Crypto World
Why Bitcoin OG Erik Voorhees Just Went All-In on Gold
Erik Voorhees, the early Bitcoin advocate and founder of ShapeShift, is making a bold pivot into gold.
The move comes as gold recovers following a 21% crash, with prospects for further gains if analyst projections are any guide.
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Erik Voorhees’ Gold Move Signals a Shift Beyond Bitcoin
Lookonchain reports that Voorhees created nine new wallets and spent $6.81 million in USDC. The Bitcoin OG purchased 1,382 ounces of PAXG, a gold-backed token just like Tether Gold, at an average price of $4,926 per ounce.
Voorhees, who entered the Bitcoin ecosystem in 2011 and later founded several of the earliest major crypto companies, has long championed Bitcoin as “digital gold.”
His latest purchases suggest a nuanced strategy to diversify into traditional safe-haven assets even while remaining a vocal advocate for crypto.
Analyst Jacob King notes that Voorhees’ move signals that some of crypto’s earliest adopters are hedging against potential market volatility by holding both physical and tokenized gold.
Gold prices have been holding steady above $5,000 per ounce, supported by strong central bank demand and inflows from gold ETFs. As of this writing, the gold price was trading for $5,048, up by almost 15% since bottoming out at $4,402 on February 2.
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According to Coin Bureau CEO and co-founder Nic Puckrin, the recent dip in gold prices reflects a temporary pause rather than a retreat. Puckrin cites upcoming US jobs and CPI data, which are likely to influence rate-cut expectations.
Gold Set for Breakout as Analysts Forecast $6,300+ Amid Strategic Dollar Shift
Elsewhere, technical analyst Rashad Hajiyev notes that gold is poised for a breakout after testing a critical resistance level, projecting a near-term breakout to around $5,200 per ounce before entering a range-bound phase.
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Meanwhile, Wells Fargo recently characterized the pullback as a healthy correction after a sharp rally, raising its 2026 gold target to $6,100–$6,300 per ounce. The multinational financial services firm cited geopolitical risks, market volatility, and sustained central bank demand.
“Buy the gold dip, Wells Fargo says. The recent pullback in gold is a healthy correction after a sharp rally,” wrote Walter Bloomberg.
Meanwhile, Daniel Oliver, founder of Myrmikan Capital, projects a longer-term surge to $12,595 per ounce, driven by central bank buying and concerns over a potential “government bond death spiral.”
Gold Outpaces Stocks as Macro Shifts and Crypto Moves Highlight Its Safe-Haven Appeal
Gold’s strong performance relative to equities is stark. Historical data shows gold surging 1,658% since 2000, compared to the S&P 500’s 460% gain.
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Even after factoring in dividends, the S&P’s total return of roughly 700% reflects gold’s value as a portfolio diversifier. This is especially true in periods of macroeconomic and geopolitical uncertainty.
According to analysts, broader macroeconomic factors are driving gold’s rise. Sunil Reddy notes that US policy is quietly shifting away from maximizing dollar purchasing power toward reindustrialization and trade rebalancing.
This “softer dollar” approach is boosting demand for hard assets like gold and silver, signaling a strategic pivot rather than purely speculative buying.
Voorhees’ move into gold may reflect an awareness of these dynamics. By deploying millions into PAXG, the Bitcoin pioneer appears to be betting on gold’s continued relevance as a hedge against dollar weakness and a counterbalance to crypto market volatility.
Still, investors should conduct their own research and not rely solely on analysts’ projections.
Bitcoin price is back on shaky ground ahead of Wednesday’s nonfarm payrolls release. The 8:30 a.m. ET data drop has traders on edge, as macro catalysts often trigger sudden volatility.
More than $250 million in leveraged trades were flushed out in just one day, hammering long positions the hardest. The move below short-term support blindsided bulls and reinforced how quickly this market can unravel.
Summary
- Bitcoin is trading near $66,700, slipping below $67,000, and triggering over $250 million in leveraged liquidations, mostly affecting long positions.
- Short-term momentum is bearish, with the $69,000–$71,000 range acting as key resistance and $72,000 needing a decisive breakout to shift momentum.
- Failure to reclaim $69,000–$71,000 could push Bitcoin toward $64,000, with $60,000 as a critical psychological support where panic selling may intensify.
Current market scenario: Technical weakness builds
As of February 11, Bitcoin (BTC) is trading near $66,700 after breaking below $67,000 and triggering another flush of liquidations.
Traders see this as a break on the daily chart. The two-week support that had absorbed recent dips is gone, and momentum in the short term is clearly bearish.
Spikes in liquidations often reflect forced selling, not a steady trend. Still, the lack of a strong bounce is raising concerns about broader weakness.
All eyes are on Wednesday’s Nonfarm Payrolls report at 8:30 a.m. ET. Delayed by last month’s brief federal shutdown, the data is expected to move markets. Some Trump administration officials have suggested the numbers might come in weaker than expected, which could fuel rate-cut bets and support risk assets — though volatility is likely before any clear trend emerges.
Key levels to watch
From a technical view, the battle zone is clearly $69,000–$71,000. But even if Bitcoin rallies into that range, it’s resistance until proven otherwise.
A meaningful shift in momentum requires a decisive breakout above $72,000, confirmed by a strong daily close. Without it, any rally could quickly fizzle and remain part of the larger corrective move.
