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The FCA sued HTX. The Financial Conduct Authority filed legal papers against the crypto exchange formerly called Huobi on February 15, 2026, claiming the company broke UK rules by pushing crypto services to British consumers without proper authorization.

UK crypto firms must follow strict marketing rules that protect people from sketchy promotions and misleading ads. Breaking these rules by advertising cryptoassets on social media without compliance counts as a criminal offense. Since October 2023, when these regulations kicked in, the FCA has worked with dozens of companies, and most have responded pretty well to compliance demands. But HTX didn’t play ball. The exchange kept violating regulations by promoting financial services on its website and across social media platforms including TikTok, X, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube, even after repeated warnings from the FCA.

HTX’s operations stay murky. Nobody knows who owns it.

The company’s website operators remain hidden, and attempts by the FCA to reach HTX have been completely ignored. When legal proceedings started, HTX did restrict new UK customers from opening accounts. But existing British users can still see potentially unlawful promotions, and HTX won’t confirm if these restrictions will stick around permanently. The FCA worries about more rule-breaking down the road.

Steve Smart runs enforcement and market oversight at the FCA. He said the rules “support a sustainable crypto market in the UK, allowing consumers to make informed decisions.” Smart added that HTX’s behavior contrasts sharply with other firms trying to comply. And this case marks the first enforcement action against a crypto firm for illegal marketing in Britain.

Not really surprising.

The FCA asked social media companies to block HTX’s accounts for UK users and requested removal of its apps from Google Play and Apple stores in the UK. HTX sits on the FCA’s Warning List, which means consumers dealing with it can’t access the Financial Ombudsman Service for complaints. They also face high risk of losing money if the firm goes bust.

People should avoid unauthorized firms like HTX, according to the FCA. Consumers can check a firm’s status on the FCA’s Warning List and visit the agency’s cryptoasset promotions page for investment protection guidance. The FCA’s 2025-2030 strategy focuses heavily on fighting financial crime. In recent years, the authority has ramped up prosecutions for criminal offenses and sped up enforcement investigations. See also: FCA Inks Deal with Indian Regulator.

Since October 2023, all cryptoasset firms targeting UK consumers must comply with the FCA’s financial promotions regime, regardless of where they’re based. Non-compliant companies risk getting listed on the FCA warning list, facing website shutdown requests, or dealing with criminal or civil enforcement action. HTX hasn’t commented on the legal proceedings yet.

The legal fight with HTX shows the FCA’s push to regulate crypto markets more strictly. Since the new rules launched in October 2023, the FCA has been particularly watchful. The authority’s quick action against HTX sends a signal to other crypto firms that breaking rules won’t be tolerated. It’s part of the FCA’s broader mission to maintain market integrity and protect consumers from financial harm.

Over the past two years, the FCA has increased enforcement activities, charging more individuals and firms with criminal offenses related to financial misconduct. The increased enforcement responds directly to growing complexity and risks in the cryptoasset sector. By taking legal action against HTX, the FCA wants to set a precedent and deter other companies from bypassing regulatory requirements.

HTX’s case highlights challenges regulators face dealing with global crypto exchanges. These platforms often operate across multiple jurisdictions, making enforcement actions complicated. The FCA’s decision to involve social media companies and app stores in its enforcement strategy reflects a comprehensive approach to curbing illegal promotions. Collaboration is crucial in a digital age where information spreads fast and wide.

As legal proceedings against HTX continue, the FCA stays focused on consumer protection. The authority’s proactive stance serves as a reminder that compliance with financial promotion rules isn’t negotiable. Companies operating in the UK market must maintain transparency and follow established guidelines to avoid facing similar actions. The outcome of HTX’s case may influence future regulatory decisions and shape behavior of other crypto firms operating in Britain. Related coverage: South Korea Eyes Ownership Caps for.

The legal proceedings mark a significant moment in FCA regulatory actions, especially given HTX’s prominent position in the crypto market. On February 15, 2026, the FCA said any firm failing to comply with the financial promotions regime would face serious consequences. The move shows the authority’s determination to enforce strict adherence to UK financial laws, regardless of a company’s global stature.

HTX’s situation gets more complicated by its lack of transparency, a factor that’s drawn criticism from regulatory bodies worldwide. The FCA’s demand for social media platforms to restrict HTX’s accounts in the UK is a strategic effort to limit the exchange’s reach and influence over British consumers. By involving these digital platforms, the FCA aims to curtail the spread of unauthorized financial promotions effectively.

The ongoing case has drawn attention to potential risks faced by consumers engaging with unregulated firms. As HTX remains on the FCA’s Warning List, there’s heightened risk that users may not recover their funds if the exchange encounters financial difficulties. The situation serves as a stark reminder of the importance of dealing with authorized entities within the financial sector.

Smart reiterated that consumer protection remains a top priority for the authority. By taking decisive action against HTX, the FCA aims to ensure UK consumers aren’t misled by deceptive marketing practices. The firm stance should encourage other companies to comply with regulatory requirements, fostering a more secure and transparent financial environment for all stakeholders involved.

The crypto industry watches closely as HTX’s legal battle unfolds. Many exchanges have already adjusted their UK marketing strategies since the October 2023 rules took effect. But HTX’s defiance has made it a test case for how far the FCA will go to enforce compliance. The regulator’s willingness to pursue criminal charges against crypto firms represents a major shift in enforcement approach.

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Bitcoin is trading around $70,500 on February 15, 2026, modestly higher over the past 24 hours after reclaiming the key 70k level following a deep early‑February slide toward 60k. The recovery has pushed Bitcoin’s market capitalization back above roughly $1.4 trillion, with daily spot and derivatives volume hovering near $43 billion as volatility stays elevated.

Price action and liquidationsThe latest move caps a volatile two‑week stretch in which Bitcoin broke below the 70k psychological support, slid into the mid‑60k area, and briefly traded near 60k before dip buyers stepped in. Market analysts at research firm K33 described the drop toward 60k as a potential “local bottom,” citing capitulation‑style signals in volume, funding rates, options positioning and ETF flows.

Across the broader crypto market, derivatives data from Coinglass-linked reports show around $189 million in futures positions were liquidated over a recent 24‑hour window, with shorts accounting for the bulk of the wipe‑out as prices rebounded. This kind of forced deleveraging has helped reset excessive leverage built up during the prior rally, giving spot buyers cleaner entry levels.

Source: CoinglassFor now, intraday traders are watching the 68k–70k band as an immediate pivot zone, where failed breakouts could quickly invite another wave of profit‑taking and stop runs.

