Crypto World
Empery Digital shareholder demands sale of 4,000+ BTC, resignations
A major shareholder in Empery Digital has urged the company to abandon its Bitcoin-focused strategy, sell its digital asset holdings, and return the proceeds to investors, while calling for the resignation of the CEO and the entire board. In a letter dated February 23, 2026, Tice P. Brown, who owns about 9.8% of Empery Digital’s outstanding shares, argued that management has insulated itself at holders’ expense and pushed for a governance reset to unlock shareholder value. Brown’s appeal arrives as the company faces questions about whether its Bitcoin-centric approach remains viable amid a tighter funding environment and shifting volatility in crypto markets.
Brown’s leverage escalated just days after he disclosed that Empery Digital privately approached him on February 18 with an offer to repurchase all of his shares at a price equal to 100% of their market net asset value (mNAV), a premium he described as sizable relative to prevailing valuations. He rejected the proposal, saying it appeared designed to preserve management’s positions rather than to return capital to shareholders. The disclosure underscores a broader tension between insiders who favor propping up the company’s strategy and dissident investors seeking a more liquid, investor-friendly outcome.
Brown has been vocally critical of Empery Digital’s capital allocation decisions, governance posture, and its buyback strategy, arguing for a pivot away from a Bitcoin-centric model. In his view, the company should reposition toward liquidity, diversification, and a clearer path to capital returns for holders. Empery Digital has publicly pushed back, asserting that Brown’s characterization of events is distorted and that management remains open to arrangements that align with the long-term interests of the company and its shareholders.
The tensions come as Empery Digital, formerly known as Volcon, restructures its identity around a Bitcoin-focused corporate treasury. The company began its pivot in mid-2025 with the aim of becoming a Bitcoin aggregator, amassing a sizable position in the cryptocurrency. As of the latest disclosures, Empery Digital holds 4,081 BTC, placing it among the top 25 publicly traded Bitcoin holders globally. That concentration has become a focal point for critics who question whether a treasury strategy anchored to a volatile asset class can sustain long-term shareholder value, especially when market conditions compress valuations across the sector.
Analysts and observers have noted that digital asset treasuries have faced renewed pressure as crypto prices retrace and equity valuations across the sector compress. Standard Chartered recently warned that the sustainability of many crypto-treasury models depends on maintaining a premium valuation relative to the underlying Bitcoin holdings, a premium that has proved increasingly difficult to defend in current markets. The dynamic raises questions about whether Empery Digital’s current structure can weather declines in Bitcoin’s price, while still delivering meaningful upside to investors if market sentiment improves.
Meanwhile, the market context for crypto treasuries remains nuanced. On one hand, Bitcoin remains a focal point for investors seeking on-chain exposure within corporate balance sheets. On the other, the performance and governance of firms with large digital-asset holdings are scrutinized more closely, given concerns about liquidity, transparency, and the ability to liquidate assets without triggering adverse price moves. The public discourse around Empery Digital’s strategy reflects a broader debate about the role of crypto-treasury functions within traditional corporate structures and the potential need for governance safeguards to protect minority holders during periods of volatility.
Empery Digital’s Bitcoin gambit could be upended
The dispute highlights growing tensions around Empery Digital’s business model, which now centers on holding Bitcoin as its principal asset rather than pursuing a diversified corporate portfolio. The company’s strategic direction—pursuing a Bitcoin-centered treasury that aspires to function as a Bitcoin aggregator—has drawn both curiosity and criticism. If Brown’s push gains traction and the board yields to investor demands, a liquidation or partial divestment of the BTC holding could dramatically reframe the company’s value proposition and alter investor expectations about future returns.
Empery Digital’s origin story adds another layer to the narrative. It began life as Volcon, a maker of electric off-road vehicles and related equipment, before pivoting to a crypto-centric treasury strategy in 2025. The shift represents a broader trend in which corporate treasuries allocate to digital assets as a hedge or growth engine, a move that has attracted both interest and regulatory scrutiny. The transformation also places Empery Digital at the center of conversations about governance, capital allocation, and the sustainability of asset-backed valuations in the crypto era.
