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In a week drenched in Extreme Fear, a clutch of AI-powered agents, privacy plays, and DeFi protocols lit up the charts with triple- and double-digit moves that reminded everyone: narratives still hit different.

Market snapshot: Bitcoin is trading at $67,661 (up ~1.84% on the week) with dominance hovering around 58%, while total crypto market cap sits near $2.35T after a modest rebound. The Fear & Greed Index is stuck at 12 (Extreme Fear) — the lowest levels in recent memory — as BTC continues its post-peak correction and altcoins broadly slump. Macro winds remain chilly, yet this week proved special: while most tokens bled, a tight group of high-conviction stories (AI agents, privacy L2s, perpetuals/DeFi, and Trump-linked plays) delivered explosive 7-day gains on real catalysts like ATH usage, listings, and whale accumulation. We’ve been watching this selective rotation closely — here are the 9 shiniest coins lighting up the screen right now.

The Shiny Coins Right Now

1. VVV $4.79 +142% 7dVenice Token exploded higher on the back of Venice.ai hitting all-time-high protocol usage and massive on-chain activity for its private, uncensored generative AI platform. The AI-agent narrative went nuclear after OpenAI-related developer moves and strong technical breakouts (inverse H&S + descending channel escape), with 24h volume spiking to $32M+ and price swinging from sub-$3 levels earlier in the period. Staking VVV for inference capacity is pulling in builders and degens who want decentralized, no-censorship AI — exactly the kind of utility that survives fear cycles.Key metric: Venice.ai user growth and inference demand at record highs.Short-term outlook (1–4 weeks): Very Bullish.“Uncensored AI summer just got its own coin — sorry ChatGPT, we’re going decentralized.”

2. RAVE ~$0.58 +68% 7dRaveDAO meme/DAO hybrid caught fire with explosive volume north of $90M on some days, fueled by community raids and fresh liquidity inflows into the narrative. On-chain data showed heavy accumulation and short squeezes as retail rotated into high-beta community plays during the broader dip.Key metric: 24h volume consistently punching well above market-cap levels.Short-term outlook: Very Bullish.

3. SNX $0.379 +22.66% 7dSynthetix roared back with the launch of its perpetual DEX on Ethereum mainnet and the Robinhood listing announcement (confirmed in the last 24h). Volume exploded to $150M on a $130M market cap — classic sign of leveraged rotation into DeFi derivatives. The modular V3 architecture and buyback/burn mechanics are finally getting the spotlight they deserve.Key metric: 24h trading volume 115% of market cap.Short-term outlook: Very Bullish.“SNX is back, baby — Robinhood just rang the opening bell for perps season.”

4. AZTEC ~$0.034 +37% 7d (60-90% 24h spikes)Aztec, the privacy-focused Ethereum L2, surged hard on Korean exchange listings and renewed zk/privacy narrative heat. Daily volume hit $180M+ as whales and retail piled in for shielded DeFi and private transactions — exactly what traders want when fear is maxed.Key metric: 24h volume multiples of market cap on multiple days.Short-term outlook: Very Bullish.

5. MORPHO $1.55 +35% 7dMorpho continued its DeFi lending renaissance with strong TVL inflows and usage metrics as capital rotated into efficient borrowing/lending protocols amid the broader altcoin bloodbath. The blue-chip DeFi narrative is quietly winning again.Key metric: TVL and borrowing volume both up sharply week-over-week.Short-term outlook: Bullish.

6. WLFI $0.1163 +10.47% 7dWorld Liberty Financial (the Trump-family-backed project) kept pumping ahead of and after the Mar-a-Lago World Liberty Forum on Feb 18, with whale wallets (tied to the venture) buying ~$32M worth of tokens and triggering short squeezes. Volume and on-chain activity spiked hard on the event hype.Key metric: $33M+ Binance withdrawals and whale buys in 24-48h windows.Short-term outlook: Bullish (event tailwinds still fresh).“Mar-a-Lago just dropped the hottest afterparty in crypto.”

7. ADA $0.2925 +8.09% 7dCardano posted solid outperformance among major L1s on steady development updates and resilience in a risk-off tape.Key metric: Consistent on-chain activity and developer metrics holding strong.Short-term outlook: Cautious-to-Bullish.

8. DOGE $0.1019 +6.23% 7dThe original meme king refused to die, holding gains while most alts bled — classic DOGE behavior in fear phases.Key metric: Still one of the highest daily active addresses among memes.Short-term outlook: Cautious.“To the moon… slowly, but we’re still going.”

9. HBAR $0.1010 +6.34% 7dHedera showed quiet strength on enterprise adoption metrics and network usage holding firm.Key metric: Enterprise-grade transaction volume steady amid retail panic.Short-term outlook: Cautious.

Hidden Gem of the Week

Pudgy Penguins (PENGU) ~$428M market capThe blue-chip NFT brand turned on-chain meme powerhouse continues to print in the sub-$500M range with strong community momentum and ecosystem plays. Still under the radar for many macro-focused traders but consistently in Coingecko trending — classic hidden-gem setup in a fear market.

One to Watch Closely

WLFI (again) — the post-Mar-a-Lago afterglow could either extend the squeeze or see profit-taking; next 7 days will tell if the Trump narrative has real legs or was just event-driven fireworks. Also keep eyes on any follow-up listings or partnership drops.

This week’s shiny-coin rotation tells us everything we need to know about the current regime: when the entire market is in Extreme Fear and BTC dominance is this sticky, capital doesn’t disappear — it laser-focuses on the strongest, most narrative-dense pockets (AI agents, privacy, efficient DeFi, and high-conviction political plays). The broad altcoin bloodbath continues, but the outliers proving product-market fit are already pricing in the next risk-on wave. Classic late-bear / early-recovery behavior.

See you soon for more Shiny Coins on Cryptopress.site

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Third closed-door White House meeting held February 19 focused on stablecoin rewards and yields under pending U.S. legislation.Participants included Coinbase, Ripple, Crypto Council for Innovation, Blockchain Association, and major bank trade groups.Leaders described the session as constructive, signaling “more to come” on a consumer-friendly framework.Discussions center on allowing platform-level rewards without treating stablecoin issuers as deposit-taking banks.Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse gives the linked CLARITY Act a 90% chance of passing by end of April.
Crypto industry representatives and traditional banking groups returned to the White House on February 19 for their third closed-door session on stablecoin rewards, a critical sticking point in broader U.S. digital asset market structure legislation.
According to a detailed report by The Block, the hours-long meeting that began at 9 a.m. ET built directly on prior discussions to shape a framework serving American consumers while strengthening U.S. competitiveness in digital assets. Ji Hun Kim, CEO of the Crypto Council for Innovation, described the talks as constructive, stating, “The conversation built upon previous meetings to establish a framework that serves American consumers while reinforcing U.S. competitiveness. More to come to build upon today’s progress.”
The Crypto Council for Innovation further highlighted the engagement in a post on X: @crypto_council.
CCI returned to the White House today to discuss stablecoin rewards within market structure legislation and a clear path forward. Thank you to the @whitehouse @patrickjwitt and fellow participants. Our CEO @_jikim’s statement: pic.twitter.com/3U9J1vb1sb
— Crypto Council for Innovation (@crypto_council) February 19, 2026
Coinbase Chief Legal Officer Paul Grewal echoed the positive tone, calling the dialogue “constructive and the tone cooperative.” Coverage from Decrypt confirms the focus remained on whether incentives for stablecoin holdings can be structured without issuers being deemed deposit-taking institutions.
Key participants included representatives from Ripple, the Blockchain Association, the Crypto Council for Innovation, and bank trade associations such as the American Bankers Association, Bank Policy Institute, and Independent Community Bankers of America. No individual banks attended directly. The White House appeared intent on driving toward resolution, though no compromise was announced.
The debate ties closely to the GENIUS Act passed last summer, which prohibits direct interest payments by stablecoin issuers but leaves room for third-party platforms to offer rewards. Banks argue that yields could drain deposits and harm lending; crypto firms counter that restrictions would stifle innovation and competitiveness.
This issue is central to the CLARITY Act, which would clarify jurisdiction between the SEC and CFTC for digital assets. CoinDesk reports that Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse, speaking on Fox Business, now sees a 90% chance the bill will pass by the end of April, citing renewed White House momentum and engagement from lawmakers.
While challenges remain—including political considerations and the need for Senate Banking Committee action—the continued dialogue underscores growing bipartisan and executive support for regulatory clarity. Resolution could accelerate stablecoin adoption and tokenized asset growth, though failure to bridge the yield gap risks delaying broader market structure reform.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute advice of any kind. Readers should conduct their own research before making any decisions.
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While most digital assets have struggled in 2026, Pax Gold (PAXG) has quietly delivered steady gains, rising 16% year-to-date. The token, backed one-to-one by physical gold reserves, has become a preferred refuge for investors navigating crypto’s turbulence. In essence, Pax Gold bridges two worlds: the centuries-old stability of gold and the modern flexibility of blockchain.

