Market Signal Briefing

An increased threat of US military action against Iran added to the negative sentiment, as markets closely monitor developments.

Outflows from BTC-spot ETFs contributed to the mid-week pullback, despite the US XRP-spot ETF market avoiding net outflows after the US holiday.

Nevertheless, expectations that the US Senate will eventually pass the Market Structure Bill, increased XRP utility, and robust demand for US-XRP-spot ETFs continue to support a bullish medium-term (4-8 weeks) outlook for XRP, with a price target of $2.5.

Below, I will explore the key drivers behind recent price trends, the medium-term outlook, and the technical levels traders should watch.

Hawkish FOMC Minutes Send XRP Toward $1.4 On February 18, the highly anticipated FOMC Minutes signaled a more hawkish-than-expected policy stance, weighing on XRP demand. The Minutes revealed that most committee members viewed the Fed Funds Rate (FFR) as close to neutral, neither restrictive nor accommodative.

However, some committee members supported a rate cut if inflation continued to cool, bolstering hopes of a June Fed rate cut. Notably, US headline inflation dropped from 2.7% in December to 2.4% in January, while core inflation eased from 2.6% to 2.5%. FOMC members considered December inflation numbers for the January interest rate decision.

XRPUSD – Hourly Chart – 190226 – FOMC Minutes US Edges Closer to War with Iran While the FOMC Minutes tempered bets on a Fed rate cut, rising geopolitical tensions fueled caution across the crypto market. Axios reported on the latest developments after US-Iran talks failed to deliver a deal, stating:

“The Trump administration is closer to a major war in the Middle East than most Americans realize. It could begin very soon.”

Unlike Venezuela, Axios suggested that US military action against Iran would likely last weeks, akin to a full-blown war. However, Axios highlighted uncertainty about the timing of a potential military strike, saying:

“Some US sources tell Axios that the US might need more time. […] But others say the timeline could be shorter.”

Increased risk of a US-Iran war would fuel a flight to safety, weighing on buying interest in crypto. Notably, XRP is likely to be more sensitive to a Middle East conflict, given its utility in cross-border payments. Typically, conflict disrupts global trade and, more importantly, US monitoring of sanctions may tighten, increasing scrutiny over digital asset payments. Main Street may pause XRP adoption until tensions ease.

For context, Bitcoin (BTC) dropped from a March 2022 high of $48,240 to a June 2022 low of $17,689 following the start of the Russia-Ukraine war on February 24, 2022. XRP plunged from $0.7177 on February 24, 2022, to a June 2022 low of $0.2875.

XRP-Spot ETF Outflows Add to the Negative Sentiment Concerns about a US-Iran conflict and the hawkish FOMC Minutes also weighed on demand for crypto-spot ETFs, another near-term headwind for XRP.

On Tuesday, February 17, the US BTC-spot ETF market reported $104.9 million in net outflows, taking total year-to-date net outflows to $2.39 billion. BTC has fallen 23.82% year-to-date amid heavy spot ETF outflows, weighing on demand for XRP.

Notably, the US XRP-spot ETFs reported $2.21 million in net outflows on February 18, reflecting sentiment. It was just the fifth outflow day since the Canary XRP ETF (XRPC) began trading on November 14, 2025.

SoSoValue – Daily XRP-Spot ETF Flows – 190226 XRP Price Forecast: Short-, Medium-, and Long-Term Targets XRP has tumbled 13.8% in February, supporting a cautiously bearish short-term outlook (1-4 weeks), with a target price of $1.0.

Nevertheless, robust since-launch demand for XRP-spot ETFs, expectations that the US Senate will pass the Market Structure Bill, and increased XRP utility support the bullish medium- to long-term price projections:

Medium-term (4-8 weeks): $2.5. Longer-term (8-12 weeks): $3.0. Key Downside Risks to the Bullish Medium-Term Outlook Several events could derail the constructive medium-term bias. These include:

A full-blown US-Iran conflict. Upbeat US economic data lowers bets on an H1 2026 Fed rate cut. Delays and/or partisan opposition to the Market Structure Bill. Extended periods of XRP-spot ETF net outflows. Traders should also monitor Bank of Japan rhetoric, given the impact of the mid-2024 yen carry trade unwind on XRP.

A hawkish Bank of Japan, with a higher neutral interest rate (potentially 1.5%-2.5%), would suggest multiple BoJ rate hikes. Multiple hikes would narrow US-Japan rate differentials in favor of the yen. Narrowing rate differentials could trigger a yen carry trade unwind, drying up market liquidity. For context, the BoJ previously announced a wider neutral rate band of 1%-2.5% but stated it would announce a narrower range at a later date.

These scenarios would weigh on XRP, send the token toward $1.0, and reaffirm the cautiously bearish short-term outlook.

Technical Analysis: Levels to Watch XRP fell 3.47% on February 18, following the previous day’s 0.98% loss to close at $1.4222. The token faced heavier selling pressure than the broader crypto market cap, which dropped 1.55%.

Wednesday’s losses left XRP trading well below its 50-day and 200-day EMAs. The EMA positions indicated a bearish bias. Notably, the 50-day EMA pulled further back from the 200-day EMA, suggesting further near-term selling pressure. Nevertheless, several favorable fundamentals continue to offset bearish technicals, supporting the bullish medium-term outlook. Despite these positive fundamentals, short-term technicals remain bearish.

Key technical levels to watch include:

Support levels: $1.0, and then $0.7773. 50-day EMA resistance: $1.6996. 200-day EMA resistance: $2.1228. Resistance levels: $1.5, $2.0, $2.5, and $3.0. On the daily chart, a breakout above $1.50 would enable the bulls to target the 50-day EMA. A sustained move through the 50-day EMA would indicate a near-term bullish trend reversal. A bullish trend reversal would pave the way toward the 200-day EMA.

A sustained break above the EMAs would affirm a bullish trend reversal and support the medium- to longer-term price targets.

Ripple is accelerating crypto-powered philanthropy, channeling XRP donations to Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity as digital assets surpass $1 billion in annual giving and reshape how global nonprofits fund critical pediatric care. XRP Donation Anchors Ripple's Broader Push Into Crypto Philanthropy Cryptocurrency is increasingly being used to support charitable causes worldwide.

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Peter Thiel and entities tied to Founders Fund have fully exited ETHZilla, the publicly traded Ethereum treasury play that once marketed itself as a proxy bet on corporate ETH accumulation. A Schedule 13G/A filed Tuesday shows the reporting group finished 2025 with no remaining common shares, wiping out a position that had been closely watched across both crypto and small-cap equity circles.

The amended filing, dated Feb. 17, 2026, is unusually blunt on the current footprint: “Aggregate amount… 0.00. Percent of class… 0.0%. Ownership of 5 percent or less of a class.” The positions are reported as of Dec. 31, 2025, meaning the exit was completed by year-end.

PETER THIEL EXITS ETHEREUM DAT “ETHZILLA” AMID $ETHZ TOKENIZED JET ENGINE FOCUS: FILING pic.twitter.com/nnMeT32LQ4

— Aggr News (@AggrNews) February 18, 2026

That zeroed-out line item is a sharp contrast to what Thiel-related vehicles disclosed just a quarter earlier. In a prior Schedule 13G/A reporting holdings as of Sept. 30, 2025, Thiel was listed with 928,389 shares beneficially owned, representing 5.6% of the class at that time, with additional blocks attributed to Founders Fund entities. The same filing noted the company’s 1-for-10 reverse stock split effective Oct. 20, 2025, with reported share counts adjusted accordingly.

