Market Signal Briefing

These two ETFs offer exposure to fixed-income assets, but investors can choose from a range of bond sectors.

Both the VanEck Short Muni ETF (SMB +0.09%) and iShares 1-5 Year Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF (IGSB +0.15%) are designed for investors seeking relatively low-duration bond exposure, but their approaches diverge. SMB tracks short-term tax-exempt municipal bonds, while IGSB tracks investment-grade U.S. corporate bonds.

Snapshot (cost & size)MetricSMBIGSBIssuerVanEckISharesExpense ratio0.07%0.04%1-yr return (as of Feb. 14, 2026)1.93%2.65%Dividend yield2.64%4.44%Beta0.100.13AUM$303.14 million$22.37 billionThe 1-yr return represents total return over the trailing 12 months.

IGSB’s lower expense ratio is minimal, but its dividend yield is substantially higher than SMB’s, having nearly double the amount. 

Performance & risk comparisonMetricSMBIGSBMax drawdown (5 y)-7.44%-9.44%Growth of $1,000 over 5 years$958$960What's insideIGSB holds 4,532 bonds, focusing on investment-grade corporate debt with maturities of 1 to 5 years. The fund is nearly two decades old, and its largest positions are in bonds issued by top companies such as Goldman Sachs (GS +0.07%) and Bank of America (BAC +0.06%) . It primarily holds A- and BBB-rated bonds, with each class carrying at least 40% weight.

About two years younger than IGSB, SMB has fewer assets and a more concentrated portfolio, holding 334 municipal bonds. A majority of the ETF’s bonds are in the AA class, while 22% of its holdings are A-rated, and another 17% are rated AAA.

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

What this means for investorsWhen choosing between these two ETFs, it will come down to volatility preference, as both ETFs have similar one-year returns and have fallen around 4% within the last five years. Corporate bonds are typically more vulnerable to default and volatility than municipal bonds. But because of that increased risk, corporate bonds often offer higher yields and greater price return potential.

Municipal bonds are less risky than corporate bonds but typically offer slower returns. And because SMB has more weight allocation towards higher-rated bonds, that risk can be even safer, because bonds in higher classes have a smaller chance of default. IGSB holds zero AAA-rated bonds.

Regardless of which ETF investors may want to go with, it should be noted that bond-related ETFs are often some of the slowest-growing in terms of price, compared to traditional stock-holding funds. But the high dividend yields can make investing in these types of funds worth it.

Bank of America is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. Adé Hennis has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Goldman Sachs Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

By Reuters

February 15, 20265:21 AM UTCUpdated 11 mins ago

Uber logo is seen in this illustration taken August 5, 2025. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights, opens new tab

Feb 15 (Reuters) - Uber (UBER.N), opens new tab is expanding its delivery business into seven new European countries this year as tech groups ramp up their efforts in the multibillion-euro food-delivery market, the Financial Times reported on Sunday.

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Reporting by Shivani Tanna in Bengaluru; Editing by William Mallard

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

Journalist

Posted: February 15, 2026

As the broader market begins to recover, ChainOpera (COAI) is grabbing the attention of crypto enthusiasts. Not only because of its massive 39% price uptick, but also because the rally appears to be opening the door for further upside.

After hiking by over 39% in just 24 hours, the altcoin’s price hit the $0.445 level. At the same time, a significant surge in market participation was recorded, with the same evidenced by the 340% spike in trading volume to $36.64 million. Such a sharp increase in volume could be a sign of heightened interest from traders and investors .

Previously, COAI had fallen by more than 95% on the charts. Following its most recent gains, it remains to be seen whether the crypto will continue its upside or face a period of correction.

ChainOpera (COAI) price action eyes 45% rally On the daily chart, COAI’s price had hit the key resistance level of $0.45 at press time – A level it had been struggling to break since December 2025. In the past, the altcoin has attempted to breach this level more than four times. However, each time the price reached it, a reversal followed soon after. 

Source: TradingView

If COAI breaks out and closes a daily candle above the key resistance level of $0.45, it could see an impressive 45% price jump and potentially reach the $0.685-level in the coming days. However, a daily close below $0.3880 could invalidate this bullish outlook.

At press time, the Average Directional Index (ADX), an indicator that measures trend strength, had reached 33.66 – Well above the key threshold of 25, signaling a strong directional trend in the asset.

Meanwhile, the Relative Strength Index (RSI) stood at 70.87, indicating that the asset was approaching the overbought zone and flashing strong bullish momentum.

Investors and traders show mixed sentiment Additionally, derivatives data platform Coinglass and on-chain analytics firm Nansen hinted at mixed sentiment among investors and traders, with some engaging in profit-taking while others continuing to follow the trend.

Nansen’s latest data revealed that over the last 24 hours, COAI reserves across exchanges (both CEXs and DEXs) increased by 1.94%. Such a hike in exchange reserves alluded to potential selling pressure, something that could lead to a short-term pullback in the crypto’s price.

Source: Nansen

Meanwhile, traders appear to be aligning with the ongoing momentum too.

Data revealed strong betting activity around the $0.385-level on the downside (support) and $0.465 on the upside (resistance). At these levels, traders built approximately $780,000 in long leveraged positions and about $272,000 in short leveraged positions, reflecting a bullish short-term outlook.

Source: Coinglass

Final Summary COAI’s price reached a make-or-break level and breaching it could help altcoin rally by another 45%. Both investors and traders exhibited mixed sentiment, with COAI reserves on exchanges climbing by 1.94% too. 

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

Shiba Inu has completed a golden cross pattern on its hourly chart, a confirmation of its short-term positive momentum.

The 50 MA has risen above the 200 MA on the hourly chart, indicating a golden cross. This comes as the Shiba Inu price rose 6% as the market saw its strongest weekend price action in over 20 weeks.

SHIB/USD Hourly Chart, Image By: TradingViewAt press time, SHIB was up 6.56% in the last 24 hours to $0.0000065 and up 7% weekly. The price rebound follows the broader crypto market recovery as a lower-than-expected CPI reading helped boost the outlook for Federal Reserve interest rate cuts on the markets.

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Traders on prediction market Kalshi are considering a 26% chance of a quarter rate cut in April, up from an earlier 19%, while on Polymarket, the odds rose from 13% to 20%.

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The consumer price index for January rose 2.4% from the same time a year ago, down 0.3 percentage points from the prior month and the lowest since May 2025. This gave the markets a reason to believe that interest rate cuts could arrive sooner than expected, lifting both stocks and cryptocurrencies higher.

What comes next?Shiba Inu reversed a five-day drop that reached a low of $0.00000575 on Feb. 11. The SHIB price began to rise on Feb. 12 and will mark its third day of gains if today closes in profit.

Despite the rebound, the broader setup still remains that of sideways trading or consolidation as the market attempts to regain its footing after a prolonged sell-off since the October crash.

Shiba Inu continues to trade in a range between $0.000005 and $0.000007 since the start of February.

Despite the market's rebound, the Crypto Fear & Greed Index is still flashing "extreme fear," currently sitting at 11. This indicates that traders are proceeding with caution.

The price targets for SHIB are currently pegged at $0.000007 and $0.0000076. A support level is expected to materialize near the $0.000005 threshold.

Binance has fully integrated Ripple USD (RLUSD) on the XRP Ledger, unlocking deposits and expanding access across Earn, Convert, Margin, and VIP Loan products, deepening stablecoin utility and accelerating RLUSD's reach across global crypto markets.

Alphabet and TSMC have robust competitive moats.

If you've got $1,000 that you're looking to invest in the current market, I'd recommend sticking with companies that are market leaders. Two such growth stocks that I see as good buys today are Alphabet (GOOGL 1.06%) (GOOG 1.10%) and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (TSM 0.51%).  