ETF flows and positioning into mid‑FebruaryOn the flows side, U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs have flipped back to net inflows, with products recording about $15.1 million of net new capital on February 14 after several days of outflows. Fidelity’s FBTC led with roughly $12 million of inflows, while VanEck’s HODL and WisdomTree’s BTCW added about $1.9 million and $3.6 million respectively, partially offsetting a $9.4 million outflow from BlackRock’s IBIT.

The return of positive ETF flows, together with whale accumulation highlighted in recent market commentary, supports the view that institutional and large‑holder demand is re‑engaging as prices stabilize back above 70k.

Strategists note that if daily ETF flows can consistently stay positive and move back into the nine‑figure range, it would significantly strengthen the case for a retest of the 75k–80k zone later in Q1, while a relapse into outflows could leave BTC vulnerable to another sweep of liquidity toward the mid‑60k region.

Sentiment, whales and key levels to watchBeyond flows and derivatives, on‑chain data watchers point to renewed whale accumulation as a subtle but important signal that larger players are willing to add exposure on dips rather than aggressively distributing into strength. Over the past couple of weeks, wallets holding more than 1,000 BTC reportedly accumulated around 53,000 BTC, roughly $3.7-3.8 billion at current prices during the sell‑off, marking the largest whale buying wave since November.

At the same time, total futures open interest has dropped to about $34 billion, down roughly 28% from a month ago and more than 45% below the October peak in notional leverage, after an estimated $5.2 billion in forced liquidations over the last two weeks.

Sentiment remains fragile: Bitcoin’s fear and greed gauges briefly slid into “Extreme Fear” in early February, with recent readings hovering in the low‑to‑mid teens, levels that historically have coincided with local bottoms and later relief rallies. Structurally, traders now eye the $60,000-$61,000 band as major cycle support (overlapping the 200‑week moving average and realized price zones), while $65,000-$66,000 acts as initial downside support on any pullback.

On the upside, derivatives desks and prediction markets highlight $75,000 as the next major target if spot can secure a convincing daily close above $72,000, with some bank research still keeping longer‑term projections as high as $150,000 for year‑end 2026.

Journalist

Posted: February 15, 2026

Fartcoin surged 13.46% in 24 hours to $0.2183, lifting market capitalization to $218.36M as participation accelerated sharply. 

Trading volume expanded 48.77% to $48.48M, confirming that fresh capital entered during the rally instead of fading. 

Buyers defended the $0.20–$0.21 support region first, then drove price toward $0.22 before the advance slowed. The expansion reflects renewed speculative interest after recent compression. 

On-chain data showed a $155K wallet accumulation executed through multiple swaps shortly after the move began, pointing to calculated positioning rather than random activity. 

Still, Fartcoin’s price hesitated near short-term resistance, which shows that technical structure continues to influence direction despite aggressive demand.

Descending channel continues to frame structure The daily chart shows Fartcoin trading inside a clearly defined descending channel that has shaped price behavior for months. 

Even though bulls reclaimed the $0.20–$0.21 support region and triggered a sharp bounce, price remains contained within those declining boundaries. 

The upper trendline continues to cap advances and prevents any confirmed structural shift in trend direction. 

Resistance stands near $0.32, while a broader supply ceiling appears around $0.47, both clearly marked on the chart. 

The RSI was at 43 at press time, signaling recovery from prior weakness but not strong bullish control. The indicator remains below the 50 midpoint, which keeps buyers from asserting dominance. 

Price also failed to sustain acceptance above $0.22, showing hesitation near short-term pressure. 

Until bulls challenge mid-channel resistance with strength, the broader corrective structure remains intact and influential.

Source: TradingView

Long liquidations outweigh shorts after rally The liquidation data at press time shows $93.55K in long liquidations compared to $45.83K in shorts. 

That imbalance highlights a leverage shift following the rally. During the expansion toward $0.22, short sellers likely absorbed pressure as the price climbed. 

Once the price stalled near resistance, late long positions faced forced exits. This sequence points to leverage cooling instead of aggressive downside continuation. 

The dominance of long liquidations also suggests that traders chased the rally at elevated levels. Markets often clear stretched positioning after rapid moves, especially inside defined channels. 

This current phase reflects stabilization and a reset in speculative positioning rather than immediate breakout continuation.

Downside liquidity clusters create pullback risk The Binance FARTCOIN/USDT heatmap highlighted bright yellow leverage clusters between $0.208 and $0.210, positioned directly beneath the current price near $0.212. 

Additional stacked liquidity extended toward the $0.19–$0.20 region, forming dense downside targets. Liquidity above price appeared thinner and more fragmented near $0.22–$0.23. 

Markets frequently gravitate toward high-density leverage zones during consolidation phases. 

Price may dip to clear those clusters before attempting another expansion. The heatmap does not display strong overhead squeeze fuel at present. 

Instead, it shows that downside liquidity currently outweighs upside targets, increasing the probability of a controlled sweep below support before any sustained upside continuation develops.

To conclude, Fartcoin’s price surge reflects strong demand and visible whale participation, yet the broader descending channel still caps expansion. 

Long liquidations now exceed shorts, signaling leverage cooling after the rally. Dense liquidity clusters sit below the current price, which raises the likelihood of a downside probe. 

Unless bulls reclaim higher channel resistance with strength, this move remains reactive. The $0.20 level now determines whether buyers build continuation or allow another corrective phase to unfold.

Final Summary Whale-driven demand sparked volatility, yet the descending channel still restricts sustained upside expansion. Dense downside liquidity below $0.21 increases pullback risk before any confirmed breakout attempt.

02/15 update below. This post was originally published on February 13

Elon Musk, the billionaire chief executive of Tesla and SpaceX, has been toying with the bitcoin and crypto market for years (while also predicting the end of the U.S. dollar).

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Musk stepped back from the front lines of bitcoin and crypto speculation following the post-Covid boom and bust, but stoked the flames of a bitcoin price boom that coincided with U.S. president Donald Trump’s return to the White House in 2024.

Now, as fears swirl an even steeper bitcoin price crash is fast approaching, Musk has quietly revived his Covid-era plan to put dogecoin on the moon.

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ForbesIt’s ‘Collapsed’—Bitcoin And Crypto Suddenly Braced For A $2 Trillion Fed Price CrashBy Billy Bambrough

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Elon Musk has confirmed a bitcoin and crypto price "game-changer," sending the dogecoin price sharply higher...

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Last week, Musk reignited speculation surrounding his 2021 promise to put a "literal dogecoin on the literal moon," despite distancing himself from bitcoin and crypto since his Covid-era endorsements of the technology.

"Maybe next year," Musk said in response to a Tesla fan account, though that latest intervention failed to lift the dogecoin price, which would have once soared on a mention by Musk.

