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Developers have slated FOCIL, a censorship-resistance proposal, as the centerpiece of Ethereum's Hegota upgrade in late 2026. Vitalik Buterin says the change will guarantee the rapid inclusion of valid transactions, though critics warn of validator risks.

Senate inquiry examines Binance’s sanctions compliance, Iran and Russia transactions, and links to Trump-associated firm WLFI.

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Published: February 25, 2026 │ 8:30 AM GMT

Created by Kornelija Poderskytė from DailyCoin

U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal has initiated a formal inquiry into Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, following reports that the platform processed transactions linked to sanctioned Iranian entities and may have facilitated sanctions evasion related to Russian oil flows.

The investigation seeks internal records and compliance details from Binance leadership after media reporting suggested the exchange may have allowed large-scale transfers involving jurisdictions under U.S. sanctions scrutiny.

Binance Compliance Practices Under the MicroscopeThe letter, sent by Senator Blumenthal in his capacity on the U.S. Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations (PSI, demands information regarding alleged violations of U.S. and international sanctions. 

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The inquiry focuses on whether Binance knowingly facilitated illicit transactions and failed to prevent its platform from being used by sanctioned entities, terrorist organizations, and other criminal actors.

According to the document, Binance may have processed $1.7 billion in crypto transfers to Iran, enabled transactions linked to Russia’s “shadow fleet,” and handled funds supporting terrorist organizations, including Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps. 

The investigation also examines internal compliance failures, alleging that the exchange ignored warnings, allowed illicit accounts to operate, granted VIP status to suspicious users, and retaliated against staff who raised concerns.

Alleged Compliance Failures and Political InfluenceBinance is further accused of ignoring repeated warnings about illicit activity related to Iran and Russia, potentially facilitating terrorist financing and money laundering.

The letter alleges the exchange blocked compliance efforts, retaliated against investigators, and leveraged political influence through partnerships with World Liberty Financial (WLFI) and ties to the Trump family to shield itself from accountability.

“Instead of actually preventing illicit use, Binance has sought to evade accountability and influence the White House through lobbying and a financial partnership with World Liberty Financial (WLFI), the cryptocurrency firm owned by the sons of President Trump and his special envoy Steve Witkoff,” Blumenthal’s letter reads.

After an initial partnership between WLFI and Emirati Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Binance became a “vital engine” for WLFI, with about 85% of its USD1 stablecoins held on the exchange, tightly linking the Trump family’s crypto ventures to Binance.

The letter also notes that this influence campaign appears to have succeeded: in May 2025, the SEC dismissed a lawsuit against Binance for misleading regulators, followed by the October presidential pardon of founder Changpeng Zhao.

Deadline for Records and TransparencyThe Senate’s PSI member has demanded that Binance provide detailed records by March 6, 2026, including transactions and communications involving two Binance partners, Hexa Whale and Blessed Trust, suspected of acting as “intermediaries for laundering money and enabling trade with Iranian government entities.”

The request also covers the use of Tether (USDT) and USD1, a WLFI-issued stablecoin, in sanction evasion or terrorist financing, as well as documentation on the suspension or dismissal of compliance staff involved in investigating these issues.

Explore DailyCoin’s hottest crypto news right now:
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People Also Ask:What are sanctions and why do they matter in crypto?

Sanctions are government-imposed restrictions on certain countries, entities, or individuals to prevent illegal or harmful activity. Crypto platforms must ensure users comply to avoid legal violations.

Who is WLFI and why is it mentioned?

World Liberty Financial (WLFI) is a cryptocurrency firm linked to the Trump family. The investigation examines Binance’s business dealings and partnerships with WLFI.

What happens if Binance is found non-compliant?

Possible outcomes include regulatory fines, stricter compliance requirements, reputational damage, and limitations on operating in certain jurisdictions.

DailyCoin's Vibe Check: Which way are you leaning towards after reading this article?

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

KITE has entered the top 100 alts after a massive 20% surge daily, and a 135% pump monthly.

After a few consecutive days of charting new local lows to $62,500, bitcoin’s price has finally rebounded, and the asset even neared $66,500 earlier today, where it was stopped.

Most altcoins are in the green as well today, with ETH nearing $1,900, and XRP reclaiming the $1.36 support. SOL and XMR have surged the most from the larger caps.

BTC Bounces to $65K Bitcoin was violently rejected on both occasions at the beginning of the previous business week to reclaim the $70,000 level, and the subsequent corrections pushed it south to $66,000 by Wednesday. It rebounded in the following days and went above $68,000 during the weekend.

However, more macro uncertainty ensued after the latest tariff developments, including another global taxation of 10% to 15% from Trump. BTC remained still at first, but nosedived on Sunday evening/Monday morning when the futures markets opened. In just over an hour, the cryptocurrency plummeted to under $64,500.

After a dead-cat bounce, the bears were back in control on Tuesday and initiated another leg down – this time, bitcoin slumped to a new three-week low of $62,500. The bulls finally woke up at this point and drove the asset north by roughly $4,000. It was stopped there and now sits above $65,000, but it’s still 3% up on the day.

Its market cap has reclaimed the $1.3 trillion level, while its dominance over the alts has climbed above 56%.

BTCUSD Feb 25. Source: TradingView Alts Try to Rebound Most altcoins were hit hard over the past few days as well. Ethereum dipped to $1,800, but now stands $100 higher at $1,900. XRP is back at a crucial support at $1.36, while BNB has neared $600. TRX, DOGE, BCH, ADA, and HYPE are also in the green daily.

SOL and XMR have surged the most from the larger caps. 7% gains have pushed the former to $82, while the latter is above $335.

KITE has entered the top 100 alts with a massive 20% daily surge. MORPHO follows suit, while LEO and WLFI are next.

The total crypto market cap has recovered around $80 billion daily and is up to $2.330 trillion on CG.

Cryptocurrency Market Overview Daily Feb 25. Source: QuantifyCrypto

Polygon has fallen nearly 40% from its yearly high in tandem with a market-wide weakness. Can it recover from its losses now as its stablecoin market and app revenues surge?

Summary

Polygon price is eyeing a rebound amid strengthening fundamentals, including stablecoin activity and revenue surge. A potential bullish crossover is forming on the daily chart. According to data from crypto.news, the Polygon (POL) price fell over 50% from its January high to a yearly low of $0.088 on Feb. 11. This occurred amid a broader market pullback triggered by massive liquidations across leveraged markets as Bitcoin fell below multiple key support zones due to macroeconomic and geopolitical stress.

POL has since bounced back and remained in consolidation between $0.100 and $0.115.

Potential catalysts for Polygon price The Polygon network is showing signs of strength, which may position it for a breakout

First, its on-chain stats have grown significantly stronger over recent weeks. Data from DeFiLlama shows that the total supply of stablecoins on the network has surged to $3.26 billion from the $2.4 billion seen at the beginning of February.

At the same time, the weekly revenue generated by DeFi apps on the network has also soared by nearly 70% within the period.

