Bitcoin fell below 200-week EMA, over 52% off peak, risking death-cross capitulation.

Bitcoin (BTC) closed the week below a critical support level, falling beneath that threshold for the first time since early February and reaching a two-week low, according to market data. Analysts have warned that the cryptocurrency could face additional downward pressure.

Analyst Rekt Capital stated that Bitcoin closed last week below the 200-week Exponential Moving Average (EMA), which sits at the center of a major confluence zone. The 200-week EMA aligns with the Post-Halving Re-accumulation Range highs, while the Post-Halving Re-accumulation Range lows define the broader structure of Bitcoin’s current range, according to the analyst.

Over the past three weeks, the cryptocurrency attempted to develop a demand region around this area, which was previously a major supply area, Rekt Capital noted. The analyst stated that this level has not historically been a structurally reliable support, noting that it previously acted as a 10-month resistance.

“In the current structure, we have seen three consecutive weeks of elevated sell-side volume in this region, with limited meaningful buy-side response,” the analyst stated in a post. The imbalance led to a weekly close below the 200-week EMA, losing it as support in this timeframe, according to the analysis.

Rekt Capital stated that there is a strong probability that Bitcoin will press back toward the underside of that EMA to attempt turning it into new resistance. If the underside retest holds, the structure would shift from defending the support to confirming the resistance at this level, the analyst said. The analyst added that if that level begins to act as resistance, downside continuation will become increasingly probable.

The analyst also noted that Bitcoin’s recent performance aligns closely with its price action in prior cycles. In 2018 and 2022, a weekly close below the 200-week EMA acted as a structural trigger to the second wave of bearish acceleration, according to the analysis. “Bitcoin would attempt to reclaim the level, turn it into resistance, and then dissipate lower. That pattern is now attempting to replicate itself,” Rekt Capital stated.

Analyst Ali Martinez pointed to the cryptocurrency’s historical performance on the three-day chart, stating that this has been one of Bitcoin’s key timeframes from a macro perspective. Martinez said market observers must watch the upcoming interaction of the 50-day and 200-day Simple Moving Averages (SMAs), as the crossover between these two indicators on the three-day timeframe has historically preceded the final leg down of the bear market.

Bitcoin dropped approximately 50% to 72% from its cycle tops in past cycles before death crosses took place in subsequent years, according to historical data. Following those SMA crossovers, the cryptocurrency experienced another 45% to 52% decline, Martinez noted. Bitcoin has fallen more than 52% from its October peak and is approaching a potential death cross on the three-day chart by the end of February, according to the analyst.

“If history repeats — even partially — this could signal the beginning of the final leg down of this cycle,” Martinez stated. The analyst predicted that another substantial correction from current levels could follow, placing the cryptocurrency’s target near lower support levels. “If the cross confirms, it becomes a level to take very seriously,” Martinez said.

Binance has added support for tokenized U.S. stocks and exchange-traded funds on its Alpha trading platform, giving users new ways to access traditional assets through blockchain-based products.

The update allows users to trade tokenized securities directly using funds held on Binance Exchange, without moving assets to external wallets. Trading is available through the Alpha section of the platform.

The initial rollout includes 10 products, covering major technology stocks and the Nasdaq-100 ETF. At launch, supported assets include tokenized versions of Apple, Tesla, Nvidia, Amazon, Meta, Microsoft, Alphabet, and the Invesco QQQ ETF.

Regulated structure and trading features

Binance said the tokenized securities are classified as structured products under regulations issued by the Financial Services Regulatory Authority in Abu Dhabi’s Abu Dhabi Global Market. Under this framework, the products are offered in approved jurisdictions and are not available to users in the United States.

Each token is designed to reflect the market price of its underlying stock or ETF. While holders gain exposure to price movements, they do not receive voting rights or other shareholder privileges.

The exchange said users can place both market and limit orders through the Alpha interface. Trading fees may fall to 0%, and gas fees for placing and canceling orders are being waived for a limited period.

