Latest Crypto News | Bitcoin, Ethereum and Altcoin Updates

A prominent Ethereum whale identified on‑chain as “Garrett Jin” moved 261,024 ETH (≈$543M) to Binance in three tranches on Feb 14–15, 2026. This follow‑up to earlier large whale flows increases short‑term liquidity and sell‑pressure risk while ETH trades below $2,000 after a recent fall from above $2,800. On‑chain indicators and falling derivatives open interest point to de‑risking; technicals show a bear pennant on daily charts, with immediate support near $1,950 and a measured downside target around $1,550 (≈20% drop) if that support fails. Earlier reports noted similar large transfers (112,894–100,000 ETH) to Binance in Dec 2025 when ETH was nearer $3,000; those flows coincided with rising exchange ETH reserves and a descending‑triangle technical setup. Analysts caution exchanges deposits are not definitive sell signals — options include OTC swaps, margin rebalancing or staking reallocations — but sustained inflows to Binance and higher exchange reserves historically correlate with weaker price phases. For traders: monitor exchange inflows and reserves, wallet follow‑ups, futures open interest and liquidation events; expect elevated volatility around the $1,950 support and potential acceleration toward $1,550 if Binance begins selling or leveraged positions unwind.

Solana’s tokenized real-world assets (RWAs) market has climbed to roughly $1.66 billion, driven by stable-yield instruments such as tokenized treasuries, structured credit and private loans. Market aggregator RWA.xyz shows the broader RWA market at $24.83 billion (up from $19.08 billion on Jan 4, 2026), with Ethereum leading at $14.88 billion, BNB Chain at $2.20 billion and Solana in third place at about $1.70 billion. Earlier reports noted a recent month-on-month rise to $873.3 million tied to institutional pilots, Solana’s fast settlement and low fees, and improving regulatory signals (including proposed U.S. clarity measures). The latest update adds that a wave of on-chain issuances by asset managers and builders — especially large tokenized treasuries and credit deals — is accelerating inflows, making sizeable issuances more practical on Solana. Key drivers: institutional adoption, technical advantages (low fees, high throughput, quick settlement), and regulatory developments that may encourage issuance. Risks remain: regulatory uncertainty, network stress under heavy load, and competition from Ethereum and Layer-2s. For traders, expanding institutional flows into RWAs can raise demand for SOL, boost on-chain activity and liquidity, and change correlations between SOL and broader crypto markets. Monitor issuance announcements, on-chain RWA volume, and SOL’s trading response for short-term volatility and potential longer-term upward pressure.

Bitcoin has fallen more than 22% year-to-date, trading near $68,000 after starting 2026 around $87,700, and is on track for its weakest first quarter since 2018. Recent spot BTC ETFs saw roughly $678 million in net outflows this month, with single-day redemptions above $400 million, reducing ETF assets to about $87 billion; analysts say ETF redemptions convert into spot selling, adding direct downward pressure. Options markets show heightened caution — implied volatility at 53.9 sits above 92% of levels over the past year and ~12% above its 20-day average — while futures volumes and ETF options flows are being watched for liquidity signals. Technical indicators in earlier coverage showed downside bias (RSI ~35.5 near oversold, price below EMA20), with key support between $60,000–$65,118 and resistances near $68,876–$73,253. Ether is also weak, down about 34.3% in Q1 so far. On-chain metrics such as MVRV have moderated to more normal levels, which some analysts interpret as a valuation reset rather than structural breakdown. Short-term risks are elevated due to institutional outflows and higher volatility, while several analysts view the longer-term technical structure as intact. Traders should monitor ETF flows, futures open interest and volumes, options skew and implied volatility, RSI/EMA levels, and the $60k–$65k support zone for potential trade setups. This summary is informational and not investment advice.

South Korea’s Upbit has outpaced Binance and Coinbase in XRP spot trading volume as a concentrated surge of local demand lifts short-term activity and liquidity. Over a seven-day window, Upbit recorded roughly $4.11 billion in XRP spot volume, with a single-day peak near $529.1 million, according to exchange data cited by analysts. Earlier reporting noted $1.55 billion in seven-day XRP volume on Upbit versus $1.33 billion on Binance and $1.07 billion on Coinbase, highlighting a rapid escalation concentrated on Korean markets. Analysts point to tightened circulating supply on the XRP Ledger, extremely low on-ledger fees (an alleged 4.8M XRP transfer cost ~$0.02), and heightened retail and institutional accumulation in South Korea. The region-specific concentration of flows — described by some observers as “panic buys” or urgent accumulation — can increase short-term volatility and create supply constraints on exchanges. For traders, elevated Upbit-led volume and concentrated regional buying signal higher near-term trade opportunities and risk: if demand sustains, it could support bullish momentum for XRP; if it reverses or liquidates, it may prompt sharp pullbacks. Monitor exchange-level volumes, orderbook depth on Korean venues, on-ledger transfers, and cross-border flows for real-time cues.

