Market Signal Briefing

15h05 ▪ 5 min read ▪ by Mikaia A.

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They were said to be moribund. Swallowed by the crisis shaking the crypto industry. Memecoins smelled burnt. Yet, Pump.fun just pulled out the big guns. The Solana platform changes the rules of the game. Gone are the days of creators pocketing fees without working: room for traders. A 180-degree turn that makes the crypto-sphere vibrate. Explanations.

In brief Pump.fun modified its rules so that creators return their fees to traders instead of pocketing them. The platform’s revenues collapsed from 148 million dollars in January 2025 to 31.8 million one year later. Out of 58.7 million wallets, fewer than 13,700 users became millionaires on Pump.fun. PUMP’s spot volume jumped 56% in 24 hours after the Cashback Coins announcement. The Pump.fun revolution: end of privileges for ghost creators Pump.fun opened its eyes after the launch of Pump Fund. Out of its 58.7 million wallets, a tiny fraction really benefited from the system. The numbers hit like a guillotine: 4.76 million earned between 1,000 and 10,000 dollars. Fewer than 13,700 became millionaires. Meanwhile, ghost creators stacked fees without bringing anything. The platform therefore decided to react.

“Not all tokens deserve Creator Fees“, Pump.fun stated on X. “However, many tokens succeed without a team or project leader, disproportionately rewarding deployers who do not deserve these fees.”

Specifically, creators must now choose before launch. Either they keep the 0.3% fees, or they fully return them to traders. An irrevocable decision that lets the market decide.

Memecoins in crisis: the collapse of fees that changed everything This shift is not a whim. It is a matter of pure survival. In January 2025, Pump.fun collected 148.1 million dollars in fees. An absolute record in memecoin history. In January 2026, only 31.8 million remained. The drop is dizzying: minus 75.6% in one year. February follows the same worrying slope. The urgency is there, raw, relentless.

CEO Alon admitted in January: the old system encouraged low-risk tokens, not true trading. It had to change or die. So Pump.fun changes strategy. And tries to restart the engine with Cashback Coins. The first effects are already visible. PUMP’s spot volume jumped 56% in 24 hours.

110 million dollars moved through the platform. Traders are coming back to sniff out the good deal. But the path remains strewn with obstacles.

Cashback Coins: the bold bet dividing the crypto community One big unknown remains: will it really work? The community wonders. Coos, a well-known X user, asks the uncomfortable question:

Won’t this reduce incentives for devs? Devs will have fewer reasons to push the coins over time, since the most lucrative moment is when the coins are still on pf. Let’s hope not to see more quick farms than we already have.

With fewer fees at stake, will creators still launch memecoins? Or will we see an explosion of express farms to grab cashback? The PUMP token sends mixed signals. At 0.002179 dollar, it compresses under a downtrend line. Volumes pick up again, but RSI remains below 50. Buyers have not regained control. The bet is on. Verdict in the coming weeks.

The state of Pump.fun in numbers

58.7 million: number of wallets that interacted with the platform; Only 13,700 reached millionaire status on Pump.fun; -75.6%: the dizzying drop in fees between 2025 and 2026; 0.002179 $: the price of the PUMP token at the time of writing; 56%: the increase in spot volume in 24h after the Cashback Coins announcement. As for the suspicions of cash out on Kraken that stirred the community, answers have already been provided by the team. Pump.fun’s future is at stake in this troubled period. Its new model appeals to traders but angers some creators. Will it find the magic balance? The survival of memecoins may depend on it. The crypto industry holds its breath.

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Mikaia A.

La révolution blockchain et crypto est en marche ! Et le jour où les impacts se feront ressentir sur l’économie la plus vulnérable de ce Monde, contre toute espérance, je dirai que j’y étais pour quelque chose

DISCLAIMER

The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this article belong solely to the author, and should not be taken as investment advice. Do your own research before taking any investment decisions.

TL;DR

Satoshi’s one million BTC and the old addresses could require a freeze if quantum computing manages to compromise Bitcoin. Roughly 6.89 million Bitcoins could become exposed. The protocol would require an upgrade to mitigate the risk, but a social consensus to freeze dormant coins would take time. The CEO of CryptoQuant, Ki Young Ju, stated that the 1 million BTC attributed to Satoshi Nakamoto could need to be frozen if quantum computing reaches the capability to attack Bitcoin. His proposal also includes the old addresses that have held unmoved coins for years.

According to Ju, under certain conditions, a sufficiently powerful quantum machine could derive a private key from a public key exposed on the blockchain. Once a public key appears on-chain, the risk remains indefinitely. In that scenario, a coin that appears secure today could become transferable by an attacker.

How Many BTC Are at Risk? The executive maintains that the Bitcoin protocol will require an upgrade to mitigate that risk. Users who fail to adopt that improvement would remain exposed. The alternative for the old coins would be a protocol-level freeze or the possibility that they end up in the hands of quantum attackers.

Approximately 6.89 million BTC are vulnerable to potential quantum attacks. Of that total, 1.91 million BTC correspond to P2PK addresses that inherently display the public key. Up to 4.98 million BTC may have exposed a public key in prior transactions. In addition, 3.4 million BTC have remained dormant for more than a decade, including the 1 million Bitcoins linked to Satoshi.

The Factor of Social Debate and Consensus Ju notes that, at present, a quantum attack against Bitcoin is not economically viable. However, a sharp reduction in the cost of that technology would alter that balance. The volume of Bitcoins at risk represents hundreds of billions of dollars at current prices, which would constitute a sufficient incentive if the technological barrier declines.

The CEO recalls that the Bitcoin community took more than three years to resolve the block size debate and that the process resulted in hard forks. He also points out that the SegWit2x proposal failed to secure sufficient support. A decision to freeze dormant coins would follow a similar dynamic. Ju states that technical solutions move quickly, while social consensus requires more time

Traders and long-term holders must justify the tax deductions, and Singapore successfully removes the burden completely. Bitcoin capital gains tax is a prime concern in a lot of countries, and Singapore has removed that friction for eligible investors. Singapore is once again gaining limelight in the crypto industry, as it has removed capital gains tax on Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. This initiative has strengthened Singapore’s crypto tax policies and sends a strong message to global investors. 

Over a prolonged period, Singapore has made a reputation for financial stability and regulatory clarity. Now, this 0% crypto tax strengthens its aim to lead digital finance in Asia. Investors do not worry about Bitcoin capital gains tax killing profits. 

This flips the game for high net worth individuals and institutions. Crypto markets reply swiftly to regulatory shifts. When a prominent economy offers tax clarity and 0 capital gains tax, investors pay attention. This will also help in intensifying capital inflows and reshaping regional competition, and other countries may soon apply after seeing this. 

Investors always look for efficiency, and taxes, in most cases, control where capital flows. And, with Singapore’s 0% crypto tax, investors are eligible to keep their complete gains from long-term Bitcoin holdings, and the country gets a massive edge over high-tax jurisdictions.

Removing The Burden  A lot of countries apply Bitcoin capital gains tax rates between 15% and 30%. Traders and long-term holders must justify those deductions, and Singapore successfully removes the burden completely. This makes a captivating environment for wealth preservation and portfolio growth. 

This policy lines up with the wider strategy of Singapore. The nation highly backs crypto-friendly regulation while maintaining strict compliance standards. Regulators aim at anti-money laundering and investor protection, not punishing revolution. With this balance, the ecosystem became stronger and more sustainable. 

Bitcoin capital gains tax is a prime concern in a lot of countries, and Singapore has removed that friction for eligible investors. This makes powerful incentives for relocation and asset restructuring. Although, investors must adhere to residency rules and compliance obligations. With this, Singapore has made a defining movement in the crypto industry. 

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High-risk ‘shitcoin’ volumes contracted; 50% drop remains unverifiedTrading activity in high‑risk altcoins has contracted, but the headline claim of a 50% drop is not independently verified in the available reporting. The observable signal is thinner order books and reduced turnover across smaller tokens, which elevates execution costs and slippage even without a confirmed headline figure.

Capital appears to be rotating toward Bitcoin and other deep‑liquidity majors rather than exiting news/crypto/”>crypto entirely. This rotation can suppress measured volume in the long tail while masking risk via temporarily stable prices until liquidity shocks surface.

Why it matters: Bitcoin dominance and ETF inflows guide rotationCapital concentration changes market structure. As reported by crypto.news, analysis tied to CryptoQuant describes “structural liquidity exhaustion” in altcoins and notes capital crowding into Bitcoin‑oriented ETFs and corporate treasuries, bypassing smaller tokens.

