There’s only one step left until the v20 version.

Pi Network’s Core Team took it to X at the end of the business week to announce the latest blockchain update that was successfully migrated. The protocol v19.6 has been implemented, leaving version 19.9, which is next in line, the only one left before the highly-anticipated v20.

The announcement also urged nodes to ensure they had upgraded to comply with the new version.

Network Update: Protocol v19.6 migration successfully completed ✅ Next up is v19.9 — the final step before v20. Node operators should make sure they’re upgraded and stay tuned for further instructions: https://t.co/mnbwVzhaD9

— Pi Network (@PiCoreTeam) February 20, 2026

Nodes, The Update Is Here

Recall that the team first outlined the upcoming series of upgrades last week, stating that the Pi nodes have until February 15 to complete their migration to remain connected to the network once it’s implemented.

In the explanatory post dedicated to nodes, the team described them as the “fourth role within the Pi ecosystem,” which needs to operate on laptops and desktop computers rather than mobile devices. Similar to nodes in other blockchains, they have to validate transactions and maintain the distributed ledger by reaching consensus on the order of transactions.

However, there’s a difference between Pi Network’s nodes and those operating on proof-of-work systems, such as Bitcoin. Since Pi employs a consensus mechanism derived from the Stellar Consensus Protocol (SCP), nodes from trusted groups, known as quorum slices, validate transactions only when trusted peers agree.

It’s worth noting that security circles created by mobile miners form a global trust graph that helps determine which nodes can participate in validation.

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Build for Accessibility

The Core Team also emphasized another difference between nodes on different blockchains and those operating within the Pi ecosystem. They explained that Pi Network’s entire concept is to work under a user-centric design where even less technically savvy Pioneers can install the Pi Node desktop application and enable or disable node participation with a simple interface.

The team noted that this method aligns with Pi’s strategy of “progressive decentralization,” which allows the network to evolve toward full decentralization while remaining accessible to everyday users.

Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) could see a renewed leg higher if AI equities overheat, according to macroeconomist Lyn Alden. In a discussion with Natalie Brunell on the Coin Stories podcast published to YouTube on Thursday, Alden noted that AI stocks may peak, prompting a rotation into assets with more upside potential. The core idea is simple but influential: when a price narrative becomes hard to justify, capital tends to migrate toward opportunities with stronger risk-reward profiles. The suggestion is not that crypto is guaranteed to rally, but that it could benefit from a shifting allocation mindset as investors reassess growth drivers.

Bitcoin’s price context matters here. From an October high near $126,100, the benchmark has retraced substantially, with data suggesting a drop of about 46% from that peak. The current trading environment—framed by recent softness in the AI rally and ongoing macro uncertainty—raises the prospect that capital may rotate away from frothy AI names and into assets considered more offense-ready over the medium term. Alden argued that BTC could be a beneficiary of this rotation even if the upshot requires patience, highlighting that long-term holders help set a price floor while shorter-term traders search for new catalysts.

Nvidia may be the “most important stock” in US, says exec

On the equity side, Nvidia (EXCHANGE: NVDA), the GPU giant central to AI workloads, remains a barometer for the market’s appetite for AI-driven growth. Albion Financial Group chief investment officer Jason Ware recently told Fox Business that while Nvidia could deliver “another great quarter,” the sustainability of those gains is not a foregone conclusion. “We all know they are the most concentrated, obvious winner in the AI build out. Can that growth continue in a way that supports the stock moving higher?” Ware asked, underscoring the delicate balance between AI optimism and actual earnings momentum. Over the past year, NVDA has climbed more than 35%, underscoring its status as a focal point for risk sentiment and equity leadership.

The linkage between AI enthusiasm and crypto markets is a recurring theme in contemporary market discourse. As investor interest in AI equities intensifies, Bitcoin is increasingly framed as a potential beneficiary of capital reallocation, particularly if the AI trade loses some steam or becomes viewed as overextended. The observation that Bitcoin is now competing for capital in a manner unseen before underscores the broader shift in how investors evaluate “growth” assets against “risk-off” assets in a precarious macro landscape. For some analysts, BTC’s appeal lies not in rapid gains but in its relative resilience as a hedge and store of value as traditional equities encounter volatility tied to interest-rate expectations and policy dynamics.