Apollo Global Management has signed a multi‑year agreement to acquire up to 90 million MORPHO tokens (about 9% of the 1 billion supply) over 48 months via open‑market purchases, OTC trades and other arrangements, subject to holding caps and transfer restrictions. Galaxy Digital UK is Morpho’s exclusive financial adviser. The deal formalises a strategic partnership: Apollo and Morpho will collaborate to support on‑chain lending markets built on the Morpho protocol. Apollo’s recent blockchain activity—such as tokenized private‑credit strategies and earlier investments in projects like PLUME—frames this as part of a broader institutional push into DeFi infrastructure and tokenized credit. At current prices the purchase program is material (roughly a low‑hundreds‑million dollar cap depending on market price), and Apollo’s future token holdings could give it governance influence over Morpho. For traders, key implications include potential upward pressure on MORPHO token demand from a large institutional buyer, reduced free float during purchase windows, and longer‑term governance risks or benefits depending on how Apollo participates. Primary keywords: Apollo Global Management, MORPHO, DeFi lending, token acquisition, Galaxy Digital.

Hong Kong regulators signalled a renewed push to grow the city’s digital-asset ecosystem. At Consensus Hong Kong the Securities & Futures Commission (SFC) and Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) unveiled plans for a perpetual contract regulatory framework and said the first batch of stablecoin licences will be published within a month. Regulators are actively engaging industry participants, surveying firms to identify barriers and considering tailored rule adjustments for different investor classes while continuing to vet applicants under existing approval processes. Market participants and institutional firms — including asset managers and payments groups — reported rising adoption of blockchain infrastructure; speakers from Auros, Edge & Node, Swift and Franklin Templeton described clearer rules boosting business confidence and accelerating real-world blockchain projects. The measures aim to move pilots into production, attract institutional flows, and improve on‑ramps such as regulated stablecoins and perpetual products. Traders should watch for licence announcements, the detailed perpetual contract rules, and any differentiated investor requirements — all of which could increase liquidity and institutional participation in Hong Kong-listed crypto products.

Crypto-friendly esports betting has expanded across CS2, Dota 2 and Valorant, with platforms offering instant deposits, near-instant withdrawals, low fees and broader access than traditional banking. Traders should note two converging trends from the earlier and later reports: (1) stablecoins and fast chains are increasingly the rails of choice for live betting — USDT for stability, Solana for speed — while BTC and ETH remain important for compatibility; (2) platform selection matters for live-market depth, settlement speed and withdrawal transparency. Recommended sites include Dexsport (best overall for anonymity, multi-chain and on-chain transparency), Thunderpick (esports-first with deep live markets and integrated livestreams), Cloudbet (high limits for professional bettors), Boomerang.bet (generous bonuses and multi-currency support), Vave (smooth mobile/live UI) and other specialists that emphasize USDT support. Common esports markets are pistol rounds, map winners and total rounds for CS2; First Roshan, kill totals and map duration for Dota 2; and spike/defuse props, first blood and player props for Valorant. For traders, the practical takeaways are: expect increased on-chain activity for betting-friendly coins (notably USDT and SOL) during major tournaments, potential short-term volume and fee spikes on congested networks, and the benefit of holding multiple rails to avoid slippage and withdrawal delays. Risk factors remain — irreversible crypto transfers, private-key responsibility, platform counterparty risk and varying KYC/legality by jurisdiction — so prioritize exchanges and sportsbooks with transparent withdrawal rules, deep live markets and support for stablecoins to reduce fiat and volatility exposure.