Alphabet

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Alphabet continues to dominate online search, where its Google unit holds a market share of around 90%. It has created a wide moat around its search business by owning two of the most common ways people access the internet: the Chrome browser and the Android mobile operating system, where Google is the default search engine. Both command market shares of about 70% in their respective spaces. Meanwhile, Alphabet has a search revenue-sharing deal with Apple that makes Google the default search engine on its devices, helping it capture much of the rest of the market.

While artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots like OpenAI's ChatGPT have brought a new form of competition to Google Search, this competition has actually brought out the best in Alphabet. The company has developed one of the best foundational AI models, Gemini, which it trained using its custom Tensor Processing Unit (TPU) chips. By using its own chips, which cost significantly less than Nvidia's graphics processing units (GPUs), the company has gained a structural cost advantage over competitors in the AI sector. Meanwhile, the new AI features that it has embedded into Google search have been helping to accelerate that unit's growth.

At the same time, Alphabet's cloud computing business has been red-hot, with revenue growth climbing 48% year over year last quarter. The company's TPUs also give it a cost edge here, and Alphabet is set to ramp up its spending on AI infrastructure this year to push its advantage. As the company with the most complete AI stack, Alphabet is one of the best AI stocks to own over the long haul.

Image source: Getty Images.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing

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Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing is the largest chip foundry in the world, and it has a near monopoly on manufacturing the most advanced chips. Making advanced chips with few defects requires a lot of technical expertise, and TSMC has proven to be the only company able to achieve high yields at scale.

This has made the company an invaluable part of the semiconductor value chain and an important partner to the world's leading chip designers. It has also given it strong pricing power, which has helped push up its gross margins.

With the AI infrastructure market booming, TSMC is ramping up its spending to build out more fabs in order to increase production capacity in a bid to meet surging chip demand. Between its increasing capacity and increasing prices, TSMC is a stock to own for the long term.

Geoffrey Seiler has positions in Alphabet. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Alphabet, Apple, Nvidia, and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

SUNNY ISLES BEACH, FLORIDA / ACCESS Newswire / February 14, 2026 / Elektros Inc. today conveys a Valentine's message to its shareholders, prospective investors, and the broader investment community, underscoring the enduring importance of trust, connection, and shared purpose.

On this Valentine's holiday, Elektros encourages its shareholders, future shareholders, followers, and those considering joining its journey to pause and reflect on the most powerful and universal words one can share:

"I love you."

These words, simple yet profound, transcend generations, cultures, and circumstances. Spoken to a wife or husband, family members, parents, siblings, loved ones, friends, neighbors, and those closest to one's heart, they carry meaning, reassurance, and lasting impact. Elektros believes that genuine connection and respect form the foundation of strong relationships - in life, in communities, and in long-term investment partnerships.

At Elektros, love is universal. The company expresses its sincere appreciation for each and every shareholder and for those who believe in its long-term vision.

"As Chief Executive Officer of Elektros, I encourage everyone - shareholders, future shareholders, and members of our global community - to share the most powerful words we know: ‘I love you.' These words are universal. They connect us, strengthen us, and remind us of what truly matters. We are grateful for each and every one of our shareholders, and we thank you for believing in us."
- Shlomo Bleier, Chief Executive Officer, Elektros Inc.

The confidence placed in Elektros by its investors is both valued and deeply respected, and it serves as a continual source of motivation as the company builds for the future.

Elektros extends its best wishes to all for a wonderful Valentine's holiday weekend filled with joy, reflection, and meaningful connection. The company is grateful for the opportunity to serve a growing global shareholder base and thanks its investors for their belief, trust, and continued support.

Elektros values each and every shareholder and looks forward to continuing this journey together with optimism, discipline, and purpose.

Happy Valentine's Day, and best wishes for a beautiful and memorable weekend.

About Elektros Inc.
Elektros Inc. is dedicated to building long-term shareholder value through innovation, integrity, and disciplined execution. The company is committed to transparent communication and responsible stewardship across all stakeholder relationships.

Website: www.elektros.energy
Email: [email protected]

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information:
This news release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied. Elektros Inc. undertakes no obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements except as required by law.

SOURCE: Elektros, Inc.

iShares MSCI China ETF provides broad exposure to large- and mid-cap Chinese equities, tracking the MSCI China Index for investors.

What happenedAccording to an SEC filing dated February 12, 2026, Nipun Capital, L.P. increased its position in iShares MSCI China ETF (MCHI 0.38%) by 116,100 shares during the fourth quarter. The estimated value of this trade was $7.3 million, calculated using the fund's average closing price for the quarter. The quarter-end value of the position rose by $13.58 million, a figure that reflects both trading activity and market price changes.

What else to knowThe fund bought more MCHI, bringing the stake to 22.96% of 13F assets under management.

Top holdings after this filing:

NYSEMKT:INDA: $90.78 million (41.4% of AUM)NASDAQ:MCHI: $50.31 million (23.0% of AUM)NYSEMKT:FXI: $46.08 million (21.0% of AUM)NYSE:TSM: $22.29 million (10.2% of AUM)NYSEMKT:VWO: $4.96 million (2.3% of AUM)As of February 12, 2026, shares were priced at $60.58, up 19.4% over the past year, outperforming the S&P 500 by 6.52 percentage points. MCHI’s annualized dividend yield was 2.10%.

The position was 23.2% of the fund's AUM as of the prior quarter.

ETF overviewMetricValueAUM$7.94 billionPrice (as of market close 2/12/26)$60.58Dividend yield2.10%1-year total return19.42%ETF snapshotThe iShares MSCI China ETF’s investment strategy seeks to track the MSCI China Index, providing exposure to large- and mid-cap Chinese equities listed as H-shares and B-shares.The portfolio is composed primarily of equity securities representing the top 85% of market capitalization in Chinese equity markets, with sector and issuer weights reflecting index methodology.Structured as a non-diversified ETF, the fund offers a competitive annualized dividend yield and passively managed exposure to China. The expense ratio is 0.59%.The iShares MSCI China ETF (MCHI) offers investors targeted access to the Chinese equity market through a broad, market-cap-weighted portfolio. The fund's strategy emphasizes efficient, liquid exposure to leading Chinese companies, making it a core holding for those seeking to capture China's market performance. Its scale and index-driven approach provide institutional investors with a cost-effective solution for country-specific allocation.

What this transaction means for investorsNipun Capital’s purchase of additional stock in the iShares MSCI China ETF (MCHI) suggests a bullish outlook towards the exchange-traded fund. That said, the buy aligns with Nipun Capital’s focus as a specialized asset management firm targeting emerging markets and Asian equities.

MCHI is best for investors who want to increase exposure to the China market. The ETF’s AUM of nearly $8 billion provides good liquidity, and its beta of one indicates reasonable volatility. It also offers a solid dividend yield over 2% although its 0.59% expense ratio isn’t cheap for a passively-managed fund.

For investors seeking to add international stocks to their portfolio, other ETFs offer broader diversification at lower costs compared to MCHI. Moreover, MCHI’s focus on only the China market means heightened risk, especially given the history of political tensions between the U.S. and Chinese governments. In fact, the Trump administration threatened to delist Chinese stocks.

Therefore, only investors who are willing to accept higher risk for access to the China market should consider investing in MCHI.

Robert Izquierdo has positions in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing and Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

AAAU offers a lower expense ratio and much larger assets under management, but has minimal portfolio diversity. SGDM holds over 43 companies and has delivered an over 2x one-year return compared to AAAU.

Expense, sector mix, and risk set these ETFs apart for investors weighing broad international exposure against emerging market focus.

The Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS +0.33%) and iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF(EEM +0.43%) differ sharply on cost, yield, diversification, and risk, with EEM focusing on emerging markets and VXUS spanning the entire non-U.S. globe.

The Vanguard Total International Stock ETF aims to give investors broad international diversification, tracking stocks from both developed and emerging markets outside the U.S., while the iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF targets only large- and mid-cap stocks from emerging economies. This comparison highlights the practical trade-offs between global breadth and emerging market concentration.