The appeal of Pax Gold lies in its simplicity. Each token represents ownership of a fine troy ounce of gold stored in London vaults. This direct linkage provides transparency and trust, qualities often lacking in speculative crypto projects. For investors weary of volatility, Pax Gold offers a digital instrument that behaves like its physical counterpart, moving in tandem with global gold prices.

The timing could not be better. Gold has rallied amid geopolitical tensions and inflationary concerns, reinforcing its role as a safe-haven asset. Pax Gold has mirrored this trajectory, giving crypto investors exposure without leaving the digital ecosystem. This dual advantage—stability plus blockchain-native accessibility—has fueled adoption among both retail and institutional players.

Beyond price performance, Pax Gold represents a broader trend: the rise of asset-backed tokens. As regulators scrutinize stablecoins pegged to fiat currencies, commodity-backed alternatives are gaining traction. Pax Gold’s transparent reserves and regulated framework set a precedent for how tokenization can coexist with traditional finance. For exchanges, funds, and custodians, PAXG is increasingly seen as a reliable instrument for diversification.

The question ahead is whether Pax Gold’s model can expand beyond gold. Tokenization of silver, platinum, or even oil could follow, creating a suite of blockchain-based commodities. For now, Pax Gold remains the flagship, proving that stability and innovation can coexist in crypto. In a sector often criticized for speculation, PAXG is a reminder that digital assets can also embody trust.

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Aave Labs has introduced a new governance framework titled “Aave Will Win,” proposing to redirect 100% of revenue from all Aave-branded products to the DAO treasury.

The proposal includes a requested funding package for Aave Labs totaling $25 million in stablecoins and 75,000 AAVE tokens, alongside milestone-based grants.

The framework formally ratifies Aave V4 as the protocol’s future technical foundation, aiming to streamline revenue from interfaces, mobile apps, and institutional products.

Aave Labs, the primary development firm behind the leading decentralized lending protocol, has submitted a sweeping governance proposal aimed at resolving long-standing tensions over revenue allocation and brand ownership. The “Aave Will Win” framework, currently in the temperature check phase, suggests a fundamental shift where 100% of gross revenue generated by Aave-branded products—including the aave.com interface, the Aave mobile app, Aave Card, and Aave Pro—would flow directly into the Aave DAO treasury.

The move comes after months of community scrutiny regarding how fees from front-end integrations were routed. By “hard-coding” this revenue alignment, Aave Labs seeks to position the AAVE token as the central point of value accrual. According to the proposal, the DAO would capture substantial new inflows, including approximately $10 million in annualized swap fees and potential future revenue from Aave V3, which currently generates over $100 million in protocol-level earnings annually.

In exchange for relinquishing these revenue streams, Aave Labs is requesting a comprehensive funding package to sustain its operations. This includes an upfront payment of $5 million in stablecoins, followed by $20 million streamed over one year, and 75,000 AAVE tokens (worth roughly $8.5 million at current prices) vesting over 24 months. Additional grants totaling $17.5 million are tied to the successful launch and user acquisition of upcoming products like the Aave App and Aave Card.

“The framework formalizes Aave Labs’ role as a long-term contributor to the Aave DAO under a token-centric model,” stated Stani Kulechov, founder of Aave Labs. “As onchain finance enters a decisive new phase with fintechs and institutions entering, this structure positions the DAO to fund growth and increase buybacks as it sees fit.”

Central to the proposal is the ratification of Aave V4 as the protocol’s canonical version. V4 introduces a “hub-and-spoke” architecture designed to handle trillions in on-chain credit by allowing specialized markets with customized risk parameters. The plan also includes the creation of a new foundation to hold Aave trademarks and intellectual property, ensuring these assets are managed for the benefit of token holders rather than a private entity.

While the proposal has been met with early optimism, some community members have raised questions regarding the $50 million total valuation of the funding request and the logistics of brand management within a decentralized structure. If the temperature check passes, the framework will proceed to a formal Aave Improvement Proposal (AIP) for final on-chain voting.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute advice of any kind. Readers should conduct their own research before making any decisions.

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Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong characterized quantum computing as a manageable engineering challenge rather than an existential threat to blockchain technology.

The exchange recently established a Quantum Computing Advisory Committee featuring experts like Scott Aaronson and Dan Boneh to guide cryptographic migrations.

Industry leaders, including Vitalik Buterin, are accelerating post-quantum cryptography (PQC) research to protect networks from future decryption risks.

Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong has downplayed growing concerns that quantum computing could dismantle the cryptographic foundations of the digital asset industry. Speaking in a recent interview with CNBC at the World Liberty Forum, Armstrong argued that the perceived “quantum crisis” is a solvable engineering problem that the industry is already proactively addressing through long-term technical roadmaps and strategic coordination.

The executive revealed that Coinbase has taken a “front-footed” stance by forming a dedicated Quantum Computing Advisory Committee. This group includes prominent figures like University of Texas professor Scott Aaronson, Stanford cryptographer Dan Boneh, and Ethereum Foundation researcher Justin Drake. The committee is tasked with publishing research and outlining migration pathways for blockchains to transition toward post-quantum cryptography (PQC) standards before cryptographically relevant quantum machines become a reality.

“We’re in regular contact with the major blockchains about a path to upgrade to a post-quantum cryptography world,” Armstrong stated. He emphasized that the industry has ample time to implement these upgrades, noting that while current quantum hardware is advancing, it remains years away from being able to crack widely used public-key encryption like ECDSA used by Bitcoin and Ethereum.

While Armstrong expressed confidence, the broader community remains divided on the timeline. Some researchers have suggested that the window for migration could be as short as five to seven years, particularly as hardware breakthroughs accelerate. The Ethereum Foundation has already elevated post-quantum security to a top strategic priority, and Bitcoin developers are exploring foundational proposals like BIP-360 to enhance long-term resilience.

However, the transition is not without friction. Critics like investor Kevin O’Leary have warned that quantum-related uncertainty could deter institutional capital from entering the space. Furthermore, security experts note that inactive or lost wallets may remain permanently vulnerable, as they cannot be manually migrated to new, quantum-resistant address formats by their owners.

Despite these hurdles, Armstrong remains optimistic that the transition will be a natural evolution of the technology. “Security is our highest priority,” Armstrong added via a post on X. “Preparing for future threats, even those many years away, is crucial for our industry.”

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute advice of any kind. Readers should conduct their own research before making any decisions.

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Base announced February 18, 2026, its evolution to a unified, Base-operated tech stack consolidated in the base/base GitHub repository.

The shift targets six hard forks per year—doubling the prior cadence—for quicker, lower-risk protocol upgrades.

Node operators must migrate to the Base client in coming months; users and developers face no immediate changes, with full OP Stack compatibility maintained short-term.

Optimism’s OP token fell nearly 4% in the 24 hours after announcement; Base holds approximately $3.85 billion in TVL.

The protocol remains public and open-source, with alternative implementations encouraged and Base staying a Stage 1 rollup.

Coinbase-incubated Ethereum layer-2 network Base is asserting greater control over its infrastructure with a significant technical pivot announced on February 18, 2026.

