Latest Crypto News | Bitcoin, Ethereum and Altcoin Updates

Standard Chartered forecasts that rapid stablecoin expansion could create $800 billion–$1 trillion in new demand for short-term U.S. Treasury bills by 2028 as the stablecoin market potentially grows to $2 trillion (from ~$160 billion in early 2025). Regulatory moves in the U.S. and EU (eg. MiCA and proposed U.S. stablecoin bills) are likely to force issuers to hold high-quality liquid assets as reserves — and T‑bills are the preferred instrument for liquidity and safety. Major issuers like Circle and Tether already hold large shares of reserves in Treasuries, and minting activity converts deposited dollars into qualifying assets, forming a direct pipeline into the Treasury market. Standard Chartered warns this concentrated, predictable demand could prompt the U.S. Treasury to shift issuance toward shorter maturities and possibly pause 30‑year auctions for up to three years, lowering short-term borrowing costs but pressuring long-duration yields and reallocations by pension funds and insurers. Risks include concentration and operational risk if a few issuers dominate T‑bill purchases, which could amplify volatility during stress. The projection’s realization depends on stablecoin adoption and firm regulatory reserve rules; without such rules, issuers may favor higher‑yield assets instead of T‑bills.

Phantom, the popular Solana-based wallet, is expanding beyond a standalone wallet into a crypto-powered "superapp" aimed at integrating payments, DeFi, NFTs, social features and merchant tools. Led by CEO and co-founder Brandon Millman, Phantom is pursuing rapid product expansion, talent hires and strategic partnerships to compete with entrenched Web3 and Web2 players. The company is rolling out in-wallet fiat onramps, improved UX for NFT discovery and trading, decentralized identity and cross-chain bridges, and merchant-facing payment tools. Phantom has raised capital in prior rounds and is positioning to monetize via payments, swap fees and premium features while keeping core wallet functions free. The strategy targets mainstream user growth by simplifying onboarding and combining multiple crypto services into one interface — a move that could increase Solana network utility and token demand. Key risks include regulatory scrutiny on payments and custody, intense competition from other wallets and apps offering similar features, and potential technical or security challenges as features and integrations scale. For traders, the news signals increased product-driven utility for Solana ecosystems and greater revenue pathways for Phantom; monitor announcements about onchain activity, trading volume, fiat gateway partnerships and any token-related monetization plans as they will likely affect SOL and related DeFi/NFT tokens in the near term.

The British pound is trading around $1.35 against the US dollar as markets brace for two near-term domestic events: testimony from Bank of England (BoE) Governor Andrew Bailey and other Monetary Policy Committee members, and a closely watched Midshire parliamentary by-election. Traders are focused on signals about the BoE’s monetary stance—particularly on inflation persistence, wage growth, quantitative tightening and any shift in forward guidance—as markets price a slower easing cycle than peers. Technical support/resistance sits in the $1.3450–$1.3550 range; a clear break above $1.3550 could spark bullish momentum, while a drop below $1.3450 may invite selling. The Midshire by-election, seen as a barometer of public confidence in the government, could prompt short-term volatility in sterling and gilts if the governing party loses. Economists expect a cautious, hawkish-leaning BoE tone; historical testimony events have produced average intraday GBP/USD swings around 0.8%. Traders should expect elevated volatility and monitor BoE communications and the by-election result, since outcomes could quickly shift interest-rate differentials and capital flows that affect FX, risk assets and inflation dynamics.

Binance has defended its global compliance program after reporting a significant reduction in sanctions exposure. The exchange said it cut sanctions-related exposure by roughly 80% following enhanced screening, policy updates and cooperation with regulators. Binance framed the reduction as evidence of stronger compliance controls and reiterated commitments to ongoing improvements across sanctions screening, transaction monitoring and cooperation with law enforcement. The company emphasized it is investing in compliance technology, personnel training and regional governance reforms to avoid illicit-finance risks. No specific individual sanctions or counterparties were named in the disclosure. The announcement aims to reassure regulators, institutional partners and retail users about risk management at the world’s largest crypto exchange. Traders should note that enhanced compliance can affect liquidity and counterparty access, while reducing regulatory tail risks that previously pressured crypto markets.