A stronger stablecoin supply and weekly revenue suggest a surge in activity and liquidity, which is a healthy sign for a network and could likely attract more institutional capital.

Second, Polygon’s aggressive token burn strategy is also helping support its price gains. It has recently completed burning over 100 million POL tokens. As tokens are burnt, they are permanently removed from the circulating supply, driving scarcity and providing an accessible bullish narrative for short-term traders.

Third, the daily chart shows that the Polygon price is close to confirming a bullish crossover between the 50-day and 100-day moving averages. Bullish crossovers are typically followed by sustained rallies once confirmed.

Polygon price is close to confirming a bullish crossover on the daily chart — Feb. 25 | Source: crypto.news Key levels to watch For now, the next overhead resistance level lies at $0.122, which is the strong pivot reverse level of the Murrey Math lines. Bulls must reclaim this level to confirm a trend reversal.

Subsequently, bulls can then try to push the token all the way up to its January high at $0.184, which would mark a roughly 64% rally from its current price of $0.112.

On the contrary, failure to hold the ultimate support level of the Murrey Math lines at $0.097 will result in a drop back to its yearly low of $0.088.

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

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Ark Invest has been putting real money where its mouth is. In a single day — February 12 — the firm snapped up shares across three separate companies tied to the crypto space.

According to trading disclosures, Ark purchased 212,314 shares of Bitmine worth roughly $4.2 million, 74,323 shares of Bullish valued at about $2.4 million, and 174,767 shares of Robinhood totaling nearly $12.4 million.

These weren’t small, cautious moves. They were deliberate bets made during a stretch when Bitcoin has been losing ground.

Image: FXEmpire The Numbers Tell An Uncomfortable Truth Bitcoin is down 26% so far this year. Gold, by comparison, has climbed 19% over the same period. At the time of writing, Bitcoin was changing hands at $63,200 while gold traded at around $3,180 per troy ounce.

Those figures don’t exactly support the case for dumping the old safe haven in favor of the new one — at least not right now. The gap between what Cathie Wood believes and what the market is actually doing has never been more visible.

Wood isn’t backing down. In a recent Bloomberg interview, the Ark Invest founder called Bitcoin “hands down” better than gold — a strong claim for an asset that has spent most of this year sliding.

Cathie Wood: Bitcoin is “hands down” better than Gold. pic.twitter.com/38LYF4IcaF

— Altcoin Daily (@AltcoinDaily) February 23, 2026

Her argument isn’t built on this month’s price chart. It’s built on where she thinks money is headed over the next decade. Reports say she views Bitcoin as a hedge that works in both inflationary and deflationary conditions, a flexibility she believes gold cannot match in the same way.

Younger Money Is Moving Differently Part of Wood’s conviction rests on who is doing the buying — and who isn’t. Institutional exposure to Bitcoin is still being built out, she noted, while younger investors are increasingly choosing digital assets over physical bullion.

BTCUSD trading at $63,634 on the 24-hour chart: TradingView Gold’s buyer base is mature and well established. Bitcoin’s is still forming. That distinction matters to Wood because it suggests the bulk of Bitcoin’s demand hasn’t arrived yet. Early adoption, in her reading, means there’s still a long runway ahead.

Ark’s portfolio reflects that view. Bullish has climbed to the ninth-largest holding in the firm’s ARKF fund, carrying a 3.4% weighting valued at close to $30 million.

Ark also holds positions in Block, Circle, and Coinbase — a collection of bets that together paint a picture of a firm fully committed to the idea that crypto-linked companies will be worth far more in the years ahead.

A Long Game In A Short-Term Market The tension Wood is navigating is real. Gold is winning 2025 so far. Bitcoin is not. But Ark’s buying activity suggests the firm sees that gap not as a reason to pull back, but as a window.

Reports note that Wood and her team remain focused on adoption curves and structural shifts rather than quarterly returns.

Featured image from Kanchanara on Unsplash, chart from TradingView

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ETH pivots DeFi support to permissionless, secure, privacy-first protocols, enforcing a walkaway test for long-term resilience.

Summary

ETH DeFi focus shifts to permissionless, open-source, security-first protocols that minimize trusted third parties and central chokepoints. New EF bar is the walkaway test: protocols must keep functioning if teams disappear or turn hostile, with oracle infrastructure flagged as a systemic risk. Roadmap prioritizes privacy-preserving CDPs, AI-assisted formal verification, wallet safeguards, and stronger oracle decentralization for sustainable DeFi growth. Ethereum (ETH) co-founder Vitalik Buterin has outlined a renewed vision for decentralized finance on the Ethereum network, emphasizing permissionless access, privacy, and security as core priorities, according to statements released by the Ethereum Foundation.

The Ethereum Foundation announced it will support projects that align with these principles, focusing on user control, open systems, and reduced reliance on centralized actors.

Buterin stated that decentralized finance represents a core component of Ethereum’s value proposition. DeFi platforms offer savings, risk management, and wealth-building tools without permission requirements, operating globally without central gatekeepers, according to the announcement.

“Financial empowerment is a central part of what it means to have agency and freedom in our current world,” Buterin stated. “Finance is far from the only thing that Ethereum is good for, but it is an important thing.”

The Ethereum Foundation does not plan to support all blockchain-based finance projects, according to Buterin. Instead, the organization will back protocols that are open-source and prioritize security, maximizing user control while reducing reliance on trusted third parties.

Buterin introduced what he termed the “walkaway test” for DeFi protocols, stating that a protocol should continue functioning if the original development team disappears and remain operational even if founders become compromised or hostile.

Security remains a central concern for the Ethereum Foundation, according to the announcement. Buterin identified audits, shared standards, and wallet safeguards as key tools, while also highlighting AI-assisted formal verification as an emerging method to improve smart contract safety.

Oracle security requires urgent attention, Buterin stated, noting that oracles connect blockchains to external data sources and weak oracle systems can expose DeFi platforms to manipulation and financial loss. The co-founder called for stronger decentralization in oracle design, describing secure infrastructure as essential for sustainable DeFi growth.

Privacy represents another major focus in Ethereum’s DeFi roadmap, according to Buterin. Both payment systems and complex financial tools require stronger privacy features, with collateralized debt positions cited as one example requiring privacy-preserving solutions.

Buterin noted that enhanced privacy features could reduce liquidation risks but require advanced technical solutions. The co-founder encouraged deeper innovation in decentralized finance, urging developers to move beyond improving existing stablecoins and rethink core financial problems such as hedging future expenses.

Ethereum remains a permissionless network where anyone can deploy applications, according to the Foundation. However, the Ethereum Foundation will prioritize projects that support user agency and open access, with the stated goal of building a global financial system that is secure, private, and resilient.

Bitcoin dropped about 1.5% in hours after Trump skipped Bitcoin, validating Schiff’s selloff warning.