In its official blog post titled “A new, unified stack for Base Chain,” the team detailed the move away from reliance on Optimism’s OP Stack and scattered external dependencies toward a single, internally optimized codebase at base/base.

The primary goals include reducing coordination overhead and enabling a faster shipping cadence of six smaller hard forks annually. This approach simplifies the protocol specification and focuses development squarely on Base’s scaling needs, including ambitions to reach 1 gigagas per second.

“Today, the code operating various components of Base, such as the sequencer, is owned by multiple teams and spread across multiple repositories, which adds coordination and maintenance overhead,” the blog states. “Our unified solution, base/base, built on open-sourced components such as Reth, allows us to dramatically simplify the number of components, by optimizing them directly for our use case.”

No immediate action is required for users or developers, as Base will continue supporting existing RPCs and OP Stack specifications. However, node operators will need to transition to the official Base client over the next few months to remain compatible with upcoming hard forks.

The first major milestone, Base V1, will introduce Fusaka support and replace optimistic proofs with Base-specific TEE and ZK proofs. Subsequent hard forks will further distance the network from Optimism while aligning with Ethereum upgrades such as Glamsterdam.

Market reaction included a roughly 4% drop in Optimism’s OP token within 24 hours, according to CoinDesk reporting. Base currently secures approximately $3.85 billion in total value locked, positioning it among the largest Ethereum L2s.

Optimism Labs responded constructively: “We’re grateful for our three-year partnership with Base, and proud to have helped it become one of the most successful Layer 2 deployments in history,” a spokesperson told CoinDesk, confirming continued enterprise support.

Base Head of Product Wilson Cusack emphasized the autonomy benefits, highlighting the ability to ship improvements more frequently and focus resources on scaling. The network will add an independent signer to its security council and keep the protocol fully public, inviting alternative client implementations.

While the announcement centers on technical evolution, it occurs against a backdrop of prior signals from Base leadership regarding exploration of a potential native token, though no new details were shared.

The move underscores shifting dynamics in the competitive L2 landscape, where leading chains seek greater independence while maintaining interoperability with Ethereum.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute advice of any kind. Readers should conduct their own research before making any decisions.

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Riyadh is set to become the global stage for modern artificial intelligence with the upcoming Global AI Show (GAIS), postponed to 29–30 June 2026. Organized by VAP Group and powered by the Times of AI, the event offers the latest breakthroughs in AI, machine learning, and automation, and provides a platform for companies and thought leaders to exchange ideas and lead the industry forward.Our past speakers have represented a remarkable mix of global leaders, visionaries, and innovators across technology, governance, healthcare, and cybersecurity. Honourable Nate Glubish, Minister of Technology and Innovation, Government of Alberta, Canada, has shared his insights alongside Pujya Brahmavihari Swami, Head of BAPS Hindu Mandir UAE. Professor Shafi Ahmed, a renowned surgeon, futurist, humanitarian, and CEO of Medical Realities, and John Nosta, leading innovation theorist in technology, AI, and medicine and Founder of NOSTALAB, have also been part of the lineup. Janet Adams, COO and Board Director at SingularityNET/ASI, and Jeanie Fang, Director of Data & AI at Crunchbase, have brought their expertise in artificial intelligence and data innovation.

Participants can expect keynote speeches from AI pioneers, panel discussions on ethical AI, and hands-on workshops focussing on the practical applications of AI across industries. From finance to healthcare, education to logistics, AI is transforming how businesses operate and make decisions. GAIS will highlight real-world use cases and success stories that show AI’s direct impact.

Experts will discuss how governments and society can ensure responsible AI adoption, mitigate risks, and maximize benefits. 

The Global AI Show 2026 in Riyadh brings together world leaders, innovators, and visionaries to explore how artificial intelligence is shaping the future across industries and societies. The day opens with a powerful look at Saudi Arabia’s AI Revolution, highlighting the nation’s journey from vision to real-world impact and the evolving relationship between humans and intelligent machines. Discussions delve deep into the rise of AGI, smart collaboration, and the technological frameworks driving this new era. The focus then turns to AI in Healthcare, uncovering how machine intelligence is transforming diagnostics, therapeutics, and patient care. From predictive medicine to AI-assisted surgeries, each session offers fresh insights into how innovation and intelligence are redefining health, humanity, and the global future.

Riyadh, as an epicentre is committed to technology and innovation is reflected in the scale and scope of the Global AI Show. Participants can expect to leave with new insights, valuable partnerships, and a deeper understanding of AI changing the future.

Media enquiries : 

Press contact : Media@globalaishow.com

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The Global Blockchain Show 2026 in Riyadh is becoming an unmatched platform for thought leaders, innovators, and blockchain enthusiasts. After a successful feat at Abu Dhabi, the next edition, organized by VAP Group and powered by Times of Blockchain, is postponed to 29–30 June 2026, at Malfa hall in Riyadh. It will focus on the capability of blockchain technology, and will cover a broad spectrum of subjects from digital finance to decentralized governance.

Global Blockchain Show (GBS) will witness over 10,000 attendees, along with 250+ speakers, 200+ exhibitors, and 300+ media representatives. 

Attendees will gain access to a comprehensive suite of expert-led sessions discussing trends in blockchain adoption, tokenomics, and business applications. The event will offer hands-on learning experiences, which allows participants to experiment with the latest blockchain solutions. This will help them in making a practical impact on businesses and communities.

GBS Riyadh edition too will see panels featuring regulators, legal experts, and industry leaders who will provide guidance on navigating complicated markets.

The event has previously welcomed an impressive lineup of renowned global leaders and leading innovators in the fields of blockchain and technology. H.E. Justin Sun, Founder, Global Advisor, and Prime Minister of TRON, HTX, and Liberland, and Yat Siu, Co-Founder and Chairman of Animoca Brands, have shared their insights. Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Executive Chairman and CEO of the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC), and John Lilic, CEO of Hilbert Group, have also contributed. The event featured Dr. Marwan Alzarouni, CEO of Dubai Blockchain Center and CEO AI for Dubai Economy & Tourism, and Jason Allegrante, Chief Legal & Compliance Officer at Fireblocks. Rachel Conlan, CMO of Binance, Sunny Lu, CEO of VeChain, Abdulla Al Dhaheri, CEO of Abu Dhabi Blockchain Center, and investor Murad Mahmudov have also been part of this impressive event. 

By bringing together stakeholders from different walks of the blockchain industry, the Global Blockchain Show reinforces Riyadh’s role as a main hub for tech and innovation.

The Global Blockchain Show Riyadh 2026 convenes visionaries, innovators, and industry leaders to discuss the disruptive potential of blockchain, Web3, and decentralized technologies. In two days, the conference dives deep into the actual-world impact of blockchain, next-gen trading, and the development of the Web3 ecosystem in Saudi Arabia. Participants will be treated to sessions on the open metaverse, superintelligence and creativity, and security and scalability through cloud infrastructure. Among the highlights are provocative exchanges on the future of Ethereum, how blockchain impacts global governance, and how to balance security with sustainability. Keynotes and fireside interviews will feature NFTs and the creator economy, quantum computing advancements, tokenization of real-world assets, and Web3 wallets of the future.

Attendees will depart motivated, armed with practical knowledge, and prepared to define the next generation of digital innovation. Not only a conference, the Global Blockchain Show is a worldwide gathering of ideas, collaboration, and expansion that propels the future of decentralized technology and economic empowerment.

Media enquiries 

Press contact : Media@globalblockchainshow.com

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Ethereum’s tokenized real-world asset (RWA) market cap has exceeded $17 billion, marking a 315% increase from $4.1 billion a year ago.

The network now accounts for approximately 34% of the total on-chain RWA value across all blockchain platforms.

Solana is experiencing a rapid surge, with its RWA value jumping over 90% in the last 30 days to reach a new all-time high of $1.7 billion.

The landscape for tokenized real-world assets (RWAs) is shifting as Wall Street institutions accelerate their transition to on-chain finance. According to recent data, Ethereum has solidified its position as the dominant settlement layer for tokenized assets, with its market value on the mainnet surpassing $17 billion. This growth represents a massive 315% year-over-year expansion, fueled largely by institutional interest from giants like BlackRock and JPMorgan.

