Market Signal Briefing

Breaking Signal·Market Impact: Medium

Decred jumped 17.67% to $28.04, topping the gainers chart, according to CoinGecko data. Aave, Morpho, Uniswap, and POL (ex-MATIC) also advanced, while Provenance Blockchain, Ethena, LEO Token, Pi Network, and World Liberty Financial led declines on the day.

Top Gainers Decred (DCR) rose 17.67% to $28.04. The hybrid proof-of-work and proof-of-stake network emphasizes on-chain governance and funds development through a decentralized treasury. Its market cap reached $485.54M after the move. The project also operates DCRDEX, a non-custodial exchange designed for atomic swap trading.

Aave (AAVE) gained 3.81% to $120.12. No specific news has been tied to the move. The lending protocol’s token governs risk parameters and incentives across markets on Ethereum and multiple layer-2s, alongside its GHO stablecoin ecosystem. AAVE’s market capitalization stands at $1.83B.

Morpho (MORPHO) rose 2.93% to $1.63. Morpho builds credit markets that optimize deposits and borrows, offering a modular architecture that has interfaced with incumbents like Aave and Compound. The token’s valuation sits at $890.54M following today’s uptick. Protocol utilization and yield dynamics often shape demand across its markets.

Uniswap (UNI) added 2.19% to $3.59. Traders pointed to broader altcoin rotation. UNI is the governance token for the leading automated market maker, which popularized concentrated liquidity with Uniswap v3 and runs cross-chain deployments. Its market cap is $2.28B.

POL (ex-MATIC) (POL) advanced 1.98% to $0.1088. POL is the successor token for Polygon’s 2.0 roadmap, designed to secure multiple chains via a shared staking layer. The asset’s market capitalization is $1.15B after the session. Token migrations from MATIC to POL have been in focus as infrastructure and venues update support.

Top Losers Provenance Blockchain (HASH) fell 5.79% to $0.0174. HASH powers Provenance, an open-source network built for asset issuance and financial services, including lending and securitization tooling. The decline left its market cap at $953.03M. There was little in the way of fresh announcements tied to the move.

Ethena (ENA) slipped 5.12% to $0.1057. ENA governs Ethena, a protocol behind the synthetic dollar USDe that uses delta-hedged positions and staking yields to maintain its structure. No material catalyst surfaced across official channels during the drop. ENA’s market capitalization is $869.75M.

LEO Token (LEO) declined 4.22% to $8.32. LEO is issued by iFinex and is primarily used for trading discounts and utilities on Bitfinex-linked platforms. Its floating supply is relatively constrained compared with many large-cap tokens, which can make price moves idiosyncratic. LEO’s market cap stands at $7.67B.

Pi Network (PI) dropped 4.18% to $0.1678. Pi promotes mobile mining and has pursued a phased mainnet approach. Limited exchange support and fragmented liquidity often translate into outsized percentage moves versus deeper markets. Its market cap sits at $1.54B.

World Liberty Financial (WLFI) decreased 4.07% to $0.1200. WLFI’s market capitalization is $3.28B despite the low unit price. Official channels were quiet, and the slide came without a clear headline driver.

Market Outlook The top gainer rose 17.67% while the biggest loser shed 5.79%, pointing to selective risk appetite rather than a broad-based rally. LEO’s $7.67B market cap move contrasted with smaller-cap action in MORPHO at $890.54M and POL at $1.15B, underscoring dispersion across sectors.

Into the week, traders will watch Bitcoin’s range, spot ETF flows, and funding rates alongside on-chain activity at Uniswap and Aave. Upcoming liquidity and macro prints will frame risk, with attention on how alt rotations persist after DCR’s outsized move.

SourcesCoinGecko

This article was written with AI assistance and reviewed by the The Currency analytics editorial team. Information presented is sourced from publicly available reports. The Currency analytics strives for accuracy but cannot guarantee completeness. This article does not constitute financial advice.

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The price of Bitcoin has been stuck in a consolidation range below $70,000 so far this week, after spending most of the previous weekend above it. While the flagship cryptocurrency’s price movement has been largely — and painfully — sideways in recent weeks, this represents a notable improvement from how the month of February started.

The new month ushered in a fresh low just above the $61,000 level for Bitcoin, confirming the start of the bear market. Amidst the relative stability in recent weeks, a recent on-chain evaluation suggests that BTC and the broader cryptocurrency mark is still at risk of further downside volatility.

BTC’s Future In The Hands Of Large Investors: CryptoQuant In the last bull cycle, the price action of Bitcoin was heavily influenced and impacted by the increased influx and activity of institutional investors (primarily through the spot exchange-traded funds). Similarly, it appears that the large investor cohort will still be at the wheel even during the bear market.

According to CryptoQuant’s latest market report, the Bitcoin exchange inflows — and the immediate selling pressure — have normalized since the capitulation spike in early February. This trend can be seen in the decline in exchange inflows from around 60,000 BTC at the start of the month to around 23,000 BTC now.

While the acute sell-off phase appears to be easing off, a troubling trend seems to be brewing among Bitcoin’s largest investors. In its market report, CryptoQuant highlighted that the BTC exchange whale ratio has climbed to 0.64, its highest level since 2015, suggesting that whale inflows account for a significant portion of the exchange deposits being seen.

Source: CryptoQuant Meanwhile, the average BTC deposit size has also reached a level not seen since mid-2022, during the heat of the last bear market. This trend further reinforces the idea that institutional or large investors are behind the increasing exchange supply.

CryptoQuant noted that the altcoin market is still facing elevated distribution pressure, with the average daily number of altcoin exchange deposits rising from 40,000 in Q4 2025 to 49,000 in 2026. This continuous capital rotation out of riskier assets reflects weakened market confidence and increases the risk of downside volatility.

Source: CryptoQuant Meanwhile, the ongoing flow of stablecoins out of exchanges points to a decline in marginal buying power (or “dry powder”) in the Bitcoin market. According to CryptoQuant data, net USDT flows into exchanges have fallen sharply from a one-year high of $616M in November 2025 to only $27M, turning negative at times (-$469M in late January).

Ultimately, the combination of the increased selling pressure from Bitcoin’s large holders, rising altcoin distribution, and consistent stablecoin outflows suggests that the crypto market structure remains at risk of further downside volatility.

Bitcoin Price At A Glance As of this writing, the price of Bitcoin stands at around $67,580, reflecting a mild 1% increase in the past 24 hours.

The price of BTC on the daily timeframe | Source: BTCUSDT chart on TradingView Featured image from iStock, chart from TradingView

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Opeyemi Sule is a passionate crypto enthusiast, a proficient content writer, and a journalist at Bitcoinist. Opeyemi creates unique pieces unraveling the complexities of blockchain technology and sharing insights on the latest trends in the world of cryptocurrencies. Opeyemi enjoys reading poetry, chatting about politics, and listening to music, in addition to his strong interest in cryptocurrency.

Recovering end markets, excellent valuation, and growth in AI data center sales make this stock attractive.

Shares of ON Semiconductor (ON +1.50%) are up 53% since I singled it out for 2026 and 31% year to date. All of which means nothing now, because all investors really care about is where the stock is heading next.

Peddling past performance wins no prizes. Still, despite the soaring share price, I think there's substantial value in the stock, and it's not too late to buy in.

ON Semiconductor passes an inflection point The company's power and sensing chips make it a play on electrification and automation, and it has increased its focus on silicon carbide (SiC) and gallium nitride (GaN) chips, where it already has a leadership position. SiC chips can operate at very high temperatures and high voltage, making them ideal for use in electric vehicles (EVs), renewable energy, EV chargers, and industrial motors. GaN chips operate at high switching speeds without losing energy and are ideal for AI data centers, EVs, and aerospace and defense applications.

Image source: Getty Images.

Unfortunately, many of those end markets have been challenged in recent years as investments in EVs and renewable energy have been slower than expected. And the U.S. industrial sector has been weak since the end of 2022.

That's reflected in the chart below, which shows the company's sales by end market. However, if you look closely, you will see that both its automotive and industrial sales grew sequentially over the last two quarters, and its industrial revenue finally returned to year-over-year growth.

