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Latest Crypto News | Bitcoin, Ethereum and Altcoin Updates

BTC miners face asset sales and AI pivots after 11% difficulty drop and price collapse

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Bitcoin mining difficulty has plunged more than 11% — the sixth consecutive decline and one of the largest drops historically — bringing difficulty to roughly 125.86 trillion hashes, a low not seen since July. The fall was driven by winter storms that curtailed operations, ongoing miner capitulation as firms pivot toward AI/HPC data centres, and a prolonged BTC price decline. BTC traded below $60,000 in the latest period; estimated all‑in cost to mine one BTC is about $84,300, roughly $15k above spot, pushing hash price and miner margins toward multi‑year lows and rendering older ASICs unprofitable. Public miners are responding with BTC sales, loans against holdings, asset write‑downs and strategic pivots: Cango sold 4,451 BTC to repay a collateralised loan and fund AI expansion; Marathon moved ~1,300 BTC to trading desks/lenders and has large amounts pledged; Bitdeer, Bitfarms (now Keel Infrastructure), CleanSpark, Canaan and others report falling mining revenue, production hits, or shifts to AI/cloud services. January production among some public miners: Bitdeer 668 BTC, CleanSpark 573 BTC, Cango 496.3 BTC, Hive 297 BTC, BitFuFu 229 BTC, Canaan 83 BTC. Smaller operators face heightened insolvency risk (NFN8 filed Chapter 11); equipment demand is weakening and some miners are repurposing capacity for AI or exiting. Market implications for traders: increased miner sell pressure and borrowing-backed BTC sales may add near‑term downward pressure on BTC price; reduced willingness to add mining capex and potential permanent loss of pure mining capacity could limit new BTC supply growth longer term. Traders should monitor miner treasury movements, hash price, ASIC shutdown trends, and quarterly reports for signs of short‑term sell flows and structural shifts in miner behaviour.
Bearish
BitcoinMining difficultyMiner treasury salesAI/HPC pivotHash price

Aztec (AZTEC) to Launch Spot Trading on Bybit

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Bybit will list Aztec (AZTEC) in its spot trading market, the exchange announced on February 11. Aztec is a privacy-first Layer 2 protocol on Ethereum focused on enabling developers to build privacy-preserving dApps. The listing expands AZTEC accessibility for traders and may increase liquidity and market visibility for the token. The announcement is presented as market information and not investment advice.
Bullish
AztecBybitLayer 2PrivacySpot Listing

SoFi Hong Kong partners with OSL to use Omnibus Pro for institutional digital-asset services

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SoFi Hong Kong, a licensed subsidiary of U.S. fintech SoFi Technologies (NASDAQ: SOFI), has entered a strategic partnership with stablecoin trading and payments firm OSL Group (863.HK) to integrate OSL’s one-stop institutional solution, Omnibus Pro. The deal gives SoFi Hong Kong access to trading execution, custody and wallet management services, enabling it to offer clients an integrated platform for digital assets alongside Hong Kong and U.S. stock trading and robo-advisory services. SoFi Hong Kong VP and Hong Kong head Annie Lok said the alliance aims to improve user experience by removing fragmented accounts. OSL Chief Commercial Officer Eugene Cheung framed the cooperation as a step toward greater regulatory alignment and mainstream financial integration, with potential for further collaboration in institutional services, asset management and digital-asset products. The partnership marks SoFi’s first expansion of its digital-asset business beyond the U.S. market.
Neutral
SoFiOSLOmnibus Prodigital assetsinstitutional custody

ETH, XRP, SOL Reach Oversold Levels — Potential Buy Zones in February 2026 Dip

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Bitcoin-led market weakness has pushed major altcoins into oversold territory in February 2026. The report highlights possible buy zones for Ethereum (ETH), XRP (XRP) and Solana (SOL) while warning that further BTC downside would likely pull altcoins lower. Technical observations: ETH weekly structure still shows higher highs/lows with an ascending trendline and a suggested buy range of $1,950 down to $1,500, aligning with a longer-term pivot and horizontal support. Momentum indicators (RSI, Stochastic RSI) are near bear-market lows. XRP sits on support at $1.37 but could drop to $1.00 or $0.75 if the level fails; historically XRP has long low-range action punctuated by multi-year spikes. SOL is testing a $78 horizontal support where wick rejections indicate buyer interest; failure could see a fall toward $47. The piece emphasizes that if BTC loses another 10%, ETH may fall at least as much and XRP/SOL could decline an additional 15–20%. Traders should weigh conviction in long-term fundamentals against high near-term volatility and broader Bitcoin correlation.
Bearish
AltcoinsEthereumXRPSolanaTechnical Analysis