Summary

Bitcoin climbed toward ~$66k before Trump’s State of the Union on expectations he’d mention crypto, then slid back near ~$65k after no reference. Schiff warned of selling pressure whether or not Trump mentioned BTC, citing “buy the rumor, sell the news” dynamics and potential insider profit-taking. Schiff called BTC’s multi‑year rally a bubble, saying price could eventually sink toward ~$40k despite only a modest pullback after the speech. Gold advocate and Bitcoin (BTC) critic Peter Schiff predicted a sell-off in Bitcoin prices regardless of whether U.S. President Donald Trump mentioned the cryptocurrency in his State of the Union address, according to statements posted on social media.

Schiff stated that the recent recovery in Bitcoin stemmed from market expectations that Trump would mention the cryptocurrency in his speech. The gold advocate predicted that if the President made no mention of Bitcoin in the address, selling pressure would occur.

Schiff further stated that even if Trump mentioned Bitcoin, a decline would still be expected, arguing that expectations were already priced into the market and the speech could trigger profit-taking, leading to a price drop. The analyst suggested that individuals close to Trump who purchased Bitcoin in anticipation of the announcement might sell following any mention.

President Trump delivered his State of the Union address without directly mentioning Bitcoin, causing short-term fluctuations in the cryptocurrency market, according to market data.

The address covered topics including tariff policy, tax cuts, the response to the Iran nuclear issue, and approval of a defense budget. No mention of cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, was made during the speech.

Bitcoin had risen to higher levels before the speech, in line with market expectations based on Trump’s previous statements supporting cryptocurrency. Following the speech, profit-taking led to selling and the price declined, though the drop was smaller than Schiff had anticipated, according to market observers.

In a separate social media post, Schiff described Bitcoin’s multi-year price increase as a bursting bubble and stated the cryptocurrency’s price could fall significantly.

Ondo Finance has integrated its tokenized stock platform with Binance, allowing hundreds of millions of users to trade on-chain versions of blue-chip U.S. equities and exchange-traded funds (ETFs). Ondo Global Markets officially launched on the Binance Alpha platform on February 24, 2026. This partnership enables global (non-U.S.

Bitcoin Depot has been implementing a new requirement across its crypto ATM network in the United States, and now requires users to provide identification for every transaction.

Summary

Bitcoin Depot now requires identification for every transaction across its U.S. crypto ATM network. The rollout began in early February, with the company stating that continuous verification will help flag suspicious activity. According to the official announcement, the new policy has been live since early February as it hopes to strengthen “safeguards against potential misuse.”

“By requiring identification for every transaction, the enhancement adds another layer of protection designed to help prevent account sharing, identity theft, and account takeover attempts as deployment continues,” the company said.

According to the firm’s CEO, Scott Buchanan, using continuous verification will help detect suspicious activity based on “customers, locations, or transaction amount.”

The mandate comes as Bitcoin Depot faces increased scrutiny from regulators. Earlier this month, the Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell sued the company for not implementing proper safeguards to prevent scams.

Bitcoin Depot was also targeted by Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird last year for similar reasons.

According to data from Coin ATM Radar, Bitcoin Depot is the largest crypto ATM operator in the U.S., with 9,019 kiosks in operation. It first started implementing ID requirements in October, but the measure was limited to new users only.

Crypto ATMs come under scrutiny Reports from the FBI and other third-party agencies have warned that bad actors have continued to misuse crypto ATMs to conduct fraud, impersonation scams, and other illicit transfers, often targeting elderly victims and pressuring them to convert cash into digital assets that are difficult to trace or recover. As a result, lawmakers across the U.S. have moved to tighten oversight.

Last year, Washington’s Spokane city implemented a ban on all crypto ATMs. Elsewhere, in North Dakota, a bill was introduced to implement daily transaction caps and mandatory fraud warnings. Nebraska has also taken similar steps.

Anchorage Digital, the federally chartered U.S. crypto bank, signaled deepening institutional conviction in Bitcoin by disclosing it holds perpetual preferred stock issued by Strategy on its balance sheet.

Summary

Anchorage Digital disclosed holdings of Strategy’s Nasdaq-listed perpetual preferred stock (STRC), signaling strategic alignment with the leading corporate Bitcoin treasury firm. Strategy recently completed its 100th Bitcoin purchase, bringing total holdings to over 717,000 BTC and reinforcing its role in institutional Bitcoin accumulation. The move follows Anchorage’s $100 million equity investment from Tether and may support its broader strategic initiatives ahead of a potential IPO. CEO Nathan McCauley framed the move as a meaningful alignment between the company that “operationalizes Bitcoin infrastructure” and the firm that has become synonymous with corporate Bitcoin accumulation.

McCauley posted on social platform X that the investment in STRC, Strategy’s perpetual preferred security, underscored conviction rather than casual interest in digital assets.

STRC is a Nasdaq-listed perpetual preferred security that pays an attractive annual dividend, roughly 11.25% before expenses, and is closely tied to Strategy’s Bitcoin treasury strategy.

Strategy, led by executive chairman Michael Saylor, has aggressively expanded its Bitcoin holdings through regular purchases funded by equity and preferred stock offerings. The firm recently marked its 100th Bitcoin acquisition, adding another 592 BTC and bringing its total to more than 717,000 coins, roughly 3% of all Bitcoin in circulation.

McCauley’s post was met with affirmation from Saylor himself, who echoed the sentiment that “conviction is contagious,” offering a rare glimpse into how significant institutional actors are positioning around Bitcoin beyond simple custodial services or trading exposure.

Anchorage Digital declined to disclose the size or timing of its holdings, but McCauley described the move as more than symbolic, suggesting that when a regulated crypto bank puts capital alongside the world’s largest dedicated corporate Bitcoin holder, it speaks to confidence in Bitcoin’s long-term relevance.

The bank’s move follows a $100 million equity investment from stablecoin issuer Tether and precedes Anchorage’s planned IPO.

Trump family-backed American Bitcoin Corp. (NASDAQ:ABTC) is set to announce its fourth-quarter and full-year 2025 earnings before the market opens on Thursday. A quick overview of what's going on with the company and its stock.

Cryptocurrency analyst Willy Woo countered former White House official David Stockman‘s critique of Bitcoin's (CRYPTO: BTC) “store of value” narrative on Tuesday, noting that top Wall Street stocks endured similar volatility in the past. Stockman Mocks Bitcoiners In an X post, Stockman questioned Bitcoin's recent performance, highlighting its 48% drop from record highs to $65,000 in just four months.

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Bitcoin witnessed a brief surge ahead of US President Donald Trump’s State of the Union speech. While the surprising hike has sparked optimism, not everyone is convinced the rally will last. Longtime Bitcoin critic Peter Schiff has raised concerns about the move, suggesting that the BTC price surge may be driven more by speculation around Trump’s SOTU speech rather than real market strength.

Peter Schiff Questions Bitcoin’s Pre-SOTU Speech Rally In his latest X post, Peter Schiff, a prominent advisor of gold and a critic of crypto, has raised doubts on the recent Bitcoin price surge ahead of the Trump SOTU speech.