While Ethereum remains the leader by total volume, Solana has emerged as a high-growth competitor in the sector. Over the past 30 days, the value of tokenized assets on Solana surged by more than 90%, climbing from $873 million in January to approximately $1.7 billion by mid-February 2026. This monthly growth has outpaced almost every other major Layer 1 network, positioning Solana as the third-largest blockchain for RWA tokenization, trailing only Ethereum and BNB Chain.

Institutional products are the primary drivers behind these figures. BlackRock’s BUIDL fund, which invests in short-term U.S. government securities, has become a cornerstone of the Ethereum ecosystem. On Solana, a similar trend is visible, where U.S. Treasury-backed products account for over 53% of the network’s RWA total. The expansion is further supported by the introduction of tokenized equities, such as xStock versions of Tesla and Nvidia, which allow for fractional ownership and 24/7 trading availability.

The rise in RWA value is also intrinsically linked to the stablecoin market. Ethereum’s mainnet currently hosts over $175 billion in stablecoins, providing the deep liquidity necessary for large-scale institutional settlement. Solana, meanwhile, has seen its stablecoin footprint cross the $10 billion threshold, a metric that analysts believe is a precursor to further institutional adoption as firms like Western Union prepare to launch on-chain settlement platforms later this year.

“We think stablecoins and tokenization are megatrends, and Ethereum and Solana are likely to be the biggest beneficiaries of that growth,” noted analysts from Bitwise in a recent market outlook. The trend reflects a broader move toward blockchain-native savings and investment instruments that offer higher transparency and lower operational costs than traditional financial systems.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute advice of any kind. Readers should conduct their own research before making any decisions.

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Mubadala Investment Company increased IBIT holdings 46% to 12,702,323 shares valued at $631 million.Al Warda Investments held 8,218,712 shares worth $408 million.Combined exposure topped $1.039 billion at December 31, 2025, during Bitcoin’s 23% Q4 drop.Current estimated value: just over $800 million following additional 23% BTC decline in early 2026.Reflects sustained long-term institutional interest in regulated spot Bitcoin ETFs.
Two prominent Abu Dhabi-based investment entities significantly expanded their positions in BlackRock’s leading spot Bitcoin exchange-traded fund during the final quarter of 2025, pushing their combined holdings above the $1 billion threshold.
According to The Block, Mubadala Investment Company — Abu Dhabi’s primary sovereign wealth fund — reported owning 12,702,323 shares of the iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) as of December 31, valued at roughly $631 million. This marks a 46% increase in share count from the prior quarter, with the fund adding nearly 4 million shares while Bitcoin experienced a roughly 23% decline during the period.
Separately, Al Warda Investments, an Abu Dhabi government-affiliated entity managing diversified assets, disclosed 8,218,712 shares valued at approximately $408 million, up slightly from 7.96 million shares three months earlier. Together, the two funds controlled more than 20.9 million shares, equating to over $1.039 billion in Bitcoin exposure through the ETF at year-end.
The disclosures stem from standard 13F filings submitted to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission by investment managers overseeing at least $100 million in assets. BlackRock’s IBIT, the largest spot Bitcoin ETF, provides direct, regulated access to the cryptocurrency’s price performance.
While the holdings have since depreciated to an estimated just over $800 million as of February 17, 2026, amid further Bitcoin losses of about 23% year-to-date, the accumulation during the downturn underscores a strategic, long-term approach by these institutional players. BlackRock’s head of digital assets, Robert Mitchnick, has pointed out that perceptions of hedge funds driving volatility through ETFs do not align with observed behavior, noting that many IBIT holders are positioned for the longer term.
This development adds to the narrative of maturing institutional adoption of Bitcoin, even as the asset class remains subject to significant price swings and regulatory considerations. 13F filings offer only a delayed view of portfolios and do not capture intra-quarter trading or other asset classes.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute advice of any kind. Readers should conduct their own research before making any decisions.
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Solana just flipped the script. Firedancer — Jump Crypto’s C-written validator client — hit mainnet in December 2025 after 100 days of production testing and 50,000+ blocks produced without a hitch. We’re now two months into the post-Firedancer era, and the network isn’t just surviving; it’s thriving with zero downtime, record on-chain metrics, and a validator set that’s leaner, meaner, and more diverse.

This is the comprehensive autopsy + forward map you asked for: validator data, outage forensics, dev migration numbers, memecoin launchpad P&L, DeFi TVL flows, and exactly where Solana sits versus Ethereum/Base in the 2026 race.

1. Validator Performance Data & Client Diversity (Feb 17, 2026 Snapshot)

Total active validators: 804 (down ~68% from 2023 peaks after deliberate “pruning” of low-performers via Solana Foundation Delegation Program wind-down).

Firedancer adoption: 16.68% of total stake on 92 pure Firedancer validators (wenfiredancer.com live tracker). Frankendancer hybrid (Firedancer networking + Agave execution) sits around 17% in recent 21Shares reporting.

Stake distribution: ~71% Jito-Agav, ~17% Frankendancer, ~12% vanilla Agave. Single-client risk is finally dropping below the old 95%+ Agave monoculture.

Skip rates (Feb 2025–Dec 2025 window, still directionally valid): Coinbase validators 0.07%, Figment 0.04% — both crushing network average. Voting effectiveness >99.8%, latency ~1.02 slots (optimal).

Uptime: 100.0% across Mainnet Beta for the past 90 days (status.solana.com). No incidents since at least Feb 3, 2026. The network absorbed a 6 Tbps DDoS in late 2025 with <450 ms finality delays.

Takeaway: The “Firedancer effect” is already measurable in resilience even at partial adoption. Full rollout + Alpenglow (Q1 2026) will unlock the real fireworks.

2. Outage Root Causes, Historical Autopsy & Permanent Fixes

Past outages (2021–early 2024) boiled down to three killers:

Single-client bugs in Agave (Turbine block propagation overload, QUIC spam, scheduler deadlocks).

No fee markets / congestion control → spam wars during memecoin frenzies.

Hardware-level coupling (one process handling everything → one crash takes the node down).

Post-Firedancer fixes in production:

Client diversity = bug isolation. Firedancer’s “tile” architecture (separate processes for networking, execution, voting) contains failures.

SIMD fee markets + Jito bundle improvements + local fee markets = spam resistance.

QUIC + stake-weighted QoS + block capacity upgrades.

Alpenglow (voting + propagation redesign) lands Q1 2026 → sub-150 ms finality target.

Result: 16+ months of continuous uptime through multiple memecoin supercycles and a record DDoS. The 2022–2023 “Solana is down again” meme is dead.

3. Developer Migration Trends – The Real 2025 Story

Electric Capital + Syndica data (through 2025):

Solana added 11,534 new developers in first 9 months of 2025 alone (vs Ethereum’s 16,181).

Full-year 2025: record 3,830 new devs (Syndica), pushing total active to ~17,700–18k.

Full-time devs up 29% YoY, 62% over two years.

Retention >70%. New builders skew consumer/gaming/payments, not just DeFi.

Solana didn’t just attract Solidity refugees — it grew its own Rust-native cohort faster than any chain. Tooling (Helius, Syndica, Anchor upgrades, Solana Program Library) finally matured in 2025. 2026 will be the year we see the first wave of “Solana-only” unicorn apps ship at consumer scale.

4. Memecoin Launchpad Economics – Pump.fun’s $Billion Engine

Pump.fun (and its PumpSwap DEX spin-out) remains the undisputed king:

Jan 6, 2026: PumpSwap single-day volume hit $1.28B (new ATH), pushing 7-day to $6.15B.

Cumulative platform volume approaching $177B.

Bonding-curve fair launches + 0.01 SOL creation cost = viral flywheel.

Revenue share to PUMP holders + new $3M “Pump Fund” (Jan 19, 2026) for ecosystem startups.

Economics breakdown:

Platform fees flow straight into SOL validator rewards → massive MEV + priority-fee capture for stakers.

Graduated tokens move to Raydium/PumpSwap with real liquidity.