In such phases, Bitcoin dominance often rises because institutions prioritize regulated wrappers and two‑sided markets with deeper depth. That can leave smaller assets reliant on speculative flows, heightening gap‑risk and widening spreads during stress.

At the time of this writing, Bitcoin trades near $67,500, and 24‑hour turnover is roughly in the mid‑teens billions of dollars, presented as contextual market data.

BingX: a trusted exchange delivering real advantages for traders at every level.

For traders, thinner altcoin books mean more slippage per unit of size and a higher risk that stop orders fill outside intended ranges. Liquidity providers may retrench to majors, reducing passive depth and making long‑tail prices more jumpy.

Portfolio risk skews toward correlation and funding strain when rotation accelerates. Managing clip size, using firm quotes, and monitoring per‑pair depth becomes as important as headline price moves.

Signals to track this rotation and liquidity stressCryptoQuant’s Ki Young Ju flags drying altcoin liquidity; Coinbase Institutional contextOne analytics leader has warned that altcoin liquidity is fading, underscoring that many projects lack access to durable external demand. “Altcoin liquidity is drying up. If your altcoin is not playing the liquidity game, its long-term risk is likely high,” said Ki Young Ju, CEO at CryptoQuant.

Institutional flows also help explain rotation dynamics; as reported by Cointelegraph, Coinbase Institutional’s head of strategy has highlighted sovereign wealth funds accumulating Bitcoin even as retail participation wanes.

Liquidity concentration: depth in BTC/ETH/SOL vs long-tail altcoinsDepth tends to pool in BTC, ETH, and SOL pairs on major venues, where market makers operate reliably across cycles. Long‑tail tokens often depend on speculative bursts; when those fade, spreads widen and execution quality deteriorates.

FAQ about altcoin liquidityWhy are funds rotating from altcoins into Bitcoin right now?Structural liquidity has tightened in smaller tokens while regulated Bitcoin vehicles attract flows, concentrating depth and lowering execution risk in the majors.

Which metrics best track this rotation: Bitcoin dominance, ETF inflows, order book depth, or stablecoin exchange flows?Track Bitcoin dominance, spot etf net flows, per‑pair order‑book depth, and stablecoin exchange flows together to confirm rotation breadth and liquidity stress.

DISCLAIMER: The information on this website is provided as general market commentary and does not constitute investment advice. We encourage you to do your own research before investing.

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Bitcoin price remained in a tight range this week, and the waning Coinbase Premium Index points to more downside as institutional demand wanes.

Summary

Bitcoin price has formed a bearish pennant pattern on the daily chart. The Coinbase Premium Index has remained in the red, a sign of weak demand from the US. Futures open interest has continued falling this month. Bitcoin (BTC) was trading at $67,420 on Wednesday, down modestly from last weekend’s high of over $70,000. It has slumped by double digits from its all-time high of $126,300.

One major risk facing Bitcoin is that institutional demand has largely waned in the United States, which explains why the Coinbase Premium Index has remained in the red throughout this year. Coinbase is the most preferred platform for Bitcoin investing by American investors.

Coinbase Premium Index | Source: CoinGlass Additionally, only a handful of Bitcoin treasury companies are accumulating Bitcoin as they did last year. Strategy continued buying Bitcoin last week, bringing its total holdings to over 717,000. American Bitcoin and Strive have also bought Bitcoin this year.

Meanwhile, SoSoValue’s data shows that spot Bitcoin ETF outflows have jumped in the past few months. All these funds have shed over $8 billion in assets since October last year, and the trend is continuing.

According to Bloomberg, institutions have largely given up on Bitcoin because it has not fulfilled its role as a hedge against inflation and equity market stress. It has also not served its perceived role as a hedge against currency debasement.

Bitcoin’s futures open interest has continued falling in the past few months and now sits at $44 billion, down sharply from last year’s high of over $95 billion. Also, demand for borrowed exposure on CME has remained muted into the past few months.

Bitcoin price technical analysis suggests a crash BTC price chart | Source: crypto.news  The daily timeframe chart shows that Bitcoin price is flashing red alerts. For example, the coin is slowly forming a large bearish pennant pattern. It has already completed forming the vertical line and is now in the process of forming the triangle section.

The Supertrend indicator has remained red since January 19 this year. It has also remained below the 50-day and 100-day Exponential Moving Averages.

Therefore, the coin will likely continue falling, with the initial target being the year-to-date low of $60,000. A drop below that level will signal further downside, potentially to the psychological $50,000 level, as Standard Chartered analysts predicted last week.

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HYLQ Strategy Corp has completed a strategic digital asset investment in qLABS, acquiring qONE tokens in an over-the-counter transaction with the Quantum Labs Foundation.

The qONE token trades on the booming Hyperliquid platform and is the native token of the qLABS ecosystem. HYLQ Strategy is the second public company to invest in quantum-safe tokens. qLABS partner 01 Quantum, as a founding member, is also a holder of qONE tokens.

According to the terms of the agreement shared in a company press release, HYLQ purchased 18,333,334 qONE tokens for an aggregate purchase price of $0.006 in an investment totalling $100,000, inclusive of bonus tokens.

The transaction was executed directly with the Quantum Labs Foundation and settled in USDC. This strategic investment represents HYLQ’s commitment to supporting quantum-resistant infrastructure within the Hyperliquid ecosystem, making this the first institutional investment in quantum-safe cryptographic solutions built natively on Hyperliquid.

qLABS is the world’s first quantum-native crypto foundation, developing blockchain solutions resistant to quantum computing threats.

qLABS Launching Quantum-Safe Protection for Digital Assets The foundation will launch the Quantum-Sig smart contract wallet to provide quantum-safe protection for digital assets at the user and asset level.

A separate L1 Migration Toolkit is in the works. Its design will help Layer-1 blockchains transition their core infrastructure to quantum-resistant cryptography ahead of Q-Day. Q-Day is the anticipated moment when quantum computers become powerful enough to break current cryptographic systems.

The qONE token, launched on Hyperliquid on 6 February 2026, serves as the ecosystem utility token, granting access to quantum-resilient wallet functions, protocol governance, and the broader quantum-safe infrastructure developed by qLABS.

qLABS leverages IronCAP™ by 01 Quantum Inc. (TSXV: ONE), a NIST-approved post-quantum cryptography system.

HYLQ Strategy CEO Matt Zahab, commenting on the company’s investment in qLABS’ Quantum Labs Foundation, said:

“As quantum computing advances toward Q-Day, protecting crypto assets from quantum threats is becoming increasingly critical.”

He added: “qLABS is building essential quantum-resistant infrastructure natively on Hyperliquid, addressing a systemic risk that threatens the entire blockchain industry. This investment aligns perfectly with HYLQ’s mandate to support innovative companies within the Hyperliquid ecosystem that are building foundational infrastructure for the future of decentralized finance.”

HYLQ Stock Price is up 28.5% YTDYear-to-date, HYLQ Strategy (HYLQ:CNSX CA) stock is up 28.5% at CAD0.90. In addition to its primary Canadian listing, the stock also trades over-the-counter in the US (HYLQF: OTCMKTS US). HYLQ is not to be confused with the competing digital asset treasury company, Hyperliquid Strategies (PURR), which trades on the Nasdaq.

According to Ada Jonuse, Executive Director at qLABS, qONE owners will be able to stake their tokens to earn yield and acquire protocol governance rights.

This means that HYLQ – at some point in the future – may be able to generate yield for its shareholders as a direct result of its $100,000 investment in qONE. An exact date for staking going live is yet to be revealed.

“Staking and governance participation are features to be enabled further down the roadmap when our core products are live and implemented in a full operational environment,” Jonuse explains.

“Because our 100% focus lies on security, in the early stage of the ecosystem, key decisions will be taken by the core team with gradual decentralization envisioned over the years.”

The centralization risk is acknowledged and mitigated through staking-based governance participation, time-weighted and activity-weighted voting, and progressive decentralization as emissions and unlocks occur.

Governance is expected to decentralize meaningfully as protocol usage grows.

Staking rewards will be set dynamically, which means yield is determined by the size of the staking pool, protocol usage, and fee generation, as well as the staker’s proportional contribution.

Jonuse says this approach “aligns incentives with real economic activity rather than fixed inflation.”

The price of the qONE token has been on a bullish run since launch, but the discounted token price offered to HYLQ triggered a sharp pullback, followed by an equally sharp bounceback. qONE was trading at $$0.01569 in the European morning session.