Crypto analyst CryptoBull forecast on X that “next week XRP will finally explode,” expressing confidence in a near-term upward move. XRP has been consolidating between $1.40–$1.50. Key catalysts cited in reporting include: Ripple’s partnership with Aviva Investors to test tokenization of traditional funds on the XRP Ledger (potentially adding institutional volume); continued regulatory momentum in the U.S., including Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse’s 90% probability estimate that the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act will pass by April and a March 1 negotiators’ deadline on stablecoin provisions; and over $1.2 billion cumulative inflows into XRP spot ETFs since November (from firms like Grayscale and Franklin Templeton). Technical points: $1.40 identified as critical support, $1.81 as major resistance, and a decisive break above $1.81 could target the January high near $2.30. Analysts note low open interest in derivatives, meaning a sudden volume surge could trigger a short squeeze and amplify gains. The article frames CryptoBull’s call as conditional on convergence of institutional adoption, regulatory clarity, and technical breakout, and cautions readers this is not financial advice.

Binance reported a 96.8–97.3% reduction in sanctions-related exposure since January 2024, citing investments in compliance, audits, and global cooperation. The exchange said sanctions-linked trading volume fell from 0.284% to about 0.009% of total volume, and direct exposure to Iranian crypto exchanges dropped from $4.19M to roughly $110,000 between Jan 2024 and Jan 2026. Binance processed over 71,000 law enforcement requests and supported more than $131M in confiscations during 2025. The company now employs 593 full-time compliance staff and nearly 1,500 employees in compliance-related roles (about a quarter of its workforce). Binance described its investigative workflow, use of blockchain analytics, and multi-hop transaction detection; it disputed recent press allegations as incomplete. The firm acknowledged limits of post-deposit screening on public blockchains, noted licenses and authorizations in 20 jurisdictions (including FSRA approval in Abu Dhabi), independent audits, regulatory inspections, and more than 160 law-enforcement training sessions. Binance framed compliance as central to strategy and said decisions were independent of commercial considerations.

MEXC, a Seychelles-based crypto exchange serving 170+ countries in 2026, offers over 4,000 tokens and comprehensive products for traders: spot, futures (select contracts up to 500× leverage), P2P, staking, Launchpad token sales, and copy/demo trading. The platform highlights an ultra-low fee structure (spot maker 0.00% / taker 0.05%; futures maker 0.00% / taker 0.04%) with additional taker discounts for holding the native MX token. Security measures include mandatory 2FA, cold/hot wallet segregation, multi-signature wallets, proof-of-reserves audits and a Guardian Fund. The interface is described as intuitive on web and mobile with simple onboarding and multiple deposit options, though fiat withdrawal availability and regulatory access vary by jurisdiction (notably limited in the U.S. and other restricted regions). Pros: very low trading fees, broad token and futures coverage, advanced trading tools and solid security posture. Cons: restricted fiat rails in some regions, variable regulatory status, occasional thin liquidity on very small-cap pairs and mixed customer support feedback. For traders, MEXC presents a cost-efficient venue for active spot and leveraged trading and for accessing smaller altcoins and token launches; however, jurisdictional limits and liquidity considerations should guide position sizing and risk management.