2025–2026 meta: Pump.fun didn’t kill Solana DeFi — it subsidized the entire L1 fee market and onboarded millions of new wallets.

5. DeFi TVL Shifts – Quality Over Quantity

Feb 13, 2026: Solana DeFi TVL crossed 80 million SOL ATH (~$6.4–6.7B USD depending on intraday price).

RWA subset alone hit $1.6B with 285k unique holders.

Stablecoin inflows #1 across all chains multiple weeks running.

Ethereum still leads absolute TVL (~$55B), but Solana wins on velocity: daily active users, transaction count (35M+ vs ETH’s 1M), and real revenue per TVL. Liquid staking (Jito, Sanctum, etc.) and RWAs are the sleeper growth vectors for 2026.

Shift observed: Capital rotating from pure memecoin speculation → yield-bearing SOL products (LSTs as collateral on Jupiter Lend, etc.).

6. Mobile-First Adoption – The Seeker Thesis Goes Live

Solana Mobile is no longer an experiment:

Seeker phone (successor to sold-out Saga) shipping 2025–2026 with 150k+ preorders.

SKR token airdrop launched January 2026 — governance + staking for the mobile stack.

Seed Vault secure element + dApp Store + on-chain incentives baked in.

Roadmap 2026: “Guardian” Android expansion layer, bringing Web3 mobile to non-Solana hardware.

This is the missing piece. Firedancer gives the backend horsepower; Seeker + SKR gives the front-end distribution to hundreds of millions of normies who will never download MetaMask.

Forward-Looking Competitive Analysis – Where Solana Wins in 2026

Dimension Solana (Early 2026) Ethereum/Base Edge Throughput 3–5k real TPS, scaling to 100k+ ~15–30 TPS base Solana Finality ~400 ms today → <150 ms post-Alpenglow 12–15 sec Solana Client Diversity 17%+ Firedancer, growing 5+ mature clients ETH Dev Growth (new) Record 2025 influx Slower, enterprise-heavy Solana Consumer UX/Mobile Seeker + SKR native Wallet fragmentation Solana Memecoin/Retail Volume Dominant Secondary Solana DeFi TVL & Institutions $6.7B + RWAs surging $55B+ but slower velocity ETH (size), Solana (growth)

2026 Prediction: Solana cements “high-throughput consumer chain” crown. If Alpenglow + full Firedancer land cleanly and Seeker ships to 500k+ units, we see Solana flip Base in daily active users and challenge Ethereum on total on-chain revenue. The risk premium on “Solana outages” finally evaporates.

Builder & Investor Ideas for Q1–Q2 2026:

Deploy on Firedancer test validators now — get performance alpha before full migration.

Build mobile-native dApps with Seeker SDK + SKR staking hooks.

Launch “memecoin-to-RWA” funnels: use Pump.fun virality to bootstrap real-yield products.

Stake with Firedancer operators (Figment, Coinbase, etc.) for yield + network health upside.

Watch for the first “Solana-only” Layer-2 or app-chain using Firedancer tech — that’s the 2027 meta.

Solana didn’t just fix its past — it engineered a future where speed, cost, and mobile accessibility become table stakes. The autopsy is clean. The patient is not only alive; it’s running laps around the competition.

Welcome to 2026. The high-throughput era just got its operating system upgrade.

The post What’s Next for Solana Post-Firedancer appeared first on Cryptopress.

In the ever-volatile world of cryptocurrencies, few figures stand out as boldly as Michael Saylor, the Executive Chairman of Strategy (formerly MicroStrategy). Recently, Saylor has reiterated his firm belief in Bitcoin as a superior asset class, even as the market experiences significant fluctuations. With Bitcoin dipping below $80,000 in recent weeks, Saylor’s statements emphasize the long-term outperformance of digital assets over traditional ones. This article explores his latest comments, highlighting Strategy’s ongoing accumulation of Bitcoin and its implications for the crypto ecosystem.

Strategy’s Bitcoin Accumulation Strategy

Strategy has continued its aggressive Bitcoin purchasing strategy, adding to its already massive holdings despite paper losses. The company recently raised $31 million more than it spent on Bitcoin acquisitions, bolstering its cash reserves. Saylor has been vocal about this approach, stating on X that the firm is increasing its STRC dividend rate to support further investments. “Digital Credit Outperforms Conventional Credit. $STRC,” he posted, underscoring the superiority of Strategy’s financial instruments tied to Bitcoin.

This move comes as Strategy’s Bitcoin bet briefly dipped underwater for the first time in years, with shares falling 62% over the past six months. Yet, Saylor remains undeterred, emphasizing that amplified Bitcoin exposure through MSTR outperforms wrapped alternatives. He addressed skeptics directly: “What skeptics of @Strategy miss: Digital Capital ($BTC) outperforms physical capital. Digital Credit ($STRC) outperforms conventional credit. Amplified Bitcoin ($MSTR) outperforms wrapped Bitcoin.”

Implications for the Crypto Market

Saylor’s statements reflect a broader trend in corporate treasury management, where firms like Strategy view Bitcoin as a hedge against inflation and a store of value superior to fiat currencies. Amidst market fragility, with over $1.3 billion in crypto positions liquidated recently, his conviction highlights Bitcoin’s resilience as digital gold. As global adoption grows—now estimated at 590 million people—Saylor’s approach could inspire more institutional involvement.

However, critics point to the risks, including regulatory scrutiny and market volatility. Despite this, Saylor’s message is clear: “Conviction in Bitcoin is unwavering.” This stance positions Strategy as a leader in the emerging “crypto treasury” movement, where public companies leverage Bitcoin to enhance shareholder value.

Who is Michael Saylor?

Michael Saylor is the co-founder and Executive Chairman of Strategy, a business intelligence firm that has become synonymous with corporate Bitcoin adoption. A vocal Bitcoin advocate since 2020, Saylor has overseen the company’s transformation into the largest publicly traded holder of Bitcoin, with holdings exceeding 478,740 BTC valued at over $56 billion. His background in technology and finance has made him a key influencer in the crypto space, often sharing insights via his official X account (@saylor). Saylor’s philosophy centers on Bitcoin as “digital energy” and a superior monetary system, influencing countless investors and companies.

From his official X account, a recent tweet encapsulates his optimistic view: “Orange Dots Matter.” Accompanied by an image likely referencing Bitcoin’s price chart or network activity, it reinforces his belief in the asset’s enduring significance.

Michael Saylor’s recent statements underscore a pivotal moment for cryptocurrencies, where persistence amid downturns could pave the way for mainstream acceptance. As Strategy continues to bet big on Bitcoin, the industry watches closely for signs of recovery and further innovation. His ideas challenge traditional finance, promoting digital capital as the future.

For more reading, check out these related articles from Cryptopress.site:

“Michael Saylor Reaffirms Bitcoin Conviction Amid MSTR Sell-Off” (https://cryptopress.site/crypto/michael-saylor-reaffirms-bitcoin-conviction-amid-mstr-sell-off-and-index-delisting-concerns)

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Steak ’n Shake began accepting Bitcoin payments via the Lightning Network in May 2025.

The company reports same-store sales have risen dramatically over the subsequent nine months.

All Bitcoin payments flow into a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve used to fund Bitcoin bonuses for employees.

Steak ’n Shake, the American fast-food chain known for its Steakburgers and milkshakes, has credited its Bitcoin payment integration with delivering measurable business results.

In an official statement posted to X on February 16, 2026, the company announced that same-store sales have risen dramatically ever since it started accepting Bitcoin payments nine months earlier. Bitcoin payments for meals are directed straight into the company’s Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, which then funds Bitcoin bonus pay for employees.

“We have combined a decentralized, cash-producing operating business with the transformative power of Bitcoin,” the company stated in the post.

Nine months ago today, Steak n Shake launched its burger-to-Bitcoin transformation when we started accepting bitcoin payments. Our same-store sales have risen dramatically ever since.Bitcoin payments for Steak n Shake burgers go into our Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, which then…

— Steak 'n Shake (@SteaknShake) February 16, 2026

The rollout began in May 2025 via the Lightning Network. Shortly after launch, same-store sales rose more than 10%, and the company has since achieved roughly a 50% reduction in payment processing fees compared with traditional card payments, according to COO Dan Edwards.