"Yes," Musk replied to another X user who posted: “Doge on the moon is inevitable.”

02/15 update: Bitcoin and crypto trading tools that are expected to include things like price data, are coming to X, the social media company Elon Musk bought and rebranded from Twitter before rolling it into his xAI artificial intelligence company, as soon as this month.

“We are launching a number of features in a couple weeks, including Smart Cashtags that will enable you to trade stocks and crypto directly from timeline,” X head of product Nikita Bier posted to the platform, adding in follow up post that X wouldn’t itself be handling trade execution or act as a broker but was “just building the financial data tools and links."

The announcement, coming hot on the heels of Elon Musk’s recommitment to putting a “literal dogecoin on the literal moon,” has sent the dogecoin price sharply higher, adding almost 20% over the last 24 hours.

Bitcoin has also climbed, topping $70,000 per bitcoin after crashing to around $60,000 in early February.

Last month, Bier announced "Smart Cashtags," designed to make financial and crypto-related discussions more precise on the platform, with cryptocurrencies bitcoin, bonk and base featured in the promotional material.

The development sparked a fresh round of speculation that Musk might finally launch fully-fledged X Money financial services on the platform after it was repeatedly teased last year.

During an xAI meeting this week that was uploaded to X, Musk said he remains committed to his plan to turn the social networking platform into an “everything all” to rival China’s WeChat.

“X is really intended to be the place where all the money is, the central source of all monetary transactions, it really going to be a game-changer,” Musk said, confirming that X Money will be rolled out over the coming months and predicting 1 billion users will have access to it.

"While our monthly users are on average around 600 million, the number of people who have the X app installed, it’s well over 1 billion, it's just that most people only occasionally come to the X app when there's some major world event.

“But as we give people more reasons to use the the X app, whether it’s for communications for Grok or for X money, whatever the case may be, we we want it to be such that if you wanted to, you could live your life on the X app. And as we make it more and more useful, we’ll obviously give people reasons, compelling reasons to use the app every day, and have my expectation is well over 1 billion daily active users.”

Musk’s comments have been seized on by bitcoin and crypto supporters who expect it to send the bitcoin price higher.

“The payments era on X is about to begin,” one crypto commentary account with more than 500,000 followers posted, while Pete Rizzo, a self-described bitcoin historian and former editor in chief at Coindesk, posted: “Bitcoin on X, it’s coming."

xAI has also been recruiting for crypto quantitative experts, with the role looking for someone wiht “strong passion for cryptocurrency markets, blockchain technology, decentralized finance, quantitative methods, and frontier AI applications in digital assets.”

The job involves teaching AI models "how crypto quantitative traders analyze blockchain data, model tokenomics, evaluate on-chain flows, manage extreme volatility, exploit inefficiencies across centralized and decentralized venues, and reason through novel digital asset paradigms."

Musk’s latest dogecoin support has come as he unveils plans to launch AI satellites from the moon via his newly merged SpaceX and xAI.

Musk’s support of the meme-based dogecoin, which began all the way back in 2019, peaked during Covid lockdowns, with Musk promising to upgraded it to make it the “currency of Earth.”

The dogecoin price has fallen along with the wider bitcoin and crypto market in recent months, but remains just above its 2023 lows of around 60 cents.

While Musk’s public comments about crypto have all but dried up, he remains an outsized figure in the community.

His Tesla car and energy company still holds around $800 million worth of bitcoin, while a SpaceX initial public offering this year could shed light on its crypto holdings.

In recent months, Musk has quietly courted the crypto crowd with vague references to a post-dollar currency that’s based on energy.

Bitcoin, which is secured by a network of so-called miners who use powerful computers to validate transactions in return for newly issued bitcoin, uses as much electricity each year as some small countries, with its energy demands climbing along with its price as more miners join the network.

"Once the solar energy generation to robot manufacturing to chip fabrication to AI loop is closed, conventional currency will just get in the way," Musk posted to X, the social media company he bought and rebranded from Twitter. “Just wattage and tonnage will matter, not dollars.”

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Forbes‘Panic Mode’—$10,000 Bitcoin Price Crash Warning Suddenly Triggers Huge BlackRock EarthquakeBy Billy Bambrough

The bitcoin price has fallen sharply in recent months, dragging the wider crypto market down with it.

Forbes Digital Assets

Musk’s warning of a future in which dollars don’t matter, comes amid a “crisis of confidence” in the U.S. dollar that has been seized on by the likes of billionaire investor Ray Dalio.

Last month, the founder of hedge fund giant Bridgewater Associates warned the latest weakness in the U.S. dollar shows his long predicted collapse in the dollar as the world’s reserve currency is “happening now.”

Musk’s comments were also taken as a subtle endorsement of bitcoin by the crypto crowd.

“In other words… got bitcoin,” asked bitcoin and crypto investor Preston Pysh asked in response to Musk’s post.

Last month, Nikita Bier, X’s head of product, announced the social media company that has already been rolled into xAI, will launch a new feature called "smart cashtags" designed to make financial and crypto-related discussions more precise on the platform, with cryptocurrencies bitcoin, bonk and base featured in the promotional material.

The development sparked a fresh round of speculation that Musk might finally launch fully-fledged X Money financial services on the platform after it was repeatedly teased last year.

On Feb. 12, RippleX, Ripple's development arm, announced that Token Escrow is now live on the XRP Ledger’s (XRPL) mainnet.

The change, labeled Token Escrow (XLS-85), extends conditional locking and release to trustline-based tokens (IOUs) and Multi-Purpose Tokens (MPTs).

This expands the network’s escrow function beyond XRP to cover issued assets used for stablecoins and tokenized instruments.

The upgrade lands as stablecoins continue to expand as crypto’s most established product line. CryptoSlate's data show that the total circulating supply of these assets is hovering around $308 billion and continues to rise week over week.

At the same time, tokenized real-world assets are also scaling in parallel. Data from RWA.xyz show that tokenized US Treasuries are valued at roughly $10 billion on public chains, with tens of billions more across categories such as private credit and commodities.

For XRPL, that market context is the point. The new feature is less about adding another optional tool for developers and more about introducing an on-chain settlement primitive that institutions can use to move assets only after conditions are met.

Escrow expands beyond XRP, but issuers keep the controlsXRPL has supported escrow for years, but the feature historically applied only to XRP.

Token Escrow broadens that scope to issued tokens, which is where most institution-facing use cases sit.

On XRPL, stablecoins, tokenized Treasuries, and other tokenized instruments are generally not recognized as native coins. Instead, they are seen as issued assets.

XRPL documentation makes the issuer control model explicit. Token escrow is permissioned at the issuer and token levels and is not automatically available for every asset issued on the network.

