Market Signal Briefing

Bitcoin, the world’s largest cryptocurrency by market cap, is standing at a make-or-break level, and analysts say 2026 could decide its long-term future. 

With BTC crashing to below $60K and missing major price targets, analysts believe XRP could become no 1 cryptocurrency, if Bitcoin fails to hit $150K by the end of 2026 or even drops to $1000 in the next 5 years.

Here’s Why!

Bitcoin Needs to Hit $150K in 2026The latest market discussion started after Bitcoin could not hold its higher price levels and fell sharply. In the last cycle, Bitcoin reached a peak near $126,000. After that, it dropped hard to around $60,000 before recovering back toward the $70,000 range

That marks a drawdown of more than 50% from the peak at one stage. The big drop worried many traders and created more fear and uncertainty in the crypto market.

Looking at the long-term chart from 2011 to 2026, Bitcoin has moved inside an upward trend channel for over 12 years. Right now, the price is near an important support level. Analysts say Bitcoin needs to break above $150,000 this year to stay inside its long-term trend.

But, if Bitcoin fails to reach $150,000, the price could drop heavily and, in an extreme case, fall back toward the $1,000 level. 

Although, Veteran trader Peter Brandt described the recent fall as a sudden “slip-style” move that surprised traders. He suggested that if weakness continues, Bitcoin could still find a stronger bottom near the low $40,000 area instead of collapsing to extreme low predictions.

XRP Aiming to Become the No.1 CryptocurrencySome XRP supporters believe XRP could rise to the 1 spot in the crypto market in the next 6 years. They say XRP has strong advantages like fast payments, low fees, and growing use by banks and financial firms. 

However, surpassing Bitcoin is not easy. Bitcoin’s current market cap is around $1.38 trillion. 

For XRP to reach that level, its price would need to rise to nearly $23 per coin, considering a XRP circulating supply of $60 billion. Right now, XRP is trading around $1.44, which shows how big the gap still is.

So while XRP has potential, becoming the number one cryptocurrency would require a very large and long-term price move.

XRP Price OutlookAs of now, XRP price is trading near $1.45, sitting at a key support zone. The chart shows XRP recently tested $1.30, which acted as strong demand and triggered a bounce. 

Long-term charts reveal XRP spent nearly 7 years in accumulation, a pattern that often appears before major breakouts. 

For bullish momentum, XRP needs to hold above $1.53 and break the downtrend line. If that happens, the next targets are $2.00, $2.27, and $2.75. 

On the downside, losing $1.30 could push the price toward $1.07.

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XRP price remains steady at $1.42 as traders await today’s White House meeting, which could spark hopes for the Clarity Act. The cryptocurrency has experienced 12% decline last week, which was influenced by a bear market trend. Nevertheless, XRP seems to be forming a consolidation and possibly to climb beyond the $1.50 region.

In the meantime, the entire crypto market is down by 1.91% with the total market cap at 2.35 trillion. Bitcoin price is currently trading at $68, 800, and Ethereum is hovering around $2,000 with a recovery in sight.

Key White House Meeting Today Could Break Stalemate on CLARITY Act The White House is hosting a crucial meeting today, February 10, to determine the future of stablecoins in the United States and resolve key issues surrounding the CLARITY Act. 

This bill, created to create a definitive crypto market framework, has gone through considerable stalling in the Senate, and one of the key issues in the bill is stablecoin yield.

The bill underwent alteration on July 17, 2025, passing by the House, and has thus far stalled as lawmakers are unable to find consensus over the bill.

The officials of the staff level will strive to work on breaking the deadlock in the modern meeting, with special emphasis on whether companies should be permitted to provide interest on the stablecoin holdings.

The first time, the senior policy representatives of major banks will be involved in the discussion, which is indicative of the increased urgency to reach a compromise.

The White House is optimistic that the stalemate can be resolved and that the bill can be finalized by the end of February 2026. The lack of action by the lawmakers would result in the crypto market declining due to the regulatory uncertainty. 

This would affect large cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP created by Ripple, and Solana.

XRP, Bitcoin, and Ethereum ETFs See Significant Inflows XRP spot ETFs saw an impressive inflow of $6.31 million on February 9. Meanwhile, Bitcoin spot ETFs recorded a significant inflow of $145 million, with Grayscale recording the highest of 131 million.

On Feb. 9 (ET), U.S. Bitcoin spot ETFs recorded total net inflows of $145 million, led by Grayscale with $131 million in net inflows. Ethereum spot ETFs saw total net inflows of $57.05 million, marking the first net inflow after three consecutive days of net outflows.… pic.twitter.com/aspp1cBxxr

— Wu Blockchain (@WuBlockchain) February 10, 2026

There was also a rebound of Ethereum spot ETFs that registered inflows of $57.05 million. This was the first positive trend registered by Ethereum in three days of straight outflows.

XRP Price Prediction: Will $1.40 Hold in February 2026? The latest XRP price traded at $1.42 on February 10, 2026, with a slight increase of 0.52%.  XRP price is currently battling to maintain its position above the key support zone of $1.40.

The RSI (Relative Strength Index) is positioned at 48.11, indicating a neutral stance in terms of momentum.

The MACD indicator is signaling a slightly bearish trend, as the MACD line is below the signal line 

The traders are advised to monitor the support level of $1.40; a lower level might lead to additional declines. Conversely, provided that the XRP price can sustain above $1.43. There is a possibility that the price can rebound to reach $1.50 or possibly the resistance level of $1.70.

Source: XRP/USDT 4-hour chart: Tradingview XRP is holding steady with traders waiting on the White House meeting on the CLARITY Act. Although the market has been facing certain challenges lately, it can grow provided that it has certain support levels. The market conditions may unfold in a manner that will see a rebound.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) The meeting focuses on resolving issues surrounding stablecoin regulations and breaking the legislative stalemate on the Clarity Act.

Yes, any progress on the Clarity Act could provide regulatory clarity, potentially boosting XRP’s price.

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Quick Facts:

➡️ Dogecoin must hold the $0.09370 support level to maintain its bullish structure and target $0.20 by 2026. ➡️ A breakdown below $0.088 would invalidate the current reversal thesis, risking a drop to $0.060. ➡️ Market liquidity is rotating toward thematic projects like Maxi Doge, which integrates trading competitions and leverage culture for high-risk ROI hunters. ➡️ Macroeconomic shifts in global liquidity remain the primary catalyst for the next leg of the meme coin supercycle. Dogecoin is fighting a critical battle at $0.09370.

That price point, once just a blip on the technical chart, has hardened into a psychological line in the sand for the entire meme sector. With Bitcoin stuck in consolidation, high-beta assets like DOGE are being forced to test their liquidity floors. The real question for traders isn’t just about surviving the current dip. It’s about whether this retest can trigger a parabolic run deep into 2026.

Why does this specific level matter? It aligns perfectly with historical accumulation zones where retail panic usually meets institutional buying. While volume indicators suggest ‘weak hands’ are folding, on-chain metrics reveal a quiet divergence in wallet growth.

Someone is accumulating. The market is currently trying to price in macro uncertainty alongside the hope for a ‘meme supercycle.’ If support holds, the structure points toward a reversal that could challenge year-to-date highs.

But the liquidity landscape is shifting. Legacy giants like Dogecoin are battling the law of large numbers, it takes massive capital just to move the needle 5%. Consequently, speculative cash is beginning to fragment. Traders chasing asymmetric returns are increasingly hedging major positions with newer, narrative-driven projects.

This rotation explains why assets like Maxi Doge ($MAXI) are gaining traction. They offer a totally different risk-reward profile for anyone betting on the next wave of retail euphoria.

Learn more about Maxi Doge.

Analysts Eye $0.20 Reversal if Key Support Holds The technical case for Dogecoin hinges entirely on holding the $0.09000–$0.09370 zone. A breakdown here would be ugly—, likely triggering a cascade of long liquidations down to the $0.075 region. But a successful defense?

That confirms a ‘higher low’ macro structure (a classic reversal signal). Plus, the daily RSI is hovering in oversold territory. Historically, that’s exactly where impulsive bounces in the meme sector start.

Fundamentally, DOGE remains tied to payment narratives. Yet, what most analysts miss is the link between global liquidity cycles and meme performance. As central banks signal rate adjustments, risk-on assets react first. Liquidity usually flows into Bitcoin, then rotates into heavyweights like DOGE.

If the $0.09370 support holds through this volatility, charts point to immediate resistance at $0.12, with a medium-term target of $0.20 by early 2026.

Scenario Analysis:

Bull Case: DOGE reclaims the 50-day EMA, confirming $0.09370 as a cycle bottom. Buying pressure targets $0.14 initially, with a breakout to $0.22 imminent if volume holds up. Base Case: The asset chops sideways between $0.090 and $0.105 for 3-5 weeks, shaking out leverage before making a decisive move. Bear Case (Invalidation): A daily candle close below $0.088 invalidates the bullish thesis, exposing the asset to a retest of 2023 lows around $0.060. $MAXI is available here. Smart Money Rotates: $MAXI Targets High-Leverage Culture While Dogecoin relies on broad sentiment, Maxi Doge ($MAXI) is carving out a niche by targeting the aggressive trading culture defining this cycle.

Early adopters call it the ‘Left-Curve’ play. It positions itself not just as a currency, but as the embodiment of the 1000x leverage mentality. That distinction is key. While DOGE wants mass adoption, Maxi Doge targets the high-frequency trader and the ‘gym-bro’ aesthetic dominating crypto Twitter.

The project stands out with a ‘Leverage King’ ecosystem, featuring holder-only trading competitions and a ‘Maxi Fund’ treasury. The numbers seem to back the hype.

According to the presale page, Maxi Doge has raised exactly $4.58M, with tokens currently priced at $0.0002803. This influx suggests retail investors are hunting for volatility and outsized returns, gains that mature assets like $DOGE struggle to deliver these days due to their massive caps.

Smart money is watching this rotation. On-chain data from Etherscan reveals that 2 whale wallets scooped up $628K ($314K, $314K) in recent transactions.

That signals high-net-worth players are positioning themselves before the project moves to open markets. View whale activity on Etherscan.

Still, caution is required. As an ERC-20 token focused on high-octane culture, Maxi Doge carries early-stage volatility risks. The ‘never skip leg-day’ branding and competitive staking APY are attractive, sure, but this remains a high-risk allocation. It’s for those looking to diversify into speculative narratives, not safe havens.

Watch the liquidity rotation, Maxi Doge ($MAXI) presale is live here. It represents the aggressive edge of the current meme market.

Buy your $MAXI here.