ETHZilla’s story arc matters because it tried to translate the Bitcoin treasury template into an ETH-native wrapper at a moment when public-market vehicles were being pitched as liquid, leverable on-ramps to digital asset exposure. Thiel’s initial involvement, widely reported as a 7.5% stake disclosed in August 2025, helped legitimize that pitch, at least briefly.

More recently, ETHZilla has been signaling a pivot away from a pure ETH-treasury identity and toward tokenized real-world assets, including aviation. In an 8-K tied to a Feb. 12 press release, the company said its subsidiary launched “Eurus Aero Token I,” describing it as “a tokenized real-world asset instrument” that gives exposure to aircraft engines on lease “through tradable digital tokens representing contractual revenue rights.”

The sequencing leaves traders with an uncomfortable, unresolved question: did Founders Fund’s exit precede (and implicitly front-run) the strategy shift, or was it simply a portfolio cleanup after the initial “ETH treasury” narrative cooled?

On X, one commentator framed Thiel’s timing as part of a broader pattern, though several of the post’s claims go beyond what’s in the SEC filing. The account @treebook78 called Thiel a “master at sensing crises,” writing that he “dodged this current dip too,” and arguing he’s an “exit master” who gets out early when bubbles or stress build.

“Back in 2022, he posted diamond hands on SNS telling people to hold Bitcoin forever, but then he quietly sold everything and avoided the Luna crash and FTX collapse (as I recall),” @treebook78 wrote.

At press time, Ethereum traded at $1,984.

Ethereum remains below the 200-week EMA, 1-week chart | Source: ETHUSDT on TradingView.com Featured image created with DALL.E, chart from TradingView.com

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Jake Simmons has been a Bitcoin enthusiast since 2016. Ever since he heard about Bitcoin, he has been studying the topic every day and trying to share his knowledge with others. His goal is to contribute to Bitcoin's financial revolution, which will replace the fiat money system. Besides BTC and crypto, Jake studied Business Informatics at a university. After graduation in 2017, he has been working in the blockchain and crypto sector. You can follow Jake on Twitter at @realJakeSimmons.

Crypto platform Hyperliquid has launched a new advocacy organization to push policy changes related to decentralized finance in Congress. 

The Hyperliquid Policy Center said on Wednesday that it had launched in Washington, DC, and named Jake Chervinsky as founder and CEO, a veteran crypto lawyer who was the legal head at crypto venture fund Variant and former policy chief at crypto lobbyist Blockchain Association.

The organization said it will look to advance “a clear, regulated path for decentralized finance to thrive in the United States” and will push policy “with a specialty in perpetual derivatives and blockchain-based financial infrastructure.”

Hyperliquid is a layer-1 blockchain and perpetual futures exchange that has recently exploded in popularity as traders turned to commodities trading amid a broad market downturn, and the platform has looked to expand into prediction markets.

The Hyper Foundation, an independent body that backs Hyperliquid, will contribute 1 million Hyperliquid (HYPE) tokens to fund the policy center’s launch.

“Critical time” for policy, says Hyperliquid CEOChervinsky said more traditional finance companies are launching blockchain-based products or services because the technology offers “efficiency, transparency, and resilience that legacy systems cannot match.”

“This technology is poised to become the base layer of the global financial system,” he added. “Now the United States must choose: we can either adopt new rules that allow this innovation to thrive here at home, or we can wait and watch as other nations seize the opportunity.”

Source: Jake Chervinsky Hyperliquid co-founder and CEO Jeff Yan said on X that it was a “critical time in policy discussions” in the US and that the platform had “lacked a unified voice in important policy discussions until now.”

“There is a tangible and urgent possibility of upgrading the tech stack of the existing financial system,” he said. “Global financial regulation will be shaped in the United States, and we must work to ensure that these new policies thoughtfully embrace the potential of the new financial system.”

Congress is working to pass a bill defining how market regulators are to police crypto, but the legislation is stalled in the Senate as lawmakers, along with the crypto and bank lobbies, disagree on provisions pertaining to stablecoins.

The Hyperliquid Policy Center said its founding team also included the newly appointed policy director, Salah Ghazzal, Variant’s former policy lead, and policy counsel Brad Bourque, a former associate at Sullivan & Cromwell, a law firm famously linked to the fraudulent crypto exchange FTX.

Magazine: How crypto laws changed in 2025 — and how they’ll change in 2026

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Federal Reserve officials signaled no urgency to resume rate cuts, with several even raising the possibility of hikes if inflation persists above target.The January meeting saw a 10-2 hold decision, as Governors Waller and Miran dissented in favor of a quarter-point cut citing labor risks.Bitcoin slid below $66,500 during Asian hours as hawkish Fed tone and rising US-Iran tensions weighed heavily on crypto market sentiment overnight.The Federal Reserve’s January meeting minutes, released Wednesday, revealed a surprisingly hawkish shift among policymakers, with several officials openly discussing the possibility of rate hikes if inflation remains stubbornly elevated.

Bitcoin fell sharply in response, sliding below $66,500 during Asian trading hours.

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Fed Officials Divided but Leaning HawkishThe US Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) voted 10-2 at its Jan. 27-28 meeting to hold the federal funds rate steady at 3.5%-3.75%, after three consecutive cuts totaling 75 basis points between September and December 2025.

Governors Christopher Waller and Stephen Miran were the two dissenters, preferring a quarter-point reduction and arguing that the labor market remained vulnerable without further monetary support.

However, the broader committee struck a notably cautious tone. Several participants warned that further easing amid elevated inflation could signal a weakened commitment to the 2% target. A larger group favored holding rates steady. They wanted a “clear indication that disinflation was firmly back on track” before cutting again.

Most strikingly, several officials wanted the post-meeting statement to reflect possible “upward adjustments” to the federal funds rate. This was a direct reference to potential rate hikes.

“Most participants cautioned that progress toward the Committee’s 2% objective might be slower and more uneven than generally expected,” the minutes stated.

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Powell’s Exit and Warsh’s Arrival Add UncertaintyThe hawkish tilt sets up a potential clash with the incoming Fed leadership. Chair Jerome Powell’s term ends in May, and President Donald Trump has nominated former Fed Governor Kevin Warsh as his replacement.

Trump has repeatedly called for lower interest rates, and the White House on Wednesday insisted that recent data showed inflation was “cool and stable.” However, the Fed’s preferred inflation gauge is the Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) Price Index. The PCE is expected to re-accelerate in the coming months. That could complicate the timeline for any future rate cuts.

Futures traders currently price the next rate cut no sooner than June, with a possible follow-up in September or October.

Bitcoin Slides on Hawkish Tone and Geopolitical RisksThe crypto market reacted swiftly. Bitcoin began sliding shortly after the minutes dropped during US afternoon trading. It fell from around $68,300 to below $66,500 by early Asian morning hours. That marked a 1.6% decline over 24 hours. The selloff intensified as rising US-Iran tensions pushed oil prices up more than 4%, further dampening risk appetite.

Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong sought to calm markets, stating that the recent decline appeared to be driven more by psychological factors than by fundamentals. He noted the exchange was buying back shares and accumulating Bitcoin at lower prices.

Market data showed trading volumes and turnover rising as Asian markets returned from the Lunar New Year holiday, amplifying selling pressure amid heightened macroeconomic uncertainty.

With the Fed signaling an extended pause and geopolitical risks mounting, crypto markets face a challenging path ahead — at least until clearer signals emerge regarding both inflation and the direction of rate policy.

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The restaking protocol ether.fi officially announced the migration of its payment product, the ether.fi crypto card (Cash), from the Scroll network to OP Mainnet. According to the development team, this move involves transferring at least 70,000 active cards, 300,000 accounts, and millions of dollars in total value locked (TVL) to Optimism’s infrastructure to leverage its robust liquidity ecosystem.