Bitcoin dropped from about $67,700 to $64,270 shortly after midnight UTC before recovering to roughly $66,300 by late morning, mirroring weakness and partial recovery in S&P 500 futures. The move occurred during thin liquidity in Asia hours after U.S. President Donald Trump proposed new 15% global tariffs and U.S.-Iran tensions rose, prompting a safe-haven bid that lifted gold to its highest since Jan. 30. Solana (SOL) and SUI fell 7%–8% in low-liquidity conditions, contributing to roughly $270 million in altcoin liquidations. Derivatives flows showed subdued demand: total crypto futures open interest remained below $100 billion, about $500 million of futures positions were liquidated in 24 hours, and bitcoin/ether put options traded at premiums to calls across maturities. Traders bought puts around $58k–$62k; bitcoin’s 30-day implied volatility (BVIV) rose over 9% to above 60%. A few tokens (ETHFI, TON) outperformed, while CoinDesk indices saw modest declines. Key implications: increased macro and geopolitical uncertainty elevated volatility and liquidation risk in low-liquidity conditions, with traders favoring hedges (puts) and gold-linked futures seeing inflows. Short-term: heightened tail-risk and choppy trading; long-term: market direction still tied to macro catalysts and bitcoin reclaiming $70k could trigger renewed altcoin upside once liquidity returns.

New South Wales (NSW) Police have charged a 42-year-old Sydney man in connection with an alleged A$5 million (about $3.5M) crypto investment scam that targeted more than 190 elderly and vulnerable Australians. The Cybercrime Squad, operating under Strike Force Resaca, says victims were solicited via social media to invest in crypto or shares and directed to an online portal named “NEXOpayment.” Deposits were allegedly routed through multiple crypto wallets and exchanges in patterns consistent with money laundering. Search warrants executed at properties in Strathfield, Cammeray and a Burwood business on Feb 20 led to seizures of electronic devices and documents. The accused faces a proceeds-of-crime charge related to funds exceeding A$5,000 and is due to appear at Burwood Local Court on March 17 after being granted bail. A second person detained during the raids was later released while investigations continue. NSW Police Cybercrime Commander warned against unsolicited investment offers and urged investors to verify platforms before transferring funds. The case is part of a broader uptick in Australian enforcement against crypto-enabled financial crime, following large operations in 2025 that resulted in mass arrests and significant asset seizures.

Digital asset investment products saw continued net outflows, with $288 million withdrawn last week — the fifth consecutive week of outflows — according to CoinShares. Total trading volume fell to about $17 billion, the lowest since July, signalling reduced market activity and liquidity. Bitcoin products accounted for the largest share of redemptions (~$215M), while Ethereum products saw ~$36.5M of outflows; short-Bitcoin products attracted modest inflows (~$5.5M), indicating some hedge/speculative positioning. Earlier reporting showed larger weekly outflows and higher ETP volumes, but the later update reflects persistently negative flows and sharper declines in volumes. Regionally, the U.S. led outflows (~$347M), while Europe and Canada posted combined inflows (~$59M), highlighting capital fragmentation driven by regulatory differences (eg, MiCA in Europe versus US regulatory uncertainty). Analysts attribute sustained withdrawals to post-rally profit-taking, regulatory developments and macro factors; lower volumes likely indicate market reassessment rather than systemic panic. For traders: expect reduced liquidity and higher volatility in spot and ETP markets, elevated selling pressure on BTC ETPs, selective demand for altcoin products and inverse BTC exposure — creating tactical opportunities for hedging or opportunistic entries amid continued downside risk.

Binance’s on-exchange Bitcoin reserves climbed to 676,834 BTC (≈$44.53B) as of 22 February, the highest level since November 2024 and roughly 3.2% of circulating supply. The rise follows weeks of net deposits and coincides with Bitcoin trading near $67,000. Supporting indicators include a 22% month-on-month increase in derivatives open interest and a 30-day realized volatility near 45% with upward momentum. Higher exchange balances increase available liquidity for selling, use as derivatives collateral, lending or market-making, which historically has preceded short-term volatility spikes (mid‑2023, late‑2023, 2024), though price direction after such spikes has varied. Traders should monitor order-book depth, funding rates, spot ETF flows, macro drivers and on-chain metrics to gauge likely outcomes. Risk-management options include reducing position size, hedging or using dollar-cost averaging; this development raises the probability of near-term volatility rather than serving as a clear bullish or bearish signal. (Keywords: Bitcoin, Binance, exchange reserves, volatility, derivatives open interest)