Snapshot (cost & size)MetricVXUSEEMIssuerVanguardISharesExpense ratio0.05%0.72%1-yr return (as of 2026-02-04)31.4%36.2%Dividend yield3.0%2.1%AUM$606.2 billion$26.95 billionBeta measures price volatility relative to the S&P 500; beta is calculated from five-year monthly returns. The 1-yr return represents total return over the trailing 12 months.

VXUS looks far more affordable, charging 0.05% compared to EEM’s 0.72%, and VXUS also offers a higher dividend yield — 3.0% versus 2.1% — which may appeal to cost-conscious or income-focused investors.

Performance & risk comparisonMetricVXUSEEMMax drawdown (5 y)(29.43%)(39.82%)Growth of $1,000 over 5 years$1,277$1,046What's insideEEM focuses on emerging markets, with technology (28%), financial services (22%), and consumer cyclical (12%) as its leading sectors. It holds 1,214 stocks, with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing making up 12.42%, followed by Samsung Electronics Ltd. at 4.85%, and Tencent Holdings Ltd. at 4.21%. The fund is over 22 years old and has no unusual structural quirks.

VXUS, by contrast, covers a broader swath of the international market, including both developed and emerging economies. Its portfolio tilts toward financial services (23%), industrials (16%), and technology (15%), and it is far more diversified with 8,602 holdings. Its largest positions — Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing, Tencent Holdings Ltd., and ASML Holding — each make up a smaller slice of the fund, reflecting its wider reach.

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

What this means for investorsAlthough the Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) and the iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (EEM) both target international stocks, they are for very different types of investors.

EEM is for aggressive investors seeking the high growth potential offered by emerging markets, and are willing to pay a larger expense ratio for that exposure. EEM’s higher one-year return compared to VXUS illustrates the ETF’s strength.

However, over the long run, EEM suffered a higher max drawdown, demonstrating the greater risk inherent in emerging markets due to factors such as increased political and currency fluctuations compared to developed markets. Therefore, EEM is better suited for short-term investing.

VXUS is a better choice for investors who want an international ETF to buy and hold for the long term. Its more rounded holdings across both developed and emerging markets contribute to greater stability, and its low expense ratio make it an affordable fund to keep for the long haul. It also offers a more attractive dividend yield for income-minded investors.

Robert Izquierdo has positions in ASML and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends ASML, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing, Tencent, and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Investors can get these growing businesses at a big discount.

Patiently holding the right growth stocks can lead to significant gains over the long term. Some leading consumer goods brands are trading well off their recent highs, despite continued business momentum. This sets up a good buying opportunity for patient investors.

Here's why Dutch Bros (BROS +5.10%) and On Holding (ONON +2.16%) are on track for long-term growth.

Image source: Getty Images.

Dutch Bros Dutch Bros is expanding its store footprint into a nationwide drive-thru chain. Its range of coffee, smoothies, energy drinks, and sparkling sodas is resonating. The business's long-term growth trajectory makes the stock a promising investment.

The macroeconomic environment has experienced choppy consumer spending behavior over the past few years. Dutch Bros has skated through it, maintaining positive same-store sales. It recently posted its fifth consecutive quarter of transaction growth, and sales could continue to strengthen as the economy improves.

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Dutch Bros has plenty of room to expand. It ended the recent quarter with 1,081 shops open in 24 states, leaving half the U.S. open for more locations. The stock has already returned 55% over the past three years, yet management plans to roughly double its shop base by 2029, which could fuel further gains for investors.

While the stock looks expensive, trading at a high price-to-earnings (P/E) multiple, it's already fallen 36% from its recent highs. The current valuation is reasonable for a business targeting 7,000 shops over the long term. It can indeed open thousands of shops since these drive-thru locations don't require much square footage. Assuming management continues to stay disciplined in profitably expanding, as it has so far, patient investors will be well rewarded.

On Holding On Holding is giving the big footwear brands a run for their money. Its award-winning cushioning technology has driven explosive sales growth in recent years. In the third quarter of 2025, sales grew 35% year over year on a constant-currency basis.

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The best sign of the Switzerland-based brand's long-term opportunity is the momentum in Asia-Pacific, where sales surged 94% year over year last quarter. This region now accounts for approximately 20% of the company's business, making it a meaningful contributor to forward growth.

International growth signals that On Holding has significant growth ahead. It's still seeing new stores break sales records. Its new Ginza (Tokyo) store generated the highest monthly sales across its global store base in October, while a new store in Bangkok earned the highest daily opening sales in the company's history.

Given On's global opportunities, this growth stock is worth buying on dips. The stock's recent 31% drop from its highs has brought its forward P/E down to a more reasonable multiple of 25, making it a compelling buy right now.

The crypto market in 2025 was a paradox, being both the best and worst year, reflecting mixed investor sentiments. A predictable maturity curve is emerging in the crypto market, indicating a shift towards rationality. Cognitive dissonance is prevalent as the market becomes more rational, despite ...

Key takeaways The crypto market in 2025 was a paradox, being both the best and worst year, reflecting mixed investor sentiments. A predictable maturity curve is emerging in the crypto market, indicating a shift towards rationality. Cognitive dissonance is prevalent as the market becomes more rational, despite declining prices. The transition from speculative to fundamental valuation methodologies will continue into 2026. Many good projects in crypto are mispriced, leading to investor confusion. Recent all-time highs of Ethereum and Solana do not signify a meaningful bull market. The lack of new entrants in crypto affects market expectations and sentiment. The crypto market resembles the early 2000s internet boom, characterized by over-optimism and infrastructure build-out. Consolidation will be a key trend in the crypto industry, with survival being a critical strategy. Builders should focus on getting acquired or consolidating within their category. Ethereum’s layer one protocol is expected to capture significant growth by 2026. Advancements in zkEVM technology are ahead of schedule, enhancing Ethereum’s block speeds. The current market environment is focused on building for future growth rather than immediate profits. The convergence of equity markets and crypto will lead to innovations like equity perps by 2026. Investor relations will demand standardized financial disclosures and adopt community-focused strategies. Guest intro Mike Ippolito is a prominent figure in the crypto industry, featured on Bankless. Known for his insightful analysis, Mike offers a nuanced perspective on the evolving landscape of digital assets. His expertise spans market dynamics, valuation methodologies, and the strategic direction of crypto projects. In this episode, Mike delves into the challenges and opportunities facing the crypto market, drawing parallels to historical trends and forecasting future developments.

2025: The best worst year for crypto 2025 was the best worst year ever in my opinion

— Mike Ippolito

The year was marked by mixed market conditions and investor sentiment. Despite disappointments, the year highlighted both positive and negative aspects. The crypto market is starting to follow a predictable maturity curve. I think that it’s finally this is a market that’s starting to follow a very predictable curve around maturity

— Mike Ippolito

Cognitive dissonance is prevalent as the market becomes more rational. A regulated route is emerging… but the price has still gone down

— Mike Ippolito

The market’s rationality contrasts with declining prices, challenging investor psychology. Transitioning valuation methodologies The shift from speculative to fundamental valuation methodologies is ongoing. That is probably going to be a theme that extends into 2026

— GuestName

Many good projects are mispriced, confusing investors. They’ve just been really mispriced and so I think that’s gonna continue to confuse people

— GuestName

Recent all-time highs of Ethereum and Solana are not indicative of a bull market. While technically true it’s not really meaningfully true

— GuestName

The lack of new entrants affects market expectations and sentiment. There is a lack of a class of 2025 crypto… all of the people in crypto are in crypto for three plus years

— GuestName

Parallels to the early 2000s internet boom The current crypto market resembles the early 2000s internet boom. We are in the equivalent of late two thousand one early two thousand two for web two

— GuestName

Over-optimism and infrastructure build-out characterize the market. The next few years will see a trend of consolidation in the industry. Surviving is winning over the next three years

