CryptoTale News

Rusia stabilește o revizuire pentru 2026 pentru un stablecoin susținut de stat în contextul schimbărilor de politici.

Noile reguli crypto ar putea fi adoptate în această primăvară, oferind piețelor un teren de operare mai clar.

Presiunea sancțiunilor și cadrele externe împing Moscova să exploreze opțiuni digitale.

Banca Centrală Rusă se pregătește să reanalizeze o idee la care a rezistat timp de ani de zile: dacă țara ar trebui să emită un stablecoin susținut de ruble. Schimbarea a apărut în timpul declarațiilor vicepreședintelui Vladimir Chistyukhin la conferința Alfa Talk din Moscova, unde a confirmat că un studiu complet este programat pentru 2026.

Fluxurile de criptomonede legate de rețelele de trafic au crescut brusc la nivel mondial în 2025.

Stablecoins ancorează în prezent structurile de plată pentru escorte și prostituție la nivel global.

Abonamentele și spălarea de criptomonede sunt două modalități prin care piețele CSAM cresc.

Tranzacțiile cu criptomonede legate de servicii suspectate de trafic de persoane au crescut cu 85% de la an la an în 2025, ajungând la sute de milioane de dolari, conform unui nou raport de la Chainalysis. Firma a declarat că cifrele reflectă doar activitatea financiară, în timp ce adevărata daună constă în viețile afectate. Investigators au legat creșterea de compuși de escrocherie din Asia de Sud-Est, platforme de jocuri de noroc online și rețele de spălare de bani în limba chineză care operează prin Telegram.

Inflația generală rămâne în limitele proiecțiilor, iar indicele CPI scade la 2.4%.

Creșterile lunare sunt determinate de costurile locuințelor, în timp ce prețurile energiei și gazului scad.

Bitcoin îmbunătățește cu 3.88% pe măsură ce lichiditatea și randamentele Treasuries influențează piața.

Piețele au reacționat la datele despre inflația din SUA din ianuarie, arătând că indicele prețurilor de consum (CPI) a fost de 2.4% față de anul trecut, sub estimarea de 2.5%. Inflația de bază se situează la 2.5%, conform previziunilor, în timp ce Bitcoin se tranzacționează aproape de 68,894$ iar randamentele Treasuries se mențin în jurul valorii de 3.52%. Indicele CPI crește cu 0.2% în ianuarie, pe o bază lunară, în timp ce inflația de bază crește cu 0.3%, ajustată sezonier.

Truth Social files Bitcoin, Ether, and CRO ETFs amid $410M Bitcoin ETF outflows.

BlackRock IBIT leads withdrawals with $157.56M in major single-day redemptions.

Proposed ETFs include staking rewards exposure and carry a 0.95% management fee.

Trump Media’s Truth Social has moved to expand its digital asset ambitions, filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for two new crypto exchange-traded funds as institutional money flows turn negative across major products. The applications arrive during a week marked by sharp outflows from spot Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs.

TRUTH SOCIAL FILES FOR TWO CRYPTO ETFs

Trump Media’s Truth Social Funds filed with the SEC for two cryptocurrency ETFs. One, the Cronos Yield Maximizer ETF, targets CRO plus staking rewards; the other, the Bitcoin and Ether ETF, tracks BTC and ETH plus Ether staking.

Crypto…

— *Walter Bloomberg (@DeItaone) February 13, 2026

Yet, the filings, submitted by Truth Social Funds, seek approval for the Truth Social Cronos Yield Maximizer ETF and the Truth Social Bitcoin and Ether ETF. Per the report, the proposed products would provide exposure to Cronos (CRO), Bitcoin, and Ether, while also incorporating staking rewards where applicable. The registration statements remain under SEC review and are not yet effective.

Dual ETF Strategy Targets Yield and Price Exposure

According to the filing, the Truth Social Cronos Yield Maximizer ETF aims to track the performance of CRO, the native token of the Cronos ecosystem, plus staking rewards associated with the asset.

The second product, the Truth Social Bitcoin and Ether ETF, is designed to reflect the combined performance of Bitcoin and Ether, alongside Ether staking rewards. Besides, both funds will be advised by Yorkville America Equities, LLC, with an expected management fee of 0.95%.

On the other hand, Truth Social Funds is joining hands with Crypto.com for operational support. Subject to regulatory approval, Crypto.com is expected to provide digital asset custody, liquidity, and staking services. The ETFs would be available for purchase through Crypto.com’s affiliated broker-dealer, Foris Capital US LLC.

Steve Neamtz, president of Yorkville America Equities, said the firm intends to offer investors exposure to both capital appreciation and income opportunities through digital asset products. Kris Marszalek, co-founder and CEO of Crypto.com, confirmed the company’s role in custody, liquidity, and staking support.

Related: Scott Bessent Calls for Clarity Act as Bitcoin Slide Deepens

Filings Land Amid Sharp ETF Outflows

The announcement comes as U.S.-listed spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded a combined net outflow of $410.37 million on February 12. Notably, no Bitcoin ETF reported daily inflows on that date. Data from SoSoValue showed BlackRock’s IBIT registered the largest daily withdrawal at $157.56 million.

Source: SoSoValue

Fidelity’s FBTC followed with $104.13 million in outflows, while other Bitcoin ETFs also posted withdrawals. WisdomTree’s BTCW and Hashdex’s DEFI were the only funds reporting no inflows or outflows. Ethereum-linked products, on the other hand, also recorded net outflows totaling approximately $113.10 million on the same day.