XRP fell below its realized price, leaving many holders underwater, and is struggling to reclaim that key psychological level. XRP spot ETF inflows have cooled after an initial surge, with net flows turning negative in late January and only modest recovery in February — total net assets for ETFs have declined. On-chain data show a single-day transfer of over 31 million XRP to Binance from large holders, implying roughly $45 million of potential short-term sell pressure if that supply is sold. Santiment recorded the largest realized loss spike for XRP since 2022, signaling panic selling; historically similar loss spikes have sometimes preceded multi-month rallies. Immediate implications: continued selling pressure and weak ETF demand make short-term recovery uncertain, while a capitulation-driven bottom could enable a medium-term rebound if ETF inflows resume and exchange sell pressure eases.

Veteran analyst Tom Lee (chairman of Bitmine) told CNBC the recent cryptocurrency sell-off — including a ~50% Bitcoin correction — is a temporary shock driven by macro factors, not a collapse of network fundamentals. Lee called the event a “crypto squall,” attributing it to external catalysts such as a Supreme Court ruling on tariffs that unsettled global trade and capital flows, shifting Fed rate expectations, and geopolitical tension. He argued large holders were rebalancing portfolios, causing steep price moves while on-chain metrics remained resilient: Bitcoin hash rate rose modestly, Ethereum daily transactions increased, active addresses stayed largely stable, and DeFi TVL fell only slightly. Lee highlighted durable growth vectors — rising ETH activity and Layer-2 scaling, tokenization of real-world assets (RWAs), and growing Wall Street participation via custody and ETFs — that support a long-term secular uptrend. Historical corrections (2013–15, 2018, March 2020) are cited as precedent for deep yet recoverable drawdowns. For traders, Lee’s view suggests this event favors looking past price noise toward network health: expect heightened short-term volatility and rebalancing-driven flows, but limited evidence of structural collapse. Primary keywords: crypto downturn, Tom Lee, Bitcoin correction, network fundamentals. Secondary/semantic keywords: Ethereum transactions, DeFi TVL, tokenization, institutional adoption, macro catalysts.

Arizona’s Senate Finance Committee voted 4–2 to advance bill SB1649, which would create a state-managed Digital Assets Strategic Reserve Fund overseen by the Arizona State Treasurer. The proposal explicitly names XRP among qualifying assets that the fund could hold—alongside Bitcoin, select stablecoins, DigiByte and certain NFTs—acquired lawfully through seizures, forfeitures or appropriations. The bill allows the treasurer to actively manage the reserve, expand holdings and lend assets on the open market to generate revenue. The measure still requires votes in the full Senate and House and the governor’s signature; debates are expected over custody, risk management, oversight and legal frameworks. If enacted, Arizona would be among the first U.S. states to formalize XRP in a state reserve, a development that could increase institutional demand, improve liquidity and influence regulatory approaches to XRP and other named digital assets. Traders should watch legislative progress, custody policy details and any official guidance on eligible stablecoins—key factors likely to affect XRP’s near-term price action and market liquidity.

Bitcoin briefly dipped below $65,000 after US tariff proposals, but according to analyst Doctor Profit the fastest phase of the crash has ended and markets have entered a prolonged, high-stress consolidation. Doctor Profit maps the cycle into six stages: euphoric rally (Stage 1), a quick break under $100K (Stage 2), a rapid severe drawdown (Stage 3) that saw a 38% drop and ~50% market-cap loss, and now Stage 4 — a low-volatility, high-psychological-stress sideways phase where weak hands capitulate. Short-term bounces between $57,000–$60,000 are possible, but the analyst warns Stage 5 (full capitulation) could arrive in months, driven by systemic stress or black swan events, with revised downside targets of $35,000–$45,000. Stage 6 would mark stabilization and accumulation. The analysis highlights deteriorating global liquidity and elevated trader anxiety as key risks for further downside. Primary keywords: Bitcoin, BTC, capitulation, liquidity, Bitcoin crash. Secondary/semantic keywords: market cycle, psychological stress, drawdown, liquidation, tariff shock.