ING Germany has partnered with US asset managers Bitwise and VanEck to list their crypto exchange-traded products (ETPs/ETNs) on ING’s retail trading platform and on Deutsche Börse Xetra. New Bitwise listings include Bitwise Core Bitcoin ETP (BTC1), Bitwise MSCI Digital Assets Select 20 ETP (DA20) and Bitwise Physical Ethereum ETP (ZETH). VanEck’s offerings include ten single-asset ETNs for major tokens (BTC, ETH, ALGO, AVAX, LINK, DOT, MATIC, SOL) plus two basket ETNs. ING already offers products from 21Shares, WisdomTree and BlackRock, and will waive transaction fees in February for Bitwise ETP orders of €1,000 or more (smaller trades incur a €4.60 commission). The expansion broadens low-friction retail access to major crypto assets amid recent market volatility and short-term outflows from crypto investment products (nearly $3.5bn over two weeks), though Bitcoin-focused ETFs have continued to see inflows. For traders, the move increases distribution and accessibility of spot-like ETP exposure in Europe, potentially supporting liquidity and retail demand for BTC and ETH if macro sentiment improves.

Shiba Inu (SHIB) has staged a volume-backed recovery following a roughly 30% monthly decline, jumping about 17% from recent lows after repeatedly testing the $0.000006 support zone. The bounce accompanied rising volume, indicating short-covering and dip buying rather than a trivial dead‑cat move. Short- and mid-term moving averages remain above the price, and the longer-term structure is still bearish with lower highs and lower lows over the past month. Traders should watch for confirmation: sustained follow-through volume, stabilization above nearby resistance, and reclaiming key trend averages such as the 50 EMA. If buyers hold the recaptured support and momentum continues, whale accumulation and improved liquidity may push SHIB higher. Key risks include loss of the $0.000006 support, fading momentum, or a broad market sell-off—particularly a sharp Bitcoin decline—that could send SHIB back to recent lows. Short-term traders may consider momentum entries if SHIB clears the 50 EMA and posts steady volume; otherwise, range-bound or bearish setups remain plausible.

FARTCOIN rallied ~13.46% in 24 hours to about $0.2183 with 24h volume up ~48.8% to $48.48M, signalling fresh capital and short-term buying pressure. Buyers defended $0.20–$0.21 before pushing toward $0.22, but price stalled at short-term resistance. On-chain analytics show concentrated whale activity: top holders increased positions (net +51.16M tokens in one report; another noted a ~$155K wallet accumulation via swaps and an ~ $2.66M whale purchase), indicating deliberate accumulation. Exchange order-flow data shows buy volume exceeding sell volume, producing a positive buy-sell delta, while liquidation data recorded larger long liquidations than shorts, suggesting some leveraged traders chased the move and were stopped out. Technicals are mixed: price remains inside a longer-term descending channel that caps advances; RSI sits below 50 (~43–48 in sources), showing limited bullish control; TradingView indicators noted recent seller dominance. Heatmap and liquidity analysis reveal dense downside liquidity clusters near $0.208–$0.210 and $0.19–$0.20 and thin overhead liquidity at $0.22–$0.23. Key resistances lie at ~$0.32 (channel resistance) and ~$0.47 (wider supply). Implications for traders: sustained whale accumulation and positive exchange buy delta support a potential short-term reversal, but the descending channel, stacked downside liquidity, and RSI under 50 increase the odds of a corrective pullback or a sweep below the pivotal $0.20 level before any sustained breakout. Traders should monitor on-chain accumulation, exchange volume delta, absorption of selling pressure, and a convincing break above channel resistance to confirm continuation.

Grayscale Investments filed a Form S‑1 with the U.S. SEC to convert its existing Aave-linked closed-end trust into a spot ETF that would list on NYSE Arca. The proposal follows earlier issuer interest (notably Bitwise) in AAVE-linked products and aims to give traditional investors regulated access to Aave’s native token, AAVE. Grayscale launched the Aave Trust in October 2024 and currently reports roughly $896,230 in trust assets (the original report’s large figure appears to be a formatting error). The proposed ETF would charge a 2.5% sponsor fee on NAV payable in AAVE. Coinbase is named as prime broker and custodian, providing custody and trade execution. At the time of reporting AAVE traded near $120–$130, down roughly 25% over 30 days and far below its 2021 peak. Grayscale has precedent for converting crypto trusts to ETFs after its Bitcoin Trust litigation and is also pursuing a NEAR Trust conversion. For traders: the filing increases the probability of greater institutional access and liquidity for AAVE if approved, while the relatively high 2.5% sponsor fee and fee-paid-in‑token structure may affect flows. Competition among issuers (Grayscale, Bitwise, 21Shares, Global X) could create event-driven volatility around filings, approvals, and listing dates. Key SEO keywords: AAVE, Grayscale, spot ETF, NYSE Arca, Coinbase, DeFi, sponsor fee.