The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Crypto assets, including Dogecoin and presale tokens like Maxi Doge, are highly volatile and unregulated. Always conduct your own independent research and consult a professional advisor before making investment decisions.

Editorial Process for bitcoinist is centered on delivering thoroughly researched, accurate, and unbiased content. We uphold strict sourcing standards, and each page undergoes diligent review by our team of top technology experts and seasoned editors. This process ensures the integrity, relevance, and value of our content for our readers.

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Sushi went live on Solana today. The decentralized exchange platform jumped into Solana’s ecosystem through a direct integration with Jupiter, letting users swap tokens at much lower costs than Ethereum’s hefty gas fees that often hit $15 or more per transaction. Sushi’s team didn’t waste time.

The move puts Sushi directly into competition with Raydium and other established Solana DeFi players who’ve been building their user bases for months. Solana’s network processes over 40 million daily transactions as of February 2026, creating a massive pool of potential users for Sushi to tap into. Jupiter’s integration means Sushi users get access to tons of token pairs without the usual friction. And the timing looks pretty smart – Solana’s price sits near $96, showing steady momentum that could attract more DeFi activity. But Sushi faces real challenges breaking into a market where Raydium already dominates with deep liquidity pools.

Competition’s getting fierce fast.

Hayden Adams from Uniswap recently said Solana’s speed and low costs “could change the dynamics of DeFi” during an interview last week. He’s probably right – when users can swap tokens for pennies instead of dollars, behavior shifts quickly. Sushi’s team released a statement on February 10 saying they want to reach new markets and give users “varied options for DeFi activities.” The expansion reflects how platforms are scrambling to escape Ethereum’s gas fee nightmare.

Samuel Bankman-Fried backed the move during a panel discussion, calling Sushi’s Solana launch “a testament to the network’s potential to host complex financial products.” FTX’s CEO knows Solana well – his exchange has deep ties to the blockchain. Market watchers think Sushi’s arrival might push Solana’s price higher, but crypto markets move fast and predictions don’t always pan out. For more details, see Cardano Drops 4% as Selling Pressure.

Nobody knows yet how many users Sushi will actually grab.

The Solana Foundation reported a 50% jump in developer participation over the past year in their February 9 statement. More developers usually means better tools and more innovation, which helps platforms like Sushi build features users actually want. Serum announced upgrades on February 5 aimed at faster transaction speeds, showing how competitive pressure keeps pushing improvements across Solana’s DeFi ecosystem.

Early transaction data suggests some uptick in volume since Sushi launched, but concrete numbers haven’t been released yet. Analysts think the next few weeks will show whether Sushi can keep users engaged long-term or if they’ll drift back to established platforms. User retention on new chains can be tricky – people try new things but often return to familiar platforms when the novelty wears off.

Sushi Labs hasn’t said anything about expanding to other chains beyond Solana. Right now they’re focused on making the current integration work smoothly and building up liquidity pools. The team also hasn’t shared specific user growth targets or expected transaction volumes, leaving the community guessing about their ambitions. This follows earlier reporting on Goldman Sachs Warns Markets Face More.

Solana’s development team plans network updates in coming months that could boost performance even more, though no official timeline exists. These improvements might help Sushi handle bigger user loads without slowdowns. Ethereum’s average transaction fee spiked over $15 on February 8, reminding everyone why projects keep fleeing to cheaper alternatives like Solana.

Sushi’s expansion comes at a critical moment for cross-chain DeFi strategy. Ethereum’s Layer 2 solutions like Arbitrum and Optimism have been gaining traction, but their transaction costs still hover around $2-5 during peak periods – significantly higher than Solana’s sub-penny fees. Polygon reported 3.2 million daily active users in January, yet many DeFi protocols are finding that even these “cheaper” alternatives can’t match Solana’s speed and cost efficiency. Avalanche and BNB Chain have seen similar challenges retaining users when gas fees spike during network congestion.

Jupiter’s role as Sushi’s integration partner carries weight beyond simple technical support. The aggregator processes roughly $400 million in weekly volume across Solana, making it the dominant liquidity router on the network. Jupiter’s founder Meow tweeted on February 8 that partnerships with major Ethereum protocols “validate Solana’s infrastructure maturity.” Meanwhile, Orca and Lifinity have been quietly building market share through innovative automated market maker designs that could give Sushi’s traditional model some serious competition. Phantom wallet reported 2.8 million monthly active users in January, creating a substantial user base that’s already comfortable with Solana DeFi but hasn’t necessarily committed to any single platform long-term.

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Ethereum’s prolonged weakness has pushed key on-chain valuation metrics into territory historically associated with major market bottoms. This has prompted analysts to debate whether ETH is approaching a long-term inflection point or if further downside still lies ahead.

Summary

Ethereum price prediction debates are intensifying as MVRV metrics show ETH trading at levels historically associated with major market bottoms. Analyst Michaël van de Poppe says Ethereum appears deeply undervalued, citing similarities to past crash periods that later delivered strong recoveries. On-chain analyst Jao Wedson cautions that while capitulation is underway, historical data suggests further downside is still possible before a definitive bottom forms. Ethereum price prediction supported by deep undervaluation signals As of press time, Ethereum (ETH) trades around $2,000 after failing to hold above $2,100 amid market chop.

Crypto analyst Michaël van de Poppe argues that Ethereum is trading at a substantial discount to its “fair value,” citing the Market Value to Realized Value (MVRV) ratio as a core indicator.

According to van de Poppe, ETH’s current valuation is comparable to periods that later proved to be exceptional long-term buying opportunities.

I think that this is a tremendous opportunity to be looking at $ETH.

The core reason for this is that there's a massive gap to the 'fair price'.

The current valuation of $ETH is just as underpriced (based on the MVRV ratio) as during the following periods:
– April '25 crash.
-… pic.twitter.com/BfDW6V8MeK

— Michaël van de Poppe (@CryptoMichNL) February 9, 2026 He pointed to four historical moments when Ethereum showed similar MVRV conditions: the March 2020 COVID crash, the December 2018 bear market bottom, the June 2022 capitulation following the Terra-Luna collapse, and the April 2025 market crash.

ETH MVRV Ratio | Source: Michaël van de Poppe In each case, ETH was deeply undervalued before staging significant recoveries.

From this perspective, van de Poppe suggests Ethereum may once again be trading near levels that have historically marked the later stages of bear markets.

However, on-chain analyst Jao Wedson urges caution. He notes that Ethereum’s MVRV Z-Score has entered the capitulation zone, with the most recent low at -0.42.

Ethereum MVRV Z-Score is in the capitulation zone 🔴

The most recent low was -0.42.
The lowest value in history was -0.76, recorded in December 2018.

This shows that Ethereum is indeed going through a clear capitulation process.
However, it is important to be honest with the… pic.twitter.com/9hFx7AxDKz

— Joao Wedson (@joao_wedson) February 9, 2026 While this confirms significant market stress, it remains above the extreme lows seen at definitive bottoms, such as -0.76 in December 2018.

Wedson emphasized that capitulation is typically a process rather than a single event. Past market bottoms have often involved multiple failed recoveries and extended volatility before a clear structural low was established, suggesting Ethereum may still face turbulence ahead.

On-Chain evidence leaves the bottom question open Taken together, the data presents a mixed but compelling case. Valuation metrics indicate Ethereum is historically cheap relative to past cycles, supporting the idea that ETH could be nearing a long-term bottom.

At the same time, capitulation indicators show that the market has not yet reached the extreme exhaustion levels seen at prior cycle lows.

For now, the Ethereum price prediction remains finely balanced with on-chain data pointing to growing opportunity, while also warning that patience may still be required before a definitive bottom is confirmed.

Cover image via U.Today Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by our writers are their own and do not represent the views of U.Today. The financial and market information provided on U.Today is intended for informational purposes only. U.Today is not liable for any financial losses incurred while trading cryptocurrencies. Conduct your own research by contacting financial experts before making any investment decisions. We believe that all content is accurate as of the date of publication, but certain offers mentioned may no longer be available.

Reece Merrick, Ripple’s top executive in charge of the Middle East and Africa regions, has revealed to the crypto community that the San Francisco-based giant is expanding its partnership with a UAE-based bank, Zand.

In the expanded collaboration, a bigger emphasis will be made on RLUSD usage and Ripple’s support of Zand’s own stablecoin, AEDZ – Zand AED.

Ripple expands RLUSD usage through ZandReece Merrick reminded the community about an important partnership announced by Ripple last year in the UAE – the blockchain and payments giant partnered with a major local bank, Zand. Now, Merrick says, the two players intend to expand their collaboration with a lot of attention given to Ripple’s RLUSD in it.

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One of the ballpoints here says that it will help set up direct liquidity solutions for Zand’s own stablecoin AEDZ, denominated in AED.

Merrick stated that Ripple and the UAE bank will enable support for RLUSD and AEZD. What is more, AEDZ will begin to be issued on the XRP Ledger. There will be “a whole range of initiatives” relating to these two stablecoins, according to Ripple’s top executive.

Zand’s official X account also published a tweet on this topic, saying that Ripple and Zand are going to “help advance and support the digital economy” using innovative solutions based on AEDZ and RLUSD.

Zand’s tweet also said that the blockchain tech, stablecoins, as well as tokenization of assets, “can unlock powerful new use cases as traditional finance moves on-chain.” The banks expect the partnership with Ripple to result in vital advance on the global growth of the digital ecosystem.

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116.6 million XRP moved between Binance and KrakenMajor on-chain tracker, Whale Alert, which monitors large crypto transactions, has spotted a massive XRP transfer performed between two anonymous blockchain wallets. The amount transferred constituted 116,661,476 XRP valued at an impressive $165,955,281 at the time of the transaction.

However, a deeper look at the transaction’s details revealed that the 116,661,476 XRP were moved between subwallets that belong to two leading crypto exchanges – Binance and Kraken.

It could mean an OTC trade or liquidity rebalancing, data suggests. This move took place after the XRP price recovered from its 30% collapse faced within a single day last week and has been trading sideways since then.  

As the crypto market recovers from last week’s correction, Bitcoin (BTC) is attempting to reclaim a crucial price zone. Despite the bounce, some analysts have warned that the bottom may not be in yet, suggesting the flagship crypto could soon retest its recent lows.

Bitcoin Bottom Below $60,000, Says Analyst On Monday, Bitcoin continued its sideways move, trying to turn a key area into support for the third consecutive day. After hitting a two-year low of $60,000 last week, the flagship crypto has bounced 17.5% to trade between $68,000 and $72,000 over the past few days.

