Market Signal Briefing

Small-cap semiconductor stock Aehr Test Systems NASDAQ: AEHR just secured a huge win. On Feb. 11, AEHR soared by over 26% as the company made a key announcement.

Ackman's most recent AI stock purchase is another great opportunity for investors.

Bill Ackman has made several investments over the last few years to take advantage of massive opportunities in artificial intelligence (AI). He bought Alphabet in his hedge fund, Pershing Square Capital, in 2023, when many viewed it as a net loser from the rise of AI chatbots like ChatGPT. He also bought Amazon last year amid a brief market sell-off, recognizing its strong position in cloud computing and AI. So far, his AI investments have paid off well, beating the S&P 500.

His most recent AI stock purchase is already up 1,650% since its IPO, but Ackman sees plenty of room for the stock to keep climbing. In the meantime, he fully exited a stock Pershing Square has held since 2018: Hilton Worldwide (HLT 2.42%).

Image source: Getty Images.

Why Ackman sold Hilton Bill Ackman initially bought Hilton stock in 2018, adding to it about 18 months later near the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. The company's portfolio caters to a wide range of travelers and includes several very strong brands with high customer loyalty. In fact, Hilton has increased its loyalty membership to 243 million, up from 85 million when Ackman initially bought shares.

Over the last seven years, Hilton has reduced its corporate overhead, with the largest increase in expenses driven by expanding its franchises and locations. The company now counts over 1.3 million rooms across its portfolio, up from 913,000 at the end of 2018. As a result, its adjusted EBITDA has soared from $2.1 billion to $3.7 billion over the last seven years.

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There's still a lot of growth yet to come, too. Management said it has a pipeline of 520,500 rooms, and it expects a rebound in revenue per available room growth to between 1% and 2%. Overall, EBITDA should surpass $4 billion this year.

But the stock has climbed even faster than the financial results. The stock price is up more than 350% since the end of 2018. Its enterprise value (EV) has tripled, putting its EV-to-EBITDA ratio close to 21.5 based on management's outlook. Its forward price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 36 is also quite high, suggesting future stock returns might not match those of the last few years. It makes sense for Ackman to take the gains and look for better opportunities with higher potential returns.

Pershing Square said it completely exited its position in Hilton earlier this year during its annual presentation to shareholders.

The AI stock Ackman bought at the end of 2025 Ackman revealed Pershing Square's latest AI stock purchase at its annual presentation: Meta Platforms (META 1.48%). Ackman noted, "Meta's business model is one of the clearest beneficiaries of AI integration."

He believes the weakness in the stock related to investor fears about overspending on AI infrastructure and personnel is an opportunity for long-term investors. He points out that the forward P/E of the stock now sits around 22, and if you remove Reality Labs, its augmented reality business, the core advertising business trades for just 18 times earnings. That's an incredible bargain considering the company's growth outlook.

That growth is being fueled by its advances in AI, which could support Pershing Square's medium-term outlook for 20% annualized earnings-per-share growth. AI is at the core of Meta's recommendation algorithm, which has helped increase engagement across Facebook and Instagram. That's enabled it to show more ads, with ad impressions climbing 18% in the fourth quarter. Just as importantly, its algorithms help target ads and make them more effective, leading to a 6% increase in average ad pricing last quarter.

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The potential for generative AI to expand its customer base for advertising is huge. Not only could it lower the barrier to entry for advertising on Facebook and Instagram, it could also open new avenues for advertising such as chatbots in Messenger and WhatsApp. Meta may also explore advertising in its own Meta AI chatbot (its answer to ChatGPT) built into all of its apps.

Of course, improving and scaling the use of AI products comes at a significant cost. Meta told Wall Street it'll spend between $115 billion and $135 billion on capital expenditures this year. That's a 73% jump from last year at the midpoint. Ackman argues that Meta's upside potential from AI supports front-loading its infrastructure costs, and that the overbuilding risk is mitigated by the core businesses' ability to grow into excess capacity. Additionally, it sports a balance sheet strong enough to support the buildout.

At 22 times forward earnings, the current price still presents a very attractive entry point for the stellar AI stock.

Were you affected by investment losses in BBWI securities between June 4, 2024, and November 19, 2025?

Affected Investor Losses Summary

Bath & Body Works, Inc. securities fraud class action filed Purchasers or acquirers of Bath & Body Works, Inc. (NYSE: BBWI) securities Seeking recovery of investment losses for material misstatements and/or omissions (as alleged) from June 4, 2024 through November 19, 2025 Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP (www.ktmc.com) can assist at no cost to investor , /PRNewswire/ -- The law firm of Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP (www.ktmc.com) informs investors that a securities fraud class action lawsuit has been filed against Bath & Body Works, Inc. ("Bath & Body Works") (NYSE: BBWI) on behalf of those who purchased or otherwise acquired Bath & Body Works securities between June 4, 2024, and November 19, 2025, inclusive (the "Class Period"). The lead plaintiff deadline is March 16, 2026.

Action: Securities fraud class action lawsuit filed Company: Bath & Body Works, Inc. (NYSE: BBWI) Affected investors: Purchasers or acquirers of Bath & Body Works, Inc. securities Class Period: June 4, 2024 through November 19, 2025 Allegations: Material misstatements and/or omissions (as alleged) Relief sought: Recovery of investment losses under the federal securities laws The complaint alleges that, throughout the Class Period, Defendants made materially false and/or misleading statements, as well as failed to disclose material adverse facts about the company's business, operations, and prospects. Specifically, Defendants failed to disclose to investors that: (1) Bath & Body Works' strategy of pursuing "adjacencies, collaborations and promotions" was not growing the customer base and/or delivering the level of growth in net sales touted; (2) as Bath & Body Works' strategy of "adjacencies, collaborations and promotions" faltered, Bath & Body Works relied on brand collaborations "to carry quarters" and obfuscate otherwise weak underlying financial results; (3) as a result, Bath & Body Works was unlikely to meet its own previously issued financial guidance; (4) as a result of the foregoing, Defendants' positive statements about the company's business, operations, and prospects were materially misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis.

CONTACT KESSLER TOPAZ MELTZER & CHECK, LLP (KTMC):
If you suffered Bath & Body Works losses, contact Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP (KTMC) at:

https://www.ktmc.com/bbwi-bath-body-works-inc-class-action-lawsuit?utm_source=PR_Newswire&utm_medium=pressrelease&utm_campaign=bbwi&mktm=PR

You can also contact attorney Jonathan Naji, Esq. by calling (484) 270-1453 or by email at [email protected].

THE LEAD PLAINTIFF PROCESS:
Bath & Body Works investors may, no later than March 16, 2026, seek to be appointed as a lead plaintiff representative of the class through Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP or other counsel, or may choose to do nothing and remain an absent class member. A lead plaintiff is a representative party who acts on behalf of all class members in directing the litigation. The lead plaintiff is usually the investor or small group of investors who have the largest financial interest and who are also adequate and typical of the proposed class of investors. The lead plaintiff selects counsel to represent the lead plaintiff and the class and these attorneys, if approved by the court, are lead or class counsel. Your ability to share in any recovery is not affected by the decision of whether or not to serve as a lead plaintiff.

Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP encourages Bath & Body Works investors who have suffered significant losses to contact the firm directly to acquire more information.

ABOUT KESSLER TOPAZ MELTZER & CHECK, LLP (KTMC):
Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP (KTMC) is a leading U.S. plaintiff-side law firm focused on securities-fraud class actions and global investor protection. The firm represents individual investors as well as institutions, such as major pension funds, asset managers, and international investors. KTMC has led some of the largest recoveries in securities litigation and has been recognized by peers and the legal media with numerous accolades, including The National Law Journal's Plaintiff's Hot List and Trailblazers in Plaintiffs' Law, BTI Consulting Group's Honor Roll of Most Feared Law Firms, The Legal Intelligencer's Class Action Firm of the Year, Lawdragon's Leading Plaintiff Financial Lawyers, and Law360's Titans of the Plaintiffs Bar. The firm operates globally with offices in Pennsylvania and California. For more information about Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP, please visit www.ktmc.com.

CONTACT:
Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP
Jonathan Naji, Esq.
(484) 270-1453
280 King of Prussia Road
Radnor, PA 19087
[email protected]

May be considered attorney advertising in certain jurisdictions. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.

SOURCE Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP

Were you affected by investment losses in VRNS common stock between February 4, 2025, and October 28, 2025?

Affected Investor Losses Summary

Varonis Systems, Inc. securities class action filed Purchasers or acquirers of Varonis Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: VRNS) common stock Seeking recovery of investment losses for material misstatements and/or omissions (as alleged) from February 4, 2025 through October 28, 2025 Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP (www.ktmc.com) can assist at no cost to investor , /PRNewswire/ -- The law firm of Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP (www.ktmc.com) informs investors that a securities class action lawsuit has been filed against Varonis Systems, Inc. ("Varonis") (NASDAQ: VRNS) on behalf of those who purchased or otherwise acquired Varonis common stock between February 4, 2025, and October 28, 2025, inclusive (the "Class Period"). The lead plaintiff deadline is March 9, 2026.

Action: Securities class action lawsuit filed Company: Varonis Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: VRNS) Affected investors: Purchasers or acquirers of Varonis Systems, Inc. common stock Class Period: February 4, 2025 through October 28, 2025 Allegations: Material misstatements and/or omissions (as alleged) Relief sought: Recovery of investment losses The complaint alleges that, throughout the Class Period, Defendants made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) Varonis was ill-equipped to continue its ARR growth trajectory without maintaining a significantly high rate of quarterly conversions; and (2) as a result, Defendants' positive statements about the company's business, operations, and prospects were materially misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis at all relevant times.

CONTACT KESSLER TOPAZ MELTZER & CHECK, LLP (KTMC):
If you suffered Varonis losses, contact Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP (KTMC) at:

https://www.ktmc.com/vrns-varonis-systems-inc-class-action-lawsuit?utm_source=PR_Newswire&utm_medium=pressrelease&utm_campaign=vrns&mktm=PR 

You can also contact attorney Jonathan Naji, Esq. by calling (484) 270-1453 or by email at [email protected].