This change aims to provide users with a smoother experience when spending stablecoin balances or using restaked assets (eETH) as collateral while generating yields. The impact is significant, as this card accounts for nearly half of all crypto-native card transactions in the market; its integration into the Optimism Superchain will facilitate higher-liquidity swaps and more efficient gas management.

In the coming months, the market will keep a close eye on the execution of this transition, which Ether.fi assures will be transparent and seamless for the end user. Furthermore, it will be key to observe how this migration affects the competitiveness of Layer 2 networks and whether OP Mainnet’s transactional volume can successfully absorb the operational flow of one of the sector’s most dominant payment products.

Source:https://goo.su/fodmgXU

Disclaimer: Crypto Economy’s Flash News is prepared from official and verified public sources by our editorial team. Its purpose is to quickly report on relevant facts within the crypto and blockchain ecosystem. This information does not constitute financial advice or investment recommendations. We recommend always verifying the official channels of each project before making related decisions.

BitMine has strengthened its Ethereum holdings with a fresh purchase of 20,000 ETH, valued at approximately $39.8 million, according to on-chain data from Lookonchain. The acquisition, transferred from BitGo, follows the company’s recent disclosure that it accumulated 45,759 ETH last week. With this latest buy, the Nasdaq-listed firm, associated with Tom Lee, has reportedly reached 72% of its ambitious goal to control 5% of Ethereum’s total supply.

The aggressive Ethereum accumulation strategy comes at a pivotal time for the market. At the time of writing, Ethereum (ETH) is trading near $1,972, reflecting a modest 1% increase over the past 24 hours. However, ETH remains down more than 38% over the past month, highlighting ongoing volatility in the broader crypto market. Analysts note that liquidity clusters are currently balanced, with both long and short traders positioned heavily. This setup increases the likelihood of potential liquidations in either direction, depending on price momentum.

Meanwhile, Ethereum staking has reached a historic milestone. Data from Santiment shows that more than 50% of all historically issued ETH—approximately 50.18%—is now locked in Ethereum’s proof-of-stake contract. This marks the first time in the network’s 11-year history that staking has surpassed half of total issuance. Staked ETH is effectively removed from active circulation, reducing liquid supply and potentially influencing price dynamics. Estimates suggest that roughly 120 million ETH currently exist, though figures vary depending on whether pre-burn or post-burn supply metrics are used.

Everstake confirmed similar findings, emphasizing that reduced circulating supply can limit trading activity, especially during bear market conditions when staking participation often increases. Despite mixed market signals, including negative 30-day realized cap flows reported by analyst Chris Beamish, Ethereum spot ETFs recorded $48.63 million in net inflows, with no outflows across nine funds.

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Ethereum (ETH) is back on the knife’s edge, and market analyst Crypto Patel has suggested that there may be no room left for optimism if the next key level gives way. According to the analyst, the Ethereum price is hovering at a critical decision point beneath $2,000 after recording multiple price declines. However, a breakdown below $1,800 could trigger a massive crash.   

Ethereum Records Multiple Failed Bullish Structures  In an X post this Monday, Crypto Patel admitted that Ethereum had broken his heart twice, pointing to two failed bullish structures that have now reshaped its broader outlook. The first dagger, as the analyst calls it, came when a clean Bull Flag formation emerged, and price broke down from the $3,700 region. 

On the chart, that breakdown marked the end of a multi-month climb that had pushed the ETH price toward the $4,700 to $4,900 area in late summer 2025 before rolling over under a descending trendline that capped every rally attempt. 

Source: Chart from Crypto Patel on X The second dagger followed months later as an ascending triangle structure collapsed at the critical $3,000 support zone. What had looked like a tightening consolidation beneath horizontal resistance instead turned into a decisive breakdown. The former support zone around $3,100 to $3,500 flipped into resistance, marked by repeated rejection wicks and lower highs pressing against the descending purple trendline on the chart.  

Based on Crypto Patel’s analysis, that failure led to a sharp drop below $2,000. Consequently, Ethereum is now trading between $2,000 and $1,850, a range the analyst describes as the last buffer before a much deeper pullback. 

$1,800 Emerges As ETH’s Critical Support  On the daily timeframe, Crypto Patel’s chart shows ETH recently printing around $1,982 after a sharp sell-off that sliced through its previous structure. Although the cryptocurrency has recovered slightly above $1,990, the previous decline had driven its price down from roughly $3,100 in early 2026 to sub-$2,000 levels in a matter of weeks. This left a visible imbalance zone between $2,400 and $2,600, which the analyst marks as a potential Fair Value Gap (FVG).

For now, all attention is on $1,800. Crypto Patel has predicted that if Ethereum holds this critical support, a relief bounce toward $2,650 becomes the immediate upside target, likely filling part of that imbalance zone and retesting former breakdown areas.  

On the flip side, if $1,800 fails, a broader market panic may become justified. According to Crypto Patel, a decisive break below this support could open the path toward $1,300, marked by the lower green demand block on the chart. He has also labeled this region as strong support and the best accumulation zone, where buyers could step in aggressively.

ETH trading at $2,029 on the 1D chart | Source: ETHUSDT on Tradingview.com Featured image from iStock, chart from Tradingview.com

On February 18, Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon confirmed that he personally owns Bitcoin, although he described his holdings as “very, very limited.” During his speech at the World Liberty Forum in Florida, the top executive defined himself as a market observer, marking a notable shift from the public skepticism he previously maintained regarding the digital asset’s real-world utility.

This confession has a significant impact on the institutional perception of cryptocurrencies, as Solomon had previously labeled Bitcoin as a merely speculative asset. Although Goldman Sachs maintains $2.36 billion in indirect exposure through ETFs due to regulatory restrictions, the personal admission of its leader suggests an unprecedented openness within traditional investment banking toward the store-of-value narrative.

The crypto community expects potential changes in the U.S. regulatory framework that would allow major banks to custody digital assets directly on their balance sheets. Solomon emphasized that the firm will continue to bet on tokenization and blockchain technology, leaving the door open for more aggressive institutional participation if regulatory conditions evolve favorably in the coming months.

Source:https://goo.su/xpkGjTr

Disclaimer: Crypto Economy’s Flash News is prepared from official and verified public sources by our editorial team. Its purpose is to quickly report on relevant facts within the crypto and blockchain ecosystem. This information does not constitute financial advice or investment recommendations. We recommend always verifying the official channels of each project before making related decisions.

Crypto influencer Ran Neuner said Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) failed its defining test as a store of value, questioning the entire thesis for the first time in 12 years after capital fled to gold instead of BTC during recent market stress. The Store Of Value Failure Neuner argued Bitcoin evolved from “peer-to-peer cash” into “digital gold” as the community fought for ETF approval and institutional access.

TL;DR

Coinbase expands its USDC lending product to include XRP, DOGE, ADA and LTC as collateral for U.S. users outside New York. Loans operate through the Morpho protocol on Base with over-collateralization and no traditional credit checks. Customers can borrow up to $100,000 in USDC, unlocking liquidity while maintaining long-term exposure to their crypto assets.
Coinbase expands access to crypto-backed credit by allowing U.S. customers to borrow USDC against a broader range of altcoins. The move integrates additional digital assets into a lending framework powered by decentralized infrastructure, reinforcing the role of crypto as usable financial collateral.

More Collateral Options Strengthen Coinbase USDC Loans The updated program enables verified users in the United States, excluding New York, to pledge XRP, DOGE, ADA and LTC alongside established collateral such as Bitcoin and Ether. Borrowing limits reach up to $100,000 in USDC, depending on collateral value and internal risk parameters.