X will roll out Smart Cashtags in mid-to-late February 2026, letting users trade cryptocurrencies and stocks directly from the timeline. Announced by product head Nikita Bier, Smart Cashtags convert ticker symbols (e.g., $BTC, $TSLA) in posts into interactive tiles that display real-time price charts, trending discussions and direct trading links. X says it will not execute trades or act as a broker; transactions are completed through partner exchanges via links provided by the platform. The feature builds on earlier cashtag price-tracking tests and aligns with Elon Musk’s ambition to expand X into an "everything app" with integrated payments (X Money). With roughly 600 million monthly active users, X’s in-app trading capability could shorten execution paths for retail users and increase crypto exposure on a major social platform, routing referral flow to partner exchanges while limiting X’s brokerage regulatory obligations. For traders, Smart Cashtags may boost on-platform sentiment signals and referral-driven volumes for listed tokens like BTC, though trade execution occurs off-platform.

RUNE (RUNE/USDT) is trading around $0.41–0.42 with subdued 24h volume (~$6.6–10.8M), roughly 40% below its recent average. Price recently declined modestly but then showed a small intraday rise; overall momentum is weak: RSI is near oversold levels (mid-to-high 20s–mid 30s across reports), price sits below the 20-day EMA (~$0.45–$0.48), Supertrend and MACD are bearish. Volume-price divergence — falling or soft price on contracting volume — points to seller exhaustion and possible Wyckoff-style accumulation, but also raises the risk that any low-volume rallies are distribution traps. Key technical levels: immediate resistances near $0.4161–$0.4461 (critical confirmation zone $0.4225–$0.4461); supports cluster at $0.3934–$0.4162 with stronger support at $0.3500 (main support ~$0.3498). Futures open interest is low, lowering leveraged sell-side pressure; on-chain whale signals indicate accumulation. RUNE shows high correlation with BTC (~0.85); BTC strength above ~$71k–75k would support a volume-backed rally in RUNE, while BTC weakness toward $60k could drive RUNE down toward $0.35 or lower (bearish targets noted as low as $0.1922 in extreme BTC weakness). Trading guidance for crypto traders: remain cautious — require a 50%+ rise in volume and a break above $0.4225–$0.4461 to validate a bullish move. Avoid taking large positions on rallies that lack volume confirmation; watch spot-futures alignment and BTC direction. Analysis credited to Chief Analyst Devrim Cacal and Strategy Analyst David Kim. Not investment advice.

Pi Network (PI) rallied about 8–11% into mid-February as traders positioned ahead of a mandatory mainnet node upgrade with a 15 February 2026 deadline. The Pi Core Team requires all mainnet nodes to complete the first upgrade phase by that date or be dropped from consensus, a rule that has concentrated community attention and driven short-term buying. The project says over 16 million users have migrated to mainnet, which the team cites as evidence of network traction as it shifts toward a more decentralized mainnet using the Stellar Consensus Protocol. On-chain and node metrics (uptime and compliance) are now key fundamentals to watch because they determine whether decentralization is substantive or symbolic. Technically, PI showed a breakout from a long-term bullish wedge, a MACD bullish crossover and an RSI recovery from oversold — signals supporting renewed buying momentum. Immediate resistance lies at $0.20–$0.21; a clean break above that zone could target the $0.267–$0.28 supply area, while rejection near $0.20 would point to lingering weakness. Broader-market context (BTC price action) and models such as CoinCodex — which project both downside scenarios and longer-term targets — add risk and longer-term perspective. Traders should monitor upgrade completion rates, node participation and redundancy, the $0.20 resistance level, and Bitcoin’s price for short-term trade triggers and to assess whether recent gains are sustainable.

MANA (MANA/USDT) is consolidating in a tight $0.10–$0.12 range with current price ~ $0.102–$0.11 and 24h volume around $7–8M. Technicals remain short-term bearish: price is below the 20-EMA, Supertrend is bearish, and multi-timeframe structure favors the downside. The immediate decision band is $0.1184 (resistance) versus $0.1001 (support). Bull case: a decisive daily close above $0.1184 with rising volume (>$10M), MACD histogram expansion and RSI moving above 50 would open targets at $0.14 and $0.1636 (≈27%+ to first target). Bull invalidation sits below $0.1001. Bear case: a close below $0.1001 with increasing sell volume, MACD reversal and RSI <40 would expose downside toward $0.0367 and lower weekly supports; more aggressive analysis earlier flagged deeper extensions to $0.07, $0.05 and a long-term extreme near $0.0133 if selling intensifies. MANA is highly correlated with Bitcoin; BTC strength in the $68k–$71k band (and breaks above nearby resistances) would favor altcoin breakouts, while BTC weakness increases downside risk for MANA. Traders should await daily/4H candle closes with volume confirmation, use clearly defined invalidation levels (bulls: maintain above $0.1001; bears: need a close below $0.1001), size positions to risk/reward profiles, and monitor spot and futures liquidity indicators before entering.

Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin warned that prediction markets are drifting toward short-term, engagement-driven products—crypto-price bets and sports-style wagers—that boost volume and revenue but add little long-term informational value. Buterin said teams are yielding to features like ultra-short-duration contracts (e.g., Polymarket’s 15‑minute “Up or Down” markets, which rose from ~5% to ~60% of crypto volume in early 2026, with hourly markets ~20%), a dynamic that encourages “corposlop” and favors systematic/arbitrage liquidity over directional bettors. He outlined participant types (inexperienced speculators, institutional information buyers, hedgers) and flagged a public‑goods problem: once market prices reveal information, incentives to fund information decline. Buterin urged a pivot toward durable financial utility—generalized hedging instruments, markets denominated in productive or yield-bearing assets, and using prediction positions to hedge real-world political or industry risks—to reduce reliance on short-term gambling-style products and fiat-backed stablecoins. The post cited CertiK data showing prediction-market trading roughly quadrupled over the past year and noted centralisation vulnerabilities exposed in 2025. For traders: expect continued high short-term volume and arbitrage-driven liquidity on ultra-short contracts, growing counterparty and platform risk if product design stays gamified, and potential long-term structural change if platforms shift toward hedging-focused markets.

This combined guide reviews leading crypto betting platforms in 2026 and highlights features traders care about: transaction speed, withdrawal reliability, privacy/KYC, live-betting latency, market depth and coin/network support. Newer coverage adds more platform detail and comparisons between crypto-native and hybrid operators. Top picks and notes: Dexsport — Web3-native, no mandatory KYC, on-chain wager logs, instant crypto access, built-in cash-out on live bets, supports 40+ coins and 20+ networks; Cloudbet — long-established, deep markets, high limits, automated withdrawals and loyalty rewards (KYC likely for large cash-outs); Lucky Block — token-native ecosystem and near-instant payouts, wide market coverage and fiat support (some withdrawal freeze reports); Stake — high liquidity and broad markets but withdrawals often trigger KYC; Mega Dice — casino-first with expanding sportsbook coverage for mixed bettors; Thunderpick — esports-focused with deep CS2/Dota2/Valorant markets; Vave and Voltage Bet — high-performance or hybrid sportsbooks with strong in-play markets but heavier verification or slightly slower crypto withdrawals. The guide compares sports vs esports: traditional sports tend to have larger limits and slower settlement where crypto mainly speeds payments; esports favors crypto for high-frequency, small-stake and rapid-settlement betting. Trader takeaways: choose platforms matched to staking size, required speed and privacy; prioritise market depth, live-betting latency, predictable payout times and BTC/USDT support; crypto-native, all-in-one platforms (e.g., Dexsport, Cloudbet) are generally better for high-frequency or live esports trading, while hybrid or casino-first sites suit casual bettors. Emphasised criteria for traders: secure infrastructure, low fees, transparent withdrawals and reliable on-chain or provably fair records.

MicroStrategy (MSTR) shares jumped after Bitcoin rallied on softer-than-expected U.S. January inflation data that lifted hopes for future rate cuts. MSTR rose about 8–9% to ~$134 on heavy volume after BTC climbed nearly 5% (BTC trading near $69.7k at report time). The company filed a prospectus for a new preferred stock, ticker STRC, offering an ~11.25% annualized dividend with monthly cash distributions (record date Feb. 15; distribution Feb. 28). Michael Saylor reiterated the firm’s strategy to keep buying and holding Bitcoin, citing strong liquidity and low net leverage. Market context: BTC remains far below its October 2025 peak (roughly 50% lower) and U.S. spot BTC ETFs have seen about $12bn of outflows since Nov. 2025 — flows that influence liquidity and sentiment. Veteran trader Peter Brandt warned of a potential deeper BTC decline to ~ $54,060, which would leave MicroStrategy’s large BTC reserve highly underwater. Technicals on MSTR show a rebound from recent lows but remain below key moving averages; RSI suggests stabilization rather than a confirmed uptrend. Key takeaways for traders: MSTR remains tightly correlated with BTC price action and macro data (inflation/rate expectations); the STRC preferred introduces dividend-linked capital-structure considerations; heavy trading volume and ETF flows are important liquidity and sentiment signals that can amplify moves in both BTC and MSTR.