Binance also introduced a rewards system tied to the new listings. By trading or holding tokenized securities, users can accrue Alpha Points, which can then be redeemed for token sales, promotions, and airdrops. 

Ondo Global Markets has reported a total value locked of more than $550 million since its launch last year. The company has focused on developing compliant infrastructure for tokenized stocks and ETFs. 

Return to tokenized equities and market impact

After closing a similar product in 2021 due to regulatory pressure, Binance is making a comeback to tokenized stocks with this listing. Since then, the exchange has adopted a more cautious stance, emphasizing regional approvals and regulated structures.

Binance can now re-enter the market while lowering legal risk thanks to the partnership with Ondo. For users outside the U.S., the products offer access to popular equities that may otherwise be difficult to trade directly.

The integration has also drawn attention to Ondo’s wider plans, including its work on a dedicated blockchain for institutional real-world assets and its expansion into derivatives and structured finance products.

Following the announcement, Ondo (ONDO) token gained about 5% as trading activity surged. Market observers say the move reflects rising demand for regulated ways to trade traditional assets through crypto platforms.

Binance stated that it may expand its tokenized securities lineup in the future, depending on user demand and regulatory developments.

Binance, the world’s largest crypto exchange by trading volume, is returning to offer tokenized stocks nearly five years after shelving a similar product under regulatory pressure.

The exchange has teamed up with tokenization specialist Ondo Finance to list 10 tokenized U.S. stocks, ETFs and commodity-linked products on the Binance Alpha platform, the companies said in a Tuesday press release.

Binance Alpha is a platform within Binance Wallet, the exchange’s crypto wallet service, that allows users to trade early-stage, riskier crypto projects before listing them on the centralized spot marketplace.

The lineup includes blockchain-based token versions of Apple, Google, Tesla and Nvidia shares, along with the Invesco’s Nasdaq-tracking QQQ ETF.

The tokenized stocks are not available to users in the United States.

“Our users now have even more convenient ways to explore and trade tokenized securities, in line with our mission to offer innovative and accessible trading opportunities,” Jeff Li, Binance’s vice president of product, said in a statement.

The move marks a comeback for Binance, having offered tokenized stocks in April 2021 with Tesla and later added Coinbase, Strategy, Microsoft and Apple, before shutting the service after scrutiny from the U.K.’s Financial Conduct Authority and Germany’s BaFin.

Last month, Binance said it was weighing a fresh push into tokenized equities. Listing the Ondo-issued tokens on the platform now puts that plan into action.

Tokenized stocks have gained traction across crypto and traditional finance, with sector’s total value is approaching $1 billion, led by Ondo’s more than $550 million in locked value and $11 billion in cumulative trading volume since September 2025.

Trading venues such as Kraken, Bybit and Gemini and brokerages like Robinhood rolled out their versions of tokenized equities trading. Wall Street exchanges such as Nasdaq and the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) also laid out plans to offer trading with stocks tokens.

Blockchain-based stocks can widen investor access, especially to retail users in developing countries without easy access to brokerage accounts offering U.S. stocks, proponents say. The tokens can also serve as collateral for borrowing in decentralized finance (DeFi).

Read more: NYSE’s 24/7 plan could fix key problem for stock tokens, Ondo’s de Bode says

Crypto payments platform MoonPay has introduced a new product designed to give artificial intelligence systems direct access to digital wallets and on-chain transactions.

MoonPay Agents, a non-custodial software layer that enables AI agents to create wallets, manage funds, and trade on behalf of verified users, was officially launched by the company on Feb. 24.

The system is built on MoonPay’s command-line interface and is aimed at developers building automated programs that need to move money without relying on centralized custody. Once a user completes identity checks and funds a wallet, an AI agent can trade, swap, and transfer assets independently.

Connecting AI systems to digital money

MoonPay said the product supports the full financial cycle, including fiat-to-crypto funding, portfolio tracking, and conversion back to traditional currencies. Users can also receive funds through virtual accounts or payment services such as Apple Pay, PayPal, and Venmo.