Learn more about CoreWeave, Inc. on YouTube:

Varonis Systems, Inc. Securities Class Action Lawsuit (long video) Varonis Systems, Inc. Securities Class Action Lawsuit (short video) THE LEAD PLAINTIFF PROCESS:
Varonis investors may, no later than March 9, 2026, seek to be appointed as a lead plaintiff representative of the class through Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP or other counsel, or may choose to do nothing and remain an absent class member. A lead plaintiff is a representative party who acts on behalf of all class members in directing the litigation. The lead plaintiff is usually the investor or small group of investors who have the largest financial interest and who are also adequate and typical of the proposed class of investors. The lead plaintiff selects counsel to represent the lead plaintiff and the class and these attorneys, if approved by the court, are lead or class counsel. Your ability to share in any recovery is not affected by the decision of whether or not to serve as a lead plaintiff.

Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP encourages Varonis investors who have suffered significant losses to contact the firm directly to acquire more information.

ABOUT KESSLER TOPAZ MELTZER & CHECK, LLP (KTMC):
Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP (KTMC) is a leading U.S. plaintiff-side law firm focused on securities-fraud class actions and global investor protection. The firm represents individual investors as well as institutions, such as major pension funds, asset managers, and international investors. KTMC has led some of the largest recoveries in securities litigation and has been recognized by peers and the legal media with numerous accolades, including The National Law Journal's Plaintiff's Hot List and Trailblazers in Plaintiffs' Law, BTI Consulting Group's Honor Roll of Most Feared Law Firms, The Legal Intelligencer's Class Action Firm of the Year, Lawdragon's Leading Plaintiff Financial Lawyers, and Law360's Titans of the Plaintiffs Bar. The firm operates globally with offices in Pennsylvania and California. For more information about Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP, please visit www.ktmc.com. 

CONTACT:
Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP
Jonathan Naji, Esq.
(484) 270-1453
280 King of Prussia Road
Radnor, PA 19087
[email protected] 

May be considered attorney advertising in certain jurisdictions. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.

SOURCE Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP

New York, New York--(Newsfile Corp. - February 16, 2026) - WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, announces a class action lawsuit on behalf of purchasers of ordinary shares of uniQure N.V. (NASDAQ: QURE) between September 24, 2025 and October 31, 2025, inclusive (the "Class Period"). A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than April 13, 2026.

SO WHAT: If you purchased uniQure ordinary shares during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement.

WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the uniQure class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=53025 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than April 13, 2026. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation.

WHY ROSEN LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources, or any meaningful peer recognition. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm has achieved, at that time, the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs' Bar. Many of the firm's attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers.

DETAILS OF THE CASE: According to the lawsuit, defendants misrepresented and/or failed to disclose that: (1) the design of uniQure's Pivotal Study (a study of uniQure's leading drug candidate in patients with Huntington's Disease) - including comparison of the Pivotal Study results to the ENROLL-HD external historical data set- was not fully approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (the "FDA"); (2) defendants downplayed the likelihood that, despite purportedly highly successful results from the Pivotal Study, uniQure would have to delay its Biologics License Application ("BLA") timeline to perform additional studies to supplement its BLA submission; and (3) as a result, defendants' statements about uniQure's business, operations, and prospects lacked a reasonable basis. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages.

To join the uniQure class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=53025 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] for information on the class action.

No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investor's ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff.

Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm, on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/.

Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

-------------------------------

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/284062

Source: The Rosen Law Firm PA

Ready to Announce with Confidence? Send us a message and a member of our TMX Newsfile team will contact you to discuss your needs.

Contact Us

New York, New York--(Newsfile Corp. - February 16, 2026) - WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of common stock of Vistagen Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: VTGN) between April 1, 2024 and December 16, 2025, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"), of the important March 16, 2026 lead plaintiff deadline.

SO WHAT: If you purchased Vistagen common stock during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement.

WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the Vistagen class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=50827 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than March 16, 2026. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation.

WHY ROSEN LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources, or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually litigate securities class actions, but are merely middlemen that refer clients or partner with law firms that actually litigate the cases. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm has achieved, at that time, the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs' Bar. Many of the firm's attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers.

DETAILS OF THE CASE: According to the lawsuit, defendants provided investors with material information concerning Vistagen's plan to develop and commercialize its drug fasedienol, an investigational pherine candidate in development for the acute treatment of social anxiety disorder (SAD). Defendants' statements included, among other things, Vistagen's positive assertions of fasedienol's future trial success based on the prior positive results associated with the PALISADE-2 clinical trial, in addition to notable enhancements and operational changes made to the execution of the PALISADE-3 clinical trial supported a strong likelihood of Phase 3 success and positioned it as a confirmatory study.

According to the lawsuit, defendants provided these overwhelmingly positive statements to investors while, at the same time, disseminating false and misleading statements and/or concealing material adverse facts concerning its Phase 3 PALISADE-3 trial study of fasedienol. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages.

To join the Vistagen class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=50827 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] for information on the class action.

No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investor's ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff.

Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm, on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/.

Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

-------------------------------

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/284065

Source: The Rosen Law Firm PA

Ready to Announce with Confidence? Send us a message and a member of our TMX Newsfile team will contact you to discuss your needs.

Contact Us

New York, New York--(Newsfile Corp. - February 16, 2026) - WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of securities of Bath & Body Works, Inc. (NYSE: BBWI) between June 4, 2024 and November 19, 2025, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"), of the important March 16, 2026 lead plaintiff deadline.

SO WHAT: If you purchased Bath & Body Works securities during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement.

WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the Bath & Body Works class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=50622 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than March 16, 2026. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation.

WHY ROSEN LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources, or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually handle securities class actions, but are merely middlemen that refer clients or partner with law firms that actually litigate the cases. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm has achieved, at that time, the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs' Bar. Many of the firm's attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers.

DETAILS OF THE CASE: According to the lawsuit, throughout the Class Period, defendants made materially false and/or misleading statements, and that defendants failed to disclose that: (1) Bath & Body Works' strategy of pursuing "adjacencies, collaborations and promotions" was not growing the customer base and/or delivering the level of growth in net sales touted; (2) as Bath & Body Works' strategy of "adjacencies, collaborations and promotions" faltered, it relied on brand collaborations "to carry quarters" and obfuscate otherwise weak underlying financial results; (3) as a result, Bath & Body Works was unlikely to meet its own previously issued financial guidance; and (4) as a result of the foregoing, defendants' positive statements about Bath & Body Works' business, operations, and prospects were materially misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages.

To join the Body & Body Works class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=50622 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] for information on the class action.

No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investor's ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff.

Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm, on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/.

Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

-------------------------------

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/284053

Source: The Rosen Law Firm PA

Ready to Announce with Confidence? Send us a message and a member of our TMX Newsfile team will contact you to discuss your needs.

Contact Us

, /PRNewswire/ -- The law firm of Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP informs investors that the firm has filed a securities fraud class action lawsuit against Oracle Corporation (NYSE: ORCL) ("Oracle" or the "Company") on behalf of investors who purchased or acquired Oracle common stock between June 12, 2025, and December 16, 2025, inclusive (the "Class Period"). This action, captioned Barrows v. Oracle Corporation, et al., Case No. 1:26-cv-00127-UNA, was filed on February 3, 2026, in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware.

Important Deadline Reminder: Investors who purchased or otherwise acquired Oracle common stock during the Class Period may, no later than April 6, 2026, move the Court to serve as lead plaintiff for the class. 

CONTACT KESSLER TOPAZ MELTZER & CHECK, LLP (KTMC):
If you experienced losses in connection with Oracle, contact Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP at:

https://www.ktmc.com/orcl-oracle-corporation-class-action-lawsuit?utm_source=PR_Newswire&utm_medium=pressrelease&utm_campaign=orcl&mktm=PR 

You can also contact attorney Jonathan Naji, Esq. by calling (484) 270-1453 or by email at [email protected].

DEFENDANTS' ALLEGED MISCONDUCT
Oracle, a Delaware corporation with its principal executive offices in Austin, Texas, is a technology company that provides, among other things, infrastructure for operating artificial intelligence ("AI") programs.

During the Class Period, Defendants misled investors by touting the Company's contracts to develop data center capabilities for AI infrastructure and falsely assuring investors that the Company's significant capital expenditures ("CapEx") would quickly result in accelerated revenue growth. For example, Defendants assured investors that the Company's substantially increased spending on AI infrastructure—including for data centers used by OpenAI, the operator of ChatGPT—would rapidly convert into "accelerating revenue and profit growth" and that "we have a very good line-of-sight for our capabilities to . . . just spend on that CapEx right before it starts generating revenue."

However, on September 24, 2025, S&P Global Ratings warned that OpenAI "could account for more than a third of total Oracle revenues by fiscal 2028 and even a greater share by fiscal 2030," creating risks given that "OpenAI's ability to meet contractual obligations will be contingent on AI tailwinds continuing and its models being a market leader to continue to raise external financing." On this news, the price of Oracle common stock declined $5.37 per share, or nearly 2%, from a close of $313.83 per share on September 23, 2025, to close at $308.46 per share on September 24, 2025.

The following day, on September 25, 2025, analysts at Rothschild & Co. Redburn initiated coverage of Oracle at "Sell," warning, among other things, that the Company's promises of massive new revenues from its increased AI infrastructure business were "unlikely to materialize" and set a $175 price target for Oracle—representing a 40% pullback in the Company's stock. In response, the price of Oracle common stock declined an additional $17.13 per share, or more than 5.5%, from a close of $308.46 per share on September 24, 2025, to close at $291.33 per share on September 25, 2025. 