Source: SoSoValue

Despite negative institutional flows, Bitcoin posted a 24-hour gain of roughly 5%. However, it remained below the $70,000 level, a price point it has yet to break decisively in recent sessions.

Related: South Korea Tightens Crypto Oversight to Track Hidden Assets

Broader Cronos Strategy Underpins Expansion

On a broader scale, Friday’s ETF filing builds on a previously disclosed strategic partnership between Trump Media and Crypto.com. Under that agreement, Trump Media was set to acquire 684.4 million CRO tokens at an approximate price of $0.153 per token.

Moreover, the transaction structure included a 50% stock and 50% cash exchange. It also outlined the creation of a Trump Media Group CRO Strategy aimed at integrating Cronos into the company’s broader digital asset initiatives.

Market reaction to the ETF filing appeared measured. Shares of Trump Media (DJT) rose about 2.5% during Friday’s session, trading near $11.18. The registration statements specify that the securities described in the prospectus may not be sold, nor may offers to buy be accepted, until the SEC review process is completed and the filings become effective.

The timing of the ETF applications places Truth Social’s crypto expansion against a backdrop of declining institutional inflows. While spot demand for Bitcoin showed resilience in price terms, ETF data reflected reduced appetite among large investors.

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Bitcoin is trading far below its October 2025 record summit amid policy deadlock. 

Clarity Act negotiations expose extensive industry division and partisan strain. 

The treasury argues regulatory certainty can temper volatility and restore confidence.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Thursday that stalled crypto legislation, including the Clarity Act, could help steady volatile markets and restore investor confidence. Bitcoin has fallen about half from its October 2025 record high as Washington remains divided over digital asset regulation. Speaking to CNBC, Bessent linked part of the market’s turbulence to political and industry gridlock over the proposed market structure bill.

“Bitcoin has a history of volatile movement,” Bessent said. He added that part of the current volatility is “self-induced” because some crypto firms have blocked progress on the Clarity bill. He said a group of Democrats wants to work with Republicans on the measure, yet resistance from certain industry players has slowed negotiations.

Crypto executives have met with U.S. banking representatives and regulators at the White House over the past month to discuss the legislation. Lawyers from Ripple and Coinbase described meetings this week as “productive” and said “progress was made.” Even so, the bill remains stalled after Coinbase withdrew its support in January.

Political Divide and Industry Pushback

The Clarity Act aims to set clear rules for digital asset oversight in the United States. Coinbase pulled support over a section that would limit companies from offering yield on stablecoins to consumers. At the time, CEO Brian Armstrong said, “We’d rather have no bill than a bad bill.”

Since then, discussions have continued among crypto leaders, banking officials, and regulators. Bessent said blocking the bill “doesn’t seem to have been good for the overall crypto community.” He warned that legislative uncertainty contributes to instability in the broader market.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Squawk Box today that Congress should fast-track the bipartisan Clarity Act to establish clear federal rules for digital assets amid ongoing market volatility.

Clear regulation could be a key catalyst for the next phase of crypto… pic.twitter.com/KSvIWcLbP7

— CoinRank (@CoinRank_io) February 14, 2026

His recent remarks were more restrained than his prior comments. Last week, he called opponents of the bill “nihilists” and said market participants who reject it “should move to El Salvador.” He later described them as “recalcitrant actors” during a television appearance.

Bessent also pointed to political risk. He said that if Democrats gain a majority in the House during the midterm elections, “the prospects of getting a deal done will just fall apart.” He referenced the Biden administration’s regulatory approach and said it nearly caused an “extinction event” for crypto.

Senate Hearing and Strategic Bitcoin Reserve

During a Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee hearing on the Financial Stability Oversight Council’s annual report, lawmakers questioned Bessent about global competition. Members asked whether China is using blockchain or digital assets to challenge U.S. financial leadership.

Bessent said Treasury has not observed rumored gold-backed Chinese instruments. Still, he noted China’s activity through Hong Kong. The discussion then shifted to domestic oversight.

Bessent voiced strong support for embedding digital asset innovation within the U.S. economy under “safe, sound, and smart” supervision. He also warned that deposit volatility tied to crypto-related legislation could harm small banks by limiting their ability to lend locally.

Related: GENIUS Act Expected to Pass by Mid-July, Says Scott Bessent

Separately, Senator Cynthia Lummis raised the idea of a de minimis Bitcoin tax exemption for small transactions. She also sought clearer guidance on calculating capital gains across mixed-cost portfolios. Bessent said Treasury’s tax policy office would engage with her team.

The hearing followed earlier testimony in which Bessent said the government cannot bail out Bitcoin or direct banks to hold crypto. He added that seized Bitcoin will remain in the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve instead of being sold.

As lawmakers debate the Clarity Act and industry leaders continue negotiations, markets face ongoing uncertainty. Will Congress break the deadlock before volatility deepens further?

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XRP direcționează expansiunea Ripple în cadrul serviciilor de plăți, împrumuturi și cadru de trezorerie.

Ripple avansează tokenizarea XRPL cu ambiții la scară instituțională prin planurile din 2026.

Garlinghouse își imaginează o evaluare de un trilion de dolari prin modelul de utilitate a ecosistemului.