Management's guidance for the first quarter of 2026 calls for revenue of $1.435 billion to $1.535 billion, which, as chief financial officer Thad Trent noted on the earnings call, would "mark the first quarter with expected year-over-year growth since the downturn started over three years ago." It confirms the potential identified a few months ago.

Source: ON Semiconductor; chart by author.

CEO Hassane El-Khoury said that there are "clear signs of improvement across automotive, industrial, and AI infrastructure," suggesting that the company has indeed passed an inflection point. Consequently, Wall Street analysts are pricing in 4.8% revenue growth for 2026, leading to 24% earnings-per-share growth.

A good value stock  The company generates cash at a high rate. It 2025, it produced $1.4 billion in free cash flow (FCF), roughtly equivalent to 4.9% of its currentmarket cap. Analyst estimates project OnSemi will convert at least 25% of revenue converted into FCF in 2026. Based on these projections, OnSemi's stock trades at a forward price-to-FCF multiple of 18.1. That's a very low multiple for a growth stock. In addition, the company has a three-year $6 billion share-repurchase program, which began in January.

Risks and opportunities The company's exposure to Chinese EVs is a concern. But it has growth opportunities from AI data centers (which accounted for a fast-growing $250 million of its $6 billion revenue in 2025), a long-overdue bounce in the industrial sector, and stabilization in EV spending.

The valuation remains attractive, and despite a substantial rise in price, there's still plenty of upside for the stock, backed by a $6 billion buyback program for a company with a $28.4 billion market cap.

New York, New York--(Newsfile Corp. - February 21, 2026) - WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of securities of Paysafe Limited (NYSE: PSFE) between March 4, 2025 and November 12, 2025, inclusive (the "Class Period"), of the important April 7, 2026 lead plaintiff deadline.

SO WHAT: If you purchased Paysafe securities during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement.

WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the Paysafe class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=2745 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than April 7, 2026. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation.

WHY ROSEN LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources, or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually handle securities class actions, but are merely middlemen that refer clients or partner with law firms that actually litigate the cases. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm has achieved, at that time, the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs' Bar. Many of the firm's attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers.

DETAILS OF THE CASE: According to the lawsuit, defendants throughout the Class Period made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) Paysafe's ecommerce business had significant exposure to a single high risk client; (2) as a result, Paysafe's credit loss reserves and/or write-offs were understated; (3) Paysafe had an undisclosed issue with higher risk Merchant Category Codes, making its client services difficult to bank; (4) the foregoing issues were likely to have a material negative impact on Paysafe's revenue growth and overall revenue mix; (5) as a result, Paysafe was unlikely to meet its own previously issued financial guidance for fiscal year 2025; and (6) as a result of the foregoing, defendants' positive statements about Paysafe's business, operations, and prospects were materially misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages.

To join the Paysafe class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=2745 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] for information on the class action.

No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investor's ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff.

Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm, on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/.

Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

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To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/284761

Source: The Rosen Law Firm PA

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The young insurance technology company is growing fast.

Berkshire Hathaway (BRKA +0.05%)(BRKB +0.15%) is one of the biggest companies in the world, and one of only two non-tech companies sporting a market cap over $1 trillion since Walmart joined that club two weeks ago.

Berkshire Hathaway is a holding company, and it owns some of your favorite brands, including Benjamin Moore paints and Duracell batteries. It's one the largest furniture companies in the world, too, and it wholly or partially owns around 190 companies in addition to its $320 billion equity portfolio.

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One of its main industries, though, is insurance. It owns GEICO, as well as insurance products branded under its own name, and the float from insurance premiums is a major part of its operating model.

Warren Buffett, when he was still the CEO, and Ajit Jain, head of the insurance business, made several references to the company falling behind in digital in the face of young and agile upstarts. Though none were mentioned by name, Lemonade (LMND 7.33%) is one of the top insurance technology companies. Should you buy Lemonade stock instead?

Image source: Getty Images.

Why Lemonade looks ripe for picking Lemonade is one of the new crop of digital insurance companies that are disrupting the status quo. It's one of the biggest of its type, even though it's tiny in comparison with legacy insurers.

Despite its small size, it has an edge against the traditional insurance companies because of its connected, agile platform. Although GEICO has been catching up in telematics, which are specialized methods of collecting data that digital insurance companies use to match rate to risk, Lemonade's platform was actually built as a connected ecosystem. It's growing faster than the decades-old insurance giants, and management is projecting to become profitable this year on an adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) basis before hitting positive net income next year. It's also hitting it off with a younger generation of customers, alongside whom it expects to grow as they buy homes and cars.

In-force premium increased 31% year over year in the 2025 fourth quarter, an outstanding showing, and adjusted EBITDA loss shrank to $5 million.

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Don't forget Berkshire Hathaway As wonderful as Lemonade looks today, it's not a substitute for Berkshire Hathaway. They're completely different companies with different operating models, even with Berkshire Hathaway's giant insurance segment.

However, you may want to buy Lemonade stock instead of Berkshire Hathaway, depending on what your investing goals are or where there's an opening in your portfolio. Lemonade is a growth stock, and it can be a growth engine for your portfolio. If you have a long-term horizon and an appetite for a bit of risk, Lemonade could be a great stock candidate.

Churchill Downs isn’t just about one race weekend a year. The company is expanding casinos and historical racing venues designed to produce recurring gaming revenue, and investors are weighing whether that investment phase will pay off.

What happenedAccording to a SEC filing dated February 6, 2026, Beck Bode, LLC established a new position in Churchill Downs (CHDN +1.63%) by acquiring 154,871 shares. The estimated value of the transaction is $17.62 million. The stake’s quarter-end value, also $17.62 million, reflects both the purchase and any price movement during the period.

What else to knowThis was a new position for Beck Bode, LLC, representing 2.93% of its $601.19 million in reportable U.S. equity assets as of December 31, 2025.

Top holdings after the filing:

NASDAQ: NVDA: $31.75 million (5.3% of AUM)NYSE: CAH: $23.66 million (3.9% of AUM)NASDAQ: CEG: $22.73 million (3.8% of AUM)NYSE: ANET: $21.50 million (3.6% of AUM)NASDAQ: ROKU: $21.26 million (3.5% of AUM)As of February 6, 2026, shares of Churchill Downs were priced at $93.55, down 23.8% over the past year, underperforming the S&P 500 by 37.76 percentage points.

Company overviewMetricValuePrice (as of market close 2/6/26)$93.55Market Capitalization$6.57 billionRevenue (TTM)$2.88 billionNet Income (TTM)$403.4 millionCompany snapshotChurchill Downs is a diversified gambling and entertainment company with a national footprint in live racing, online wagering, and casino operations across multiple U.S. states.. The company leverages iconic racing assets, proprietary technology, and a broad gaming portfolio to drive growth and maintain a leading position in the U.S. gaming industry.

Its integrated approach across physical venues and digital platforms enables Churchill Downs to capture multiple revenue streams and adapt to evolving consumer preferences in the gaming sector.

Churchill Downs serves gaming and racing enthusiasts, online bettors, and casino patrons seeking entertainment and wagering experiences.

What this transaction means for investorsChurchill Downs is best known for hosting the Kentucky Derby, but its true earnings power comes from regional casinos and historical horse racing terminals that generate recurring gaming revenue. The company has spent aggressively to expand that footprint, betting that new properties and HHR facilities will drive higher long-term cash flow. Following a roughly 20% decline in the stock over the past year, Beck Bode initiated a new position in the fourth quarter, acquiring approximately 155,000 shares valued at $17.6 million.

Churchill Downs generates most of its revenue from gaming operations, including casinos, historical racing venues, and online wagering through TwinSpires. Gaming revenue is driven by foot traffic, machine volumes, and spending per visit, while margins depend on property mix and operating efficiency. The company has been investing heavily to expand its regional footprint and add high-return gaming capacity, a strategy that can pressure near-term earnings but is intended to drive stronger cash flow over time.