Loans are facilitated through Morpho, a decentralized lending protocol deployed on Base, Coinbase’s layer 2 network built on Ethereum. Smart contracts manage collateral positions on-chain, while Coinbase provides the compliance and user interface layer. The system requires over-collateralization to mitigate volatility risk and protect liquidity providers.

There are no credit checks tied to traditional financial scoring models. Instead, eligibility depends entirely on the market value of pledged assets. If prices decline and loan-to-value ratios breach preset thresholds, automatic liquidations can occur to preserve solvency. Borrowers retain flexibility, with the option to repay partially or in full at any time and without fixed maturity dates.

Altcoins Gain Utility Through On-Chain Credit Adding XRP, DOGE, ADA and LTC increases the functional use cases of these networks. Holders can access stablecoin liquidity without selling their tokens, which helps them maintain exposure to potential price appreciation while covering short-term financial needs.

USDC, issued by Circle, remains one of the largest regulated stablecoins by market capitalization. Its integration into collateralized lending products highlights how digital dollars operate within both centralized platforms and decentralized protocols. The use of Base demonstrates how layer 2 networks support scalable financial services with reduced transaction costs.

Crypto-backed lending continues to expand as investors seek alternatives to bank-based credit models. Rather than liquidating positions during volatile periods, users can draw USDC liquidity and manage capital more efficiently.

As centralized exchanges connect with on-chain protocols, digital assets increasingly function as productive capital within a programmable financial system, strengthening the practical case for crypto-backed finance.

Bitcoin’s “short-term holder stress” metric has fallen to lows not seen since 2018, suggesting the market has capitulated and possibly bottomed.

A key Bitcoin (BTC) on-chain metric is flashing its most extreme capitulation signal since 2018, hinting at a potential cycle-low setup.

Bitcoin is mirroring 1,900% rally setup from 2018Bitcoin’s short-term holder stress has dropped to its lowest level since the 2018 bear market bottom, according to new on-chain data from Checkonchain.

The Short-Term Holder (STH) Bollinger Band metric shows the oscillator falling into its deepest oversold territory in nearly eight years.

Bitcoin short-term holder MVRV Bollinger bands. Source: Checkonchain.COMThe indicator applies Bollinger Bands to the gap between Bitcoin’s spot price and the average cost basis of short-term holders, defined as wallets holding BTC for less than 155 days.

When the oscillator pierces the lower statistical band, it signals that Bitcoin is trading significantly below what recent buyers paid, beyond normal historical volatility. Historically, this signal has aligned with macro bottoms.

For instance, a similar oversold print appeared in late 2018 and preceded a roughly 150% rally within a year and 1,900% BTC price increase in three years.

Source: XIt also flashed ahead of the November 2022 bottom, which preceded a 700% rally to a record high near $126,270.

Additionally, realized losses among short-term holder whales have stayed muted since Bitcoin’s October 2025 peak near $126,000, suggesting larger recent buyers haven’t capitulated yet.

These metrics hint at seller exhaustion, aligning with the bottom outlook of multiple analysts, including those at crypto custodian platform MatrixPort.

Bitcoin may rebound by the end of MarchWells Fargo also sees a near-term liquidity tailwind building for Bitcoin.

In a note cited by CNBC, Wells Fargo strategist Ohsung Kwon said larger-than-usual US tax refunds in 2026 could revive the so-called “YOLO” trade, with as much as $150 billion potentially flowing into equities and Bitcoin by the end of March.

Such an event could absorb remaining sell pressure, reinforcing the idea that Bitcoin may bottom in the coming weeks.

This article does not contain investment advice or recommendations. Every investment and trading move involves risk, and readers should conduct their own research when making a decision. While we strive to provide accurate and timely information, Cointelegraph does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information in this article. This article may contain forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Cointelegraph will not be liable for any loss or damage arising from your reliance on this information.

3 mins mins

Recent below-average buys lowered MicroStrategy’s BTC average cost basisMicroStrategy’s blended Bitcoin cost basis has moved lower after new purchases executed below the company’s prior average purchase price. The mechanism is straightforward: adding coins at prices beneath the historical average pulls down the weighted-average acquisition cost for the overall position.

As reported by MEXC News, citing Arkham monitoring, roughly $168.4 million of recent Bitcoin accumulation was identified. Purchases at sub-average levels would mathematically reduce the per-Bitcoin basis when folded into the existing holdings.

What a lower cost basis means for MSTR’s valuation and riskA lower average cost basis decreases the threshold at which the Bitcoin position is in gain territory on a mark-to-market view. It can modestly reduce downside sensitivity if spot prices weaken, but equity exposure remains highly correlated to Bitcoin due to position size and leverage.

As reported by Seeking Alpha, MicroStrategy functions largely as a leveraged Bitcoin portfolio funded by debt and equity, with prior tallies around 714,644 BTC. In that construct, a reduced cost basis may ease near-term balance-sheet pressure while preserving pronounced upside and downside convexity tied to Bitcoin moves.

News analytics summarizing the latest corporate activity note that recent accumulation coincided with weaker technicals for the shares. “MicroStrategy (MSTR) … recently purchased 2,486 Bitcoin, lowering its average acquisition cost, but faces bearish market indicators that may impact future performance,” said Yahoo Scout.

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At the time of this writing, based on NasdaqGS delayed quote data, MSTR closed at 125.20, down 2.70%, and traded at 124.71 after-hours, down 0.39%. These levels contextualize the equity’s recent drawdown alongside the updated cost dynamics.

Separately, as reported by Blockmanity, Bitcoin settled around $67,547 in a tight holiday-thinned session. Equity moves for MSTR typically track Bitcoin directionally, but basis changes introduce an additional, portfolio-level variable for near-term sensitivity.

How to verify MicroStrategy’s average cost basis nowReconcile disclosed BTC totals with average purchase price mathObtain the latest disclosed totals for Bitcoin held and aggregate acquisition cost. Compute the blended average using total cost divided by total coins, then compare the result with the stated average purchase price for consistency. Small variances can arise from rounding or fee treatment; note the disclosure conventions used.

Cross-check Arkham labels against MicroStrategy updates for consistencyUse Arkham Intelligence’s labeled wallets to approximate net inflows around reported purchase windows. Sum the flows and compare timing and magnitude with the company’s updates. Treat attribution cautiously, since labels can lag, and exchange-routing or internal transfers may obscure direct purchase sizing.

FAQ about MicroStrategy Bitcoin holdingsHow many BTC does MicroStrategy hold now and what are the total cost basis and fair value of the position?As reported by Seeking Alpha, MicroStrategy held about 714,644 BTC. Fair value equals holdings times Bitcoin’s spot price; totals fluctuate with price and any subsequent additions.

What caused the decline in holding cost, recent buys below the historical average or an accounting change?Recent buys below the prior average lowered the blended cost basis, as reported by PANews, rather than any change in accounting treatment.

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

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Posted: February 19, 2026

While small investors are panicking over Ethereum’s sharp 37% drop in the last month, big institutions are reacting very differently.

At press time, Ethereum [ETH] was trading around $2,013, a level that looks risky to many. But for some of the biggest names in crypto, this crash is an opportunity rather than a warning sign.

Arthur Hayes and Tom Lee’s Bitmine adds Ethereum According to Lookonchain, Arthur Hayes deposited 1,000 ETH worth about $1.99 million into Bybit, showing active positioning during market volatility.

At the same time, Tom Lee’s Bitmine bought another 45,759 ETH worth $90.83 million, increasing its total holdings to 4,371,497 ETH valued at $8.68 billion.

With an average entry price of around $3,821, the firm is now sitting on an unrealized loss of more than $8.03 billion.

This comes as Ethereum continues to struggle near key levels. Still, despite the weak price action, some analysts remain optimistic about its long-term recovery.