Brown’s stance, backed by his 9.8% stake, has already prompted public statements from Empery Digital. The company contends that Brown “continues to misrepresent and distort the facts,” arguing that any repurchase discussions were solely driven by a desire to act in the best interests of all shareholders. The public exchange signals a potential turning point for Empery Digital, as management seeks to defend a strategy that has become highly scrutinized in a market where liquidity and asset valuations can swing rapidly. This back-and-forth underscores the challenges faced by crypto-treasury businesses when governance decisions intersect with market cycles and investor sentiment.
Beyond Empery Digital’s shores, the broader crypto market has watched closely. Bitcoin’s price dynamics have influenced how investors evaluate crypto treasuries, with some market participants arguing that pure BTC accumulation strategies may need to be complemented by liquidity options, hedging mechanisms, or revenue-generating activities to weather downturns. As the sector collectively reassesses the economics of digital-asset holdings in corporate portfolios, Empery Digital’s situation could serve as a barometer for how governance disputes, minority shareholder rights, and strategic pivots are resolved in real time.
The discord also touches on the question of whether a company can sustain a premium to its net asset value (NAV) when its core asset—the cryptocurrency—suffers price fluctuations. If the market reassesses the premium to NAV or doubts the ability to liquidate Bitcoin holdings efficiently without impacting prices, investors may demand more transparent pathways to value realization. In that context, Empery Digital’s leadership transition discussions and potential strategic recalibration become critical signals for the market around risk, governance, and the alignment of incentives between management and shareholders.
As the story unfolds, market observers will be watching for three key developments: the board’s response to Brown’s letter and any concrete governance changes, the outcome of any discussions about liquidating or reallocating the BTC holdings, and how Empery Digital communicates its strategic considerations to investors going forward. The stakes extend beyond a single shareholder dispute; they touch on how crypto-treasury strategies are evaluated, priced, and regulated within traditional capital markets. The unfolding narrative will likely influence how other publicly traded entities with cryptocurrency holdings approach governance, disclosures, and capital-allocation decisions in an environment characterized by ongoing scrutiny and evolving market dynamics.
What to watch next
- Public response from Empery Digital’s board and any formal governance votes or resolutions related to Brown’s requests.
- Updates on the company’s BTC holdings, including any implications for liquidity, NAV, and potential sale or diversification plans.
- forthcoming statements or filings detailing the timeline of any share repurchase discussions or revised capital-allocation strategies.
- Market reaction to governance developments and any subsequent price or volatility shifts in the company’s shares or BTC exposure.
Sources & verification
- Shareholder letter from Tice P. Brown to Empery Digital’s board (Feb 23, 2026) as published in GlobeNewswire.
- Empery Digital’s statement addressing Brown’s characterization (as referenced in FT Markets reporting on Feb 24, 2026).
- StreetInsider coverage of the shareholder push for CEO and board resignations.
- BitcoinTreasuries.NET page documenting Empery Digital’s BTC holdings (Volcon Inc) and its ranking among public holders.
Empery Digital’s Bitcoin strategy under pressure as investor calls for governance shakeup
Empery Digital has built a Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC)-centric treasury, accumulating 4,081 BTC to date and positioning itself among the world’s more prominent public holders. The approach, intended to create value through crypto asset appreciation, has become a focal point for governance scrutiny after a major shareholder demanded a major strategic pivot. The confrontation began with a February 23 letter from Tice P. Brown, who holds roughly 9.8% of the company’s outstanding shares, urging the removal of CEO Ryan Lane and the entire board, and calling for a sale of the company’s Bitcoin stash with proceeds redistributed to shareholders. Brown contends that the current management team has entrenched itself in a way that undermines shareholder interests and capital efficiency.
The letter revealed a concrete counterproposal: a prior private offer to repurchase Brown’s shares at 100% of market net asset value (mNAV), framed as a premium to current market valuations. Brown rejected the deal, arguing that such a transaction would simply preserve existing control structures rather than deliver meaningful capital returns to investors. The exchange underscores a broader debate about whether a Bitcoin-centered strategy can deliver durable value in a market characterized by price swings, regulatory shifts, and evolving liquidity dynamics. While Brown framed the buyback as an opportunity to unlock value, Empery Digital characterizes the proposal as misaligned with the company’s long-term interests and governance standards.
Empery Digital’s response emphasizes that its leadership sought to engage Brown in a manner consistent with shareholder value creation, while maintaining a careful stance on the timing and method of any liquidity actions. The company’s board contends that Brown’s public portrayal of events does not accurately reflect the negotiation process, and insists that discussions were conducted with the aim of safeguarding the equity base. This exchange highlights the delicate balance between a treasury strategy anchored in a volatile asset and the expectations of public investors who seek predictable returns and governance accountability.