Nonetheless, the cryptocurrency has failed to reclaim the upper zone of its short-term price range, raising questions about the direction of BTC’s next move.

As the price recovered, Crypto Bullet noted that the BTC printed a “strong weekly close” above the 200-week Exponential Moving Average (EMA), leaving Thursday’s correction as a long wick.

The analyst cautioned that these wicks have usually been filled the following week, pointing to the late February 2025 and early October 2025 corrections and the subsequent performance.

BTC bounces from the MA200 after the recent correction. Source: Crypto Bullet on X Based on this, he suggested that Bitcoin could retest the $60,000 area again, where the 200-week Moving Average (MA) is also located. Similarly, Ted Pillows highlighted BTC’s Monday bounce above $70,000, asserting that the key level to defend is the $68,000 support, where the EMA200 sits.

 If the price fails to hold this level, the market observer suggested a deeper correction could be expected, with Bitcoin risking a drop below the recent lows if that level also fails to hold.

Meanwhile, Ali Martinez hinted that BTC’s bottom might not be in, as “Bitcoin has historically bottomed around the −1.0 MVRV Pricing Band.” According to the chart shared on X, that level currently sits at $52,040.

BTC To See Leeser Relief Rally? Another market watcher highlighted BTC’s macro descending triangle pattern, which it has been forming in the monthly timeframe since mid-2024, suggesting that its potential bounce could be a “lesser relief rally compared to the 2024-2025 advance to the upside.”

Rekt Capital noted that upon breakdown from its macro triangles, Bitcoin tends to react from the 50-Month EMA. However, it has historically been followed by a downside deviation below this level.

“When viewed through the lens of the Macro Descending Triangle, history shows that Bitcoin has consistently failed to revisit the base of the Macro Triangle following breakdowns, which means BTC may fall short of $82.5k on any upcoming relief rally.”

To the analyst, if BTC can build support above the $71,000 area, where the post-halving accumulation breakout occurred, the price could attempt a move into the mid-$70,000.

However, the flagship crypto “is still negotiating whether it will locate itself within the Post-Halving Range,” and has not decisively reclaimed the upper zone of its current range as support, “is instead showing early signs of flipping into resistance on the Weekly timeframe.”

As a result, Bitcoin could consolidate around its post-halving range again if the $70,000 mark confirms as resistance. “At roughly 30% of the way through this part of the market cycle, there remains ample time for further structural movement to unfold but history suggests whatever clustering develops will likely be distributive before continuing additional Bearish Acceleration,” Rekt Capital concluded.

Bitcoin trades at $70,622 in the one-week chart. Source: BTCUSDT on TradingView Featured Image from Unsplash.com, Chart from TradingView.com

Brad Garlinghouse said the company is doubling down on using XRP as a core part of its institutional payments push. The chief executive made the remarks late Monday on social platform X, responding to the community’s debate about the asset in the company’s direction.

“Glad to see the message is (finally, even more) clear! XRP family has and always will be top of mind for Ripple,” CEO Garlinghouse wrote, seemingly answering opponents who had questioned if the stablecoin issuer is concentrating on cross-border payments using RLUSD only. 

The statement follows up on Ripple’s DeFi outlook released last week by developers, which also stated that the token is at the center of on-chain settlements. In its announcement, the Ripple developer team described XRP as “the primary bridge asset for institutional liquidity,” with features intended to meet compliance, risk, and standards expected by banks and financial institutions.

XRP community celebrates as institutional rails take shape According to Ripple’s outlook, XRP Ledger is launching several live components including multi-purpose token standards (MPTs) and permissioned domains that let verified participants access specific network functions.

Confidential transfer functions for MPTs, expected to debut on XRPL in the first quarter, could provide transaction-level privacy with controlled disclosure, a balance demanded by regulators and enterprises.

The developers explained that permissioned domains will be paired with credential systems and batch transaction capabilities for enterprise use, Cryptopolitan reported last week. The XRP Ledger is also planning to integrate identity and control features directly at the protocol level. The domains, coupled with credential checks, will help restrict XRPL’s access to approved entities. 

Moreover, Ripple noted that XRP could become the automated bridge currency for asset transfers, linking different tokens or currencies. While stablecoin corridors and remittance channels are contributing to on-chain volume, transaction fees, and account reserves denominated in XRP connect network usage to the token itself. 

One point of criticism of the XRP Ledger has been its limited compatibility with Ethereum-style smart contracts. Ripple argues that the lack of EVM programmability has restricted application growth, and it plans to address this with a new EVM-compatible sidechain linked through the Axelar network. 

Brother theres certain people who really see whats happening, others are in it to make a quick buck off a trade. We can spot what's real and what's just for show. "Real eyes, realies, real lies"

— Bailey Edwards (@BaileyEdwards0) February 9, 2026

The sidechain allows Solidity developers to use XRP Ledger liquidity and identity tools while working within Ethereum dev environments. “And some of you thought ripple wasn’t true to their word as XRP as bridge asset. The vision has not changed,” wrote the X account of influencer Mr.Man XRP.

Did SWIFT abandon a ready XRP network?  The reaffirmation by CEO Garlinghouse comes against the backdrop of XRP supporters disappointment after SWIFT selected ConsenSys-built blockchain Linea as its onchain bank messaging system. The same pilot also incorporated stablecoins issued on Linea, sidelining expectations that Ripple’s network or its RLUSD stablecoin would be chosen.

SWIFT processes more than $150 trillion in wire transfers annually and is the dominant global financial messaging network. XRP investors had speculated that Ripple technology could replace or integrate with SWIFT infrastructure last year, following the ISO20022 standard adoption deadline in late November.

ISO 20022 provides structured financial data formats, which SWIFT uses to facilitate secure message exchange between institutions worldwide. Observers interpreted SWIFT’s choice as a setback for XRP supporters who believed their ledger might power mainstream bank messaging. 

“This cannot be true, not possible,” seasoned XRP investor Gary Cardone joked, “I have been told for years that XRP has Swift all tied up, locked down.”

Separate online discussions also made technical references linking XRP to established financial systems. According to social media posts highlighting code in both Ripple-related infrastructure and the platform of R3’s Corda network, modules labeled “XrpPayment,” “XrpSettlement,” “SWIFTService,” and “SWIFTPaymentStatusType” appeared. 

Meanwhile, XRP is trading at $1.42 at the time of this publication, down 0.9% over the last 24 hours. The fifth largest coin by market cap dropped to $1.38 over the weekend, but regained the $1.40 level during Monday’s Asian morning trading session.

US spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) extended a tentative rebound after attracting $371 million in net inflows last Friday, adding to signs that institutional demand may be stabilizing following weeks of sustained selling.

Spot Bitcoin (BTC) ETFs attracted a further $145 million in inflows on Monday as BTC hovered around $70,000, according to data from SoSoValue and CoinGecko.

The inflows have yet to offset last week’s $318 million of outflows and roughly $1.9 billion in redemptions year-to-date, but the slowing pace of losses could point to a potential trend reversal for crypto investment products, according to CoinShares.

“Outflows slowed sharply to $187 million despite heavy price pressure, with the deceleration in flows historically signaling a potential inflection point,” CoinShares’ head of research, James Butterfill said in an update on Monday.

Early Bitcoin holders unfazed by institutional inflows, Bitwise saysBitcoin’s growing institutional presence has not driven early investors out of the market, according to a senior executive at asset manager Bitwise, even as the ETF saw heavy outflows during the latest crypto sell-off that pushed BTC back toward October 2024 price levels.

Analysts at research firm Bernstein described the recent downturn as the “weakest bear case” in Bitcoin’s history, noting the absence of major industry failures typically associated with deeper crypto market stress.

With no clear single catalyst behind the decline, some market watchers have linked the volatility to Bitcoin’s increasing institutionalization, including ETFs, and concerns that broader financialization could dilute the asset’s scarcity narrative.

Spot Bitcoin ETF flows since Feb. 2, 2026. Source: SoSoValueThat shift, however, has not meaningfully deterred early adopters, Bitwise chief investment officer Matt Hougan said in comments to Bloomberg ETF analyst Eric Balchunas.

Hougan acknowledged that a “cypherpunk, libertarian OG core” of Bitcoin supporters may be uncomfortable with the growing influence of large asset managers such as BlackRock, but described that group as a “shrinking minority.”

Source: Eric BalchunasMany early investors are instead taking partial profits after large gains rather than exiting the market altogether, he said, adding that most remain invested even as new institutional buyers enter the space.

“They invested a few thousand dollars and ended up with millions,” Hougan said, adding:

“The vast majority are still in it, and they’re being augmented by new institutional investors. I think the story that most of OG crypto is giving up on the space just doesn't align with the people that we talk to with the investors that are working with Bitwise.”In line with a rebound in Bitcoin ETFs, spot altcoin ETFs also posted gains on Monday, with Ether (ETH) and XRP (XRP) seeing inflows of $57 million and $6.3 million, respectively, according to SoSoValue data.

Magazine: Bitcoin difficulty plunges, Buterin sells off Ethereum: Hodler’s Digest, Feb. 1 – 7

Cointelegraph is committed to independent, transparent journalism. This news article is produced in accordance with Cointelegraph’s Editorial Policy and aims to provide accurate and timely information. Readers are encouraged to verify information independently. Read our Editorial Policy https://cointelegraph.com/editorial-policy

South Korea’s Financial Supervisory Service (FSS) has escalated scrutiny of major cryptocurrency exchange Bithumb following an unprecedented operational mistake in which the firm accidentally credited customers with tens of billions of dollars’ worth of Bitcoin.

Summary

South Korea’s Financial Supervisory Service (FSS) has launched a full-scale investigation into Bithumb following a massive $43 billion Bitcoin “fat-finger” error. The incident stemmed from an internal operational mistake that temporarily credited users with Bitcoin far exceeding the exchange’s actual holdings. Regulators are examining Bithumb’s internal controls and IT systems, with potential penalties possible if violations are confirmed. The investigation follows a striking error on February 6, 2026, when Bithumb, during a routine promotional event, inadvertently distributed 620,000 Bitcoin, worth roughly $40 billion to $44 billion at market prices, to users instead of the intended small cash rewards.

The mishap stemmed from an employee inputting payouts in Bitcoin (BTC) units rather than Korean won, leading to an explosion of overissued Bitcoin credits before the mistake was detected.

🚨 BREAKING:
SOUTH KOREA LAUNCHES A FULL INVESTIGATION INTO BITHUMB OVER 620,000 “GHOST” BITCOIN.