 For instance, Borovik noted,

“ ETH is down 33% since the start of 2026.I think ETH is bottoming here. I predict $10,000 ETH by the end of 2027.”

Does Ethereum look weak or healthy? Ethereum is now in what analysts call a phase of market coldness. Data from Alphractal shows that Ethereum’s Market Temperature, which tracks indicators like MVRV, RVT, and NUPL, is near zero.

In simple terms, this means market emotions have almost disappeared.

Source: Alphractal/X

In the past, such cold phases usually appeared after retail investors had already sold in fear. When this happens, greed fades and is replaced by hesitation and low confidence, leaving the market quiet and depressed.

Ethereum’s price reflects this shift. After falling from $4,500, ETH is now stuck near $2,000 with no strong rebound. Instead of a swift recovery, prices are moving sideways, showing weak buying interest.

What does the MVRV ratio tell us about ETH’s next move? The red and yellow zones on the chart show how different traders are feeling.

Source: Santiment

The red zone tracks people who bought Ethereum in the last 30 days, and it is deep in the negative. This means most recent buyers are losing money, which makes them frustrated and more likely to sell when prices rise.

The yellow zone tracks short-term traders over 24 hours. Presently, it is flat and quiet, showing that even day traders have lost interest. Normally, strong bottoms come with big moves in this area, but that is missing.

Together, these signals point to a low-energy market. Long-term buyers are stuck in losses, and short-term traders are inactive.

What’s more? This follows Jeffrey Huang’s recent move, where he was taking a much riskier path. According to Lookonchain, Huang lost over $27.5 million in just 20 days and has been liquidated 145 times since late 2025.

Yet, instead of cutting risk, he has become more aggressive, selling spot holdings to fund highly leveraged bets on Bitcoin, Ethereum, and HYPE.

All these movements show that Ethereum is in a tough spot, and if buyers fail to regain confidence soon, even the strongest investors may come under serious pressure.

Final Summary Hayes has a history of buying when sentiment is weakest and prices look most risky. The $2,000 level has become a key psychological and technical support for Ethereum.

Key takeaways:

SOL is struggling to hold $80 as a 75% drop in futures' open interest shows that traders are heading for the exits rather than opening new bets.

Solana remains heavily dependent on retail and memecoin activity, while Ethereum maintains its lead in high-value decentralized finance.

Solana's native token, SOL (SOL), has hit a wall, repeatedly failing to break back above $89 over the last two weeks. This sluggish price action comes after a rejection at the $145 level in mid-January and a sharp drop to $67.60 during the Feb. 6 crash. Demand for bullish leverage has essentially evaporated as traders brace for more pain.

SOL futures annualized funding rate. Source: Laevitas.chThose betting against SOL are currently paying an annual rate of 20% just to keep their short positions open, a rare and aggressive move. When funding rates stay negative like this for over a week, it shows that bears have a lot of conviction. In contrast, ETH's annualized funding rate sat at 1% on Wednesday. While that’s below the usual 6% neutral mark, it’s nowhere near the lopsided levels seen in SOL.

Frustration is mounting as SOL underperformed the rest of the crypto market by 11% over the past 30 days.

SOL/USD vs. total crypto capitalization, USD. Source: TradingViewEven though SOL is still holding its spot among the top seven cryptocurrencies by market cap, the 67% slide from its $253 peak in September 2025 has left a mark on both onchain activity and derivatives. In fact, SOL futures open interest has dropped 75% from its $13.5 billion high seen only five months ago.

Lower SOL prices reduce incentives, discouraging long-term holdingThis price slump is also hurting the decentralized applications (dApps) built on Solana. Revenues are down across the board, from staking and decentralized exchanges to launchpads and lending platforms. Investors are starting to worry about a "death spiral," where falling prices lead to fewer incentives, making it harder for people to justify holding SOL for the long haul.

Solana network weekly dApps revenue, USD. Source: DefiLlamaWeekly dApps revenue on Solana dropped to $22.8 million, the lowest since October 2024. Curiously, the memecoin launchpad Pump generated $9.1 million in revenue during those seven days, accounting for 40% of the entire network. In comparison, weekly DApps revenue on Ethereum totaled $16 million, up 2% from the previous month.

Unlike Solana, the top revenue-generating DApps on Ethereum are Sky, Flashbots, and Aave—key infrastructure players for decentralized finance. Essentially, Solana is heavily dependent on retail onboarding and the memecoin sector, while Ethereum has secured its lead in total value locked (TVL) and use cases that require higher decentralization.

This weak institutional demand is visible in SOL exchange-traded funds (ETFs). Solana's high transaction volume and second-place spot in TVL haven't been enough to convince traditional investors to buy into SOL ETFs offered by Bitwise, Fidelity, Grayscale, 21Shares, Coinshares, and REX-Osprey.

Crypto exchange-traded products flows, USD million. Source: CoinsharesWhile relevant, Solana's $2.1 billion in ETF assets under management is still 86% behind Ethereum's $15.8 billion. Many investors have lost confidence that demand for Solana DApps will spike anytime soon, likely a side effect of the heavy hype around memecoins and launchpads.

For SOL to regain its bullish momentum, it will likely need a push from sectors like artificial intelligence infrastructure and prediction markets. These areas show promise, but the competition is fierce.

Presently, weak SOL derivatives and Solana onchain metrics are a warning sign. Any further disappointment may trigger another price drop, putting the already shaky $78 support level at serious risk.

This article does not contain investment advice or recommendations. Every investment and trading move involves risk, and readers should conduct their own research when making a decision. While we strive to provide accurate and timely information, Cointelegraph does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information in this article. This article may contain forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Cointelegraph will not be liable for any loss or damage arising from your reliance on this information.

David Solomon says he owns “very little” bitcoin, a candid admission that places the Goldman Sachs chief personally inside the asset class he once treated with caution. Goldman Sachs Boss Discloses Owning ‘Very Little' Bitcoin at the World Liberty Forum in Florida Solomon disclosed his holdings Feb.

Journalist

Posted: February 19, 2026

Altcoins seem to be bouncing back, and TRON’s TRX token showed that clearly. Although the altcoin was only up 2% this week, it has changed in a much more positive way over the last two weeks.

Recently, the TRX price movement has been to the upside, though its momentum was still weak. Institutions are back in accumulation, but can this demand and stablecoin liquidity initiate a price reversal?

TRON revisits previous altcoin season lows The daily charts of TRON [TRX] showed that the altcoin had lost more than 90% of the capitalization gained during the previous altcoin season. Then, TRON rallied from $0.26 to $0.37 between late June and mid-August 2025.

As of press time, the price seemed to be creating a double bottom around the altcoin season lows.

In fact, the lows coincided with the 0.9 Fibonacci Retracement level. The neckline, if the pattern were to be completed, would be at around $0.32.

The MACD showed that, despite its weak momentum, it was growing. The MACD histogram reading was at 0.0009, which indicated the presence of buyers.

Source: TRX/USDT on TradingView

Also, the number of Active Addresses had grown from 2.783 million at the start of 2026 to 4.184 million when writing.

Still, the long-term price reversal was dependent on breaking past the zone at $0.32. But the short-term picture seemed to echo a potential bullish reversal.

The 4-hour chart showed a clear, healthy trend with higher lows and higher highs respecting an ascending trendline. The On Balance Volume (OBV) was in support of the trend as it rose from 18.34 billion to 19 billion this month.

Source: TRX/USDT on TradingView

The lack of strength from buyers raised concerns about the short-term trend, which usually builds to the long-term one. The Bull Bear Power (BBP) was still red, though sellers had been completely exhausted.