For investors, the key variable to watch is whether new historical racing and regional gaming investments generate the returns management is targeting. The performance of historical horse racing facilities and regional casino projects, along with manageable leverage, will ultimately determine if this investment phase strengthens the long-term earnings profile.

Eric Trie has positions in Nvidia. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Arista Networks, Constellation Energy, Nvidia, and Roku. The Motley Fool recommends Churchill Downs. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

New York, New York--(Newsfile Corp. - February 21, 2026) - WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of securities of PomDoctor Ltd. (NASDAQ: POM) between October 9, 2025 and December 11, 2025, inclusive (the "Class Period"), of the important April 7, 2026 lead plaintiff deadline.

SO WHAT: If you purchased PomDoctor securities during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement.

WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the PomDoctor class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=52621 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than April 7, 2026. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation.

WHY ROSEN LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources, or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually litigate securities class actions, but are merely middlemen that refer clients or partner with law firms that actually litigate the cases. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm has achieved, at that time, the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs' Bar. Many of the firm's attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers.

DETAILS OF THE CASE: According to the lawsuit, defendants throughout the Class Period made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) PomDoctor was the subject of a fraudulent stock promotion scheme involving social media-based misinformation and impersonated financial professionals; (2) insiders and/or affiliates used offshore or nominee accounts to facilitate the coordinated dumping of shares during a price inflation campaign; (3) PomDoctor's public statements and risk disclosures omitted any mention of the false rumors and artificial trading activity driving the stock price; and (4) as a result of the foregoing, defendants' positive statements about PomDoctor's business, operations, and prospects were materially misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis.

To join the PomDoctor class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=52621 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] for information on the class action.

No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investor's ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff.

Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm, on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/.

Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

-------------------------------

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/284763

Source: The Rosen Law Firm PA

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New York, New York--(Newsfile Corp. - February 21, 2026) - WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of securities of Smart Digital Group Ltd. (NASDAQ: SDM) between May 5, 2025 and September 26, 2025 at 9:34 AM EST, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"), of the important March 16, 2026 lead plaintiff deadline.

SO WHAT: If you purchased SDM securities during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement.

WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the SDM class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=50638 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than March 16, 2026. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation.

WHY ROSEN LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources, or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually handle securities class actions, but are merely middlemen that refer clients or partner with law firms that actually litigate the cases. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm has achieved, at that time, the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs' Bar. Many of the firm's attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers.

DETAILS OF THE CASE: According to the lawsuit, defendants throughout the Class Period made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) Smart Digital was the subject of a market manipulation and fraudulent promotion scheme involving social-media based misinformation and impersonators posing as financial professionals; (2) insiders and/or affiliates used and/or intended to use offshore or nominee accounts to facilitate the coordinated dumping of shares during a price inflation campaign; (3) Smart Digital's public statements and risk disclosures omitted any mention of realized risk of fraudulent trading or market manipulation used to drive Smart Digital's stock price; (4) as a result, Smart Digital securities were at unique risk of a sustained suspension in trading by either or both of the SEC and NASDAQ; and (5) as a result of the foregoing, defendants' positive statements about Smart Digital's business, operations and prospects were materially misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages.

To join the SDM class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=50638 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] for information on the class action.

No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investor's ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff.

Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm, on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/.

Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

-------------------------------

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/284689

Source: The Rosen Law Firm PA

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Caesars is known for packed casino floors and bright Las Vegas lights, but the company is also working to strengthen its balance sheet and improve digital profitability. As debt levels decline and online betting operations mature, investors are watching whether the next phase can unlock more stable growth.

What happenedAccording to a SEC filing dated February 17, 2026, Progeny 3, Inc. sold its entire holding of 1,872,400 shares in Caesars Entertainment (CZR 3.02%). The estimated value of the transaction was $50.60 million, calculated using the average closing price for the quarter. The fund’s quarter-end position value in Caesars decreased by $50.60 million, reflecting both the sale and price movements over the period.

What else to knowProgeny 3, Inc. sold out of Caesars; the position now represents n/a of 13F reportable assets under management

Top holdings after the filing:

NYSE:CCJ: $214.74 million (11.6% of AUM)NYSE:TIC: $153.99 million (8.3% of AUM)NASDAQ:IBKR: $136.96 million (7.4% of AUM)NYSE:APG: $135.47 million (7.3% of AUM)NASDAQ:SSNC: $98.39 million (5.3% of AUM)As of February 17, 2026, shares of Caesars were priced at $18.95, down 52.1% over the past year, underperforming the S&P 500 by 64.25 percentage points

Company/Etf overviewMetricValueRevenue (TTM)$11.49 billionNet income (TTM)$-502.00 millionPrice (as of market close February 17, 2026)$18.95One-year price change52.06%Company/Etf snapshotCaesars Entertainment is a leading U.S. gaming and hospitality operator with a diversified portfolio of casinos, hotels, and digital betting platforms. The company leverages its iconic brand and extensive property network to attract a wide range of customers across multiple states. Strategic investments in both physical and digital experiences position Caesars to compete in the evolving gaming and entertainment landscape.

The company offers casino gaming, sports betting, iGaming, hotel accommodations, dining, and entertainment across a broad portfolio of U.S. properties. Caesars Entertainment generates revenue primarily from gaming operations, hospitality services, food and beverage sales, and digital wagering platforms.

Caesars Entertainment targets domestic leisure and business travelers, gaming enthusiasts, and online sports bettors seeking entertainment and resort experiences.

What this transaction means for investorsCaesars Entertainment is not struggling because people stopped gambling. It is under pressure because it carries one of the heavier balance sheets in the U.S. gaming industry while working to make its digital betting business consistently profitable. After shares fell more than 50% over the past year, Progeny 3 exited its entire position in the fourth quarter, selling roughly 1.87 million shares valued at about $50.6 million.

Caesars earns most of its revenue from regional casinos and Las Vegas Strip properties, with additional income from its Caesars Digital sports betting and iGaming platform. Regional drive-in casinos generate much of its cash flow, making results sensitive to changes in consumer spending and interest rates. The 2020 merger with Eldorado expanded Caesars’ national presence and scale but also increased its debt. While the merger created a larger, more diversified company, investors remain focused on how quickly management can reduce leverage while maintaining stable property-level earnings.

For investors, the key points to monitor moving forward are whether Caesars can consistently reduce debt while keeping its regional casinos and digital platform profitable. Trends in same-property gaming revenue, interest costs, and digital profitability will also determine the pace of recovery.

Eric Trie has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Cameco, Interactive Brokers Group, and Tic Solutions. The Motley Fool recommends SS&C Technologies and recommends the following options: long January 2027 $43.75 calls on Interactive Brokers Group and short January 2027 $46.25 calls on Interactive Brokers Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

RADNOR, Pa., Feb. 21, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The law firm of Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP informs investors that the firm has filed a securities fraud class action lawsuit against Oracle Corporation (NYSE: ORCL) (“Oracle” or the “Company”) on behalf of investors who purchased or acquired Oracle common stock between June 12, 2025, and December 16, 2025, inclusive (the “Class Period”). This action, captioned Barrows v. Oracle Corporation, et al., Case No. 1:26-cv-00127-JLH, was filed on February 3, 2026, in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware and is pending before the Honorable Jennifer L. Hall.

Important Deadline Reminder: Investors who purchased or otherwise acquired Oracle common stock during the Class Period may, no later than April 6, 2026, move the Court to serve as lead plaintiff for the class.

CONTACT KESSLER TOPAZ MELTZER & CHECK, LLP (KTMC):
If you experienced losses in connection with Oracle, contact Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP at:
https://www.ktmc.com/orcl-oracle-corporation-class-action-lawsuit?utm_source=Globe&utm_medium=pressrelease&utm_campaign=orcl&mktm=PR

You can also contact attorney Jonathan Naji, Esq. by calling (484) 270-1453 or by email at [email protected].

DEFENDANTS’ ALLEGED MISCONDUCT
Oracle, a Delaware corporation with its principal executive offices in Austin, Texas, is a technology company that provides, among other things, infrastructure for operating artificial intelligence (“AI”) programs.