Bitcoin only needs a “marginal amount” of new demand

Yet Alden cautions that a rapid ascent is not a prerequisite for BTC to move higher. In her view, a marginal uptick in fresh demand could suffice to lift prices when long-term holders have already established a support floor and when speculative participants rotate elsewhere for a time. The rotation thesis rests on the idea that BTC’s supply-demand balance can tilt with a relatively small influx of new buyers entering the market as other narratives pause or cool off. The practical implication is a patient, risk-managed approach: BTC does not require a sudden flood of new capital to shift higher, but it does depend on a shift in who is holding the asset and why they are staying invested.

As part of the broader market mosaic, the industry continues to grapple with the reality that macro conditions—ranging from liquidity cycles to regulatory signals—shape how quickly a rotation into BTC can take hold. The discussion around whether AI leadership can sustain its current pace adds a layer of market psychology to the analysis: if AI stock names face a valuation reset, that reset could accelerate a reallocation toward perceived hedges or diversifiers, including cryptocurrency. In the same breath, observers acknowledge that BTC’s path is unlikely to mirror a textbook V-shaped rebound. The narrative often unfolds as a grind higher or sideways movement, punctuated by occasional pullbacks and interim pauses as market participants reassess risk premia.

At the time of writing, Bitcoin was trading near the mid-to-low $60,000s, a level that sits above the volatility troughs of past retracements but below the earlier peak reached during the height of the previous cycle. The price action aligns with Alden’s framework: slow, methodical accumulation by long-term holders, paired with selective participation by traders seeking a favorable entry point after a drawdown. Additional data points, including price action and on-chain signals, will be essential to gauge whether the rotation thesis translates into a sustained uptrend or whether BTC remains tethered to a choppy, range-bound regime.

It’s also worth noting the broader narrative around AI equities and crypto’s role within it. The AI narrative has intensified investor focus on the most influential players in the space, including Nvidia, whose momentum is often viewed as a proxy for AI-sector health. While Nvidia’s immediate near-term path remains subject to quarterly results and market expectations, the story underscores a wider appetite for AI exposure that could indirectly benefit crypto assets if risk appetites normalize and capital flows diversify. In parallel, market observers have drawn attention to the ongoing debates about crypto policy, macro liquidity, and the pace at which institutional participants allocate to digital assets. The dialogue continues to evolve as regulators, miners, and developers respond to shifting market dynamics and evolving use cases for blockchain technology.

Beyond price action, industry watchers recall that Bitcoin’s network metrics provide context for how price might respond to evolving demand. For example, mining-difficulty dynamics and network security considerations serve as a backdrop to price speculation, with several pieces of coverage illustrating how miners adapt to the macro environment and electricity markets. The broader informational ecosystem also includes a spectrum of research and data sources that track BTC’s performance relative to macro risk signals, as well as on-chain indicators that illuminate the behavior of long-term holders versus short-term traders. In this sense, the rotation narrative intersects with fundamentals, psychology, and policy considerations that collectively shape Bitcoin’s path forward.

For readers tracking the genesis of the current debate, it’s helpful to recall earlier commentary that highlighted Bitcoin’s evolving role as a capital allocator during periods of AI-driven market exuberance. The assertion that Bitcoin could garnert capital when AI valuations pause is not a guarantee but a lens on potential cross-asset dynamics where a shift in capital allocation could favor non-traditional growth assets. As Alden and others emphasized, the market’s focus on AI can create dislocations that crypto markets might exploit, particularly if the rotation proves sustainable and broad-based rather than episodic. The evolving narrative invites a closer look at how BTC’s price structure interacts with risk sentiment, liquidity, and the tempo of capital inflows or outflows across major asset classes. For those who monitor the crosswinds of technology, finance, and macroeconomics, the current moment offers a case study in how narrative-driven flows can realign as the market digests successive waves of innovation and regulation.