Commenting on this unexpected rally, Peter Schiff argued that the speculation surrounding Trump’s SOTU speech has triggered the price move. This indicates that the current Bitcoin price surge is short-lived. In other words, Schiff believes that the jump may not be based on strong fundamentals, but rather short-term speculation. He wrote on X,

“Bitcoin spiked. I wonder if Trump crypto bros managed to slip a Bitcoin reference into the SOTU address. If Bitcoin isn’t mentioned at all, I expect it to sell off. If it is mentioned, it’s still likely to sell off as Trump insiders who bought ahead of the speech sell the news.”

Peter Schiff added that traders could be positioning ahead of the SOTU speech, anticipating that Trump would mention BTC during his address. They may have been buying Bitcoin in speculation that its price would rise following a possible reference to BTC in the speech. Thus, his words indicate that the current positive trend is not triggered by genuine demand or long-term confidence.

This comes following Peter Schiff’s recent warning of Bitcoin’s potential price crash to $20k. As CoinGape reported, he urged investors to sell their holdings before the downfall.

Is a Pullback Imminent? Further, Peter Schiff posited that Bitcoin could face a pullback despite the current spike. If Bitcoin wasn’t mentioned in the SOTU speech, the price is likely to fall due to disappointment. Even if it was referenced, insiders who bought it may use the moment to “sell the news.”

This could also trigger a decline after the initial hype fades. Thus, Peter Schiff warns that the Bitcoin price drop is imminent. His words also echo the projections from other experts. For instance, CoinGape reported that JPMorgan CEO warned of a 2008-style market crash ahead.

Moreover, Schiff adds that he wants investors to stay away from the cryptocurrency. His words read,

“I want to make sure that people don’t buy Bitcoin instead of gold. Bitcoin pumpers are trying to convince would be gold buyers to buy “digital gold” instead of the real thing.”

Bitcoin Price Surges Ahead of Trump’s SOTU Speech As noted by Peter Schiff, BTC saw a notable hike ahead of President Trump’s SOTU speech. The cryptocurrency rose by over $2,000, climbing from around $64,000 to nearly $66,000. As of now, the BTC price is valued at $64,967, up by about 3.6% in a day. The coin is still down by 4% and 26% over the past week and month, respectively.

While the spike was reportedly driven by anticipation of a possible Bitcoin reference in the SOTU speech, there have been no reports confirming that such a mention actually took place. In the longest SOTU in history, Trump focused more on his economic agenda. Rep. Don Bacon noted,

“He should talk this way every day. This was a good speech on the affordability. An hour was spent on it, and that’s what he should be dwelling on.”

Thus, investors may be losing their earlier optimism, which has once again brought the BTC price to the $64k level, with marginal hikes. Traders will be closely watching whether BTC can hold above the $65,000 level or if Schiff’s predicted “sell-the-news” reaction begins to play out in the coming sessions.

Shiba Inu just flashed a “death cross” on the lower timeframes, and as usual, the chart has split traders into two camps.

Right now, SHIB is trading slightly below $0.0000060 after sliding under several short-term moving averages. On February 23, the 200-period simple moving average crossed above the 50-period moving average on the 2-hour chart. 

In technical analysis, that crossover is widely seen as a bearish signal. It suggests that recent price momentum has weakened enough for longer-term averages to overtake shorter ones.

But here’s the thing: death crosses don’t appear out of nowhere. They usually show up after the damage has already been done.

Why the Signal MattersSHIB had already formed a similar crossover on the 1-hour chart days earlier. The latest signal on the 2-hour timeframe simply confirms that short-term structure has been leaning bearish for a while. Price has been making lower highs, and each bounce has struggled to build strength.

The important level right now is $0.0000060. That zone previously acted as demand, drawing in buyers during earlier dips. SHIB briefly bounced above $0.0000061, but buying pressure faded quickly. There hasn’t been a strong follow-through.

If this support breaks decisively, the next areas to watch sit around $0.0000057 and then $0.0000050. Those levels have seen reactions in the past, but every time a support level gets tested, it weakens a little more. A clean breakdown could open the door to a faster move lower.

On the upside, resistance sits near $0.0000066, with heavier supply around $0.0000072 and $0.0000078. For any real recovery to take shape, SHIB would need to reclaim those zones and climb back above its short-term moving averages. Without that, rallies risk turning into short-lived relief bounces.

It is also important to remember that death crosses are lagging indicators. They confirm what has already happened. They do not guarantee that a fresh crash is coming. Sometimes they appear right before a short squeeze or bounce, especially if the market is already stretched to the downside.

At this point, SHIB is at a technical crossroads. The chart looks fragile, but the $0.0000060 level is still in play. Whether it holds or breaks will likely decide the next meaningful move.

FAQsWill SHIB recover after the recent death cross?

Recovery depends on reclaiming $0.0000066 and holding support. Without that, rallies may remain short-term relief bounces.

Could SHIB drop to $0.0000050 next?

Yes, if $0.0000060 fails decisively, downside momentum could extend toward the $0.0000050 support region.

Is SHIB bullish or bearish right now?

Short-term structure leans bearish due to lower highs and the death cross, but support at $0.0000060 remains critical.

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A draft legislation proposing the creation of a bitcoin strategic reserve fund has been referred to the House Commerce Committee following the failure of a similar 2025 initiative.

Prominent Bitcoin developer Peter Todd has challenged Discord’s rationale for implementing stricter age verification measures in a recent tweet. 

The prominent Bitcoin developer has argued that the platform should adopt Bitcoin and resist government pressure rather than forcing users to submit identification.

The comments come amid strong user backlash regarding Discord’s "Global Age Assurance" rollout.

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"'Their hand is forced.' Nope,” Todd wrote on X (formerly Twitter). "The internet is global. Discord doesn't have to do anything. Let the UK and Australia block them if needed."

Bitcoin could help Discord bypass the traditional financial system's "Know Your Customer" (KYC) requirements, which are often inextricably linked to identity and age verification. 

Discord's PR crisisThe platform recently announced plans for global age assurance to comply with new laws in the UK, Australia, and Brazil. 

There are widespread rumors that Discord would require face scans and government IDs for all users to continue using the service.

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However, the platform has stated that over 90% of users will never need to verify their age.

Discord's shelved crypto plans 

Discord has never officially accepted Bitcoin or any cryptocurrency as a direct payment method for its services (like Nitro subscriptions or Server Boosts).

In late 2021, CEO Jason Citron tweeted a screenshot of a "pre-release" feature showing a Discord interface connecting to MetaMask and WalletConnect. Thousands started threatening to cancel their Nitro subscriptions. Within days, Discord ended up shelving the plan. 

The Ethereum co-founder's tracked wallets dropped from 241,000 ETH to 224,000 ETH in February, with sales routed through CoW Protocol in small batches to limit market impact.Updated Feb 25, 2026, 6:59 a.m. Published Feb 25, 2026, 6:56 a.m.