Brent and WTI crude fell sharply (around 3–5%) after U.S. President Donald Trump raised temporary import tariffs from 10% to 15% following a Supreme Court decision. Markets repriced lower fuel demand amid expectations that higher tariffs will curb trade, industrial activity and oil consumption. Concurrently, renewed U.S.–Iran nuclear talks in Geneva reduced the perceived geopolitical risk premium on crude after Iranian signals of possible concessions and a lower probability of regional supply disruption. Goldman Sachs still projects a 2026 global oil surplus and trimmed its late‑year WTI forecast slightly, citing lower OECD inventories. Analysts say oil market direction is now driven by tariff policy, Iran diplomacy and the Russia–Ukraine conflict, implying continued near‑term volatility. Key keywords: oil price, Brent, WTI, U.S. tariffs, demand outlook, Iran talks, geopolitical risk, Goldman Sachs.

Crypto markets are registering extreme stress as bets rise that the US may strike Iran in the near term. The Crypto Fear & Greed Index plunged to 5 (“Extreme Fear”), matching readings seen during major dislocations like the 2020 COVID crash and 2022 bear lows. Bitcoin has fallen below key technical levels and trades under its 50-day moving average; the broader crypto market has erased roughly $2.22 trillion — over 50% from its peak, making this one of the largest drawdowns by dollar amount. Prediction market Polymarket shows increasing probabilities of US military action in early March, reflecting growing geopolitical risk priced into markets. At the same time, stablecoin liquidity is contracting: USDT supply reportedly declined by more than $3 billion in 60 days, a pattern last seen around the FTX collapse and near 2022 cycle lows. Analysts and commentators (including Coin Bureau) warned the selloff ranks among the largest in history and could become even deeper if a strike occurs. However, shrinking stablecoin supply and capitulation-level sentiment can also signal late-stage selloffs that precede market bottoms. For traders: expect heightened short-term volatility, elevated liquidation risk, and potential safe-haven flows; monitor Bitcoin technical levels, stablecoin supply and on-chain liquidity, options/skew metrics, and geopolitical newsflow for trade signals and risk management.

Ripple is expanding its institutional footprint by assembling banking-grade infrastructure through strategic acquisitions and regulatory pathways. Recent buys such as Metaco (institutional custody) and Hidden Road (prime brokerage and execution) are being integrated into a stack that combines custody, prime brokerage, and treasury rails — positioning Ripple as a payments-to-banking conduit for institutional flows. The company is also engaging U.S. banking avenues via an OCC trust-bank approach and pursuing regulated partnerships to become an institutional on-ramp. Market attention centers on February 26, when the SEC will publish a Federal Register decision related to a proposed T. Rowe Price crypto ETF; traders view that calendar event as likely to clarify allocation lanes for traditional investors. Short-term market signals show renewed long interest in XRP, with data from Binance/crypto analytics indicating top traders shifting from net-short to neutral/long positions. Key implications: Ripple’s infrastructure moves increase institutional utility for XRP and cross-border rails; the Feb. 26 ETF-related SEC action is a catalyst for potential asset flows; and recent position changes among derivatives traders suggest heightened speculative interest in XRP ahead of regulatory clarity.

Suzlon Energy shares have come under pressure after customs authorities imposed a cumulative penalty of ₹9.60 crore on Suzlon Global Services Limited (now merged with Suzlon Energy) for alleged short payment of IGST. The company received the order from the Principal Commissioner of Customs, Chennai, on February 19 and said it will appeal the decision. The penalty announcement compounds recent share weakness: Suzlon’s stock is down 4.58% over the past five days, about 18% over the past year and nearly 23% over six months, currently trading near ₹44.15. Earlier in February the group reported consolidated Q3 (ending Dec 31, 2025) net profit of ₹445.28 crore, up 15.1% year-on-year from ₹386.92 crore, and management outlined a “Suzlon 2.0” strategy to become a full‑stack clean energy solutions provider across wind, solar, storage and emerging technologies. Key points for traders: immediate downside pressure from the penalty announcement and ongoing weak share momentum, offset partially by solid quarterly earnings and a strategic pivot that could support medium‑term fundamentals if execution succeeds. Keywords: Suzlon Energy, customs penalty, IGST, Q3 profit, clean energy, stock decline.