Failing to reclaim $69,000–$71,000 within 24 hours could open the door toward $64,000. Beneath that, the psychological $60,000 level comes into focus — an area where panic selling has historically intensified.
It’s a narrow window with high stakes. Bulls need to act fast. Bears are waiting patiently.
BTC price prediction: What comes next?
Macro catalysts are steering short-term moves. Should the jobs report fall short of expectations and risk appetite improve, Bitcoin price could climb toward resistance. But without decisively reclaiming $72,000, any rally risks fading quickly.
Should selling continue and a $64,000 break, the market could accelerate toward $60,000, where long-term buyers may step in. That zone may ultimately decide whether the broader uptrend holds.
The near-term Bitcoin price prediction leans toward continued volatility. The market is perched at a technical crossroads, and macro data may spark the next big move.
For now, the Bitcoin outlook is cautiously neutral-to-bearish, though a decisive breakout above $72,000 could swing sentiment sharply back toward the bulls.
Traders should prepare for rapid price action, as sharp moves could come in either direction.
Key takeaways
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Bitcoin now responds more to liquidity than to rate cuts. While rate cuts once drove crypto rallies, Bitcoin’s recent price action reflects actual cash availability and risk capital in the system, not just borrowing costs.
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Interest rates and liquidity are not the same. Rates measure the price of money, while liquidity reflects the amount of money circulating. Bitcoin reacts more when liquidity tightens or loosens, even if rates move in the opposite direction.
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When liquidity is abundant, leverage and risk-taking expand, pushing Bitcoin higher. When liquidity contracts, leverage can unwind quickly, which has often coincided with sharp sell-offs across stocks and commodities.
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Balance sheets and cash flows matter more than policy headlines. The Fed’s balance sheet policy, Treasury cash management and money market tools directly shape liquidity and often influence Bitcoin more than small changes in policy rates.
For years, US Federal Reserve interest rate cuts have been a key macro signal for Bitcoin (BTC) traders. Lower rates typically meant cheaper borrowing, boosted risk appetite and sparked rallies in crypto. However, that classic link between Fed rate cuts and Bitcoin trading has weakened in recent months. Bitcoin now responds more to actual liquidity levels in the financial system than to expectations or incremental changes in borrowing costs.
This article clarifies why anticipated rate cuts have not pushed up Bitcoin recently. It explains why episodes of liquidity constraint have triggered synchronized sell-offs across crypto, stocks and even precious metals.
Rates vs. liquidity: The key difference
Interest rates represent the cost of money, while liquidity reflects the quantity and flow of money available in the system. Markets sometimes confuse the two, but they can diverge sharply.
The Fed might lower rates, yet liquidity could still contract if reserves are drained elsewhere. For instance, liquidity can tighten through quantitative tightening or the US Department of the Treasury’s actions. Liquidity can also rise without rate cuts through other inflows or policy shifts.
Bitcoin’s price action increasingly tracks this liquidity pulse more closely than incremental rate adjustments.
Did you know? Bitcoin often reacts to liquidity changes before traditional markets do, earning it a reputation among macro traders as a “canary asset” that signals tightening conditions ahead of broader equity sell-offs.
Why rate cuts no longer drive Bitcoin as strongly
Several factors have diminished the impact of rate cuts:
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Heavy pre-pricing: Markets and futures often anticipate cuts well in advance, pricing them in long before they happen. By the time a cut occurs, asset prices may already reflect it.
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Context matters: Cuts driven by economic stress or financial instability can coincide with de-risking. In such environments, investors tend to reduce exposure to volatile assets even if rates are falling.
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Cuts do not guarantee liquidity: Ongoing balance sheet runoff, large Treasury issuance or reserve drains can keep the system constrained. Bitcoin, as a volatile asset, tends to react quickly to these pressures.
Bitcoin as a liquidity-sensitive, high-beta asset
Bitcoin’s buyers rely on leverage, available risk capital and overall market conditions. Liquidity influences these factors:
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In environments with abundant liquidity, leverage flows freely, volatility is more tolerated, and capital shifts toward riskier assets.
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When liquidity is constrained, leverage unwinds, liquidations cascade, and risk appetite vanishes across markets.
This dynamic suggests Bitcoin behaves less like a policy rate trade and more like a real-time gauge of liquidity conditions. When cash becomes scarce, Bitcoin tends to fall in tandem with equities and commodities, regardless of the Fed funds rate.
What lies behind liquidity
To understand how Bitcoin reacts in various situations, it helps to look beyond rate decisions and into the financial plumbing:
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Fed balance sheet: Quantitative tightening (QT) shrinks the Fed’s holdings and pulls reserves from banks. While markets can handle early QT, it eventually constrains risk-taking. Signals about potential balance sheet expansion can at times influence markets more than small changes in policy rates.
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Treasury cash management: The US Treasury’s cash balance acts as a liquidity valve. When the Treasury rebuilds its cash balance, money moves out of the banking system. When it draws the balance down, liquidity is released.
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Money market tools: Facilities like the overnight reverse repo (ON RRP) absorb or release cash. Shrinking buffers make markets more reactive to small liquidity shifts, and Bitcoin registers those changes rapidly.