CEO-ul Ripple, Brad Garlinghouse, a reafirmat rolul central al XRP în strategia pe termen lung a companiei, descriind activul digital ca fiind „Steaua Nordului” care ghidează ambițiile infrastructurii financiare în expansiune ale Ripple. El a numit XRP fundația scopului și direcției platformei Ripple. Vorbind în timpul recentului eveniment virtual Ziua Comunității XRP, Garlinghouse le-a spus participanților că fiecare inițiativă majoră de produs se aliniază cu întărirea ecosistemului XRP.

KDIC gains clear legal power to request full crypto transaction histories from exchanges.

FSC interpretation closes gaps that once limited access to transfer and balance records.

Oversight expands as Korea accelerates broader investigations of digital asset flows.

South Korea’s financial regulators have tightened their grip on digital asset oversight, resolving a long-standing ambiguity in the nation’s depositor protection framework. According to reports, the latest decision grants the Korea Deposit Insurance Corporation authority to obtain detailed transaction histories from licensed virtual asset service providers.

Regulators say the clarification closes enforcement gaps that persisted despite last year’s amendments to the Depositor Protection Act. Officials further argue that the expanded access is essential to ensure digital assets cannot slip outside investigative reach during financial disputes or insolvency cases.

FSC Clarifies Data-Access Powers

A legal interpretation released by the Financial Services Commission confirms the KDIC can request transaction and transfer histories held by domestic exchanges. The ruling may sound procedural, but for regulators it resolves a question that had slowed some investigations: whether the law’s definition of “required data” covered only account-level information or extended to transactional logs held by crypto platforms.

The FSC’s view is now explicit. The amended law, which took effect in September 2024, brought digital asset operators under the KDIC’s data-submission rules. Officials say excluding transaction records would defeat the point of the reforms, which aim to trace assets in bankruptcy cases and financial disputes where individuals might attempt to hide wealth in digital markets.

According to the interpretation, KDIC requests may encompass any property or business data “necessary for demanding compensation for damages, exercising subrogation rights, or participating in litigation.” Regulators added that this includes digital asset balances and histories tied to insolvent individuals or connected parties.

Closing a Loophole in Enforcement

The original 2024 amendment was driven by unease inside the government that crypto platforms could become blind spots in investigations. Insolvency cases in particular had highlighted how digital assets might be shifted or concealed beyond the reach of traditional banking inquiries.

Until now, however, regulators were unsure whether the KDIC could compel the same depth of information from exchanges as it could from banks. The FSC’s interpretation removes that uncertainty. Officials say the earlier ambiguity had allowed some actors to exploit a grey zone between custody data and transaction logs, leaving investigators without a clear view of asset flows during financial distress.

Implications for Market Oversight

The move aligns with South Korea’s broader regulatory posture, which has hardened in stages over the past three years. The Virtual Asset User Protection Act, enacted in 2023 and fully enforced as of July 2024, already gives authorities the right to inspect platforms, sanction unfair trading activity, and require exchanges to hold customer assets in segregated accounts.

It also mandates reporting of suspicious activity, part of a wider effort to curb manipulation and safeguard retail funds. With the KDIC’s new reach, the agency’s traditional mandate widens. Founded in 1996 to protect depositors and maintain system stability, the corporation now finds itself increasingly involved in digital asset tracing when insolvency or litigation surfaces.

Industry Reaction and Regional Context

Upbit, Bithumb, and other licensed exchanges operating in Korea are expected to comply with KDIC inquiries, though some industry voices have quietly raised concerns about balancing regulatory demands with user privacy obligations.

Analysts say the development fits a regional trend: East Asian financial authorities have accelerated oversight of digital markets as AML scrutiny and cross-border enforcement intensify.

Related: RLUSD Doubles to $1.5B in Under Six Months as Ripple Expands Global Deals

A Broader Regulatory Push

The clarification arrives as Korean regulators prepare additional measures targeting suspicious trading patterns. Officials have signaled that advanced monitoring tools, including AI-driven surveillance under the Financial Supervisory Service, will play a larger role in market oversight.

Ultimately, the FSC’s stance closes a structural gap in the Depositor Protection Act by placing digital asset transaction histories on the same footing as traditional financial data. It marks another step in Seoul’s ongoing effort to build a cohesive framework around an industry that has often moved faster than regulation itself.

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Conform lui Peter Schiff, $10,000 ar putea fi un nivel structural de suport pentru Bitcoin.

În timpul unei recesiuni, strategia de refinanțare a datoriei lui Michael Saylor atrage atenția pieței.

În timp ce prețul aurului rămâne relativ stabil, Bitcoin se tranzacționează aproape de $66,000.

Peter Schiff a relansat critica sa de lungă durată asupra Bitcoin miercuri, când activul s-a tranzacționat aproximativ la nivelul de $66k, conform CoinMarketCap. El a spus că graficele pe termen lung sugerează un suport inițial în jurul $10,000. Schiff a mai batjocorit planul președintelui executiv al MicroStrategy, Michael Saylor, de a refinanța datoria pentru a continua să cumpere Bitcoin dacă prețurile scad la $8,000. Remarcile sale vin pe fondul în care Bitcoin rămâne semnificativ sub maximul său istoric de $126,000 din octombrie și pe măsură ce volatilitatea continuă să pună presiune asupra acțiunilor legate de criptomonede.

BlackRock permite tranzacționarea BUIDL pe UniswapX pentru investitorii instituționali selectați.

Securitize gestionează conformitatea și accesibilitatea listei albe pentru investitorii instituționali.

Integrarea leagă fondurile tokenizate de randament al Trezoreriei cu căile de lichiditate ale stablecoin-urilor.

