes. The report frames Kalshi as a complementary input to traditional indicators (CPI, payrolls, GDP, Treasury yields), offering faster signals and market expectations that can aid monetary policy assessment and communications. The move follows prior regulatory clearance — Kalshi obtained CFTC approval in 2022 to offer economic event contracts — and draws on academic research showing prediction markets’ forecasting strengths. Experts (including Stanford’s Susan Athey and Justin Wolfers) welcomed the endorsement while cautioning that markets reflect expectations, not certainties, and can be distorted by liquidity or stress. For traders, the Fed’s acknowledgment raises the visibility and potential usage of Kalshi prices as an early indicator of policy shifts, likely prompting closer monitoring and possible incorporation into trading models and risk assessments.

TD Cowen’s legal analysis finds state regulators hold a decisive advantage over federal agencies in disputes over sports-based prediction markets. Citing Murphy v. NCAA (2018) and decades of state gambling precedent, the report argues states’ established authority to license and regulate sports betting extends to prediction markets, giving state gaming commissions and attorneys general strong jurisdictional claims. This has produced a fragmented U.S. regulatory landscape: the CFTC has taken a more permissive, commodity-focused approach toward “event contracts,” while states pursue licensing, consumer-protection and taxation enforcement. The Nevada v. Crypto.com case—currently on appeal after initial rulings favoring the platform—illustrates the tension and could ultimately reach the Supreme Court on issues like federal preemption, interstate commerce, First Amendment protections, and due process. TD Cowen warns regulatory uncertainty may persist for years, increasing compliance costs, slowing platform expansion, and tempering venture investment. Industry responses include geolocation and age controls, transparency measures, and self-regulation, but state legislation and enforcement continue to create a patchwork of rules operators must navigate.

Bitcoin has traded in a $60K–$70K range since its February 5 crash. Renowned on-chain analyst Willy Woo warned that volatility patterns indicate Bitcoin’s bear market is still strengthening and may progress through additional phases before a true macro bottom. Woo highlighted rising volatility spikes as a sign the bear trend remains intact and said a further equities sell-off and peak capital outflows would deepen the downturn. Glassnode’s on-chain accumulation metrics showed periods of heavy buying during prior drawdowns, but warned a convincing bottom requires renewed aggressive accumulation around $60K or lower. Some options market participants are contrarian: block trades have recently favored calls over puts, with the most common call strike at $75K, implying traders expect a breakout above the current range in the short term. Analysts caution that broader catalysts — including U.S. policy such as the CLARITY Act, midterm election outcomes, and macro risk sentiment — will drive whether a sustained recovery occurs. For traders: short-term upside to $75K is possible given bullish options positioning, but on-chain volatility signals suggest downside risk remains and a multi-phase bear market could take months to resolve.

Geopolitical tensions and weakening market momentum have pushed Bitcoin below $70,000, trading near $67,000–$68,000 as of the report. BTC tracked declines in equity futures — Nasdaq 100 and S&P 500 contracts fell — reflecting a broader risk-off move driven by macro factors such as concerns over Iran, renewed discussion about AI’s economic impact, and uncertainty over a potential Fed rate cut. US-listed Bitcoin ETFs recorded a fourth consecutive week of outflows, with over $360 million withdrawn last week, and CryptoQuant’s Fear & Greed Index sits at 10 (extreme fear). On-chain analysis shows short-term holders are experiencing capitulation while long-term holders have not yet capitulated; an LTH unrealized P/L ratio falling below 1 would signal decisive capitulation and heavier downside risk. Analysts identify $60,000 as main support, while further macro shocks could push BTC toward $50,000. Key takeaways for traders: elevated macro-driven correlation with equities, persistent ETF outflows, extreme fear sentiment, short-term holder stress, and defined near-term support levels at $60K and $50K downside scenario.

Solana (SOL) faces renewed downside pressure after falling to $67 on Feb. 6 and trading more than 72% below its all-time high. Technicals across multiple timeframes show bearish patterns: a confirmed weekly head-and-shoulders (H&S) with support eyed at $50–$60, a measured H&S target near $57, and a daily bear-flag that could push price toward roughly $48 if SOL closes below $80. On-chain MVRV bands indicate the lowest deviation band sits near $73; historically SOL has rebounded after touching that band, though past extreme deviations (notably after FTX in late 2022) led to much deeper declines. Offsetting the technical bearishness, US spot Solana ETFs have recorded persistent inflows—66 of 74 days—with $2.9 million added on the latest day, cumulative inflows of $877 million and total AUM in their asset class above $726 billion (SoSoValue). Global Solana ETPs also logged $31 million in weekly net inflows, reflecting steady institutional demand. For traders: watch $80 daily close (bear-flag confirmation), $73 MVRV support, and $50–$60 H&S target. The article is informational and not investment advice.