Use Nature’s Coordination Models to Match Decision Type with Structure

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Organizations that rigidly choose between full centralization or full decentralization risk suboptimal performance. Drawing on natural coordination models—ant pheromone swarms, bird-flock synchronization, bee signaling, and small human groups—the article argues firms should match coordination mechanisms to problem types. Repeated optimization tasks (routing, scheduling, resource allocation) benefit from swarm-like local rules with central guardrails; repeated execution with local information favors delegated authority within clear boundaries; novel, strategic, or ethical decisions require small teams and human judgment. The piece recommends piloting decentralization in bounded domains, making authority explicit, measuring emergent patterns, and ensuring managers don’t hoard decisions. Real-world examples include logistics routing improvements, traffic-signal coordination in smart cities, AI-enabled distributed sensing in healthcare, algorithmic trading and energy-grid balancing, and autonomous small teams at tech firms. The core takeaway: distribute intelligence by problem type—swarms for optimization, delegation for execution, small teams for strategy—to gain speed and structural clarity.
Neutral
Organizational designDecentralizationSwarm intelligenceOperational optimizationDecision governance

Fake ’XRP’ Issued on XRPL Sparks Community Confusion

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A token issued on the XRP Ledger (XRPL) using the hex currency code 5852500000000000000000000000000000000000 — which decodes to "XRP" — has been created and drawn attention from the XRPL community. XRPL validator Vet posted a screenshot highlighting the issued asset named "XRP" and explained why it is not genuine: the native XRP is unique on XRPL and is not an issued asset, requires no trustline, and was fully minted at inception (100 billion max supply). Although the literal string "XRP" appears as the decoded currency code, XRPL rules disallow using the reserved human-readable code "XRP" for issued currencies; however, the hex code used is technically permitted, enabling the confusing issuance. The incident raised warnings among community members about potential wallet or UX confusion and the need for clearer validation/display rules to prevent mistaken transfers or misinterpretation. No indication was reported that this fake token affects the native XRP supply or protocol-level behavior.
Neutral
XRP LedgerXRPtoken issuancewallet UXblockchain governance

BitMine stakes $282M more ETH, pushing total staked toward 3M amid market dip

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BitMine, led by Tom Lee, executed a series of large Ethereum transactions during a market pullback: it bought and staked 140,400 ETH (~$282M) on Feb 11, 2026, and earlier added 20,000 ETH (~$41M) and 40,000 ETH (~$83M) on Feb 9–10 near key $2,000 price levels. These moves raise BitMine’s staked ETH to roughly 3 million (over $6B) and mean about 69% of its ETH holdings are now locked, reducing available circulating supply. Market-wide, the crypto sector fell ~2.7% in one day, shrinking total capitalization to about $2.3T. BitMine’s stock (BMNR) reacted negatively to the purchases, falling roughly 7% to $19.95 in the latest report; earlier coverage placed the firm’s ETH holdings near 4M and recorded prior buys during an earlier downturn. The accumulation and increased staking signal long-term confidence in Ethereum but elevate short-term exposure for BMNR shareholders and may tighten ETH liquidity — a factor traders should weigh alongside price momentum and staking withdrawal timelines.
Bullish
EthereumStakingInstitutional accumulationMarket dipBitMine

Gold (XAU/USD) Breaks Out, Targets $5,100 as Uptrend Resumes

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Gold (XAU/USD) has resumed a strong bullish trend after a decisive breakout above the key resistance at $4,800 following about six weeks of consolidation. Technical indicators — including an ascending triangle measured move, 50- and 200-day moving averages aligned bullishly, RSI near 68, and a 42% volume increase during the breakout — support continuation toward a primary target of $5,100 and a secondary extension near $5,400 (1.618 Fib). Immediate support is at $4,750. Fundamentals back the move: softer expected Fed tightening, steady central bank gold purchases (~290 tonnes recently per World Gold Council), geopolitical risk, low real yields, and currency weakness. Strategists cite valuation models and money-supply metrics that place fair value in the $4,900–$5,300 range; COT data shows managed-money long positions with room to grow. Risks include a failure to hold $4,750, a sustained US dollar rally, or a sudden rise in real interest rates that would raise gold’s opportunity cost. For traders: watch price action around $4,750 support, volume confirmation on advances, the $5,100 breakout as a trigger for further upside, and macro cues (Fed guidance, DXY, real yields, ETF flows) that could accelerate or reverse the trend. This report is informational and not trading advice.
Bullish
GoldXAU/USDTechnical AnalysisMacro DriversCommodity Markets