For trustline tokens, issuers must enable an “Allow Trust Line Locking” flag before escrow can be used with that issuance. For MPTs, issuers must enable “Can Escrow” (and related flags) for an issuance to support escrow.

That design matters for regulated issuers, which often want policy hooks and control points embedded in the asset’s lifecycle.

It also means the adoption path is not automatic. A live amendment does not guarantee immediate volume if issuers do not opt in and if wallets and venues do not build user flows around it.

The feature is designed for workflows that require conditional settlement. In traditional finance, those conditions are handled through intermediaries, contracts, and operational processes.

On-chain settlement can compress those steps if the base ledger locks the value and releases it only when predefined rules are satisfied.

In practical terms, token-enabled escrow can support delivery-versus-payment settlement, time-locked distributions and structured payouts, over-the-counter trade settlement that reduces counterparty risk, and collateral and margin mechanics that require conditional release rather than immediate transfer.

Each of those workflows becomes easier to model when the escrow primitive can hold the same asset types institutions use in settlement, rather than forcing the process to route through XRP alone.

XRPL’s reserve model turns object growth into structural XRP demandXRPL’s reserve model creates a second-order mechanism that can translate greater ledger usage into baseline XRP balances held for operational reasons, rather than for transaction fees.

On mainnet, accounts must hold a 1 XRP base reserve plus 0.2 XRP per owned ledger object (owner reserve). Those requirements were sharply lowered on Dec. 2, 2024, a change that made resource-intensive applications more feasible.

That matters because Token Escrow is an object-driven feature. Each escrow created on the ledger is an owned object. As escrow-based settlement workflows scale, they can increase the owner reserve requirements for the entities that own those objects.

A simple scenario range illustrates the mechanical relationship.

If Token Escrow adoption drives an additional 100,000 escrow objects, that implies an incremental 20,000 XRP in owner reserves (100,000 × 0.2). At 1,000,000 new escrow objects, the total XRP is 200,000. At 10,000,000, it is 2,000,000 XRP.

Those figures are not a forecast of adoption, and they are not a price call. However, they show how XRPL’s design links usage to reserve requirements.

For institutions, that reserve functions more like operational collateral than a fee and it remains because the system requires it to run resource-intensive workflows.

This is one reason XRPL developers focus on “plumbing” features.

In a reserve-based model, the unit economics of growth are tied to whether more meaningful objects exist on the ledger, not to whether transaction fees rise.

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The bigger push is a permissioned stack, not a single amendmentMeanwhile, Token Escrow is being introduced alongside a broader set of changes that XRPL developers have framed as a “permissioned” toolkit, designed for regulated participation on a public ledger.

Permissioned Domains (XLS-80) were activated on mainnet earlier this month.

These domains are controlled environments that “do nothing on their own,” but enable other features, including permissioned decentralized exchanges and lending protocols, that can restrict access and support on-chain compliance.

RippleXDev noted on X that the Permissioned DEX had reached validator consensus to activate shortly after.

When viewed as a combined architecture, these features answer three distinct questions for institutional participants.

Permissioned Domains address who is allowed to participate in a transaction. Token Escrow addresses how assets settle conditionally and safely. Lastly, the Permissioned DEX addresses where compliant liquidity and price discovery occur.

This triad of features suggests a shift in the XRPL’s fundamental value proposition.

It is moving away from being viewed solely as a payments chain with a central limit order book and toward a role as an institutional settlement layer defined by gated participation, controlled venues, and native conditional settlement.

The premise is straightforward. Stablecoins and tokenized assets are scaling, and regulated entities often prefer not to interact with open pools where participant identity and access controls are undefined.

If the ledger can support gated participation and conditional settlement without relying entirely on external systems, it becomes easier to map real-world compliance and operations onto on-chain rails.

What comes next, and what could slow it downThe activation of Token Escrow represents a forward-looking bet that the future of blockchain lies in compliance-compatible stacks rather than purely permissionless systems.

The first pillar is regulated liquidity formation, where permissioned venues reduce the compliance friction that currently prevents many institutions from accessing open liquidity pools.

The second is the standardization of RWA settlement. With tokenized treasuries and other assets already scaling, conditional settlement primitives could make production workflows easier to ship.

The third pillar is expanding stablecoin utility beyond simple transfers. Escrow capabilities unlock structured settlement and treasury automation, use cases that resemble back-office operations more than active trading.

Significant implementation risks remain, as issuers must opt in to token escrow capabilities by enabling the required flags. At the same time, wallets and exchanges must integrate the new flows to make them accessible to users.

Additionally, the rise of permissioned domains carries the risk of fragmenting liquidity if the ecosystem splits too sharply between open and gated markets.

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Despite a sharp decline in on-chain payment activity throughout the XRP Ledger, XRP has experienced an unexpected short-term recovery, reporting a price increase of about 19%. It is difficult for traders to tell whether this move is the start of a long-term recovery or just a technical bounce inside a larger downtrend, because of the divergence between price action and network usage. 

XRP bouncesAfter testing the lower limit of its multi-month descending channel, XRP has recently seen a sharp increase in price. Near local lows around $1.40, buyers intervened forcefully, resulting in a quick recovery toward the $1.60-$1.70 range. Growing volumes of spot and derivatives trading supported the move, suggesting that speculative interest swiftly returned after the selling pressure subsided.

XRP/USDT Chart by TradingViewIn contrast, on-chain data presents a completely different picture. As a result of a slowdown in transactional usage throughout the network, payment counts on the XRP Ledger have decreased by almost 70% from recent highs. Decreased payments usually indicate decreased cross-border payment flows, decreased utility demand, or decreased settlement activity, factors that typically impact price rather than encourage a rally. 

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Better market positioningThis discrepancy shows that market positioning rather than fundamental growth may be the primary driver of the current recovery. Especially after prolonged declines, where markets become technically oversold, opportunistic dip-buying, short covering, and liquidation cascades frequently drive such rebounds.

The most important question for investors right now is sustainability. The move may develop into a more robust reversal if the price keeps rising while the volume of payments stabilizes or starts to recover. However, XRP might go back to consolidation, or even retest recent lows if on-chain activity is still weak and the price stalls below significant resistance zones. 

As traders evaluate whether momentum buyers can sustain control, volatility is probably going to stay high in the near future. While sustained divergence might suggest that the current bounce is still brittle rather than a verified trend shift, a recovery bolstered by increased ledger activity would indicate better conditions.

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Wendy’s is moving ahead with its plans to close hundreds of restaurants, amounting to between 5% and 6% of its total stores in the U.S., according to its fourth-quarter earnings report. 