Did you know? Some of Bitcoin’s sharpest intraday moves have occurred on days with no Fed announcements at all but coincided with large Treasury settlements that quietly drained cash from the banking system.
Why recent sell-offs felt macro, not crypto-specific
Lately, Bitcoin drawdowns have aligned with declines in equities and metals, pointing to broad liquidity stress rather than isolated crypto issues. This cross-asset synchronization underscores Bitcoin’s integration into the global liquidity framework.
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Fed leadership and policy nuances: Shifts in expected Fed leadership, particularly views on balance sheet policy, add complexity. Skepticism toward aggressive expansion signals tighter liquidity ahead, which affects Bitcoin prices more intensely than small rate tweaks.
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Liquidity surprises pack a bigger punch: Liquidity shifts are less predictable and transparent, and markets are not as adept at anticipating them. They quickly affect leverage and positioning. Rate changes, however, are widely debated and modeled. Unexpected liquidity drains can catch traders off guard, with Bitcoin’s volatility magnifying the effect.
How to think about Bitcoin’s macro sensitivity
Over long periods, interest rates shape valuations, discount rates and opportunity costs. In the current regime, however, liquidity sets the near-term boundaries for risk appetite. Bitcoin’s reaction becomes more volatile when liquidity shifts.
Key things to monitor include:
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Central bank balance sheet signals
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Treasury cash flows and Treasury General Account (TGA) levels
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Stress or easing signals in money markets.
Rate cut narratives can shape sentiment, but sustained buying depends on whether liquidity supports risk-taking.
The broader shift
Bitcoin was long seen as a hedge against currency debasement. Today, it is increasingly viewed as a real-time indicator of financial conditions. When liquidity expands, Bitcoin benefits; when liquidity tightens, Bitcoin tends to feel the pain early.
In recent periods, Bitcoin has responded more to liquidity conditions than to rate cut headlines. In the current phase of the Bitcoin cycle, many analysts are focusing less on rate direction and more on whether system liquidity is sufficient to support risk-taking.
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Arkham Exchange is not shutting down, despite reports to the contrary, and is instead redesigning itself as a decentralized trading platform, the company confirmed to Cointelegraph.
The crypto trading platform launched by data analytics firm Arkham Intelligence is shifting from a centralized model to a fully decentralized exchange (DEX), Arkham CEO Miguel Morel told Cointelegraph on Wednesday.
“The future of crypto trading is decentralized, and that’s what we’re building towards,” Morel said.
Launched in 2024, Arkham Exchange allows users to trade both spot crypto and perpetual contracts. The platform launched a mobile app in late 2025. At the time of writing, Arkham reports average daily trading of around $640,000, according to CoinGecko data.
Centralized platforms have become “unresponsive” to user needs
Arkham’s shift to a DEX comes as debate intensifies over how centralized exchanges (CEXs) manage token listings, with decentralized rivals increasingly viewed as offering greater flexibility and openness.
“Centralized incumbents have become bloated and unresponsive to user needs, becoming worse than the traditional financial systems they pretend to improve on,” Morel noted, adding: “We don’t want to invest in that.”
The move also aligns with a broader industry trend, as DEX-to-CEX trading volume ratios reached new highs in 2025 after more than tripling since 2020, according to CoinGecko.
Perpetual DEXs in particular saw explosive growth. In 2025, perp DEX volumes almost tripled their volumes, from $4.1 trillion at the start of the year to as much as $12 trillion. The surge reflected a sharp spike in onchain derivatives usage, as perp DEXs absorbed a growing share of leveraged crypto trading activity.
Related: Ledger adds OKX DEX integration for on-device token swaps
“Decentralized trading, especially for perpetuals, has exploded because it is a return to what made crypto so exciting in the first place,” Morel said, adding:
“It is cheaper, faster, and gives users custody of their own assets. We are excited about returning to the financial frontier and delivering the best trading experience for our users.”
Arkham did not immediately respond to Cointelegraph’s request for additional details on the timeline for its transition to a DEX. This article will be updated if and when further information becomes available.
Magazine: Bitcoin difficulty plunges, Buterin sells off Ethereum: Hodler’s Digest, Feb. 1 – 7
The European Parliament backed the European Central Bank’s (ECB) digital euro initiative, casting it as a strategic tool in an era of rising geopolitical and financial tensions. In a plenary vote, MEPs approved the annual ECB report by 443 votes in favor, 71 against and 117 abstentions, endorsing amendments that frame the digital euro as essential to strengthening EU monetary sovereignty, reducing fragmentation in retail payments, and bolstering the integrity of the single market. The resolution underscores a policy stance that public money in digital form can curb Europe’s reliance on non-EU payment providers and private instruments, a concern voiced by policymakers amid broader global pressures.
Lawmakers also pressed for central bank autonomy, arguing that ECB independence must be safeguarded from political interference to preserve price stability and market confidence. In the debate, Johan Van Overtveldt, a former Belgian finance minister and MEP, warned that independence is not merely a technical characteristic; history shows that political meddling with central banks can trigger inflation, financial instability, and domestic strain. The emphasis on autonomy reflects a long-standing belief among European lawmakers that monetary policy should be shielded from short-term political cycles, a sentiment echoed as Europe maps out a retail payments framework that could influence the region’s financial architecture for years to come.