Regulators are probing how 620K $BTC were mistakenly sent out while the exchange reportedly held only 46K $BTC, triggering a $4 Billion scandal. pic.twitter.com/o3ReI4zIzf

— Mr. WHALE (@MrWhale) February 10, 2026 What happened in the Bithumb mistake In a “Random Box” promotion designed to reward users with modest cash amounts, Bithumb’s payout system mistakenly issued Bitcoin due to a unit entry error, resulting in the colossal overshoot.

Within minutes, hundreds of users found massive sums of Bitcoin in their accounts, equivalent to 13–14 times Bithumb’s actual BTC holdings based on industry estimates.

The exchange acted swiftly to freeze affected accounts and block trading and withdrawals within about 35 minutes, recovering the vast majority of the missent tokens. Still, a small portion, representing millions in value, was sold or withdrawn before the controls took effect.

FSS investigation and regulatory response Initially launching an emergency review, the FSS escalated its examination to a full-scale formal investigation. Bithumb was notified of the probe signalling a deep dive into what went wrong and whether internal controls violated the Virtual Asset User Protection Act or other regulatory standards.

FSS Governor Lee Chan-jin has emphasized that the episode revealed systemic weaknesses in internal control and electronic ledger systems at the exchange. Regulators are examining how an exchange with far fewer actual reserves was able to record and disburse phantom Bitcoin balances so rapidly.

Depending on what investigators find, the probe could lead to sanctions against Bithumb, including fines or even suspension of operations if negligence or legal violations are confirmed. The FSS has also noted that users who sold erroneously credited Bitcoin may be legally obligated to return it as unjust enrichment under current interpretations of Korean law.

Stellar (XLM) remains under pressure as the broader crypto market struggles to regain traction, keeping buyers on the defensive. Stellar price has continued to face bearishness and price action has weakened steadily over recent sessions, pulling XLM back toward a key demand zone that previously acted as a base for rebounds.

Monero’s 65% Price Crash Didn’t Form a Bottom? Why $150 Is Now the Real Risk Prefer us on Google

XMR is down 65% from $799, with bear flag and EMA cross risks still active.Monero's exchange flows flipped from $7.1 million outflows to $768,000 inflows in one week.Open interest fell 60% as price risks extend toward the $150 Fibonacci zone.The Monero price is down about 2% over the past 24 hours and nearly 31% over the past month. Since peaking near $799 in mid-January, XMR has already fallen more than 65%. A rebound followed the drop to $276, pushing the price back toward the $330 area. At first glance, this looked like stabilization after heavy selling.

But a closer look tells a different story.

Bear Flag and Moving Averages Show the Downtrend Is Still IntactOn the daily chart, Monero is trading inside a bear flag structure.

A bear flag forms when the price drops sharply and then moves sideways or slightly higher in a narrow range. This pattern usually represents a pause before another decline, not a trend reversal. In XMR’s case, the fall from $799 to $276 created the flagpole. The recent XMR price consolidation is forming a flag.

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As long as the price remains inside this range, the dominant trend stays bearish. A breakdown below the lower boundary would likely trigger another major leg lower.

Trend indicators are reinforcing this view.

Exponential moving averages, or EMAs, are weighted price averages that give more importance to recent data. They help identify whether momentum is strengthening or weakening. When shorter-term EMAs fall below longer-term EMAs, it signals deteriorating trend strength.

Right now, Monero’s 50-day EMA is moving toward the 100-day EMA. At the same time, the 20-day EMA is drifting toward the 200-day EMA.

Bearish XMR Price Structure: TradingViewWant more token insights like this? Sign up for Editor Harsh Notariya’s Daily Crypto Newsletter here.

These developing bearish crossovers suggest that short-term momentum continues to weaken relative to the broader trend. If these looming crossovers confirm while the XMR price flirts with the lower trendline of the flag, the breakdown theory would likely get validated.

Spot Flows Show Rebounds Are Being Used to Exit, Not Accumulate?Exchange flow data reveals how investors are behaving during this consolidation.

In early February, Monero briefly showed strong outflows (buying pressure). During the week ending February 2, net outflows reached about $7.1 million. This suggested that some buyers were stepping in after the crash.

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But this support faded quickly.

By the week ending February 9, flows flipped to net inflows of around $768,000. More XMR was moving back onto exchanges than leaving them. This shift happened while the price dipped to $276 and then rebounded to the $327 zone.

Positive Flows: CoinglassThis tells an important story. As soon as the price bounced, selling possibly resumed. Instead of holding for a recovery, many investors possibly used the rebound to reduce exposure. Loss exits replaced by accumulation.

When outflows turn into inflows during consolidation, it usually signals distribution. Supply is returning to the market. Without steady spot demand, rallies struggle to survive. This also explains why recent recoveries have been shallow. Buyers are not strong enough to absorb the returning supply.

With spot demand fading, the burden shifts to derivatives traders. But derivatives data show growing caution.

Falling Open Interest and Weak Funding Limit the XMR Recovery PotentialDerivatives markets provide insight into trader confidence and leverage. Open interest measures the total value of active futures contracts. Rising open interest shows that traders are building positions. Falling open interest shows that traders are closing positions and stepping away.

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In mid-January, Monero’s open interest stood near $279 million. By February 10, it had dropped to around $110 million. This represents a decline of more than 60%.

Open Interest Resets: CoinglassSuch a sharp drop indicates that leverage is leaving the market. Traders are reducing risk rather than preparing for a major rebound.

At the same time, funding rates remain mildly positive. Funding rates reflect the cost traders pay to hold futures positions. When funding is positive, long traders are dominant. When it is negative, short traders dominate.

XMR’s funding remains slightly positive, meaning most remaining traders still lean bullish. But without rising open interest, this bias lacks conviction.

Weighted Funding Rate For XMR: CoinglassThis combination is weak. Fewer traders are participating, yet optimism has not fully reset. It also limits the chance of a short squeeze. A short squeeze requires heavy bearish positioning. Without that pressure, upside accelerations are unlikely.

With leverage shrinking and spot buyers hesitant, the price lacks fuel for sustained recovery.

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Why $150 Is Becoming Key Target for the Monero PriceWith technical, spot, and derivatives signals aligned, downside levels become increasingly important.

The first major support sits near $314. This area aligns with recent lows and the lower boundary of the bear flag. A decisive break below it would likely confirm continuation lower.

If $314 fails, downside opens quickly.

The next major demand zone is near $150, according to a key Fibonacci retracement level. A move from current levels toward $150 would represent another drop of more than 50%, consistent with the size of the first decline.

Monero Price Analysis: TradingViewBelow $150, deeper levels such as $114 and $88 exist. But $150 stands out as the first major zone where long-term buyers may realistically reappear, thanks to its psychological significance. That is why it has become the primary downside reference point.

For now, Monero remains trapped between weak demand and persistent supply. The bear flag shows consolidation, not recovery. Spot flows show selling, not accumulation. Open interest shows retreat, not confidence. Funding shows optimism without commitment.

To weaken and invalidate the bearish pattern, the Monero price must close above $350 and $532, respectively, on a daily candle close.

Disclaimer

In line with the Trust Project guidelines, this price analysis article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial or investment advice. BeInCrypto is committed to accurate, unbiased reporting, but market conditions are subject to change without notice. Always conduct your own research and consult with a professional before making any financial decisions. Please note that our Terms and Conditions, Privacy Policy, and Disclaimers have been updated.

Through its support of Security Alliance, the foundation is funding dedicated engineers to track and disrupt crypto drainers and social engineering attacks. At the same time, Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin shared a vision in which AI enhances privacy, security, and usability on Ethereum, from verifying transactions and detecting scams to acting as a trusted intermediary between users and decentralized applications.

Ethereum Foundation Backs Fight Against Crypto ScamsThe Ethereum Foundation stepped up its fight to protect users on the Ethereum network by sponsoring crypto security nonprofit Security Alliance (SEAL) in a new initiative aimed at tracking and neutralizing crypto drainers and other forms of social engineering attacks. The move was made in reaction to the growing concern over sophisticated scams that target Ethereum users through phishing campaigns, fake websites, and deceptive wallet approval requests that can quickly drain funds.

SEAL announced that the collaboration led to the launch of what it calls the “Trillion Dollar Security” initiative, which is designed to boost Ethereum’s defenses as the ecosystem scales. According to SEAL, the partnership came together after it approached the Ethereum Foundation late last year looking for funding to support dedicated security engineers. The goal was to more closely monitor drainer development, analyze attacker infrastructure, and proactively disrupt large-scale campaigns before they spread widely.

As part of the arrangement, the Ethereum Foundation is now sponsoring a full-time security engineer whose sole focus is working alongside SEAL’s intelligence team to combat drainers specifically targeting Ethereum users. SEAL said this role is intended to deepen coordination between white-hat researchers and defenders, allowing faster identification of emerging threats and more effective countermeasures. The nonprofit’s overall mission is to protect crypto market participants through shared threat intelligence, coordinated incident response, and legal protections for ethical hackers who help expose vulnerabilities.

The Ethereum Foundation publicly endorsed the initiative, and stated on X that SEAL has already delivered meaningful benefits to the ecosystem through its past work in countering attacks. 

Social engineering is one of the most damaging attack vectors in crypto. Scammers often impersonate legitimate protocols or wallet providers, tricking users into approving transactions that appear harmless but grant attackers sweeping permissions. 

While the techniques have grown more refined, coordinated defense efforts have begun to show results. According to estimates from crypto intelligence platform ScamSniffer, scammers have stolen close to $1 billion in crypto over the years. However, sustained efforts by SEAL and other security researchers helped push losses down to roughly $84 million in 2025.

Alongside the operational work, SEAL and the Ethereum Foundation have launched a Trillion Dollar Security dashboard to measure Ethereum’s resilience across multiple dimensions. The dashboard tracks areas like user experience, smart contracts, infrastructure, consensus, incident response, and governance, with dozens of risk controls identified and prioritized. 

Vitalik Buterin Maps AI’s Role in EthereumMeanwhile, Vitalik Buterin shared a forward-looking vision for how Ethereum and artificial intelligence could converge to strengthen markets, enhance financial safety, and reinforce human agency rather than diminish it. 

In a recent post on X, Buterin explained that while his long-term view sees AI as a tool that empowers humans, the more immediate opportunities lie in practical, near-term integrations between AI systems and the Ethereum ecosystem.