During the Class Period, Defendants misled investors by touting the Company’s contracts to develop data center capabilities for AI infrastructure and falsely assuring investors that the Company’s significant capital expenditures (“CapEx”) would quickly result in accelerated revenue growth. For example, Defendants assured investors that the Company’s substantially increased spending on AI infrastructure—including for data centers used by OpenAI, the operator of ChatGPT—would rapidly convert into “accelerating revenue and profit growth” and that “we have a very good line-of-sight for our capabilities to . . . just spend on that CapEx right before it starts generating revenue.”

However, on September 24, 2025, S&P Global Ratings warned that OpenAI “could account for more than a third of total Oracle revenues by fiscal 2028 and even a greater share by fiscal 2030,” creating risks given that “OpenAI’s ability to meet contractual obligations will be contingent on AI tailwinds continuing and its models being a market leader to continue to raise external financing.” On this news, the price of Oracle common stock declined $5.37 per share, or nearly 2%, from a close of $313.83 per share on September 23, 2025, to close at $308.46 per share on September 24, 2025.

The following day, on September 25, 2025, analysts at Rothschild & Co. Redburn initiated coverage of Oracle at “Sell,” warning, among other things, that the Company’s promises of massive new revenues from its increased AI infrastructure business were “unlikely to materialize” and set a $175 price target for Oracle—representing a 40% pullback in the Company’s stock. In response, the price of Oracle common stock declined an additional $17.13 per share, or more than 5.5%, from a close of $308.46 per share on September 24, 2025, to close at $291.33 per share on September 25, 2025.

After the market closed on December 10, 2025, Oracle announced its financial results for the second quarter of fiscal year 2026, including revenue growth below analysts’ consensus estimate, quarterly CapEx well above analysts’ estimates, and negative free cash flow of more than $10 billion. During the accompanying earnings call, Defendant Douglas Kehring (the Company’s Principal Financial Officer) revealed that Oracle now projected $50 billion of CapEx in fiscal year 2026—$15 billion more than the Company’s previous projection in September 2025 and as much as $25 billion more than the Company’s projection in June 2025. Notably, despite projecting substantially increased spending, Oracle did not increase its guidance for 2026 revenue, and increased its guidance for 2027 revenues by only $4 billion.

In response to an analyst’s question about how much money Oracle needs “to raise to fund its AI growth plans ahead,” Defendant Clayton Magouyrk (the Company’s new Co-Chief Executive Officer) further stoked concerns by failing to provide a specific number and revealing only that the Company expected to spend “less” than $100 billion—suggesting that Oracle may require a massive amount of capital funding through equity raises or additional debt.

As Bloomberg and other media outlets reported that evening, the cost of protecting the Company’s debt against default for five years—a notable measure of Oracle’s credit risk—reached its highest level since April 2009. An AllianceBernstein analyst explained, “Oracle really matters because it is the harbinger of the AI capex boom,” and “[t]his repricing in debt markets is very consistent with the view that risks are building.”   On this news, the price of Oracle common stock declined $24.16 per share, or nearly 11%, from a close of $223.01 per share on December 10, 2025, to close at $198.85 per share on December 11, 2025.

After the market closed on December 11, 2025, Oracle filed its quarterly financial report on Form 10-Q with the SEC, which revealed that the Company had “$248 billion of additional lease commitments, substantially all related to data centers and cloud capacity arrangements, that are generally expected to commence between the third quarter of fiscal 2026 and fiscal 2028 and for terms of fifteen to nineteen years that were not reflected on our condensed consolidated balance sheets as of November 30, 2025.” Analysts at CreditSights later labeled this revelation a “bombshell disclosure,” noting that the Company’s lease commitments had increased massively from the prior quarter, when the Company had reported just under $100 billion in lease commitments. As Bloomberg reported, “Oracle’s future lease exposure far exceeds similar commitments by peers,” with “a mismatch between the long duration of the property leases and much shorter contracts with key customers such as OpenAI.”

On December 12, 2025, Bloomberg further reported that Oracle had “pushed back the completion dates for some of the data centers it’s developing for the artificial intelligence model developer OpenAI to 2028 from 2027” due to “labor and material shortages”—suggesting that Oracle’s promised revenue growth resulting from its increased spending may be further delayed, if it arrives at all.   In response to these revelations, the price of Oracle common stock declined $8.88 per share, or approximately 4.5%, from a close of $198.85 per share on December 11, 2025, to close at $189.97 per share on December 12, 2025.

On December 17, 2025, Financial Times reported that Blue Owl Capital—“the primary [financial] backer for Oracle’s largest data centre projects in the US”—had backed out of funding a $10 billion Oracle data center intended to serve OpenAI. According to the report, Blue Owl pulled out of the deal as a result of concerns about Oracle’s spending commitments and rising debt levels. On this news, the price of Oracle common stock declined $10.19 per share, or approximately 5.4%, from a close of $188.65 per share on December 16, 2025, to close at $178.46 per share on December 17, 2025.

The complaint alleges that, throughout the Class Period, Defendants made materially false and/or misleading statements, as well as failed to disclose material adverse facts, about the Company’s business and operations. Specifically, Defendants misrepresented and/or failed to disclose that: (1) Oracle’s AI infrastructure strategy would result in massive increases in CapEx without equivalent, near-term growth in revenue; (2) the Company’s substantially increased spending created serious risks involving Oracle’s debt and credit rating, free cash flow, and ability to fund its projects, among other concerns; and (3) as a result, Defendants’ representations about the Company’s business, operations, and prospects were materially false and misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis.

THE LEAD PLAINTIFF PROCESS FOR ORACLE CORPORATION INVESTORS:

Oracle investors may, no later than April 6, 2026, seek to be appointed as a lead plaintiff representative of the class through Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP or other counsel, or may choose to do nothing and remain an absent class member. A lead plaintiff is a representative party who acts on behalf of all class members in directing the litigation.  The lead plaintiff is usually the investor or small group of investors who have the largest financial interest and who are also adequate and typical of the proposed class of investors. The lead plaintiff selects counsel to represent the lead plaintiff and the class and these attorneys, if approved by the court, are lead or class counsel. Your ability to share in any recovery is not affected by the decision of whether or not to serve as a lead plaintiff.

Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP encourages Oracle investors to contact the firm directly for more information about the lawsuit.

ABOUT KESSLER TOPAZ MELTZER & CHECK, LLP (KTMC):

Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP (KTMC) is a leading U.S. plaintiff-side law firm focused on securities-fraud class actions and global investor protection. The firm represents individual investors as well as institutions, such as major pension funds, asset managers, and international investors. KTMC has led some of the largest recoveries in securities litigation and has been recognized by peers and the legal media with numerous accolades, including The National Law Journal’s Plaintiff’s Hot List and Trailblazers in Plaintiffs' Law, BTI Consulting Group’s Honor Roll of Most Feared Law Firms, The Legal Intelligencer’s Class Action Firm of the Year, Lawdragon’s Leading Plaintiff Financial Lawyers, and Law360’s Titans of the Plaintiffs Bar. The firm operates globally with offices in Pennsylvania and California. For more information about Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP, please visit www.ktmc.com.

CONTACT:
Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP
Jonathan Naji, Esq.
(484) 270-1453
280 King of Prussia Road
Radnor, PA 19087
[email protected]         

May be considered attorney advertising in certain jurisdictions. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.

IoTeX reported containing a hack with losses around $2 million, disputing on-chain analyst estimates placing the theft at $4.3 million.

Summary

IoTeX confirms $2M exploit and pauses chain for security upgrades. Analysts estimate $4.3M after token minting and cross-chain laundering. Exchanges and law enforcement work to freeze stolen funds. The blockchain platform stated it coordinated with exchanges and law enforcement to freeze stolen funds following what it called a “long-planned attack by professional actors targeting multiple chains.”

On-chain analyst Specter posted that IoTeX’s private key may have been compromised, resulting in multiple contract assets being drained including USDC, USDT, IOTX, PAYG, WBTC, and BUSD.