— GuestName

Builders should focus on getting acquired or consolidating within their category. Your strategy as a builder is either to get acquired or to win and consolidate in your category

— GuestName

Ethereum’s future positioning Ethereum’s layer one protocol is expected to be well-positioned for growth by 2026. By the 2026 the ethereum layer one protocol will have positioned itself more appropriately

— GuestName

Advancements in zkEVM technology are ahead of schedule. ZkEVMs… delivered way faster than expected

— GuestName

The current market environment is focused on building for future growth. We’re in a little bit of a post bubble era and now it’s about reorienting ourselves

— GuestName

Opportunities in the current market The current market conditions present significant opportunities for committed builders. We’re finally entering an environment where you can build real sustainable equity value

— GuestName

Historical patterns show that sticking through downturns can lead to significant opportunities. If you can just make it through the grind then you are positioned

— GuestName

By 2026, the industry will validate or invalidate many long-held ideas. We’re gonna see a lot of that decided in 2026

— GuestName

Convergence of equity markets and crypto 2026 will see a convergence of equity markets and crypto. We’re gonna get things like equity perps in 2026

— GuestName

Investor relations will demand standardized disclosures and community-focused strategies. Investor relations will become increasingly important

— GuestName

Launching a publicly traded instrument creates dual responsibilities for founders. You have your product and your business and then you have your instrument

— GuestName

The evolving landscape of investor relations Crypto companies will adopt social media for investor relations. Crypto is going to look to equities to borrow certain principles

— GuestName

Companies like Coinbase and Robinhood are rethinking product announcements. They’re going directly to their audience about what they think they’re excited about

— GuestName

Discussions around GAAP accounting standards will be significant. There’s gonna be a bunch of noise around gaap accounting standards this year

— GuestName

Challenges in accounting standards There needs to be an accepted set of standards for accounting in crypto. There just needs to be an accepted set of standards

— GuestName

Significant changes in GAAP accounting are unlikely due to the overhead involved. The lift is too big on that

— GuestName

Most dual token equity structures are not feasible. In 90% of these cases it’s simply not feasible

— GuestName

Dual equity and token structures A negative stigma may develop around protocols with dual equity and token structures. Potentially a negative stigma develop around protocols that have a dual equity and token structure

— GuestName

The presence of only one instrument may attract potential investors. The fact that there is only one instrument… might be interesting to potential investors

— GuestName

Investors may become less interested in tokens with inaccessible equity components. Investors are in even interested in buying tokens that have equity components that they don’t have access to

— GuestName

Revenue meta discussions Revenue meta discussions will shift towards valuing durability and quality. The revenue meta discussions will evolve towards durability and quality

— Mike Abledo

Not all revenue is created equal, impacting company evaluations. Not all revenue is created equal

— Mike Abledo

Investors will stop giving credit to highly pro-cyclical revenue. Investors are going to stop giving highly pro cyclical revenue credit

— GuestName

The impact of quantum computing Quantum computing poses a future threat to Bitcoin, but not until around 2032. The first year that like a production quantum computer will become relevant… is gonna be around 2032

— GuestName

The Bitcoin community is resistant to discussions about quantum threats. First met with an ample amount of resistance from a lot of the bitcoin core developers

— GuestName

The quantum threat will become a significant topic of discussion by the early 2030s. Quantum isn’t just a crypto issue it is going to impact all of society

— GuestName

Ethereum’s resilience and future Ethereum has emerged victorious despite past mistakes and uncertainty. Ethereum got a lot wrong in the last couple of years but still emerged victorious

— GuestName

Ethereum’s main chain is expected to perform extremely well in the coming years. I am extremely bullish on ethereum over the course of the next couple years

— GuestName

The messaging around building on L1 versus L2 has caused confusion among developers. The messaging has switched around a lot it’s just been a lot of uncertainty and confusion

— GuestName

The rise of real-world assets 2026 will see significant growth in real-world asset looping on blockchains. One thing that’s gonna take off in 2026 is rwa looping

— GuestName

Bringing real-world assets on-chain presents unique challenges. There are a lot of challenges with bringing rwas on chain

— GuestName

2024 will be a phenomenal year for DeFi, driven by real-world asset inflows. It’s gonna be a really good year driven by rwa inflows

— GuestName

The future of vaults and credit funds Vaults will likely grow from $5 billion to around $15 billion in assets by the end of next year. Vaults appreciate a lot but probably don’t go parabolic

— GuestName

The modular infrastructure of Morpho is the right foundation for vaults. The modular infrastructure of morpho that morpho kind of pioneered here was the right infrastructure

— GuestName

The demand for yield from stablecoins moving on-chain is driving the growth of credit funds. A lot of vcs that are struggling will launch credit funds this coming year

— GuestName

Optimizing trading software requires eliminating database lookups and simplifying computations for speed and efficiency. Custom silicon is challenging in high-frequency trading due to rapid algorithm changes. FPGAs balance efficiency and reprogrammability better than custom silicon in trading har...

Key Takeaways Optimizing trading software requires eliminating database lookups and simplifying computations for speed and efficiency. Custom silicon is challenging in high-frequency trading due to rapid algorithm changes. FPGAs balance efficiency and reprogrammability better than custom silicon in trading hardware. The Bitcoin white paper is accessible and elegantly written, appealing to non-technical readers. Concise and elegant writing requires significant intellectual skill. Guerrilla marketing can effectively grow user platforms in the crypto space. Entrepreneurship involves resilience and continuous iteration, not just overnight success. Most successful businesses do not fit the narrative of instant success like Facebook or Google. Binance’s ICO was predominantly supported by Chinese investors. The ICO was critical for Binance’s initial growth, incentivizing users to trade on the platform. Steady active users indicate a system’s health better than revenue or trading volume. The Biden administration’s approach to crypto represents a significant shift beneficial for the industry. Guest intro Changpeng Zhao is the founder of Binance, the world’s largest crypto exchange by trading volume. He sold his Shanghai apartment in 2014 to go all-in on Bitcoin, later building Binance into a $100 billion platform in 2021 before stepping down as CEO following a plea deal with US authorities. After serving time in federal prison, he is pursuing new ventures in the crypto space.

Optimizing trading software for efficiency Optimizing trading software involves eliminating database lookups and simplifying computations to enhance speed and efficiency.

— CZ

The focus is on writing software that is efficient and fast, removing slowness. You want to remove all the database lookups so you wanna do everything in memory.

— CZ

Simplifying risk checks, especially pre-order and pre-trade, is crucial. Understanding the technical aspects of trading software development is important. Speed is a key factor in high-frequency trading. Efficiency in trading software can impact financial markets significantly. Simplifying computations can lead to better performance in trading systems. Challenges with custom silicon in trading Using custom silicon in high-frequency trading is challenging due to the rapid changes in algorithms.

— CZ

Algorithms change too often, making hardware design inefficient. Custom silicon is efficient but slow to change. FPGAs offer a balance between efficiency and reprogrammability. FPGAs offer the best of both worlds, though reprogramming is still slower than software.

— CZ

The technological landscape in trading is complex. Understanding hardware options is crucial for trading systems. The adoption of custom silicon is limited by its inflexibility. The significance of the Bitcoin white paper The Bitcoin white paper is an elegantly written piece that is accessible to non-technical readers.

— CZ

The paper captivated CZ with its clarity and accessibility. It is one of the most elegantly written pieces of non-technical prose. The paper’s accessibility is crucial for broader adoption. Writing concisely and elegantly is a significant challenge. It takes an enormous amount of intellectual skill to write concisely.

— CZ

Effective communication is vital for engaging a wider audience. The Bitcoin white paper’s clarity has educational significance. Guerrilla marketing in the crypto space Guerrilla marketing can be an effective strategy for growing user platforms in the crypto space.