Why launching qONE on Hyperliquid was probably a smart moveSince last year’s 10 October record liquidation event, which wiped out $19 billion in value and marked the start of the current bear market, Hyperliquid and its native HYPE token have decoupled from other crypto assets.

While Bitcoin and Ethereum struggle with institutional outflows, retail investor apathy, and stagnant price action, HYPE surged to new highs, recently trading around $30.05.

YTD Performance Comparison (1 Jan – 17 Feb 2026)

Asset Price (1 Jan 2026)Price (17 Feb 2026)YTD ReturnHYPE~$25.00$30.05+20.2%Bitcoin (BTC)$88,731.99$68,000.00-23.4%Ethereum (ETH)~$3,000.00$1,988.56-33.7%Launching on Hyperliquid is looking increasingly like a very smart move by the qLABS team. As Jonuse points out, “Hyperliquid is a top player in DeFi and soon a venue for trading pretty much all assets on-chain.

“While Quantum-Sig wallet technology will protect any EVM or Solana assets, and our core innovation can be used to upgrade any smart contract-based chain, we are launching on Hyperliquid to highlight the importance of this chain.

“Launching $qONE on Hyperliquid positions us at the intersection of cutting-edge security infrastructure and an actively expanding ecosystem, allowing $qONE to benefit not only from technical alignment but also from narrative-driven adoption and visibility.”

Two of the most easily-recognizable financial giants are joining forces together to examine XRP’s payment rails as adoption buzz grows.

Market Sentiment:

Bullish Bearish Neutral

Published: February 18, 2026 │ 2:29 PM GMT

Created by Kornelija Poderskytė from DailyCoin

Two of Wall Street’s biggest names are reportedly exploring how the XRP Ledger could fit into their digital-asset plumbing, a sign that blockchain experimentation is drifting back toward the mainstream after a year dominated by cautious pilots and quieter balance sheets.

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The freshest industry reports say BlackRock, Franklin Templeton & Mastercard have been evaluating possible integration paths that would use the XRP Ledger for payments-adjacent rails and settlement-style workflows. Details appear preliminary and, in some versions of the reporting, framed as exploratory rather than a committed buildout.

What’s being Explored & What Isn’t Confirmed YetThe thrust of the discussions centers on interoperability: how a public blockchain network could connect with existing financial infrastructure without forcing institutions to take on unnecessary custody, volatility, or compliance risk. The XRP Ledger’s pitch, as described in circulating accounts, is speed and cost efficiency for moving value and data.

📢 $XRP: Slowly, Then All At Once?
Odelia Torteman, Director of Corporate Adoption at XRPL Commons, confirmed that Global Institutions (BlackRock, Mastercard) are Evaluating the XRP Ledger for Real-World Financial Applications 🌐 pic.twitter.com/O2dSsiRW8z

— 🇬🇧 ChartNerd 📊 (@ChartNerdTA) February 17, 2026 What remains unclear is the scope. There’s no definitive timeline, no confirmed product launch, and no indication that either firm has selected the XRP Ledger as an exclusive option. Market watchers noted the language around “exploring” matters—large institutions often run parallel proofs of concept before committing to a single stack.

Why This Serves a Game-Changer For The MarketThe timing lands in a broader crypto cycle where narrative has swung back toward “real-world” use cases: payments, settlement, tokenization, and compliance-friendly rails. Even without a formal announcement, the idea of blue-chip firms evaluating a specific public network can quickly influence sentiment around that ecosystem and its developer activity.

It also speaks to an ongoing strategic tension for traditional finance: private, permissioned systems are easier to control, but public networks offer liquidity, network effects, and rapid iteration. Any serious attempt to bridge the two—especially by household financial brands—tends to draw attention from investors looking for signals of institutional direction.

If the exploration moves forward, the next meaningful checkpoints would likely be technical validation, compliance framing, and a clearly defined use case that can be tested without exposing either firm to outsized operational or reputational risk.

Delve into DailyCoin’s hottest crypto news right now:
Clarity Act Looks Close, But Banks & The Industry Keep Clashing
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DailyCoin's Vibe Check: Which way are you leaning towards after reading this article?

Market Sentiment

100% Bullish

This article is for information purposes only and should not be considered trading or investment advice. Nothing herein shall be construed as financial, legal, or tax advice. Trading forex, cryptocurrencies, and CFDs pose a considerable risk of loss.

Bitcoin Cash Sets Multiple Records in February Amid Extreme Market Fear Prefer us on Google

Bitcoin Cash breaks records despite prolonged cryptocurrency market downturn.Average transaction values surge, signaling renewed large investor activity.Layla upgrade expectations drive accumulation and bullish price forecasts.As the cryptocurrency market endures a prolonged downturn that began last September, Bitcoin Cash (BCH) has emerged as an unexpected bright spot. In February 2026, BCH broke several key records, reinforcing the network’s resilience amid heightened uncertainty.

Why are holders choosing to stay with BCH? And how could this trend influence its price?

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Average Transaction Value on the BCH Network SurgesThe most striking milestone came in February, when the average transaction value on the BCH network surged past $2 million. This marks an all-time high since the network forked from Bitcoin in 2017.

For comparison, the average transaction value on the BCH network last year hovered around $20,000. The current figure represents a 100-fold increase.

Bitcoin Cash Average Transaction Value. Source: BitinfochartsHistorical data shows that spikes in average transaction value have tended to precede major price rallies, as seen in 2018 and 2021. The new record suggests that large investors may be returning to the market.

Another notable record highlights BCH’s relative strength amid widespread market fear: Bitcoin Cash Dominance (BCH.D), which measures BCH’s market capitalization as a share of the total crypto market.

Data from TradingView shows that since last September, nearly $2 trillion has exited the broader crypto market. Despite this capital outflow, BCH.D has climbed steadily from 0.25% to 0.48%. This marks its highest level since April 2024.

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Crypto Total Market Cap vc. Bitcoin Cash Dominance. Source: TradingViewThe rise in BCH.D during a period of market-wide capital withdrawal suggests that many holders are retaining their BCH positions. This dynamic has helped the asset maintain a price level around $560 for several consecutive months.

Layla Upgrade Fuels OptimismWhy are holders accumulating and holding BCH? Expectations surrounding the upcoming Layla upgrade may provide the answer. The upgrade is scheduled to be activated in May 2026.

The Layla upgrade represents one of the most significant updates to the Bitcoin Cash network since its fork. According to BCH developer Jason Dreyzehner, the upgrade will enhance token utility, improve resistance to quantum computing threats, and strengthen privacy features.

The announcement has intensified discussions about BCH and drawn increased investor attention.

“CT starts shilling BCH. Triggers are simple, but will it work out as with ZEC, XMR, and other privacy?” investor Hexdrunker said.

A recent analysis by BeInCrypto suggests that positive sentiment surrounding the Layla upgrade could push BCH toward $650 in the near term.

Disclaimer

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Ten years after the famous hack, the DAO Security Fund has decided to stake the untouched ETH and use the yield to fund Ethereum security initiatives, honor claims indefinitely, and professionalize governance and key management. Feb 18, 2026, 1:00 p.m.

In the summer of 2016, the Decentralized Autonomous Organization, known as the DAO, became the defining crisis of Ethereum’s early years. A smart contract exploit siphoned millions of dollars’ worth of ether (ETH) from that initial project, and the community’s response — a contentious hard fork to recover those funds, splintered the original chain from the current one, leaving the old chain behind, known as Ethereum Classic.

The DAO was once the largest crowdfunding effort in crypto’s history, but faded into a cautionary tale of governance, security, and the limits of “code is law.”

STORY CONTINUES BELOW

Now, nearly a decade later, that story has taken an unexpected turn. What was lost, or rather, left untouched, is being repurposed as a ~$150 million (at today’s prices) security endowment for the Ethereum ecosystem.

The endowment, known now as the DAO Security Fund, will stake some of the 75,000 dormant ether (ETH) and deploy the yield through community-driven funding rounds to support Ethereum security research, tooling and rapid-response efforts, while keeping claims open for any remaining eligible token holders.

At the center of this story is Griff Green, one of the original DAO curators and a veteran of Ethereum decentralized governance.

“When the DAO hack happened [in 2016], obviously, I jumped into action and basically led everything but the hard fork,” Green said of assembling the white hat group that rescued funds on the original Ethereum chain. “We hacked all these hackers. It was straight up DAO wars”.

That effort, alongside others, helped salvage funds that might otherwise have been lost forever.

At the time, the hard fork restored roughly 97% of the DAO’s funds to token holders, but left a small fraction, roughly 3%, in limbo. These “edge case” funds came from quirks of the original smart contracts: people who paid more than expected, those who burned tokens to form sub-DAOs, and other anomalies that didn’t cleanly map back.