TWT (Trust Wallet Token) continues to trade in a dominant downtrend near $0.50–$0.54, with current price around $0.51, RSI ≈31, and the token below EMA20 and Supertrend — a setup that increases capital erosion risk for longs. Short-term range and liquidity: $0.50–$0.54; 24h volume roughly $6–12M. Key supports: $0.513 (near-term) and $0.439 (primary invalidation). Key resistances: $0.5405, $0.583, $0.68 (Supertrend) and a higher, low-probability target near $0.896–$0.897. Analysts note asymmetric risk: modest realistic upside (targets ~0.58–0.90) versus large downside scenarios. Bearish targets vary by report — from $0.154 down to an extreme $0.0718 — with a main bearish trigger if $0.497–$0.513 support breaks. Volatility is elevated (ATR-based daily moves ~15–20%), raising the risk of rapid losses. Correlation with Bitcoin is strong: further BTC weakness (breaks of $68.8k / $65.4k or below $65k–$66k area cited) could push TWT below $0.50, while BTC strength above $71.2k–$65.9k levels may enable resistance tests. Recommended trader actions: prioritize capital protection — use structure- or ATR-based stops (≈1–2× ATR or ~1–2% below key support), keep position sizes small (1–2% of account; reduce to ~0.5% for low-volume altcoins), avoid high leverage (≤3–5x), and prefer automated orders and trailing stops. Overall view: unfavorable risk/reward for fresh longs; if holding longs, use strict stops, consider early profit-taking on rallies, and monitor BTC direction closely.

Tether has invested in Supreme Liquid Labs, the operator behind Dreamcash, to accelerate DeFi adoption and expand on-chain derivatives using USDT0 as collateral. Dreamcash — in partnership with Selini Capital and using LayerZero for cross-chain interoperability — launched ten USDT0-collateralized perpetual markets on Hyperliquid, including USA500/USDT, TSLA/USDT, NVDA/USDT, AMZN/USDT, GOLD/USDT and SILVER/USDT. The markets target retail traders migrating from centralized exchanges by enabling on-chain equity and commodity perpetual trading without converting stablecoin holdings. Dreamcash says its USDT0 rails processed billions in volume across multiple chains since early 2025 and touts institutional-grade liquidity, tight spreads and reliable fills via Hyperliquid. To boost adoption and liquidity, Dreamcash will run a weekly $200,000 USDT incentive program rewarding traders by share of total USDT trading volume; full eligibility and duration details will follow. Tether’s backing signals a push to deepen on-chain liquidity for retail equity products and simplify DeFi onboarding, which could increase trading volume and activity in USDT-denominated perpetuals.

Figure Technologies, a blockchain lending firm that went public in 2025, suffered a social‑engineering data breach after attackers from the ShinyHunters group manipulated an employee and published roughly 2.5 GB of files on dark‑web channels following a refused ransom demand. TechCrunch-reviewed samples show exposed personal customer information — full names, home addresses, dates of birth and phone numbers — data that can facilitate identity theft, targeted phishing and financial fraud. Figure has confirmed the incident, begun notifying affected users and is offering free credit‑monitoring to those notified, but has not disclosed the total number of impacted users or the exact breach detection date. The incident highlights persistent human‑targeted security risks at crypto firms and may undermine confidence in Figure’s recent products, including the OPEN on‑chain equity trading platform built on the Provenance blockchain. Recommended trader actions: enable two‑factor authentication, change passwords, monitor credit reports and remain cautious of phishing campaigns. (Keywords: data breach, Figure Technologies, ShinyHunters, identity theft, blockchain security)

US prosecutors in the Northern District of Ohio issued a public warning about a surge in romance scams that increasingly demand cryptocurrency payments around Valentine’s Day. Scammers cultivate relationships via dating apps, social media and text messages, use fake profiles and stolen photos, profess rapid affection, and then ask victims to send crypto for fake emergencies or bogus investment platforms. The advisory highlights recent prosecutions and recoveries: a December 2025 indictment of Frederick Kumi for an alleged romance fraud network that took over $8 million from elderly victims since 2023; an Ohio woman who lost roughly $663,000 after being steered to open accounts on Crypto.com and Coinbase and transfer funds to a fake platform; and an FBI recovery with Tether of more than $8.2 million in seized USDT. Industry data from PeckShield shows crypto scams and hacks cost users over $4 billion in 2025, with $1.37 billion from scams — a 64% year-over-year increase. Prosecutors warned of rising scam sophistication, including fake investment sites and routing through mixers or foreign exchanges to evade recovery. Recommended protections for traders and the public include reverse image searches, skepticism toward anyone who refuses to meet in person, never sending cryptocurrency, gift cards or wire transfers to online acquaintances, preserving communications and reporting incidents to the FBI’s IC3. Law enforcement noted they can sometimes freeze stolen crypto if wallets are identified before funds hit mixers or certain exchanges. Primary keywords: romance scams, cryptocurrency scams, Valentine’s Day scams; secondary keywords: US prosecutors, crypto fraud, USDT seizure, PeckShield report.