— CZ

Early marketing strategies played a significant role in user growth. Community engagement is crucial in the crypto industry. Blockchain.info was the largest user platform at the time. Blockchain.info had about 2,000,000 wallets, more than Coinbase at the time.

— CZ

Understanding historical trends in the crypto space is important. Guerrilla marketing led to significant user growth. The competitive landscape of crypto platforms has evolved. The reality of entrepreneurship Entrepreneurship is often misunderstood as a series of overnight successes.

— CZ

It involves resilience and continuous iteration. Most people idealize entrepreneurship without understanding the grind. It’s a grind, and you have to go so many different ways.

— CZ

The narrative of instant success like Facebook or Google is rare. 9999.9% of successful businesses are not like that.

— CZ

The reality faced by most entrepreneurs is different from popular success stories. Building a business requires hard work and persistence. Binance’s ICO and Chinese investors The majority of ICO purchases for Binance were from Chinese investors.

— CZ

80-90% of ICO purchases were by Chinese investors. Understanding the landscape of ICO investments in 2017 is crucial. The ICO for Binance was not banned in China at the time. Crypto exchanges were not banned in March; the ban came after Binance started.

— CZ

Regulatory context in China affected Binance’s operations. Binance’s ICO timing relative to the ban is significant. The influence of Chinese investors was significant for Binance’s ICO. Binance’s resilience and global presence Binance was able to survive the loss of its Chinese user base by relying on its strong global presence.

— CZ

Cutting off 30% of the user base was manageable for Binance. Regulatory changes in China impacted Binance’s operations. The ICO was critical for Binance’s initial growth. Users were incentivized to trade on Binance due to fee discounts. The ICO was critical because people owned the token and traded at a fee discount.

— CZ

Binance’s user acquisition strategy was effective. Understanding the impact of regulatory changes is important. The importance of user engagement The health of a system is better indicated by steady active users rather than revenue or trading volume.

— CZ

User engagement is a key indicator of long-term success. A product’s value is determined by user demand. A product is valuable when people want to use it, even if revenue is zero.

— CZ

Short-term financial metrics are less important than user engagement. Understanding product value is crucial for business strategy. Steady active users reflect a system’s health. User engagement correlates with product value. The changing regulatory landscape The Biden administration’s approach to crypto represents a significant shift.

— CZ

This shift is beneficial for both America and the world. The previous administration’s hostility stemmed from fear of disruption. There’s probably a lot of lobbying from traditional banking industries.

— CZ

Understanding the political landscape surrounding crypto is important. The relationship between government policies and traditional financial institutions is significant. The regulatory climate has implications for the crypto industry. Innovation and established interests influence regulatory attitudes. Legal challenges and compliance The violation of the Banking Secrecy Act is about failing to register as a financial services company.

— CZ

Legal responsibilities of a company are separate from user actions. KYC and AML procedures are not black and white. Effectiveness depends on the systems and standards used.

— CZ

Understanding the nuances of AML compliance is crucial. The legal implications of transaction facilitation vary. No one has gone to jail for weak AML compliance in the crypto space. Historical context of legal repercussions affects future cases.

Trusted Editorial content, reviewed by leading industry experts and seasoned editors. Ad Disclosure

The current market landscape for Bitcoin remains largely bearish following a net 2.41% loss over the past week. While Bitcoin is presently stabilizing around $68,000, the digital asset remains about 46% off its all-time high ($126,100) recorded in late 2025.

Bull Or Bear? Decoding Bitcoin’s SSR Liquidity Signals  In a QuickTake post on the CryptoQuant platform, a pseudonymous analyst, MorenoDV, explained how the Stablecoin Supply Ratio (SSR) acts as a liquidity signal for Bitcoin and why the current level around 9.5–9.6 is important.

SSR measures Bitcoin’s market cap relative to stablecoin supply. In other words, it reflects how much “dry powder“ (buying power) exists in the market. High SSR shows that Bitcoin’s market cap is large relative to stablecoins – less sidelined buying power, while Low SSR indicates stablecoin supply relatively strong to Bitcoin — more potential buying power available.

Source: CryptoQuant According to analyst MorenoDV, the SSR is not a straightforward bullish or bearish indicator; its significance depends on the direction of the market’s approach to the 9.5 level. When the SSR falls towards 9.5 from higher levels, it typically signals strengthening stablecoin liquidity, which has often led to Bitcoin finding support or reversing upward in past cycles.

Conversely, if the SSR rises toward 9.5 from lower levels, it suggests fading liquidity, historically preceding local tops and short-term corrections.

Analyst MorenoDV describes the 9.5 level as a liquidity equilibrium zone due to its ability to act as support or resistance based on the market approach. As the SSR navigates this critical zone, market traders will closely observe if stablecoin inflows are maintained at a constant level, or if there is an impending liquidity exhaustion, which would be indicated by a rejection at this equilibrium zone.

Bitcoin Price Overview As of writing, Bitcoin’s price stands at ~$68,840, reflecting a 3.97% increase over the past 24 hours. Meanwhile, its daily trading volume is down by 15.3% and valued at $37.33 billion. According to data from Coincodex, the Fear and Greed index stands at 9, indicating extreme levels of caution among investors.

However, Coincodex analysts and investors will gradually adopt a more bullish stance, as their projections hint at a $73,769 target in five days and $77,687 in a month. Meanwhile, a three-month target of $72,480, suggest some levels retracement following the initial surge, in line with a classic ascending pattern.

BTC trading at $68,932 on the daily chart | Source: BTCUSDT chart on Tradingview.com Featured image from XVerse, chart from Tradingview.com

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

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Semilore Faleti works as a crypto-journalist at Bitconist, providing the latest updates on blockchain developments, crypto regulations, and the DeFi ecosystem. He is a strong crypto enthusiast passionate about covering the growing footprint of blockchain technology in the financial world.

The PancakeSwap V2 pool for OCAUSDC on BSC was exploited in a suspicious transaction detected today. The attack resulted in the loss of almost $500,000 worth of USDC market, drained in a single transaction.

According to reports from Blockchain security platforms, the attacker exploited a vulnerability in the deflationary sellOCA() logic, giving them access to manipulate the pool’s reserves. The final amount the attacker got away with was reportedly approximately $422,000.

The exploit involved the use of flash loans and flash swaps combined with repeated calls to OCA’s swapHelper function. This removed OCA tokens directly from the liquidity pool during swaps, artificially inflating the on-pair price of OCA and enabling the drainage of USDC

How did the OCA/USDC exploit happen? The attack was reportedly executed via three transactions. The first to carry out the exploit, and the following two to serve as additional builder bribes.

“In total, 43 BNB plus 69 BNB were paid to 48club-puissant-builder, leaving an estimated final profit of $340K,” Blocksec Phalcon wrote on X about the incident, adding that another transaction in the same block also failed at position 52, likely because it was frontrun by the attacker.

Flash loans on PancakeSwap allow users to borrow significant amounts of crypto assets without collateral; however, the borrowed amount plus fees must be repaid within the same transaction block.

They are primarily used in arbitrage and liquidation strategies on the Binance Smart Chain, and the loans are usually facilitated by PancakeSwap V3’s flash swap function.

Another flash loan attack was detected weeks ago In December 2025, an exploit allowed an attacker to withdraw approximately 138.6 WBNB from the PancakeSwap liquidity pool for the DMi/WBNB pair, netting approximately $120,000.

That attack demonstrated how a combination of flash loans and manipulation of the AMM pair’s internal reserves via sync() and callback functions is capable of being used to completely deplete the pool.

The attacker first created the exploit contract and called the f0ded652() function, a specialized entry point into the contract, after which the contract then calls flashLoan from the Moolah protocol, requesting approximately 102,693 WBNB.

Upon receiving the flash loan, the contract initiates the onMoolahFlashLoan(…) callback. The first thing the callback does is find out the DMi token balance in the PancakeSwap pool in order to prepare for the pair’s reserve manipulation.