Over time, that leftover balance, once only worth a few million, ballooned into something far more significant due to ether’s [ETH] appreciation. “The value of the funds we control has grown dramatically… well over 75,000 ETH,” a blog post for the new DAO fund states.

Green and his fellow curators have spent the last decade quietly helping people recover funds and managing these residual balances. But as he tells it, the landscape has shifted. “Six volunteers were securing $300 million with decade keys. It didn’t make sense,” he told CoinDesk in an interview. “With all these AI hacks and stuff, we just got kind of scared.” Their old security model simply is no longer fit to guard nine-figure sums, Green shared.

Rather than let these funds sit idle in perpetuity, the team has decided to stake the ETH and use the yield to fund Ethereum security initiatives, honor claims indefinitely, and professionalize governance and key management. “We can stake these funds, keep claims open forever, and use the staking rewards to fund Ethereum security projects,” Green explained.

The fund will distribute capital through decentralized mechanisms such as quadratic funding, retroactive public goods funding, and ranked-choice voting for proposals.

'Financial backbone of the world'For Green, the revival is also personal.

The DAO hack was Ethereum’s first existential test, exposing how experimental the ecosystem still was. Nearly a decade later, he argues, the industry remains vulnerable in different ways.

“MetaMask, hot wallet keys, just any kind of private keys on your daily driver computer is probably the main fuel for a whole cyber crime industry,” Green said. “The fact that we have hot keys with billions of dollars sitting on like 10,000 laptops spread out throughout the world has an industry of cybercrime.”

The persistence of hacks, phishing schemes and smart contract exploits frustrates him. “Not only amazes me, it disappoints me and frustrates me,” he said, describing the state of Ethereum security today.

That urgency is shaping how the new fund will operate. Unlike the Ethereum Foundation’s more top-down grantmaking process, the DAO Security Fund is designed as a bottom-up experiment, allowing participants in the DAO to decide how to distribute funds. Round operators will apply to distribute funds, security experts will help set eligibility standards, and staking rewards will provide a renewable pool of capital.

If Ethereum is to become what many believe it is, the core infrastructure for global finance, Green says security must come first.

“Ethereum is at the cusp of being the financial backbone of the world, if it fixes security,” he said.

The DAO Security Fund, in Green’s view, is therefore both a continuation of unfinished work and a forward-looking vehicle for safeguarding Ethereum as it scales.

Read more: Ethereum OGs revive the DAO with $220 million security fund, Unchained reports

AI Disclaimer: Parts of this article were generated with the assistance from AI tools and reviewed by our editorial team to ensure accuracy and adherence to our standards. For more information, see CoinDesk's full AI Policy.

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A misconfigured Chainlink price oracle on DeFi lender Moonwell briefly valued Coinbase Wrapped ETH (cbETH) at about $1 instead of roughly $2,200.

What to know:

A misconfigured Chainlink price oracle on DeFi lender Moonwell briefly valued Coinbase Wrapped ETH (cbETH) at about $1 instead of roughly $2,200, leaving the protocol with nearly $1.8 million in bad debt.The error, triggered by a governance-approved oracle change that used only the cbETH-to-ETH ratio, allowed liquidation bots to seize 1,096.317 cbETH as if it were nearly worthless and enabled some users to borrow cheaply against minimal collateral.Moonwell quickly cut supply and borrow caps but could not immediately correct the oracle due to a required governance vote and five-day timelock, underscoring how critical and fragile price oracles are for DeFi applications.

The ETF aims to provide investors with a regulated and convenient way to gain exposure to SUI without requiring direct acquisition, storage, or management of the underlying token.

Grayscale Investments has rolled out a new exchange-traded product that gives investors exposure to SUI, the native token of the Sui Network, while seeking to generate returns through network staking, according to a Wednesday announcement.

The fund, called Grayscale Sui Staking ETF, trades on NYSE Arca under the ticker GSUI. Operating as a passive vehicle, it aims to track the value of SUI held, including any SUI earned through staking once eligibility conditions are met.

The ETF charges a 0.35% annual management fee, though Grayscale is waiving this charge for the first three months or until the fund reaches $1 billion in assets under management.

Krista Lynch, Grayscale’s SVP of ETF Capital Markets, said that the launch of GSUI represents a milestone in bringing exchange-traded access to the Sui ecosystem.

“GSUI is structured to provide investors with exposure to SUI and its staking activity through an ETP, offering a convenient way to gain exposure to a network designed for scalable, real-world applications,” Lynch noted.

For the Sui Network, the launch reinforces its increasing traction among institutional players due to its scalable infrastructure and financial backing, according to Adeniyi Abiodun, Co-Founder and Chief Product Officer at Mysten Labs.

“This milestone further cements Sui’s growing role in the institutional adoption of digital assets, as Sui is backed with both the infrastructure required to support real-world applications at scale and the trust of leading financial partners,” Abiodun stated.

The Sui network employs a delegated proof-of-stake system where token holders assign their holdings to validators who confirm transactions. Historical yields from this process have ranged between 1.7% and 1.9% annually after fees.

Currently, Grayscale offers more than 40 investment products encompassing over 45 digital assets. It was the first US company to introduce Bitcoin and Ethereum ETPs.

In the past month, BTC selling revealed the steepest capitulation since 2022. The Aggregate 30D Realized Cap turned sharply negative, showing the ongoing absorption of real losses. 

The BTC downturn from $90,000 to the $60,000 range was caused by the steepest capitulation since 2022. The market downturn showed multiple sources of selling pressure, coming from ETFs, strategic trader whales, as well as long-term holders.

This time around, the supply of stablecoins has remained flat, with no new minting and inflows of liquidity. 

In early February, signs of a market capitulation were already present, and the selling has only deepened. At the current price range, the question of a local market bottom is still uncertain. Previous deep capitulations could continue for a while before a price reversal. 

For BTC, even a price rally may not be enough to sustain a lasting recovery, as some holders may sell at or near their breakeven levels. 

The ongoing capitulation kept BTC stuck in a range above $67,000, as any attempts to break out above $70,000 led to selling. The capitulation may continue, as predictions see BTC sliding as low as $50,000. 

BTC realized cap declines as selling continues The BTC realized market cap has been in decline since the October 2025 downturn. The metric is still a lagging indicator, which shifts more slowly. Some of the selling in the past months was still at a relatively high range. 

Currently, only 55% of the BTC supply is held in profit, down from over 99% in October 2025. The longer period of weakening prices has led to a mix of strategic selling, panic, and capitulation. 

The BTC supply in profit fell sharply from 99% in October, down to around 55%, putting pressure even on older wallets. | Source: Cryptoquant A significant part of the selling may be due to forced liquidations, rather than deliberate shedding of positions. Despite this, some notable whales have started to divest, with ongoing BTC inflows into Binance in the past month. The other major source of price pressure may be a miner capitulation as pools now more actively sell off their rewards. 

The recent selling also keeps the BTC fear and greed index in the “extreme fear” territory at 12 points, with almost no recovery in the past few days. 

Is BTC facing a longer bear market? The short-term price movements for BTC may include rallies to a higher price range. Sideways trading is also a possibility. 

There is no consensus for the end of the drawdown, and for some, the directionless trading may continue until the end of the year. 

BTC is now down by 45% from its price record, moving with continued losses for 135 days since the peak. Previous price cycles have shown that over 200 days are often spent in sideways trading, while rallies last only a few weeks or even days.

For now, silent accumulation may continue, but selling pressure remains, and a local bottom for BTC is expected at a later stage in the cycle.

Grayscale Investments announced that its Sui Staking ETF (GSUI) is set to begin trading on NYSE Arca. The product allows for gaining SUI exposure while earning staking rewards, historically ranging between 1.7% and 3.3% annually. Grayscale Investments officially announced that it is launching its staking-enabled SUI exchange-traded fund, the Grayscale Sui Staking ETF, which will begin trading on the NYSE Arca on Wednesday through the X post under the ticker symbol of $GSUI.

Grayscale Sui Staking ETF became auto-effective with an 8-A filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and also submitted a CERT filing on February 17, which signals an approval from NYSE Arca for the listing and trading of Sui ETF shares. 

As mentioned before, Bank of New York Mellon will serve as the transfer agent and the administrator of the Grayscale Sui Staking ETF. Meanwhile, Coinbase is named as the prime broker, and Coinbase Custody Trust Company as the custodian of the trust.