Looking ahead, the market will assess whether Empery Digital’s Bitcoin holdings—built over the course of 2025 and sustained into 2026—can withstand a shifting macro backdrop. Standard Chartered’s warnings about the sustainability of a premium to NAV in crypto-treasuries add a layer of caution to the conversation. If the market shifts away from valuing Bitcoin-heavy treasuries at a premium, companies like Empery Digital may need to demonstrate enhanced liquidity options, transparent capital-allocation policies, and credible pathways to returning capital to shareholders. The ongoing debate is not merely about whether to hold or sell; it is about how a crypto-native strategy integrates with corporate governance norms, investor expectations, and the regulatory environment that shapes disclosures and financial performance.
In the near term, investors will look for clarity on governance and strategy. Brown’s letter has already sparked a public debate about whether a Bitcoin-focused corporate treasury can deliver consistent shareholder value without sacrificing governance and liquidity. Empery Digital’s next moves—whether they entail partial divestitures, strategic diversification, or a recalibration of its capital-allocation framework—will be closely watched by a spectrum of investors, from crypto-focused funds to traditional equity holders seeking risk-adjusted exposure to digital assets. The outcome could influence how other companies with crypto holdings articulate their governance structures and communicate with shareholders in a market that remains sensitive to both asset volatility and governance signals.
BTC failed to hold key support levels, dragging the wider crypto market lower.
Cryptocurrency markets are under pressure again, with traders reacting to broader AI-linked fears, lingering macro uncertainty and signs of waning institutional demand. Today, Feb. 24, total crypto market capitalization slipped 2.5%, currently hovering around $2.27 trillion.
Bitcoin (BTC) slid from about $66,000 on Monday morning, Feb. 23, to near $63,700 at press time, marking a 3% daily decline. BTC’s weekly losses are around 6%.
Ethereum (ETH) tracked BTC’s move, falling 3% to $1,840, and down 5.4% on the week.
Among the rest of the top-10 assets, most are seeing mild to moderate losses today. XRP is down 1.7% to $1.35, BNB lost 3.6% to about $585, and Solana (SOL) declined 3% to $77.
Figure Heloc (FIGR_HELOC) was the only top-10 large-cap in the green this morning, up 1.5%.
Oversold
Alex Thorn, head of firmwide research at Galaxy Digital, noted in an X post today that BTC is approaching all-time oversold territory, with weekly RSI readings lower than any moment outside the deepest bear markets, citing November-December 2018 and mid-2022 as rare comparable periods.
Wintermute analysts highlighted in another X post today that Bitcoin has repeatedly failed to break through the $70,000 mark in the past two weeks, while ETH dipped below the psychologically important $1,900 mark.
“Multiple times over the past decade, growth scares have triggered rotations that ultimately reversed as risk appetite returned and the market found its way back to momentum,” the analysts noted.
They added that thin liquidity with derivatives signals a lack of directional conviction. Some selective interest in altcoins from high-net-worth investors briefly emerged mid-week but quickly faded.
Big Movers and Liquidations
Looking at the top-100 assets by market cap, PIPPIN gained the most, up 6.6% to $0.77 on the day, while Monero (XMR) rose 3.4% to $325.
On the downside, Bitcoin Cash (BCH) led losses at 11% to $475.40, followed by NEXO, down 5.5% to $0.80.
According to CoinGlass data, around 137,000 traders were liquidated over the past 24 hours, with total losses of $412.9 million, where BTC accounted for $156.3 million and ETH for $131.7 million, while other altcoins accounted for $22.1 million.
ETFs and Macro Conditions
Spot Bitcoin ETFs saw $203.8 million in outflows on Monday, bringing cumulative assets to $80.7 billion. Ethereum ETFs recorded $49.4 million in outflows, with total net assets now at $10.4 billion, per SoSoValue data.
Macro conditions still feel shaky. Shares of IBM plunged about 13% on Monday, Feb. 23 — the stock’s steepest drop in more than 25 years. The selloff came after Anthropic said its Claude Code tool can automate COBOL modernization, the old-school language that still rakes in serious revenue for IBM.