Vitalik Buterin earmarked 17,000 ether, worth about $43 million, for privacy projects in January. A month later, his wallet balance is down by roughly that amount, and the token he's selling has lost more than a third of its value.

Arkham Intelligence data shows Buterin's attributed wallets held about 241,000 ETH at the start of February. That figure now sits at 224,000 ETH after a steady series of outflows through the month, including $6.6 million over three days earlier in February and roughly another $7 million in the past three days alone.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW

The sales were executed through decentralized exchange aggregator CoW Protocol, broken into numerous smaller swaps rather than single large transactions.

The approach is standard practice for minimizing slippage on size, but it also means the selling has been a slow, consistent bleed rather than a one-time event.

The timing is uncomfortable. Ether has dropped 37% over the past month, according to CoinDesk market data, trading near $1,900 on Wednesday, and Buterin's ongoing sales add headline pressure to a token already struggling for a narrative.

More than 30% of ETH supply remains locked in staking, but yields have compressed to around 2.8%, making the lock-up less attractive relative to risk-free alternatives.

Buterin announced the $43 million allocation in January, saying he had set aside 16,384 ETH to fund privacy-preserving technologies, open hardware, and secure software systems.

He described the effort as something he would personally lead as the Ethereum Foundation entered a period of "mild austerity" while maintaining its technical roadmap. The capital, he said, would be deployed gradually over several years.

Ether's sell-off has widened the pain for corporate ETH holders. Bitmine Immersion Technologies, one of the largest, is estimated to be carrying billions in unrealized losses after ether fell roughly 60% in six months — dropping well below its average purchase price.

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Crypto firm with U.S. bank charter holds bitcoin holder Strategy's preferred stock

46 minutes ago

Anchorage Digital, the first federally chartered U.S. crypto bank, has added perpetual preferred stock in bitcoin treasury firm Strategy to its balance sheet.

What to know:

Anchorage Digital, the first federally chartered U.S. crypto bank, disclosed that it holds perpetual preferred stock in bitcoin treasury firm Strategy to its balance sheet.The investment underscores institutional confidence in Michael Saylor's bitcoin treasury strategy and signals tightening ties among major bitcoin-focused firms despite market volatility.Strategy's Short Duration High Yield Credit (STRC) preferred shares, launched in mid-2025, pay an 11.25% annual dividend adjusted monthly to stay near a $100 par value and are backed by the firm's large bitcoin holdings.

Bitcoin briefly climbed to about $66,000 on Tuesday before easing to roughly $64,900 on Wednesday Asian morning up around 2.8% on the day, as risk appetite improved across equities ahead of Nvidia’s earnings, according to CoinGecko data reported by Decrypt.

Traders framed the move as a relief rally following last week’s tariff and legal volatility rather than a direct response to President Donald Trump’s address.

Asian stocks advanced, and major US indexes closed higher, with several analysts calling Nvidia’s report the week’s key catalyst for both equities and digital assets.

Whale activity and oversold signalsMarket data provider Material Indicators reported a $4.5 million spot purchase by large investors, noting the order was unusual for that class of buyer.

“We typically see them do this when they are buying directly into liquidity to help break walls.”

Although the purchase was relatively small in absolute terms, analysts viewed it as a sign of renewed interest from large holders.

Bitcoin remains roughly 49% below its all-time high.

Technical indicators also suggest extreme market conditions. Bitcoin’s weekly relative strength index fell to 25.71, levels not seen since July 2022. Galaxy head of firmwide research Alex Thorn said Bitcoin is “nearing all-time oversold territory,” explaining that the “Weekly RSI is lower than any time except the darkest of bears.”

The cryptocurrency is also trading within 9% of its 200-week exponential moving average near $58,855, a level historically associated with long-term bottoms.

However, analyst Rekt Capital warned a daily close below the 200-EMA “could turn it into resistance on any upcoming recovery” and may “prompt additional bearish acceleration to the downside.”

Analyst Brian Brookshire added that “grinding out a bottom” could take time and may require improved supply-profit metrics and a bounce off mining cost levels.

Macro factors and political backdropBitcoin rose more than $2,000 ahead of President Donald Trump’s address to Congress, briefly reaching about $66,000 before retreating.

Analysts attributed the move primarily to broader market positioning.

Derek Lim of Caladan said the increase reflected “a combination of risk-on positioning ahead of Nvidia earnings and a relief bounce off the tariff and Supreme Court chaos from the prior week.”

“Both of these had far more direct market relevance than anything said at the podium,” he said.

During the speech, Trump described the economy as a “turnaround for the ages,” stating the country is “bigger, better, richer, and stronger” and highlighting tax cuts, tariffs, and reduced inflation.

He added that “inflation is plummeting” and “incomes are rising fast.”

The president also said tariffs brought in “hundreds of billions of dollars” and pledged they would remain in place despite a Supreme Court ruling, calling it “a very unfortunate ruling.”

Market outlook and institutional sentimentEquity markets also gained as investors positioned ahead of Nvidia earnings, which analysts described as a major catalyst for both equities and digital assets.

Meanwhile, rising short interest in Strategy Inc (formerly known as Microstrategy)., heavily tied to Bitcoin, drew attention.

Strategy has emerged as the most shorted large-cap US stock, as investors increase bearish bets against the company’s Bitcoin-focused business model.

Among companies valued above $25 billion, about 14% of Strategy’s publicly traded shares are sold short, according to Goldman Sachs data.

Investor Steve Eisman, known for predicting the 2008 financial crisis, also confirmed he has taken a short position.

The surge in negative positioning follows nearly $7 billion in unrealized losses tied to the firm’s Bitcoin holdings, a core part of its strategy.

Shares have fallen more than 63% over the past six months, underperforming Bitcoin over the same period.

Tom Lee said when a stock becomes a “consensus” short, it can rally because negative expectations are already priced in.

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The crypto market remains under pressure as Bitcoin and major altcoins continue to lose key support levels, reinforcing a cautious tone across digital assets. Momentum has weakened in recent weeks, with price action struggling to stabilize after the correction that began in October 2025. While intermittent rebounds have occurred, they have largely failed to restore confidence, leaving sentiment fragile and volatility elevated. Investors appear increasingly selective, deploying capital carefully rather than aggressively accumulating risk assets.

A recent CryptoQuant report highlights a critical structural factor behind this weakness: limited incoming liquidity. According to the analysis, the absence of sustained capital inflows has prevented the market from transitioning into a clear recovery phase. Broader macro conditions also appear unsupportive in the near term. Federal Reserve member Christopher Waller noted that strong February labor market data could justify maintaining the current interest rate stance, an environment that historically constrains risk-on capital flows.

As liquidity tightens, capital rotation dynamics are becoming more pronounced. Funds are increasingly shifting toward equities and commodities, partly driven by continued expansion in the artificial intelligence sector and the persistent strength of precious metals. This redistribution of capital suggests crypto markets may remain in a defensive posture until broader liquidity conditions improve.