However, a breakdown of this trendline would delay the rebound. The market most likely had not taken the recent institutional buy orders into account.

Institutions load TRX as its stablecoin demand grows According to historical data, institutions tend to time market bottoms and tops more precisely than retailers. This suggests that Tron Inc.’s (TRON) gradual purchases at an average price of $0.28 may have influenced the current run-in price.

As per Tron Inc.’s official page on X, the treasury acquired 177,146 TRX, which boosted its holding to 682.3 million TRX. The total DAT holdings were valued at $199 million.

This meant demand for TRX was growing, notably from institutions.

Source: Tron Inc./X

Moreover, its demand for stablecoin rails continued to grow.

This was evident as Polymarket announced it would provide support for TRON deposits.

For context, USDT growth of 40% on TRON was big last year, with its supply reaching $81 billion. The amount transferred over the year grew by 45% as the number of USDT transactions on TRON hit 825 million.

Source: CryptoQuant

All together, $0.28 appeared to be a bargain price for TRX now that even institutions were buying at that price. Interestingly, demand was increasing, but did not negatethe  chances of continued market decline.

Final Summary TRON revisits previous altcoin season lows amid potential rebound. Demand for TRX tokens came from institutional accumulation. 

3 mins mins

Coinbase expands on-chain lending: USDC loans with XRP, DOGE, ADA, LTCAccording to the Block (https://www.theblock.co/post/390403/coinbase-xrp-dogecoin-cardano-litecoin-loans-morpho), Coinbase has expanded its on-chain lending product via Morpho, adding XRP, Dogecoin (DOGE), Cardano (ADA), and Litecoin (LTC) as eligible collateral. The integration enables borrowers to pledge these assets to obtain USDC loans on-chain while keeping their news/crypto/”>crypto positions intact.

The reporting notes eligible U.S. customers, excluding residents of New York, can borrow up to $100,000 in USDC without selling the supported tokens. Terms and parameters are subject to protocol settings and may evolve with market conditions.

Why it matters: $100,000 USDC without selling, U.S. users except New YorkBorrowing against crypto rather than selling can preserve market exposure and may avoid triggering a taxable disposal, depending on an individual’s circumstances. For long-term holders, this structure unlocks liquidity while maintaining asset ownership.

Coinbase has framed the move as part of a broader effort to extend the utility of crypto collateral. “No matter what you’re holding, you should be able to leverage your crypto without having to sell,” said Jacob Frantz, Product Lead at Coinbase.

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

How Morpho-powered collateral, LTV, and liquidation mechanics affect borrowersMorpho supports on-chain money markets where users post supported tokens as collateral to borrow USDC. Loan-to-value (LTV) parameters govern how much can be borrowed; if collateral value drops and health factors fall below thresholds, liquidations can occur.

Volatility is a central consideration for collateralized lending. An analysis highlighted that Litecoin declined roughly 54.92% over the past year, which can accelerate margin calls and liquidations when used as collateral, according to ainvest.com (https://www.ainvest.com/news/coinbase-collateral-flow-analysis-100k-loans-xrp-doge-ada-ltc-2602/).

Specific interest rates, LTVs, and liquidation thresholds for these markets were not detailed in the public reporting. Costs and mechanics can depend on Morpho market settings, utilization, and network fees, and may change over time.

FAQ about Coinbase on-chain lendingWhat are the borrowing limits, interest rates, LTV, and liquidation thresholds when using XRP, DOGE, ADA, or LTC as collateral?LiveBitcoinNews reports U.S. users can borrow up to $100,000 in USDC against XRP, DOGE, ADA, or LTC (https://www.livebitcoinnews.com/coinbase-expands-onchain-loans-to-xrp-doge-ada-and-ltc/). Specific interest rates, LTVs, and liquidation thresholds were not disclosed and can vary by Morpho market parameters and utilization. Availability excludes New York based on prior reporting.

How do I borrow USDC via Morpho using my crypto on Coinbase, and what steps/fees are involved?Public reports indicate borrowing occurs through Coinbase’s interface integrated with Morpho, using supported tokens as collateral for USDC. Exact steps, interest schedules, and fees were not specified; costs can include protocol interest and network fees. Eligibility applies to U.S. users outside New York.

At the time of this writing, COIN traded near $164.64 after-hours, based on data from Yahoo Finance.

Availability can change by jurisdiction; New York is excluded. Borrowers remain responsible for collateral volatility, margin calls, and potential liquidation.

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

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Journalist

Posted: February 19, 2026

Kite [KITE] has emerged as one of the market’s top performers, attracting substantial liquidity even as broader crypto conditions remain fragile.

The token climbed 12% in the past 24 hours, extending its monthly advance to 67% at the time of writing. The move builds on sustained bullish momentum that has defined much of the past quarter.

However, beneath the surface of the rally, positioning data reveals a developing divergence that could challenge the current trajectory.

Liquidity expansion fuels upside momentum The latest leg higher for KITE was driven by aggressive speculative positioning in the derivatives market.

Bulls seized control as liquidity in the perpetual futures market expanded sharply, with capital flows favoring long contracts. At press time, Open Interest (OI), which tracks the total value of outstanding derivatives positions, surged 27% over the past day to roughly $105 million.

Source: CoinGlass

More importantly, the OI-Weighted Funding Rate, a metric that reflects whether longs or shorts dominate leveraged exposure, remained positive at 0.0031%. This confirms that buyers currently hold the upper hand.

Still, the margin of dominance remains thin.

The Funding Rate has begun to trend lower and is approaching neutral territory. A decisive move below zero would signal a shift in control toward short sellers. If that occurs, it would mark the first negative OI-Weighted Funding reading since the 9th of December.

Over the past three months, KITE has delivered cumulative growth of 161%, with December standing as the only month that closed with a bearish candlestick. A funding flip at this stage would represent a meaningful structural shift in sentiment.

Binance volume skews bearish Despite the bullish funding structure, emerging pressure from Binance warrants close attention.

The Taker Buy/Sell Ratio, which measures whether aggressive buyers or sellers dominate derivatives trading, has fallen below the neutral threshold of 1. A reading below 1 indicates that sell-side market orders outweigh buy-side activity.

At the time of writing, the ratio stood at 0.61, signaling strong seller dominance among Binance traders.

Source: CoinGlass

This development carries weight because Binance controls more than 50% of KITE’s total liquidity across both volume and OI. At the time of writing, Binance accounted for $57.67 million in OI and $89.16 million in trading volume.

Sustained sell-side aggression at this scale could exert meaningful pressure on short-term price direction, even if broader funding metrics remain positive.

Heatmap signals two-way volatility Liquidation heatmap data further reinforces the market’s delicate balance.

Liquidity clusters, areas where large concentrations of leveraged positions could be liquidated, currently sit both above and below the price. This positioning suggests that the market has yet to commit to a definitive directional breakout.

In such conditions, price typically gravitates toward the nearest dense liquidity pocket to trigger liquidations before establishing its next move.

Source: CoinGlass

With clusters stacked on both sides, momentum will likely dictate KITE’s immediate path. Continued bullish pressure could drive the price upward to clear overhead liquidity before a corrective move. Conversely, if seller dominance intensifies, downside liquidity pools may act as the next magnet.

For now, KITE stands at a technical crossroads, supported by strong monthly gains and liquidity inflows, yet increasingly challenged by concentrated sell-side activity on Binance.

Final Summary KITE’s rally follows a sharp liquidity expansion in the perpetual futures market. Binance traders tilt bearish on volume, exposing the token to downside risk despite a month-long uptrend.

In brief ETH Denver founder says the market downturn has trimmed hype and sharpened builder focus. Conference attendees describe a more intimate, return-on-investment-driven crowd. Beyond tech, ETH Denver also places a focus on art and mental wellness. Crypto prices may be down, but the mood inside ETH Denver on opening day is up.