BlackRock va lista tokenul său digital susținut de Trezorerie BUIDL pe Uniswap, marcând un pas major în finanțele descentralizate. Cel mai mare manager de active din lume va permite tranzacționarea instituțională a tokenului de 1,8 miliarde de dolari prin UniswapX. Această mișcare, realizată împreună cu Securitize, leagă finanțele tradiționale de piețele bazate pe blockchain. Aranjamentul include, de asemenea, achiziționarea de către BlackRock a unei sume nedezvăluite din tokenul UNI al Uniswap.

RLUSD se dublează la 1,5 miliarde de dolari pe măsură ce oferta crește pe burse și canale de decontare.

Ripple își extinde legăturile cu EAU, deoarece Zand leagă RLUSD de stablecoin-ul său dirham pe XRPL.

Impulsul de tokenizare crește cu Ripple și Aviva aducând structuri de fonduri pe blockchain.

Stablecoin-ul RLUSD, legat de dolar, a depășit un nou prag, având acum o valoare de piață de aproximativ 1,52 miliarde de dolari, o creștere care s-a desfășurat în mai puțin de șase luni și a împins tokenul într-un nivel superior al pieței de stablecoin-uri. Datele de pe CoinMarketCap pun acel prag într-o lumină mai clară: RLUSD se învârtea în jurul a 750 milioane de dolari în septembrie 2025, iar oferta sa a crescut constant de atunci.

The UAE Central Bank approves DDSC for regulated dirham digital payments nationwide.

DDSC integrates more programmable blockchain settlement rails with dirham reserves.

Institutional clients can access compliant blockchain infrastructure thanks to FAB.

International Holding Company, First Abu Dhabi Bank, and Sirius International Holding have secured approval from the Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates to launch a dirham-backed stablecoin known as DDSC. The authorization moves the initiative into live operation and places it within the country’s regulated financial framework. The project aligns with the UAE’s strategy to integrate digital assets into mainstream banking infrastructure while maintaining strict regulatory oversight.

IHC, FAB, Sirius get Central Bank nod to launch dirham-backed stablecoin https://t.co/Jxb54l5Kbt

— Khaleej Times (@khaleejtimes) February 12, 2026

 According to the Khaleej Times, IHC and FAB first announced the initiative in April 2025. Since then, the partners have advanced the framework toward operational readiness. Currently, Sirius International Holding joins the rollout to support deployment, integration, and institutional adoption across the market.

FAB customers can access the stablecoin through various platforms that have received official approval. The framework enables organizations to implement enterprise and institutional solutions while maintaining all requirements for compliance and transparency and operational security that the Central Bank requires. 

Regulatory Framework and Institutional Scope

DDSC will operate within an established regulatory structure. In 2024, the Central Bank introduced its Payment Token Services Regulations, which established the regulatory framework for the issuance of stablecoins by United Arab Emirates-licensed entities. The framework enables regulated organizations to develop blockchain-based financial services while complying with specific compliance requirements.

DDSC will focus on high-value institutional functions. These include payments and collections, treasury operations, and large-scale settlement flows. In addition, the framework covers trade finance and supply-chain transactions that require secure digital infrastructure.

Furthermore, the stablecoin supports programmable financial services for regulated entities. The design allows automation within defined legal and financial boundaries. As a result, institutions can execute structured transactions with predictable value anchored to the UAE dirham.

Leadership Statements and Strategic Direction

“With the Central Bank’s approval and our transition into live operation, we are delivering trusted, institutional-grade infrastructure that strengthens resilience, accelerates innovation, and expands what is possible in regulated digital payments,” said Syed Basar Shueb, Chief Executive Officer of International Holding Company.

He added that DDSC functions as a programmable stablecoin backed by the UAE dirham. He stated that the initiative modernizes payments, settlement systems, and treasury workflows. He also noted that it enables secure automated transfers, including future machine-to-machine transactions and trade between AI agents as digital systems evolve.

Futoon Hamdan AlMazrouei, Group Head of Personal, Business, Wealth, and Privileged Client Banking at First Abu Dhabi Bank, addressed integration standards. She said stablecoins can integrate responsibly into the financial system when institutions design them to meet rigorous regulatory and risk requirements. She stated that FAB enables DDSC to combine regulatory oversight with blockchain infrastructure while delivering scalable solutions for institutional and government clients.

Related: UAE Central Bank Approves First US Dollar Stablecoin

Ajay Hans Raj Bhatia, Group CEO of Sirius International Holding, described the live launch as a new phase for regulated digital finance. He said Sirius will accelerate adoption and expand real-world institutional applications through ADI’s sovereign blockchain infrastructure under the UAE’s regulatory leadership.

Dirham Peg and Digital Payment Design

DDSC maintains a one-to-one peg with the UAE dirham. This structure anchors the token’s value to a reserve asset while enabling blockchain-based transfers. Unlike volatile cryptocurrencies, the stablecoin provides predictable value for regulated financial flows.

The initiative targets institutional markets rather than retail speculation. Therefore, it supports structured settlement systems, cross-border trade flows, and treasury automation. It also prepares the infrastructure for advanced digital transactions between autonomous systems.

As the UAE advances its regulated digital asset framework, DDSC enters the financial system under Central Bank approval. The project reflects coordination between corporate institutions and national regulators.

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BNM testează stablecoins ringgit și depozite digitale pentru decontarea en-gros.