The product represents a significant evolution beyond traditional spot Bitcoin or Ethereum ETFs and specifically provides investors with exposure to the SUI crypto while simultaneously getting the rewards from staking those underlying assets on the Sui blockchain network. As Sui staking rewards have historically an average annual yield for SUI staking rewards that ranges from 1.7% to 3.3%.

With the new (GSUI product, Grayscale intends to draw in investors who are curious about the Sui ecosystem by giving them a way to interact with the digital asset market through a regulated exchange. Grayscale’s product selection continues to grow with the launch of $GSUI, meeting the increasing demand for cryptocurrency investment options.

SUI Price Update The price of the SUI is at $0.9774, at the time of writing, as the price moved slightly higher intraday, but the token remains down more than 37% over the past month, and the 24-hour trading volume has fallen by over 22%, which indicates reduced participation and weak confidence among traders.

Meanwhile, the Coinglass derivatives data shows open interest standing at approximately $510.68 million, with a 0.37% increase over the past hour and a 0.01% rise over four hours. With that, SUI appears to be consolidating near the psychologically important $1 level, with declining spot activity but slightly rising derivatives. 

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This Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026, XRP tests its 200-week moving average, altcoins register a five-year cumulative sell extreme and Arthur Hayes maps two Bitcoin paths as AI-driven credit stress builds.

Bitcoin is still in the $60,000-$69,000 range after a reset from October 2025 highs, while XRP defends a structural level that has historically defined cycle pivots. Meanwhile, CryptoQuant data shows $209 billion in cumulative net selling across altcoins over 13 months.

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XRP is holding its 200-week moving average near the $1.40-$1.50 zone.Altcoins show -$209 billion cumulative buy/sell difference since January 2025.Arthur Hayes outlines "deflation-first, QE-later" roadmap for Bitcoin.XRP holds 200-week supportThe weekly chart by TradingView remains, probably, the main point of view for XRP. Where it differs from other time frames is the illustration of how the price of XRP is compressing directly above the 200-week moving average, currently around the $1.42 region. Price action is stabilizing near $1.47 after repeated tests of this band, a level that historically separates structural bull phases from prolonged bear markets.

The 200-week MA is not a short-term trading indicator. It is a long-cycle equilibrium reference. In prior cycles, weekly closes below this metric often triggered multi-month weakness, while sustained defenses marked accumulation zones.

XRP/USD Weekly Chart by TradingViewMomentum indicators show fading strength. RSI has rolled over from prior peaks and now sits in the midrange, indicating neither oversold capitulation nor bullish expansion. The broader structure reflects distribution since the October 2025 peak.

XRP is not collapsing yet. The price of the coin is compressing at a level institutions monitor. In an environment where altcoin liquidity is deteriorating, holding a 200-week support becomes a relative strength signal.

If this band fails on high volume, the next historical demand pocket aligns closer to the $1 region, where prior capitulation zones formed. If it holds and weekly closes build above $1.60, recovery becomes technically credible.

XRP is a binary zone right now.

Altcoins face worst sell-off since 2021: CryptoQuantAccording to the latest CryptoQuant research, the one-year cumulative buy/sell quote volume difference for altcoins, excluding Bitcoin and Ethereum, shows -$209 billion since January 2025. That is a five-year extreme.

The chart does reflect 13 consecutive months of net CEX spot outflows. The last equilibrium between demand and supply occurred in January 2025, when cumulative flow was near zero. Since then, the line has moved in one direction.

Key data points:

Cumulative buy/sell difference: -$209 billion.Duration: 13 months of continuous net selling.Bitcoin reference: $68,800 versus $125,000+ October 2025 ATH.It is fair to say, based on CryptoQuant data, that this is not rotation within altcoins but capital exiting the segment as retail participation has withdrawn, smart money rotated and no institutional altcoin accumulation is visible on centralized spot venues. 

Altcoin Sell Pressure Just Hit a 5-Year Extreme

“Retail is out. Smart money rotated. No institutional alt accumulation in sight. This is not a dip. It's 13 months of continuous net selling on CEX spot.” – By @IT_Tech_PL pic.twitter.com/xtu8MIK0Fd

— CryptoQuant.com (@cryptoquant_com) February 18, 2026 The absence of buyers matters for XRP and all non-BTC majors. Even strong technical supports weaken when structural liquidity drains. While Bitcoin retains macro narrative relevance, altcoins face structural demand decay.

Historically, multiquarter net selling periods end only when:

Macro liquidity expands, or,Capitulation produces forced seller exhaustion.At present, neither condition is confirmed.

Arthur Hayes shares two scenarios for Bitcoin amid "AI financial crisis"In his Feb. 18, 2026, Substack essay entitled "This is Fine," BitMEX cofounder Arthur Hayes describes Bitcoin as a "global fiat liquidity fire alarm" and warns of an emerging "AI financial crisis."

Bitcoin’s drop from $126,000 in October 2025 to roughly $60,000 occurred while the Nasdaq 100 remained relatively flat. Hayes interprets this divergence as early signaling of tightening dollar liquidity and deflationary pressure before traditional markets fully adjust.

BTC/USD Weekly Chart by TradingView with Hayes' Essay PostHis thesis centers on labor displacement. He estimates that a 20% reduction among 72.1 million U.S. white-collar workers, with average salaries near $85,000, could produce:

$330 billion in consumer credit defaults.$227 billion in mortgage losses.Approximately 13% write-down of total U.S. commercial bank equity.Smaller regional banks would fail first. Depositor runs would follow. Credit would freeze faster than during 2008 due to digital speed and AI amplification.

Hayes outlines two Bitcoin scenarios:

Scenario oneThe decline to $60,000 marked the majority of the downside. Equities eventually correct or stabilize. As soon as the Federal Reserve signals renewed quantitative easing in 2026, Bitcoin rebounds sharply.

Scenario twoBitcoin falls below $60,000 as equities, private credit and risk assets reprice the AI shock. Bank failures accelerate. Liquidity panic intensifies. Only then does the Fed deploy emergency stimulus, igniting a new cycle and sending Bitcoin to fresh all-time highs.

Both paths share the same structural arc: short-term deflationary pressure, followed by large-scale fiat expansion.

Hayes's tactical advice is consistent with prior cycles: preserve liquidity, limit leverage, accumulate when the policy reversal becomes visible.

Crypto market outlook as of February 2026The three segments connect through liquidity with XRP defending a long-cycle support, while altcoin liquidity registers a five-year extreme negative flow. Bitcoin is pricing macro stress earlier than equities. Hayes argues that monetary expansion in 2026 is inevitable once systemic pressure escalates.

Key levels to monitor:

Bitcoin: $60,000 as immediate macro pivot. Below this opens air toward prior consolidation zones. A reclamation of $70,000-$72,000 would signal stabilization.XRP: Weekly closes relative to the 200-week MA near $1.42. Loss of this level shifts risk toward $1. Recovery above $1.60 improves structural footing.If deflation intensifies before Fed intervention, risk assets face further repricing. If liquidity returns earlier, Bitcoin will likely lead the recovery, with select majors such as XRP following only after sustained capital inflow.

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American billionaire and founder of Bridgewater Associates, Ray Dalio, declared that the post-war world order has effectively collapsed. He said humanity has entered a period of “great disorder”, where traditional rules no longer apply, and international relations are increasingly guided by “might makes right.”

In a new LinkedIn essay, Dalio explained the current global situation using his “Grand Cycle” model, which tracks the rise, prosperity, and decline of dominant empires. He noted that the world is now in Stage 6, a phase marked by instability and the clash of major powers.

Dalio described Stage 6 as a period when great disorder arises due to the absence of rules, the dominance of might, and intense competition between powerful nations.

Comparisons with the 1930sDalio drew parallels between today’s geopolitical climate and the 1930s, when debt crises, protectionist policies, political extremism, and rising nationalism preceded World War II. He emphasized that major conflicts often begin with economic and financial pressures long before military action.

Source: LinkedInHe observed that countries historically waged tariff wars, froze assets, and imposed embargoes and financial restrictions prior to war — a pattern he likened to today’s “capital wars,” where sanctions and financial measures are central tools of confrontation.

Dalio identified the US-China rivalry, particularly over Taiwan, as the most significant strategic tension, noting that both confrontation and retreat carry high costs, either in lives and money or in the loss of status and influence.

Investment Advice and Monetary ConcernsDalio advised investors to reduce debt and increase exposure to gold, explaining that wars and crises are typically financed through borrowing and printing money, which devalues debt and currencies. He highlighted that gold remains a reliable store of value during times of conflict.