“AI agents can reason, but they cannot act economically without capital infrastructure,” said Ivan Soto-Wright, the company’s chief executive officer. He said the goal is to make crypto the default financial layer for autonomous systems.

According to MoonPay, users can set up a working wallet and agent connection in minutes, allowing automated systems to begin executing strategies almost immediately.

MoonPay Agents includes tools such as recurring purchases, real-time cross-chain swaps, machine-to-machine payments, and automated fiat funding via on-ramps. These features are designed to ensure that agents always have access to liquidity when operating.

Additionally, the platform supports portfolio monitoring, token discovery, and basic risk analysis, enabling developers to incorporate financial management straight into their apps. Wallets are stored on users’ own devices, giving them direct control over private keys.

The product is built to scale from single-user setups to networks of thousands of agents. It runs on the same infrastructure that supports nearly 500 enterprise customers and more than 30 million users across 180 countries.

Part of a the growing “agent economy” trend

The launch comes amid growing interest in so-called “agentic” systems that can plan and act without continuous human oversight. Industry forecasts suggest the autonomous agent economy could reach $30 trillion by 2030, with AI systems managing a large share of routine financial decisions.

In crypto markets, this shift is already underway. AI-powered wallets are being used for trading, DeFi activity, and machine-to-machine payments. At ETHDenver 2026, developers showcased blockchain-based identity tools, automated treasuries, and agent-led trading systems, highlighting the rapid growth of this trend.

According to company executives, MoonPay Agents will serve as a default financial rail for developers building trading bots, gaming platforms, and automated payment systems. With AI systems increasingly taking on financial tasks, MoonPay is positioning its infrastructure as a foundation for this emerging market.

Short-term coin activity remains near historic lows, highlighting weak participation from new buyers across the network.

Bitcoin faced renewed sell pressure on Tuesday, briefly dragging the price down to $62,700 after a 5% decline, as macro concerns continued to weigh on investor sentiment.

New data suggest that BTC remains in a defensive phase as capital continues to exit the network and supply ages steadily without signs of renewed accumulation.

Peak Buyers Now Frozen

Realized Cap, which measures the aggregate value of all coins at the price they last moved, has declined for a second consecutive month. According to the latest analysis by Axel Adler Junior, this indicates that capital continues to exit the network rather than flow into it.

The 30-day Realized Cap Net Position Change currently stands at -2.26% and has remained negative for several weeks, which means that coins are either being transferred below their cost basis or that incoming capital is insufficient to offset ongoing outflows. Realized Cap peaked on November 26, 2025, at approximately $1.127 trillion and has since fallen to around $1.094 trillion – a compression of roughly $33 billion.

Daily net position changes continue to hover around zero or remain negative, amidst the absence of new capital entering the market. As long as the 30-day Realized Cap metric stays below zero, the network remains in net outflow mode. A move back into positive territory is the first condition required for a shift toward accumulation.

In addition, HODL Waves data revealed a sharp structural change in coin age distribution that is consistent with this defensive regime. Coins that last moved 3-6 months ago now make up about 26% of Bitcoin’s supply, up from 19% earlier this month. These coins were mostly bought near the last market peak and haven’t moved since.

The share of Bitcoin held for 6-12 months has grown to just over 20%, while coins moved within the past month account for less than 10% of the supply. This shows that few new buyers are entering the market, as per Adler Junior. Most circulating coins were bought at higher prices and are now sitting at a loss, which has left holders reluctant to sell and effectively locking supply in place.

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The growth of older cohorts does not represent strategic accumulation but rather forced holding due to unfavorable price conditions. The structure would only see a meaningful change if coins in the 3-6 month band begin migrating into longer-term cohorts without triggering renewed selling pressure, alongside a measurable return of short-term activity.

Familiar Bear Signal Is Back

Against the backdrop of bleeding capital, an important technical signal that has appeared near the end of past Bitcoin bear markets is starting to form again. According to analyst Ali Martinez, a potential death cross on Bitcoin’s three-day chart is projected to occur in late February.