Published on February 13, the report shows that Wendy’s domestic business is lagging behind its international efforts. Total same-store sales fell 10.1% over the quarter, driven by low performance in the U.S., where same-store sales were down 11.3% (compared to 2% at international locations). Overall, global systemwide sales were $3.4 billion, a decrease of 8.3% from the previous quarter.

According to Ken Cook, Wendy’s interim CEO, one way the company is addressing the downward trend is through ongoing “system optimization,” which includes the closure of “consistently underperforming restaurants” to allow franchisee partners to focus on more profitable locations.

Shares in Wendy’s Co. (Nasdaq: WEN) jumped about 5% in early trading on February 13, but the company’s stock prices overall are nearing lows that haven’t been seen since 2013. 

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Wendy’s closure updatesWendy’s first announced plans to shutter several hundred U.S. stores in November 2025. At the time, Cook told investors that some restaurants “do not elevate the brand” and are “a drag from a franchisee financial performance perspective.” Cook shared that 28 restaurants closed during the fourth quarter of 2025. 

Wendy’s operated about 6,000 U.S. stores before any of the closures. Its aim to cut down up to 6% of domestic operations amounts to shuttering roughly 300 to 360 storefronts this year. Cook said the closures were decided in partnership with franchisees, who worked to flag underperforming restaurants.

“We established a disciplined process with our franchisees to approach this restaurant by restaurant, working with them to make the best decisions that strengthen the system in the long term,” Cook said, adding, “Obviously it takes time to work with landlords and achieve what will be a win-win for both the franchisees and the Wendy’s company for those sites that we’re in, so that’ll take a little bit longer to see the rental income impact versus the closures.”

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These two high-yielding pipeline stocks go head-to-head.

The pipeline sector is home to several high-quality dividend stocks. Most pipeline operators generate stable cash flows backed by long-term contracts and government-regulated rate structures. That enables them to pay lucrative dividends.

Oneok (OKE +1.74%) and Kinder Morgan (KMI +1.99%) are leading pipeline stocks. They both pay attractive and growing dividends. Here's a look at which is the better dividend stock to buy right now.

Image source: Getty Images.

The steady growth should continue Oneok's dividend currently yields just over 5%. That's significantly higher than the S&P 500's 1.1% dividend yield. The diversified energy midstream giant has a strong track record of paying dividends. It has delivered over a quarter century of dividend stability and growth. While Oneok hasn't increased its dividend every year, it has grown it by nearly 100% over the past decade, a period when most of its peers have cut their payouts.

The company aims to pay out less than 85% of its stable cash flow in dividends. That allows it to retain some capital to reinvest in its growth. Oneok also has a strong financial profile, with a target leverage ratio of 3.5 times. The company currently has several organic expansion projects underway, including joint ventures to build an LPG export terminal and a gas pipeline, both of which should enter commercial service in 2028. In addition, Oneok expects to capture hundreds of millions of dollars in annual commercial synergies from three major acquisitions it has completed in recent years. The earnings growth from these initiatives should support the company's aim to grow its dividend by 3% to 4% each year (Oneok recently hiked its dividend by 4% for 2026).

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Cashing in on the gas pipeline building boom Kinder Morgan currently has a 3.7% dividend yield. The natural gas pipeline giant expects to raise its payout by about 2% this year. That would be its ninth consecutive year of increasing its payment.

The gas pipeline giant cut its dividend over a decade ago to retain additional cash for expansion projects and maintain its strong financial profile. It still has a lower dividend payout ratio (around 50% of its stable cash flow), which is why its yield is lower than Oneok's. Kinder Morgan has a similarly strong financial profile compared to its peer, with its leverage ratio expected to be toward the low end of its 3.5 to 4.5 times target range this year (3.8 times).

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Kinder Morgan is investing heavily to expand its gas pipeline network. It has $10 billion of projects in its backlog that it expects to complete by the second quarter of 2030. It's pursuing another $10 billion in expansion projects to enhance and extend its growth profile. These projects should fuel strong earnings growth while enabling Kinder Morgan to continue increasing its dividend.

More income now or more growth Oneok offers investors a higher current dividend yield and is likely to increase its dividend faster over the next few years. That makes it a better dividend stock for those whose current priority is generating income. On the other hand, Kinder Morgan offers higher growth potential, making it better for those seeking higher total returns.

Matt DiLallo has positions in Kinder Morgan. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Kinder Morgan. The Motley Fool recommends Oneok. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

These tech stocks are growing fast and have long-term opportunities.

The S&P 500 is off to a tepid start this year, but the Dow Jones Industrial Average hit a record 50,000 as investors piled into beaten-down tech stocks. Many of the software-as-a-service (SaaS) stocks that had taken the worst of last week's sell-off are rising again, and artificial intelligence (AI) continues to bring new opportunities to many tech giants.

If you're looking for high-growth tech stocks to drive your portfolio, Ciena (CIEN +3.74%), Sandisk (SNDK 0.59%), and ServiceNow (NOW +3.67%) could fit the bill.

Image source: Getty Images.

1. Ciena Ciena is a leader in networking and connectivity, and its products are used in all sorts of technology, including streaming, e-commerce, and cloud services. However, it's even more highly in demand as a major part of AI infrastructure. Its data center business is increasing faster than its other segments, and it's expecting it to accelerate in 2025 to double last year's sales.

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The company provides business-to-business services for other service providers, and these clients are all upgrading their technology to include AI in their ecosystems, resulting in more business for Ciena. Its addressable market was $600 billion last year, and management envisions that growing to $1 trillion by 2028.

Ciena is growing quickly and is highly profitable, and it has a massive long-term opportunity. It gained 176% last year, and it could be a standout stock again in 2026.

2. Sandisk Sandisk stock is absolutely on fire, up 1,440% since it split from Western Digital and became a stand-alone public company a year ago. The data storage specialist is forging new deals with data center clients, and revenue is soaring. It increased 31% sequentially, and 61% year over year in the 2026 fiscal second quarter (ended Jan. 2).

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What makes the company stand out is its specialization in NAND flash memory, which is in demand for AI hyperscalers and data centers, since it retains data efficiently. Demand is exceeding supply, and Sandisk continues to launch new and more powerful products to satiate increasing demand. Data center revenue was up 64% sequentially in the quarter. It's also performing well in its consumer business, where customers are choosing more premium products, and it's highly profitable, with adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of $6.20 in the second quarter, up from $1.23 last year.

Sandisk has a huge opportunity, and the stock isn't expensive, trading at only 15 times trailing-12-month sales.

3. ServiceNow ServiceNow has been one of the main SaaS companies affected by the market sell-off in SaaS stocks, and it's down 50% over the past year. However, it's growing quickly and has a dominant position in a major industry, and looks oversold at the current price, creating an opportunity for investors.