Source: CoinCodxxHe expressed skepticism about cryptocurrencies and central bank digital currencies (CBDCs), warning that such systems lack privacy and could grant governments unprecedented oversight and control over financial transactions. Dalio argued that digital currencies may allow governments to monitor all transactions and even freeze access to funds if needed.

He also highlighted that the traditional monetary order is weakening. According to Dalio, fiat currencies and debt no longer serve as stable stores of wealth in the same way, reflecting declining trust in central banks and global financial systems.

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Mubadala Investment Company disclosed ownership of 12.7 million shares of BlackRock iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT), valued at about $630.6 million as of Dec. 31, 2025, according to Reuters.

The disclosure comes via U.S. Form 13F, which captures end‑of‑quarter positions in U.S.-listed securities. The reported dollar value reflects period‑end pricing and may differ from intra‑quarter exposure.

The filing underscores Mubadala bitcoin etf holdings as a regulated pathway to spot Bitcoin exposure. It also provides visibility into institutional participation without implying broader policy endorsement.

Why it matters: Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth funds top $1B exposureTaken together with Al Warda Investments, abu dhabi sovereign wealth funds surpassed $1 billion of exposure to BlackRock’s spot Bitcoin ETF by year‑end 2025, as reported by e&.

The combined figure is material for signaling, not size, relative to the sector’s assets under management. It indicates growing comfort with regulated wrappers while acknowledging Bitcoin’s volatility and governance constraints.

Industry leaders increasingly frame such allocations as strategic, rather than tactical risk‑on bets. “It’s not a trade, you own it for a purpose,” said Larry Fink, CEO of BlackRock, referring to sovereign wealth fund interest in Bitcoin.

BingX: a trusted exchange delivering real advantages for traders at every level.

Mubadala’s position expands IBIT’s institutional holder base and may support secondary‑market liquidity. Primary creations and redemptions are driven by authorized participants, so a single holder’s increase does not set NAV.

In practice, the stake is a vote of confidence that can stabilize flows, yet outflows elsewhere could offset any effect. Net impact will depend on broader demand and Bitcoin market conditions.

At the time of this writing, Bitcoin is about $67,503 with very high 11.97% volatility and a 14‑day RSI near 35.8, based on provided metrics. Such context frames, but does not determine, ETF flow dynamics.

Methodology and ETF versus direct Bitcoin exposure13F timing and valuation basis for IBIT disclosuresUnder SEC Form 13F rules, institutional managers report positions as of quarter‑end, including share counts and a period‑end market value. Figures reflect U.S.-listed holdings only and are a snapshot in time.

IBIT is a spot Bitcoin ETF; its trust holds Bitcoin and seeks to track the coin’s price net of fees. Reported values can shift quickly with underlying BTC volatility.

Why sovereign funds may prefer IBIT over holding BTC directlySovereign investors may prefer ETFs like IBIT for regulated custody, audited NAV, standardized reporting, and exchange liquidity. The structure can simplify compliance, risk limits, and operational controls versus directly holding BTC keys.

Trade‑offs include management fees, potential tracking differences, and reliance on intermediary infrastructure.

FAQ about Mubadala Bitcoin ETF holdingsHow many IBIT shares does Mubadala hold and what is the reported dollar value as of Dec. 31, 2025?Mubadala disclosed 12.7 million IBIT shares, valued at about $630.6 million as of Dec. 31, 2025, according to Reuters.

How does Al Warda’s stake factor into Abu Dhabi’s total exposure, and why does the combined figure matter?Al Warda’s IBIT position lifts Abu Dhabi sovereign exposure above $1 billion, as reported by e&; the aggregate signals institutional-scale adoption under regulated structures.

DISCLAIMER: The information on this website is provided as general market commentary and does not constitute investment advice. We encourage you to do your own research before investing.

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Posted: February 18, 2026

Bitcoin has become an asset class of growing interest to institutional investors following the approval of U.S. Spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in January 2024.

Since then, net asset value (NAV) among U.S. institutional spot investors has grown sharply, totaling over 682,830 BTC valued at $54.49 billion.

This surge has drawn institutional clients from across the market, and recent filings suggest Chinese investors could now be among these participants, controlling a sizable stake.

Chinese investors could be making a major bet The latest 13F filing—a quarterly disclosure required by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) from institutional investment managers—revealed new entrants to BlackRock’s IBIT Spot Bitcoin ETF.

Among the holders is Laurore Ltd., reportedly controlling the equivalent of $436 million in Bitcoin [BTC] despite leaving no digital footprint.

Jeff Park, a Bitwise advisor, linked this entity to Chinese investors in Hong Kong through the filer’s name, Zhang Hui.

“Zhang Hui is the Chinese equivalent of John Smith. It’s what I like to call a ‘non-anonymous anonymous’ name—hidden in plain sight, buried under millions of records to make it untraceable,” Park explained.

Source: X

Laurore Ltd. appears to be a classic offshore wrapper, likely based in the Cayman Islands or BVI, allowing Chinese investors to access U.S. markets in ways that would otherwise be restricted. Park notes that China’s ban on institutional Bitcoin holdings may have prompted this strategy.

“This could be an early sign of institutional Chinese capital entering Bitcoin,” Park added. “The name Laurore likely derives from the French l’aurore: ‘the dawn.’”

Hong Kong Bitcoin investment trails Hong Kong’s own Spot Bitcoin ETFs have significantly underperformed their U.S. counterparts.

According to SoSoValue, the total NAV of HK spot Bitcoin ETFs stands at 3,870 BTC, valued at approximately $264.9 million at the time of writing.

Holdings are distributed across three institutional investors—ChinaAMC, Bosera HashKey, and Harvest—in descending order of their stake.

If Park’s assessment of Chinese investor involvement is correct, the $264.9 million in HK ETFs represents roughly 61% of Laurore Ltd.’s $436 million stake in IBIT, but less than 0.5% of the broader U.S. NAV of $54.49 billion.

Bitcoin is facing pressure beyond Chinese investors, as U.S. institutional participants have slashed significant portions of their assets under management.

Since Bitcoin peaked in October 2025, AUM among these institutional funds has dropped from $163.27 billion to roughly $54.49 billion, a 66.6% decline.

Interestingly, this decline in institutional AUM has outpaced Bitcoin’s price drop itself.

While Bitcoin’s market value fell 45.79% from its all-time high, the corresponding AUM in U.S. institutional spot holdings fell 66.6%, reflecting an additional 20.8% reduction beyond the price movement.

This gap highlights how cautious institutional investors have become, liquidating positions even faster than the underlying asset’s losses.

Bitcoin outlook remains weak Sentiment remains bearish, and the outlook for Bitcoin continues to weigh on institutional performance.

Short-term and long-term holders, particularly whales controlling large capital, remain net sellers.

A recent AMBCrypto report shows that these investors dominate spot trading volumes, with the whale-to-exchange ratio signaling ongoing liquidation.

Until selling slows and sentiment normalizes across market participants, Bitcoin risks further significant drawdowns that could impact its long-term price trajectory.

Final Summary Some Chinese investors appear to be acquiring Bitcoin through BlackRock using structured approaches, as domestic holdings remain banned in China. Recent Chinese purchases reportedly amount to roughly 1.6 times the total net asset value (NAV) of Hong Kong’s spot Bitcoin ETF.

Billionaire tech investor exits ETHZilla as law firm probes potential securities violations.

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Published: February 18, 2026 │ 1:30 PM GMT

Billionaire tech investor, political donor, and long-time Donald Trump supporter, Peter Thiel has sold his entire stake in Ethereum treasury firm ETHZilla, signaling caution in the crypto market just as BlackRock’s ETH staking ETF filings stir investor excitement.

SEC Filing Confirms Complete ExitA recent SEC filing shows that Thiel and his Founders Fund reduced their ownership to 0%, down from a previously disclosed ~7.5% stake.

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This divestment, completed by the end of 2025, marks a complete reversal from Thiel’s earlier high-profile support of the company’s ETH treasury strategy.

Source: SECPeter Thiel initially disclosed a 7.5% stake in ETHZilla last August, while his investor group separately revealed holdings over 9% in Tom Lee’s BitMine Immersion Technologies, the largest Ethereum treasury company.

ETHZilla’s Strategic Pivot and Debt MovesThe move comes as ETHZilla has reportedly been selling Ethereum to repay debt and appears to be pivoting away from a pure crypto treasury model toward other tokenization and real-world asset initiatives.

In December 2025, ETHZilla sold 24,291 ETH for $74.5 million to repay convertible notes and pursue its real-world asset tokenization plans, while signaling that future value will come from revenue and cash flow from the RWA tokenization business. 