Despite the cold, a line formed outside the new venue, the National Western Center, well before doors opened.

For ETH Denver founder John Paller, the event reflects a year’s worth of work that began immediately after last year’s event. 

“A lot of people think this is the beginning, but for our team, we actually didn’t stop from last year,” he told Decrypt, describing the first day as “the crescendo.”

While the cryptocurrency market downturn has dominated headlines, Paller said ETH Denver thrives during downturns.

“ETH Denver has always benefited from bear markets,” Paller said, noting that sponsors narrow their event budgets and concentrate spending.

Paller did, however, acknowledge that attendance is expected to fall short of peak years. 

“Instead of 25,000, there’s only going to be 10,000 or 8,000 people or something,” he said, but added that compared to earlier editions, the event has continued to expand. “From 2020 we were at 2,500, so it’s still grown, the core nucleus, and the signal has grown.”

ETH Denver 2026. Photo: Decrypt“The noise to signal ratio is going to be much better,” he said. “Just a lot less noise, a lot higher signal. The people who are here are serious, and they care deeply about the future of web three and the user owned Internet.”

Russell Castagnaro, founder of Unicorn.eth, said the change in the vibe is noticeable.

“There are a lot more people who are seriously interested,” Castagnaro told Decrypt. “It got so big over the last two years that everyone just had to be there. Now, when they come, they really want to get ROI for themselves. They want to make sure they’re meeting people, building, and getting exposed to all the new technologies. It’s a lot more back to its roots in many ways, but in an evolved state.”

For some first-time attendees like Tyler Gentry, founder of fintech consultancy firm NEED-AID, the appeal of coming to ETH Denver lies in observing how decentralized communities operate.

ETH Denver 2026. Photo: Decrypt“I came to ETH Denver to see how a DAO cooperative community comes together in real time and to explore how NEED-AID can use that blueprint to democratize giving for nonprofits and unlock the next generation of donors,” he said.

But the vibe around ETH Denver isn’t all about the latest trends in AI or crypto markets. In the Zen Zone, located near the entrance, centers on art and mental wellness before panels and networking begin.

“The vibes are what kept me coming back,” Shana Douglas, co-founder of blockchain education and outreach project NFT CLT, said. “I've been here since four or five years when we're at the castle and it was super intimate. So this isn't as intimate as that, but it's definitely setting the tone for a strong builder community and making sure we're all vibing nicely.”

ETH Denver 2026. Photo: DecryptNFT CLT co-founder Tony Bravado, said this year’s ETH Denver feels “more intimate.”

“In order for us to build community, we’ve got to have tight knit places where people can gather, where people can share other ideas, as well as people can grow wellness,” he said. “You have AI, you have wellness, all together, and it just feels good to be here.”

While prices remain well below prior highs, ETFs shed millions, and sentiment on Crypto Twitter has turned decidedly bearish, the attendees of ETH Denver, while a smaller gathering than in years past, appear focused on building not only new technologies but a stronger community going into 2026.

Daily Debrief NewsletterStart every day with the top news stories right now, plus original features, a podcast, videos and more.

The Aptos Foundation announced a structural transition in its economic model to align the Aptos token supply with the actual utilization of its infrastructure. The official report indicates that the goal is to move away from “bootstrap-era” subsidies to implement mechanisms where asset burning, driven by institutional transactions and the new Decibel exchange, can outpace emissions.

This reform introduces significant changes, including a proposal to reduce the staking reward rate from 5.19% to 2.6%, alongside a 10-fold increase in gas fees to accelerate deflation. Additionally, a hard supply cap of 2.1 billion APT will be established, and the Foundation will permanently lock 210 million tokens to ensure long-term scarcity and stability.

The approval of these governance proposals and the impact of Decibel—which is projected to burn 32 million APT annually—will be key points of interest in the coming days. The success of this model will depend on the network’s organic activity successfully crossing the break-even point, where the asset becomes net-deflationary starting in 2027.

Source:https://x.com/Aptos/status/2024216329826230392

Disclaimer: Crypto Economy’s Flash News is prepared from official and verified public sources by our editorial team. Its purpose is to quickly report on relevant facts within the crypto and blockchain ecosystem. This information does not constitute financial advice or investment recommendations. We recommend always verifying the official channels of each project before making related decisions.

Blue Owl Technology Finance (OTF - Free Report) came out with quarterly earnings of $0.3 per share, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.32 per share. This compares to earnings of $0.41 per share a year ago. These figures are adjusted for non-recurring items.

This quarterly report represents an earnings surprise of -7.21%. A quarter ago, it was expected that this specialty finance company would post earnings of $0.35 per share when it actually produced earnings of $0.32, delivering a surprise of -8.57%.

Over the last four quarters, the company has surpassed consensus EPS estimates just once.

Blue Owl Tech, which belongs to the Zacks Financial - SBIC & Commercial Industry industry, posted revenues of $320.58 million for the quarter ended December 2025, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 1.75%. This compares to year-ago revenues of $166.7 million. The company has not been able to beat consensus revenue estimates over the last four quarters.

The sustainability of the stock's immediate price movement based on the recently-released numbers and future earnings expectations will mostly depend on management's commentary on the earnings call.

Blue Owl Tech shares have lost about 14.2% since the beginning of the year versus the S&P 500's zero return.

What's Next for Blue Owl Tech?While Blue Owl Tech has underperformed the market so far this year, the question that comes to investors' minds is: what's next for the stock?

There are no easy answers to this key question, but one reliable measure that can help investors address this is the company's earnings outlook. Not only does this include current consensus earnings expectations for the coming quarter(s), but also how these expectations have changed lately.

Empirical research shows a strong correlation between near-term stock movements and trends in earnings estimate revisions. Investors can track such revisions by themselves or rely on a tried-and-tested rating tool like the Zacks Rank, which has an impressive track record of harnessing the power of earnings estimate revisions.

Ahead of this earnings release, the estimate revisions trend for Blue Owl Tech was mixed. While the magnitude and direction of estimate revisions could change following the company's just-released earnings report, the current status translates into a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) for the stock. So, the shares are expected to perform in line with the market in the near future. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

It will be interesting to see how estimates for the coming quarters and the current fiscal year change in the days ahead. The current consensus EPS estimate is $0.33 on $334.68 million in revenues for the coming quarter and $1.32 on $1.4 billion in revenues for the current fiscal year.

Investors should be mindful of the fact that the outlook for the industry can have a material impact on the performance of the stock as well. In terms of the Zacks Industry Rank, Financial - SBIC & Commercial Industry is currently in the top 35% of the 250 plus Zacks industries. Our research shows that the top 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries outperform the bottom 50% by a factor of more than 2 to 1.

Another stock from the same industry, Runway Growth Finance Corp. (RWAY - Free Report) , has yet to report results for the quarter ended December 2025. The results are expected to be released on March 12.

This company is expected to post quarterly earnings of $0.36 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of -7.7%. The consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been revised 5.2% lower over the last 30 days to the current level.

Runway Growth Finance Corp.'s revenues are expected to be $32.19 million, down 4.7% from the year-ago quarter.

Celsius Holdings Inc. (CELH - Free Report) ended the recent trading session at $43.40, demonstrating a -1.16% change from the preceding day's closing price. This change lagged the S&P 500's daily gain of 0.56%. On the other hand, the Dow registered a gain of 0.26%, and the technology-centric Nasdaq increased by 0.78%.

The stock of company has fallen by 22.54% in the past month, lagging the Consumer Staples sector's gain of 8.81% and the S&P 500's loss of 1.27%.