Grayscale: Bitcoin Behaving Like Tech Stock, Not Digital Gold

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Grayscale’s recent reports find Bitcoin moving as a speculative, risk-on asset tightly correlated with software and high-valuation tech stocks rather than tracking safe-haven metals like gold. The firm — led in its reporting by Zach Pandl — says Bitcoin’s correlation with the software sector strengthened since early 2024, driven by institutional flows, increased ETF adoption, and shifts in macro risk sentiment. Key price events include a roughly 50% drawdown from Bitcoin’s October 2025 peak above $126,000, with major sell-offs after an October 2025 liquidation event and further declines in November 2025 and January 2026. Grayscale cites motivated U.S. sellers and persistent Coinbase discounts as additional downward pressures. The report frames these patterns as evidence of Bitcoin’s evolving market role amid institutional integration, not a definitive refutation of its long-term store-of-value thesis; over time, and with broader adoption, Bitcoin could still develop “digital gold” characteristics. For traders: expect Bitcoin to remain sensitive to risk-on/risk-off flows and tech sector performance in the near term, with ETF flows and platform-specific liquidity (eg, exchange discounts) likely to amplify volatility.
Neutral
BitcoinGrayscaleTech StocksETF AdoptionMarket Correlation

SafePal 2026 Review — Budget Hardware, QR Air-Gapped Signing and Bluetooth Convenience

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SafePal is a non-custodial wallet suite (hardware devices, mobile app, browser extension) that in 2026 follows a two-track product strategy: an S1 line focused on air-gapped QR signing and isolation, and an X1 line prioritizing Bluetooth convenience and an open-source narrative. The review emphasizes a mechanism-first evaluation: air-gapped QR reduces remote extraction risk but does not mitigate seed-phrase compromise or signing deceit — “verify on device” remains essential. Bluetooth adds usability for mobile users but increases approval frequency and fatigue, raising different operational risks. Most real-world risk enters via the companion app and browser extension (dApp approvals, token standards, routing for in-app swaps). SafePal supports many chains and tokens, which is a plus for multi-chain users but raises network-selection and address-format mistakes. Recommended security practices: keep seed phrases fully offline, segment wallets (long-term storage vs activity wallets), avoid unlimited dApp approvals, verify firmware/app sources, and test small transfers before large moves. For traders: wallet-integrated swaps rely on external liquidity and routing — compare quotes for larger trades. Who it fits: budget-conscious self-custody users who accept QR workflows (S1) or want mobile convenience with strict segmentation (X1). Key takeaway: SafePal offers accessible self-custody at a low price with clear tradeoffs — strong security depends on disciplined user behavior.
Neutral
SafePalhardware walletair-gapped signingBluetooth walletself-custody

SafeMoon CEO Braden Karony Sentenced to 8 Years After $9M Liquidity-Pool Fraud

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Braden John Karony, former CEO of SafeMoon, was convicted of conspiracy to commit securities fraud, wire fraud and money laundering and sentenced in Brooklyn federal court to 100 months (about 8 years and 4 months) in prison. Prosecutors concluded Karony and co‑conspirators secretly retained access to SafeMoon liquidity pools that were publicly claimed to be locked and diverted roughly $9 million in investor funds. Investigators from the FBI, IRS‑CI, and Homeland Security (with assistance from the SEC) traced complex crypto transactions across wallets and exchanges. Karony used proceeds to buy luxury assets, including a $2.2M Utah home, multiple properties, two Audi R8s, a Tesla and custom trucks. The court ordered forfeiture of about $7.5 million and two residential properties; final restitution to victims will be set later. Co‑defendant Thomas Smith has pleaded guilty and awaits sentencing; creator Kyle Nagy remains at large. The case underscores stepped‑up DOJ and SEC enforcement against crypto fraud and highlights the risk to token holders when founders retain secret access to liquidity pools. Traders should note increased regulatory scrutiny of projects claiming “locked” liquidity and weigh counterparty and contract risk when trading or holding tokens.
Bearish
SafeMoonBraden Karonycrypto fraudliquidity poolsasset forfeiture