The discussion also touched on the broader narrative of digital finance as a public good and a geopolitical hedge. The European Parliament’s stance aligns with a growing consensus among central bankers and economists that a digitally native euro could serve as a sovereign tool—built on European infrastructure and standards—that reduces exposure to external payment rails and foreign governance. In remarks that circulated last month, ECB executive board member Piero Cipollone described the digital euro as “public money in digital form” and tied it to concerns about the “weaponisation of every conceivable tool,” a reflection of the risk environment surrounding global finance. Cipollone argued for a payments system that Europeans fully control, emphasizing resilience and strategic autonomy as key design principles.
The resolution also reiterates that cash remains a cornerstone of the euro area’s monetary system. Even as the ECB advances a digital complement, both physical and digital euros are designated as legal tender, ensuring that the public retains access to a universally accepted form of money. This stance is consistent with a broader push to position the digital euro not as a replacement for cash but as a parallel instrument designed to streamline cross-border transactions, improve settlement efficiency, and reduce reliance on external providers in times of stress. The emphasis on maintaining cash aligns with concerns about inclusivity and financial access, particularly for segments of the population that rely on traditional cash channels or may be unevenly served by new digital rails.
Digital euro as public good and geopolitical hedge
Beyond its domestic implications, the vote signals how Europe contends with a shifting global payments landscape. The digital euro is framed as a public good meant to strengthen policy sovereignty, reassuring citizens that EU institutions will steward a secure, interoperable, and accessible payments infrastructure. The debate also reflects unease about the potential dominance of non-EU payment schemes and the geopolitical leverage that private digital-payment networks could wield in a crisis. By advancing a centralized, EU-controlled alternative, policymakers aim to preserve policy levers and maintain financial stability even when external networks face disruptions or strategic realignments.
The debate has continued to unfold in parallel with calls from economists and policy experts who argue for a robust public option. In January, a coalition of economists urged MEPs to prioritize the public interest in the digital euro project, warning that neglecting a strong EU option could leave the bloc more exposed to the influence of private and foreign players in its financial system. The push reflects a nuanced balance: leveraging digital innovation to improve efficiency and security while safeguarding public accountability and democratic oversight. The outcome of these discussions will shape not only how the euro area processes payments but also how Europe positions itself in global debates over digital sovereignty and financial regulation.
The broader policy environment around the digital euro is evolving as institutions contemplate both technical and governance dimensions. While the central bank’s autonomy remains a central pillar, the political process will continue to shape the instrument’s scope, privacy protections, and interoperability with existing payment rails. As Europe progresses, observers will watch for concrete milestones such as governance models, technical standards, and timelines for testing and deployment. The interplay between public and private sector interests, along with the union’s approach to data privacy and consumer protection, will be critical in determining the digital euro’s adoption trajectory and its reception among citizens and businesses alike.
Why it matters
The European Parliament’s endorsement of the digital euro underscores a shift in how Europe conceptualizes money in a digital era. For consumers, the availability of a euro-denominated digital instrument promises faster and cheaper retail payments across member states, with the added security of a centralized, Europe-wide framework. For businesses, a unified, EU-controlled platform could simplify cross-border settlements and reduce exposure to the fragility of foreign payment rails, particularly in times of geopolitical stress. For policymakers, the project represents an opportunity to align monetary policy with digital infrastructure, ensuring that policy tools remain effective in a rapidly evolving payments landscape.
For fintechs and developers, the digital euro offers a defined public utility that could serve as a foundation for innovative payment experiences while adhering to European standards for privacy, security, and market integrity. The emphasis on independence and robust governance signals a carefully calibrated path to deployment—one that seeks to incentivize responsible innovation while maintaining a strict line against political meddling that could destabilize markets. In this sense, the digital euro is less about a single currency-proof-of-concept and more about how a highly developed regional economy can harmonize monetary integrity with digital modernization in a way that strengthens resilience and confidence across the bloc.
For the broader crypto and digital assets discourse, the EP’s position reinforces a divide between public, centrally issued digital money and the private, often cross-border nature of crypto and stablecoins. While not a cryptocurrency itself, the digital euro’s design and governance could influence how lawmakers approach non-sovereign digital assets, including questions about payments settlement, privacy standards, and cross-border interoperability. The outcome will likely feed into ongoing debates about regulatory clarity, consumer protection, and the degree to which public and private digital money can coexist without compromising financial stability.
What to watch next
- Progress updates from the ECB on digital euro development, including governance and technical architecture.
- Further parliamentary discussions and amendments clarifying the balance between independence, oversight, and integration with existing payment systems.
- Policy guidance on the role of cash in a digital euro era and how legal tender considerations will be maintained.
- Potential pilots or phased rollouts that test interoperability with national infrastructures and private payment providers.