It should be noted that the vulnerability is not in the flash loan, but in the PancakeSwap contract, allowing manipulation of reserves via a combination of flash swap and sync() without protection against malicious callbacks.

The CEO of Praetorian Group International has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for running a global bitcoin Ponzi scheme that defrauded more than 90,000 investors of over $201 million. Deceptive Trading Promises A U.S.

MSTR stock surged nearly 9% in after-hours trading on Friday as Bitcoin approached the $70,000 mark, fueled by softer-than-expected U.S. inflation data. The latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) report showed inflation cooling to 2.4%, the lowest level in four years, with consumer prices rising just 0.2% month-over-month. The easing inflation pressure boosted expectations of potential Federal Reserve rate cuts, driving renewed risk appetite across financial markets.

The rally in Bitcoin price triggered strong gains in crypto-related stocks. Coinbase shares jumped 16.5%, while Marathon Digital and Riot Platforms climbed 9% and 7%, respectively. The synchronized move highlights the growing correlation between Bitcoin and MSTR stock, as MicroStrategy remains one of the largest corporate holders of BTC.

Market analysts are now debating how high MSTR stock could climb in the current cycle. Popular trader Kaleo compared the current market structure to the 2021-2022 bull run, suggesting that if Bitcoin maintains its bullish momentum, MSTR could retest its all-time high and potentially surge toward the $1,000 level. Other projections are more conservative. Analyst BigBullMike identified a possible price target near $340 based on wave D technical analysis.

Some traders are also watching for signs of a cycle bottom. Analyst Ted noted that during the previous market cycle, MSTR stock bottomed when the weekly Relative Strength Index (RSI) dropped below 30 after roughly 65 weeks. With the current cycle in its 66th week and RSI recently dipping under 30, speculation about a potential bottom is increasing, though confirmation requires sustained price strength.

Michael Saylor recently confirmed that the company has raised billions in capital to continue buying Bitcoin and has no plans to sell despite unrealized losses. Meanwhile, Bitcoin is forming a bullish “Adam and Eve” pattern, with a break above $72,000 potentially opening the door to $80,000. At the time of writing, BTC trades near $69,789, up 1.13% in the past 24 hours.

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The cryptocurrency market has started the week on a positive note, posting a 3.66% increase in total market capitalization to $2.36 trillion over the past 24 hours. Leading the recovery, Bitcoin surged above the $70,000 mark during the weekend, while Ethereum maintained strength above $2,000. The renewed bullish momentum has sparked optimism across major altcoins, including Dogecoin, Solana, and Cardano.

Investor sentiment improved after the latest U.S. CPI inflation data came in lower than expected. The softer inflation figures fueled speculation that the Federal Reserve could adopt a more dovish stance and potentially implement interest rate cuts later this year. Following the report, Bitcoin price climbed as traders positioned themselves for a more favorable macroeconomic environment, triggering a broader crypto market rally.

Dogecoin price recorded a notable 12% gain in the last 24 hours, climbing to $0.109. The meme coin market has also expanded by 3.5%, with trading volume reaching $1.22 billion. If DOGE holds above the $0.1050 support level, analysts suggest it could test $0.12 and possibly approach $0.15 in the near term. However, a breakdown below $0.1050 may push the price back toward $0.09.

Solana price increased by 4.06% to $87.92, supported by strong growth in its Real-World Asset (RWA) ecosystem, now valued at $1.64 billion. Network activity continues to expand, with more than 285,000 new holders added over the past month. A sustained move above $90 could open the path toward the $95–$100 resistance zone, while a drop under $85 may trigger short-term selling pressure.

Cardano price jumped 9% to $0.296, drawing attention after Charles Hoskinson hinted at potential XRP integration within Cardano’s DeFi ecosystem. If ADA maintains support above $0.29, it could target $0.35. A fall below $0.27, however, may signal a temporary pullback.

Overall, Dogecoin, Solana, and Cardano are benefiting from improving market sentiment. With Bitcoin and Ethereum leading the trend, altcoins could continue gaining traction if macroeconomic conditions remain supportive and investor confidence strengthens throughout the week.

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4 mins mins

Zhu Su says crypto could outperform Big Tech: what it meansAs of February 14, 2026, Zhu Su, co-founder of Three Arrows Capital (3AC), signaled that cryptocurrencies could outpace Big Tech over the next few years. The remark centers on the Magnificent Seven stocks and the prospect that crypto’s adoption cycle may accelerate amid evolving policy and market structure.

The timing matters because digital-asset market structure now includes mainstream access via spot Bitcoin ETFs and clearer compliance pathways in major jurisdictions. According to BlockBeats News, Zhu framed his view in a post earlier today, drawing attention to relative performance drivers across tech and crypto (https://www.bitget.com/news/detail/12560605200141).

Why cryptocurrencies might outperform the Magnificent Seven stocksRelative performance hinges on where incremental liquidity, regulatory clarity, and institutional demand converge. Crypto’s bull case emphasizes improving access channels and potentially differentiated macro behavior compared with earnings-driven Big Tech leaders.

Zhu’s thesis has been presented as a directional view on multi-year flows and policy trends, not as a guarantee. “Cryptocurrencies may significantly outperform the Magnificent Seven (Mag7) stocks in the coming years,” said Zhu Su, co-founder of Three Arrows Capital.

Market positioning offers one comparative lens. As reported by CoinDesk, derivatives signals around the Magnificent Seven, including shifts in put-call skew, have pointed to rising caution about near-term tech leadership (https://www.coindesk.com/markets/2025/11/04/bitcoin-s-last-support-before-usd100k-breaks-as-mag-7-skew-flips-oracle-cds-surges). If tech multiples compress or growth expectations cool, alternative risk assets could gain relatively, though outcomes remain uncertain.

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

Immediate context: Bitcoin (BTC), spot Bitcoin ETFs, regulatory clarityA core mechanism for incremental participation is the U.S. spot Bitcoin ETF complex. According to AInvest, recent ETF outflows reflect de-risking, but the publication highlights Zhu’s “regulatory moat” framing and argues that comprehensive legislation could catalyze sizable institutional allocations, with scenario estimates reaching tens of billions of dollars by mid-2026 (https://www.ainvest.com/news/zhu-su-crypto-moat-thesis-flow-data-tech-performance-2602/).

Regulatory messaging is another near-term variable. Based on Yahoo Scout, ongoing policy discussions around a proposed “Clarity Act” have been characterized as potentially consequential for resolving treatment of digital assets in the U.S., though legislative outcomes are not assured.

At the time of this writing, Bitcoin (BTC) trades around $69,798, with sentiment characterized as bearish and 30-day volatility described as very high; momentum gauges sit near neutral, based on data from Bitget (https://www.bitget.com/amp/news/detail/12560605200147). These conditions underscore how quickly narratives can shift if flows or policy headlines change.

Risks, counterpoints, and near-term signals to monitorCrypto’s path to outperformance is sensitive to regulation, macro liquidity, and risk appetite. Magnificent Seven earnings durability, AI-driven capex returns, and policy shifts can all alter relative trajectories.

Volatility remains very high; sentiment neutral-to-bearish per Bitcoin metricsObserved volatility remains elevated and sentiment readings are not decisively bullish, which historically magnifies drawdown risk. Any reversal in ETF flows, liquidity tightening, or enforcement actions could quickly pressure prices.

Three Arrows Capital history informs reception of Zhu Su’s claimAudience skepticism is shaped by 3AC’s legacy and its role in prior market dislocations. As noted by PANewsLab, the fund’s outsized influence during the last cycle and subsequent fallout continue to color how investors weigh Zhu’s views (https://www.panewslab.com/en/articles/kx8b15at).

FAQ about Magnificent Seven stocksWhy might cryptocurrencies outperform the Magnificent Seven over the next few years?Improving access via spot Bitcoin ETFs, potential regulatory clarity, and shifting tech valuations could redirect incremental flows toward crypto.