The report explains that liquidity dynamics within crypto markets are often reflected through stablecoin flows, which act as a proxy for deployable capital. When stablecoin reserves rise on exchanges, it typically signals increasing readiness to enter risk positions. Conversely, sustained outflows tend to indicate capital withdrawal or reduced trading appetite.

Crypto Stablecoins Exchange reserve | Source: CryptoQuant On Binance, stablecoin reserves have been declining steadily since November 13, with nearly $10 billion withdrawn as investors gradually reduce market exposure. These reserves, which generally fluctuate based on investor demand, have fallen from approximately $50.9 billion to $41.4 billion — a contraction of about 18.6%. This shift suggests a measurable reduction in immediately available liquidity across one of the industry’s largest trading venues.

As stablecoins continue to flow out, Binance’s reserve levels have now returned to those last observed around October 2024. Although the platform still accounts for roughly 64% of total stablecoin reserves across centralized exchanges, changes at this scale tend to influence broader market liquidity conditions.

If this trend persists, price stability may remain elusive. Historically, renewed stablecoin inflows have coincided with improving risk appetite and stronger price support. Therefore, a sustained reversal in stablecoin flows will likely be necessary before a more durable recovery phase can develop.

The total crypto market capitalization chart shows a clear transition from expansion to consolidation following the peak reached during the 2025 rally. After climbing toward the $4 trillion region, total market cap entered a sustained corrective phase, gradually compressing toward the $2.1–$2.2 trillion zone. This decline reflects broad risk-off behavior affecting both Bitcoin and altcoins, rather than an isolated asset-specific retracement.

Total Crypto Market Cap | Source: TOTAL chart on TradingView From a structural perspective, the market has recently broken below the 50-week moving average and is now approaching the 100-week average, while the 200-week moving average continues to trend upward beneath price. Historically, this configuration often characterizes mid-cycle corrections rather than full structural reversals, although confirmation requires stabilization above longer-term support levels.

Volume patterns also suggest distribution rather than aggressive accumulation. Selling spikes during declines appear more pronounced than buying reactions, indicating persistent caution among market participants. The absence of strong follow-through rallies reinforces the idea that liquidity remains constrained.

If the $2 trillion region fails to hold, downside volatility could increase due to thinner liquidity conditions. Conversely, stabilization above current levels combined with renewed inflows — particularly through stablecoins — would be the first indication that broader market confidence is gradually returning.

Featured image from ChatGPT, chart from TradingView.com 

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Sebastian's journey into the world of crypto began four years ago, driven by a fascination with the potential of blockchain technology to revolutionize financial systems. His initial exploration focused on understanding the intricacies of various crypto projects, particularly those focused on building innovative financial solutions. Through countless hours of research and learning, Sebastian developed a deep understanding of the underlying technologies, market dynamics, and potential applications of cryptocurrencies. As his knowledge grew, Sebastian felt compelled to share his insights with others. He began actively contributing to online discussions on platforms like X and LinkedIn, focusing on fintech and crypto-related content. His goal was to expose valuable trends and insights to a wider audience, fostering a deeper understanding of the rapidly evolving crypto landscape. Sebastian's contributions quickly gained recognition, and he became a trusted voice in the online crypto community. To further enhance his expertise, Sebastian pursued a UC Berkeley Fintech: Frameworks, Applications, and Strategies certification. This rigorous program equipped him with valuable skills and knowledge regarding Financial Technology, bridging the gap between traditional finance (TradFi) and decentralized finance (DeFi). The certification deepened his understanding of the broader financial landscape and its intersection with blockchain technology. Sebastian's passion for finance and writing is evident in his work. He enjoys delving into financial research, analyzing market trends, and exploring the latest developments in the crypto space. In his spare time, Sebastian can often be found immersed in charts, studying 10-K forms, or engaging in thought-provoking discussions about the future of finance. Sebastian's journey as a crypto analyst and investor has been marked by a relentless pursuit of knowledge and a dedication to sharing his insights. His ability to navigate the complex world of crypto, combined with his passion for financial research and communication, makes him a valuable asset to the industry. As the crypto landscape continues to evolve, Sebastian remains at the forefront, providing valuable insights and contributing to the growth of this revolutionary technology.

XRP price is back in focus as Bitcoin stages a sharp 24-hour rebound, reclaiming the $65,000 level after dipping to roughly $62,800 earlier this week.

Summary

Bitcoin has rebounded to $65,000 after defending the $62,800 support zone, shifting short-term momentum back to buyers. XRP is consolidating near $1.36, with resistance at $1.45 and $1.60, while $2 remains a distant macro target. The XRP/BTC pair remains in a broader downtrend, suggesting XRP is still underperforming Bitcoin despite improving momentum indicators. Can XRP price follow Bitcoin’s $65K rebound? The Bitcoin (BTC) price chart shows a strong impulsive bounce, with BTC climbing back above short-term consolidation levels and attempting to stabilize after the heavy sell-off on Feb. 23–24.

The recovery suggests buyers are defending the mid-$62K region, turning it into near-term support, while $66,000–$67,000 now stands as immediate resistance.

Bitcoin price performance Against this backdrop, the Ripple token (XRP) is trading near $1.36 on the daily chart, consolidating after a prolonged downtrend from above $2.20 in January. Price action shows XRP holding above the $1.30 support zone, with stronger structural support sitting near $1.20, the level that triggered the early-February bounce.

XRP price analysis | Source: Crypto.News On the upside, XRP faces layered resistance at $1.45 and $1.60. A break above $1.60 would open the path toward $1.80, but bulls would still need a sustained breakout above that level before $2.00 comes into focus. At present, the $2 mark remains a distant macro resistance rather than an immediate target.

Indicators show tentative improvement. Balance of Power has flipped positive at 0.28, suggesting buyers are regaining short-term control, while the Chaikin Money Flow (CMF) has turned slightly positive at 0.03 — signaling mild capital inflows.

However, neither indicator reflects strong bullish momentum yet.

Meanwhile, the XRP/BTC pair remains in a broader downtrend, hovering around 0.0000209 BTC, indicating XRP is still underperforming Bitcoin. For a credible move toward $2, XRP would likely need not just Bitcoin stability above $65K, but also renewed relative strength against BTC.

XRP remains in a broader downtrend against Bitcoin For now, XRP’s outlook improves if $1.30 holds, but a decisive breakout above $1.60 is the real trigger bulls must clear before $2 enters the conversation. At current momentum, a move to $2 would likely require a broader market breakout led by Bitcoin clearing $67K.

Bitcoin price today has seen a strong recovery, climbing nearly 3% to around $65,106 after falling to $62,553. This recovery comes just ahead of the upcoming U.S. Initial Jobless Claims report, a key U.S economic indicator that has recently impacted crypto market momentum.

Previous data shows Bitcoin often rises after jobless claims, and now experts are watching the key $70,000 level.

Bitcoin Price Recovers Ahead of Jobless Claims DataThe latest recovery in bitcoin price suggests traders are positioning ahead of the next U.S. labor market report, which could shape expectations around Federal Reserve interest rate policy.