In the near term, observers will be watching for signals that indicate the depth and durability of any potential rotation. The intersection of AI momentum and crypto markets is likely to remain a focal point for traders seeking asymmetrical risk-reward opportunities. While no one can predict a definitive turn, the conversation about whether AI valuations will normalize and how BTC might respond remains central to the current market discourse. The ongoing dialogue also reflects a broader truth about crypto markets: they are increasingly entangled with the same macro drivers that shape traditional assets, even as they maintain their own distinct risk-and-reward profile. As the story unfolds, investors will be evaluating BTC’s price action alongside AI-ecosystem developments, regulatory signals, and the evolving architecture of the digital asset space.

What to watch next

• Watch Bitcoin price action for signs of a sustained breakout or renewed grinding below current levels, with attention to potential support zones around $60,000–$65,000.
• Monitor AI sector momentum, particularly Nvidia’s earnings cadence, to gauge whether current AI enthusiasm remains intact or begins to cool.
• Track capital flows into crypto from traditional risk assets as investor sentiment shifts, noting any shifts in cross-asset liquidity conditions.
• Observe long-term holders’ behavior as the market tests new price levels and potential floor formation, indicating conviction in BTC’s longer-term value proposition.
• Keep an eye on on-chain indicators and mining-related developments that could influence BTC’s supply dynamics and price resilience during periods of rotation.

Sources & verification

• Lyn Alden’s discussion on the Coin Stories podcast with Natalie Brunell; YouTube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x0kNGaxLg18
• Bitcoin price context and performance data (October high near $126,100; BTC price page in Cointelegraph) – https://cointelegraph.com/bitcoin-price
• Nvidia (EXCHANGE: NVDA) coverage and analysis from Fox Business interview with Jason Ware – https://www.foxbusiness.com/video/6389652121112
• Bitcoin is now competing for capital link to Ethereum price narrative – https://cointelegraph.com/news/bitcoin-price-quantum-computing-fears-ethereum-developer
• Bitcoin mining difficulty rebound coverage – https://cointelegraph.com/news/bitcoin-difficulty-rebounds-15-as-us-miners-recover-from-winter-outages

Rotation dynamics shaping Bitcoin’s next leg

Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) sits at a crossroads as investors weigh whether the AI-driven surge can sustain its momentum and whether capital will reallocate toward crypto as a complementary growth narrative. In a recent dialogue with Natalie Brunell on the Coin Stories podcast, macroeconomist Lyn Alden outlined a rotation thesis: when AI stock valuations become difficult to justify, money tends to move toward assets that offer a more compelling risk-reward profile. The discussion, anchored in the idea that a fresh wave of demand is all that’s needed to alter price trajectories, emphasizes that BTC could benefit as market participants reassess where to allocate risk in a complex macro environment. The YouTube-embeds and podcast link in that discussion provide a direct thread to the source material for readers seeking further context.

The case for BTC as a beneficiary of rotation hinges on several interlocking dynamics. First, Bitcoin’s price action is framed by a sharp drawdown from its October all-time high of around $126,100. As Alden noted, the asset is down substantially from that peak, a development that invites a re-evaluation of BTC not as merely a risk-on asset but as a potential store of value and a non-sovereign alternative to traditional risk assets during periods of monetary tightening and liquidity shifts. The idea is not that Bitcoin will rally in a vacuum, but that its upside could be unlocked by a reallocation toward assets with different risk profiles when AI valuations come back to earth. The discussion also touches on how AI leadership may shape market expectations across asset classes, with the NFT and crypto ecosystems occasionally serving as counterweights to momentum-driven sectors.

Nvidia (EXCHANGE: NVDA), described by Ware as a cornerstone of AI infrastructure, remains a focal point for market participants assessing the sustainability of AI-driven growth. The tension between “the most concentrated, obvious winner in the AI build out” and a stock’s ability to justify further appreciation is a central question for investors watching both equities and crypto. The tension is not merely about the pace of AI-capital deployment; it is about how the broader risk appetite evolves. If AI stocks begin to trade at multiples that investors deem unsustainable, some capital could rotate into crypto assets that, for some participants, offer a different risk-reward proposition in a market that has grown more volatile and liquidity-driven. In this context, Bitcoin’s narrative as a potential beneficiary of a rotation in risk sentiment becomes increasingly plausible, even if a decisive up move remains elusive in the near term.