Bitcoin recovered from a Sunday dip to $64,400 and climbed back above $66,000 in pre-market trade as broader risk sentiment showed signs of stabilization. MicroStrategy (MSTR), the largest public corporate holder of bitcoin, traded about 2% lower as it prepared to announce its 100th BTC purchase since 2020. Other crypto-related equities including MARA, Coinbase (COIN) and Bullish (BLSH) trimmed losses and were down roughly 2%, while AI-focused miners IREN and CIFR fell about 1%. The Fear and Greed Index hit 6 — a seventh consecutive day of extreme fear — but the bounce suggests dip-buying interest emerged. Tech stocks showed contained weakness: QQQ slipped 0.3% and IGV about 1%. Precious metals benefited from risk aversion, with gold above $5,100/oz and silver near $87; the DXY dollar index remained just below 98. Key trading takeaways for traders: bitcoin’s reclaim of $66K signals near-term support and buyer interest after the pullback; MicroStrategy’s milestone purchase could act as a bullish narrative and liquidity catalyst; however, extreme fear readings and macro risks (tariff proposals, US-Iran tensions, strong dollar) argue for cautious position sizing and watching correlation with tech equities and flows into exchanges and ETFs.

The Bank of Korea (BOK) has urged that Korean‑won pegged stablecoins be issued under a bank‑led model, warning private issuers could threaten monetary policy, enable FX reporting circumvention and create financial‑stability risks. In a report to the National Assembly, the BOK described won stablecoins as “currency‑like substitutes” and proposed structural safeguards: bank consortia (with possible non‑bank partners) to issue stablecoins, and a statutory interagency council to coordinate approvals and oversight. The BOK cited the U.S. GENIUS Act as an example of cross‑agency governance. Lawmakers remain split on eligibility and control—whether non‑banks can issue or banks must hold majority ownership—delaying a stablecoin framework originally expected in October and later hoped for in January; no final timeline is set. Industry groups push back, arguing clear rules could manage risks without excluding non‑bank participants. The Financial Services Commission plans further virtual asset user‑protection legislation, aligning some rules with international standards and banning interest on stablecoins. Traders should watch for: regulatory scope (who may issue won stablecoins), likely banking involvement which could centralise issuance and custody, potential limits on yields or token mechanics, and cross‑agency safeguards that could raise compliance costs. These outcomes would affect liquidity, on‑chain stablecoin flows and counterparty risk for Korean‑pegged tokens.

Hanwha Asset Management has partnered with the Jito Foundation to develop infrastructure for liquid-staked token (LST) exchange-traded products (ETPs) in South Korea, focusing on JitoSOL, the Solana-based LST that combines standard staking rewards with MEV-derived yield. The collaboration covers technical integration (validator node operations, ERC-20–compatible token representations, custody with regulated multi-signature solutions), market structure (ETP issuance, market-making, exchange connectivity) and compliance (KYC/AML, reporting, coordination with Korean regulators). Hanwha — which manages roughly 64 trillion KRW (~USD 4.44bn) as of mid‑2025 — positions the work as preparatory for regulated institutional and retail products, including potential domestic ETP listings, multi-asset staking products and pension/retirement vehicle integration. The move builds on Hanwha’s earlier engagement with the Solana Foundation and follows growing institutional interest in liquid staking amid South Korea’s evolving digital-asset regulatory framework (including the Digital Assets Basic Law discussions). For traders, the partnership signals accelerating institutionalization of Solana staking exposure and could increase demand and liquidity for Solana staking derivatives and related tokens; however, product timelines and adoption will depend on custody solutions, regulatory sign-off and final product design.