Last week on 19th Feb, Initial Jobless Claims came in at 206,000, lower than market expectations. Following the release, Bitcoin surged nearly 2.7%, reaching a high of $67,518, showing a clear connection between labor data and crypto market sentiment.

This pattern has repeated several times this month, where Bitcoin has reacted positively after jobless claims releases.

The recent bounce shows growing optimism before the February 26 jobless claims report, which is expected to come in around 216,000.

Why US Jobless Claims Could Trigger Bitcoin’s Next Rally Jobless claims are a key indicator of economic strength. Rising jobless claims suggest weakening labor market conditions, which could increase the chance of Federal Reserve interest rate cuts.

Lower interest rates generally improve liquidity across financial markets, making risk assets like Bitcoin more attractive to investors.

As a result, weaker jobless data often supports Bitcoin’s price, while stronger labor data can reduce expectations of rate cuts and limit upside momentum.

Bitcoin Faces Critical Resistance Near $70KLooking at the daily Bitcoin price chart, BTC has tested the support many times this month in the $62,000–$64,000 range, including on February 6, 13, and 19. Each time, buyers stepped in, showing strong interest at lower prices. 

But it has always failed to break above the $67,875 resistance level so far.

If Bitcoin breaks above this level, it could move up to test the next resistance near $70,531. A clear breakout above $70,500 may lead to a stronger upward move toward higher price levels.

Meanwhile, the RSI is near 34, which shows Bitcoin is slowly recovering from oversold levels.

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By staking treasury ETH, the Ethereum Foundation now directly participates in consensus while generating native, ether-denominated yield.

The Ethereum Foundation announced that it has begun staking a portion of its treasury funds, following the Treasury Policy it released last year.

The latest move represents a formal step into direct participation in Ethereum’s proof-of-stake consensus.

Treasury Staking As part of this initiative, the Foundation deposited 2,016 ETH on Tuesday and stated that it plans to stake approximately 70,000 ETH in total, with all staking rewards directed back to the Foundation’s treasury. The staking setup relies entirely on open-source infrastructure, and the Foundation picked Dirk as a distributed signing solution and Vouch to manage validator operations across multiple Beacon and Execution Client pairings.

According to the announcement, Dirk distributes signing responsibilities across several geographic regions to remove single points of failure, while Vouch enables configurable strategies designed to mitigate client diversity risks. The overall configuration uses a mix of minority clients alongside both hosted infrastructure and self-managed hardware deployed across multiple jurisdictions.

The Foundation also confirmed that its validators are using Type 2 (0x02) withdrawal credentials, which allow validator balances to be transferred through consolidations, reduce the number of required signing keys by supporting a higher maximum effective balance per validator, and enable flexible exits that can be triggered by the withdrawal address even if validators are offline.

This approach simplifies key management and supports faster changes in signing-key custody, according to the Swiss non-profit organization.

In terms of block production, the setup is being built locally rather than relying on proposer-builder separation sidecars. The Foundation stated that by solo staking its own ETH, it will generate native, ETH-denominated yield using Ethereum’s protocol mechanics.

You may also like: Ethereum is Sitting at 5-year ‘Demand Zone’ According to Analysts Crypto Funds Bleed Again: 5 Weeks of Outflows Show Deepening Investor Fatigue Inside Vitalik Buterin’s Wallet: How Much Ethereum (ETH) Does He Actually Own? Short-Term Weakness Dominates On the price front, ETH traded sharply lower over the past 24 hours, extending its short-term downtrend as sellers remained in control throughout the session. The price slipped from around $1,920 during the early Asian trading hours of Tuesday to near $1,820, as brief attempts to stabilize failed to gain traction. While short-term price action remains under pressure, some analysts believe that the broader setup looks more constructive on a longer time horizon.

Analyst Merlijn The Trader said ETH is sitting in a five-year demand zone that has historically favored accumulation, not distribution. He noted that prices have returned to levels seen during prior bear market phases and momentum may be quietly building despite the slow pace.

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In brief Bitcoin briefly pushed higher alongside gains in Asian equities, reflecting broader risk-on positioning ahead of Nvidia’s quarterly earnings. Market participants said the move was driven by relief after last week’s tariff and legal volatility, rather than policy signals from President Trump’s address. Trump used the address to tout falling inflation, tariff revenue, and stock-market gains. Bitcoin saw a small rise ahead of President Donald Trump's State of the Union address on Tuesday, as markets reacted to the administration's economic messaging and broader risk-on sentiment ahead of Nvidia earnings.

The leading crypto climbed more than $2,000, moving from approximately $64,000 to $66,000 just before Trump’s speech at 9 pm ET, according to CoinGecko data. The asset has since slipped back to $65,500, up about 3.5% on the day.

Trump opened by framing his first year back in office as a "turnaround for the ages," saying the country is "bigger, better, richer, and stronger" and pledging it will "never go back" to the previous administration's policies while highlighting tax cuts, tariff policy, and reduced inflation.

The uptick tests whether Bitcoin's correlation with traditional risk assets remains intact, as Asian stocks also gained on optimism ahead of Nvidia's quarterly earnings due Wednesday.

Still, Bitcoin's surge was not a direct result of Trump's speech, but rather "a combination of risk-on positioning ahead of Nvidia earnings and a relief bounce off the tariff and Supreme Court chaos from the prior week," Derek Lim, head of research at crypto market-making firm Caladan, told Decrypt.  

"Both of these had far more direct market relevance than anything said at the podium," he said.

Trump touted economic achievements during the address, stating that "inflation is plummeting" and "incomes are rising fast." He claimed his administration has driven core inflation down to its lowest level in five years, with a 1.7% decline over the last three months. 

"Mortgage rates are the lowest in four years and falling fast," Trump added, noting the annual cost of a new mortgage is down nearly $5,000 from a year ago.

The President also pointed to stock market performance, stating that the market has set "53 record highs since the election" and that the Dow Jones Industrial Average broke 50,000 "four years ahead of schedule."

Lim cautioned that the 53 record highs figure "obscures what really happened in between." 

When Trump announced his tariff regime in April 2025, the Dow briefly tumbled below 37,000—roughly 18% off its peak. He also noted that the Dow 50,000 milestone "definitely didn't hold," with the index retreating below that level by February 16 and trading around 49,174 on the night of the speech.

Trump credited tariffs as a key driver, saying they brought in "hundreds of billions of dollars" and enabled favorable economic and national security deals.

The tariff remarks come after a recent Supreme Court ruling limited Trump's authority to impose broad tariffs, a decision the President called "a very unfortunate ruling" during his address. 

Despite the setback, Trump reaffirmed his commitment to the policy, stating that "these powerful, country-saving, peace-protecting tariffs will remain in place under fully approved and tested alternative legal statutes, leading to a solution that will be stronger than before."

The Nasdaq 100 closed Tuesday 268 points higher, boosted by gains in Apple, Microsoft, Tesla, and Google, as investors await Nvidia's highly anticipated earnings. 