After the market closed on December 10, 2025, Oracle announced its financial results for the second quarter of fiscal year 2026, including revenue growth below analysts' consensus estimate, quarterly CapEx well above analysts' estimates, and negative free cash flow of more than $10 billion. During the accompanying earnings call, Defendant Douglas Kehring (the Company's Principal Financial Officer) revealed that Oracle now projected $50 billion of CapEx in fiscal year 2026—$15 billion more than the Company's previous projection in September 2025 and as much as $25 billion more than the Company's projection in June 2025. Notably, despite projecting substantially increased spending, Oracle did not increase its guidance for 2026 revenue, and increased its guidance for 2027 revenues by only $4 billion. 

In response to an analyst's question about how much money Oracle needs "to raise to fund its AI growth plans ahead," Defendant Clayton Magouyrk (the Company's new Co-Chief Executive Officer) further stoked concerns by failing to provide a specific number and revealing only that the Company expected to spend "less" than $100 billion—suggesting that Oracle may require a massive amount of capital funding through equity raises or additional debt.

As Bloomberg and other media outlets reported that evening, the cost of protecting the Company's debt against default for five years—a notable measure of Oracle's credit risk—reached its highest level since April 2009. An AllianceBernstein analyst explained, "Oracle really matters because it is the harbinger of the AI capex boom," and "[t]his repricing in debt markets is very consistent with the view that risks are building." On this news, the price of Oracle common stock declined $24.16 per share, or nearly 11%, from a close of $223.01 per share on December 10, 2025, to close at $198.85 per share on December 11, 2025.

After the market closed on December 11, 2025, Oracle filed its quarterly financial report on Form 10-Q with the SEC, which revealed that the Company had "$248 billion of additional lease commitments, substantially all related to data centers and cloud capacity arrangements, that are generally expected to commence between the third quarter of fiscal 2026 and fiscal 2028 and for terms of fifteen to nineteen years that were not reflected on our condensed consolidated balance sheets as of November 30, 2025." Analysts at CreditSights later labeled this revelation a "bombshell disclosure," noting that the Company's lease commitments had increased massively from the prior quarter, when the Company had reported just under $100 billion in lease commitments. As Bloomberg reported, "Oracle's future lease exposure far exceeds similar commitments by peers," with "a mismatch between the long duration of the property leases and much shorter contracts with key customers such as OpenAI."

On December 12, 2025, Bloomberg further reported that Oracle had "pushed back the completion dates for some of the data centers it's developing for the artificial intelligence model developer OpenAI to 2028 from 2027" due to "labor and material shortages"—suggesting that Oracle's promised revenue growth resulting from its increased spending may be further delayed, if it arrives at all. In response to these revelations, the price of Oracle common stock declined $8.88 per share, or approximately 4.5%, from a close of $198.85 per share on December 11, 2025, to close at $189.97 per share on December 12, 2025.

On December 17, 2025, Financial Times reported that Blue Owl Capital—"the primary [financial] backer for Oracle's largest data centre projects in the US"—had backed out of funding a $10 billion Oracle data center intended to serve OpenAI. According to the report, Blue Owl pulled out of the deal as a result of concerns about Oracle's spending commitments and rising debt levels. On this news, the price of Oracle common stock declined $10.19 per share, or approximately 5.4%, from a close of $188.65 per share on December 16, 2025, to close at $178.46 per share on December 17, 2025.

The complaint alleges that, throughout the Class Period, Defendants made materially false and/or misleading statements, as well as failed to disclose material adverse facts, about the Company's business and operations. Specifically, Defendants misrepresented and/or failed to disclose that: (1) Oracle's AI infrastructure strategy would result in massive increases in CapEx without equivalent, near-term growth in revenue; (2) the Company's substantially increased spending created serious risks involving Oracle's debt and credit rating, free cash flow, and ability to fund its projects, among other concerns; and (3) as a result, Defendants' representations about the Company's business, operations, and prospects were materially false and misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis.

THE LEAD PLAINTIFF PROCESS FOR ORACLE CORPORATION INVESTORS:

Oracle investors may, no later than April 6, 2026, seek to be appointed as a lead plaintiff representative of the class through Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP or other counsel, or may choose to do nothing and remain an absent class member. A lead plaintiff is a representative party who acts on behalf of all class members in directing the litigation. The lead plaintiff is usually the investor or small group of investors who have the largest financial interest and who are also adequate and typical of the proposed class of investors. The lead plaintiff selects counsel to represent the lead plaintiff and the class and these attorneys, if approved by the court, are lead or class counsel. Your ability to share in any recovery is not affected by the decision of whether or not to serve as a lead plaintiff.

Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP encourages Oracle investors to contact the firm directly for more information about the lawsuit.

ABOUT KESSLER TOPAZ MELTZER & CHECK, LLP (KTMC):

Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP (KTMC) is a leading U.S. plaintiff-side law firm focused on securities-fraud class actions and global investor protection. The firm represents individual investors as well as institutions, such as major pension funds, asset managers, and international investors. KTMC has led some of the largest recoveries in securities litigation and has been recognized by peers and the legal media with numerous accolades, including The National Law Journal's Plaintiff's Hot List and Trailblazers in Plaintiffs' Law, BTI Consulting Group's Honor Roll of Most Feared Law Firms, The Legal Intelligencer's Class Action Firm of the Year, Lawdragon's Leading Plaintiff Financial Lawyers, and Law360's Titans of the Plaintiffs Bar. The firm operates globally with offices in Pennsylvania and California. For more information about Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP, please visit www.ktmc.com. 

CONTACT:
Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP
Jonathan Naji, Esq.
(484) 270-1453
280 King of Prussia Road
Radnor, PA 19087
[email protected]

May be considered attorney advertising in certain jurisdictions. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.

SOURCE Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP

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Last updated: 

1 hour ago

While prices starkly contrast with recent highs, global crypto adoption continues advancing quietly in the background.

A mix of technical signals and ongoing developments suggests that XRP, Ethereum and Cardano could be posting fresh highs by summer.

Below is a breakdown of what the charts are signaling.

XRP (XRP): Ripple’s SWIFT Challenger Targets a $5 MoveWith a market cap of $91 billion, XRP ($XRP) is the largest crypto for cross-border payments.

Ripple engineered the XRP Ledger (XRPL) to serve as a next-generation alternative to SWIFT, enabling faster settlement times and lower costs for banks and financial institutions.

The company has recently doubled down on its vision, underscoring XRPL’s readiness for institutional payment rails and real-world asset tokenization, while reinforcing XRP’s core role in powering the network.

XRP has also drawn attention from major institutions. Both the United Nations Capital Development Fund and the White House have pointed to Ripple’s potential in enhancing global payment infrastructure.

Additionally, U.S. regulators recently approved spot XRP exchange-traded funds (ETFs), giving institutional and retail investors regulated exposure to XRP.

Should the market turn bullish, XRP could hit a new ATH by summer.

Ethereum (ETH): The Foundation of DeFi Could Challenge ATH SoonEthereum ($ETH) dominates decentralized finance and the broader Web3 ecosystem with a market capitalization of $238 billion.

With around $55 billion locked across its applications, Ethereum remains the most commercially active blockchain in the industry.

In a bullish scenario, ETH could breach the $5,000 resistance zone as early as June, exceeding its prior ATH of $4,946 set last August.

Longer term, Ethereum’s path toward five-figure valuations will largely depend on clearer U.S. regulatory guidance and favorable macroeconomic conditions. Both are critical for accelerating institutional adoption in areas such as stablecoins and real-world asset tokenization.

For now, ETH is trading below its 30-day moving average, with an oversold RSI near 30. For bulls, this zone could be the best chance to accumulate.

Cardano (ADA): An Academic Approach to Building the Next DeFi PowerhouseEthereum co-founder Charles Hoskinson launched Cardano ($ADA) in 2015, with the network going live two years later.

Cardano is built on a Proof-of-Stake consensus mechanism grounded in peer-reviewed academic research, a philosophy that continues to distinguish it within the competitive Layer-1 landscape.

With a market cap of over $10 billion and TVL of roughly $134 million, ADA remains sizable but still has plenty of headroom before it can seriously challenge Solana as the leading “Ethereum killer.”

Despite a general decline since Q4 2025, a large bullish falling wedge pattern that emerged toward the end of 2026 suggests the potential for a breakout. If confirmed, ADA could push through key resistance levels and climb toward $1.50 by the end of Q1.

Should US lawmakers pass the CLARITY Act, Cardano may revisit its ATH of $3.09 sooner rather than later.

New Bitcoin Presale Brings Solana-Level Performance to BTCWhile these blue-chip networks are relatively safe plays in the volatile world of crypto, the biggest upside this cycle may lie in early-stage disruptors like Bitcoin Hyper ($HYPER), a new project that has investors talking about potentially outsized gains when it lists.

This buzzy project aims to introduce Solana’s speed and utility to Bitcoin through a dedicated Layer-2 solution, significantly reduce transaction costs at the same time.

It gives BTC holders the power to stake assets, earn yield, trade tokens and interact with smart contracts without transferring funds off the Bitcoin network, dramatically broadening Bitcoin’s use cases.

With more than $31 million already raised and rising interest from major wallets and exchanges, $HYPER is emerging as one of the most closely watched crypto launches of the year.

Investors looking to secure $HYPER at a fixed presale price can visit the official Bitcoin Hyper website and connect a supported wallet such as Best Wallet.

Purchases can also be made using a bank card.

Visit the Official Website Here

TL;DR

Bithumb lists Lighter (LIT) on its Korean won market with a reference price of 2,383 KRW. Deposits require 33 confirmations on the Ethereum network, the only supported chain. Lighter operates as a decentralized perpetuals exchange using zk-rollup infrastructure. Bithumb opened spot trading for Lighter (LIT) on its KRW market at 7:00 PM KST on February 16, setting a reference price of 2,383 KRW. Deposits and withdrawals became available within two hours of listing. The exchange supports only the Ethereum network and requires 33 block confirmations for incoming transfers.