Steak ’n Shake currently holds approximately 161 BTC in its reserve — valued at roughly $11 million at current prices — acquired at an average price of $92,851 per BTC. The position reflects an unrealized loss of about 26%. Additional initiatives include a limited-edition Bitcoin Steakburger launched in October 2025 and partial donations of Bitcoin meal revenue to open-source Bitcoin development. The firm disclosed a further $10 million increase in Bitcoin exposure last month.

Industry voices have taken note. Vineet Budki, CEO of Sigma Capital, called the approach “a real digital asset treasury model.” Samuel Patt, co-founder of Bitcoin technology firm op_net, described Steak ’n Shake as an outlier given softer broader demand for direct Bitcoin payments at retail but suggested the model could prove influential if it continues to demonstrate results.

While the strategy highlights innovative corporate use of Bitcoin for both customer payments and employee incentives, the reserve’s value remains exposed to cryptocurrency market volatility.

The development underscores growing experimentation with Bitcoin in traditional retail at a time when institutional and corporate interest in digital assets continues to evolve, though everyday consumer adoption of crypto payments faces ongoing scaling and usability hurdles.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute advice of any kind. Readers should conduct their own research before making any decisions.

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Crypto Market Today: Deep Correction ContinuesThe crypto market remains under heavy pressure on February 16 2026 as Bitcoin trades near $69,000 after its fourth consecutive weekly loss and a 45% drop from October 2025 peaks above $126,000. Broader risk sentiment stays fragile with 85 of the top 100 tokens in the red, pushing total market capitalization lower and altcoins into steeper declines.

Bitcoin’s ongoing correction, now in its second month, stems from deleveraging across leveraged positions and narrowing yen carry-trade spreads that forced large position unwinds. Despite cooler-than-expected U.S. inflation data failing to ignite a relief rally, BTC clawed back from sub-$63,000 levels earlier in February but remains capped below $70,000–$71,000 resistance. The move has dragged the entire sector lower, with ETH sliding toward $2,000 and major altcoins posting 5-10% daily losses. Analysts note the sell-off appears orderly rather than capitulatory, yet persistent macro headwinds and reduced ETF inflows keep upside limited in the near term.

Other news

Positive

Tom Lee calls BTC and ETH bottoms near $60,000/$1,890 with crypto winter “close to ending” by April.

Small-cap momentum: Initia surges 70% and Helium gains 22% in 24 hours on speculative flows.

Neutral

Harvard University reduces Bitcoin holdings 21% while lifting Ethereum allocation to $87 million.

Bitcoin ETF flows slow but show no signs of mass retail exodus.

Negative

Bloomberg’s Mike McGlone warns of “imploding bubble” and BTC collapsing to $10,000.

Binance app removed from Google Play Store in Philippines following SEC enforcement.

Privacy coins Monero and Zcash drop 8-10% as broader altcoin weakness accelerates.

What coins are moving the most lately?

Small-cap names dominate daily movers with Initia (+70% 24h) and Helium (+22% 24h) leading volatile upside, while major assets trade firmly lower. No compelling buying opportunities emerge in blue-chips given persistent bearish structure, deleveraging risks and analyst calls for deeper tests.

Bitcoin price evolution (late January to mid-February 2026) illustrates the sharp mid-February drawdown followed by partial recovery.

Bitcoin holds key support but faces resistance at $71,000. Ethereum trades near $2,000 with Harvard increasing exposure. XRP and Dogecoin slide on broad risk-off flows. See detailed sell-off coverage on CoinDesk. VanEck analysis attributes the February drop to orderly deleveraging rather than panic.

The post Crypto Weekly Snapshot – Prolonged Winter or Imminent Bottom? appeared first on Cryptopress.

Strategy (formerly MicroStrategy) has reaffirmed the resilience of its Bitcoin-centric balance sheet, stating it can fully cover its approximately $6 billion in net debt even if Bitcoin’s price drops to $8,000—an roughly 88% decline from recent levels around $68,000–$69,000.

The company, led by Michael Saylor, holds 714,644 BTC, currently valued at around $49 billion. At a hypothetical $8,000 per BTC, these holdings would be worth roughly $5.7–$6 billion, sufficient to match or exceed net debt obligations without forced liquidation. This calculation stems from Strategy’s convertible debt structure, which features low interest rates, no margin-call triggers tied to BTC price, and staggered maturities extending to 2032, providing significant runway during prolonged downturns.

Strategy can withstand a drawdown in $BTC price to $8K and still have sufficient assets to fully cover our debt. pic.twitter.com/vrw4z4Ex9q

— Strategy (@Strategy) February 15, 2026

In a recent X post, Strategy emphasized: “Strategy can withstand a drawdown in $BTC price to $8K and still have sufficient assets to fully cover our debt.” The firm plans to “equitize” much of its $6 billion convertible debt over the next 3–6 years by converting it into equity, reducing leverage, eliminating interest burdens, and enhancing long-term flexibility while preserving its Bitcoin acquisition strategy. This approach avoids issuing new senior debt and relies on the company’s cash reserves and equity issuance capabilities.

Analysts note the structure mitigates immediate risks, as no major maturities loom until 2028, and the company has cash to service obligations for years without selling BTC. However, below $8,000, coverage falls below 1x, potentially necessitating restructuring, additional equity raises, or refinancing—though management insists it would pursue these options before any BTC sales. Some observers question the scenario’s realism given Bitcoin’s historical volatility, but the declaration underscores Strategy’s commitment to holding through extreme drawdowns.

The announcement arrives amid broader market caution, with Bitcoin recently dipping amid outflows and volatility, yet Strategy positions its model as a long-term bet on BTC appreciation, with no intention to liquidate holdings. Michael Saylor has previously described the capital structure as designed to endure multi-year 90% declines.

From https://cryptopress.site/coins/: Bitcoin (BTC) serves as the core reserve asset in corporate treasuries like Strategy’s, while Ethereum (ETH) offers smart contract functionality for diversified exposure.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute advice of any kind. Readers should conduct their own research before making any decisions.

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Research from CoinShares indicates that only 10,230 BTC, or roughly 0.05% of the total supply, are held in wallets with exposed public keys vulnerable to quantum attacks.

The report pushes back against “Q-Day” alarmism, noting that the computing power required to break Bitcoin’s ECDSA encryption is still decades away.

Institutional giant Strategy (formerly MicroStrategy) is estimated to have only 1.4% of its holdings at risk, largely due to modern address security.

The long-standing debate over quantum computing’s ability to compromise the Bitcoin network has reached a new inflection point as recent data suggests the immediate threat is significantly overstated. According to a new research note from CoinShares, only a tiny fraction of the circulating supply is actually “at risk” from potential quantum-assisted theft. While theoretical models often cite up to 4 million BTC as vulnerable due to legacy P2PK (Pay-to-Public-Key) addresses, the firm argues that only 10,230 BTC sit in large enough concentrations with exposed keys to be worth a targeted attack.

The distinction lies in Bitcoin’s address architecture. Modern addresses, such as those using SegWit (Bech32), do not expose a user’s public key until a transaction is broadcast. This means a quantum computer would have a window of only roughly 10 minutes to crack the key before the transaction is confirmed. In contrast, legacy P2PK addresses, common during the Satoshi era, have their public keys permanently visible on the ledger, allowing a quantum attacker to work on them offline for an indefinite period.

“Bitcoin’s quantum vulnerability is not an immediate crisis but a foreseeable engineering consideration,” wrote Christopher Bendiksen, Bitcoin research lead at CoinShares. He noted that the computing power required to break a single key would currently require a machine with 13 million physical qubits—a figure nearly 100,000 times larger than the current state-of-the-art systems like Google’s 105-qubit Willow chip.