Lim believes the earnings call is “the single most important catalyst in the window” with the equity and crypto markets “positioning around this event.”

Trump’s Tuesday address, meanwhile, is widely seen as a midterm messaging play ahead of November elections. Republicans want to use it to define their agenda on cost of living, border security, and economic performance.

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Bitcoin continues to struggle to reclaim the $65,000 level as persistent selling pressure and weakening sentiment keep the market in a fragile state. Price action has remained subdued in recent weeks, with volatility elevated and risk appetite constrained by tightening liquidity conditions and macro uncertainty. The inability to secure sustained acceptance above this psychological threshold has reinforced caution among traders, leaving Bitcoin in what increasingly resembles a defensive phase rather than an early recovery environment.

According to top analyst Axel Adler, recent on-chain data support this interpretation. Realized capitalization — which measures the aggregate value of Bitcoin based on the last price each coin moved — has declined for the second consecutive month. At the same time, the 3–6 month holder cohort has expanded significantly as coins acquired near cycle highs mature into that category. This dynamic typically reflects post-peak positioning rather than fresh accumulation.

Bitcoin Realized Cap Net Position Change | Source: CryptoQuant The 30-day Realized Cap Net Position Change currently sits around -2.26%, indicating sustained capital outflows from the network. Realized Cap peaked near $1.127 trillion in late November 2025 and has since contracted to roughly $1.094 trillion, representing about $33 billion in compression. Until this metric returns decisively to positive territory, evidence of renewed accumulation demand remains limited.

HODL Waves Highlight Defensive Market Structure Adler notes that the latest HODL Waves data reinforces the view that Bitcoin remains in a defensive phase rather than active accumulation. The chart shows a sharp expansion in the 3–6 month coin-age cohort, which has risen to approximately 25.9% of the circulating supply. This reflects a growing share of coins last moved between August and November 2025 — a period closely aligned with purchases near the market peak.

Bitcoin HODL Waves | Source: CryptoQuant HODL Waves track the distribution of Bitcoin supply based on how long coins have remained dormant. Expansion of older cohorts generally indicates reduced transactional activity. However, in this case, the data suggests not confident accumulation but rather a “costly hold” environment, where many investors are sitting on underwater positions.

The 3–6 month cohort has surged from roughly 19% at the start of February, while the 6–12 month group has also grown to about 20.2%. Meanwhile, short-term coins under one month account for only about 9.3% combined, signaling limited fresh demand entering the market.

Combined with declining realized capitalization, the data points toward an aging supply without corresponding capital inflows. Until newer buying activity emerges and the 3–6 month cohort migrates into longer-term holding bands without selling pressure, Bitcoin’s broader market structure is likely to remain defensive rather than decisively bullish.

Bitcoin’s 3-day chart reflects clear structural deterioration as price accelerates lower toward the $63,000 region. After failing to reclaim the $90,000–$95,000 supply zone earlier in the year, BTC formed a distribution range before breaking decisively below its 50-period and 100-period moving averages. That breakdown triggered a sharp leg down, confirming a shift from consolidation to trend continuation on this timeframe.

BTC consolidates around key level | Source: BTCUSDT chart on TradingView Currently, price trades well beneath the 50 SMA (~$92,000) and the 100 SMA (~$101,500), both of which have rolled over and now act as overhead resistance. The 200 SMA near the low-$90,000 region also remains far above the current price, reinforcing the broader bearish bias. The alignment of these moving averages — with shorter-term averages below longer-term ones — confirms negative momentum and sustained downside pressure.

Volume expanded during the recent selloff, indicating active distribution rather than passive drift. The sharp rejection from the mid-$90,000 area, followed by impulsive downside candles, suggests sellers remain in control.

From a structural perspective, the $60,000–$62,000 zone becomes the next critical support region. A sustained break below it could open the path toward deeper retracement levels. To stabilize, Bitcoin would need to reclaim at least the $75,000–$80,000 area and rebuild higher highs — a scenario not yet supported by current momentum.

Featured image from ChatGPT, chart from TradingView.com 

Journalist

Posted: February 25, 2026

PUMP, the native token that powers the memecoin launchpad Pump.fun, has consistently faced heavy capital outflows lately. These have placed the altcoin in a precarious position. In fact, over the last 24 hours alone, it has fallen by 9.5% – A sign of intensifying selling pressure across the market.

Capital outflows deepen losses PUMP’s market capitalization recorded a significant drawdown following its latest price decline.

Data revealed that approximately $99.47 million exited the market within a day, pushing the valuation down from $715 million to $615 million. At the same time, trading volume rose, amplifying downside momentum.

Rising volumes alongside falling prices often signals aggressive selling activity. Such a dynamic typically accelerates declines as stronger sell-side pressure overwhelms available demand and forces the prices lower.

The derivatives market seemed to paint an even more concerning picture. According to Coinglass, for instance, that capital has continued to shrink while short trader concentration increased across the board.

Source: Coinglass

Open Interest declined by 4% over the past 24 hours, signaling liquidity exiting the market. However, of the $146 million still active in perpetual contracts, short positions were dominant.

At the time of writing, the weighted average funding rate had a reading of -0.0054%. This reading suggested that traders have been allocating more capital towards positions that anticipate further downside. Such an imbalance also seemed to reinforce the bearish bias in the derivatives market.

Critical support under threat Sustained capital outflows could significantly affect PUMP’s approximately 117,450 holders.

At press time, PUMP was trading near a critical support zone marked between $0.0067 and $0.0083 on the charts. This level will now act as a decisive battleground between buyers and sellers.

If price fails to rebound from this zone, the decline could extend further, potentially revisiting the lows last seen in December. A breakdown below support may open the door for a move towards approximately $0.0056.

Source: TradingView

Even if a short-term rebound occurs, persistent selling pressure could result in the formation of a lower high – A technical structure that often precedes another leg south.

Momentum indicators reinforced the bearish outlook. For example – The Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) formed a bearish crossover, often referred to as a “death cross,” a signal that typically precedes additional downside.

If this structure holds, it could push PUMP below its press time support range and further weaken the broader outlook.

On-chain activity adds pressure Finally, the on-chain metrics highlighted little relief for bulls.

Data from Artemis revealed a sharp decline in daily active users on the platform. Active addresses dropped by approximately 33,000, falling from 180,000 to 147,000.

A sustained decline in user activity often means weaker demand for PUMP. Especially since the token underpins trading activity on the platform.

Source: Artemis

Launchpad performance has also deteriorated significantly. Volume fell to just $6,600, while launchpad fees collapsed from a high of $781,600 to $0 as of 23 February.

This combination of weakening on-chain activity and declining revenue underscores broader ecosystem slowdown. With the price hovering near its critical support, the deteriorating fundamentals could weigh on both the short and long-term outlook for PUMP.

Final Summary $99 million exited PUMP’s market in a single-day swing, forcing the asset towards key support levels. Launchpad fees dropped sharply to $0, less than a month after recording $780,000 in revenue.