Early trading includes operational controls designed to manage opening volatility. The exchange imposed buy-order limits during the first five minutes, sell-range controls in the same interval, and a limit-only window for approximately the first two hours. The restrictions aim to align off-exchange inventories with on-exchange order books, reducing early slippage and extreme price prints.

📢 New Listing

🚀 라이터(#LIT) 원화 마켓 추가 안내
🚀 $LIT/KRW will be listed on #Bithumb!

🔸 Details : https://t.co/1DCAToOT5C#Bithumb #LIT @Lighter_xyz pic.twitter.com/XFQFxJlnHI

— Bithumb (@BithumbOfficial) February 16, 2026

If inbound deposit flows outpace available asks during the restricted window, order book depth may thin and amplify intraday volatility. Conversely, tight sell-range controls can constrain downside prints and create a more orderly open. Recent coverage places LIT within the $1.60 to $1.70 range according to CoinGabbar, framing near-term liquidity tests without implying directional bias.

Lighter Protocol Operates as zk-Rollup Perpetuals DEX With LIT as Native Utility Token Lighter operates as a decentralized perpetuals exchange using zero-knowledge rollup infrastructure to combine on-chain verification with order-book execution. The architecture targets low-latency matching while maintaining crypto settlement assurances. The design positions Lighter among zk-rollup venues attempting to deliver centralized-exchange ergonomics with decentralized finality.

LIT functions as the protocol’s native token, supporting economic and governance mechanics within the platform. The token structure ties directly to protocol operations rather than operating as a separate speculative asset disconnected from platform utility.

The KRW pair can concentrate domestic South Korean liquidity and improve price discovery during local trading hours. Limit-only phases tend to widen spreads initially but provide time for market participants to assess demand depth before full order types activate. The listing gives Korean traders direct fiat access to LIT without routing through USD pairs or stablecoin intermediaries.

TL;DR

Nearly 20,000 Ethereum worth $40 million have been withdrawn from major exchanges, signaling strong conviction among top traders. Exchange reserves continue to shrink, tightening liquidity and favoring long-term holding strategies. Binance data shows over 75% of top traders hold long positions, while funding rates indicate leveraged demand remains elevated, reflecting deliberate positioning rather than short-term speculation.
Approximately 19,820 Ethereum valued at $40.14 million were withdrawn from Binance and OKX by a major whale, adding to an earlier purchase of 60,784 ETH worth $126 million. These movements suggest strategic capital deployment rather than opportunistic trading, emphasizing structured exposure. At the same time, another large trader deposited $1 million USDC into Hyperliquid to open a 20x leveraged Ethereum long, targeting ETH specifically despite holding positions in other assets like SOL. These coordinated actions demonstrate methodical market participation and confidence in Ethereum’s medium-term prospects.

Whale 0x28eF, who previously bought 60,784 $ETH($126M), is buying more $ETH!

In the past 20 hours, he has withdrawn 19,820 $ETH($40.14M) from #Binance and #OKX.https://t.co/GTQx556UF7https://t.co/FQe95DLQZphttps://t.co/uKIsgndaAC pic.twitter.com/IcKNWeoVzF

— Lookonchain (@lookonchain) February 16, 2026

Exchange Reserves Continue Steady Contraction Ethereum’s exchange reserves now stand at $31.843 billion after a 6.47% decline, reflecting a measurable reduction in immediately tradable supply. Withdrawals by whales reduce short-term liquidity and encourage long-term holding as assets move into cold storage or secure custody. This contraction aligns with recent withdrawals, signaling that large investors are consolidating rather than reacting to short-term price swings. Sustained reserve declines often correspond with deliberate accumulation and reinforce structured Ethereum positioning. Analysts note that lower reserves may increase volatility but strengthen long-term fundamentals.

Binance Top Traders Maintain Dominant Long Bias Data from Binance indicates that 76.91% of top trader accounts hold long Ethereum positions, compared with 23.09% short, producing a Long/Short Ratio of 3.33. Funding rates currently read 0.007286, reflecting a 20.96% increase, confirming that leveraged demand exceeds short-side pressure. These metrics show that advanced traders are expanding exposure while absorbing funding costs, reinforcing structured positioning. Coordinated spot withdrawals and elevated leveraged activity suggest that Ethereum-focused strategies are deliberate and methodical. Experts also note that institutional interest is likely supporting these trends.

The Convergence of Spot Withdrawals and Leveraged Activity The combination of significant spot withdrawals, declining exchange reserves, long-dominated positioning, and rising funding rates highlights intentional Ethereum capital strategies. Whales continue removing assets from centralized exchanges, while sophisticated traders increase exposure through leverage. Together, these patterns indicate a deliberate reinforcement of Ethereum conviction, showing that major market participants are aligning long-term strategies instead of reacting to short-term volatility.  

With a strong regulatory environment, proactive institutional participation, and a growing appetite for blockchain-powered financial solutions, Japan is positioning itself at the forefront of next-generation finance, and XRPL is increasingly becoming central to that vision.

Japan is placing a huge bet on the XRP Ledger identity and leading protocol. Crypto analyst Stellar Rippler revealed on X that a senior banker from the Bank of Japan (BoJ), Kazuo Ueda, reportedly stated that SBI holdings has invested in XRP, XRP Ledger-native identity protocols, compliance, and lending projects. Meanwhile, that backdrop became even more significant when SBI Holdings CEO Yoshitaka Kitao said the firm holds hidden assets worth more than its officially disclosed 9% stake, which is valued at over $10 billion.

Why Japan Is Looking Beyond Payments To XRPL Infrastructure Interestingly, the strategic direction becomes clearer when viewed through the lens of identity. Ripple’s president, Monica Long, has described decentralized identity on XRPL as a way to turn personal information into a secure, portable digital token that users can carry globally and selectively share, replacing reliance on centralized platforms.

Related Reading: XRP Ledger DEX Metrics Flash Strong Growth As Activity Touches New Key Levels

This vision is already taking shape at the infrastructure level. DNAOnChain’s XDNA applies this model with zero-knowledge proofs to transform identity and compliance data into verifiable zk-credentials. Also, these allow institutions to confirm eligibility and regulatory status without exposing sensitive information. However, the SBI’s hidden asset has extended beyond XRP, and it’s pointing toward the XRPL’s identity and zero-knowledge credential layer, where XDNA fits in as the infrastructure institutions needed.

XRP is actively used as a bridge currency for liquidity on the XRP Ledger, alongside stablecoins, which are complementary. An analyst known as Vet on X has noted that recent activity on the XRPL DEX shows that RLUSD is being exchanged for EUROP, a euro-denominated stablecoin, with XRP acting as the bridge asset. By serving as an intermediary layer, XRP increases the liquidity of issued assets across the network.

Source: Chart from Vet on X Furthermore, this design results in a proven, robust financial infrastructure that maximizes capital efficiency for everyday users and institutions. At the same time, market makers can make markets between the respective XRP pairs; they can hold the token because it is counterparty-free, which makes it the most efficient way to make markets.

The Role Of The XRP In A Tokenized FX Future According to RippleBullWinkle, founder of Lux Lions NFT, the global foreign exchange market is moving roughly $9.6 trillion in daily volume.

In the meantime, industry insiders are projecting an on-chain FX system for local currency stablecoins from countries around the world, in which they can settle directly on-chain against the dollar stablecoins. This is where XRP’s original design becomes relevant, because XRP was literally built to function as a bridge asset between currencies.

XRP trading at $1.51 on the 1D chart | Source: XRPUSDT on Tradingview.com Featured image from Adobe Stock, chart from Tradingview.com

Why Trust CoinGape

CoinGape has covered the cryptocurrency industry since 2017, aiming to provide informative insights to our readers. Our journal analysts bring years of experience in market analysis and blockchain technology to ensure factual accuracy and balanced reporting. By following our Editorial Policy, our writers verify every source, fact-check each story, rely on reputable sources, and attribute quotes and media correctly. We also follow a rigorous Review Methodology when evaluating exchanges and tools. From emerging blockchain projects and coin launches to industry events and technical developments, we cover all facets of the digital asset space with unwavering commitment to timely, relevant information.

On-chain analytics firm Glassnode has reiterated the current weakness in Bitcoin’s price action, noting that there is less demand for the leading crypto now compared to after the LUNA crash in 2022. This indicates that another Bitcoin crash may be on the cards, with a potential drop below the psychological $60,000 level likely to trigger massive liquidations.

Glassnode Hints Another Bitcoin Crash May Be Imminent In an X post, Glassnode noted that the long-term holder (LTH) Cost Basis Distribution (CBD) Heatmap maps supply density across price levels. The platform further stated that the recent support above $65,000 is anchored in the 2024 H1 accumulation range and that this demand has absorbed recent sell pressure.

Glassnode warned that a decisive break below this level would likely open the path for a Bitcoin crash toward the Realized Price at around $54,000. In another X post, the analytics platform noted that during BTC’s first sharp leg down in November 2025, the market absorbed heavy sell pressure aggressively, which was similar to what happened after the LUNA and FTX crashes.

Meanwhile, although the recent Bitcoin crash to $60,000 led to some accumulation, Glassnode stated that it was notably weaker than the November 2025 bounce or the reflexive demand seen after the LUNA collapse. The platform also noted that the recent crash imposed drastic psychological pressure on these long-term holders, similar to the LUNA crash.

In both cases, the 7-day EMA of the LTH Spent Output Profit Ratio (SOPR) fell below 1 after trading for one to two years above it. Basically, long-term holders are seeing significant losses, a “rare shift in conviction” that Glassnode noted typically happens in the deeper stages of bear markets.

As CoinGape reported earlier, Glassnode flagged a structural weakness following the recent Bitcoin crash. The platform noted that BTC spot volumes are structurally weak and depressed, creating a demand vacuum and accelerating realized losses. It is worth noting that, in addition to a potential drop to the Realized Price at around $54,000, experts such as veteran trader Peter Brandt have warned that BTC could crash to as low as $40,000 as the bear market deepens.