Adding to the nervous mood, analysts at Citrini Research warned in a Feb. 22 note that rapid AI adoption could displace large numbers of white‑collar jobs, squeeze consumer spending, and put pressure on both financial and tech sectors.
In comments to investors on Monday, JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon drew comparisons between current credit and risk dynamics and those seen in the run‑up to the 2008 financial crisis, fueling more caution among investors.
Editor’s note: The GCC region is moving quickly from experimenting with Generative AI to embedding it across core business functions. Deloitte’s newly released survey of tax, finance and legal leaders shows a clear acceleration in GenAI adoption, driven by a demand for smarter research, decision support and quality assurance. As regional companies navigate data privacy, governance and implementation roadmaps, this editorial note highlights momentum and the remaining gaps that organizations must address to translate ambition into measurable outcomes.
Key points
- GenAI adoption is accelerating across tax, finance and legal functions in the GCC.
- Non-adoption fell from 52% in 2024 to 29% in 2025, with participation rising 47% year over year.
- Priorities have shifted toward research and analysis (41%) and quality improvement (38%).
- Only 18% are piloting GenAI, 9% are scaling, and 10% have enterprise-wide AI strategies and governance in place; 63% remain in pre-implementation.
- Automation remains a major opportunity, with 53% prioritizing automation; emphasis on research and data analysis (41%).
Why this matters
GenAI adoption in the GCC signals a shift from experimentation to strategic capability across tax, finance and legal functions. The findings underscore the importance of governance, robust operating models and workforce readiness to translate momentum into measurable business value and trusted, scalable deployment across enterprises. With rising confidence in AI’s long-term potential, organizations must balance speed with quality, risk controls and responsible governance to sustain momentum.
What to watch next
- Move from pilots to enterprise-wide AI strategies and governance frameworks.
- Strengthen governance, operating models and adoption roadmaps.
- Invest in data quality and capability development for deeper analytics.
- Monitor automation opportunities and balance between speed and quality.
Disclosure: The content below is a press release provided by the company/PR representative. It is published for informational purposes.
GCC Leaders Accelerate GenAI Adoption in Tax, Finance and Legal Functions
A new Deloitte survey reveals rapid uptake across the region, alongside growing gaps in governance, strategy and implementation.
Dubai, UAE – 24 February, 2026: A new regional survey by Deloitte’s Tax & Legal business shows that organizations across the GCC are rapidly adopting Generative AI (GenAI) in tax, finance, and legal functions – but many are still struggling to move from experimentation to enterprise-wide impact.
Based on insights from senior tax and finance leaders across Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, and Kuwait, the survey shows rapid acceleration in GenAI adoption across the GCC. Non-adoption fell sharply from 52% in 2024 to 29% in 2025, while survey participation rose 47% year over year. The survey results indicate that GenAI has become a mainstream strategic priority for regional leadership teams.
While early adoption focused on basic productivity tasks such as email drafting, priorities have moved toward research and analysis (41%) and accuracy and quality improvement (38%). This reflects a transition from efficiency-led experimentation to more strategic value creation. At the same time, 93% of respondents expect AI to have a significant impact on their organizations, highlighting strong regional confidence in the technology’s long-term potential.
Yet despite this momentum, execution remains a key challenge. While 18% of organizations are actively piloting GenAI use cases, only 9% have begun scaling solutions, and just 10% report having enterprise-wide AI strategies and governance frameworks in place. More than 63% remain in pre-implementation stages, underscoring the need for clearer operating models, stronger governance, and structured adoption roadmaps to translate ambition into measurable outcomes.
Automation continues to be a major opportunity area, with 53% of respondents prioritizing automation, particularly in data validation and data reconciliation. However, leaders are increasingly emphasizing quality over speed, with research and data analysis accounting for 41% of current GenAI applications, signalling demand for deeper analytical support rather than simple task automation.
Implementation approaches vary widely across the region. While some organizations are adopting subscription-based or hybrid models, 38% say they are still exploring how to operationalize GenAI, reinforcing the need for advisory support to bridge strategy and execution.
Reflecting on the regional landscape, Muhammad Bahemia, Middle East Tax Leader at Deloitte, said: “The pace of Generative AI adoption across the GCC reflects a region that is both ambitious and pragmatic. Leaders clearly recognize the technology’s potential, but many are now confronting the harder question of how to scale it responsibly. Through our work across tax, finance, and legal functions, Deloitte is helping organizations translate innovation into disciplined execution; strengthening governance, building capabilities, and embedding AI in ways that deliver measurable value and enduring trust.”