The report also analyzed the holdings of Strategy (MSTR), the world’s largest corporate holder of Bitcoin. Despite holding over 190,000 BTC, only approximately 1.4% of Strategy’s holdings are estimated to be at risk because the firm utilizes institutional custody solutions that frequently rotate addresses and use quantum-resistant cold storage practices. During a recent earnings call, Strategy Chairman Michael Saylor announced a new “Bitcoin Security Program” to evaluate long-term cryptographic upgrades, reinforcing the sentiment that the risk is manageable through proactive coordination.

Community sentiment remains cautious but optimistic. Many developers argue that soft forks could introduce quantum-resistant signature schemes, such as Lamport or Winternitz signatures, long before quantum hardware matures. However, the report warns that the primary challenge is not the math, but the social coordination required to migrate millions of users to new wallet types.

“Quantum computing is moving from theory to long-term strategic consideration… the Bitcoin community is already researching quantum-resistant cryptography as a future engineering challenge the network can prepare for.” — Mark Palmer, Analyst at Benchmark.

For now, the market appears to be pricing out the “Quantum Doomsday” scenario, treating it as a distant technical debt rather than a systemic failure. The consensus among institutional researchers is that “Q-Day” remains at least 10 to 20 years away, giving the network ample time to evolve its defenses.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute advice of any kind. Readers should conduct their own research before making any decisions.

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BlackRock has officially integrated its USD Institutional Digital Liquidity Fund (BUIDL) with UniswapX, allowing for 24/7 on-chain trading of fund shares.

The initiative is a collaboration with Securitize, which will manage the whitelisting and compliance layers required for institutional participation.

In tandem with the launch, BlackRock disclosed a strategic investment in the Uniswap ecosystem, triggering a significant rally in the UNI governance token.

Asset management titan BlackRock has taken its most significant step into decentralized finance (DeFi) to date by making its tokenized Treasury fund, BUIDL, available for trading on the Uniswap protocol. The move, announced on Feb. 11, 2026, leverages the UniswapX off-chain order routing system to provide near-instant liquidity between BUIDL shares and USDC for verified institutional investors.

The integration, facilitated by the digital asset platform Securitize, marks the first time a major institutional real-world asset (RWA) fund has tapped into decentralized exchange infrastructure for secondary market liquidity. While the trading occurs on-chain via smart contracts, access is strictly limited to whitelisted participants and qualified purchasers, ensuring the fund remains compliant with securities regulations. Professional market makers, including Wintermute, Flowdesk, and Tokka Labs, have already joined as liquidity providers for the pair.

Beyond the technical integration, the announcement sent shockwaves through the market when BlackRock confirmed it had made a strategic investment within the Uniswap ecosystem. Although the exact size of the position was not disclosed, reports of an undisclosed UNI token purchase sent the protocol’s governance asset surging as much as 40% within minutes of the news, highlighting growing institutional alignment with DeFi leaders.

“Our mission is simple: make exchanging value cheaper, faster, and more accessible,” said Hayden Adams, Founder and CEO of Uniswap Labs. “Enabling BUIDL on UniswapX with BlackRock and Securitize supercharges our mission by creating efficient markets, better liquidity, and faster settlement.”

As of February 2026, BUIDL remains the largest tokenized money market fund in the crypto industry, boasting over $2.2 billion in assets under management. By shifting from a purely permissioned issuance model to an active trading environment on Uniswap, BlackRock is effectively stress-testing the interoperability of traditional yield-bearing instruments with stablecoin-based liquidity pools.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute advice of any kind. Readers should conduct their own research before making any decisions.

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Aztec Network officially launched its native AZTEC token on Feb. 12, 2026, following a successful $61 million on-chain funding round involving over 17,000 participants.

The token debuted on major exchanges including Coinbase, Kraken, Bybit, and KuCoin, but early price action saw double-digit declines from auction highs.

The launch marks a transition for the privacy-focused Ethereum L2 from development to an active governance and staking ecosystem.

Privacy-focused Ethereum Layer 2 Aztec Network finally saw its native token, AZTEC, go live for trading on Feb. 12, following years of development and a significant on-chain capital raise. Despite the high-profile launch and support from top-tier exchanges, early investors who participated in the initial price discovery phases are currently facing double-digit losses as the market adjusts to the new supply.

The project, which has secured backing from industry giants such as a16z, Paradigm, and Vitalik Buterin, utilized a novel Continuous Clearing Auction (CCA) on Uniswap to facilitate its initial distribution. While the auction successfully raised 19,476 ETH (approximately $61 million), the clearing price settled at a premium that has since faced intense sell pressure. In the 24 hours following the launch, the AZTEC price experienced a sharp correction, dropping over 20% from its initial trading highs as liquidity settled across centralized and decentralized platforms.

Industry analysts point to the fully diluted valuation (FDV) and the immediate unlocking of tokens for auction participants as primary drivers of the downward trend. At launch, approximately 28% of the total 10.35 billion token supply entered circulation. While the high volume-to-market-cap ratio—exceeding 50% on day one—indicates significant institutional and retail interest, it also provided ample exit liquidity for early backers and sequencers who had been earning block rewards during the testnet phases.

Aztec’s value proposition centers on “programmable privacy,” allowing developers to build smart contracts that hide transaction details while maintaining regulatory compliance through selective disclosure. The token serves as the backbone for network security, requiring sequencers to stake AZTEC to participate in block production and governance.

“Aztec is navigating its crucial first days with top-tier exchange support but also the immediate test of its auction-inflated valuation,” noted market observers at CoinMarketCap. The community must now decide whether the privacy L2’s utility can attract enough sustained buying to offset the initial post-TGE volatility.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute advice of any kind. Readers should conduct their own research before making any decisions.

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Bitcoin recovered to above $69,000 briefly after dropping to $65,000, driven by cooler US CPI data at 2.4%.

Major altcoins led the rebound, with Solana up 9.5%, Aster surging 10%, and Ethereum gaining 6.5% in the last 24 hours.

The global crypto market cap rose 3.4%, reflecting renewed investor sentiment amid economic indicators.

Bitcoin staged a notable recovery on February 13, 2026, briefly reclaiming the $69,000 level after softer-than-expected US CPI data sparked optimism across risk assets. The leading cryptocurrency climbed from a weekly low of around $65,000 to $69,190 before settling near $68,500, marking a 4.6% increase over the past 24 hours. This move comes amid a broader market rebound, with the total crypto market capitalization rising 3.4% to $2.43 trillion.

Altcoins outperformed Bitcoin in the rally, with several major tokens posting gains of 5% or more. Solana (SOL) led with a 9.5% surge to $84.63, while Ethereum (ETH) rose 6.5% to $2,047.94. Other standouts included Aster, up nearly 10%, Hyperliquid gaining 8.9%, and Hedera advancing over 5%. These rebounds partially reversed recent losses tied to tech sector weakness and broader risk-off sentiment (CoinMarketCap).

The catalyst appeared to be the US CPI print of 2.4%, lower than anticipated, which eased concerns over persistent inflation and potential Federal Reserve rate adjustments. Analysts view this as a potential turning point, though caution remains. “Bitcoin’s bounce to $69K could be a short-squeeze trap or the start of a bullish turn,” noted market observers, highlighting fragile order books and positioning (AInvest).

Stablecoins like USDT maintained parity, offering stability during the volatility. Privacy coins such as Monero (XMR) also saw interest, up modestly amid the rebound. Liquidations eased, with forced sales moderating, suggesting the worst of the sell-off may be over.

While the recovery injects hope, balanced analysis points to risks, including household debt pressures and Fed decisions. “Bitcoin’s journey to $100,000 may hinge on timely Federal Reserve interventions,” said one analyst. For related coverage on market recoveries, see https://cryptopress.site/crypto/bitcoin-recovery-after-cpi-data.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute advice of any kind. Readers should conduct their own research before making any decisions.

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The Rollercoaster of Crypto Markets

Imagine holding a digital asset that skyrockets from pennies to thousands of dollars, only to watch it plummet overnight, wiping out fortunes in the blink of an eye. This isn’t a hypothetical thriller—it’s the real story of cryptocurrency markets. From Bitcoin’s humble beginnings in 2009 to its volatile peaks and troughs, the crypto world has endured multiple “ends of the world” scenarios, each followed by remarkable resurgences. As we stand in early 2026, with Bitcoin hovering around $66,000 after a sharp correction from its late-2025 high of over $126,000, questions linger: What causes these crashes? How does the market bounce back? And what stories—or narratives—might ignite the next bull run?