The Bottom Is Still Not In On-chain analytics platform CryptoQuant indicated that BTC has not yet reached a bottom despite these Bitcoin crashes. In a research report, the platform noted that the Realized price support at around $55,000 has not yet been tested.

The report further stated that the BTC price is still trading above this realized price. In past cycles, Bitcoin fell 24% to 30% below the realized price, followed by four to six months of base formation, reinforcing the view that durable bottoms are time-intensive processes rather than single-day capitulation events.

CryptoQuant further noted that LTH behavior does not reflect capitulation, as these holders are currently selling at a breakeven level. However, in past cycles, bear market bottoms have formed after holders endured 30% to 40% losses, indicating that a further Bitcoin crash remains on the cards before a full reset.

Another reason CryptoQuant is confident that Bitcoin hasn’t yet found a bottom is that market cycle indicators remain in the Bear Phase and not the Extreme Bear Phase. This Extreme Bear Phase historically marks the start of the bottoming processes and typically lasts for several months.

It is worth noting that a Bitcoin crash below $60,000 could trigger a liquidation cascade based on activity in the options market. Deribit data shows that the largest cluster of put options is around the $58,000 level. A drop below this crucial support level could liquidate several positions.

TL;DR

Bitcoin accumulation addresses now hold over 372,000 BTC, up sharply from around 10,000 BTC in September 2024. Order book data shows a near 2:1 bid-to-ask imbalance, signaling firm short-term support. Analysts identify a CME futures gap between $80,000 and $84,000 as a key technical level, with historical patterns showing most similar gaps eventually get filled.
The Bitcoin accumulation wave places the $80,000 level back in focus after BTC rebounded from a dip below $67,400 during the Monday session. The asset briefly traded above $70,000 over the weekend before facing selling pressure, yet both derivatives data and onchain metrics indicate buyers remain active.

#Bitcoin LTF plan

If all goes to plan $BTC closes the early Feb CME gap this week!#Crypto #BTC https://t.co/DxU6pmJ0OJ pic.twitter.com/g0Q5xZdkZ4

— AlphaBTC (@mark_cullen) February 16, 2026

Bitcoin Accumulation Wave Strengthens Market Structure Onchain data from CryptoQuant shows that addresses classified as accumulators hold more than 372,000 BTC as of Feb. 15. In September 2024, these wallets held close to 10,000 BTC. The classification applies strict filters, including no outgoing transactions, multiple inflows, a minimum balance threshold, and exclusion of exchange, miner, and smart contract wallets.

At the same time, the 30-day distribution from long-term holders has fallen below $100,000, compared with averages above $1 million in November 2025. Lower distribution suggests reduced selling from experienced holders. This decline in supply moving onto the market partially offsets activity from larger entities and supports a tightening float.

Order book data shared by trader Dom indicates roughly $596 million in bids within 0–2.5% of spot price, versus about $297 million in asks. This near 2:1 imbalance represents the largest bid skew in more than two years. When sustained, this structure often provides support during pullbacks and favors continuation to the upside.

CME Gap Points Toward $80K Retest Analyst Mark Cullen highlights a futures gap on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange between $80,000 and $84,000. A CME gap forms when Bitcoin futures close for the weekend and reopen at a different price, leaving an untraded range. Historically, BTC revisits these zones and trades through them over time.

Since August 2025, 9 out of 10 comparable gaps have been filled. The current untested range aligns with strengthening spot demand and improving derivatives positioning.

If accumulation trends persist and liquidity remains skewed toward bids, Bitcoin appears positioned to challenge the $80,000 region again, reinforcing the view that long-term holders continue absorbing supply during periods of volatility.

Journalist

Posted: February 17, 2026

Ripple [XRP] remains one of the top five cryptocurrencies by market capitalization to record one of the steepest drawdowns in the past 24 hours, dropping 9%.

At press time, XRP traded at $1.50. Market sentiment indicated this may not be the final stop, as speculation intensified and the momentum supporting a potential recovery continued to slow.

AMBCrypto examined the broader picture to identify the key bullish and bearish factors shaping XRP’s near-term trajectory.

Fundamentals remain rock solid XRP’s fundamentals remain strong, highlighting sustained investor conviction. Long-term holders continue to accumulate, demonstrating active engagement in the market despite recent weakness.

CoinMarketCap reports that the total number of XRP holders reached 507,110 as of the 16th of February, marking a new all-time high.

This continued accumulation—especially during fragile market conditions—reinforces the token’s underlying strength. Over the past seven months, XRP has declined 58.9% from its all-time high of $3.66.

Yet holder growth persists, confirming a robust foundation of long-term investors.

Source: CoinMarketCap

Ongoing accumulation builds a strong base for a potential rebound in the near term, particularly when broader market sentiment stabilizes.

Institutional confidence also remains evident.

In a post on X, the chairman and president of SBI Holdings Inc., a major Japanese financial conglomerate, reaffirmed that the firm maintains a 9% stake in Ripple Labs, the company behind XRP.

“When it comes to Ripple Labs’ total valuation, which includes the entire ecosystem Ripple has built, that would be enormous. SBI owns more than 9% of that,” he stated.

Such institutional backing underscores XRP’s long-term potential and investor confidence.

Perpetual traders drive near-term weakness Despite strong fundamentals, XRP’s recent underperformance stems largely from activity in the derivatives market.

Short sellers are aggressively positioning for downside, profiting from declines, which led to approximately $13.5 million in liquidations among bullish traders.

CoinGlass data shows a sharp contraction in available capital alongside a rise in short contracts, intensifying pressure on the market.

Source: CoinGlass

As the price declined, capital in XRP’s perpetual market dropped $245.7 million, with Open Interest now at $2.6 billion.

The Open Interest-Weighted Funding Rate, which measures whether liquidity favors bulls or bears, fell to 0.0101%, indicating that bearish positions dominate.

This trend suggests that continued pressure from perpetual traders could weigh further on XRP, even as its fundamentals remain solid.

Price outlook and key levels Chart analysis does not yet indicate a clear bullish or bearish trend, but the next moves will determine direction.

Given current bearish pressure, XRP could test the lower demand zone highlighted in the blue rectangle before attempting to challenge the descending resistance line.

If bullish momentum returns, the token may rally toward the recent wick low of $1.67, formed on the 15th of February.

However, if selling pressure persists, XRP could break below the descending channel, potentially trending toward $1.11.

Source: TradingView

On a broader scale, XRP remains confined within a descending channel.

While this reflects ongoing selling pressure, the pattern is traditionally considered a bullish formation once the price breaks above the upper resistance zone, signaling a potential reversal.

For now, perpetual trader activity is the dominant factor shaping XRP’s short-term trajectory, even as long-term fundamentals continue to indicate strength and commitment from both retail and institutional holders.

Final Summary XRP fundamentals remain solid, with holders reaching a new high above 507,110. Perpetual traders appear to be driving recent declines as capital tilts toward bears.

MegaETH, Ethereum’s Layer 2 solution, saw a 65% increase in its TVL one week after its mainnet launch, reaching approximately $66.48 million as of February 16. The initial TVL right after the debut was $40.3 million.

Most of the network’s assets are stablecoins, with MegaUSD (USDM) reaching a market cap of $99.2 million, a 56% increase over the week. Bridged assets account for about $122 million in TVL.

Kumbaya, MegaETH’s decentralized exchange, holds roughly $51 million in TVL. Other protocols, including Avon MegaVault, World Markets, and Aave, maintain a combined TVL of $19 million.

The MEGA token launch (TGE) remains conditional on specific KPIs. The network requires $500 million in circulating USDM, at least 10 active Mega Mafia dApps with over 100,000 transactions across 25,000 wallets, and three dApps generating $50,000 in daily fees for a month. So far, only five dApps are live, USDM circulation is around 10% of the target, and no dApp has reached $50,000 in daily fees.

The public MEGA sale on Sonar, held in October 2025, was oversubscribed 20 times, with over $1 billion in deposits.

Source: https://defillama.com/chain/megaeth

Disclaimer: Crypto Economy Flash News are based on verified public and official sources. Their purpose is to provide fast, factual updates about relevant events in the crypto and blockchain ecosystem.

This information does not constitute financial advice or investment recommendation. Readers are encouraged to verify all details through official project channels before making any related decisions

Retail investors on Coinbase continued buying dips through market volatility, even as warnings of a severe crypto winter emerged.

Since reaching a record high last October, Bitcoin has shed nearly half its value. As it continues to struggle below $70,000, the weakness is fueling fears of another crypto winter.

But despite the ongoing volatility in the market, retail activity on Coinbase has remained steady, according to Brian Armstrong.

Post-October Slump In a recent tweet, the Coinbase chief executive said that the platform data shows retail users have continued buying despite price dips as native unit holdings across Bitcoin and Ethereum increased. Armstrong added that a majority of retail customers held balances in February that were equal to or higher than their December levels, as participation from smaller investors on Coinbase remained steady.

While retail activity appears resilient, market commentator Mippo warned that the broader market outlook remains fragile. Mippo said current conditions point to the onset of a “full-on crypto winter,” which has the potential to match the severity of the 2022 bear market or even the downturn seen in 2019. He attributed the near-term pressure to the “air gap” created by previously unsustainable valuations alongside an evolving regulatory environment.

He stated that historical crypto valuations were largely driven by speculative capital flows rather than business fundamentals, as regulatory uncertainty made it difficult for projects to generate compliant revenue or cash flows. Prices were often set by how much capital chased a limited supply of tokens tied to the most popular narratives at the time, and higher-risk themes commanded higher valuations.

According to Mippo, this framework is now breaking down as regulatory pathways for crypto projects become clearer, beginning with stablecoins and expected to extend to a broader range of tokens.

While he characterized this regulatory change as positive over the long term, Mippo said it creates challenges for projects whose valuations were built primarily on speculation. As compliant revenue generation becomes possible, he explained that market participants are increasingly focused on cash flows, which has led to a reassessment of token prices that were set too high under earlier assumptions. This helps explain why on-chain activity and fundamental usage may be growing even as token prices continue to decline, he added.