Sources & verification
- European Parliament press release: MEPs stress the importance of independent central banks in times of tension (https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/da/press-room/20260205IPR33621/meps-stress-importance-of-independent-central-banks-in-times-of-tension)
- Transcript and remarks from Johan Van Overtveldt on ECB independence (https://www.europarl.europa.eu/plenary/en/vod.html?mode=chapter&vodLanguage=EN&internalEPId=2017060832131&providerMeetingId=20260209-0900-PLENARY#)
- ECB executive board member Piero Cipollone’s comments on digital euro as public money (https://cointelegraph.com/news/ecb-s-cipollone-says-digital-euro-key-to-payments-sovereignty-in-weaponised-world)
- Analysis and commentary from economists urging a strong public option for the digital euro (https://cointelegraph.com/news/70-economists-eu-lawmakers-digital-euro)
Monetary sovereignty in the digital age: Europe’s digital euro push
In summary, the European Parliament’s latest vote signals a consensus that the digital euro should be developed with an eye toward sovereignty, resilience, and public value. It recognizes the need to preserve monetary policy autonomy in the face of evolving digital finance dynamics while acknowledging the practical benefits of faster, more inclusive payments across the union. By insisting that cash remains legal tender and by prioritizing independence, lawmakers aim to construct a framework that can withstand geopolitical disruptions and shifting power dynamics in the payments landscape. The path forward will require careful calibration of governance, technology, and regulatory oversight—an undertaking that will shape Europe’s financial infrastructure for the foreseeable future.
North Korea-linked threat actors are escalating social engineering campaigns targeting cryptocurrency and fintech companies, deploying new malware designed to harvest sensitive data and steal digital assets.
In a recent campaign, a threat cluster tracked as UNC1069 deployed seven malware families aimed at capturing and exfiltrating victim data, according to a Tuesday report from Mandiant, a US cybersecurity firm that operates under Google Cloud.
The campaign relied on social engineering schemes involving compromised Telegram accounts and fake Zoom meetings with deepfake videos generated through artificial intelligence tools.
“This investigation revealed a tailored intrusion resulting in the deployment of seven unique malware families, including a new set of tooling designed to capture host and victim data: SILENCELIFT, DEEPBREATH and CHROMEPUSH,” the report states.
Related: CZ sounds alarm as ‘SEAL’ team uncovers 60 fake IT workers linked to North Korea
Mandiant said the activity represents an expansion of the group’s operations, primarily targeting crypto firms, software developers and venture capital companies.
The malware included two newly discovered, sophisticated data-mining viruses, named CHROMEPUSH and DEEPBREATH, which are designed to bypass key operating system components and gain access to personal data.
The threat actor with “suspected” North Korean ties has been tracked by Mandiant since 2018, but AI advancements helped the malicious actor scale up its operations and include “AI-enabled lures in active operations” for the first time in November 2025, according to a report at the time from the Google Threat Intelligence Group.
Cointelegraph contacted Mandiant for additional details regarding the attribution, but had not received a response by publication.
Related: Balancer hack shows signs of months-long planning by skilled attacker
Attackers are stealing crypto founder accounts to launch ClickFix attacks
In one intrusion outlined by Mandiant, attackers used a compromised Telegram account belonging to a crypto founder to initiate contact. The victim was invited to a Zoom meeting featuring a fabricated video feed in which the attacker claimed to be experiencing audio problems.
The attacker then directed the user to run troubleshooting commands in their system to fix the purported audio issue in a scam known as a ClickFix attack.
The provided troubleshooting commands had embedded a hidden single command that initiated the infection chain, according to Mandiant.
North Korea-linked illicit actors have been a persistent threat to both crypto investors and Web3-native companies.
In June 2025, four North Korean operatives infiltrated multiple crypto firms as freelance developers, stealing a cumulative $900,000 from these startups, Cointelegraph reported.
Earlier that year, the Lazarus Group was linked to the $1.4 billion hack of Bybit, one of the largest crypto thefts on record.
Magazine: Coinbase hack shows the law probably won’t protect you — Here’s why
Crypto World
As bitcoin (BTC) price extends declines, industry figures say it’s time to buy: Crypto Daybook Americas
By Francisco Rodrigues (All times ET unless indicated otherwise)
Bitcoin dropped for a third straight day after failing to remain above the $70,000 hit during the weekend recovery as spot trading volumes thinned and theCrypto Fear and Greed Index held in “extreme fear” territory.
The broader crypto market capitalization has slipped to about $2.28 trillion, with the CoinDesk 20 (CD20) index losing 3.4% over the past 24 hours. Even so, onchain data aggregator Glassnode described the pullback as modest by past standards, with no signs of panic selling seen in prior cycle peaks.
Despite the lower volumes and poor sentiment, inflows to spot bitcoin ETFs have been steady over the past three days, helping absorb some selling pressure. The market is now in a price discovery phase, according to Wintermute.
“With spot volumes still relatively light, leverage is driving short term moves as was illustrated by BTC squeezing back up from the lows last friday on the back of heavily crowded perp shorts,” Wintermute desk strategist Jasper De Maere wrote in an emailed note. “It’s likely the market will continue to whip across this range as its still in price discovery.“
Major figures appear to remain bullish. Speaking at Consensus Hong Kong, Tom Lee, chief investment officer of Fundstrat and chairman of ether treasury firm BitMine Immersion (BMNR), told investors they should look for entry points rather than try to time a bottom.
On CNBC, Michael Saylor, executive chairman of bitcoin treasury firm Strategy (MSTR), reiterated his long-term bet on the cryptocurrency, saying he expects it to outperform traditional equities despite the drawdown.
Weak U.S. retail sales have moderately lifted U.S. interest rate-cut expectations and weighed on the dollar. Now, attention will switch to today’s nonfarm payrolls figures and inflation data, which could further influence risk appetite. Stay alert.