Trei piloti evaluează plățile transfrontaliere și fluxurile de decontare a activelor tokenizate.

Malazia se aliniază cu schimbarea rapidă a Asiei către sisteme financiare tokenizate reglementate.

Banca centrală a Malazei a conturat o cale clară pentru 2026 pentru testarea și clarificarea rolului Stablecoins Ringgit și Depozitelor Digitale în sistemul financiar al țării. Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) a confirmat că trei inițiative au fost integrate în Hub-ul de Inovație pentru Active Digitale (DAIH) pentru a examina cazurile de utilizare a plăților en-gros implicând depozite tokenizate și instrumente stabile legate de ringgit.

Tether currently holds more than $122 billion in US Treasury bills as core reserves.

USDT supply approaches 185 billion dollars with broad global circulation growth.

Tether adds close to 30 million additional users each quarter amid rapid expansion.

Tether expects to rank among the top 10 purchasers of U.S. Treasury bills this year as demand for USDT and its new USAT stablecoin accelerates. Bo Hines, who leads Tether’s U.S. subsidiary, made the projection during remarks at the Bitcoin Investor Week conference in New York City. He said expanding circulation of Tether’s dollar-pegged tokens will require a significant increase in short-term government debt holdings.

At the conference, Hines stated, “This year, I think we’ll end up being a top 10 purchaser of T-bills.” He linked that expectation directly to growth in USDT and the recently launched USAT. According to Tether’s latest attestation, 83.11% of its reserves sit in U.S. Treasury bills, totaling more than $122 billion in short-term government securities.

TETHER TARGETS TOP 10 SPOT IN U.S. T-BILL BUYERS

Bo Hines, now leading Tether’s U.S. arm, said the company expects to become one of the top 10 purchasers of U.S. Treasury bills this year.

He claims that the rising demand for USDT and its new USAT stablecoin will drive a major… pic.twitter.com/5WKUVXZpE1

— Coin Bureau (@coinbureau) February 11, 2026

USDT remains the largest stablecoin by market capitalization, with about $185 billion in circulation. As a result, Tether must maintain substantial reserves to support each token. Treasury bills, widely viewed as safe and liquid instruments, form the core of that backing strategy.

Expanding Reserves and Global Standing

Hines said Tether already ranks among the top 20 holders of Treasury bills worldwide. He noted that this position includes comparisons with sovereign states. In the U.S. Treasury’s ranking of foreign holders, Tether would sit between Germany and Saudi Arabia.

The company’s reserve strength extends beyond government debt. According to accounting firm BDO, Tether holds roughly $6.3 billion in excess reserves. Those additional funds provide an added buffer above the assets required to back tokens in circulation.

In addition to Treasurys and excess reserves, Tether maintains a large gold position. Hines said the company owns about 140 tons of gold. He described Tether as the thirteenth-largest gold holder in the world. Gold serves as a long-term store of value and adds another layer of asset support.

User Growth Drives Treasury Demand

Hines traced the surge in Treasury purchases to user growth. USDT, launched in 2014, now counts about 530 million customers worldwide. “We’re growing at about 30 million a quarter, which is pretty remarkable,” he said during the conference.

That steady expansion increases the need for liquid backing assets. Stablecoins aim to maintain a fixed value, usually equal to one U.S. dollar. To honor that promise, issuers must hold reliable and easily tradable reserves.

With $185 billion worth of USDT in circulation, Tether must match that supply with strong collateral. Therefore, rising token issuance translates into greater demand for Treasury bills. If quarterly growth continues at the current pace, Tether’s share of government debt could climb further.

Could a stablecoin issuer soon stand among the largest buyers of U.S. government debt?

Related: Tether Goes Global As Profits Power Hiring And Tech Push

USAT and GENIUS Act Compliance

Tether’s Treasury demand may also rise due to USAT, which launched late last month. Anchorage Bank issues the token, and it complies with the U.S. federal stablecoin framework known as the GENIUS Act. That law requires regulated stablecoins to maintain 1:1 backing with high-quality assets such as short-term Treasury bills.

Hines previously served as Executive Director of the White House Crypto Council under President Donald Trump. He stepped down in August after lawmakers signed the GENIUS Act into law. He said Tether continues aligning reserves with that compliance standard.

“We’re obviously increasing the amount of T-bills we have in our reserves as we move towards this GENIUS compliance standard,” Hines said. He added that USDT and USAT will remain interoperable, stating, “It’s just Tether at the end of the day.”

As user numbers grow and regulatory standards tighten, Tether continues expanding its Treasury holdings. The company’s reserve composition now links digital dollar issuance directly with the U.S. government debt market.

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Bitcoin drops to 16 monthly lows as ETF selling and cycle pressure weigh on the price.

Analysts point to 4-year cycle patterns as derivatives reshape Bitcoin price discovery.

Miners face rising stress as costs exceed prices and gold continues to outperform BTC.

Bitcoin fell below $61,000 last week, marking its lowest level in roughly 16 months as market leaders pointed to the four-year cycle, ETF redemptions, and investor rotation into gold and artificial intelligence stocks. The decline erased all gains since the November 2024 election and ranks among the largest drawdowns since 2022.

Matt Hougan, chief investment officer at Bitwise Asset Management, said investors should not blame a single trigger for the retracement. He told CNBC’s “ETF Edge” that the four-year cycle stands as the primary downward catalyst.