You may also like: Bitcoin’s Next Bull Run Depends on This Single On-Chain Indicator Analyst Warns BTC Price May Fall to $10K as Crypto Bubble Implodes Bitcoin’s 50% Decline Seen as ‘Modest,’ Signals Market Maturity AI Dominance Pressures Crypto Mippo also said crypto is being “absolutely mogged by AI,” while adding that the frenzy around meme coin speculation is catching up with the industry, and that crypto failed to build useful products during that period.

As such, he estimated the reset in valuations could continue for another nine to eighteen months before broader market conditions begin to improve.

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With the price of Bitcoin stuck below the $70,000 mark, analysts are beginning to flag this current performance as an indication of a bear market. After several weeks of downward pressure, many key metrics are beginning to flash signs of a continued correction phase, reinforcing the idea of a bear market scenario.

Key Bitcoin Metric Drifts Toward Its 4-Year SMA Given the recent signals from multiple Bitcoin key market metrics, the ongoing BTC downward action does not seem to have come to an end yet. Currently, a particular metric indicates that the flagship asset is nearing a historically significant threshold, akin to a bear market phase.

This signal is emerging from the Bitcoin Daily Price Analysis with SMA Multiplier, built around moving averages and multiples, as reported by Darkfost, a data analyst and author at CryptoQuant. Recent data shows that Bitcoin has shifted back into the green zone on the chart and is approaching its 4-year SMA, which is currently positioned around the $57,500 price level.

The higher the standard deviation, and, consequently, the multiple of the SMA, the more overbought Bitcoin seems.  However, the expert highlighted that the closer the price gets to the 4-year SMA, the more undervalued the price of BTC becomes. To make these stages easier to comprehend, a color scale is used to illustrate all of this.

BTC nearly historic key zone | Source: Chart from Darkfost on X In the past, this level has typically served as a reliable signal for the final stage of each bear market, with the flagship asset trading around these levels for several months. According to data on the chart, the market is nearing a bear market level, and Darkfost finds this current trend an interesting one that demands the market’s attention.

With Bitcoin edging closer to this level, focus is shifting to whether history will repeat itself or if a new cycle dynamic will kick in. For now, the cryptocurrency remains at a decision point that illustrates the mounting tension between persistent weakness and long-term valuation support.

Has BTC’s Price Reached A Bottom Yet? As discussions about Bitcoin’s price bottom mount, Joao Wedson has provided insights into the situation using the BTC Long-Term Holder Realized Price Bands. Historically, the major bottoms have occurred when the price hits the -0.2 standard deviation levels of this key metric.

Wedson noted that this point is marked by classic capitulation phases and the final opportunity to buy the crypto king before a new bull market takes off. However, during the weekend, the behavior was different. A view into the chart shows that the price is unable to maintain moves above the +1 standard deviation, which suggests continued and aggressive sell activity from bears in these regions.

Currently, these bands are acting as natural support and resistance zones throughout market cycles. The likelihood of a structural bottom emerging rises sharply when the price gets closer to extremely negative values. Meanwhile, data is revealing the areas with the highest risk and the emergence of asymmetry.

BTC trading at $68,639 on the 1D chart | Source: BTCUSDT on Tradingview.com Featured image from Pixabay, chart from Tradingview.com

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Helium [HNT] has surged over 20% to $1.36, rebounding sharply from regression channel lows near $0.75 as buyers return aggressively. 

Price now trades around $1.27 after reaching $1.40 intraday, marking its strongest upward reaction in months. 

This rebound emerged precisely from the lower boundary of a descending regression trend channel that has guided the broader decline since mid-2025. 

However, HNT now approaches the channel’s upper boundary, where previous rallies stalled. 

At the same time, structural sell pressure still lingers beneath the surface, creating tension between price recovery and underlying flow. 

Helium tests upper regression channel HNT has reclaimed the $1.20 level and pushed into the $1.40 supply zone, marking a decisive short-term shift in structure. 

Price now sits near the upper boundary of a descending regression trend channel that has guided the broader decline for months. 

This boundary aligns closely with the $1.50 region, while stronger horizontal resistance rests at $1.80. Therefore, price faces layered overhead pressure at a technically sensitive zone. 

A sustained hold above $1.40 could open room toward $1.80. However, rejection near the channel ceiling would reinforce the prevailing downtrend.

At the same time, MACD prints 0.069, with the signal line at -0.024 and the histogram turning positive. Green bars are now expanding after prolonged compression, showing strengthening bullish energy. 

However, the indicator still hovers near neutral territory. Buyers must maintain follow-through to validate this breakout attempt.

Sell pressure lingers beneath the rally Despite the sharp rebound from $0.75, the 90-day Spot Taker CVD still reflects taker sell dominance. 

This reading shows aggressive market sells continue to outweigh buys on a cumulative basis. This creates a divergence between rising price and persistent sell-side flow. 

In other words, price climbs even while broader spot aggression favors sellers. Such divergence can weaken rallies if demand fails to absorb supply fully. 

However, rapid technical rebounds sometimes unfold under similar conditions when short-term buyers overwhelm liquidity temporarily. 

If spot buyers increase conviction, the CVD trend could stabilize and gradually shift. Until that shift appears clearly, the rally remains technically impressive yet structurally fragile.

Open Interest expansion reflects new positions Open Interest has increased 22.83% to $4.40 million during this surge. That expansion signals traders are opening fresh positions rather than merely closing shorts. 

If short covering drove this rally alone, Open Interest would likely decline. Instead, derivatives traders now position aggressively around current levels. 

Rising Open Interest alongside advancing price can support continuation if buyers maintain control. 

However, leverage also increases downside risk near resistance zones. Should price reject near $1.50 or $1.80, liquidation pressure could amplify volatility quickly. 

Therefore, positioning has become sensitive to price behavior at the regression channel ceiling, where leverage could either fuel extension or accelerate reversal.

Rising participation, confirmed The Spot Volume Bubble Map now shows heating clusters, reflecting expanding spot participation. 

Larger bubbles correspond with heightened trading activity during this rebound phase. Increased engagement supports the move from $0.75 toward the $1.40 region. 

Rising participation often strengthens breakout attempts because it reflects genuine liquidity rotation. 

However, continuation requires sustained activity above reclaimed resistance. If volume contracts sharply near the $1.50 boundary, buying enthusiasm could fade rapidly. 

On the other hand, persistent bubble expansion beyond the regression ceiling would validate structural repair more convincingly. 

Therefore, liquidity flow now plays a decisive role in determining whether Helium builds on this surge or stalls beneath overhead supply.

Relief bounce or structural shift? Helium has delivered a powerful rebound from channel lows and now challenges the upper boundary of its regression trend structure. 

Technical indicators show rebuilding strength, and participation has expanded. However, structural sell pressure and overhead resistance still dominate the broader picture. 

If price sustains strength above $1.40 and pushes toward $1.80 with expanding participation, recovery could gain traction. 

Yet rejection at the channel ceiling would reaffirm the prevailing downtrend. Helium now stands at a clear structural decision point.

Final Summary Helium rebounded over 20% from $0.75 channel lows to test the $1.40–$1.50 resistance zone, signaling a strong short-term structural recovery. However, persistent sell-side flow, rising Open Interest, and overhead channel resistance suggest the rally remains fragile.

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XRP topped institutional inflows into large digital assets as Standard Chartered reduced its 2026 price target for the coin, an indication of growing divergence between capital rotation and macro-opinion.

With net outflows this past week amounting to $173 million and monthly redemptions totaling $3.74 billion, digital asset investment products have now recorded four successive weeks of outflows. Most withdrawals were from Bitcoin and Ethereum investment products.

XRP Gathers Capital as BTC, ETH Experience Outflows The latest CoinShares weekly report showed that XRP attracted weekly inflows of $33.4 million compared to the outflows of $133 million from Bitcoin and $85.1 million from Ethereum investment products. The XRP ETF inflows remained below that of the previous week, which was $63.1 million, as also reported by CoinShares.

This fund flow implies that the institutions are rotating funds into select altcoins instead of leaving the market altogether. Also, banks are becoming more interested in XRP by investing in an XRP ETF. An example is the Bank of America (BofA), which reported possessing 13,000 shares of the Volatility Shares XRP ETF.

Giant institutional trader Jane Street Group has also become an influential institutional investor, becoming one of the primary forces behind inflows into XRP ETFs. As CoinGape reported, the Group disclosed significant holdings in several XRP ETFs. It ranks as the third largest holder in Bitwise XRP ETF after Sloy Dahl and Hols and Goldman Sachs.

Also, Goldman Sachs announced crypto exposure of over $2.36 billion in their Q4 2025 13F filing. The Wall Street investment bank reported holding XRP worth $153 million.

Meanwhile, Grayscale noted rising interest in XRP among institutional clients, calling it the second-most actively discussed asset, behind Bitcoin. The asset manager indicated that the ongoing requests for this digital asset indicate sustained institutional demand despite current market volatility.

Standard Chartered Cuts Price Outlook According to a Standard Chartered investor note cited by Bloomberg, the bank lowered its crypto price targets and cut its XRP forecast to $2.80 from $8. It cited the recent market volatility as its reason and expects additional declines in the year for all other major digital assets.

The XRP price surged at the start of the year on strong ETF flows and regulatory momentum. However, the altcoin has since cooled off and is now down 20% year-to-date (YTD). According to SoSoValue data, assets under management for these funds grew to nearly $1.6 billion on January 14, 2026, and have since declined to just above $1 billion.

Standard Chartered had predicted back in December last year that XRP was going to reach the $8 target by year-end 2026, mainly because of institutional demand. However, the bank believes that ETF fatigue may be setting in, which could slow these institutional flows this year.

3 mins mins

Upbit lists Bittensor (TAO) with KRW, BTC, USDT trading supportUpbit, south korea’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, listed Bittensor (TAO) on February 16, 2026 with KRW, BTC, and USDT spot pairs, according to CryptoRank. The move introduces TAO directly to Korea’s fiat market via KRW while expanding liquidity across BTC and USDT crosses.