In previous cycles, this signal consistently showed up just before the final major drop. With the crypto asset still 50% below its October 2025 peak, Martinez warned that a similar setup could open the door to further downside.

Meta, the U.S. tech giant helmed by Facebook creator Mark Zuckerberg, is aiming to enter the stablecoin space later this year, pending successful integration with a third-party firm to facilitate payments using the dollar-pegged token technology, according to three people familiar with the plans.

The tech giant, which owns Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram and has more than 3 billion users, wants to begin its stablecoin integration early in the second half of this year, said one of the people, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the plans are not public. Meta is planning to integrate a vendor to help administer stablecoin-backed payments and implement a new wallet, the person said.

A second person said that Meta has sent out a request for product (RFP) to third-party firms and mentioned Stripe as a likely candidate for piloting Meta’s stablecoin.

Stripe, which acquired stablecoin specialist Bridge last year, is a long-time partner of Meta, and Stripe CEO Patrick Collison joined Meta’s board of directors in April 2025.

Meta, Stripe, and Bridge were approached for comment, but none responded by the time of publication.

Meta introducing stablecoins would let it open payment rails to its massive user base while bypassing expensive traditional banking fees, and potentially position it as a global leader in “social commerce” and cross-border remittances.

The move would also put the tech giant in direct competition with the likes of Elon Musk’s social media platform X as well as messaging platform Telegram, both of which are aiming to bring payments in-house by becoming “super apps.” This was one of the original goals for the planned Libra project — allowing the social media company to tap its vast networks, including WhatsApp’s peer-to-peer messaging service and Facebook and Instagram’s network and commerce tools, for payments.

Regulatory shift

Meta famously tried to introduce the Libra stablecoin, later renamed Diem, in 2019, only to face strong headwinds due to a less favorable regulatory climate than today’s and a lingering reputational hit from the Cambridge Analytica scandal.

In the face of a pushback against the project by U.S. lawmakers, the Libra Association, as it was then called, scaled back its ambitions in 2020, pivoting to the development of a number of stablecoins pegged to different currencies, as opposed to the original plan of a global digital currency backed by a basket of national currencies.

In the end, Meta’s stablecoin never formally launched, and the project was shut down and its assets sold off in early 2022.

The regulatory climate in the U.S. today is quite different. There are several crypto regulatory regimes underway, including President Donald Trump’s GENIUS Act, which, for the first time, established a legal foundation for U.S. stablecoin issuers and opened the floodgates for market entrants with new tokens. However, U.S. regulators are still only in the early stages of drafting the regulations governing issuers.

That said, the whole Libra/Diem experience has led Meta to prefer relying on a third-party stablecoin payments provider this time around, according to one of the sources.

“They want to do this, but at arm’s length,” said the source.

TLDR

• Meta plans to reenter the stablecoin market in the second half of 2026 through a third-party partnership.
• The company has issued a request for product to select a vendor for stablecoin payments integration.
• Stripe has emerged as a likely candidate to pilot the stablecoin payment system.
• Meta intends to integrate a new wallet to support dollar-pegged stablecoin transactions.
• The renewed effort follows the shutdown of the Libra and Diem projects in 2022.

Meta is preparing to reenter the stablecoin market later this year through a third-party partnership. The company aims to integrate a dollar-pegged token for payments across its platforms. Sources said the rollout could begin early in the second half of 2026, pending vendor selection.

Meta Revives Stablecoin Strategy With External Partner

Meta has sent a request for product to several payment firms, according to two people familiar with the process. One source said the company prefers a third-party issuer instead of launching its own token.

The source said Meta plans to integrate a vendor to manage stablecoin-backed payments and a new wallet. The person added that the company wants operational readiness before the second half launch window.

Stripe has emerged as a likely pilot partner, according to a second person. Stripe acquired stablecoin firm Bridge last year and maintains a long partnership with Meta.

Patrick Collison joined Meta’s board in April 2025, strengthening ties between the companies. However, Meta, Stripe, and Bridge did not respond to requests for comment.