Pompliano: Bitcoin Volatility Has Compressed — Drawdown Is Mildest on Record

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Anthony Pompliano says Bitcoin’s volatility profile has structurally shifted, with long-term volatility compressing from roughly 80 to about 40. He argues the current drawdown — while featuring sharp single-day moves (around 10% declines) — is the mildest major pullback in Bitcoin’s history compared with past cycles that saw 70%+ corrections. Pompliano attributes lower volatility to deeper liquidity, broader market participation, the introduction of ETFs and regulated derivatives enabling two-way flows, and increased institutional and retail trading. He also noted macro trends (including potential AI-driven deflationary pressure) as factors influencing market dynamics. Overall, Pompliano presents the market as more mature, with volatility compression signalling a structural change rather than a derailment of long-term growth.
Neutral
BitcoinVolatilityETFsMarket StructureAnthony Pompliano

Tom Lee’s BitMine Stakes 140,400 ETH; Staked Holdings Near $6B as Firm Eyes 5% of ETH Supply

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BitMine Immersion Technologies, led by Tom Lee, boosted its on-chain Ethereum staking in a rapid buy-and-stake move. The company staked an additional 140,400 ETH (about $282M) within hours, bringing total staked ETH to roughly 2.97 million ETH (≈$6.01B) and representing about 68.7% of its 4.33 million ETH treasury. Overall holdings are ~4.33M ETH (~3.58% of circulating supply). Earlier reporting noted a 171,264 ETH stake raising a previously reported staked total near 1.94M ETH; the newer report updates the position to the larger 2.97M ETH figure and expands financial detail. BitMine projects staking revenue: current estimates around $202M per year, with potential to exceed $374M once its Made in America Validator Network is fully deployed. The firm’s broader crypto treasury is roughly $10B, including 193 BTC, a $200M equity stake in Beast Industries, and about $595M in cash. BitMine continues weekly ETH purchases under a strategy dubbed “the alchemy of 5%,” targeting control of 5% of Ethereum’s supply. The company shifted from Bitcoin mining to an ETH-focused treasury after Tom Lee took leadership and is now among the largest institutional ETH holders. Despite significant unrealized losses from 2025 highs (reported near $7.5B), BitMine is expanding validator operations and staking allocations, reinforcing long-term exposure to ETH and increasing on-chain staking activity.
Bullish
BitMineETH stakingstaked Ethereumstaking rewardsTom Lee

Franklin Templeton and SWIFT push for 24/7 banking with native on‑chain tokenized funds

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Franklin Templeton, SWIFT and Ledger signaled at Consensus Hong Kong 2026 that tokenized money market funds and tokenized bank deposits are moving from pilots toward core financial infrastructure. Franklin Templeton is issuing money market fund shares natively on-chain to offer 24/7 liquidity and cut servicing costs (shareholder servicing fees cited at 5–15 basis points). SWIFT’s digital assets unit is building a blockchain orchestration layer to connect CBDCs, tokenized deposits and regulated digital assets to global payment rails, aiming to remove cut-off times and holiday delays. Panelists noted current on-chain liquidity remains small: roughly $300 billion in stablecoins and about $40 billion in tokenized treasuries/RWA versus over $200 trillion in global wealth. Key barriers to scaling are regulatory clarity (accounting, compliance, balance-sheet treatment) and institutional-grade security/governance, especially private-key management. Speakers argued the future will be hybrid — combining decentralized access with traditional intermediaries — with some intermediaries needing to justify their role. Primary keywords: tokenization, on-chain funds, tokenized deposits, SWIFT, Franklin Templeton. Secondary/semantic keywords: CBDC interoperability, 24/7 payments, institutional custody, private-key management, regulatory clarity.
Neutral
TokenizationOn-chain fundsSWIFTMoney market fundsCBDC interoperability

How Magic Johnson Built a Billion-Dollar Portfolio Over 30 Years

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Earvin “Magic” Johnson transformed his NBA fame into a diversified business empire over roughly 30 years. After retiring from basketball, Johnson focused on investments spanning sports franchises, real estate, restaurants, entertainment venues, and media. Key moves included founding Magic Johnson Enterprises, taking minority stakes in sports teams, partnering in urban redevelopment projects, and investing in minority-owned businesses. Strategic joint ventures and a long-term, community-focused investment approach helped compound value. The portfolio’s growth was driven by recurring revenue businesses (retail, entertainment, sports), real estate appreciation, and equity stakes that benefited from market exits and partnerships. Johnson emphasized brand leverage, targeted minority-market investments, and patient capital deployment. Critical statistics and specific deal sizes were not detailed in the article, but the narrative highlights multi-sector exposure and decades-long compounding that produced a billion-dollar valuation. Primary keywords: Magic Johnson, investments, diversified portfolio. Secondary/semantic keywords: private equity, minority-owned businesses, real estate, sports franchises, long-term compounding. This overview helps traders and investors understand how brand value, sector diversification, and strategic partnerships can drive long-term wealth accumulation.
Neutral
Magic Johnsondiversified investmentsprivate equityreal estatesports franchises