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The company is a leader in workflow software, calling itself the "control tower" of an organization, and it counts 8,800 clients that rely on its products. The market seems to be worried about it being supplanted by AI, but management is striking deals with AI companies like Anthropic to use AI to enhance its services, making them even more valuable.

After the sell-off, ServiceNow stock trades at a P/E ratio of 29, which gives it plenty of room to expand in 2026.

Micron and Nvidia share similar growth stories. Like Intel, though, Micron's success could be disrupted by competition.

Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.

Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.

MPLX LP and Western Midstream Partners are often compared, but diverge significantly in strategy, asset focus, and growth prospects. MPLX aggressively expands its gas business, targeting data centers and pursuing major M&A, while WES prioritizes structural simplification and diversification, notably into water assets. Both operate toll-road models with stable, long-term contracts and MLP structures, but WES offers higher current distribution yield and faster historical payout growth.

Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.

Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.

Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.

Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.

Item 1 of 3 People line up to check out at the Olympics megastore in Milan, Italy, February 11, 2026. REUTERS/Alessandro Garofalo/File Photo

[1/3]People line up to check out at the Olympics megastore in Milan, Italy, February 11, 2026. REUTERS/Alessandro Garofalo/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights, opens new tab

SummaryCompaniesECB keen to wean region off non-EU payments providersVisa has been Olympics' payments partner for four decadesForeign card scheme accounts for 2/3 of euro zone transactionsEsselunga grocery chain says to accept cash at Milan press centre from MondayMILAN, Feb 15 (Reuters) - Anyone trying to buy a souvenir at the official Olympic stores at the Milano Cortina Games will have been exposed to an issue troubling Europe's policymakers: the dominance of foreign payment providers and the fading role of cash.

Under a sponsorship deal with the International Olympic Committee dating back to 1986 and extended to 2032, Visa (V.N), opens new tab is the sole card provider at the Games, with signs reading "Card payment? We accept only Visa" and staff offering prepaid cards on the spot.

The Week in Breakingviews newsletter offers insights and ideas from Reuters' global financial commentary team. Sign up here.

By the next Winter Games in France in 2030, people could have another option if the European Central Bank meets its goal of launching a digital euro in 2029.

Declaring the project key for Europe's economic security, the EU Council in December endorsed the digital euro saying it would be "available to the general public and businesses to make payments anytime and anywhere in the euro area".

That remains the prerogative of cash, but EU lawmakers are still working on rules that would make it unequivocally mandatory for shops and service providers to accept cash, except for remote payments or unmanned services.

GONE TO GET SOME CASHAt the Games stores, cash is accepted and ATM machines have been installed to allow people to withdraw money, a spokesperson for the organisers said.

A spokesperson for Visa said the company was committed to making the purchase experience for Milano Cortina products the best it can be.

People no longer carry banknotes in their wallets.

"My dad's just gone to withdraw some cash. We saw the sign and we don't have Visa," said Marta Mule, a young Italian magazine contributor, waiting in a long queue that stretched up to the entrance of the main Olympics store in Milan.

A shop assistant at the counter of the Olympic shop close to Milan's imposing Duomo cathedral estimated only around one sixth of people paid with cash, while all others had Visa cards.

DEPENDENT ON FOREIGN SUPPLIERSInternational card schemes such as Visa or Mastercard (M.N), opens new tab account for two-thirds of card transactions in the euro area, European Central Bank Executive Board member Piero Cipollone said in the text of a speech on Thursday.

"We need to address our current dependencies in retail payments and reverse the tide," he said.

While the Olympics will always be a one-off event in terms of commercial arrangements, it touches on a sore point for the ECB.

The ECB needs an EU law to be in place before it can issue the digital euro.

But its legislative proposal was stuck in the European Parliament for more than two years amid concerns that a central‑bank‑backed wallet could drain commercial bank deposits or displace private-sector payment systems.

Since December, however, first the European Council and then the European Parliament have fully endorsed the ECB's stance on the project.

To defend the role of central bank money, the ECB wants the digital euro to work both offline, in a cash‑like way, and online, and to be available for wholesale and retail payments.

"To put it simply: if we lose control of our money, we lose control of our economic destiny," said Cipollone, who leads the digital euro project at the ECB.

Parts of the private sector had wanted a more limited scheme rather than a new retail payments option.

CASH PAYMENTS TO BE INTRODUCED IN PRESS CENTRE SUPERMARKETStrained transatlantic ties have added weight to the ECB's position, prompting the EU Council and Parliament to back the central bank, including by defending cash — the only form of central‑bank money available to the public for now.

Reuters saw media representatives having to put back food items they had tried to purchase at the Esselunga grocery store inside the Olympic press centre in Milan because it does not accept cash.

A spokesperson for Esselunga said cash payments would be accepted starting Monday and that the earlier choice only to accept card payments had been agreed with the Games organisers to speed up the service provided.

Reporting by Valentina Za and Giancarlo Navach; Editing by Keith Weir and Alison Williams

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles., opens new tab

These two fixed-income ETFs hold much more safer bonds compared to other funds, but which one will be right for you?

Both the iShares 3-7 Year Treasury Bond ETF (IEI +0.27%) and the Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF (BND +0.29%) are designed for investors seeking core bond exposure, but their approaches differ: IEI sticks to intermediate-term U.S. Treasuries, while BND covers a more broad spectrum of investment-grade bonds. This comparison highlights how each ETF’s cost, performance, risk, and holdings may appeal to different income and diversification needs.

Snapshot (cost & size)MetricIEIBNDIssuerISharesVanguardExpense ratio0.15%0.03%1-yr return (as of Feb. 14, 2026)4.22%4.19%Dividend yield3.48%3.83%Beta0.150.27AUM$18.06 billion$389.22 billionBeta measures price volatility relative to the S&P 500; beta is calculated from five-year weekly returns. The 1-yr return represents total return over the trailing 12 months.

The Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF stands out for its notably lower expense ratio, making it more affordable for long-term holders, while sharing a very similar one-year return with IEI.

Performance & risk comparison MetricIEIBNDMax drawdown (5 y)-13.89%-17.91%Growth of $1,000 over 5 years$902$853What's inside For nearly 20 years, BND has tracked the broad U.S. investment-grade bond market, holding a large basket of 15,000 securities. It is designed for investors seeking balanced exposure across Treasuries, mortgage-backed securities, and investment-grade corporates.

IEI holds 87 positions focused exclusively on U.S. Treasury bonds that mature in three to seven years, providing pure government exposure with minimal credit risk. The fund was created only three months later than BND. Its weight is nearly 100% AA bonds, the second-highest-rated bonds.