Further commenting on the findings, Mohamed Serokh, Partner, at Deloitte Middle East, said: “What we’re seeing across the GCC is a clear shift from curiosity to action. Leaders recognize GenAI’s potential to fundamentally reshape tax, finance, and legal functions, particularly in research, analysis, and quality improvement. However, our survey also shows that many organizations are still navigating how to move from pilots to scalable impact. Success will depend on strong governance, capability development, and a disciplined approach to implementation.”
The survey concludes that while experimentation is widespread, the next phase for GCC organizations must focus on structured execution. Prioritizing high-impact use cases in research and tax analysis, strengthening governance frameworks, and investing in workforce readiness to support responsible, scaled adoption.
Explore the survey insights on this link.
© 2026 Deloitte & Touche (M.E.). All rights reserved.
In this press release references to “Deloitte” are references to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (“DTTL”) a UK private company limited by guarantee, and its network of member firms, each of which is a legally separate and independent entity. Please see deloitte.com/about for a detailed description of the legal structure of DTTL and its member firms. The information contained in this press release is correct at the time of going to press.
About Deloitte & Touche (M.E.) LLP
Deloitte & Touche (M.E.) LLP (“DME”) is the affiliate for the territories of the Middle East and Cyprus of Deloitte NSE LLP (“NSE”), a UK limited liability partnership and member firms of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, a UK private company limited by guarantee (“DTTL”).
DME is a leading professional services organization established in the Middle East region with uninterrupted presence since 1926. DME’s presence in the Middle East region is established through its affiliated independent legal entities, which are licensed to operate and to provide services under the applicable laws and regulations of the relevant country. DME’s affiliates and related entities cannot oblige each other and/or DME, and when providing services, each affiliate and related entity engages directly and independently with its own clients and shall only be liable for its own acts or omissions and not those of any other affiliate.
DME provides services throughout 26 offices in 14 countries with more than 7,000 partners, directors and staff.
About Deloitte
Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (“DTTL”), its global network of member firms, and their related entities (collectively, the “Deloitte organization”). DTTL (also referred to as “Deloitte Global”) and each of its member firms and related entities are legally separate and independent entities, which cannot obligate or bind each other in respect of third parties. DTTL and each DTTL member firms and related entity is liable only for its own acts and omissions, and not those of each other. DTTL, NSE and DME do not provide services to clients. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more.
Deloitte provides Audit & Assurance, Tax & Legal and Consulting and related services to nearly 90% of the Fortune Global 500® and thousands of private companies. Our professionals deliver measurable and lasting results that help reinforce public trust in capital markets, enable clients to transform and thrive, and lead the way toward a stronger economy, a more equitable society and a sustainable world. Building on its 175-plus year history, Deloitte spans more than 150 countries and territories. Learn how Deloitte’s approximately 457,000 people worldwide make an impact that matters at www.deloitte.com.
Noora Cheikh
Eminence, Media & Digital Marketing Leader
Deloitte & Touche (M.E.)
ncheikh@deloitte.com | www.deloitte.com
If approved, the governance proposal by Instadapp’s COO would establish a non-profit foundation to oversee the DeFi protocol’s code, frontend and trademarks.
Fluid DAO is considering a proposal to transfer all of the DeFi platform’s intellectual property into a Cayman Islands foundation, and to approve a $250,000 monthly grant to fund development and operations.
The proposal was submitted on Monday, Feb. 23, by DMH, the COO of Instadapp, the firm behind Fluid. It calls for the creation of the Fluid Foundation governed by DAO votes, a familiar corporate setup for crypto organizations.
Under the plan, “all Fluid Protocol smart contract code,” front-end interfaces, domains, trademarks and related assets would be transferred to the foundation. Once completed, the assets would “belong to the Foundation — not to any individual, company, or labs entity,” DMH wrote.
The foundation would have no owners and would operate through custodians and directors, according to the proposal. Its sole purpose would be to hold and steward the protocol’s intellectual property on behalf of the DAO.
“The Fluid team acts as custodians of the Foundation — not owners,” the proposal states, with FLUID token holders retaining “ultimate authority” through governance.