“People are looking for one thing to blame for the current retracement in bitcoin,” Hougan said. “But there is no one thing to blame.” He added that investors have favored other assets during the downturn. “There is some quantum risk. There is fear of [Fed nominee] Kevin Warsh,” Hougan said. “In bear markets, all these things are amplified.”

Bitcoin reached a record $126,279 in October before falling below $90,000 in November. Since then, momentum has shifted.

ETF Redemptions and Shifting Focus

Wintermute analysts linked the downtrend to exchange-traded fund redemptions and a pivot toward AI stocks. They reported that bearish momentum remains intact, although the pace of selling has eased.

https://t.co/kzr5QYb0L1

— Wintermute (@wintermute_t) February 10, 2026

 At the same time, Hougan said the current market reflects a “self-fulfilling prophecy.” He argued that structural demand still supports Bitcoin’s long-term framework despite short-term turbulence.

“There is good news underneath the surface. It’s just slow to materialize,” Hougan said. He maintained that financialization does not weaken Bitcoin’s scarcity. He noted that only 21 million coins exist and that derivative demand must eventually reach the spot market.

Bitwise manages more than $15 billion in assets and remains active in crypto ETFs. The firm launched the Bitwise Solana Staking ETF on Oct. 28 to track Solana. The fund has declined about 57% since launch, while Solana has fallen more than 30% this year.

Related: Bitcoin Crash Tied to IBIT Dealer Hedging, Says Arthur Hayes

Derivatives, Miners, and Structural Strain

Some analysts raised concerns about derivative exposure. Market commentator 0xNobler pointed to the synthetic float ratio, arguing that derivatives and ETFs create claims on Bitcoin without matching physical supply. The price discovery process is disrupted through the system disruption, establishing additional stability risks for Bitcoin markets. 

Bitcoin miners currently experience financial difficulties because market prices remain under their typical operational costs. Operators experience decreasing profit margins, together with an increased burden on their business activities. Some miners have shut down high-cost operations, which has reduced the network hashrate. In turn, distressed miners have sold assets to maintain liquidity. That selling has added short-term volatility.

Bitcoin’s recent decline forms part of a broader crypto winter that began in January 2025. Hougan estimated that crypto winters typically last around 13 months, suggesting a possible recovery in early 2026. Yet other analysts question whether the bear phase will end on that timeline.

Inflation Hedge Debate and Market Test

The economic downturn has sparked renewed discussions about Bitcoin’s capacity to function as an inflation hedge and digital gold. Larry Swedroe argued that Bitcoin does not behave as a safe-haven asset during market stress. He observed that gold has surpassed Bitcoin’s value in recent times.

The value of Bitcoin is being tested because gold is becoming more popular, and AI stocks are attracting investment. The market now weighs institutional adoption, regulatory developments, and broader economic conditions.

The central question remains: can Bitcoin sustain its scarcity-driven thesis amid derivative expansion and ETF-driven price swings?

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Bessent spune că Coinbase blochează legea, deoarece limitele recompenselor stablecoin amenință baza sa de venit.

Băncile avertizează că recompensele stablecoin ar putea accelera ieșirile de depozite și slăbi fondurile de împrumuturi de bază.

Discuțiile de la Casa Albă s-au împotmolit, deoarece ambele părți refuză să facă schimbări în restricțiile privind randamentele stablecoin.

Efortul de lungă durată al Washingtonului de a fixa o lege funcțională a structurii pieței cripto a întâmpinat o altă problemă săptămâna aceasta, după ce Scott Bessent a desemnat un jucător major din industrie pentru încetinirea procesului. Comentariile sale, livrate fără prea multă atenuare, au schițat o poveste directă: Legea CLARITY este pregătită să avanseze, dar o companie se opune suficient de tare pentru a o menține blocată.

Fried seeks a retrial based on asserted evidence regarding FTX solvency and repayment.

He contested findings that customer funds were misused through Alameda Research.

Judges will evaluate whether his motion satisfies the legal threshold for the conviction.

Convicted former cryptocurrency executive Sam Bankman-Fried on Tuesday asked a Manhattan federal court to grant him a new trial, citing newly discovered evidence about FTX’s solvency and its ability to repay customers. The 32-year-old, who serves a 25-year prison sentence after his 2023 fraud conviction, argues that fresh information challenges prosecutors’ claim that he looted $8 billion in customer funds. 

His mother, Stanford Law School professor Barbara Fried, filed the motion on his behalf in the Southern District of New York. The request adds another legal step to Bankman-Fried’s ongoing fight against his conviction.

HAPPENING NOW: SAM BANKMAN-FRIED FILES FOR RETRIAL IN FTX FRAUD CASE

Sam Bankman-Fried has filed for a new trial, citing new facts in sworn testimony from FTX's former Head of Data Science, Chapsky.

Things are about to get heated. https://t.co/p6cHeYrQtu pic.twitter.com/YMA3tCCB2Q

— BSCN (@BSCNews) February 10, 2026

New Trial Bid Centers on Solvency Claims

In the filing, Bankman-Fried contends that new evidence regarding FTX’s financial condition could justify reopening the case. He maintains that prosecutors framed the exchange’s collapse as outright theft rather than a failure tied to liquidity pressures. He argues that evidence about the company’s later solvency deserves examination before a new jury.

At his 2023 trial, prosecutors said Bankman-Fried directed Alameda Research to commingle billions of dollars in FTX customer deposits. They told jurors he used those funds as loans to support risky cryptocurrency futures trading on the exchange he co-founded and controlled. The jury convicted him on fraud charges tied to that conduct.