How do spot Bitcoin ETF inflows and outflows influence crypto prices and adoption?They change net demand, affecting liquidity and signaling institutional participation, which can influence both short-term pricing and longer-term adoption.

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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3 mins mins

Galaxy Digital view: consolidation now, gradual upside, not V-shapedPublic remarks from the firm’s leadership indicate that a V-shaped recovery is unlikely; instead, the base case is a consolidation phase followed by gradual upside. crypto-s-long-term-outlook” target=”_blank” rel=”nofollow noopener”>As reported by CoinDesk, its asset-management head characterized the latest selloff as “healthy deleveraging,” with infrastructure growth and institutional adoption underpinning the longer-term outlook (https://www.coindesk.com/business/2026/02/14/galaxy-s-steve-kurz-sees-great-convergence-driving-crypto-s-long-term-outlook).

Context from recent commentary frames the current drawdown as a leverage purge that resets risk without signaling systemic failure. KuCoin News covered remarks that the speculative era is fading, with attention shifting toward real-world assets, regulation, and lower-volatility yield streams (https://www.kucoin.com/news/flash/galaxy-digital-ceo-predicts-end-of-crypto-speculation-era?utm_source=openai).

Why healthy deleveraging and institutional adoption shape recovery, Galaxy, ARK viewsHealthy deleveraging removes excess leverage, reduces forced sellers, and can improve market resiliency, but it often prolongs consolidation. According to ARK Invest, Bitcoin’s current phase increasingly reflects institutional participation, ETFs, treasuries, and regulatory structure, dynamics associated with lower volatility and slower, more durable recoveries.

“We are in the consolidation phase in crypto…” said Michael Novogratz, CEO, in an earnings call, emphasizing that markets may build support before advancing, as reported by Bloomberg (https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-05-14/galaxy-s-novogratz-says-bitcoin-to-trade-between-55-000-to-75-000-in-quarter?utm_source=openai).

Taken together, these perspectives suggest the path forward is a marathon, not a sprint. Deleveraging and institutional adoption can strengthen foundations, but their impact tends to materialize over quarters rather than weeks.

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Ranges: In the wake of deleveraging, markets often trade sideways as risk capital rebuilds. This regime typically features mean-reversion and fading momentum rather than trend-following breakouts.

Volatility: Forced liquidations can spike short-term volatility, but subsequent positioning resets may compress realized volatility. A slower tape is consistent with a maturing, institutionally influenced market structure.

Liquidity: After leverage unwinds, order books can thin and depth can fragment, especially outside U.S. hours. Over time, steadier spot flows and improved market-making can restore depth, supporting more durable moves.

What could shift chop to a sustained uptrendLiquidity and ETF/institutional flowsConsistent net inflows into spot ETFs and broader institutional participation could reduce directional fragility. A wider buyer base, treasuries, asset managers, and corporates, may dampen drawdowns and support higher lows, especially as redemptions and creations stabilize daily flow variance.

Regulatory clarity and infrastructure maturationClear, enforceable rules and mature infrastructure, custody, collateral management, and surveillance, can reduce operational and legal uncertainty. As counterparty and settlement risks fall, larger allocators may scale positions, improving market depth and trend persistence.

FAQ about V-shaped recoveryWhat does ‘healthy deleveraging’ mean and how does it affect Bitcoin and altcoins?It’s the orderly reduction of leverage. It removes forced sellers, cleans up balance sheets, and often leads to slower, range-bound trading before conditions improve.

How do spot Bitcoin ETF flows and institutional participation influence the pace of recovery?Steady ETF inflows and broader institutional buyers can normalize liquidity, reduce volatility spikes, and support gradual uptrends, but effects typically unfold over quarters, not days.

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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Published: February 15, 2026 │ 12:58 AM GMT

Wendy O, an independent crypto commentator, used her latest market rundown to spotlight a pair of shifts that could reshape both trading desks and policy debates: Binance’s full integration of Ripple’s RLUSD stablecoin on the XRP Ledger, and rare bipartisan movement in Washington on crypto market-structure legislation.

Binance Integrates XRPL, RLUSD Tops $1.5 BillionThe headline move is technical but consequential. Binance has completed its integration of the XRP Ledger (XRPL) for RLUSD, with the host noting that RLUSD deposits are now live and trading carries zero fees on selected pairs, including RLUSD/USDT and RLUSD/XRP.

Sponsored

RLUSD’s footprint is growing fast.

According to Crypto Wendy, total RLUSD market capitalization has passed roughly $1.52 billion. About $1.2 billion of that supply is on Ethereum, while 22% now sits on XRPL — a meaningful split for a stablecoin that many traders still associate primarily with the EVM ecosystem.

The analyst frames this as part of Ripple’s broader push to make RLUSD a cross-chain liquidity tool, with Binance’s integration effectively validating XRPL as a first-tier venue for stablecoin settlement.

Rare Bipartisan Movement On Crypto Market StructureOn the regulatory side, the tone is cautious but notably more optimistic than in recent years. Democratic Senator Mark Warner has signaled support for advancing the Clarity Act, described by the host as a key legislative effort to define crypto market structure rather than leaving it to regulators alone.

Former SEC official Paul Atkins is cited arguing that “crypto policy rules require legislation to be permanent,” underscoring why the analyst warns against “compromising too much,” particularly around yield on stablecoins. Senate Banking Committee Chair Tim Scott, meanwhile, criticized the previous administration’s “regulation by enforcement,” which he says created confusion for the industry.

The video also highlights that the SEC itself is “happy to give regulatory clarity,” but, in the host’s telling, is waiting on Congress to provide it. A reported “financial dream team” assembled by the Trump administration is credited with enabling the CFTC’s Innovation Advisory Committee, which includes leaders from Coinbase, Ripple and Robinhood — “basically all crypto people,” as the analyst puts it.

Flows, Earnings & The Big Macro BackdropOn the market side, Cointelegraph is cited reporting a drop in Bitcoin futures open interest of about $34 billion, sparking speculation that traditional finance may be backing away. The analyst pushes back, pointing to roughly $410 million in outflows on February 12 and framing the move as likely “rebalancing and buying the dip,” while also noting that these datasets tend to lag.

Coinbase posted a fourth-quarter loss of $667 million but increased its Bitcoin holdings by $39 million over the same period, a detail the host reads as a strategic bet on future upside rather than retreat.

Macro conditions remain a headwind. U.S. CPI rose 2.4% in January, down from 2.7% in December — progress, but “still not good enough,” in Crypto Wendy’s words, to decisively ease policy risk.

In parallel, Wendy O mentions the launch of “Lobster Cash” by Crossbit, described as an open payment standard for “open claw agents” aimed at microtransactions, and briefly nods to AI.com as an accessible entry point for AI tools.

Legal Drama & AI-Powered MoneySam Bankman-Fried reappears in the narrative, criticizing what he portrays as a hostile U.S. regulatory environment for crypto, despite having been a major donor to President Biden. The host treats this as ironic context rather than a primary market driver.

In contrast, frontier AI continues to attract massive capital.

Our run-rate revenue is $14 billion, and has grown over 10x in each of the past 3 years. This growth has been driven by our position as the intelligence platform of choice for enterprises and developers.

Read more: https://t.co/aMRyOkFFSg

— Anthropic (@AnthropicAI) February 12, 2026 The market connoisseur states that Anthropic has raised $30 billion in its latest funding round at a valuation of $380 billion — numbers that, if accurate, would underline how aggressively investors are now pricing AI relative to even the largest crypto platforms.

Final Takeaway for InvestorsFor traders and fund managers, the combination of Binance’s RLUSD–XRPL integration and emerging bipartisan support for clearer market rules suggests a slow shift from improvisation to infrastructure.

Stablecoin liquidity is becoming more cross-chain and institutionally anchored, while in Washington, at least some lawmakers appear ready to legislate rather than litigate the future of digital assets.