The listing formalizes access for domestic traders within a regulated on-ramp and is likely to broaden market participation. It also positions TAO within a venue known for concentrated retail volumes during high-visibility listings.

Why it matters: KRW access, Korean liquidity, and arbitrage flowsKRW pairing provides direct fiat access for Korean market participants and can catalyze cross-venue arbitrage between KRW books and USD- or USDT-denominated markets. CoinMarketCap noted a nearly 8% reaction alongside arbitrage activity after the announcement, underscoring how Korean liquidity can compress or widen spreads across venues.

Community commentary has framed the dynamic as a fast repricing impulse when Korean order flow engages. “The ‘Upbit Effect’ is officially in play for Bittensor (TAO),” said Binance Square in a post.

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

Following the listing, TAO rallied intraday toward roughly $207 before quickly slipping below $190, as reported by CoinPedia. The outlet characterized the pattern as a short-term liquidity sweep rather than evidence of a sustained breakout.

These swings illustrate elevated event-driven volatility common around new exchange listings. Price discovery can be abrupt and two-sided as market makers and arbitrageurs recalibrate inventories across KRW and non-KRW venues.

Trading mechanics and risk signals after the Upbit listingDeposits and withdrawals: native Bittensor only; no EVM supportUpbit supports TAO deposits and withdrawals only on the native Bittensor network; EVM networks are not supported, according to Wu Blockchain. Using unsupported networks can result in failed credits or irreversible loss, a common operational risk when assets exist across multiple infrastructures.

Volatility, KRW arbitrage, and key levels: $180–185, $200–210KRW-book participation can widen or compress basis versus USD markets, encouraging arbitrage that often accelerates mean reversion after sharp moves. Based on the $207 intraday high and sub-$190 retracement, traders are watching $200–210 as near-term resistance and $180–185 as initial support. These are interpretive reference zones, not assurances of future behavior.

FAQ about Upbit listingDoes Upbit support TAO deposits and withdrawals only on the native Bittensor network or are EVM networks supported?Upbit currently supports deposits and withdrawals only on the native Bittensor network; EVM-network TAO transfers are not supported.

How did the Upbit listing affect TAO’s price and volatility (e.g., ~8% jump, $207 intraday high, drop below $190)?TAO jumped intraday toward $207 after the announcement, then fell below $190, reflecting elevated, listing-driven volatility and short-term arbitrage.

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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Charles Hoskinson, a co-founder of Cardano, hopes to expand blockchain technology beyond the financial industry and into commonplace applications, potentially reaching billions of users on Facebook and Tinder.

Hoskinson said at the Consensus Hong Kong 2026 that dating apps could use blockchain to help users verify personal details like their salary, location, and height. By verifying that profile pictures are authentic, the technology may also lessen the prevalence of catfishing and phony accounts.

By integrating it into routine digital experiences, Hoskinson hopes to increase the transparency and reliability of online interactions.

Vision extends beyond financial applications “I want to get to a point where video games are on it, a point where Facebook and other things run on this infrastructure,” Hoskinson said at the event. “That’s what’s going to bring 2-3 billion people in and that’s what’s going to change everything.”

Building on this goal, Hoskinson criticizes the industry’s current direction, pushing for a more user-friendly approach.

The co-founder of Cardano feels that financial goods have received too much attention in the blockchain industry. He wants consumers to have seamless experiences without having to know how the technology works.

“I don’t have to care how electricity works. I just flip the switch and magically it works,” he said, comparing it to electricity. “We have got to do that as an industry and stop ‘overfinancializing’ everything.”

Such a shift toward invisible, everyday utility becomes especially relevant given the ongoing challenges users face on traditional platforms.

His comments align with growing concerns about social media fraud and privacy. Data misuse on centralized platforms and catfishing could be addressed by blockchain technology.

Hoskinson also highlighted another key upcoming development in Cardano’s ecosystem that supports privacy for mainstream users.

Hoskinson discussed Cardano’s planned Midnight partner chain debut in late March. With this privacy-focused functionality, users of existing privacy currencies like Monero or Zcash will not be targeted.

“You don’t try to get anybody from Monero or ZCash over,” he said. Through practical applications, the team plans to focus on everyday users.

Despite the excitement created by these long-term goals, Cardano’s native coin, ADA, has seen short-term volatility.

The ADA token performs inconsistently Over the past few days in mid-February 2026, price movements have reflected this ongoing uncertainty.

Since mid-February 2026, Cardano’s ADA token has been acting strangely. Its closing price on February 16 was $0.285681, which was less than $0.295266 on February 14 but higher than $0.281780 on February 15. ADA fell earlier on February 13 to $0.272692.

These fluctuations persist even as the network continues its methodical upgrades.

Network improvements have yet to overcome strong opposition. Unlike markets that value speed, Cardano approaches innovation with purpose.

At the same time, several recent advancements are helping to generate some renewed momentum.

If market circumstances improve, more liquidity may be available through the LayerZero cross-chain link and the upcoming USDCx stablecoin launch. Failure to break through would test lower support at $0.24 to $0.26 or further sideways volatility.

Forecasts suggest ADA may soon reach $0.30, with monthly highs of about $0.324 possible.

Through examination, mixed signals are discovered. Cardano is still declining but stabilized after a recent jump linked to cross-chain activities. Profit-taking prompted a test of significant long-term support at $0.244 after a brief increase close to $0.30. ADA seems to be in survival mode at $0.2800, with recent dips attributed to a drop in retail demand.

Despite obstacles, some signs suggest bigger players are more confident.

Major investors have shown confidence. Recent purchases of 220 million ADA by major investors may aid in a recovery if $0.271 holds and $0.303 breaks.

Regulated markets have also increased institutional interest.

Cardano’s enormous market value makes significant price adjustments difficult. ADA would require billions of dollars in new investment funds to increase from $0.26 to $1.

These factors contribute to a hopeful near-term outlook.

In the end, Hoskinson’s ambitious plan aims to transcend existing market conditions.

By making blockchain technology accessible to billions of regular people, Hoskinson’s approach signals a larger movement away from finance and toward real-world applications.

Key points:

Bitcoin remains under pressure as bears are selling on rallies near the $74,508 resistance

The bears are mounting a solid defense in several major altcoins at higher levels, indicating a negative sentiment.

Bitcoin (BTC) has started the new week on a cautious note as bulls attempt to maintain the price above $67,500. Investors are not rushing in to buy the dip, as seen from the $133.3 million in outflows from BTC exchange-traded products last week. The total outflows from crypto investment products have risen to $3.8 billion over the past four weeks, according to a CoinShares update on Monday.

If BTC ends the month below $79,500, it will record its first-ever consecutive negative monthly closing in January and February. With more than 22% loss, BTC is staring at its worst first-quarter performance since the 49.7% loss in 2018, per CoinGlass data. 

Crypto market data daily view. Source: TradingViewDespite BTC’s weak performance and uncertain near-term direction, Strategy co-founder Michael Saylor indicated in a post on X that the company is buying more BTC. That will be Strategy’s 99th BTC transaction, showing their long-term bullish view remains intact.

Could BTC and the major altcoins defend the support levels and start a strong relief rally? Let’s analyze the charts of the top 10 cryptocurrencies to find out. 

S&P 500 Index price predictionThe S&P 500 Index (SPX) is witnessing a tough battle between the bulls and the bears at the support line of the ascending channel pattern.

SPX daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewThe moving averages are on the verge of a bearish crossover, and the relative strength index (RSI) is in the negative territory, indicating that the bears are making a comeback. The index may start a deeper correction to 6,720 and then to solid support at 6,550 if the price breaks below the 6,780 level.

Buyers will have to propel the price above the 7,002 level to retain control. If they manage to do that, the index may resume its uptrend and surge toward the 7,290 level.

US Dollar Index price predictionThe US Dollar Index (DXY) has been trading below the moving averages, but the bears have failed to challenge the 96.21 to 95.55 support zone.

DXY daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewThe bulls will try to strengthen their position by pushing the price above the moving averages. If they can pull it off, the index may rally to 99.49 and then to the overhead resistance at 100.54.

Contrarily, if the price turns down sharply from the moving averages, it suggests that the bears continue to sell on rallies. The index may the next leg of the downtrend on a close below the 95.55 support.

Bitcoin price predictionSellers are attempting to halt BTC’s recovery near $71,000, indicating that the bears remain sellers on rallies.

BTC/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewThe sellers will have to pull the price below the $65,000 level to remain in command. The BTC/USDT pair may then retest the critical $60,000 level. If the $60,000 support cracks, the next stop is likely to be $52,500.

Buyers will have to drive the Bitcoin price above the breakdown level of $74,508 to signal that the bearish momentum is weakening. The pair may then surge toward the 50-day SMA ($83,910), where the bears are expected to mount a strong defense.

Ether price predictionEther (ETH) once again turned down from the $2,111 level on Sunday, indicating that the bears are fiercely defending the level.

ETH/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewSellers will attempt to pull the price below the immediate support at $1,897. If they do that, the ETH/USDT pair may drop to the $1,750 level. Buyers are expected to defend the $1,750 level with all their might, as a close below it may sink the pair to $1,537.

Instead, if the Ether price turns up and breaks above the 20-day EMA ($2,221), it signals that the selling pressure is reducing. The pair may then rally to the 50-day SMA ($2,744).

BNB price predictionBNB’s (BNB) relief rally fizzled out at $642 on Sunday, indicating that the bears are selling on every minor rise.

BNB/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewThe bears will attempt to increase their hold by pulling the BNB price below the $570 level. If they manage to do that, the BNB/USDT pair may extend its decline to psychological support at $500.

The bulls will have to drive the price above the 20-day EMA ($686) to suggest that the bears are losing their grip. The pair may then climb to $730 and subsequently to the 50-day SMA ($817).