Now, Bankman-Fried claims testimony absent from the original trial could change the outcome. The filing notes that figures such as former FTX executive Ryan Salame did not testify during the proceedings. Salame fought a separate legal battle. The motion asserts that such testimony could support a reassessment of the government’s theory.

Appeals, Judicial Skepticism, and Political Claims

Since his conviction, Bankman-Fried has pursued multiple legal challenges. He appealed his conviction before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. In November, appellate judges expressed skepticism toward his argument that he did not receive a fair trial.

His appeal also focused on FTX’s solvency after its collapse. He has repeated that claim on social media platform X. Yet during November arguments, judges questioned whether solvency addressed the core fraud charges. Circuit Judge Maria Araújo Kahn stated, “Part of the government’s theory of the case is that the defendant misrepresented to investors that their money was safe.” She added that the jury found the funds were used as prosecutors described.

Separately, President Donald Trump recently said he would not consider clemency for Bankman-Fried. Bankman-Fried has posted on X, through a proxy, alleging he was a victim of what he calls the Biden administration’s “lawfare machine.” He has attempted to align himself with Trump following Trump’s re-election, claiming both faced “bogus charges.” During the 2023 trial, prosecutors disclosed a document in which Bankman-Fried considered “come out as a Republican” to avoid culpability.

Related: From Vision to Void: The Story of Sam Bankman-Fried

Legal Uncertainty and Next Steps

The new trial motion, first reported by Inner City Press, marks his latest effort to challenge his conviction. The filing argues that the trial court excluded defense evidence that he intended to repay customers and believed he could ultimately return their funds. He continues to press that claim in a separate appeal pending before the Second Circuit.

Still, it remains unclear what specific new evidence he discovered or how it could persuade a judge to grant a retrial. Federal judges in Manhattan will now decide whether the motion meets the legal threshold required for reopening the case. Can newly discovered evidence about FTX’s solvency alter a conviction rooted in findings of misappropriation?

For now, the motion sits before the court, while Bankman-Fried continues to pursue relief through both appeals and public statements.

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Citadel și ARK achiziționează ZRO pe măsură ce LayerZero avansează Zero blockchain pentru instituții.

Zero țintează 2 milioane TPS și folosește un nou design care reduce stresul rețelei între noduri.

DTCC și ICE se alătură testelor în timp ce firmele explorează instrumente on-chain pentru cicluri de piață mai rapide.

LayerZero a trecut de la mesageria între lanțuri la infrastructură la scară completă cu dezvăluirea Zero blockchain, o rețea construită pentru piețele instituționale și susținută de Citadel Securities și ARK Invest. Anunțul plasează compania în concurență directă cu platformele Layer-1 deja stabilite care au vizat de mult instituțiile financiare ca următoarea lor frontieră de creștere.

Goldman reports a 2.36 billion dollar exposure to crypto ETFs in a Q4 filing update. 

Bitcoin and ether slid as ETF investors withdrew billions during the quarter decline.

The bank accelerates tokenization and stablecoin strategy within institutional trading units.

Goldman Sachs disclosed $2.36 billion in cryptocurrency exposure in its Q4 2025 Form 13F filing, including major positions in Bitcoin and Ethereum through spot ETFs. The filing shows $1.1 billion in bitcoin, $1.0 billion in ether, $153 million in XRP, and $108 million in Solana. The update surfaced as Bitcoin and Ether prices declined sharply in the fourth quarter and ETF investors withdrew billions from crypto funds.

Fox Business journalist Eleanor Terrett first pointed to the figures on social media, noting that the exposure comes through regulated spot crypto exchange-traded funds rather than direct token custody. The disclosure provides one of the clearest snapshots yet of how a major Wall Street bank allocates capital to digital assets.

NEW: Wall Street investment bank @GoldmanSachs just revealed it holds $1.1B $BTC, $1B $ETH, $153M $XRP and $108M $SOL.

Goldman has representation at the White House meeting on stablecoin yield today. Its CEO David Solomon is scheduled to speak at @worldlibertyfi Forum in Palm…

— Eleanor Terrett (@EleanorTerrett) February 10, 2026

ETF Exposure and Portfolio Breakdown

According to the filing dated Dec. 31, 2025, Goldman Sachs held about 21.2 million shares across several spot bitcoin ETFs. Those shares carried a combined value of $1.06 billion. Compared with the third quarter, the bank reduced its bitcoin ETF share count by 39.4%.

The broader crypto allocation totaled roughly $2.36 billion. That figure represents about 0.33% of Goldman Sachs’ total reported assets under management in the filing. Although the dollar value appears large, the allocation remains modest within the bank’s overall portfolio.

Meanwhile, Bitcoin fell from about $114,000 at the end of September 2025 to around $88,400 by year-end. Ether dropped from $4,140 to $2,970 over the same period. At the same time, spot bitcoin ETFs recorded $1.15 billion in quarterly outflows, while ether ETFs saw $1.46 billion in net withdrawals, according to SoSoValue data.

Strategic Focus on Tokenization and Stablecoins

Alongside its ETF positions, Goldman Sachs continues to direct resources toward digital asset infrastructure. CEO David Solomon has repeatedly stated that the bank channels investment into tokenization, stablecoins, and blockchain-based market structures. These efforts span research initiatives and institutional trading activities.