Against a backdrop of still-sticky inflation, volatile BTC derivatives positioning, and large but strategic losses at public exchanges like Coinbase, positioning in 2026 may hinge less on headline risk and more on who is quietly building connectivity — between chains, between banks and protocols, and increasingly between crypto and AI.

Discover DailyCoin’s hottest crypto news today:
“Ghost Town Usage” Forces Arkham To Shut Down Experiment
XRP’s Funding Rate Just Went Bullish: $3 Rebound Heating Up?

People Also Ask:Is Binance offering zero fees on all RLUSD pairs?

Not really. According to the video, zero trading fees apply only to selected pairs, specifically including RLUSD/USDT and RLUSD/XRP.

Where is most RLUSD currently issued?

The host says about 77% of RLUSD supply is on Ethereum, with roughly 22% on XRPL.

Does the drop in Bitcoin futures open interest mean TradFi is exiting?

The commentator is skeptical, suggesting it more likely reflects portfolio re-balancing and dip-buying rather than a structural exit.

What does the Clarity Act aim to change?

Based on the video, it’s positioned as a market-structure bill meant to give crypto clear, durable rules through legislation instead of leaving everything to regulatory enforcement.

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

Market Sentiment

0% Neutral

Fidelity's director of global macro says bitcoin's drop to $60,000 likely marked the floor of its current cycle, setting the stage for a future bull market and a potential push toward new highs.

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Palo Alto Networks (NASDAQ:PANW) had a volatile week, climbing 4.79% to close Friday at $166.95 after starting the week at $159.32. The stock remains down 9.36% year-to-date and 17.3% below year-ago levels.

Let’s dive into three storylines that drove the action.

The Stock Bounced While the Market Sagged Palo Alto Networks outperformed both the broader market and cybersecurity peers this week. The S&P 500 dropped 1.29% while the ETFMG Prime Cyber Security ETF (NYSEARCA:HACK) gained 3.51%.

The stock opened Friday at $165.03, hit an intraday high of $170.49, and closed at $166.95. That’s well below the $222.97 average analyst price target, implying roughly 33% upside.

The $25 Billion CyberArk Deal Just Closed On February 11, Palo Alto completed its $25 billion acquisition of CyberArk Software, the second-largest acquisition of an Israeli company ever. CyberArk shareholders received $45 cash plus 2.2005 PANW shares per share. The company announced plans for a secondary listing on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange under the CYBR ticker.

Identity security is the new perimeter in a world where everything from humans to machines to AI agents needs authentication. CyberArk’s Identity Security Platform slots directly into PANW’s platformization strategy alongside Strata, Prisma, and Cortex. CEO Nikesh Arora has been consolidating point solutions into unified platforms, and this deal puts identity at the center.

The acquisition follows PANW’s $3.35 billion purchase of Chronosphere in January 2026, which added cloud-native observability capabilities. Two massive deals in two months signals aggressive expansion into adjacent markets where AI-era threats demand integrated defenses.

Earnings Tuesday Could Reset Expectations Palo Alto reports Q2 fiscal 2026 earnings on February 17. Wall Street expects $0.94 EPS on $2.58 billion in revenue, representing 16% EPS growth and 14.15% revenue growth year-over-year. Last quarter, the company beat on all metrics and grew Next-Gen Security ARR 29% to $5.9 billion.

Analyst sentiment is mixed. Jefferies maintains a $250 price target and sees CyberArk driving upside, while Stifel cut its target from $225 to $200 on concerns about reseller feedback and organic growth. JPMorgan trimmed from $235 to $225 but kept its Overweight rating. The consensus of 12 Strong Buy, 30 Buy, 11 Hold, and 2 Sell ratings suggests confidence, but downgrades reflect uncertainty about whether PANW can sustain growth while integrating two massive acquisitions.

Once again, the average price target for Palo Alto stands at $224.42, which suggests upside. Palo Alto has been selling off alongside the broader software category, but sentiment can shift quickly. It wouldn’t surprise me if security incidents throughout 2026 as agent use explodes will lead to investors seek out the security space as an investment opportunity rather than selling it off alongside software stocks.

AI Security Is the Battlefield Palo Alto Networks is betting traditional rule-based security tools can’t handle non-deterministic AI threats. The company’s pushing “Agentic Remediation” and “Precision AI” as the future of autonomous security operations, and its Prisma AIRS platform aims to secure AI ecosystems end-to-end.

Gartner predicts 50% of organizations will adopt zero-trust data governance by 2028 due to AI-generated data risks. PANW’s platformization strategy, now turbocharged by CyberArk’s identity capabilities, positions it to capture that shift. But competitors like Fortinet (NASDAQ:FTNT) and Zscaler (NASDAQ:ZS) are pouring resources into AI-driven security too.

Fortinet reported earnings on February 5th and absolutely smoked expectations, delivering adjusted EPS of $.81 versus expectations of $.74. Thanks to that beat, shares are now up year-to-date while most software stocks sell off.

Can Palo Alto repeat Fortinet’s performance? We’ll see when the company reports after the bell on Tuesday.

VBR carries a much lower expense ratio than IJJ and holds a broader basket of small-cap value stocks. IJJ tilts more heavily toward financials and mid-cap companies, with slightly less volatility over five years.

Investors are anticipating big things from Tesla.

This could be a big year for Tesla (TSLA +0.06%). The electric vehicle maker and member of the "Magnificent Seven" grouping of stocks is seeing EV deliveries fall and margins tighten, but the stock is still up 20% in the last year because CEO Elon Musk has something new up his sleeve.

If Musk has his way -- and I think it's very possible -- Tesla will make a massive transition this year from being an EV company to something entirely different. Its Optimus robots appear to be just around the corner, and I predict they will completely transform Tesla's identity by the end of the year.

Image source: Tesla.

Optimus robots are coming Tesla has been working to develop Musk's vision for the Optimus -- a humanoid robot under development that Musk predicts will one day "eliminate poverty." The CEO envisions that the robots will be used in both factories and residences, with people utilizing the Optimus to do everything from household chores to caring for the elderly and children.

Tesla is so invested in making the Optimus a reality that the company is planning to shutter its Model S and Model X electric vehicle lines this year and use the factory space in Tesla's Fremont, California, facility for Optimus production.

That's probably a better use of factory space, anyway. More than 97% of Tesla's 406,227 vehicle deliveries in the fourth quarter were Tesla's Model 3 and Model Y. The company's other lines, which include the S, X, and Cybertruck, accounted for less than 12,000 units.

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What will happen to Tesla stock in 2026? Tesla is an interesting company right now because it's going through a massive transformation. Auto revenue fell 9.1% in 2025, and net income was down a whopping 46% as Tesla cut prices and offered incentives in an increasingly competitive EV market.

The company is pouring resources into Optimus and Tesla's full self-driving software, which Musk also plans to release widely this year. The FSD package, if finalized and approved by regulators, would allow Tesla to offer Cybercabs and permit Tesla owners to monetize their vehicles as robotaxis.

Dan Ives of Wedbush Securities says that Tesla's focus on real-world development of AI makes it the best physical AI company in the world, and will change how investors value the company.

Ives says that Tesla could reach a $2 trillion market cap by the end of the year, growing to a $3 trillion market cap by the end of 2027, based on the growth of FSD and robotics. That would be a 25% increase in stock price this year, and an 87% increase by the end of 2027.

That's amazing growth considering that Tesla's unsupervised autonomous driving is limited right now to the Austin, Texas, area, and Musk doesn't expect the Optimus robots to be for sale to the general public until the second half of 2027.

But Musk has always been able to drive enthusiasm for his products, even before they begin generating revenue. Right now, Tesla stock is climbing because of what investors think the company will be, and not what it is today. By the end of the year, the development of the Optimus robot will be in full swing, and Tesla's identity as an automaker will change forever.