For more guidance on ETF investing, check out the full guide at this link.

What this means for investorsWhen deciding between these two ETFs it will essentially come down to if investors prefer more diverse bond exposure or more concentration on U.S. government fixed-income. Both funds have similar one-year returns, but it should be noted that BND’s price has dropped about four percent worse than IEI over the last five years, when looking from a more long-term perspective.

In terms of risk, the two funds nearly balance each other out as IEI has nearly 100% AA-rated bonds, which are all federally issued; while BND has 72% in AAA-rated bonds. So even though IEI doesn’t have AAA-rated bonds, it holds the second best there is to offer, and while BND holds some A and BBB-rated bonds, the AAA bonds make up for it.

What’s interesting is that although BND has a higher dividend yield percentage, IEI’s actual monthly dividend payouts are nearly twice as high because the BlackRock fund has a price of $120.14 compared to the Vanguard fund’s price of $74.88 (as of Feb. 14, 2026).

Adé Hennis has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

After years of seeing growth stocks dominate the market, many analysts are predicting a shift toward value stocks in 2026. The best value stock opportunities are typically companies with wide competitive moats that may be facing temporary setbacks. One such opportunity is Nike (NKE +3.32%).

The company is currently in the midst of a turnaround effort, and it's seen a sizable impact from the Trump administration's tariff policies over the past year. But patient investors looking for an outstanding value stock to buy with just $100 may have a great one in Nike.

Image source: Getty Images.

Leaning on its strengths to Win Now Nike's financial results deteriorated under former CEO John Donahue. His focus on direct-to-consumer sales and product segmentation by gender (instead of sport) didn't lead to the increase in profits expected. The board replaced Donahue with veteran executive Elliott Hill in 2024.

Hill's Win Now turnaround strategy relies on Nike's strong brand and ability to innovate in athletic wear. Its marketing now leans into those strengths. He's also renewing wholesale agreements to expand sales channels and reinvigorate revenue growth.

Wholesale revenue improved 8% in its most recent quarter, but overall sales growth remains sluggish -- flat on a currency-neutral basis. With more sales coming from wholesale channels, along with the weight of tariffs on its cost of goods, gross margin contracted 3 percentage points.

But there are bright spots in those results. North America saw revenue grow 9%, and Europe grew 3% before adjusting for foreign-exchange headwinds. Both growth rates are accelerating.

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China remains a big drag on its financial results, with sales in the region down 17% year over year last quarter. Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) fell sharply, down 49%. But China is a big opportunity for Nike in the long run. Not only does it already have strong brand recognition in the region, but the Chinese government is also promoting sports and fitness. Its goal is to expand the sports industry into a $1 trillion market by 2030, nearly doubling from 2023 levels.

Nike may continue to struggle through the rest of fiscal 2026, which ends in May. But as it laps the impact of Trump tariffs and the declining profitability in China, Hill's Win Now efforts should start to show progress over the next year. Margins will expand again as wholesale customers reduce the cost of inventory management and help reinvigorate sales growth. It may also be able to offset the impact of tariffs with supply chain shifts and passing through price increases to customers in the U.S.

Analysts see a strong rebound in Nike's earnings per share next year, with the average on Wall Street at $2.47 for fiscal 2027, increasing from $1.75 for the fiscal year that ends in May. With the stock price just over $60, the shares trade for about 25 times forward earnings. That might seem expensive for a company that's not growing at a breakneck pace. But Nike could see a substantial revenue rebound over the next few years while steadily expanding margins back to pre-pandemic levels and beyond, producing excellent earnings-per-share growth.

At its current price, investors with $100 and who are interested in a value stock might not find many stocks with a better value than Nike shares right now.

Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.

Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.

Fastly stock price surged to its highest level since February 2024 as the company’s recovery accelerated. FSLY jumped to a high of $18.25, up by over 273% from its lowest level in 2025 as its turnaround gained steam. This recovery has pushed its market capitalization to over $2.7 billion.

Fastly stock has rebounded as the turnaround continues Copy link to section

Fastly is a top software company offering solutions to thousands of websites globally, such as Financial Times, Stripe, Wayfair, Guardian, and Airbnb.

The stock has rebounded in the past few days as the recent financial results showed that its business continued growing in the fourth quarter of last year.

Fastly’s revenue rose by 23% to $172.6 million, while its gross margin jumped to a record high of 61.4%. This revenue growth mirrored that of Cloudflare, a similar company that offers DNS solutions to thousands of companies.

Fastly’s annual revenue jumped to $624 million, while the Remaining Performance Obligations (RPO) jumped by 55% to $354 million. 

Most notably, the company boosted its forward guidance and now expects that its revenue will be between $168 million and $174 million, up by 18% YoY. It expects that the annual revenue will be between $700 million and $720 million, up by 14% YoY.

Fastly is benefiting from the ongoing demand from artificial intelligence (AI), with more companies using its platform to provide security to these companies. It is also benefiting from the ongoing growth of its total addressable market (TAM), which has jumped to over $22 billion.

Wall Street analysts have started boosting their Fastly stock targets. For example, Citigroup boosted its target from $10 to $13, while Royal Bank of Canada hiked the target to $12. DA Davidson and Piper Sandler analysts boosted their targets to $13 and $14. 

Therefore, the average estimate among all analysts covering the company is $12, much lower than the current $18. That is a sign that most analysts expect it to retreat in the coming months.

A likely reason for this is that analysts believe that the company is highly overvalued. For example, Fastly has a forward revenue growth of 11% and a net income margin of minus 19.5%, giving it a rule-of-40 metric of minus 8%. A negative rule-of-40 metric is a sign that a company is focusing on growth at the expense of its profits.

FSLY stock price technical analysis  Copy link to section

Fastly stock chart | Source: TradingView 

The weekly timeframe chart shows that the Fastly stock price has remained in a tight range in the past few months. It has remained between the key support at $5.04 and $25 since 2022.

The stock then rebounded recently, moving from to its highest level since February 2024. Its consolidation was part of the accumulation phase of the Wyckoff Theory.

Therefore, the stock may continue rising as bulls target the upper side of the range, potentially to the key resistance level at $25.50. A move above that level will point to more gains, potentially to the 23.6% Fibonacci Retracement level at $36.

Investors should try to look beyond the more popular names in the market. There are often better opportunities hiding in plain sight.

The digital bank and fintech stock SoFi Technologies (SOFI +1.55%) has been a popular choice, especially among retail investors. Over the past year, the stock has served investors well, delivering gains of over 37%. However, SoFi continues to trade at a fairly rich valuation. Although it's come down some from previous highs, the stock recently traded at close to 34 times forward earnings and nearly 10 times forward sales.