Indiana’s legislature advanced House Bill 1042, moving the state closer to allowing certain public pension systems to evaluate regulated cryptocurrency exchange-traded funds (crypto ETFs). The bill does not require allocations but permits pension boards discretion to consider crypto ETFs under existing fiduciary duties and risk-management standards. HB1042 limits exposure to regulated ETF vehicles (not direct token or stablecoin purchases) and mandates feasibility studies, risk assessments, compliance reviews, and documentation showing alignment with long-term funding obligations before any capital is committed. The measure also seeks uniform state rules to prevent local restrictions on lawful crypto activity. Passed by a Senate committee with bipartisan support, the bill emphasizes oversight controls, transparency and governance measures and now proceeds to further floor debate and potential amendments. For traders, the key implications are increased institutional interest in regulated crypto products, potential higher ETF flows if adopted, and continued focus on regulatory-safe ETF wrappers rather than direct custodial crypto exposure.

Litecoin (LTC) is trading around $55 after a recent 4–6% intraday recovery but remains in a broader downtrend and below key moving averages (EMA20/EMA50). Volume has weakened versus the 7-day average, though there were isolated upside volume spikes; overall On-Balance Volume remains negative. Technical levels to watch: immediate support near $54–$52 and stronger supports around $45 and $26. Resistance and breakout triggers sit at ~$55–$59, with medium-term Supertrend resistance near $66. Momentum shows near-oversold RSI (~31–36) and bullish MACD/RSI divergences, suggesting the downtrend may be exhausting. BTC correlation (~0.85) means Bitcoin’s direction (key supports ~68.8k, 65.4k, 60k) will heavily influence LTC. Trading implications for crypto traders: expect short-term consolidation in $54–$56 with scalping opportunities due to elevated ATR (~5% daily); wait for volume confirmation (e.g., breakout above $55 with volume > ~$200M or accumulation signals near $52.8) before committing to longer positions. Bear risks include renewed distribution if rallies fail on higher volume or a Bitcoin breakdown; downside targets cited include $52.8, $45.07 and a deep bearish scenario near $26.40. Risk management: use stops (suggested long stop below $54) and monitor BTC correlation and volume behavior closely. (Keywords: Litecoin, LTC, technical analysis, support and resistance, BTC correlation.)

Anchorage Digital, Kamino and Solana Company launched a tri-party solution that lets regulated institutions borrow against natively staked SOL without moving assets out of Anchorage Digital Bank custody. The arrangement integrates Anchorage’s Atlas collateral-management platform (loan-to-value monitoring, automated margin calls and liquidations) with Kamino’s Solana-based lending markets so borrowers retain staking rewards while accessing on-chain liquidity. Anchorage acts as collateral manager; assets remain in segregated, compliant custody. The move addresses a major regulatory and operational barrier that has limited institutional participation in DeFi by preserving custody compliance and staking yield. Solana Treasury holds roughly 2.3 million SOL, and the announcement comes amid US DeFi regulatory debates (including the proposed CLARITY bill) and Anchorage’s preparations for a possible IPO and capital raise. For traders: the partnership could increase institutional flow into Solana lending markets, deepen on-chain liquidity and raise demand for staked SOL — potential bullish pressure for SOL — while regulatory uncertainty around DeFi oversight remains a risk.

The Dutch House of Representatives on Feb 13 approved a bill to impose a 36% deemed capital gains tax on returns from savings and most liquid investments, explicitly including cryptocurrencies. The motion passed with 93 votes, above the 75-vote threshold. Under the proposal, returns from savings accounts, crypto holdings, most equity positions and interest-bearing instruments would be taxed at an effective 36% rate whether or not assets are sold. Proposed exemptions include qualifying startup equity and non-investment physical assets. The bill still requires Senate approval and, if passed, would take effect for the 2028 tax year. Critics warn the tax could trigger capital flight and corporate relocation; industry voices compared it to prior policies that prompted departures. Visual simulations cited in coverage show substantial long-term reductions in after-tax wealth under a 36% regime, underscoring the measure’s fiscal goals and potential to alter investor behavior. For crypto traders, the key takeaways are heightened regulatory risk, potential liquidity shifts as holders consider relocation or selling, and the possibility of increased market volatility as the bill moves through the Senate.