In parallel, the bank has drawn attention for its policy engagement. Representatives have participated in government-level discussions focused on stablecoin matters. Solomon has also appeared at industry events addressing the future of digital financial markets.

These developments show how large financial institutions engage with digital assets beyond portfolio exposure. The banks’ involvement in digital assets creates a fundamental question for market observers on how banks will transform their traditional financial operations through blockchain technology.

Related: Goldman Sachs CEO Warns US Crypto Law Faces Delay Push Now

Institutional Signals Amid Market Volatility

The fourth-quarter decline in crypto prices established the conditions that led to Goldman Sachs’ announcement. The market experienced ETF outflows because investors showed increased caution, which happened during the digital asset price decline. The bank kept its multi-billion-dollar investment through regulated products despite its financial losses. Market players use institutional allocation data to determine how investors plan their investments over extended periods. 

Despite the headline figure, billion-dollar crypto positions still account for a small fraction of total bank assets. Therefore, the development suggests measured expansion instead of sweeping change. At the same time, institutional activity continues to grow in areas such as tokenization, stablecoins, and regulated trading solutions.

Goldman Sachs’ Q4 2025 filing, combined with public remarks from management and documented ETF data, provides a detailed look at how a leading investment bank navigates digital asset markets during periods of volatility.

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Chadha spune că India taxează cripto ca fiind legal, dar îl reglementează ca ilegal, determinând investitorii să plece în străinătate.

Peste ₹4.8 lakh crore în tranzacționarea cripto și 73% din volume s-au mutat în afara Indiei.

Regulile clare VDA și cadrele AML ar putea adăuga ₹15,000–20,000 crore anual în venitul din taxe.

O intervenție bruscă în Camera Superioară a Indiei pe 10 februarie a adăugat un nou impuls dezbaterii îndelungate privind politica cripto a țării. Potrivit rapoartelor, MP-ul Rajya Sabha Raghav Chadha a folosit sesiunea bugetară în curs pentru a reînnoi apelurile pentru legalizarea și reglementarea structurată a activelor digitale virtuale, avertizând că ambiguitatea politicilor determină capitalul și talentul să părăsească India.

Beast Industries acquires Step and gains access to over seven million young users.

Step offers savings, spending, credit-building cards, and cash advances for teens online.

MrBeast plans fintech growth after funding and trademark filings in the United States.

MrBeast has taken a major step into financial technology as his company, Beast Industries, agreed to acquire the consumer banking app Step. The deal brings a youth-focused fintech platform under one of the world’s largest digital brands. Both companies confirmed the acquisition in a joint announcement released Monday.

Step operates as a digital banking app designed to help teens and young adults manage money early. The platform offers savings accounts, a credit-building Visa card, and a cash-advance feature. Step does not operate as a bank and instead partners with Evolve Bank & Trust, an FDIC-member institution.

NEW: YOUTUBE STAR MRBEAST ACQUIRES TEEN BANKING APP STEP

MrBeast’s Beast Industries is acquiring Step, a teen-focused finance app last valued at $920M, as he prepares to launch a finance-focused YouTube channel aimed at improving fans’ financial literacy. pic.twitter.com/WRYHCwE5Wt

— Coin Bureau (@coinbureau) February 10, 2026

Neither company disclosed the financial terms of the transaction. Still, the acquisition places Beast Industries directly inside the competitive fintech space. It also marks MrBeast’s most concrete move yet, beyond media and consumer products.

A Youth Banking Platform With Millions of Users

Step launched in 2018 with a focus on financial access and literacy for young users. Founders CJ MacDonald and Alexey Kalinichenko built the platform for saving, spending, sending money, and investing. The app charges no monthly fees and targets first-time financial users.

In 2022, Step said it raised $500 million in combined equity and debt. Investors included General Catalyst, fintech firms such as Stripe, and individuals like TikTok creator Charli D’Amelio. The funding helped Step scale technology and user growth.

Today, Step reports more than seven million users. Beast Industries said the app’s technology platform and in-house fintech team will join its broader ecosystem. The company also linked the acquisition to its digital reach and philanthropic goals.

Beast Industries CEO Jeff Housenbold addressed the strategy in a statement. “Financial health is fundamental to overall wellbeing,” he said. He added that many people still lack tools and knowledge to build financial security.

Funding, Expansion Plans, and Industry Attention

Beast Industries has raised significant capital over the past year. Most recently, it secured a $200 million investment from Bitmine Immersion Technologies. The firm ranks as the largest corporate holder of Ether and is chaired by Fundstrat’s Tom Lee.

The acquisition follows months of preparation for a fintech entry. In October, the company filed a U.S. trademark for “MrBeast Financial.” An early 2025 investor deck later outlined possible services, including student loans and insurance.

That pitch deck described a strategy built on partnerships. It aimed to avoid regulatory burdens, credit exposure, and heavy capital requirements. Step already operates under a regulated banking partner structure.

Related: BitMine Immersion Puts $200M Into MrBeast’s Beast Industries

MrBeast addressed the move directly in a message to fans. “Nobody taught me about investing or building credit when I was growing up,” he said. He stated that the goal is to give young people a stronger financial foundation.

Industry observers note the potential impact on youth banking adoption. Traditional banks have struggled to reach Generation Z and Generation Alpha users. MrBeast’s audience includes hundreds of millions across digital platforms.

Still, financial services bring complex challenges. Regulatory compliance, trust, and long-term monetization remain central risks. Can a global entertainment brand successfully guide millions of young users through real financial decisions?

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