The private key of @iotex_io may have been compromised, resulting in their token safe being drained for a total loss of approximately $4.3M.

The attacker drained multiple contract assets, including: USDC, USDT, IOTX, PAYG, WBTC, BUSD

The stolen assets were swapped for ETH, and… pic.twitter.com/xbNdwq83yD

— Specter (@SpecterAnalyst) February 21, 2026 The attacker swapped stolen assets for ETH and bridged 45 ETH to Bitcoin, while also minting 111 million CIOTEX tokens.

IoTeX said chain operations and deposits will resume in 24-48 hours after security upgrades are finalized.

IoTeX disputes $4.3M loss estimate with $2M confirmation IoTeX’s initial statement acknowledged “suspicious activity involving an IoTeX token safe” and noted that “potential loss is lower than circulating rumors suggest.”

The team said it coordinated with major exchanges and security partners actively assisting in tracing and freezing the attacker’s assets.

The updated statement confirmed “the exploit impact is around $2M USD (including USDC, USDT, IOTX, and WBTC).”

🚨 Update on the recent security incident:

Our team has contained the situation and the IoTeX chain is being secured. Current data confirms the exploit impact is around $2M USD (including USDC, USDT, IOTX, and WBTC).

Investigations show this was a sophisticated, long-planned…

— IoTeX (@iotex_io) February 21, 2026 Specter’s analysis showed the attacker drained multiple contract assets and executed a multi-step laundering process.

Stolen funds were swapped for ETH, with at least 45 ETH bridged to Bitcoin where tracing becomes more difficult. The minting of 111 million CIOTEX tokens shows the attacker gained control over token issuance functions.

Chain secured with 24-48 hour downtime for upgrades IoTeX suspended chain operations following the discovery. “Our team has contained the situation and the IoTeX chain is being secured,” the platform announced.

Deposits and normal operations will resume within 24-48 hours pending completion of security upgrades.

The team works with law enforcement to investigate and recover funds. IoTeX also committed to transparent updates as the situation develops.

Journalist

Posted: February 22, 2026

ZCash [ZEC] has experienced a 6.68% drawdown over the past week, but there was short-term bullish potential for the privacy token. A Bitcoin [BTC] price move beyond the $70k local supply zone would also help the market-wide short-term confidence.

AMBCrypto reported that ZEC faced a sizeable capital flight in the perpetuals market, amounting to $52 million. Large liquidations over the past month outlined the frequent price volatility.

The growth in shielded supply and transactions was a long-term positive development that entrenched the privacy narrative. In the short-term, the reaction from the $187 long-term support was an encouraging sight for the bulls.

Why a rebound to $357 is likely

Source: ZEC/USDT on TradingView

On the daily chart, the RSI was at a slightly bearish 43 reading. The OBV has not made considerable new highs in February and was slumping back toward the local lows. Together, they showed why traders need to remain bearish.

Yet, these indicators are inherently lagging. The price action revealed a different story.

The imbalance (white box at $250) and the local former resistance at $251 (orange) have been tested and defended over the past two days. The reaction at $187, the long-term support, was followed by a brief upward move to $320 that has since withdrawn.

Yet, there is potential for the current move to extend beyond $320.

The short-term bullish ZCash argument

Source: ZEC/USDT on TradingView

Zooming in on the H4 structure, we can see that it has flipped bullishly after reclaiming $251 as support. This level had been a local supply zone two weeks ago.

While the prevalent swing structure was indeed bearish on this timeframe, the current price action leaves room for a deeper upward retracement before the primary bearish move can continue.

The 61.8% and 78.6% Fibonacci retracement levels represent a golden zone for traders to enter the market. Even though the trading volume is low, traders can watch out for a ZCash rally to $320 and $357.

Traders can look for a low-risk long from $260 to these resistance levels. Alternatively, they can wait for a rejection from $357 to go short.

Final Summary The ZCash long-term narrative was entrenched, and the defense of the $187 support reinforced the idea of a ZEC comeback. It is unclear how high this rebound can go. For now, traders can benefit from having a conservative outlook and not expect the bounce to break the lower timeframe structures. Disclaimer: The information presented does not constitute financial, investment, trading, or other types of advice and is solely the writer’s opinion.

TLDR: Bitcoin has recovered to a new all-time high after every 40–50% correction recorded between 2014 and 2026.  The average trough-to-cycle-high multiple across nine correction events sits at approximately 3.4 times the low.  Recovery time within this correction range averages 9 to 14 months, far shorter than full bear market timelines.  Bitcoin’s maximum drawdown severity has declined each cycle, dropping from 84% in 2018 to roughly 50% today. Bitcoin’s historical price behavior shows a consistent pattern that long-term analysts have tracked for over a decade.

When the asset drops between 40% and 50% from a cycle peak, it has recovered to new all-time highs in every recorded instance since 2014.

As of February 21, 2026, Bitcoin trades near $67,707, down roughly 47–50% from its October 2025 peak of $124,700. That places the current drawdown squarely within this historically notable correction range.

What Defines a 40–50% Correction in Bitcoin’s Cycle A 40–50% correction refers to a drawdown from a running cycle peak to its lowest trough, with the maximum decline falling between those two percentages.

The peak is measured as the running high before a new high is set. The trough marks the deepest point of the pullback before recovery begins.

According to an analysis by market commentator Adam Livingston, the dataset covers daily Bitcoin price history from 2014 through February 20, 2026.

It identifies roughly nine distinct events fitting this correction definition. Only closed events count, meaning the drawdown period ends only when a new all-time high is confirmed.

This definition deliberately excludes deeper bear market crashes, where losses exceed 70%. Those recoveries typically take much longer. The 40–50% bucket behaves differently, and the data treats it as a separate category of market behavior.

Key Data Points From Nine Historical Events The average multiple from the correction trough to the next cycle high sits at approximately 3.4 times. The range across all events runs from roughly 1.8 times on the lower end to 5.6 times at the top. That range reflects how different each recovery can be in magnitude.

Livingston noted that even the one event that eventually rolled into a deeper bear market still produced a roughly 116% gain and reached a new all-time high just after the 365-day mark.

As he wrote, “Even the ‘bad’ one still embarrassed the skeptics.” That recovery happened despite the correction preceding an extended downturn.

Average recovery time to a prior high within this correction range runs approximately 9 to 14 months. Full bear markets, by comparison, have historically taken 24 to 36 months or longer to recover. That represents a notably faster timeline for this specific correction bucket.

The Current Setup and What History Suggests As of February 21, 2026, Bitcoin sits around $67,707. The October 2025 peak reached $124,700, placing the current drawdown at approximately 47–50%. That range matches the textbook entry zone identified across the historical dataset.

Livingston also pointed out that Bitcoin has shown early rebound behavior, trading roughly 8% above its February 5 low.

Historically, these initial snapbacks tend to follow a period where forced selling exhausts itself and selling pressure drops. The pattern repeats across multiple cycles in the data.

Beyond the current setup, the analysis also noted that maximum drawdown severity has decreased over successive cycles. The 2018 bear market saw drawdowns near 84%.

The 2022 cycle reached around 77%. The current cycle’s largest drawdown sits near 50%, which suggests growing market depth and stronger structural demand over time.

Bitcoin has been range-bound this weekend, hovering between $67,563 and $68,636 over the last day on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026, and derivatives traders have been anything but quiet. Futures and options data show billions in open interest stacked across major exchanges, with calls maintaining a firm edge over puts.

TLDR: Bitcoin’s capitulation hits critical levels with $643M in realized losses and 46.08% of supply underwater. Short-term holders with SOPR at 0.98 and MVRV at 0.73 are systematically selling BTC below entry price. Medium whales offloaded 91,580 BTC in 30 days while the Whale Ratio climbed to a telling 74% reading. Bitcoin ETFs recorded $404M in outflows Feb 17–19 as miners and retail quietly accumulated the sold supply. Who is behind the selling pressure currently gripping the Bitcoin market? On-chain data now points to three specific groups driving the capitulation.

A total of $643 million in realized losses has been recorded, with 46.08% of the Bitcoin supply sitting underwater. The evidence is clear, this is not a broad market selloff.