This article explores the major crashes in crypto history, dissecting their triggers, mechanics, and recoveries. We’ll draw on historical data, real-world examples, and forward-looking analysis to provide timeless insights for beginners and intermediate investors alike. Think of crypto markets like a heartbeat: irregular, sometimes faltering, but persistently pumping forward. By understanding these cycles, you’ll be better equipped to navigate the volatility without falling prey to hype or panic.

As shown in the chart below, Bitcoin’s price history is a testament to resilience amid chaos.

Bitcoin Price Crash Scenarios: Could It Drop to $40,000–$60,000 Again? | Pocolocco on Binance Square The Anatomy of a Crypto Crash: Core Explanations

Cryptocurrency crashes aren’t random; they’re often the result of overleveraged speculation meeting real-world shocks. Unlike traditional stocks, crypto operates 24/7 in a largely unregulated space, amplifying both gains and losses. Let’s break down the mechanics step-by-step.

Historical Origins of Volatility

Crypto’s volatility stems from its youth. Bitcoin, the market’s bellwether, was created in 2009 by Satoshi Nakamoto as a response to the 2008 financial crisis—a decentralized alternative to fiat currencies controlled by banks. Early adopters were tech enthusiasts and libertarians, but as prices rose, speculators flooded in, creating bubbles prone to bursting.

A crash typically follows a “boom-bust” cycle:

Accumulation Phase: Smart money (early investors) buys in quietly.

Bull Run: Media hype draws retail investors; prices surge.

Peak Euphoria: Overleveraged positions (e.g., via futures or margin trading) push prices to unsustainable highs.

Trigger Event: A hack, regulatory announcement, or macroeconomic shift sparks selling.

Cascade Effect: Liquidations force more sales, creating a downward spiral.

Capitulation: Panic selling hits rock bottom, shaking out weak hands.

This pattern mirrors traditional market psychology, as illustrated in the infographic below.

cryptocurrencyfacts.com & Wall Street Cheat Sheet – Market Cycles in Cryptocurrency Major Crashes: A Chronological Breakdown

Here are the most significant crypto crashes, with key data summarized in the table below for easy comparison.

Crash Event Date Range Peak Price (BTC) Bottom Price (BTC) % Drop Primary Cause Recovery Time to New ATH 2011 Mt. Gox Hack June 2011 $32 $0.01 -99% Exchange hack stealing millions in BTC ~2 years (to 2013 peak) 2013 Bubble Burst April 2013 $260 $54 -79% Speculative bubble and exchange overload ~8 months (to late 2013) 2014 Mt. Gox Bankruptcy Feb 2014 $1,127 $360 -68% Exchange insolvency after hacks ~3 years (to 2017) 2017-2018 Crypto Winter Dec 2017-Dec 2018 $19,665 $3,200 -84% ICO bust, regulatory crackdowns, hacks ~3 years (to 2021) 2020 COVID Crash March 2020 $8,000 $4,000 -50% Global pandemic market panic ~8 months (to late 2020) 2021-2022 Bear Market Nov 2021-Jun 2022 $69,044 $19,047 -72% Inflation hikes, China ban, overleverage ~3 years (to 2025 highs) 2022 Terra/FTX Collapse May-Nov 2022 $48,000 (post-2021) $15,500 -68% (from May peak) Algorithmic stablecoin failure and exchange fraud Integrated into broader 2022 bear 2025 Tariff Crash Oct 2025 $126,000 $105,000 -17% (intraday) Geopolitical tensions, tariffs, $19B liquidations Ongoing as of Feb 2026

Data sourced from historical analyses.

2011: The First Blood – Mt. Gox Hack

Bitcoin’s inaugural crash was brutal. After reaching $32 (a massive gain from $0.30 earlier that year), the Mt. Gox exchange—handling 70% of trades—was hacked. Thieves manipulated prices to $0.01, causing a 99% drop. Recovery came as the community rebuilt trust, with Bitcoin climbing back via grassroots adoption.

2013-2014: Bubble and Bankruptcy

A speculative frenzy drove BTC to $1,200, but China’s ban on fiat-to-crypto exchanges and Mt. Gox’s collapse (losing 850,000 BTC) triggered cascading failures. Analogy: Like a house of cards built on unverified trust, it crumbled under scrutiny. Recovery involved new exchanges like Binance emerging, fostering a more robust ecosystem.

2017-2018: The ICO Bust

The ICO (Initial Coin Offering) boom inflated the market to $800B total cap. When projects failed to deliver and regulators cracked down (e.g., SEC rulings), prices tanked 80%. Case study: Bitconnect, a Ponzi scheme, collapsed from $509 to $8. Recovery: Ethereum’s DeFi summer in 2020, where decentralized apps proved real utility.

2020-2022: Pandemic and Protocol Failures

The COVID crash synced with global markets, halving BTC in days. Then, 2022’s Terra-Luna depeg (UST stablecoin failing) and FTX fraud (Sam Bankman-Fried’s empire imploding) erased trillions. Societal impact: Billions in retail losses eroded trust, but institutional entry (e.g., MicroStrategy’s BTC buys) aided rebound.

2025: The Tariff Turmoil

Geopolitical tariffs and low liquidity led to $19B in liquidations—the largest ever. BTC dipped 14% intraday. As of February 2026, the market remains sideways, with BTC at ~$66K and fear indices at extreme lows.

Applications and Real-World Examples: Recoveries in Action

Each crash has birthed innovations. Post-2014, hardware wallets like Ledger enhanced security. After 2018, DeFi protocols (e.g., Uniswap) decentralized trading, reducing single-point failures. Case study: Post-FTX, exchanges like Coinbase implemented proof-of-reserves, boosting transparency.

Pros of recoveries:

Innovation surges (e.g., Layer 2 scaling post-congestion).

Weaker projects exit, strengthening survivors.

Cons:

Retail investors often sell at bottoms, missing rebounds.

Regulatory overreactions can stifle growth.

Economic impact: Crashes correlate with broader downturns but decouple in recoveries, as seen in Bitcoin’s 2020-2021 surge amid stimulus.

Challenges and Risks: Why Crashes Persist

Risks include overleverage (e.g., 10x margins amplifying losses), regulatory uncertainty (e.g., potential US bans), and external shocks (e.g., energy crises affecting mining). Solutions: Diversification, dollar-cost averaging, and understanding on-chain metrics like MVRV ratio to spot overvaluation.

Societal implications: Crashes exacerbate inequality, as institutions buy dips while retail panics. Yet, they democratize finance by weeding out scams.

Future Outlook: Narratives to Revive the 2026 Bull Market

As crypto shifts from speculation to utility, several narratives could spark revival. These aren’t predictions but educated analyses based on trends.

AI x Crypto: AI agents using blockchain for payments and data. Example: Render Network tokenizing GPU compute.

Real-World Assets (RWA) Tokenization: Bringing stocks, real estate on-chain for liquidity. BlackRock’s involvement signals trillions in potential.

Privacy and Zero-Knowledge Tech: With regulations tightening, tools like Zcash or Zama’s FHE enable private DeFi.

Prediction Markets and DeFi for Normies: Platforms like Polymarket going mainstream for event betting; user-friendly apps lowering barriers.

Institutional Normalization: ETFs, corporate treasuries (e.g., more firms following MicroStrategy), and regulatory clarity (e.g., 2026 market structure bills).

These could drive inflows, especially if Fed rate cuts boost liquidity.

x.com – https://x.com/Eli5defi – An overview of crypto narratives Conclusion: Embracing the Cycle

Crypto’s history is a saga of crashes forging stronger foundations. From 2011’s penny drop to 2025’s liquidation storm, each downturn has preceded innovation and new highs. In 2026, narratives like AI integration and RWAs could herald the next chapter, but remember: Markets reward patience, not speculation.

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