From a price-availability standpoint, Alden highlights that BTC does not require a flood of fresh capital to move higher; instead, a marginal amount of new demand could establish a floor, particularly if long-term holders maintain conviction while short-term players shift focus. The price landscape, characterized by a grinding pattern rather than a rapid V-shaped rebound, supports the view that BTC’s path is likely to be gradual and path-dependent. At the same time, the broader market’s liquidity regime and macro policy expectations will influence the speed and breadth of any rotation into crypto. The Bitcoin narrative is increasingly interwoven with the AI story, and as investors balance these competing drivers, the market will continue to search for price discovery in an environment shaped by policy, technology, and evolving risk sentiment.

As the market digests these ideas, observers will be attentive to on-chain signals and macro signals that could confirm or refute the rotation thesis. The discussion around AI momentum, regulatory developments, and the health of the broader crypto market will continue to shape BTC’s trajectory. In a landscape where AI leadership can still drive significant wealth creation, Bitcoin’s role as a potential beneficiary of shifting capital becomes a compelling line of analysis for traders, investors, and builders seeking to understand how sentiment translates into price movement across asset classes. The evolving narrative invites ongoing observation of how BTC responds to rotating flows, the pace of AI adoption, and the resilience of the crypto market in a world of rising macro uncertainty and policy evolution.

South Korean lawmakers are stepping up pressure on financial regulators after crypto exchange Bithumb mistakenly credited customers with Bitcoin it did not hold, an error that briefly sparked a rush to sell and renewed questions about oversight of the country’s fast-growing digital-asset market.

Lawmakers said the Financial Services Commission (FSC) failed to detect critical flaws in Bithumb’s internal systems despite at least three inspections since 2022, The Korea Times reported Thursday.

Representative Kang Min-guk of the main opposition People Power Party said the incident was more than a technical mishap, claiming structural weaknesses in the crypto market, including gaps in regulation and oversight.

Bithumb mistakenly credited 2,000 Bitcoin (BTC) per user instead of 2,000 Korean won ($1.40) during a promotional event on Feb. 6, distributing a total of 620,000 BTC that the exchange did not actually hold.

FSC delays probe into Bithumb, intensifying accusations

Lawmakers’ criticism of the FSC intensified as the regulator delayed its inspection of Bithumb. The authority opened the investigation on Feb. 10, with FSC officials emphasizing they would take “stern legal actions against acts that harm the market order.”

The probe, initially expected to conclude Feb. 13, has been extended, with officials aiming to complete it by the end of February, citing a need for additional review, multiple local publications reported.

Bithumb CEO cites two prior payout incidents

The FSC’s inspection of Bithumb reportedly covers not only the recent 620,000 BTC error, but also two similar incidents in the past.

“There were two previous cases in which coins were mistakenly paid out and later recovered, but the amounts were minimal,” Bithumb CEO Lee Jae-won said during an emergency National Assembly session on Feb. 11.

In the latest incident, Bithumb said it managed to recover the majority of miscredited assets, with only 125 BTC ($8.6 million) out of the non-existent 620,000 BTC unrecovered.

Concerns over South Korea’s handling of crypto: The case of the disappearing Bitcoin

The Bithumb incident also lands as authorities face renewed embarrassment over custody and security of seized digital assets.

In 2021, 22 BTC worth about $1.5 million at current prices, disappeared from a cold wallet at Seoul’s Gangnam Police Station during a nationwide audit.

Related: Mirae Asset agrees to buy 92% stake in Korean exchange Korbit for $93M

A separate August 2025 case saw 320 BTC vanish from the Gwangju District Prosecutors’ Office, reportedly due to a leaked password. Authorities only reported yesterday that the full amount had been recovered after the hacker returned the funds, raising eyebrows as the disclosure comes amid the ongoing FSS investigation into Bithumb.

Lawmakers and industry observers say these incidents underscore persistent weaknesses in authorities’ oversight and custody of digital assets.

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