XRP price predictionXRP (XRP) turned up from the support line of the descending channel pattern on Friday and pierced the 20-day EMA ($1.53) on Sunday.

XRP/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewHowever, the bears successfully defended the breakdown level of $1.61 and pulled the XRP price back below the 20-day EMA. The bulls are unlikely to give up easily and will make another attempt to clear the $1.61 level. 

If they succeed, the XRP/USDT pair may rise to the 50-day SMA ($1.81). Such a move suggests that the pair may remain inside the channel for some more time.

Sellers will have to tug the price below the support line to gain the upper hand. The pair may then retest the Feb. 6 low of $1.11.

Solana price predictionBuyers are attempting to push Solana (SOL) back above the breakdown level of $95, but the bears have held their ground.

SOL/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewThe Solana price may trade inside the $76 to $95 range for some time. Such a move increases the likelihood of an upside breakout. The SOL/USDT pair may then rally toward $117.

This positive view will be negated in the near term if the price turns down and breaks below the $76 support. The pair may then retest the Feb. 6 low of $67, where the buyers are expected to step in.

Dogecoin price predictionDogecoin (DOGE) turned down from the breakdown level of $0.12 on Sunday, indicating that the bears are defending the level.

DOGE/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewThe 20-day EMA ($0.10) is flattening out, and the RSI is just below the midpoint, signaling a possible range-bound action in the near term. The DOGE/USDT pair may swing between $0.08 and $0.12 for a few days.

Buyers will gain the upper hand on a close above the $0.12 resistance. That opens the doors for a rally to $0.16. Alternatively, the advantage will tilt in favor of the bears on a close below $0.08. The Dogecoin price may then slump to $0.06.

Cardano price predictionCardano’s (ADA) relief rally reached the 20-day EMA ($0.29) on Saturday, which is expected to act as a stiff hurdle. 

ADA/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewIf the bulls do not give up much ground to the bears, the possibility of a break above the 20-day EMA increases. That suggests the ADA/USDT pair may remain inside the descending channel for some more time. A break and close above the downtrend line signals a potential short-term trend change.

Sellers will have to pull the Cardano price below the support line to extend the downward move toward the next support at $0.20.

Bitcoin Cash price predictionBitcoin Cash (BCH) surged above the 20-day EMA ($544) on Friday, indicating that the bears are losing their grip.

BCH/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewThe recovery is facing resistance at the 50-day SMA ($578), but a positive sign is that the bulls have not allowed the Bitcoin Cash price to slip back below the 20-day EMA. That increases the likelihood of the continuation of the relief rally. If buyers pierce the 50-day SMA, the BCH/USDT pair may reach $600.

Sellers will have to swiftly yank the price below the 20-day EMA to apply pressure on the bulls. The pair may then skid to the $500 support.

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.

TLDR Mike McGlone warns that Bitcoin could drop to $10,000 due to rising recession risks in the U.S. The long-standing “buy the dip” mentality may no longer support risk assets, including cryptocurrencies. McGlone highlights Bitcoin’s volatility and predicts a potential reversion to $56,000 before a possible $10,000 decline. Broader market instability, including low volatility in major stock indices, contributes to the ongoing crypto price decline. Jason Fernandes disagrees with McGlone’s forecast, suggesting a $40,000 to $50,000 price range instead of a collapse to $10,000. Bloomberg Intelligence’s Mike McGlone has raised concerns about the future of Bitcoin. In a recent analysis, he suggested that the ongoing decline in cryptocurrency prices could signal broader financial stress. McGlone also warned that Bitcoin could revert to as low as $10,000, especially if a U.S. recession becomes more likely.

The analyst observed that the market’s traditional “buy the dip” mentality, which has supported risk assets since 2008, may be losing its strength. McGlone pointed out that the worsening situation in the cryptocurrency market is contributing to broader market volatility. He highlighted several macro indicators suggesting heightened risk conditions in global financial markets.

Bitcoin Price Faces Potential Decline to $10,000 McGlone’s analysis specifically mentions Bitcoin’s vulnerability in the current financial environment. He noted that Bitcoin, which recently fluctuated around $68,800, could continue to struggle. According to McGlone, the cryptocurrency’s decline reflects a broader market breakdown, suggesting that the “buy the dip” mindset may no longer be effective.

Collapsing Bitcoin/Cryptos May Guide the Next Recession –

"Healthy Correction" is what we should hear soon from stock market analysts (who risk unemployment if not onboard), following collapsing cryptos. The buy the dips mantra since 2008 may be over, here's why:

– US stock… pic.twitter.com/fPPc2fV3EU

— Mike McGlone (@mikemcglone11) February 15, 2026

He further explained that Bitcoin could fall back toward $10,000 if stock markets continue to weaken. McGlone’s chart comparing Bitcoin to the S&P 500 highlighted how both assets were underperforming. He pointed out that Bitcoin’s volatile nature means it is unlikely to remain above current levels if equity markets experience further instability.

In his analysis, McGlone identified a potential reversion level of $56,000 for Bitcoin. This value corresponds to the 5,600 mark for the S&P 500, adjusted for Bitcoin’s volatility. Beyond this, McGlone predicts that the cryptocurrency could fall further, potentially reaching the $10,000 threshold.

Broader Market Volatility Contributes to Crypto Price Decline McGlone attributes the ongoing volatility in the cryptocurrency market to broader financial instability. The U.S. stock market’s capitalization relative to GDP is at a century-high, signaling potential bubbles. He noted that the low volatility observed in major stock indices like the S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 could be masking underlying risks.

Furthermore, McGlone emphasized the “imploding” crypto bubble and the role of factors like “Trump euphoria” in amplifying market stress. While gold and silver are seeing a resurgence, McGlone believes their rise could eventually spill over into equities. He noted that rising market volatility might further challenge asset prices across the board, including cryptocurrencies.

Contrasting Views on Bitcoin’s Future While McGlone’s thesis on Bitcoin’s potential fall to $10,000 has drawn attention, it has also faced criticism. Jason Fernandes, co-founder of AdLunam, disagreed with McGlone’s view. Fernandes argued that market excesses can resolve through mechanisms like time, rotation, or inflation erosion, rather than necessarily collapsing.

According to Fernandes, Bitcoin’s price could instead stabilize between $40,000 and $50,000 in response to a macro slowdown. He pointed out that a crash to $10,000 would require more severe conditions, including liquidity contraction and financial stress. Fernandes believes that a true recession, marked by global liquidity drainage, would be needed for such a dramatic decline.

However, McGlone’s analysis continues to gain attention, as it reflects rising concerns over both the cryptocurrency and broader market conditions. His forecast suggests that Bitcoin, along with other risk assets, remains highly susceptible to a changing macroeconomic environment.

As 2026 gets underway, digital currencies are still in a difficult period, but despite significant price declines over the past year, some analysts think brighter times are coming.

Ethereum has declined even more precipitously than Bitcoin, which has lost between 45 and 50 percent since its 2025 peak. The second-largest cryptocurrency has dropped 60% from its previous highs and is currently trading close to $2,000.

Analysts predict a strong rebound ahead Many in the industry are calling this downturn a “mini winter” or brief bear market rather than the start of a longer slump that could last several years.

Tom Lee, chief of research at BitMine Immersion Technologies and Fundstrat, is optimistic about the direction of pricing. Lee advised investors to purchase during price declines rather than attempting to anticipate precise market bottoms while speaking at the Consensus Hong Kong 2026 conference.

Gold had a great run in 2025, but Lee noted that it might have peaked, which might let Bitcoin beat it this year. He also mentioned Ethereum’s history of recovering from significant selloffs.

Since 2018, Ethereum has experienced eight 50%+ drops, each followed by a sharp V-shaped recovery. Each time, the cryptocurrency recovered in a sharp V-shaped pattern, with prices climbing back up as fast as they had fallen.

On Rug Radio with host Farokh Sarmad, Lee described current market conditions as needing time to work through problems, not a deep bear market. He said he has no regrets about aggressively buying Ethereum, viewing it as essential for growing areas like stablecoins, artificial intelligence integration, and the creator economy over the next 15 years.

Lee issued audacious price projections for 2026, predicting that Ethereum would touch $12,000 to $22,000 and Bitcoin might reach $200,000 to $250,000. These goals are predicated on the two cryptocurrencies’ past price correlations.

Technical analyst Tom DeMark, who advises BitMine, suggested Bitcoin could find support around $60,000. For Ethereum, he said the cryptocurrency might need to briefly dip below $1,800 or around $1,890 to form what he called a “perfected bottom” before starting a sustained climb higher.

Lee indicated the broader crypto winter could wrap up as soon as this month or by April at the latest, pointing to improving economic factors and late-cycle market sentiment.

Wall Street firms continue buying despite losses Large institutions are still making purchases, but regular investors are still dubious. BitMine has rapidly increased its Ethereum holdings, now holding over 4.326 million ETH, or roughly 3.58 percent of the total supply. To generate extra returns, a large portion of this cache is staked.

As part of its strategy to become the largest corporate Ethereum holder, the corporation continues to purchase more every week, despite sitting on unrealized losses.

Big Wall Street companies have also been involved. Cathie Wood’s company, Ark Invest, recently purchased millions of shares in its exchange-traded funds. This indicates that institutional interest in stocks linked to Ethereum is still high.

Other analysts have also weighed in. Standard Chartered calls 2026 “the year of Ethereum,” predicting ETH to reach about $7,500 by year-end. The bank cites growing stablecoin use, real-world asset tokenization, and network improvements as key drivers, but warns about broader economic risks.

It has lowered its previous targets while still seeing Ethereum to outperform Bitcoin if investment flows and scaling solutions take hold.

J.P. Morgan-linked projections suggest trading in the $7,000 to $9,000 range early this year under favorable conditions.

Lee’s erroneous 2025 estimates had many question his dependability. Although he had set goals for Ethereum in the $7,000–$9,000 area and Bitcoin above $150,000–$200,000, his calls were unsuccessful due to market instability.