Payward, Kraken’s parent company, has acquired tokenization and token-operations platform Magna to expand institutional infrastructure ahead of a potential IPO. Magna will operate as a standalone platform “powered by” Kraken while its tools are integrated into Kraken’s institutional product suite. Services include on-chain and off-chain vesting, white‑label token claims, custody and escrow workflows, and specialized staking functionality. Magna reportedly serves more than 160 clients and reached a peak total value locked (TVL) of $60 billion in 2025. Terms were not disclosed. The deal follows Payward’s 2025 acquisition spree—including Breakout, NinjaTrader, Small Exchange and Capitalise—and an integration with ICE Chat. Payward confidentially filed for a US IPO in November and reported $2.2 billion in adjusted revenue for 2025. For traders, the move strengthens Kraken’s institutional-grade token management, custody and liquidity infrastructure, potentially increasing market access and distribution for tokenized assets and staking services. Key SEO keywords: Kraken acquisition, Magna, tokenization, custody, staking, TVL, IPO.

Bitcoin (BTC) dominance has formed a lower high, pointing to a shift toward an Ethereum (ETH)-led market phase. Technical analysis of market-cap share charts shows BTC failing to reclaim previous dominance peaks, while ETH’s share and performance in altcoin sectors have strengthened. Analysts interpret the pattern as a rotation from Bitcoin into Ethereum and major altcoins, driven by renewed interest in smart-contract activity, DeFi flows, and ETF-related capital reallocations. Key indicators cited include a downtrend in BTC dominance, rising ETH market share, and increased trading volume and price momentum across large-cap altcoins. Traders are advised to monitor BTC dominance levels, ETH price action, DeFi total value locked (TVL), and fund flows into spot and futures products. Short-term implications may include outperformance of ETH and select altcoins versus BTC and higher correlation among non-BTC crypto assets; longer-term outcomes depend on macro liquidity and institutional flows. Primary keywords: BTC dominance, Ethereum, ETH, altcoins, market rotation. Secondary keywords: DeFi, TVL, ETF flows, trading volume.

LDO (LDO/USDT) remains in a primary downtrend and is trading in a narrow range between roughly $0.32–$0.36. Recent updates show price near $0.34 with low to mixed 24h volume (~$15–42M across reports). Short-term momentum indicators are weak: RSI sits around 27–33 (approaching or in oversold area) and MACD shows a negative histogram in one read but recent data noted a positive divergence, indicating mixed signals. Price is below the EMA20 (~$0.38–$0.43 depending on timeframe) and Supertrend is bearish. Multi-timeframe support/resistance levels cluster around support at $0.3201–$0.3375 and resistance at $0.3342–$0.3609, a decisive range traders should watch. Bullish scenario: a daily close above the $0.3342–$0.3609 zone, rising RSI, MACD crossover toward zero, break of EMA20 with higher volume; initial upside targets are $0.406–$0.43, then $0.524–$0.576 on sustained momentum. Bearish scenario: a close below $0.3201–$0.3375 with accelerating volume would target $0.2852 then deeper levels (e.g., $0.1148–$0.0195 in extended sell-offs). LDO has high correlation with Bitcoin (~0.85); a BTC breakdown below reported supports would likely amplify LDO downside, while BTC reclaiming resistance levels would support an LDO recovery. Trading guidance: wait for confirmed daily/4H breakouts with volume and indicator confirmation, use tight R/R entries, keep position size limited (suggested 2–5% portfolio exposure), and set stop-losses near the identified support/resistance edges. This summary is for trading information only and not investment advice.

Aptos announced a major overhaul of its tokenomics, shifting from inflationary bootstrap incentives to a performance-driven, deflationary model. Key changes: a protocol-level hard cap of 2.1 billion APT; current circulating supply at 1.196 billion APT; permanent locking and staking of 210 million APT by the foundation; reduction of annual staking rewards from 5.19% to 2.6%; redesigned staking that rewards longer lock-ups; ~60% cut to annual supply unlocks starting October 2026 and >50% decline in foundation grants between 2026–2027. The proposal also references validator cost reductions via AIP-139 and leaves ~904 million APT available for future staking rewards under the new cap. Market reaction has been muted: APT trades near $0.88 (down ~4.5% on the day) and continues a broader downtrend after losing over half its value since late 2025. The foundation frames the changes as a long-term supply-tightening move rather than an immediate price catalyst. Primary keywords: Aptos, APT tokenomics, hard cap, staking rewards cut, deflationary supply.

Google Cloud’s VP of Startup Ecosystems, Sunil Potti, warns that many AI and cloud-native startups are accumulating “technical debt acceleration” by relying on cloud credits, rapid prototyping and foundation models without sustainable architectures. With early-stage funding down (Crunchbase: −18% YoY Q1 2025) and a 2024 Stanford study showing 67% of AI startups face major refactoring costs within 18 months of Series A, Potti urges quarterly diagnostics across four areas: cost predictability, performance scalability, security posture and architectural flexibility. Real-world cases—Synthetix AI (refactoring delayed Series A, burned 40% runway) and ClearLedger (region outage lost three days of transaction data)—illustrate operational and regulatory risks. Google Cloud recommends infrastructure review cadences, comprehensive monitoring, living architecture documentation and vendor relationships beyond credit programs. VCs now include technical architecture reviews in due diligence (per Sarah Chen, The Billion Dollar Fund). Practical metrics to track: cost per user, latency under load, error rates, technical debt scores and security vulnerabilities. The guidance aims to help founders balance AI innovation velocity with long-term resilience to reduce production incidents and improve fundraising outcomes.