Bitcoin (BTC) closed the weekly candle below the major horizontal support at $69,000, a move that markets interpret as either the start of the next leg down in a renewed bear market or a final shakeout of weak hands. The Crypto Fear & Greed Index sits at an extreme-fear reading of 5 — a level seen only once before (August 2019). Short-term charts show lower highs and lower lows and two small descending channels, suggesting either continued weakness or absorption into a consolidation. On the daily timeframe a bearish descending triangle has formed, with its base aligned near $65,500; a downside breakout would imply a measured move toward roughly $58,300. The multi-week (2-week/weekly) view highlights an 8-month bull-flag range: the current downside target and bottom of that range is around $53,000, which matches the measured move from the prior bear-flag. Traders should watch three levels: resistance at $69,000 (now turned resistance), support at $65,500 (triangle base), and lower support at $53,000 (range bottom). Short-term outlook: heightened downside risk with possible relief bounces; longer-term: potential extended consolidation between $53K–$69K or continuation into a deeper bear leg if key supports fail. (SEO keywords: Bitcoin, BTC price, $69,000, descending triangle, Crypto Fear & Greed Index, $53,000 support)

MANA (MANA/USDT) is in a clear downtrend around $0.09–$0.10 with low volume (~$6–8M 24h) and RSI near oversold levels. Key short-term support sits at $0.0933; a break would likely accelerate losses toward a bearish target of $0.0464 (≈48% downside). Upside targets require clearing resistances at $0.0961, $0.1091 and $0.1306 (≈45% upside) but are unlikely while price remains below EMA20 and BTC is weak. Analysts recommend strict risk management: stop-losses 1–2% below $0.0933 (or ATR-based stops ~1–1.5 ATR), position sizing with max 1–2% portfolio risk per trade (lower for leverage), and diversification limits (MANA ≤5% portfolio). ATR expansion and liquidity risk make false breakouts likely in low-volume conditions. Correlation with Bitcoin (~0.85+) means BTC direction (support at $65,632/$64,069/$60,000 or resistances at $67,640/$69,419) will heavily influence MANA. This technical guidance emphasizes capital preservation rather than aggressive entries.

Bitcoin balances in wallets linked to Binance rose to about 676,835 BTC (~$44.5B) on Sunday, the highest level since November 2024 and a 9.3% increase from the multi-month low of ~618,782 BTC recorded in November. On-chain data provider CryptoQuant reported the rise. Blockchain intelligence firm Arkham attributed the weekend spike to a large whale — possibly Garret Jin — moving roughly $760 million in BTC to Binance via Hyperunit, following an earlier ~$500 million ETH transfer by the same entity. Higher exchange BTC balances often signal increased selling risk or use as derivatives margin, both of which can increase price volatility. Bitcoin fell from about $67,600 to $64,400 during Asian hours after the transfer and was trading around $65,850 after a partial recovery. Binance did not provide comment to CoinDesk. Key metrics and names: 676,834.84 BTC on Binance, 618,782 BTC November low, $760M whale BTC transfer (Arkham), possible actor Garret Jin, Hyperunit/Hyperliquid bridging activity. Primary keywords: Bitcoin, Binance, whale transfer, BTC exchange balance. Secondary/semantic keywords: sell pressure, derivatives margin, on-chain flows, Arkham, CryptoQuant.

Network economist Timothy Peterson’s informal cycle metric — counting positive monthly closes over the past 24 months — indicates an 88% probability that Bitcoin (BTC) will trade higher ten months later. Backtested to 2011 on monthly returns, the model finds an average forward return of about 82% from current levels, implying a target near $122,000. The indicator measures frequency of positive months (12 of 24 historically) rather than magnitude, so it signals higher odds of a reversal but not timing, speed, or volatility. The newer article adds institutional context: Bernstein’s $150,000 2026 target and Wells Fargo’s forecast of capital inflows are cited as additional bullish signals, while critics warn market structure has changed since 2011 (spot ETFs, larger institutional flows), which could weaken historical patterns. Key takeaways for traders: the metric raises a statistically strong case for upside over a ~10-month horizon, but it is not causal — actual price paths will depend on ETF flows, liquidity, macro conditions and market microstructure. Use the signal as a probability-weighted input alongside risk management, position sizing, and monitoring of ETF inflows and macro catalysts.