At the center of Buterin’s thinking is the idea that Ethereum can provide a trusted, decentralized foundation for AI interactions. He pointed out several areas where the two technologies could intersect, including enabling trustless or privacy-preserving interactions with AI systems, positioning Ethereum as an economic coordination layer for AI-to-AI activity, and using AI to help verify on-chain activity at a scale that would be impossible for humans alone. According to Buterin, this approach could make markets more efficient and governance processes more robust, while also reducing reliance on centralized intermediaries.

Privacy plays a major role in this vision. Buterin argued that for AI to be safely and widely adopted, users must be able to interact with AI systems without exposing sensitive data or personal identities. To address this, Buterin pointed to the need for running AI models locally on personal devices, using zero-knowledge proofs to anonymize API calls, and advancing cryptographic techniques that allow AI-generated work to be verified without revealing private inputs.

Beyond privacy, Buterin sees AI acting as an intelligent intermediary between users and the blockchain. In this model, AI agents could audit transactions, interact directly with decentralized applications, flag suspicious behavior, and suggest actions to users before funds are moved. This could be particularly valuable as crypto scams grow more sophisticated, with attack methods like address poisoning increasing sharply over the past few months.

By delegating complex verification tasks to AI, Buterin believes Ethereum can finally realize the long-standing cypherpunk ideal of “don’t trust, verify,” which is a principle that has historically been impractical for everyday users. He also envisions autonomous AI bots interacting economically on-chain, hiring each other, managing API calls, and posting security deposits on behalf of users.

In his view, these AI-driven economies are not an end in themselves, but a means to create more decentralized authority and make crypto systems more accessible to a wider audience.

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Bitcoin stays put around $40,000 as top analysts double down on their bold prediction that the crypto king will hit $150,000 by 2026, even while traders panic over recent sell-offs and market chaos. Bernstein keeps pushing their bullish call despite all the noise.

The research firm dropped a fresh report on February 10 that basically says Bitcoin’s core strengths haven’t budged an inch. They’re pretty confident the recent downturn represents the weakest bear phase Bitcoin has seen, which sounds counterintuitive but makes sense when you dig into their reasoning. Institutional money keeps flowing in, major banks are adding crypto services, and the whole regulatory mess is slowly getting sorted out. Bernstein thinks all this adds up to serious upside potential.

Market volatility isn’t scaring anyone away. Not really.

JP Morgan analysts weighed in back in December 2025, saying younger investors are driving fresh demand for Bitcoin over traditional assets like stocks and bonds. These folks see crypto as their generation’s investment vehicle, which creates a whole new buyer base that didn’t exist during previous cycles. The demographic shift is real and it’s happening fast, according to their data.

Coinbase saw trading volume spike 25% in January 2026 compared to the month before. Retail traders and big institutions both jumped on price dips, which shows there’s still plenty of appetite for Bitcoin even when things get rocky. The exchange didn’t break down exact numbers but said the surge was “significant” across all user categories.

Vijay Ayyar from crypto exchange Luno said on February 1: “Bitcoin’s current market dynamics reflect a maturing asset class, and while volatility remains, the frequency and magnitude of price swings have decreased over the past year.”

But skeptics aren’t buying it. They worry Bitcoin’s wild price moves will keep mainstream adoption at bay, and regulatory crackdowns could derail the whole party. Some point to potential legislative changes that might hurt crypto’s growth prospects. Bernstein brushes off these concerns, citing Bitcoin’s track record of bouncing back from every major crash.

The firm’s analysis shows Bitcoin’s price corrections have gotten less brutal over time. Each bear market seems milder than the last, which suggests the market is growing up and investors are getting used to the ups and downs. That’s a good sign for long-term holders who can stomach the ride.

Competition from other cryptos is heating up though. Ethereum, Solana, and dozens of newer blockchain projects are all fighting for market share and developer attention. Innovation happens fast in crypto, creating both opportunities and threats that are hard to predict. Bitcoin’s first-mover advantage helps, but it’s not guaranteed to last forever. More on this topic: Bitcoin Rockets Past ,000 Following Wild.

Grayscale announced plans in late January 2026 to expand its Bitcoin holdings, betting big on long-term growth. The digital asset management firm manages billions in crypto assets, so their moves carry serious weight with institutional investors. When Grayscale buys, others often follow.

MicroStrategy made another splash on February 5, grabbing 1,000 more Bitcoins at $42,000 each. The business intelligence company has turned into Bitcoin’s biggest corporate cheerleader, treating the crypto as a strategic reserve asset instead of just an investment. CEO Michael Saylor has been preaching the Bitcoin gospel for years now.

Elon Musk stirred things up on February 8 with a tweet about potentially accepting Bitcoin payments for Tesla vehicles again. He didn’t give details, but crypto Twitter went wild with speculation. Musk’s comments always move markets, even when they’re vague or joking around.

Bitcoin’s mining network hit a new hash rate record on February 9, 2026. The increased computational power shows miners are still investing heavily in equipment and infrastructure, which signals confidence in Bitcoin’s future. Higher hash rates also mean better network security, making Bitcoin harder to attack.

ARK Invest’s Cathie Wood doubled down on her Bitcoin bullishness on February 10, calling it a “transformative asset” that could disrupt traditional finance. Her firm has been one of Bitcoin’s loudest supporters among mainstream investment companies, and they’re not backing down despite recent market turbulence.

Regulatory clarity remains murky in many jurisdictions. Some countries are embracing crypto while others crack down hard, creating a patchwork of rules that makes global adoption tricky. Bernstein thinks clearer frameworks will emerge over time, but the timeline is anyone’s guess. This follows earlier reporting on Goldman Sachs Warns Markets Face More.

Market sentiment swings wildly based on news cycles and social media buzz. Bitcoin’s reputation as a speculative trading vehicle hasn’t fully shaken off, even as institutional adoption grows. Public perception matters more than fundamentals sometimes, especially during volatile periods like this one.

The path to $150,000 won’t be smooth. Bernstein’s 2026 timeline gives plenty of room for setbacks, regulatory surprises, and competitive threats to emerge. They admit crypto markets are unpredictable, but their core thesis hasn’t changed despite all the recent chaos.

No word from Bernstein on how rising interest rates might affect their Bitcoin price target.

Federal Reserve officials hinted at potential rate cuts in their January meeting minutes, released February 12. Lower borrowing costs historically push investors toward riskier assets like Bitcoin, since traditional savings accounts and bonds offer less attractive returns. Three Fed governors mentioned inflation concerns, but market watchers think monetary policy could shift if economic data softens.

BlackRock’s Bitcoin ETF pulled in $2.1 billion during January 2026, marking its strongest month since launch. The asset manager’s entry legitimized crypto investing for pension funds and wealth advisors who previously avoided the space entirely. Fidelity and Vanguard reported similar inflows, though they haven’t released specific figures yet.

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Quick Facts:

➡️ Vitalik Buterin advocates for ‘AI as an interface’ and ‘AI as a participant’ as the most viable intersections of crypto and artificial intelligence. ➡️ The creator economy faces a crisis of centralization, with platforms taking up to 70% of earnings, creating an opening for decentralized alternatives. ➡️ SUBBD Token integrates AI tools like voice cloning directly into a Web3 payment structure to lower fees and improve workflow. ➡️ Early data shows significant interest in this narrative, with over $1.4 million raised in the project’s presale phase. The intersection of artificial intelligence and blockchain has become the dominant narrative of the 2024 crypto cycle. But how should these two powerful forces actually coexist?

Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin recently weighed in, warning against ‘force-fitting’ AI onto blockchains just for the marketing hype. Instead, he advocates for specific synergies where crypto provides the decentralized guardrails for increasingly powerful AI agents.

Buterin identifies four key intersections: AI as a participant, interface, rules, or objective. His analysis suggests the most immediate use case is ‘AI as an interface’, tools helping users navigate complex Web3 protocols, or ‘AI as a participant,’ where autonomous agents transact on-chain.

This distinction matters. It separates vaporware from viable infrastructure. The market is finally rewarding projects that don’t just use AI as a buzzword, but use it to solve primary friction points like censorship and high fees.

While Ethereum focuses on the base layer, the application layer is heating up. The $85B content creation industry, long squeezed by centralized intermediaries taking massive cuts, is becoming the primary testing ground.

As the market digests Buterin’s roadmap, capital is rotating into platforms applying these principles to creator monetization. New entrants like SUBBD Token ($SUBBD) are emerging to bridge the gap between generative AI tools and sovereign ownership.

Read more about $SUBBD here.

Decentralized AI Infrastructure Meets Creator Utility The core issue Buterin highlights in centralized AI models is the ‘black box’ problem, users can’t verify how decisions are made. For the creator economy, this looks like arbitrary bans and fee structures stripping up to 70% of earnings.

SUBBD Token ($SUBBD) enters this landscape not just as a payment rail, but as a comprehensive solution integrating that ‘AI as an interface’ concept. By merging Web3 transparency with advanced AI tools, the platform addresses the fragmentation forcing creators to juggle separate subscriptions for editing, analytics, and community management.

Under the hood, the platform uses Ethereum-based smart contracts to secure payments, while proprietary AI models handle the heavy lifting of content production. Features like the AI Personal Assistant and Voice Cloning tools allow creators to automate interactions without sacrificing personal connection.

This aligns with the broader trend where ‘AI agents’ are expected to drive on-chain activity. By offering token-gated access to these tools, SUBBD moves beyond simple speculation, creating a circular economy where the token actually has a job to do.

Learn more about $SUBBD here.

Presale Data Signals Appetite for AI-Native Monetization While established large-cap AI tokens struggle with valuation concerns after the recent rally, early-stage capital is flowing into specialized verticals.

The financial data surrounding SUBBD Token reflects this shift. According to the official presale page, the project has already raised $1.4M, with tokens currently priced at $0.057495. This rapid accumulation suggests retail investors are hunting for ‘high-beta’ plays sitting at the intersection of two massive narratives: AI utility and the Creator Economy.

The project’s tokenomics also introduce a staking mechanism designed to reduce sell pressure, crucial for new launches. The protocol offers a fixed 20% APY for the first year to users who lock their tokens, incentivizing long-term participation over short-term flipping.

Beyond simple yield, the ‘platform benefit staking’ tier unlocks exclusive advantages like higher XP multipliers. This gamified approach to liquidity retention mirrors successful DeFi models but applies them to a consumer-facing product. For investors watching the Ethereum ecosystem, capturing value from both network growth and the specific application layer offers a hedged approach to the volatile AI sector.

Buy $SUBBD here.

This article is not financial advice. Cryptocurrency markets are highly volatile. The details regarding SUBBD Token are based on available presale data and should be independently verified before investment.