Bitcoin Turns Bearish as ETF Flows Slow; $HYPER Gains Amid Scaling Debate

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Bitcoin is showing increasing bearish signals after failing to reclaim resistance near $70K and slipping below key technical levels. Slowing inflows into U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs — including several recent days of net outflows per Farside Investors — have removed a major demand pillar that supported this year’s rally. Technically, BTC is trading below the 50-day moving average and the daily RSI sits under 50, with traders watching the critical $60K support (aligned with the 100-day MA). Scenarios: a decisive reclaim of $67K plus renewed multi-day ETF inflows would be bullish; continued chop between $60K–$67K is the base case; a daily close below $60K risks a drop toward the low $50Ks (~$52K) and could trigger liquidations. In the current risk-off environment, investor interest is shifting to Bitcoin Layer-2 scaling projects. Bitcoin Hyper ($HYPER) — a Layer-2 integrating the Solana Virtual Machine (SVM) — is highlighted for its high-throughput smart-contract ambition. The project’s presale reportedly raised over $31M and lists a token price of $0.0136754 with staking rewards advertised around 37%. Traders should monitor ETF flow data, the $60K support level, and on-chain congestion metrics; these will likely drive short-term volatility and position management.
Bearish
BitcoinSpot Bitcoin ETFsTechnical AnalysisLayer-2 ScalingBitcoin Hyper

XRP Performance in Crypto Winters: History, Risks and What Traders Should Know

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XRP (Ripple) has entered a downtrend amid the current crypto bear market, falling ~15% over seven days, ~26% over two weeks and over 40% year‑on‑year. Historically, XRP has tracked broader market cycles: collapsing from 2018 highs above $3 to ~$0.30 during that bear market, rallying to ~$1.7 in April 2021, then retreating to the $0.35 range in 2022 before surging above $2 in late 2024 and reaching a new all‑time high in July 2025. The piece highlights structural differences—XRP is an altcoin tied to Ripple, a US‑based company that sells a portion of supply and builds payment/settlement products (including stablecoin RLUSD). XRP holders receive no dividends or governance rights; supply concentration and company sales are notable risk factors. At the time of writing XRP’s market cap is around $85 billion, which tempers expectations for an outsized parabolic rally despite historical multi‑bag returns for bear‑market bottom buyers. The article emphasizes that historical cycle patterns do not guarantee future performance and warns of potential further downside (including the possibility of another ~90% drop). This is analysis and not financial advice.
Neutral
XRPRipplecrypto bear marketmarket cyclesaltcoin risk

Robinhood Q4: Crypto Revenue Falls 38% as Options & Prediction Markets Cushion the Miss

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Robinhood reported Q4 net revenue of about $1.28B, missing Street estimates (~$1.32–$1.35B) and prompting a roughly 7–8% drop in after‑hours trading. Crypto trading revenue plunged 38% year‑on‑year to ~$221M, cutting crypto’s share of total revenue toward ~10%. Nominal crypto trading volume across Robinhood and Bitstamp rose modestly quarter‑on‑quarter to a record $82.4B, but growth lagged stocks and options. Options revenue (~$314M) also missed estimates despite record options volumes; management highlighted strong retail options flow and growth in prediction‑market and event contract activity, with non‑stock trading revenue (including prediction markets and futures) hitting a record $147M — the first time it exceeded stock trading revenue. Robinhood reiterated 2025 guidance for roughly $4.5B in net revenue and $1.9B in net income. Analysts say the revenue miss is painful for a richly valued stock, though some (e.g., Autonomous Research) keep Buy ratings citing diversification and a robust options franchise. Market context: Bitcoin around $66.7k, Ethereum near $1.98k and Solana showing elevated volatility, signaling tighter liquidity and risk‑off sentiment across high‑beta crypto assets. Key takeaways for traders: weaker crypto revenue may pressure HOOD and reflect muted retail crypto activity; record options and prediction‑market growth diversify revenue but may not offset near‑term crypto weakness. Primary keywords: Robinhood, crypto revenue, Q4 earnings, options, prediction markets.
Neutral
Robinhoodcrypto revenueQ4 earningsoptions tradingprediction markets