XRP has extended a corrective phase, trading near $1.36 after a July high of $3.66. Technical indicators show XRP inside a Gaussian Channel with immediate support at $1.16; a decisive break below that level could target roughly $0.70. Institutional exposure persists — Goldman Sachs reportedly holds about $153 million in XRP ETFs — but analysts highlight structural limits for XRP as a payments token: it lacks staking or fee-revenue distribution to holders, which reduces its appeal versus yield-bearing assets. On the newer development front, Mutuum Finance (MUTM) is promoted in an ongoing presale (Phase 7 price $0.04, Phase 8 $0.045; expected listing near $0.06). Mutuum reports a fixed 4 billion supply with 45.5% allocated to presale, over 850 million MUTM sold, roughly $20.5 million raised and about 19,000 holders. The project markets a non-custodial lending protocol where lenders receive mtTokens and can earn APY (example cited: USDT pool at 12% APY), a live V1 on Sepolia testnet, third‑party security audit claims, and marketing incentives (daily buyer leaderboard, $100,000 giveaway, card purchase options). The reporting notes this is a paid press release and urges due diligence. For traders: XRP’s outlook is driven by macro/BTC correlation and technical risk of further downside unless support holds; MUTM is framed as a high-risk, time‑bounded presale opportunity with yield narratives and promotional incentives that could drive short-term demand at listing but carries typical token‑sale risks including centralization of supply, incentive-driven price moves, and counterparty/product execution risk.

Bitcoin developers published BIP-0360 (Pay-to-Merkle-Root, P2MR), a draft proposal that links outputs to a script-tree Merkle root and removes Taproot’s key-path spending option. Under P2MR all spends must use the script path and reveal the executed script plus a Merkle proof; Taproot-style Tapscript and script-tree features remain supported. The design aims to reduce long‑exposure quantum key‑recovery risk from publicly visible on‑chain public keys, trading increased on‑chain size and fees (P2MR outputs are ~103 bytes minimal; witness sizes ~37 bytes larger than Taproot key‑path spends) and reduced privacy because script‑path spends are exposed. P2MR offers protection primarily against long‑duration attacks by future cryptographically relevant quantum computers (CRQCs) but does not defend against short‑window mempool attacks that require stealing private keys before confirmation — post‑quantum signatures would be needed for that. Activation is opt‑in, would need wallet and library support, community review and widespread testing, and may introduce a new bech32m address prefix (likely bc1z); existing Taproot (bc1p) outputs are unaffected. No nodes have implemented P2MR and no deployment timeline is set. Co‑author commentary stresses minimal, opt‑in changes and clearer user communication on quantum readiness. For traders: the proposal signals ongoing focus on futureproofing Bitcoin against quantum threats but increases per‑transaction costs and reduces some privacy; short‑term market impact is limited absent deployment or standards for post‑quantum signatures.

CryptoQuant reports Bitcoin’s market-value-to-realized-value (MVRV) ratio has declined to about 1.1 — the lowest reading since March 2023 — after BTC slipped below $60,000. The metric peaked at roughly 2.28 during October 2025’s all-time high and has fallen over a roughly four-month downtrend. MVRV readings near or below 1 historically signal breakeven or undervaluation and are often associated with accumulation phases. Analysts using MVRV Z-scores, including CryptoQuant contributors and traders such as Michaël van de Poppe, note historically low deviations and describe the current zone as potential capitulation or accumulation, suggesting a price bottom may be forming. Supporting on-chain indicators cited include a cooling Net Unrealized Profit/Loss (NUPL), a retreat in the Puell Multiple, reduced miner sell pressure, and net outflows from exchanges — all pointing to increased holder accumulation. CryptoQuant and market analysts stress this is an indicator-based observation, not investment advice; they recommend combining MVRV signals with macro indicators, other on-chain data, dollar-cost averaging, portfolio rebalancing, secure custody, and disciplined risk management before increasing exposure. For traders, a near-1.1 MVRV improves long-term risk-reward but does not guarantee an immediate rebound — it suggests a measured accumulation opportunity rather than certainty of a rapid recovery.