Following the announcements, its stock dropped 8.7% to $6.30 per share. In response, law firm Pomerantz LLP, a veteran in securities class actions, has launched an investigation into ETHZilla Corporation to determine whether the company and some of its officers or directors may have violated securities laws or engaged in unlawful business practices that harmed shareholders.

What Is ETHZilla?ETHZilla Corporation is a fintech company that underwent a major pivot from biotech (formerly 180 Life Sciences) to an Ethereum treasury and DeFi-focused company in 2025.

The firm positioned itself as an Ether accumulation vehicle and crypto infrastructure player, focusing on Ethereum-based infrastructure for tokenizing real-world assets (RWAs), bridging traditional finance with blockchain. 

It rebranded in August 2025 and initially built an Ethereum treasury, amassing over 100,000 ETH at its peak, but has since shifted toward tokenizing assets like jet engines leased to U.S. airlines.

Why This MattersETHZilla was widely seen as trying to become Ethereum’s version of MicroStrategy. Peter Thiel’s exit may signal caution among top investors in Ethereum-focused firms, highlighting concerns about risk, market sentiment, and volatility in the emerging ETH treasury and tokenization sector.

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People Also Ask:What is ETHZilla?

ETHZilla is a fintech company that pivoted from biotech to an Ethereum treasury and DeFi-focused platform, now exploring tokenization of real-world assets.

What is an Ethereum treasury firm?

These firms accumulate and hold Ethereum as a corporate treasury asset, similar to how companies like MicroStrategy hold Bitcoin.

How does this affect Ethereum-focused investors?

High-profile exits can signal caution and influence market sentiment toward Ethereum treasury firms, though broader crypto markets may be unaffected directly.

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Bitcoin Consolidates as 2026 Supercycle Narrative FadeMarket analyst Crypto Andy highlights a shift in cryptocurrency sentiment: the 2026 Bitcoin supercycle narrative is losing traction with the traditional four-year market cycle tied to Bitcoin halving events taking shape.

Historically, BTC tends to form cyclical bottoms in the year following a peak, often in the second half of the year.

Bitcoin halving, one of the most anticipated events in crypto, is a protocol-driven mechanism that cuts miners’ block rewards by 50% every 210,000 blocks, roughly every four years. 

By limiting new BTC issuance, halvings influence supply, scarcity, miner incentives, and potentially price dynamics, making them a central driver of Bitcoin’s long-term market cycles.

The supercycle theory, once predicting a historic Bitcoin bull run fueled by macro adoption, institutional inflows, and regulatory clarity, now faces skepticism. While the idea of prolonged cycles and record-breaking highs captivated investors, current market behavior points to a more measured, traditional rhythm.

Notably, Bitcoin is currently consolidating at $67,571, according to CoinCodex, reflecting market caution after recent volatility. Such sideways movement signals a pause as traders digest gains and await clearer directional cues, often preceding the next significant price move.

Source: CoinCodexBitcoin Consolidation Signals Strategic Opportunities Amid Halving CycleConsolidation is a natural phase in Bitcoin’s price cycle, often setting the stage for the next major move. Long-term investors may see this as a prime opportunity to build positions ahead of the next peak, while short-term traders focus on support and resistance levels to navigate the sideways market effectively.

Well, the renewed focus on Bitcoin’s halving cycle highlights that its price movements are driven not just by hype or macro trends, but by predictable, supply-driven dynamics. Each halving reduces the creation of new Bitcoin, historically triggering cyclical peaks and troughs shaped by scarcity and market psychology.

Although the fading supercycle narrative tempers expectations for an immediate parabolic surge, the market remains resilient. Current consolidation may be less dramatic than previous boom-bust cycles, yet it is a critical phase for price discovery and structural growth.

Investors should adopt a balanced approach, blending cycle-based analysis with careful attention to sentiment. Bitcoin’s trajectory reinforces the four-year cycle as a reliable framework for anticipating potential highs and lows in the months ahead.

ConclusionAs the 2026 supercycle hype fades, Bitcoin’s sideways trading signals a return to its historical patterns. While the era of unprecedented rallies cools, the traditional four-year halving cycle remains a reliable guide for anticipating market trends. 

Current consolidation offers a chance to recalibrate strategies, emphasizing patience, disciplined risk management, and cyclical awareness. Though the next major move is uncertain, adhering to this time-tested framework positions participants to navigate the months ahead with clarity and confidence.

After the aggressive sell-off toward the $1.8K region, the market has transitioned into choppy consolidation, while lower timeframes are now approaching a decisive breakout point. The key question is whether this compression resolves to the upside or results in continuation within the dominant downtrend structure.

Ethereum Price Analysis: The Daily Chart On the daily timeframe, Ethereum is exhibiting clear consolidation behaviour following its sharp decline. The price action has become increasingly choppy, reflecting equilibrium between buyers and sellers. Instead of impulsive continuation, the market is printing overlapping candles with limited directional commitment.

This consolidation is confined between the $1.8K static support base and the channel’s midline acting as dynamic resistance. The mid-boundary of the descending channel continues to cap bullish attempts, preventing a structural trend reversal. Meanwhile, the $1.8K zone remains a strong demand area that has repeatedly absorbed selling pressure.

As long as the price remains trapped between these two boundaries, the primary scenario is range-bound fluctuation. A confirmed breakout above the channel’s midline would open the path toward higher resistance zones, while a breakdown below $1.8K would invalidate the equilibrium and likely trigger another impulsive leg lower.

ETH/USDT 4-Hour Chart Zooming into the 4-hour timeframe, the market structure becomes more compressed. Ethereum has formed a clear triangle pattern, with descending resistance and rising support squeezing the price into a narrow apex. This pattern reflects volatility contraction and typically precedes an expansion phase.

The asset is now approaching the final portion of the triangle, suggesting that a breakout is imminent. Given the recent higher lows inside the pattern and the improving short-term structure, the probability of an upside breakout is increasing. The targets are clearly defined on the chart, with the first resistance zone aligned with the previously marked supply region above the pattern at the $2.4K area.

However, failure to break upward and a decisive breakdown below the ascending support would shift momentum back in favour of sellers.

Sentiment Analysis The Binance ETH/USDT liquidation heatmap reveals significant liquidity dynamics around the current range. A dense liquidity cluster is positioned above the current price, indicating a concentration of short liquidation levels. Such clusters often act as magnets, drawing the price upward to trigger liquidations before a potential reaction.

At the same time, a developing liquidity concentration below the market reflects the accumulation of long positions. This suggests that traders are increasingly positioning for upside continuation, building long exposure near the consolidation zone.

The interaction between these liquidity pools increases the likelihood of a volatility expansion. A breakout to the upside could trigger short liquidations above the price, accelerating the move. Conversely, a downside sweep could target the long liquidity cluster before a potential rebound.

Overall, Ethereum is in a compression phase. The daily chart reflects equilibrium within a broader downtrend, the 4-hour chart shows a triangle nearing resolution, and liquidity positioning suggests that a decisive breakout move is approaching.

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The WLFI price just ripped 25% higher intraday and no, it wasn’t random. A so-called “golden ticket” style invitation for an event at Mar-a-Lago flipped sentiment fast, and traders wasted no time piling in. Momentum didn’t just tick up. It exploded.

Futures Volume Goes ParabolicFutures activity spiked 225%, with volume reaching $921.63 million. Open interest surged 58% to $288 million. That’s not subtle positioning that’s aggressive exposure.

And when leverage floods in, liquidations follow. Over the past 24 hours, total liquidations hit $2.34 million. Shorts took the bigger hit at $1.69 million, while longs saw just $649.33K wiped out. That imbalance tells you exactly who got squeezed as the WLFI price squeezed higher.

Well, here’s the kicker. On-chain data also showed a spike in daily active addresses. Most likely tied to the Mar-a-Lago event buzz, which features 38 speakers on the panel. Whether it delivers “market-shaping insights” or not, perception alone was enough to spark intraday demand.

Whales Accumulate, Exchanges DrainBehind the scenes, bigger players appear to be stepping in. The 10 million-to-infinity holder cohort has been trending upward, suggesting whale accumulation during this surge. At the same time, exchange outflows flipped inflows which is never a neutral signal. Tokens are moving off platforms, not onto them.

That shift matters. It suggests the 25% move may not be purely speculative froth. If supply keeps tightening on exchanges while demand spikes, the WLFI price chart could reflect that imbalance quickly. But let’s be real. Intraday hype doesn’t automatically equal sustainable trend.