Read more: For analysis of today’s activity in altcoins and derivatives, see Crypto Markets Today
What to Watch
For a more comprehensive list of events this week, see CoinDesk’s “Crypto Week Ahead“.
- Crypto
- Feb. 11: Immutable to complete the merge of Immutable X and Immutable zkEVM.
- Macro
- Feb. 11, 8:30 a.m.: U.S. nonfarm payrolls for January Est. 70K (Prev. 50K)
- Feb. 11, 8:30 a.m.: U.S. unemployment rate for January Est. 4.4%(Prev. 4.4%)
- Feb. 11, 8:30 a.m.: U.S. average hourly earnings for January YoY Est. 3.8% (Prev. 3.6%)
- Earnings (Estimates based on FactSet data)
Token Events
For a more comprehensive list of events this week, see CoinDesk’s “Crypto Week Ahead“.
- Governance votes & calls
- Feb. 11: Ripple to host XRP Community Day on X Spaces discussing XRP adoption, regulated finance and innovation.
- Unlocks
- Token Launches
- Feb. 11: Coinbase to list RaveDAO (RAVE), DeepBook (DEEP), and Walrus (WAL).
Conferences
For a more comprehensive list of events this week, see CoinDesk’s “Crypto Week Ahead“.
Market Movements
- BTC is up 0.25% from 4 p.m. ET Tuesday at $66,868.63 (24hrs: -3.14%)
- ETH is down 2.96% at $1,947.84 (24hrs: -3.25%)
- CoinDesk 20 is down 2.75% at 1,900.89 (24hrs: -3.53%)
- Ether CESR Composite Staking Rate is up 1 bp at 2.83%
- BTC funding rate is at -0.0023% (-2.536% annualized) on Binance
- DXY is down 0.3% at 96.50
- Gold futures are up 1.73% at $5,117.80
- Silver futures are up 6.22% at $85.39
- Nikkei 225 closed up 2.28% at 57,650.54
- Hang Seng closed up 0.31% at 27,266.38
- FTSE is up 0.50% at 10,405.94
- Euro Stoxx 50 is down 0.41% at 6,022.26
- DJIA closed on Tuesday up 0.1% at 50,188.14
- S&P 500 closed down 0.33% at 6,941.81
- Nasdaq Composite closed down 0.59% at 23,102.47
- S&P/TSX Composite closed up 0.71% at 33,256.83
- S&P 40 Latin America closed down 0.57% at 3,746.47
- U.S. 10-Year Treasury rate is down 1 bps at 4.135%
- E-mini S&P 500 futures are unchanged at 6,966.50
- E-mini Nasdaq-100 futures are unchanged at 25,218.00
- E-mini Dow Jones Industrial Average Index futures are up 0.13% at 50,338.00
Bitcoin Stats
- BTC Dominance: 59.12% (-0.29%)
- Ether-bitcoin ratio: 0.02914 (-0.81%)
- Hashrate (seven-day moving average): 1,002 EH/s
- Hashprice (spot): $33.56
- Total fees: 2.6 BTC / $179,640
- CME Futures Open Interest: 120,785 BTC
- BTC priced in gold: 13.1 oz.
- BTC vs gold market cap: 4.46%
Technical Analysis
- BTC/USD is currently hovering below the 200-week exponential moving average, a critical support level that must be reclaimed to prevent further downside.
- The market now awaits the weekly close to confirm whether this breach marks a definitive breakdown or a temporary deviation.
Crypto Equities
- Coinbase Global (COIN): closed on Tuesday at $162.51 (-2.83%), -3.39% at $157.00 in pre-market
- Circle Internet (CRCL): closed at $59.75 (-0.58%), -1.84% at $58.65
- Galaxy Digital (GLXY): closed at $21.19 (+0.19%), -1.75% at $20.82
- Bullish (BLSH): closed at $32.05 (+0.00%), -1.68% at $31.51
- MARA Holdings (MARA): closed at $7.66 (-4.96%), -3.13% at $7.42
- Riot Platforms (RIOT): closed at $14.83 (-0.94%), -2.29% at $14.49
- Core Scientific (CORZ): closed at $18.13 (-2.26%), -2.48% at $17.68
- CleanSpark (CLSK): closed at $10.03 (-1.57%), -2.49% at $9.78
- CoinShares Valkyrie Bitcoin Miners ETF (WGMI): closed at $42.62 (-2.76%)
- Exodus Movement (EXOD): closed at $10.86 (+1.12%)
Crypto Treasury Companies
- Strategy (MSTR): closed at $133.00 (-3.93%), -3.12% at $128.85
- Strive (ASST): closed at $9.18 (-9.51%), -3.27% at $8.88
- SharpLink Gaming (SBET): closed at $6.65 (-6.47%), -0.60% at $6.61
- Upexi (UPXI): closed at $0.98 (-7.14%), +1.96% at $0.99
- Lite Strategy (LITS): closed at $1.03 (-1.90%)
ETF Flows
Spot BTC ETFs
- Daily net flows: $166.5 million
- Cumulative net flows: $54.98 billion
- Total BTC holdings ~1.27 million
Spot ETH ETFs
- Daily net flows: $13.8 million
- Cumulative net flows: $11.91 billion
- Total ETH holdings ~5.84 million
Source: Farside Investors
While You Were Sleeping
- Ethereum whales continue to aggressively accumulate ETH amid falling prices.