XRP trading volume surged roughly 74–77% during a weekend market sell-off, lifting daily volume to between $2.43bn and $6.49bn across reported windows, and coincided with significant liquidations. Data from CoinGlass and CoinMarketCap show about $485M in 24‑hour liquidations (earlier reports placed 24‑hour liquidations higher at $2.58bn across the broader market), with XRP-specific liquidations in the tens of millions. XRP fell to between $1.37 and $1.50 in the period, extending weekly losses to around 6.5%. Santiment and Glassnode metrics indicate sharply elevated realized losses — roughly $1.93bn for the week, the largest weekly realized loss since 2022 — a pattern traders often interpret as capitulation. On‑chain activity on the XRP Ledger rose nearly 40%, pushing daily successful transactions toward ~2.5 million, suggesting rising network usage despite price pressure. Analysts attribute the sell‑off to thin weekend liquidity and broader macro risk (trade tensions, tariff uncertainty) rather than a single crypto-specific event. For traders, the key implications are: a substantial jump in XRP liquidity (higher volume), elevated realized losses indicating capitulation risk/recovery potential, increased on‑chain activity, and continued sensitivity to macro sentiment — all factors that raise the chance of short‑term volatility and tactical opportunities while cautioning about thin‑liquidity air pockets around technical support levels.

Austria’s financial regulator (FMA) has ordered KuCoin EU to stop onboarding new customers and offering new products after the exchange lost key compliance staff shortly after receiving a Markets in Crypto Assets (MiCA) licence in November. The FMA said KuCoin EU no longer has appointed officers for anti-money laundering (AML), terrorism financing prevention, and sanctions compliance — roles required under MiCA and Austria’s Financial Markets Anti-Money Laundering Act. The prohibition remains in place until KuCoin EU appoints an AML officer and deputy, plus a sanctions compliance officer and deputy. KuCoin EU said it is expanding its compliance team in Austria and hiring experienced local compliance professionals to meet European regulatory expectations. Austria has become a hub for crypto firms seeking EU passports under MiCA, with exchanges such as Bitpanda, Bybit and Bitget also basing operations in Vienna. Key points for traders: the action restricts KuCoin EU’s ability to onboard EU customers and launch new EU-facing products until compliance hires are confirmed; it may limit EU inflows to KuCoin’s EU entity and could shift some trading volume to other EU-licensed exchanges. Monitor announcements from the FMA and KuCoin for timelines on rehiring and any limits on existing customer services that could affect liquidity or order flow.

Germany’s IFO Business Climate Index climbed to 88.6 in February 2025, beating economist forecasts (consensus 86.8) and marking the third consecutive monthly gain. The reading rose from January’s revised 86.2 and December’s 85.1, with the current assessment component at 86.9 and six‑month expectations at 90.4. The survey covers roughly 9,000 firms across manufacturing, services, trade and construction. Manufacturing led the improvement — reaching an eleven‑month high — while services also strengthened; construction remained weakest due to high financing costs. Key drivers cited include stabilized energy prices, normalized supply chains, resilient labor markets, moderated inflation and government investment programs. Financial markets reacted positively: the DAX rose ~0.8% and the euro strengthened; German bond yields ticked higher. Analysts warn the index remains below the 100 long‑term average and structural challenges (energy transition, automotive shift, demographics, digital infrastructure) persist. For traders, the data supports a cautiously optimistic macro backdrop for risk assets in Europe, may bolster euro and equities near term, and could influence ECB guidance toward gradual policy normalization.