Institutions Must Reject the Retail Playbook and Back Utility-Driven Crypto

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Institutional inflows into crypto have raised derivatives volume and market activity but have not delivered technological maturity or real economic utility. The opinion argues that institutional investors should stop emulating retail behavior—chasing narratives, token-driven speculation and short-term volatility—and instead focus on projects with sustainable revenue models, non-token-dependent operations and demonstrable product-market fit. Key data points cited: global crypto derivatives volumes surpassed $79 trillion in 2025 and institutional holdings rose to about 24%, concurrent with a retail exit. The author (Diego Martin, CEO of Yellow Capital) recommends building TrustFi-style infrastructure that abstracts complexity for users, confidential trading using zero-knowledge proofs to prevent front-running, and decentralized unified clearing protocols to solve market fragmentation. M&A and scaling for trading volume alone are viewed as insufficient; the next wave should prioritize privacy, clearing, and revenue-bearing primitives to enable multi-cycle resilience and meaningful integration with TradFi. Primary keywords: institutional investors, crypto derivatives, decentralized clearing, privacy, TrustFi.
Neutral
Institutional InvestmentCrypto DerivativesPrivacy / ZKDecentralized ClearingTrustFi

European Parliament backs digital euro to strengthen EU payments sovereignty

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The European Parliament voted 443–71–117 to endorse the ECB’s digital euro project, framing a central bank digital currency (CBDC) as essential to EU monetary sovereignty, retail payments integration and reducing dependence on non‑EU payment providers. Lawmakers emphasised the ECB must remain independent to preserve price stability, with MEP Johan Van Overtveldt warning political interference risks inflation and instability. The resolution states cash will remain legal tender alongside a digital euro. Officials and experts, including ECB executive board member Piero Cipollone and a group of 70 economists, have described the digital euro as “public money in digital form” and a geopolitical hedge against foreign payment infrastructure and private stablecoins. The parliamentary backing increases political support for advancing design and implementation discussions, while reiterating safeguards on central bank autonomy and market integrity.
Neutral
Digital euroECBCBDCEU payments sovereigntyStablecoins

Huobi HTX to List Espresso (ESP) — Deposits Feb 11, Trading Feb 12, Withdrawals Feb 13

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Huobi HTX will list Espresso (ESP). Deposit (recharge) service opens Feb 11, 20:00 (GMT+8); ESP/USDT spot trading opens Feb 12, 21:00 (GMT+8); withdrawals open Feb 13, 21:00 (GMT+8). Espresso is an L2-focused project providing a global confirmation layer that uses BFT consensus to deliver fast, reliable transaction confirmations for Layer-2 chains. Its confirmation layer aims to prevent sequencer ambiguity, avoid chain reorganizations, and reduce finality risk in intent-based systems. The announcement comes from HTX’s official notice. This listing may increase ESP liquidity and market visibility among traders and could prompt short-term price volatility around listing and deposit/trading start times.
Bullish
ESPHTXExchange ListingLayer-2Token Listing

Whales Ramp Up ETH Accumulation as Price Falls Below $2,000

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Ethereum whales and accumulation wallets have aggressively increased inflows after ETH fell below $2,000. Despite a roughly 38% monthly decline and ETH trading around $1,950 (about 60% below its all-time high), accumulation addresses received 1.3 million ETH (~$2.6 billion) over five days, pushing total ETH held by these long-term holders to a record 27 million (up ~20.4% year-to-date in 2026). About 58% of addresses are now at unrealized losses; key support levels below $2,000 to watch are $1,880, $1,580, $1,230 and lower scenarios at $750–$1,000. ETF holders also face pressure, with estimated ETF cost basis near $3,500 versus current spot under $2,000. Analysts warn of further downside if $2,000 is not reclaimed — near-term targets cited include $1,800, $1,500 and $1,200. Historical precedents show large inflows into accumulation addresses have often preceded multi-week rallies, but significant downside risks remain. This development is relevant to traders monitoring whale activity, support/resistance zones, ETF flows and potential short-term volatility around psychological levels.
Neutral
EthereumETH accumulationWhalesSpot ETFMarket levels