Meta owns Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, which together serve more than three billion users. The company aims to use stablecoin rails to reduce payment processing costs and expand digital transactions.

Sources said the integration would support cross-border transfers and in-app purchases. However, Meta has not disclosed technical specifications or launch markets.

Regulatory Shift Shapes Meta’s Renewed Effort

Meta attempted to launch Libra in 2019 but faced regulatory resistance in the United States and Europe. Lawmakers criticized the project and raised concerns about financial stability and data privacy.

The Libra Association later rebranded the project as Diem and narrowed its scope. It shifted from a global basket-backed currency to individual currency-pegged stablecoins.

Meta shut down the Diem project in early 2022 and sold its assets. The company has since avoided direct issuance of digital currencies.

The current regulatory landscape in the United States has evolved. President Donald Trump’s GENIUS Act established a legal framework for stablecoin issuers.

Regulators are still drafting detailed compliance rules for token providers. However, the new law has encouraged more companies to explore stablecoin services.

One source said the Libra experience shaped Meta’s new approach. The person stated that Meta now prefers to rely on an established stablecoin issuer.

The company aims to integrate payments without assuming direct regulatory responsibility for issuance. Sources said Meta continues internal planning while it evaluates vendor proposals.

Crypto exchange Binance accused The Wall Street Journal Tuesday of publishing “false information” in a Monday article about the exchange allegedly firing employees investigating funds moving through the exchange to sanctioned entities.

Richard Teng, Binance co-CEO, accused the WSJ of “inaccurate reporting about our compliance program” in an X post. He included a letter to the news organization from the crypto exchange’s counsel in New York City, which said “The Wall Street Journal published defamatory claims,” despite the exchange’s attempts to “set the record straight.” The letter is similar to one Binance directed to Fortune last week over a similar article which said the exchange fired investigators who reported sanctions concerns.

The Journal’s article on Monday said the crypto exchanged fired staff investigators who identified $1 billion that moved to “a network funding Iran-backed terror groups.”. The report claimed to have Binance documents and statements from people familiar with Binance operations, saying that the crypto exchange dismantled the staff investigation into the $1 billion..

Binance claims staff were disciplined

The Journal article includes a statement from a Binance spokeswoman saying the investigators resigned and denied they were fired or suspended for raising compliance concerns.

“Documents, foreign law-enforcement officials and the people familiar with Binance’s operations said the same conduct that broke the sanctions and anti-money-laundering laws has persisted at the exchange,” the Journal article said, referring to Binance’s 2023 settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice and other authorities, in which the exchange and founder Changpeng “CZ” Zhao admitted to violating federal money laundering statutes..

The news report also mentions $1.7 billion more in 2024 and 2025 that were transferred from Binance-registered Chinese clients to Iran-backed groups, including Yemen’s Houthi militants. The New York Times’ article also published on Feb. 23 alleges the same information.

Both influential U.S. newspapers said the four individuals “fired” by Binance, who worked in compliance and market oversight roles, were dismissed after the crypto exchange concluded they had failed to adequately escalate red flags related to suspicious trading activity and potential policy violations.

A Binance spokesperson told CoinDesk the exchange conducted an “internal review and did not find evidence of violations of applicable sanctions laws or regulations related to the transactions described.”

However, the spokesperson, who stated no investigator was dismissed for raising compliance or potential sanctions issues, said suspicious activity was detected and reported, which is “evidence that our controls are working, not the opposite.”

Rachel Conlan, another spokesperson, told the Times, there is an ongoing investigation and that a full report will be sent to the U.S. Justice Department on Feb. 25.

Binance said in a blog post on Sunday that its “sanctions-related exposure is minimal.”

“Recent reporting on our top-tier compliance is, at best, inaccurate. It presents a distorted, jumbled account that relies on false claims by disgruntled former employees. This incomplete and flawed viewpoint reflects a lack of understanding of general compliance control processes for crypto exchanges,” the blog post, which was published prior to the Wall Street Journal’s report.