Identifiable cohorts are responsible, and their behavior is trackable through on-chain metrics.

Short-Term Holders Are the Primary Source of Panic Selling Short-term holders (STHs) sit at the center of the current capitulation. These are buyers who entered the market within the last six months, largely near cycle highs.

The STH-SOPR reading of 0.98 confirms they are selling consistently below their purchase price. Every transaction below 1.0 on this metric represents a realized loss being locked in by this group.

The STH-MVRV ratio adds further weight to this picture, currently reading at 0.73. That number reflects a cohort that is deeply underwater and actively exiting positions.

Rather than holding through the drawdown, these participants are choosing to sell at a loss. Their collective behavior is one of the clearest signs of active capitulation in the current cycle.

GugaOnChain’s on-chain analysis confirms that STH behavior is systematic, not isolated. The losses are being realized repeatedly across multiple sessions, not in a single spike.

This pattern suggests that fear, not strategy, is driving their exit decisions. It is the textbook behavior of speculative participants caught on the wrong side of the market.

Beyond the metrics, the timing of their entries matters here. Buyers from the last six months purchased Bitcoin when sentiment was elevated and prices were near local highs.

They are now facing significant paper losses that many are unwilling to hold through. That psychological pressure is directly translating into consistent sell-side volume on exchanges.

Medium Whales and ETF Institutions Are Amplifying the Pressure Medium whales holding between 1,000 and 10,000 BTC have offloaded 91,580 BTC over the past 30 days. This is the most aggressive distribution coming from any single cohort in the current period.

Whales holding above 10,000 BTC have also reduced exposure by 22,280 BTC during the same window. Together, these two groups represent a coordinated and large-scale exit from the market.

The Whale Ratio currently sits at 74%, reinforcing that large players are routing significant volume toward exchanges.

This metric measures large transactions as a share of total exchange inflows. A reading this elevated has historically preceded continued downward price movement. It confirms that whale distribution is active and ongoing, not yet exhausted.

Institutional Bitcoin ETFs recorded $404 million in net outflows between February 17 and 19, 2026. These outflows directly translate into spot market selling pressure from regulated vehicles.

Institutions reducing exposure during periods of stress add a layer of selling that retail markets struggle to absorb. Their exit compounds the pressure already created by STHs and medium whales.

While these three groups lead the capitulation, a separate set of participants is moving in the opposite direction. Miners, small whales, and retail buyers are steadily accumulating the supply being offloaded.

This dynamic; where distressed sellers transfer coins to patient accumulators: is a recurring feature of Bitcoin’s correction phases. The identity of the sellers is now clear, and so is the identity of those stepping in to buy.

Ethereum shows signs of strength, but the bullish picture only emerges on an inverted chart. On the standard view, the downtrend remains intact until key resistance is reclaimed, making the current optimism conditional.

Inverted Structure Reinforces Ethereum Bearish HTF Outlook Presenting an inverted chart in a recent update, Mizer explained that he has been short on Ethereum for several days, outlining what he believes could unfold on the higher time frame (HTF). Mizer clarified that this doesn’t necessarily plan to hold the full position to his projected targets, as he prefers focusing on lower time frame (LTF) opportunities given the difficulty of forecasting HTF moves in the current macro environment.

According to Mizer, Ethereum’s HTF structure remains clear: a distribution phase followed by consistent breakdowns since the $5,000 peak. A parabolic curve formed off that top is a key indicator of this pattern, noting that the price has respected it for months. Until that parabola is decisively broken and price holds above it, the broader downtrend remains intact.

Source: Chart from Mizer on X Zooming into the current price action, Mizer highlighted a strong impulse move into this zone marked by a purple line. This area represents a significant support/resistance flip on the inverted chart: previously resistance, it was broken and now functions as support. Mizer is now closely watching the small blue box on the right side of the chart, which represents the current consolidation following the impulse. 

Two Scenarios From Consolidation The analyst further explained that from the current consolidation zone, there are two primary scenarios unfolding: either continuation after a shallow pullback, or a brief fake breakdown followed by a swift reclaim before the next leg higher on the inverted chart, which would translate to further downside for ETH itself.

He described the purple path on his chart as his “ideal” bullish scenario on the inverted structure, essentially tracking price as it continues to respect the long-standing parabolic curve. As long as that parabola remains intact, the broader bearish trajectory remains his base case.

Regarding targets, he divided expectations into short- and long-term objectives. The immediate target sits around $1,700, which he views as the first logical area to take profits and monitor for a potential reaction strong enough to challenge or even break the parabolic resistance.

The final target lies near $1,400, representing the larger extension if momentum fully plays out. However, he emphasized that the setup would be invalidated if ETH loses the key flip zone and begins accepting below it on the inverted chart, a move that would break the parabola and potentially signal a broader trend reversal.

ETH trading at $1,965 on the 1D chart | Source: ETHUSDT on Tradingview.com Featured image from Freepik, chart from Tradingview.com

Satoshi Nakamoto, the pseudonymous architect who introduced Bitcoin in a 2008 white paper and solved the double-spending problem, remains one of the most enigmatic figures in modern finance.

Nakamoto was active until roughly 2010, before disappearing, leaving behind what is widely considered the largest single Bitcoin holding: 1.096 million BTC spread across numerous early addresses.

Despite speculation linking Dorian Nakamoto, Craig Wright, Nick Szabo, and Peter Todd to the identity, none has been definitively proven to be Bitcoin’s creator.

Recent social media claims suggested that Satoshi’s fortune could be unlocked with a simple 24-word seed phrase. That assertion was dismissed by Galaxy Digital research head Alex Thorn as “fake news” and “dumb slop.”

Early Bitcoin wallets predate the 2013 BIP 39 standard, which introduced 12- and 24-word seed phrases. Moreover, the holdings are distributed across many pay-to-public-key addresses rather than a single wallet, eliminating the notion of a single master phrase controlling the entire trove.

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A deeper concern now centers on quantum computing. CryptoQuant founder Ki Young Ju argues that a future Bitcoin security upgrade may require freezing dormant coins to prevent exposure to quantum attacks.

Bitcoin’s cryptography is secure against classical computers, but sufficiently advanced quantum machines could theoretically derive private keys from exposed public keys. Once a public key is revealed on a chain, vulnerability becomes permanent.

With that, an estimated 6.89 million BTC may be at risk of quantum computing attacks, including 1.91 million BTC in inherently exposed P2PK addresses and up to 4.98 million BTC from prior spends.

Roughly 3.4 million BTC have been dormant for over a decade, including about 1 million attributed to Satoshi. Achieving consensus to freeze such coins would be contentious, just like past governance battles.

At a current price of $68,358, Satoshi’s reported holdings are valued at roughly $75 billion, highlighting both the technical and philosophical stakes.

Bitcoin exchange inflows are increasingly being dominated by large holders as the broader market remains in a bear phase, according to onchain analytics firm CryptoQuant.

The exchange whale ratio has risen to 0.64, the highest level since October 2015, meaning 64% of all bitcoin exchange inflows came from the top 10 deposits by volume, CryptoQuant said in a Friday report. This suggests large investors are driving selling activity, the firm added. At the same time, the average bitcoin exchange inflow climbed to 1.58 BTC in February, the highest level since June 2022, the middle of the previous bear market, CryptoQuant noted.

That said, overall bitcoin exchange inflows have "normalized after a capitulation spike, reducing immediate selling pressure," CryptoQuant said. Following bitcoin’s correction to the $60,000 area earlier this month, total exchange inflows surged to around 60,000 BTC on Feb. 6, the highest daily level since November 2024. Since then, inflows have declined to about 23,000 BTC on a 7-day moving average, a roughly 60% drop, CryptoQuant said, noting that this suggests the acute sell-off phase has eased, even though exchange flows remain elevated compared with prior months.

Beyond bitcoin, altcoins continue to face broad selling pressure. The average daily number of altcoin exchange deposits has risen to about 49,000 so far in 2026, up 22% from roughly 40,000 in the fourth quarter of 2025, CryptoQuant noted. "Elevated altcoin deposits typically precede heightened volatility and reflect weaker market confidence outside bitcoin," the firm said.