Uniswap Wins Landmark Ruling — Court Rejects Patent Claims on AMM “xy=k”

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Uniswap secured a decisive U.S. federal court win on February 11, 2026, when claims by Bprotocol Foundation and LocalCoin Ltd. alleging infringement of a 2017 patent on the constant-product automated market maker (AMM) formula — the “x·y=k” model — were dismissed. The court found the core token-swap algorithm unsuitable for patent protection, citing the mathematical nature of the method and the public availability of Uniswap’s open-source code. Uniswap founder Hayden Adams announced the ruling. Major DeFi organizations, including the DeFi Education Fund and the Solana Institute, backed Uniswap during litigation and warned that patenting fundamental financial algorithms could stifle open-source development. Traders should note this removes a legal overhang for AMM-based DEXs, lowers the risk of patent-driven licensing costs or forced feature rollbacks, and preserves the continued open implementation and developer adoption of the AMM liquidity model across DeFi.
Bullish
UniswapAMM patent rulingdecentralized exchangesopen-source DeFilegal risk

Cash App Waives Bitcoin Fees for Recurring and Large Buys, Aiming to Boost Retail Adoption

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Block’s Cash App will waive transaction fees for automated recurring Bitcoin purchases and single large-scale buys above an undisclosed threshold. The change aims to encourage dollar-cost averaging and attract higher-value retail investors by removing percentage-based costs while retaining standard fees for small, one-off trades. Block likely absorbs direct fee costs and monetizes via spreads, merchant services, stock trading, and broader ecosystem benefits. Analysts frame the move as a long-term customer-acquisition play to deepen user engagement and expand Bitcoin holdings among everyday users, especially the underbanked. Short-term effects may include increased on-platform buy pressure and more non-zero retail Bitcoin addresses; long-term effects could be greater retail adoption, competitive fee pressure across brokerages, and strengthened positioning of Cash App as a mainstream crypto on-ramp. Key SEO keywords: Cash App, Bitcoin fees, recurring buys, dollar-cost averaging, retail adoption.
Bullish
Cash AppBitcoinFee WaiverRetail AdoptionDollar-Cost Averaging

AI-fueled chip demand lifts South Korea exports 44% in early February

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South Korea’s exports jumped 44.4% year‑over‑year in the first 10 days of February to $21.4 billion, driven mainly by a surge in semiconductor shipments tied to global AI and large language model deployment. Semiconductor exports reached a record $6.7 billion in that period, up 137.6% year‑on‑year and accounting for 31.5% of exports (a 12.3 percentage‑point rise). Petroleum products and wireless devices also rose (40.1% and 27.9%), while passenger car and ship exports fell 2.6% and 29% respectively. Exports to major partners climbed broadly (U.S. +38.5%, China +54.1%, Vietnam +38.1%, India +35.1%, Japan +31.1%, Malaysia +136.1%). The trade balance showed a $644 million surplus for the period, with a cumulative surplus above $9 billion year‑to‑date. January data previously showed record monthly exports of $66 billion and a 10th consecutive month of record chip shipments ($20.5 billion). Policymakers are responding to AI growth: South Korea enacted an AI Basic Act addressing AI safety, deepfakes and related risks. Traders should note the concentration of export gains in semiconductors amid the AI boom, the potential short‑term distortion from Lunar New Year working‑day differences, and the broader positive demand signal for Korean chipmakers and suppliers.
Bullish
SemiconductorsSouth KoreaAI demandExportsTrade data

EUR/USD Holds Firm Ahead of US Nonfarm Payrolls; Traders Brace for Volatility

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EUR/USD is trading moderately bid in early European hours as markets await the US Nonfarm Payrolls (NFP) report. The pair is range-bound with resistance at 1.0950 and support near the 1.0850 50-day SMA; other technical levels include 1.0980 and 1.1020 (resistance) and 1.0820 and 1.0780 (support). Volume has declined ahead of the release and the RSI sits near 52, indicating neutral momentum. Options flow shows heightened demand for both calls and puts around the NFP window, suggesting hedging for large moves. Fundamentals center on divergent central-bank expectations: a strong NFP and rising wage growth would reinforce Fed hawkishness and boost the US dollar, whereas softer jobs or wages would weigh on the dollar and support the euro. Historical BIS data shows EUR/USD averages an absolute 0.8% move in the hour after NFP, with larger moves when data surprises. Traders and desks are reducing leverage, widening stops, and trimming directional exposure to manage slippage and liquidity risk. Key risk considerations beyond the headline NFP include revisions, average hourly earnings, participation rate and sectoral job gains. Short-term trading after the print is likely to be volatile and driven by wage and Fed-interpretation signals; prudent risk management is recommended.
Neutral
EURUSDNonfarm PayrollsForex VolatilityRisk ManagementCentral Bank Policy