Ripple CTO Emeritus David Schwartz criticized Logan Paul’s $16.49M PSA 10 Pikachu Illustrator sale via Liquid Marketplace, saying the deal concentrated upside for the sponsor while offloading downside risk to fractional retail investors. The sale has prompted legal threats from fractional holders over a buyback clause that allegedly allowed Paul to repurchase fractions at original prices before resale. Meanwhile, Dogecoin experienced an extreme futures-market dislocation: ConGlass reported a 12,928% liquidation imbalance in one hour as DOGE slipped below $0.10, dropping from $0.103 to $0.09862 and wiping out roughly $304,860 of long positions (shorts lost about $2,304). Separately, XRP network activity weakened amid market volatility — the XRP burn (fees destroyed) fell about 75% in 24 hours, from ~519 XRP burned to 126 XRP, signaling much lower on-chain usage. Key points for traders: the Logan Paul dispute raises regulatory and reputational risk around fractionalized NFTs and marketplaces; DOGE’s massive liquidation event highlights high leverage and sensitivity below the $0.10 support; falling XRP burn suggests weakening demand and lower network utility that can pressure price. Primary keywords: Logan Paul, Dogecoin, XRP, liquidation imbalance, NFT fractionalization, burn rate.

BNY Mellon Investment Management reports Latin American financial markets reached multi-year highs in early 2025, driven by equity gains, currency appreciation and rising foreign investment. The MSCI Latin America Index rose about 35% year-on-year, while major national performances include Brazil Bovespa (+38%) and Mexico (+29%). Currencies strengthened — the Brazilian real and Mexican peso appreciated ~12% and ~8% YTD. FDI inflows increased roughly 22% versus 2024 (UNCTAD). BNY Mellon cites three primary catalysts: improved political stability, disciplined fiscal/monetary policy reducing inflation risk, and demographic and structural gains (corporate governance, tech adoption, mobile banking up from 45% to 68% since 2022). Sector leaders: financials (+42% YoY), technology (+55% YoY), materials (+33% YoY). Commodities (copper, agriculture) and nearshoring trends boost exports. Valuations remain moderate — regional P/E ~12.5 vs developed markets ~18.5; dividend yields ~4.2% vs 2.1%. Risks include election-related political shifts, commodity price swings, currency volatility and changes in U.S. monetary policy. BNY Mellon projects continued but moderated growth through 2025 and recommends diversified regional exposure (eg. ETFs, dollar-cost averaging).

Australia’s unemployment rate is forecast to rise in January 2025 as the labour market shows signs of cooling. Economists expect a 0.2–0.3 percentage-point uptick from historically low levels, driven by weakening hiring intentions, falling job adverts and sectoral strains in construction, retail and technology. The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has maintained a hawkish stance, signaling it will keep open the possibility of further cash-rate increases to tackle persistent services inflation and above-target wage growth. Analysts expect subdued growth in H1 2025, with the RBA data‑dependent on inflation and wages before any easing. For traders: rising unemployment paired with a still‑tight monetary policy increases downside risk for risk assets and could weigh on Australian equities and AUD; markets will closely watch monthly labour and CPI releases for cues on the RBA’s next move.

Starboard Value, an activist investor holding ~12.7 million Riot Platforms shares, has urged Riot to accelerate its pivot from Bitcoin mining into AI and high‑performance computing (AI/HPC). Starboard estimates Riot could unlock $9 billion–$21 billion of incremental equity value by monetizing about 1.4 GW of remaining gross capacity across primary Corsicana and Rockdale sites, implying a per‑share valuation roughly $23–$53 versus a recent close near $15.49. The letter calls for faster execution, streamlined governance, cost cuts and pursuit of larger, “material” AI deals similar to peers that have signed multibillion‑dollar agreements. Riot has taken preliminary steps — a lease and services agreement with AMD and roughly $200 million of Bitcoin sales to fund data‑center expansion — but Starboard says progress is too slow. The news drove Riot shares about 6% higher on the day. For traders: the move signals a strategic de‑risking of pure Bitcoin‑mining exposure toward an AI/HPC real‑estate play, potential dilution or capital raises to scale data‑center builds, and an increased correlation between Riot’s equity and the AI data‑center market rather than BTC price alone. Primary keywords: Riot Platforms, AI data centers, Bitcoin miner, Starboard Value, AI/HPC; secondary keywords: AMD deal, equity value, Corsicana, Rockdale.