The investment community will be paying close attention to the earnings performance of Celsius Holdings Inc. in its upcoming release. The company is slated to reveal its earnings on February 26, 2026. It is anticipated that the company will report an EPS of $0.19, marking a 35.71% rise compared to the same quarter of the previous year. Alongside, our most recent consensus estimate is anticipating revenue of $638.18 million, indicating a 92.11% upward movement from the same quarter last year.

CELH's full-year Zacks Consensus Estimates are calling for earnings of $1.24 per share and revenue of $2.43 billion. These results would represent year-over-year changes of +77.14% and +79.27%, respectively.

Investors might also notice recent changes to analyst estimates for Celsius Holdings Inc. These revisions help to show the ever-changing nature of near-term business trends. Therefore, positive revisions in estimates convey analysts' confidence in the business performance and profit potential.

Research indicates that these estimate revisions are directly correlated with near-term share price momentum. To take advantage of this, we've established the Zacks Rank, an exclusive model that considers these estimated changes and delivers an operational rating system.

Ranging from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), the Zacks Rank system has a proven, outside-audited track record of outperformance, with #1 stocks returning an average of +25% annually since 1988. The Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has moved 0.78% higher within the past month. Celsius Holdings Inc. currently has a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold).

Investors should also note Celsius Holdings Inc.'s current valuation metrics, including its Forward P/E ratio of 29.6. This represents a premium compared to its industry average Forward P/E of 14.62.

Meanwhile, CELH's PEG ratio is currently 0.72. The PEG ratio is similar to the widely-used P/E ratio, but this metric also takes the company's expected earnings growth rate into account. The Food - Miscellaneous industry had an average PEG ratio of 2.64 as trading concluded yesterday.

The Food - Miscellaneous industry is part of the Consumer Staples sector. At present, this industry carries a Zacks Industry Rank of 212, placing it within the bottom 14% of over 250 industries.

The Zacks Industry Rank assesses the strength of our separate industry groups by calculating the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks contained within the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.

To follow CELH in the coming trading sessions, be sure to utilize Zacks.com.

Herbalife Ltd (HLF - Free Report) came out with quarterly earnings of $0.45 per share, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.48 per share. This compares to earnings of $0.36 per share a year ago. These figures are adjusted for non-recurring items.

This quarterly report represents an earnings surprise of -5.26%. A quarter ago, it was expected that this company would post earnings of $0.47 per share when it actually produced earnings of $0.5, delivering a surprise of +6.38%.

Over the last four quarters, the company has surpassed consensus EPS estimates three times.

Herbalife Ltd, which belongs to the Zacks Retail - Pharmacies and Drug Stores industry, posted revenues of $1.28 billion for the quarter ended December 2025, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 14.47%. This compares to year-ago revenues of $1.21 billion. The company has not been able to beat consensus revenue estimates over the last four quarters.

The sustainability of the stock's immediate price movement based on the recently-released numbers and future earnings expectations will mostly depend on management's commentary on the earnings call.

Herbalife Ltd shares have added about 23.7% since the beginning of the year versus the S&P 500's zero return.

What's Next for Herbalife Ltd?While Herbalife Ltd has outperformed the market so far this year, the question that comes to investors' minds is: what's next for the stock?

There are no easy answers to this key question, but one reliable measure that can help investors address this is the company's earnings outlook. Not only does this include current consensus earnings expectations for the coming quarter(s), but also how these expectations have changed lately.

Empirical research shows a strong correlation between near-term stock movements and trends in earnings estimate revisions. Investors can track such revisions by themselves or rely on a tried-and-tested rating tool like the Zacks Rank, which has an impressive track record of harnessing the power of earnings estimate revisions.

Ahead of this earnings release, the estimate revisions trend for Herbalife Ltd was mixed. While the magnitude and direction of estimate revisions could change following the company's just-released earnings report, the current status translates into a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) for the stock. So, the shares are expected to perform in line with the market in the near future. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

It will be interesting to see how estimates for the coming quarters and the current fiscal year change in the days ahead. The current consensus EPS estimate is $0.70 on $1.3 billion in revenues for the coming quarter and $2.51 on $5.4 billion in revenues for the current fiscal year.

Investors should be mindful of the fact that the outlook for the industry can have a material impact on the performance of the stock as well. In terms of the Zacks Industry Rank, Retail - Pharmacies and Drug Stores is currently in the top 37% of the 250 plus Zacks industries. Our research shows that the top 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries outperform the bottom 50% by a factor of more than 2 to 1.

Another stock from the broader Zacks Retail-Wholesale sector, Sweetgreen, Inc. (SG - Free Report) , has yet to report results for the quarter ended December 2025. The results are expected to be released on February 26.

This company is expected to post quarterly loss of $0.31 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of -24%. The consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been revised 13.4% lower over the last 30 days to the current level.

Sweetgreen, Inc.'s revenues are expected to be $159.69 million, down 0.8% from the year-ago quarter.

Farmland Partners (FPI - Free Report) came out with quarterly funds from operations (FFO) of $0.25 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.21 per share. This compares to FFO of $0.19 per share a year ago. These figures are adjusted for non-recurring items.

This quarterly report represents an FFO surprise of +19.05%. A quarter ago, it was expected that this real estate investment trust specializing in farmland would post FFO of $0.06 per share when it actually produced FFO of $0.07, delivering a surprise of +16.67%.

Over the last four quarters, the company has surpassed consensus FFO estimates two times.

Farmland Partners, which belongs to the Zacks REIT and Equity Trust - Other industry, posted revenues of $20.72 million for the quarter ended December 2025, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 23.01%. This compares to year-ago revenues of $21.47 million. The company has topped consensus revenue estimates four times over the last four quarters.

The sustainability of the stock's immediate price movement based on the recently-released numbers and future FFO expectations will mostly depend on management's commentary on the earnings call.

Farmland Partners shares have added about 23% since the beginning of the year versus the S&P 500's zero return.

What's Next for Farmland Partners?While Farmland Partners has outperformed the market so far this year, the question that comes to investors' minds is: what's next for the stock?

There are no easy answers to this key question, but one reliable measure that can help investors address this is the company's FFO outlook. Not only does this include current consensus FFO expectations for the coming quarter(s), but also how these expectations have changed lately.

Empirical research shows a strong correlation between near-term stock movements and trends in estimate revisions. Investors can track such revisions by themselves or rely on a tried-and-tested rating tool like the Zacks Rank, which has an impressive track record of harnessing the power of estimate revisions.

Ahead of this earnings release, the estimate revisions trend for Farmland Partners was mixed. While the magnitude and direction of estimate revisions could change following the company's just-released earnings report, the current status translates into a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) for the stock. So, the shares are expected to perform in line with the market in the near future. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

It will be interesting to see how estimates for the coming quarters and the current fiscal year change in the days ahead. The current consensus FFO estimate is $0.02 on $7.08 million in revenues for the coming quarter and $0.27 on $37.88 million in revenues for the current fiscal year.

Investors should be mindful of the fact that the outlook for the industry can have a material impact on the performance of the stock as well. In terms of the Zacks Industry Rank, REIT and Equity Trust - Other is currently in the bottom 32% of the 250 plus Zacks industries. Our research shows that the top 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries outperform the bottom 50% by a factor of more than 2 to 1.

One other stock from the same industry, Gladstone Land (LAND - Free Report) , is yet to report results for the quarter ended December 2025. The results are expected to be released on February 24.

This real estate investment trust specializing in farmland is expected to post quarterly earnings of $0.30 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of +233.3%. The consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has remained unchanged over the last 30 days.

Gladstone Land's revenues are expected to be $30.48 million, up 44.5% from the year-ago quarter.