Editorial Process for bitcoinist is centered on delivering thoroughly researched, accurate, and unbiased content. We uphold strict sourcing standards, and each page undergoes diligent review by our team of top technology experts and seasoned editors. This process ensures the integrity, relevance, and value of our content for our readers.

Despite a sharp decline in Bitcoin (BTC) prices since last October, analysts at Bernstein argue that the current downturn does not resemble a traditional crypto bear market. 

In a note to clients released on Monday, the firm described the pullback as “the weakest Bitcoin bear case in its history,” even as the asset has fallen about 44% from its all‑time highs in current trading.

Bernstein Defends Bitcoin’s Fundamentals The analysis was led by Bernstein’s Gautam Chhugani, who said the recent sell‑off reflects a loss of confidence rather than deeper structural problems. 

The analysts emphasized that Bitcoin’s core fundamentals remain intact and that the decline should not be mistaken for a systemic breakdown. Bernstein reaffirmed its long‑term outlook, maintaining a $150,000 price target for Bitcoin by the end of 2026.

Bernstein noted that many of the “red flags” that have historically preceded major Bitcoin crashes are missing this time. The analyst asserts that there have been no large institutional collapses, no exposure of hidden leverage, and no widespread failures across the crypto ecosystem. 

Instead, the firm sees a market weighed down by negative sentiment, even as broader conditions appear unusually favorable. The analysts pointed to what they described as strong institutional support for Bitcoin. 

This includes a pro‑Bitcoin US president, the continued expansion of spot Bitcoin exchange‑traded funds (ETFs), growing adoption by corporate treasuries, and sustained interest from large asset managers. 

In Bernstein’s view, these factors clearly distinguish the current cycle from past downturns that were driven by excess risk and fragile market structures.

Holders And Miners Can Weather Long Downturn The firm also addressed shifting narratives around technology trends. Bernstein noted that some investors now argue Bitcoin has become irrelevant as global attention turns toward artificial intelligence (AI). 

The analysts dismissed that view, saying it reflects changing investor focus rather than a genuine threat to Bitcoin’s role. They added that fears around quantum computing have similarly been overstated, pointing out that such risks would affect all critical digital systems, not just Bitcoin.

The firm further downplayed fears of forced selling driven by corporate treasuries or miner capitulation. Bernstein said major companies holding Bitcoin have structured their balance sheets to withstand prolonged downturns. 

Referencing comments from Strategy’s recent earnings call, the analysts noted that only an extreme scenario—Bitcoin falling to $8,000 and remaining there for five years—would trigger a need for restructuring.

Miners, they added, are also better positioned than in past cycles. Many have diversified their revenue by reallocating power resources toward AI data center demand, reducing reliance on Bitcoin mining alone and easing pressure from production costs.

The 1-D chart shows BTC recovering the key $70,000 level on Monday. Source: BTCUSDT on TradingView.com As of this writing, Bitcoin is trading at $70,627, having recorded losses of 20% and 22% over the past fourteen and thirty days, respectively. 

Featured image from OpenArt, chart from TradingView.com 

Peter Zhang Feb 10, 2026 07:49

SHIB Price Prediction Summary • Short-term target (1 week): $0.0000065 • Medium-term forecast (1 month): $0.0000075-$0.0000085 range • Bullish breakout level: $0.0000085 • Critical support: $0.00...

SHIB Price Prediction Summary • Short-term target (1 week): $0.0000065 • Medium-term forecast (1 month): $0.0000075-$0.0000085 range
• Bullish breakout level: $0.0000085 • Critical support: $0.00000588

What Crypto Analysts Are Saying About Shiba Inu Recent analyst commentary provides cautious optimism for SHIB's near-term prospects. Peter Zhang issued a SHIB price prediction on January 1st, stating that "SHIB price prediction points to potential 25% upside to $0.0000085 by late January, with golden cross patterns supporting bullish Shiba Inu forecast despite neutral RSI readings."

Similarly, Jessie A Ellis reinforced this outlook on January 2nd, noting that "SHIB price prediction shows potential 22% upside to $0.0000085 resistance level, with bullish MACD momentum supporting near-term recovery despite neutral RSI conditions."

Both analysts converge on the $0.0000085 target level, representing approximately 42% upside from current trading levels. This Shiba Inu forecast aligns with technical resistance zones that have previously acted as profit-taking areas.

SHIB Technical Analysis Breakdown Current technical indicators present a mixed but gradually improving picture for Shiba Inu. Trading at $0.00000597 with a 24-hour decline of 2.29%, SHIB has established a clear intraday range between $0.00000588 and $0.00000618.

The RSI reading of 33.16 sits in neutral territory, avoiding oversold conditions while leaving room for upward momentum. This positioning typically indicates that selling pressure may be exhausting without confirming a reversal.

MACD indicators currently show bearish momentum with a histogram reading of 0.0000, suggesting the recent downtrend maintains some strength. However, the proximity to zero indicates potential for momentum shifts in coming sessions.

Bollinger Band analysis reveals SHIB trading at 0.15 relative position, placing the token very close to the lower band support. This positioning often precedes bounce attempts, particularly when combined with neutral RSI readings.

The 24-hour trading volume of $7,409,580 on Binance demonstrates adequate liquidity for sustained price movements, though this represents moderate rather than exceptional interest.

Shiba Inu Price Targets: Bull vs Bear Case Bullish Scenario The primary upside target remains $0.0000085, representing the key resistance level identified by multiple analysts. This level aligns with previous consolidation zones and technical overhead supply.

Intermediate resistance likely emerges around $0.0000070, where short-term moving averages may provide friction. A decisive break above this level would confirm the bullish Shiba Inu forecast and target the primary resistance.

Technical confirmation for the bullish case requires RSI movement above 50, MACD histogram turning positive, and volume expansion above the recent average. These conditions would validate the analyst predictions for 22-25% gains.

Bearish Scenario Downside risks center around the $0.00000588 support level established during today's trading session. A breakdown below this level could target the next major support zone around $0.0000055.

Extended bearish momentum might push SHIB toward $0.0000050, representing approximately 16% downside from current levels. This scenario would invalidate near-term bullish predictions and suggest further consolidation.

Risk factors include broader cryptocurrency market weakness, reduced meme coin speculation, and failure to hold current support levels during upcoming trading sessions.

Should You Buy SHIB? Entry Strategy Based on current technical positioning, potential entry opportunities exist near $0.00000588-$0.00000590, representing the established support zone. This level offers favorable risk-reward ratios for those targeting the $0.0000085 resistance.

Conservative traders might await RSI movement above 40 and MACD histogram improvement before initiating positions. More aggressive approaches could accumulate near current levels with tight stop-losses.

Risk management suggests position sizing appropriate for high-volatility assets, with stop-losses placed below $0.0000055 to limit downside exposure. Profit-taking opportunities likely emerge near $0.0000070 and $0.0000085 based on analyst targets.

Conclusion The SHIB price prediction points toward cautious optimism, with analyst targets of $0.0000085 representing realistic upside potential over the coming weeks. Current technical indicators suggest SHIB may be establishing a bottom near key support levels, though confirmation remains needed.

The convergence of analyst predictions around 22-25% upside provides reasonable confidence in near-term recovery prospects, assuming broader market conditions remain supportive. However, traders should remain aware that cryptocurrency predictions carry inherent volatility risks and position accordingly.

This analysis is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Cryptocurrency investments involve substantial risk and may result in complete loss of capital.

Image source: Shutterstock

shib price analysis shib price prediction

Alvin Lang Feb 10, 2026 07:55

TON Price Prediction Summary • Short-term target (1 week) : $1.41-$1.45 • Medium-term forecast (1 month) : $1.45-$1.60 range • Bullish breakout level : $1.41 • Critical support : $1.3...

TON Price Prediction Summary • Short-term target (1 week): $1.41-$1.45 • Medium-term forecast (1 month): $1.45-$1.60 range • Bullish breakout level: $1.41 • Critical support: $1.31

What Crypto Analysts Are Saying About Toncoin While specific analyst predictions are limited for the current timeframe, on-chain metrics suggest Toncoin is approaching oversold conditions that historically precede price recoveries. According to recent market data, TON has experienced significant deviation from earlier January forecasts that projected targets between $2.13 to $2.39, indicating the market has undergone a substantial correction phase.

The current technical positioning suggests institutional accumulation may be occurring at these lower levels, though trading volume remains relatively modest at $7.8 million on Binance spot markets.

TON Technical Analysis Breakdown Toncoin's technical landscape presents a mixed but increasingly constructive picture. The RSI reading of 38.76 places TON in neutral territory, approaching oversold conditions that often signal potential reversals. This RSI level indicates selling pressure may be exhausting itself.

The MACD histogram at 0.0000 shows bearish momentum is stalling, with the main MACD line at -0.0702 matching the signal line exactly. This convergence often precedes directional changes in price action.

Bollinger Band analysis reveals TON trading at 0.24 position between the bands, significantly closer to the lower band at $1.27 than the upper band at $1.60. This positioning, combined with the middle band (20-day SMA) at $1.43, suggests substantial upside potential if momentum shifts positive.

The moving average structure shows immediate resistance at the 7-day SMA of $1.37, followed by more significant resistance at the 20-day SMA of $1.43. The 50-day SMA at $1.59 represents the key medium-term target, while the 200-day SMA at $2.28 highlights the longer-term upside potential.

Toncoin Price Targets: Bull vs Bear Case Bullish Scenario A sustained break above $1.41 resistance could trigger a move toward $1.45-$1.50 in the near term. Technical confirmation would come from RSI moving above 45 and MACD histogram turning positive.

The primary bullish target sits at $1.60 (upper Bollinger Band), representing approximately 18% upside from current levels. A break above this level could extend gains toward the 50-day moving average at $1.59, creating a potential 20% rally scenario.

Volume expansion above 10 million daily on Binance would provide additional confirmation of bullish momentum resumption.

Bearish Scenario Failure to hold support at $1.33 could trigger further downside toward $1.31 strong support. A break below this level would expose TON to a potential decline toward $1.27 (lower Bollinger Band).

The most concerning bearish scenario would involve a breakdown below $1.25, which could trigger algorithmic selling and push prices toward the psychological $1.00 level. However, current technical indicators suggest this scenario has lower probability given the neutral RSI reading.

Should You Buy TON? Entry Strategy The current technical setup suggests a scaled entry approach for Toncoin. Initial positions could be established around $1.35-$1.36, with additional purchases planned on any dips toward $1.31-$1.33 support zone.

Stop-loss levels should be placed below $1.29 to limit downside risk while allowing for normal price volatility. The daily ATR of $0.11 indicates typical daily moves of approximately 8%, supporting this stop-loss placement.