At the same time, stablecoin flows point to shrinking buying power. Daily net Tether (USDT) inflows into exchanges have fallen sharply from a one-year high of $616 million in November 2025 to just $27 million recently. Net flows even turned negative at times, including a $469 million outflow on Jan. 25, 2026. CryptoQuant noted that declining or negative stablecoin flows suggest less liquidity available at the margin to buy crypto assets.

Overall, CryptoQuant said bitcoin selling pressure is increasingly concentrated among large holders, altcoins are experiencing broad-based distribution, and stablecoin outflows suggest diminished “dry powder.” These factors imply "limited demand buffers and a market structure vulnerable to further volatility during the ongoing bear-market phase," CryptoQuant concluded. 

Disclaimer: The Block is an independent media outlet that delivers news, research, and data. As of November 2023, Foresight Ventures is a majority investor of The Block. Foresight Ventures invests in other companies in the crypto space. Crypto exchange Bitget is an anchor LP for Foresight Ventures. The Block continues to operate independently to deliver objective, impactful, and timely information about the crypto industry. Here are our current financial disclosures.

© 2026 The Block. All Rights Reserved. This article is provided for informational purposes only. It is not offered or intended to be used as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice.

Bitcoin (BTC) edged lower on Saturday after U.S. President Donald Trump announced a new 15% global tariff, escalating trade tensions despite a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling that invalidated his earlier tariff actions. The court determined that Trump lacked the authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose the previous round of tariffs introduced earlier this year.

In a post shared on Truth Social, Trump criticized the Supreme Court’s decision as “anti-American” and confirmed that the tariff rate would immediately increase from the previously proposed 10% to 15%. He added that his administration would spend the coming months developing and issuing what he described as “legally permissible” tariffs.

The cryptocurrency market reacted swiftly to the announcement. Bitcoin initially rose about 0.5% following the post but quickly reversed course, dropping nearly 1% and settling near $68,000. The world’s largest cryptocurrency continues to show sensitivity to macroeconomic developments, particularly those involving U.S. trade policy and global financial stability. Ether (ETH), the second-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization, also declined 0.45%, trading around $1,980 after the news.

The renewed tariff hike comes shortly after the Supreme Court ruled that the administration’s earlier trade measures exceeded presidential authority. In response to that decision, Trump had announced a new 10% worldwide tariff, which has now been raised to 15%, further intensifying uncertainty in global markets.

Crypto investors are closely monitoring these developments as trade policy shifts and geopolitical tensions often influence risk assets like Bitcoin and Ethereum. While digital assets are sometimes viewed as hedges against economic instability, short-term price movements frequently reflect investor reactions to breaking political and economic news.

As the situation evolves, market participants will be watching for further updates from the Trump administration and assessing how new tariff measures could impact global markets and cryptocurrency prices.

<Copyright ⓒ TokenPost, unauthorized reproduction and redistribution prohibited>

Iran’s currency crisis in 2026 has pushed the rial into free fall, with hyperinflation eroding savings and devastating household finances. Mounting sanctions, policy missteps, and geopolitical pressure have left ordinary citizens struggling to afford basic goods. For many Iranians, the situation feels alarmingly similar to Lebanon’s financial collapse that began in 2019—when banks froze accounts, local currency values crashed, and life savings evaporated. In both cases, Bitcoin has emerged as a potential hedge against currency devaluation and banking instability.

Lebanon’s crisis saw banks restrict withdrawals and forcibly convert U.S. dollar deposits into rapidly depreciating Lebanese pounds. Over 90% of the pound’s value disappeared, triggering protests, ATM shortages, and a severe loss of trust in the banking system. As remittances became harder and more expensive to access, many citizens turned to peer-to-peer Bitcoin trading and crypto payments to preserve wealth and move money across borders.

Iran now faces comparable pressures. Inflation remains high, sanctions limit global trade, and reports estimate crypto activity reached nearly $8 billion in 2025. Many Iranians are transferring Bitcoin to private wallets, prioritizing self-custody to avoid potential asset freezes or further devaluation. Even the use of stablecoins like Tether has grown as individuals and institutions seek alternatives to the collapsing rial.

Lebanon demonstrated that during a financial crisis, decentralized assets can provide an alternative store of value. While Bitcoin’s price volatility remains a factor, its fixed supply and borderless nature offer protection against hyperinflation and capital controls. Challenges such as internet disruptions, regulatory uncertainty, and limited liquidity persist, yet many found crypto more reliable than traditional banks.

The lesson from both countries is clear: when centralized financial systems falter, digital assets like Bitcoin can offer individuals greater financial sovereignty. As the rial weakens, more Iranians are exploring cryptocurrency as a safeguard against economic instability and long-term currency collapse.

<Copyright ⓒ TokenPost, unauthorized reproduction and redistribution prohibited>

Google searches for “bitcoin zero” in the United States have surged to a record high, reaching 100 on Google Trends’ relative interest scale in February. The spike coincided with Bitcoin’s slide toward $60,000, marking a more than 50% decline from its October all-time high near $68,000. The sudden rise in search interest reflects growing anxiety among U.S. retail investors as the crypto market navigates heightened volatility.

Historically, sharp increases in fear-driven search terms like “bitcoin zero” have appeared near local market bottoms. Similar spikes in 2021 and 2022 aligned with periods when Bitcoin’s price stabilized and eventually reversed higher. This pattern has led some analysts to interpret the latest surge in bearish search activity as a potential contrarian buy signal, suggesting that extreme pessimism could precede a recovery in the BTC price.

However, global data paints a more nuanced picture. While U.S. search interest has reached new highs, worldwide searches for the same term peaked last August and have since declined significantly, falling to 38 this month. The divergence indicates that panic may be concentrated primarily in the U.S., rather than reflecting widespread global capitulation across the cryptocurrency market.

Several U.S.-specific factors may explain this localized surge in concern. Escalating tariff tensions, geopolitical risks involving Iran, and a broader risk-off rotation in U.S. equities have shaped the domestic macroeconomic narrative. Retail investors in the United States may be responding more strongly to these developments compared to market participants in Asia or Europe, where Bitcoin’s drawdown is unfolding against different economic backdrops.

It is also important to understand how Google Trends works. The platform measures relative search interest on a scale from 0 to 100 within a selected time frame, meaning a score of 100 represents a term’s peak popularity during that period—not absolute search volume. With Bitcoin’s user base significantly larger than during the 2022 bear market, a higher baseline could amplify relative spikes.

Overall, retail fear in the U.S. is clearly elevated. While extreme sentiment can sometimes signal a potential market bottom, the cooling global trend suggests caution. The latest spike in “bitcoin zero” searches may offer contrarian insight, but it does not guarantee an immediate Bitcoin price reversal.

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At the beginning of February, the price of Bitcoin tumbled to a new low not seen since US President Donald Trump got elected in November 2024. This downside volatility is believed to have been precipitated by the overleveraging in the BTC market at the time. According to the latest on-chain data, the Bitcoin derivatives market has witnessed a massive flush-out over the past week.

BTC Market Now At Reduced Risk Of Liquidation Cascades  In a fresh Quicktake post on the CryptoQuant platform, trader CryptoOnchain revealed a dramatic flush-out in the Bitcoin derivatives market on Binance, the world’s largest crypto exchange by trading volume. The relevant indicator here is the Estimated Leverage Ratio (ELR), which has seen a significant decline in recent weeks.

The Estimated Leverage Ratio is an on-chain metric that measures the ratio of open interest and the reserve of an exchange (Binance, in this case). This indicator tracks the average amount of leverage used by traders in a particular market or exchange. A high ELR value typically implies elevated market risk, signaling that small price movements could potentially lead to significant liquidations and further price movements.

As reported by NewsBTC in late January, the ELR was at an extremely high level of around 0.1980, indicating an overheated and highly speculative market. Following the crash of the Bitcoin price, the on-chain metric has also cooled off, falling to around 0.1414.