Ripple and Zand Bank to Launch AEDZ and RLUSD on XRPL for UAE On‑chain Payments

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Ripple has expanded its partnership with UAE digital bank Zand to integrate stablecoins, tokenization and blockchain infrastructure into regulated on‑chain finance in the UAE. The deal will support Zand’s AED‑backed stablecoin (AEDZ) and Ripple’s USD enterprise stablecoin (RLUSD). Key elements: issuance of AEDZ on the XRP Ledger (XRPL) using XRPL compliance and risk controls; RLUSD custody inside Zand’s regulated custody framework; direct liquidity and interoperability between AEDZ and RLUSD; and institutional‑grade compliance, staking and security solutions from Ripple. AEDZ is described as the UAE’s first regulated, multi‑chain AED stablecoin with segregated reserves and independent audits; RLUSD is backed by USD deposits and short‑term U.S. government securities with monthly attestations. The partnership builds on an earlier payments collaboration and aligns with the UAE Digital Economy Strategy to expand regulated digital finance infrastructure. For traders: the move increases regulated on‑chain liquidity and settlement options within the XRPL ecosystem, may raise demand for XRPL‑based services and stablecoin‑denominated flows in the region, and indirectly supports XRP’s utility narrative as XRPL adoption grows.
Bullish
RippleStablecoinsXRP LedgerZand BankUAE digital finance

How $2,000 in SHIB or DOGE Could Perform by 2030 — Projected Returns and Drivers

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Analysts project wide-ranging outcomes for a $2,000 investment in Shiba Inu (SHIB) or Dogecoin (DOGE) by 2030, driven by differing price forecasts and fundamental support. At current prices (~$0.09042 for DOGE and ~$0.000005838 for SHIB), $2,000 buys about 22,119 DOGE or 342.58 million SHIB. Price targets cited: Changelly forecasts ~ $1.02 for DOGE (+1,028%) and $0.0000625 for SHIB (+970%); Telegaon is more bullish, projecting $4.06 for DOGE (+4,390%) and $0.000124 for SHIB (+2,024%). Under these scenarios, a $2,000 DOGE stake could grow to roughly $22.6k (Changelly) or $89.8k (Telegaon), while SHIB holdings might reach ~$21.4k (Changelly) or ~$42.5k (Telegaon). Analysts favor DOGE for higher upside, citing Elon Musk’s ongoing support, emerging Dogecoin-related ETF flows (~$20M AUM), and stronger institutional traction. SHIB faces uncertainty: less institutional backing, no spot ETF filings, and controversy around lead developer activity, raising questions about long-term roadmap stability. The article emphasizes these are projections, not financial advice, and advises readers to conduct independent research before investing.
Bullish
DogecoinShiba InuPrice PredictionsMeme CoinsInvestment Returns

Softer US Data Raises Odds of Fed Rate Cuts, Pressuring the Dollar

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Softer-than-expected US economic indicators have shifted market pricing toward a higher probability of Federal Reserve rate cuts in 2025, putting downward pressure on the US dollar. Key datapoints: nonfarm payroll growth slowed to its weakest pace since 2023, core CPI rose 0.2% month-over-month, retail sales increased just 0.1%, and the ISM manufacturing index contracted for a third month. The dollar index (DXY) fell roughly 2.3% after the latest employment report — its largest weekly drop in 2025. Futures-based pricing (CME FedWatch) now shows a 68% chance of at least one cut by September 2025 (up from 42% a month earlier), with probabilities rising for November and December. US Treasury yields have declined, notably in the 2–5 year sector, while equities show mixed reactions: growth stocks benefit, banks face margin pressure. Global effects include potential appreciation of emerging-market currencies, commodity demand support (including gold), and policy spillovers for other central banks. Risks that could reverse the outlook include a rebound in energy prices, stronger-than-expected inflation or employment data, geopolitical shocks, or fiscal shifts. Traders should monitor upcoming inflation and jobs reports, DXY support near 103.50 and resistance near 105.80, and market-priced Fed probabilities to gauge short-term volatility and directional bias.
Bearish
Federal ReserveUS DollarInterest Rate CutsEconomic DataFX Markets