Risk management suggests position sizing should account for potential 15-20% drawdowns, with total TON allocation not exceeding 2-3% of portfolio value given the current market uncertainty.

Conclusion This TON price prediction suggests moderate bullish potential over the next 4-6 weeks, with targets between $1.45-$1.60 representing reasonable expectations. The Toncoin forecast relies heavily on technical support holding at current levels and broader cryptocurrency market stability.

Current risk-reward ratios favor long positions, with potential 15-20% upside against 8-12% downside risk to major support levels. However, traders should remain cautious given the significant deviation from earlier analyst projections and monitor volume patterns for confirmation of any breakout attempts.

This analysis is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Cryptocurrency investments carry substantial risk, and past performance does not guarantee future results.

Image source: Shutterstock

ton price analysis ton price prediction

Journalist

Posted: February 10, 2026

Sui [SUI] has shed double-digit percentages on the price charts over the past week. It was part of a broader market meltdown as Bitcoin [BTC] raced south to $60k last week. The subsequent bounce to $72k has begun to reverse already though, negatively affecting the altcoin market once again.

SUI was no exception, with the selling pressure beginning to tell. Across the lower timeframes, the $1 psychological round number resistance was not overcome over the weekend. The latest slide below the local $0.965 support zone was a sign that bears were ready for the next price move south.

Assessing the long-term SUI trend As it stands there is no questioning the long-term downtrend of SUI. The inability to convincingly crack the May 2025 highs at $4.3 resulted in a swing failure pattern at the same highs in late July.

Thereafter, the altcoin made a series of lower lows. By the end of October, hastened by the month’s sell-off and fear, the swing structure flipped bearishly.

Source: SUI/USDT on TradingView

The early January rally was halted at $2, once again reinforcing the importance of round number resistances for this altcoin.

The selling pressure since then has been hefty. The CMF on the daily chart has been below -0.05 for the past three weeks too, showcasing sizeable capital outflows.

Rejection at $1 illuminates the next move

Source: SUI/USDT on TradingView

The 4-hour chart revealed that $1.02 was the 61.8% retracement. Monday’s losses shifted the internal SUI price structure bearishly. This meant that the longer-term bearish trend was ready to resume once more.

A move back above $1.02 would be a warning sign to cut losses. A rally beyond the local high at $1.16 would invalidate the bearish idea. As things stand, this outcome seemed to be unlikely.

Traders’ call to action – Sell The local lows at $0.788 are the current downtrend’s price targets, with $0.70 as the next extension target.

Traders will need to keep an eye on Bitcoin. BTC has the potential to bounce beyond $72k to hunt down short liquidations. This could ruin Sui short sellers’ plans and introduce high price volatility.

Final Thoughts SUI’s long-term trend has been bearish, and the loss of the psychological $1-level indicated a trend continuation. Rejection at the same $1-level over the last 48 hours allowed traders to take short positions. Disclaimer: The information presented does not constitute financial, investment, trading, or other types of advice and is solely the writer’s opinion.

Akashnath S is a Senior Journalist and Technical Analysis expert at AMBCrypto. He specializes in dissecting price action, identifying key market trends through advanced chart patterns, and forecasting both short-term and long-term asset trajectories. His distinct analytical method is grounded in his academic training as a Chemical Engineer. This background provides him with a systematic, process-oriented approach to market data, enabling him to analyze the complex dynamics of financial markets with precision and objectivity. Having actively covered the cryptocurrency space since the landmark 2017 market cycle, Akashnath possesses years of experience navigating both bull and bear markets. This seasoned perspective is critical to his insightful reporting on market volatility and evolution. As an active market participant, Akashnath enhances his analysis with crucial, hands-on experience. This practical application of his technical skills ensures his insights are not merely theoretical, but are also relevant and actionable for an audience looking to understand and navigate trading opportunities. He is dedicated to educating readers on the nuances of technical analysis, empowering them with the knowledge to make more informed financial decisions.

Bitcoin’s Four-Year Cycle Is Intact, and the Latest Sell-Off Shows Why Prefer us on Google

Bitcoin correction aligns with historical four-year halving cycle patterns.Kaiko says 52% drawdown mirrors prior post-halving bear markets.Analysts warn the bear market could last months before a clear bottom forms.Bitcoin’s (BTC) latest price correction is reinforcing, rather than undermining, the long-standing 4-year halving cycle that has historically shaped the asset’s market behavior, according to a new report from Kaiko Research.

The debate carries significant implications for traders and investors navigating Bitcoin’s volatility in early 2026.

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Bitcoin Is Following Its 4-Year Cycle Amid Sharp CorrectionBitcoin fell from its cycle peak near $126,000 to the $60,000–$70,000 range in early February. This marked a drawdown of roughly 52%.

While the move rattled market sentiment, Kaiko argues the decline is fully consistent with previous post-halving bear markets and does not signal a structural break from historical patterns.

“Bitcoin’s decline from $126,000 to $60,000 confirms rather than contradicts the four-year halving cycle, which has consistently delivered 50-80% drawdowns following cycle peaks,” Kaiko’s data debrief read.

The report notes that the 2024 halving took place in April. Bitcoin topped out roughly 12–18 months later, aligning closely with prior cycles. In past instances, such peaks have typically been followed by extended bear markets lasting around a year before the next accumulation phase begins. 

Bitcoin’s 4-Year Halving Cycle. Source: KaikoKaiko says the current price action suggests Bitcoin has transitioned out of the euphoric post-halving phase and into that expected corrective period.

It is worth noting that many experts have previously challenged Bitcoin’s 4-year cycle. They argue that it no longer holds in today’s market. In October, Arthur Hayes said the 4-year Bitcoin cycle was over. He pointed instead to global liquidity as the dominant driver of price movements.

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Others have argued that Bitcoin now follows a 5-year cycle rather than a 4-year one. They cite the growing influence of global liquidity conditions, institutional participation, and broader macroeconomic policy shifts.

Kaiko acknowledged that structural changes, including spot Bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF) adoption, greater regulatory clarity, and a more mature DeFi ecosystem, have distinguished 2024-2025 from previous cycles. Nonetheless, it said these developments have not prevented the expected post-peak retracement.

Instead, they have changed how volatility manifests. Spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded more than $2.1 billion in outflows during the recent sell-off.

This amplified downside pressure and demonstrated that institutional access increases liquidity in both directions, not just on the way up. According to Kaiko,

“While DeFi infrastructure has shown relative resilience compared to 2022, TVL declines and slowing staking flows indicate no sector is immune to bear market dynamics. Regulatory clarity has proven insufficient to decouple crypto from broader macro risk factors, with Fed uncertainty and risk-asset weakness dominating market direction.” 

Kaiko also raised the key question now dominating market discussions: where is the bottom? The report explained that Bitcoin’s intraday rebound from $60,000 to $70,000 suggests initial support may be forming. 

However, historical precedent shows that bear markets typically take six to 12 months and involve multiple failed rallies before a sustainable bottom is established.

Kaiko noted that stablecoin dominance stands at 10.3%, while funding rates have fallen close to zero and futures open interest has dropped by about 55%, signaling significant deleveraging across the market. Still, the firm cautioned that it remains unclear whether current conditions represent early, mid, or late-stage capitulation.

“The four-year cycle framework predicts we should be at the 30% mark. Bitcoin is doing exactly what it has done in every previous cycle, but it seems many market participants convinced themselves this time would be different,” Kaiko wrote.

As February 2026 progresses, market participants must weigh both sides of this argument. Bitcoin’s next moves will reveal whether history continues to repeat or a new market regime is taking shape.

Disclaimer

In adherence to the Trust Project guidelines, BeInCrypto is committed to unbiased, transparent reporting. This news article aims to provide accurate, timely information. However, readers are advised to verify facts independently and consult with a professional before making any decisions based on this content. Please note that our Terms and Conditions, Privacy Policy, and Disclaimers have been updated.

Researchers are currently in a rush to find new ways to "quantum-proof" Bitcoin. 

BitMEX Research has proposed a series of technical escape routes that would allow users to recover their Bitcoin even if the network is forced to freeze vulnerable coins to prevent theft.

The 'quantum freeze'Bitcoin developers might be forced to implement a "soft fork freeze." This will effectively lock any coins held in vulnerable legacy addresses (like P2PKH or P2PK) so they cannot be spent by anyone.

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However, if the attacker can’t spend the coins, neither can the legitimate owner. The money is effectively lost.

BitMEX proposes several methods to unlock these frozen coins using quantum-safe recovery transactions. 

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For standard wallets, BitMEX outlines a clumsy but effective two-step process to recover funds. The user broadcasts a transaction containing a "hash commitment" of their private key or seed phrase. After a waiting period (e.g., 100 blocks), the user broadcasts a second transaction that reveals the key or seed phrase.

Zero-Knowledge Proofs (ZKPs) are a more advanced solution since a user wouldn't need to reveal their private key at all. Instead, they would attach a ZKP to their transaction proving they know the seed phrase. 

Saving Satoshi’s coinsThere are varying degrees of risk associated with Bitcoin address types. Legacy addresses (P2PK), which represent roughly 8.6% of supply, include the famous coins mined by Satoshi Nakamoto in 2009.

BitMEX has proposed a "Pre-QDay Commitment" where users could broadcast a hash of their keys before quantum computers arrive. 

Journalist

Posted: February 10, 2026

Vitalik Buterin wants Ethereum [ETH] to be the backbone of decentralized AI, but the timing for his big vision is… well, awkward at best. The long-term pitch is perhaps getting bigger, but Ethereum is under real pressure right now.

The pitch for control Rather than pitching Ethereum as a way to build super intelligent AI faster, Buterin recently argued that the framing itself can use a bit of work. To him, “working on AGI” is an empty goal, one that prioritizes power over purpose.

Instead, he wants AI to move in a direction that protects people. That means avoiding futures where humans lose power; neither to machines nor to systems controlled by a few institutions.

Source: X

In this picture, Ethereum is support infrastructure. One role is helping people interact with AI in safer and more private ways, such as using local models, making payments without exposing identity. It also includes verifying what AI systems are doing instead of blindly trusting them. Another role is acting as a shared economic layer, where AI programs can pay each other, post deposits, or build reputation without a central authority.

Longer term, AI could help make old crypto ideas actually usable. Buterin stated,

“We can revisit the best ideas from 2014…  and with AI (and ZK) we have a whole new set of tools to make them come to life.”

Big ideas, rough reality

Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has outlined two core priorities for the next phase of Ethereum’s development, pairing an ambitious technical roadmap with a fresh focus on long-term institutional resilience.