Source: CryptoQuant According to CryptoOnchain, this 28% decline in the Estimated Leverage Ratio highlights a shiftbin market dynamics. The market quant said that the drop in ELR suggests that a severe deleveraging event has occurred, with the accompanying price decline causing the closure of several overleveraged long positions.

CryptoOnchain added:

While the immediate price action was painful, wiping out excess leverage is fundamentally healthy. It removes the “derivatives bubble” and leaves the market structure much lighter and less susceptible to extreme, sudden volatility.

The crypto analyst concluded that the risk of further liquidation cascades is reduced, now that the Estimated Leverage Ratio has fallen to normal levels. However, the Bitcoin market needs organic buying pressure and genuine demand from the spot market to rebuild a bullish structure and resume a sustainable upward trend.

Bitcoin Price Overview As of this writing, the price of BTC sits around $67,950, reflecting an almost 2% jump in the past 24 hours. According to data from CoinGecko, the premier cryptocurrency is still down by more than 1% on the weekly timeframe.

The price of Bitcoin on the daily timeframe | Source: BTCUSDT chart on TradingView Featured image from iStock, chart from TradingView

NEW YORK, Feb. 21, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --

WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of securities of Smart Digital Group Ltd. (NASDAQ: SDM) between May 5, 2025 and September 26, 2025 at 9:34 AM EST, both dates inclusive (the “Class Period”), of the important March 16, 2026 lead plaintiff deadline.

SO WHAT: If you purchased SDM securities during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement.

WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the SDM class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=50638 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than March 16, 2026. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation.

WHY ROSEN LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources, or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually handle securities class actions, but are merely middlemen that refer clients or partner with law firms that actually litigate the cases. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm has achieved, at that time, the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs’ Bar. Many of the firm’s attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers.

DETAILS OF THE CASE: According to the lawsuit, defendants throughout the Class Period made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) Smart Digital was the subject of a market manipulation and fraudulent promotion scheme involving social-media based misinformation and impersonators posing as financial professionals; (2) insiders and/or affiliates used and/or intended to use offshore or nominee accounts to facilitate the coordinated dumping of shares during a price inflation campaign; (3) Smart Digital’s public statements and risk disclosures omitted any mention of realized risk of fraudulent trading or market manipulation used to drive Smart Digital’s stock price; (4) as a result, Smart Digital securities were at unique risk of a sustained suspension in trading by either or both of the SEC and NASDAQ; and (5) as a result of the foregoing, defendants’ positive statements about Smart Digital’s business, operations and prospects were materially misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages.

To join the SDM class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=50638 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] for information on the class action.

No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investor’s ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff.

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Microsoft and Nvidia haven't been this cheap in a long time.

The market seldom provides great buying opportunities for some of the best companies on the planet. However, with the latest round of tech sell-offs, that's exactly where we find ourselves. Two of the most dominant stocks in the market over the past few years are on sale at historically cheap levels, and if you swoop in to buy shares now, you'll be set to make a massive return.

Two stocks that I'm eyeing are Nvidia (NVDA +1.02%) and Microsoft (MSFT 0.31%). Each of these stocks has reached relatively affordable levels, and now is the time to load up on shares.

Image source: Getty Images.

The last time the stocks were this cheap, they soared in the following months The first part of this analysis is to select a valuation metric. In my opinion, the price-to-forward earnings ratio is the best measure, as it allows investors to value the company on where it's going rather than where it was. This is critical in a rapidly shifting artificial intelligence-powered landscape, as companies are spending billions of dollars on computing equipment to pursue AI as hard as they can.

Earnings a company produces over the past 12 months may be a more concrete way to value a business, but investors are doing themselves a disservice by not valuing the company based on forward earnings because that's what the rest of the market is doing. The market is a forward-looking machine, so that's the metric we should use.

From that standpoint, both Nvidia and Microsoft are valued at recently cheap levels.

MSFT PE Ratio (Forward) data by YCharts

Microsoft is now cheaper than it ever has been since 2023 -- even lower than the depths of the tariff sell-off in April 2025. Nvidia is in a similar boat, trading at levels not seen since April 2025 and the depths of the tech sell-off in 2023. Both of these times ended up being incredible buying opportunities for the stocks, and I think right now could also be just as good.

AI spending will push these two higher Nvidia is a primary beneficiary of all of the AI spending that has been announced. Its graphics processing units (GPUs) are the primary computing units utilized in AI model training and inference. With each new data center that's built, Nvidia is likely to capture a huge sale. Furthermore, Nvidia is allowed to start exporting GPUs to China again, which could lead to a huge boost this year. Wall Street analysts project 65% growth in fiscal year (FY) 2027 (ending January 2027), showcasing that they expect another banner year for Nvidia.

Today's Change

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1.02

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1.92

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$

189.82

Microsoft isn't growing nearly as fast as Nvidia, and it's also spending a boatload of money on AI computing capacity. However, that's because the demand is there. Its cloud computing platform, Azure, is rapidly growing, rising 39% year over year in Q2 FY 2025 (ending Dec. 31). Cloud computing is how several AI companies are powering their workloads, as they don't have the capital necessary to build a data center themselves, so it makes more sense to rent it from a provider like Microsoft. This spending will help push Microsoft stock to new heights, but AI feature integration within Microsoft's core software suite is another source of growth.

Today's Change

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-0.31

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-1.22

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$

397.24

While the market growth may be somewhat fatigued by AI spending, the reality is that it's still going to happen. The recent sell-off in tech stocks is a gift to investors of all varieties, and you can get a one-two punch of high growth and resilience by purchasing shares of Nvidia and Microsoft right now. I can think of few better buys in the stock market than this duo, and investors who have missed out on the impressive runs these stocks have been on over the past few years can remedy that mistake by buying them today.

This player's pipeline should keep growth going over the long run.

When you think of biotech companies, you may think of exciting young players that haven't yet commercialized a product. Those exist and, in some cases, make excellent investments. But you also might consider picking up a biotech player that has proven itself and today offers you both innovation and growth.

This type of company is one to hold onto for the long term as it's already generating revenue but has the research and development strengths to continue building a portfolio of game-changing products. With this in mind, let's check out one no-brainer biotech stock to buy today and never sell.

Image source: Getty Images.

A biotech company generating billions The company I'm talking to has been around for more than 35 years and sells a number of products, from treatments for inflammation to those for cholesterol and eye disease. This player is Regeneron (REGN 0.23%), a biotech that's progressively increased earnings over time, well into the billions of dollars.

REGN Net Income (Annual) data by YCharts

Regeneron may be best known for Dupixent, a product it commercializes with partner Sanofi, and one that's delivered blockbuster revenue. Dupixent is sold for eight inflammation-linked conditions, including common ones such as asthma and atopic dermatitis (also known as eczema). More than one million patients worldwide take this drug.

The company also has relied on Eylea for growth. This is a treatment for wet age-related macular degeneration as well as other diseases of the retina. The lower dose form of Eylea has seen growth slow due to competition -- and some of the competition has come from Regeneron's higher dose version of the treatment, Eylea HD. In the recent quarter, for example, Eylea HD saw U.S. revenue soar 66% to more than $500 million. So this product remains a solid growth driver for Regeneron.

Today's Change

(

-0.23

%) $

-1.77

Current Price

$

779.67

A massive pipeline What's particularly important is that Regeneron has an enormous pipeline with many late-stage programs across therapeutic areas. For example, it currently has more than a dozen candidates involved in phase 3 trials, from immunology and inflammation to cardiovascular, oncology, and rare diseases. And this is just to mention candidates that may be approaching the finish line; Regeneron also has a significant number of candidates in earlier-stage trials.

All of this is positive because, even if only a portion of these candidates reaches commercialization, Regeneron may see growth take off in the coming years. And its deep pipeline ensures that growth will continue over time, with new launches to compensate for declines in older drugs.

Right now, Regeneron is trading for 17x forward earnings estimates, down from more than 25x in the second half of 2024. Considering this biotech's track record of growth and its solid pipeline, it's a no-brainer buy at these levels -- and a stock you won't want to let go.