Key Levels on WLFI Price ChartTechnically, a wedge pattern is in play on the daily timeframe. The $0.100 zone has emerged as a key demand area, showing intraday support and reclaiming the 20-day EMA in the process.

If bullish momentum continues, clearing $0.140 becomes critical. That level dynamically aligns with the 50-day EMA band and could open the door toward $0.160 by month’s end.

So what’s next? Short term, the WLFI price prediction leans constructive as long as $0.100 holds. But zoom out, and the longer-term outlook still depends on broader demand expansion. 

The event could be a catalyst or just a spark. Either way, for now, the WLFI price isn’t moving quietly.

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Tether emphasized that Tether Gold XAUT has risen to the top as the first publicly listed gold firm structure to offer shareholders the option to receive dividends in tokenized gold, marking what it describes as a major breakthrough in the gold industry.

The digital gold sector is currently experiencing explosive interest, with the token’s market capitalization nearing $2.55 billion and leading broader growth in tokenized real-world assets.

Following this announcement, Elemental Royalty Corporation highlighted the connection between tokenized gold ownership and standard royalty payments on the blockchain while assuring investors that they can choose to receive dividends in XAUT rather than cash.

On the other hand, Paolo Ardoino, Tether CEO, stressed that this advancement encourages the use of gold in modern finance via tokenization. Currently, XAUT is trading at $4,907.26, up 0.04% over the past 24 hours, according to CoinMarketCap.

Investors demonstrate interest in XAUT The new product from Tether is expected to grant investors direct physical gold ownership by allocating funds to gold royalties. Reports expect these firms to pay about 12 cents in dividends to investors through quarterly payments.

The offer was a landmark in the industry because it represented the first time a publicly traded gold company had executed such a strategy. The product comes after Tether gained roughly a 33% stake in Elemental in 2025.

Gold-backed tokens are now the fastest-growing asset class, with the valuation of the overall tokenized gold market exceeding $5 billion.

XAUT plays a key part in this value, securing its position as a leader in this sector in terms of supply and volume. This is because several investors, who want to own gold independently, avoiding reliance on intermediaries or custodians, have illustrated heightened interest in the digital token 

Notably, even with this advancement, investors who prefer cash distributions can still receive dividends in cash. Even so, David Cole, the CEO of Elemental Royalty Corporation, viewed supporting Tether’s offering as a way of securing the firm’s future.

“By offering investors a dividend in Tether Gold, we set Elemental apart as a forward-looking and growth-focused investment,” he said. Meanwhile, despite the innovative move, Elemental’s stock price declined to $19.41, a 7.8% drop.

The company generates income by securing royalty interests in mining projects. According to its executive, this strategy is beneficial because it reduces risks associated with owning and operating mines while keeping opportunities for gain open.

Tether shifts its focus toward XAUT Tether’s shift towards tokenizing gold, after building a legacy on USD-linked tokens, is tied to the recent surge in gold’s price. The market valuation of XAUT escalated to $2.5 billion from an initial record of  $714 million.

Towards the end of last year, the firm had successfully established about 375,000 XAUT. A report from accounting firm BDO Italia showed that this figure rose by 38% from three months earlier. On the other hand, data from CoinGecko showed that the market capitalization of USDT rose to an all-time high of $187 billion, a 7% increase.

These figures represent that XAUT’s total supply increased fivefold compared to USDT’s in the last quarter, suggesting that investors now prefer gold-backed assets.

Responding to this market behavior, Ardoino mentioned that, “XAUT was created to remove uncertainty during a time when trust in financial systems is declining.” Afterwards, he expressed concern over mounting government debt and continued inflationary pressures 

Disclosure: This article does not represent investment advice. The content and materials featured on this page are for educational purposes only.

Enso announced live production deployments of cross-chain minting and execution flows powered by Chainlink, enabling assets to move across chains.

Enso today announced live production deployments of cross-chain minting and execution flows powered by Chainlink Cross-Chain Interoperability Protocol (CCIP). With this integration, issuers and asset strategy platforms can move capital across chains and deploy it into live strategies, atomically and pre-simulated, in a single transaction.

The integration is live in production with launch partners including Reservoir, World Liberty Financial (WLFI), Maple, Avant, Liquity, and Dolomite. Enso and Chainlink now enable assets to arrive on destination chains already deployed according to predefined logic.

Stablecoins and yield-bearing assets bridged via CCIP can be automatically routed through swaps, deposits, zaps, and protocol interactions, all executed in a single bundled transaction. This removes operational overhead, removes execution risk, and eliminates the need for manual post-bridge deployment.

At the center of the integration is Enso’s CCIP Receiver, a destination-side smart contract that combines Chainlink’s secure cross-chain messaging with Enso’s deterministic execution engine. Issuers define outcome-driven workflows, such as minting or distributing assets on one chain and programmatically deploying them into yield, liquidity, or treasury strategies on another, without building custom integrations for each network.

This integration also supports capital-efficient hub-and-spoke models for cross-chain asset expansion. Asset issuers such as USD1 by World Liberty Financial and BOLD by Liquity can mint on a primary chain while distributing and deploying across multiple ecosystems without pre-funding fragmented liquidity pools.

Disclosure: This content is provided by a third party. Neither crypto.news nor the author of this article endorses any product mentioned on this page. Users should conduct their own research before taking any action related to the company.

Journalist

Posted: February 18, 2026

Michael Saylor has built his reputation around the idea that companies should hold Bitcoin as a core treasury asset. On the other hand, Peter Schiff has spent years criticizing BTC and warning that it will eventually fail.

But this week, something surprising happened.

Saylor’s company, Strategy, announced that it bought another 2,486 BTC, bringing its total Bitcoin holdings to 717,131 BTC, valued at more than $54.5 billion.

With this, Strategy now controls about 3.4% of all the Bitcoin that will ever exist.

The latest purchase alone cost about $168.4 million, with Bitcoin bought at an average price of $67,710. But what’s even more surprising is? Schiff gave a rare, almost reluctant acknowledgment of the scale of this move.

Schiff turns praise into a warning Responding to Saylor’s tweet, Schiff said, 

“Congratulations, you finally averaged your price down.”

Yet despite showing mild appreciation, Schiff has returned to warning against Saylor’s strategy. He has criticized Saylor’s habit of “averaging down,” which means buying more Bitcoin when prices fall.

In simple terms, he believes that if Bitcoin [BTC] keeps dropping, buying more could only increase overall losses.

MSTR and BTC price action and more At the same time, Strategy’s stock and BTC are giving a concerning picture of the market.

As per Google Finance data, MSTR was trading around $128.67 and has fallen nearly 4% in the short term and close to 20% over the past month.

Bitcoin, too, was struggling, trading near $67,661 and falling about 26% over the last 30 days.

Another important signal comes from Open Interest. 

Source: CoinGlass

Earlier, Open Interest was very high, showing that many traders were using borrowed money and taking big risks. Now, both Bitcoin’s price and Open Interest are falling together.

This shows that risky traders are leaving and losses are forcing weaker players out. In simple words, the market is cooling down, and long-term, serious investors are slowly replacing short-term speculators.

MSTR’s Open Interest analysis Meanwhile, MSTR’s options market suggested that many traders see $100 as a strong support level where buyers may step in, while heavy selling between $130 and $150 makes this range hard to cross. Some high-risk bets at $200 and $300 show that hope for a major Bitcoin-led rally is still alive.

Source: OptionCharts

As of press time, MSTR moved between $110 and $140, showing market uncertainty.

A clear move above $150 could lead to a fast rally, while a drop near $100 may attract buyers. Overall, Strategy remains caught between long-term confidence and serious financial risk.

Now, whether this bold approach succeeds will largely depend on whether Bitcoin regains strength or continues to decline.

Other firms and their Bitcoin strategy While Strategy keeps buying more Bitcoin, its Japanese counterpart, Metaplanet, is under pressure. In its Q4 2025 earnings report, the company posted a huge net loss of $619 million.

Therefore, as 2026 moves forward, these firms won’t be judged by short-term profits, but by how well they handle sharp 20–30% price drops.

For now, their approach is to buy on dips, ignore market noise, and wait for the next cycle to turn losses into long-term gains.

Final Summary Peter Schiff briefly acknowledged Saylor’s move but still believes “averaging down” could lead to bigger losses. Falling Open Interest suggests risky traders are leaving, and the market is shifting toward more serious, long-term players.

Hands-on Review by Bitcoin.com. Crypto exchanges have been talking for years about “bridging TradFi and crypto.” Bitget's new TradFi suite claims to make that bridge seamless, so I decided to test whether it actually works in practice.