In a recent X post, Buterin said the Ethereum Foundation is entering a period of mild austerity over the next five years to advance the network while safeguarding its core mission.

The first priority is to deliver an aggressive roadmap that preserves Ethereum’s role as a scalable, high-performance world computer without compromising robustness, sustainability, or decentralization. The second is ensuring the Foundation’s durability. This need includes the ability to protect user self-sovereignty, security, and privacy across the core blockchain layer and the ecosystem of tools that enable safe access to and use of Ethereum.

As part of this shift, Buterin said he is personally taking on responsibilities that might previously have been handled as special projects. His focus is on developing an open-source, secure, and verifiable full-stack of software and hardware capable of protecting both private life and public infrastructure.

Areas of interest include finance, communications, governance systems, operating systems, secure hardware, blockchains, and biotechnology, spanning both personal and public health.

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Buterin also pointed to initiatives such as open silicon efforts for security-critical use cases, privacy-preserving software with advanced cryptographic guarantees, environmental monitoring, and continued support for encrypted messaging tools.

To fund these efforts, the Ethereum co-founder confirmed he has withdrawn 16,384 ETH, which will be deployed gradually over the coming years. He is also exploring secure decentralized staking approaches that could allow future staking rewards to support the same objectives on an ongoing basis.

Buterin stressed that Ethereum itself is central to this vision of full-stack openness and verifiability. While broad adoption is welcome, he argued the primary goal is not corporate dominance but Ethereum for people who genuinely need it.

Buterin framed this as an alternative to power-driven technological arms races, emphasizing infrastructure that enables cooperation without domination, and tools that protect autonomy and safety as a fundamental right rather than a gated service.

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Cardano’s price fell nearly 4% over the past day and sits down 33% for the month. But signs point to easing sell-off momentum across the network.

The share of ADA supply sitting in profit crashed about 75% since January, dropping from above 33% in mid-January to roughly 8% in early February. With fewer holders making money on their positions, the rush to dump coins during small rallies pretty much disappeared. Profit-taking incentives basically vanished. Coin movement data backs up the trend – during February 6’s sell-off, activity spiked to around 168 million ADA but has since dropped to roughly 92 million, a 45% reduction. Long-term holders aren’t in a hurry to sell anymore and decided to wait instead.

Charts show promise too.

On the 4-hour timeframe, Cardano forms an inverse head-and-shoulders pattern with a left shoulder, deeper central low, and higher right shoulder. The neckline slopes downward, making breakouts tougher since buyers must push through falling resistance. A clean four-hour close above the $0.275 to $0.280 range would activate the pattern. Between January 31 and February 9, while ADA’s price hit lower lows, the Relative Strength Index showed higher lows – a bullish divergence that suggests weakening selling pressure.

Confirmation could come with a new price candle above $0.259.

Charles Hoskinson, Cardano’s creator, stays upbeat about the platform’s long-term prospects despite recent price struggles. Hoskinson points to ongoing development work and improvements within the Cardano ecosystem. He talks up the recent rollout of smart contract capabilities as a big step in boosting Cardano’s utility and appeal to developers. On February 7, Cardano’s development team announced a new update aimed at enhancing network scalability that’s expected to increase transaction throughput. By improving network efficiency, Cardano wants to strengthen its competitive edge against rivals like Ethereum and Solana.

Data from CoinGecko shows Cardano’s market cap sits at approximately $9 billion as of February 9. More on this topic: Senate Banking Panel Postpones Crypto Hearing.

ADA ranks as the seventh-largest cryptocurrency by market cap. The recent price swings haven’t really changed its standing among top digital assets, which reflects strong foundational support among investors holding for the long haul. Investors are watching closely for any announcements from Input Output Global (IOG), the company behind Cardano, regarding future partnerships or tech advances. Such developments could spark renewed investor interest and potentially drive trading volume higher, influencing ADA’s price trajectory in coming weeks. On February 8, the Cardano Foundation released a report detailing recent ecosystem expansions and collaborations with several blockchain projects focused on sustainability and decentralized finance.

These partnerships aim to leverage Cardano’s proof-of-stake protocol for reducing carbon footprints, potentially increasing ADA’s appeal to environmentally conscious investors.

Buyer strength remains the next critical factor though. On-Balance Volume (OBV), which measures whether volume supports price trends, stays on a downward path. The recent price rebounds lack sustained demand. The last significant buying surge happened on February 6, when ADA jumped from near $0.220 to around $0.285 – a near 30% increase with volume spiking sharply. Since then, participation cooled off. A real breakout would need renewed volume and a push through OBV’s downtrend. Without that, rallies will probably fizzle out.

Key resistance sits near $0.275. A confirmed break here could validate the inverse pattern, with $0.285 as the next obstacle. Clearing that level could pave the way toward $0.346, about 30% from the pattern’s neckline.

Trading activity shows mixed signals. Binance, one of the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchanges, reported a noticeable uptick in ADA trading volume on February 9. The increase comes amid growing speculation about Cardano’s potential price movements. Analysts think if trading volumes keep rising, it could signal renewed interest among both retail and institutional investors. Meanwhile, ADA’s performance gets watched closely by Grayscale Investments, which included Cardano in its Digital Large Cap Fund. As of its latest quarterly update, Grayscale noted that Cardano’s inclusion reflects its strategic position among top cryptocurrencies. See also: Fidelity Drops Digital Dollar Token as.

On the downside, $0.259 is crucial support.

A drop below that level could undermine the bullish setup. Full pattern invalidation would occur below $0.220, putting the price back under the pattern’s base. With selling incentives down 75% and coin activity quieted, momentum shows signs of improvement. But volume hasn’t asserted buyer control yet. If strong participation returns and $0.275 breaks, a move toward $0.34 becomes possible. If not, Cardano risks drifting lower.

February 10 marks the upcoming release of Cardano’s monthly development update. Investors and developers are eager to gain insights into ongoing projects and future upgrades covering advancements in smart contract functionality and potential enhancements to Cardano’s interoperability with other blockchain networks.

The development update will likely address Cardano’s progress on Hydra, its layer-2 scaling solution designed to process up to one million transactions per second. Early testing phases showed promising results, with the protocol handling thousands of transactions with minimal fees. Several decentralized applications have expressed interest in migrating to Hydra once it reaches full deployment.

Institutional adoption metrics reveal mixed signals for Cardano’s broader acceptance. While three major pension funds added ADA to their portfolios in January, two cryptocurrency hedge funds reduced their positions by roughly 15% during the same period. Messari data indicates that Cardano’s total value locked in DeFi protocols dropped from $320 million in December to $280 million by early February, reflecting broader market uncertainty rather than platform-specific issues.

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Bitcoin price slipped again on Feb. 10 after failing to stay above the $70,000 level, an area that had supported the market through much of the recent consolidation.

Summary

Bitcoin is under pressure as capital inflows fail to translate into price expansion. On-chain data shows rising whale exchange deposits and steady ETF outflows. Technical structure continues to favor distribution over accumulation. At press time, BTC was trading around $68,979, down 2% over the past 24 hours. The weakness extends across all major timeframes, with losses of 12% over the past week, 23% over the last month, and roughly 30% year-over-year.

The pullback has been sharp and persistent. Since reaching an all-time high of $126,080 in October 2025, Bitcoin (BTC) has fallen by nearly 45%. Rather than a single washout event, the decline has unfolded through steady selling.

At the same time, market activity has increased. Spot trading volume jumped 15.2% in the last 24 hours to $52 billion, pointing to active repositioning as traders reduce exposure or rotate capital.

Derivatives markets reflect a similar tone. CoinGlass data shows Bitcoin futures volume rising 4.97% to $70 billion, while open interest slipped 1.98% to $45 billion.

The combination suggests traders are closing positions faster than new leverage is being added, a pattern often seen during periods of distribution.

Selling pressure overwhelms inflows Concerns around Bitcoin’s ability to stage a recovery were shared by CryptoQuant CEO Ki Young Ju. In a Feb. 9 post on X, Ju said Bitcoin is currently “not pumpable,” arguing that selling pressure is absorbing capital faster than it can translate into price gains.

Bitcoin is not pumpable right now.

In 2024, $10B in cash could create $26B in BTC book value. In 2025, $308B flowed in, yet the market cap fell $98B. Selling pressure is too heavy for any multiplier effect.

MSTR and DATs won't work until it becomes pumpable again. pic.twitter.com/T8NZHio4H9

— Ki Young Ju (@ki_young_ju) February 9, 2026 Ju pointed to a sharp contrast between recent market cycles. In 2024, a $10 billion capital inflow expanded Bitcoin’s book value by $26 billion. In 2025, however, roughly $308 billion flowed into the market while total market capitalization fell by $98 billion. According to Ju, the usual multiplier effect has broken down under the weight of sustained selling.

On-chain data adds weight to that view. CryptoQuant contributor Amr Taha flagged two whale transfers of more than 5,000 BTC into Binance on Feb. 2 and Feb. 9, an uncommon event within a single week.

The first transfer aligned with Bitcoin’s slide from $77,000 to below $70,000 by Feb. 6, raising concerns that large holders may be using rallies to distribute into liquidity.

Institutional demand has also cooled. U.S. spot Bitcoin exchange-traded fund holdings peaked near 1.36 million BTC in mid-October 2025, alongside the market high. By Feb. 9, total holdings had fallen to roughly 1.27 million BTC, implying net outflows of around 90,000 BTC, or 6.6% of ETF reserves.

Bitcoin price technical analysis From a technical perspective, losing $70,000 has altered the market structure. After several unsuccessful attempts to regain the $71,000–$73,000 range, the level now serves as resistance.

Bitcoin daily chart. Credit: crypto.news The price is still below the 50-day and 20-day moving averages, which are both limiting attempts at an upward trend. Momentum is still lacking. The relative strength index is in the 32–34 range, indicating an oversold situation without a definite bullish divergence. 

After a period of compression, the price is clinging to the lower Bollinger Band as the bands begin to widen. In similar situations, failing to reclaim the mid-band often leads to further downside. Volume patterns reinforce this outlook, showing steady liquidation rather than panic selling, since sell-side spikes are not met with strong rebound activity.

A brief push toward $73,000–75,000 is feasible if Bitcoin can maintain above $68,000–69,000 and recover $71,000. A sustained close above the 50-day average near $79,000 would be needed to shift the trend.

On the downside, failure to defend $68,000 keeps pressure intact. A break below $62,800 opens the door to $60,000, with deeper liquidity waiting near $58,000.