- The dip below $2,000 offers an attractive entry point for bulls.
- Ethereum price touched intraday lows of $1,930 on Wednesday, February 11, 2026.
Ethereum has dipped below the $2,000 level again, with a 3% decline in the past 24 hours pushing the top altcoin to lows of $1,930 in early trading on February 11, 2026.
The decline mirrored Bitcoin’s retreat below $67,000, with the bellwether digital asset down 3% over the same period, trading around $66,805.
But despite the strong bearish sentiment across the cryptocurrency market, whales appear unfazed and are using the dip to aggressively add to their positions.
Ethereum whales buy the dip near $2k
On-chain data shows Ethereum has attracted aggressive whale accumulation for several months, despite a sharp decline in the altcoin’s price.
According to details shared by CryptoQuant on X, large holders began ramping up their positions in July 2025.
This trend has continued even as the ETH price plunged from its peak amid a bearish flip in the last quarter of the year, with inflows into accumulation addresses hitting record highs amid sustained buying.
Notably, analysts say the loading up has continued after the ETH price fell below the realized value of accumulation addresses.
This scenario also played out in April 2025, when the Ethereum price plunged to lows of $1,470 amid a broader market correction.
However, bulls quickly recovered as whales bought the dip, and the altcoin’s price went on to touch its all-time high near $5,000 in August 2025.
Recent data shows exchange balances have fallen to multi-year lows, with whales adding to their holdings as retail sells amid broader market panic.
This pattern persists as prices falter in early 2026.
With whales’ buying power intact, current levels are attractive, which has seen entities like Bitmine Immersion Technologies fully take advantage.
The company recently added over 40,600 ETH and currently holds over 4.3 million Ether tokens acquired at an average price of $2,125.
Of this, it has staked over 2.97 million ETH, which accounts for more than 68% of its holdings.
Tom Lee(@fundstrat)’s #Bitmine is still buying $ETH and staking it.
5 hours ago, #Bitmine staked another 140,400 $ETH($282M).
In total, #Bitmine has staked 2.97M $ETH($6.01B), 68.7% of its total holdings.https://t.co/yCucFPLdGs pic.twitter.com/R13lzSIQmE
— Lookonchain (@lookonchain) February 11, 2026
Ethereum price prediction
The crypto fear and greed index hovers in extreme fear territory, which means a short-term bearish outlook.
Ethereum has tapped this sentiment as bulls struggle near $2,000, with the altcoin’s current dollar value more than 60% down since touching the all-time high near $5,000.
On the technical front, prices are below key exponential moving averages (EMAs), and oscillators favour bears.
Ethereum charts formed a death cross in November.
This strengthened on February 5, 2026, when Bitcoin nosedived to $60k, and ETH plummeted past support at $2k to hit new lows near $1,740.
Despite a rebound to above $2k, downward pressure remains, and a pullback to that year-to-date low is possible.
If bears take further control, ETH could target $1,500-$1,300 next.
However, aggressive buying even as ETH falls below realized prices of accumulation addresses indicates a long-term conviction.
Analysts forecast a significant rebound, with institutional demand and network growth driving the next leg up.
On-chain metrics, including ETF inflows, will be key.
Notably, outflows have shrunk since the $1.4 billion in monthly flows exited Ethereum spot ETFs in November 2025, and the current total net assets sit at over $11.7 billion.
Recently, Bitmine’s Tom Lee said he expects a V-shaped recovery for ETH.
Aviva Investors, the asset management arm of U.K. insurer Aviva (AV), plans to tokenize traditional fund structures on the XRP Ledger (XRPL) in a deal with blockchain firm Ripple, the companies said in a press release Wednesday.
The collaboration will see Ripple support Aviva Investors in issuing and managing tokenized funds on XRPL, a public blockchain designed for payments and financial transactions. The move marks Aviva Investors’ first foray into tokenization as it looks to integrate blockchain-based products into its lineup.
For Ripple, the agreement is a first partnership with a Europe-based investment manager, expanding its push to bring regulated financial assets onchain.
Asset managers have increasingly turned to tokenization to modernize fund infrastructure, using digital tokens to represent shares in money market funds, private credit, real estate and other strategies on a blockchain.
The approach promises faster settlement, lower operational costs and broader distribution, while enabling features such as fractional ownership and automated compliance.
Major firms including BlackRock, Franklin Templeton and Hamilton Lane have already introduced tokenized products, signaling a shift from pilot projects to live, regulated offerings aimed at institutional investors.
Aviva Investors and Ripple said they will work together through 2026 and beyond to develop tokenized fund structures on XRPL.
The ledger, which started up in 2012, has processed more than 4 billion transactions and supports over 7 million wallets, according to Ripple. It is maintained by 120 independent validators and does not rely on energy-intensive mining.
“We believe there are many benefits that tokenisation can bring to investors, including improvements in terms of both time and cost efficiency,” said Jill Barber, chief distribution officer at Aviva Investors, in the release.
“We are committed to adopting technological advancements that we believe can bring about positive change for our business, and we think tokenized funds can be hugely beneficial to our clients,” she added.