While SoFi may continue to perform well, it isn't the only fintech stock available. Why not buy a similar business that's growing earnings fast and trading at a fraction of the valuation?

Image source: Getty Images.

Another personal lender that has executed well LendingClub (LC +2.57%) is another company that specializes in personal lending, particularly for credit card debt consolidation. LendingClub has also been developing its purchase finance lending business, which includes loans for elective dental or medical treatments. The company is also in the process of moving into the home improvement space to make larger loans with its platform.

Similar to SoFi, and actually before it, LendingClub purchased a bank in 2021 and transformed into a much more profitable entity. After fine-tuning several parts of its platform, such as its deposit platform and tech stack, to better support its model and dealing with several years of high volatility in the broader market, the company has really started to see its earnings ramp higher.

In 2024, LendingClub generated $0.45 of diluted earnings per share (EPS). In 2025, the company grew earnings by 154% to $1.15 per share. This year, management has already guided for EPS of $1.65 to $1.80, implying nearly 50% growth at the midpoint.

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Starting this year, LendingClub also made a major accounting change to simplify its business model for the broader market. Previously, the company would hold a portion of loans on its balance sheet, intending to hold them until maturity and account for them in a manner similar to a traditional bank. This involved taking an up-front provision for expected future loan losses, which would significantly cut into earnings each quarter.

The rest of LendingClub's originations would be either sold immediately upon origination, packaged into structured certificates, or seasoned on its balance sheet with the intent to eventually sell those loans, typically after six to 12 months of generating interest income. The seasoned loans are marked to market each quarter at their fair value.

The use of multiple accounting methods for loans seemed to confuse the market or make the company more difficult to analyze for institutional investors. Starting this year, LendingClub will account for all of its loans using the fair value option. This will simplify the company's model and make earnings easier to understand by better aligning the timing of revenue recognition with the timing of losses.

Up next: Boosting returns and closing the valuation gap With a clearer accounting plan and the platform well positioned to scale, LendingClub's management team has its sights set on elevating returns, largely by ramping up originations. In 2025, the company had an annual run rate of $10 billion in loan originations. Management has already guided for $12.1 billion in originations at the midpoint of their guidance this year, with an upper bound of $12.6 billion.

At an investor day last year, management said their medium-term goal is to ramp originations to $18 billion to $22 billion and achieve returns on tangible common equity (ROTCE), a key return metric that bank and financials investors focus on, in the 18% to 20% range. Currently, the company is generating a ROTCE of about 12% to 13%.

Now, LendingClub and SoFi are not exactly the same. SoFi's platform also offers consumers many other types of loans and financial services and products. The company also has a bank technology division that focuses on core processing technology and payment processing. The market has clearly assigned the stock a higher valuation based on these other businesses, although personal lending remains the main driver of SoFi's revenue and earnings.

That said, LendingClub trades much cheaper than SoFi at less than 10 times forward earnings and 1.8 times forward revenue. Furthermore, Wall Street analysts on average currently expect the company to generate $2.40 in EPS in 2027, which implies another 40% growth, according to data provided by Visible Alpha.

Of course, the personal lending sector does not come without risk. A recession could lead to deteriorating consumer credit, which may send loan buyers to the sidelines. If interest rates increase, loan buyers face a higher cost of capital. In this scenario, loan buyers require higher returns on loan investments, which could force personal lenders to pull back on originations. Finally, a blow-up in private credit, a major buyer of loans from LendingClub and SoFi, could also be problematic.

With LendingClub stock trading around $15.20 per share, it has strong upside potential. For instance, assuming the same earnings multiple, if the market becomes more confident that LendingClub can generate $2.40 in EPS in 2027, that implies a $24 share price. The longer-term opportunity is whether LendingClub can successfully and consistently generate a 20% ROTCE. That would grow the company's tangible book value, or net worth, and result in a much higher multiple and, therefore, a much higher stock price.

SGDM offers a 0.86% dividend yield because it invests in individual mining companies, while SLV offers none. Over the past year, both funds delivered triple-digit returns.

Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have a beneficial long position in the shares of RQI, RLTY, ETW, PTA, OXLC, EIC, XFLT either through stock ownership, options, or other derivatives. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.

Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.

Bitcoin and Ethereum had down years in 2025, but many investors are still optimistic about their long-term growth. These two ETFs may offer exposure to that potential growth.

Both the iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF (IBIT +5.18%) and iShares Ethereum Trust ETF (ETHA +6.78%) are single-asset ETFs that offer direct exposure to major cryptocurrencies: Bitcoin (BTC +2.13%) and Ethereum (ETH +1.66%), respectively. This comparison focuses on their fees, recent returns, risk levels, and portfolio composition to help investors understand which may best align with their goals.

Snapshot (cost & size)MetricIBITETHAIssueriSharesiSharesExpense ratio0.25%0.25%1-yr return (as of Feb. 14, 2026)-29.35%-23.90%AUM$51.53 billion$6.29 billionThe 1-yr return represents total return over the trailing 12 months.

Both funds are equally priced at 0.25%, so neither stands out in cost. ETHA’s smaller assets under management (AUM) may matter for investors who prioritize scale.

Performance & risk comparisonMetricIBITETHAMax drawdown (1 y)-49.36%-61.57%Growth of $1,000 over 1 year$720$753What's insideIBIT was launched on Jan. 5, 2024, and only holds Bitcoin. Six months later, BlackRock launched ETHA, which only holds Ether. Both funds offer direct exposure to the crypto market and share high volatility.

For more guidance on ETF investing, check out the full guide at this link.

What this means for investorsBoth Bitcoin and Ethereum posted negative returns for the year of 2025, marking the first annual decline since 2022. It was a wake-up call for many investors who thought the returns on Bitcoin and other top cryptocurrencies would be endless. Although governments and institutional entities continue to invest in the crypto space, it will still experience ups and downs just like the stock market.

Cryptocurrency should also not be viewed as a reliable hedge against the U.S. dollar, despite the impact that tariffs and geopolitical tensions have had on the fiat.

With that being said, investors must be cautious when investing in crypto-holding funds, as even though people may not have to worry about digital wallet hacks, the market is very volatile, and it will directly impact the performance of funds such as IBIT and ETHA.

Throughout the entire existence of both funds, IBIT has increased nearly 40%, while ETHA has fallen 41%, but it’s still too soon to say that IBIT will perform better than ETHA over the long term. For now, though, IBIT shows better promise and holds a cryptocurrency that’s much more included in institutional and government development than Ethereum.

Adé Hennis has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Bitcoin, Ethereum, and iShares Bitcoin Trust. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.