Read more: Tokenization still at start of hype cycle, but needs more use cases, specialists say
FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried has returned to social media, alleging that U.S. prosecutors improperly pressured witnesses during his criminal trial and arguing that his conviction should be overturned.
Summary
- Sam Bankman-Fried has resurfaced on X, alleging U.S. prosecutors improperly pressured witnesses during his FTX criminal trial and claiming the conviction should be overturned.
- He also called for U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan to recuse himself, accusing the judge of bias and prejudging defendants in his case.
- Reaction on X has been sharply negative, with users dismissing his claims and reiterating that misuse of customer funds constitutes fraud regardless of solvency.
Sam Bankman-Fried demands judge’s recusal
In a post published on X, Bankman-Fried claimed that “new evidence” shows the Biden administration’s Department of Justice threatened multiple witnesses into silence or encouraged them to change their testimony.
He said this alleged conduct undermines the integrity of the trial and warrants throwing out his conviction.
Bankman-Fried also called for U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan to recuse himself from ruling on the matter. He accused Kaplan of prejudging defendants and stacking proceedings against him, citing what he described as similar treatment toward former FTX executive Ryan Salame and U.S. President Donald Trump.
The comments follow Bankman-Fried’s recent legal filings seeking a new trial, in which his defense argues that jurors were denied access to exculpatory evidence and that the court improperly limited witness testimony.
His legal team has previously contended that key evidence related to FTX’s internal operations and bankruptcy process was excluded, weakening his ability to present a full defense.
At this stage, Bankman-Fried’s allegations remain unproven.
Bankman-Fried was convicted in 2023 on multiple counts of fraud and conspiracy tied to the collapse of FTX and is currently serving a lengthy federal prison sentence. His appeals and post-conviction motions remain ongoing, with courts yet to determine whether any procedural errors rise to the level required for a retrial.
Reaction on X has been swift and overwhelmingly hostile. Many users rejected Bankman-Fried’s claims outright, arguing that misappropriating customer assets constitutes fraud regardless of solvency, with one post likening it to theft even if the property is later returned.
Others responded more viscerally, using profanity and personal attacks to dismiss SBF’s credibility and citing sworn testimony from former associates as evidence against him, while some also questioned why he is still able to post publicly from jail following his unanimous conviction.
Crypto World
Binance and Franklin Templeton Enable Tokenized Money Market Funds as Institutional Trading Collateral
TLDR:
- Eligible clients can use Franklin Templeton’s tokenized money market funds as Binance trading collateral
- Assets remain in third-party Ceffu custody while value is mirrored within Binance’s trading environment
- Program reduces counterparty risk while enabling institutions to earn yield on collateral assets
- Initiative represents first concrete implementation of September 2025 strategic partnership agreement
Binance and Franklin Templeton have launched an institutional collateral program enabling tokenized money market fund shares as trading collateral.
The program allows eligible clients to use assets issued through Franklin Templeton’s Benji Technology Platform as off-exchange collateral on Binance.
This marks the first initiative under their strategic partnership announced in September 2025. The program aims to improve capital efficiency while reducing counterparty risk.
Off-Exchange Collateral Program Reduces Risk for Institutional Traders
The new program addresses a major challenge facing institutional market participants. Traders can now use tokenized money market fund shares as collateral without parking assets on an exchange.
The collateral value is mirrored within Binance’s trading environment through Ceffu’s custody infrastructure. Meanwhile, the actual tokenized assets remain securely held off-exchange in third-party custody.
This structure reduces counterparty risk for institutional clients. Traders earn yield on their money market fund holdings while supporting trading activity.
The arrangement eliminates choosing between custody security and trading flexibility. Institutions maintain regulatory protections on their assets throughout the process.
Ceffu, Binance’s institutional crypto-native custody partner, provides the underlying infrastructure. The custody layer enables assets to stay off-exchange while their value supports trading positions.
“Institutions increasingly require trading models that prioritize risk management without sacrificing capital efficiency,” said Ian Loh, CEO of Ceffu.
Binance announced the program launch on social media. The exchange highlighted that this initiative represents the first step under their collaboration with Franklin Templeton. The partnership focuses on bridging traditional finance with digital asset markets.
Traditional Finance and Digital Assets Converge Through Tokenization
Roger Bayston, Head of Digital Assets at Franklin Templeton, emphasized the partnership’s institutional focus. “Since partnering in 2025, our work with Binance has focused on making digital finance actually work for institutions,” Bayston said.
He added that the off-exchange collateral program lets clients put their assets to work in third-party custody while safely earning yield. That’s the future Benji was designed for, he noted.
Catherine Chen, Head of VIP & Institutional at Binance, described the collaboration as a natural progression. “Partnering with Franklin Templeton to offer tokenized real-world assets as off-exchange collateral is a natural next step in our mission,” Chen stated.
She explained that innovating ways to use traditional financial instruments on-chain opens new opportunities for investors. The approach shows how blockchain technology can make markets more efficient, according to Chen.
The program responds to institutional demand for specific collateral characteristics. Institutions seek stable, yield-bearing assets supporting continuous settlement cycles. Tokenized money market funds meet these requirements while fitting existing governance frameworks.
Market infrastructure must align with institutional standards to support broader adoption. Binance positions the program as meeting demand for stable collateral on regulated platforms.
Enhanced capital efficiency benefits traders managing positions across both traditional and digital markets.
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