Control Stays with DAO
The proposal argues that a legal entity is needed as the protocol, which now has over $1 billion in total value locked (TVL), expands and engages with off-chain counterparties. A foundation structure would allow Fluid to meet “AML, KYC, banking, and regulatory requirements” without altering how token-based governance functions, the proposal argues.
Token holders would also retain the power to change foundation policy or shut it down entirely. The proposal says holders could “in an extreme case, dissolve the Foundation entirely through a governance vote.” DMH further elaborated in a response to a comment on the proposal:
“It is very important to understand that in the legal field, token holders and DAO have no rights; this is why we are creating a legal wrapper that can now have ownership rights over the protocol, and this foundation has no ownership.”
To fund the structure, the DAO is being asked to approve a $250,000 monthly grant, or about $3 million a year from its treasury, which is funded by protocol revenue. The budget would cover engineering, infrastructure, security, business development and general operational costs, according to DMH.
‘Foundation Bears the Legal Costs’
Fluid operates a decentralized lending and borrowing protocol, as well as a swap interface. According to data from DefiLlama, that combination has brought Fluid roughly $1.2 billion in TVL and generated about $1.1 million in revenue in January. In August, the platform saw a record high revenue of $1.52 million. Taking Fluid’s best revenue month yet, the grant would consume around 16% of that monthly revenue.
If approved, legal work to transfer the IP is expected to be completed by mid-2026, with Cayman Islands counsel handling the process. The team also plans to move ownership of all EVM deployments under direct DAO governance.
Some raised concerns about liability if the foundation were sued. In response, DMH said that “if the foundation gets sued, the foundation itself bears the legal costs and any liability.”
Over the past 24 hours, FLUID slid 6% from around $2 to $1.88, but has since recovered to $1.96.
The Defiant reached out to Instadapp for comments on the proposal, but hasn’t heard back by press time.
Late last year, a fee-related dispute between the two main entities behind Aave — Aave Labs and Aave DAO — turned into a broader debate on how crypto organizations should be structured.
Tom Lee, founder of Fundstrat and Chairman of ether (ETH) treasury company Bitmine Immersion Technologies, has lost more on ETH using other people’s money than the $8 billion worth of losses suffered by FTX customers.
With 4,422,659 ETH purchased at an average $3,850 apiece, Lee’s company raised capital to buy the asset at over $2,000 more per coin than today’s price.
As a result, he’s lost $8.8 billion of his company’s assets.
At time of writing, ETH is trading at $1,843, down 60% over the past six months alone. Unfortunately, Bitmine Immersion has been buying tons of ETH over that bearish period — increasing losses for its investors at an alarming rate.
Over the past six months, as ETH was declining 60%, Bitmine Immersion bought an extra 2,708,760 ETH.
Those progressively disastrous additions increased the company’s losses from $4.8 billion to $8.8 billion.
Read more: Even Ethereum treasury companies are selling ETH to pay off debt
Bitmine Immersion lost $8.8 billion by buying ETH
It’s not particularly remarkable for digital asset treasury (DAT) companies to have declined in value.
The Wall Street fad, which peaked in early summer 2025, was to overpay for leverage in the hope that the mania would increase to even more exuberant heights, or that the company could convince bond investors or other capital allocators to offer it even more leverage.
In the distant future, all DATs focused on the ultimately limited supply of bitcoin (BTC) or ETH as another reason to invest in these leveraged acquisition strategies, even though their efforts to corner the market usually fizzled within single digit percentages of the outstanding supply of those assets.
What started as modest premiums of a few percentage points quickly ballooned into stock debuts rallying to 23x the value of their crypto holdings.
That once-23x overvalued stock, like many similar treasury stocks, fell 98% by November from its May peak, and is now down over 99%.
Bitmine Immersion is down 88% from its July 2025 high. It’s lost over $600 million on its ETH holdings in the past week.
Within five months of its June 3, 2025 peak, Lee’s company had shed 80% of its stock value. By February 5 of this year, Lee’s ETH treasury had lost $8 billion for investors, and that loss extended to as much as $9 billion intraday this morning.
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Coinbase has opened stock and exchange-traded fund trading to all US users, allowing customers to buy and sell equities alongside crypto within the same app on a 24/5 basis. The rollout includes commission-free trading, fractional shares, and instant funding with USD or USDC.
According to a company post on Tuesday, thousands of stocks are available to trade 24 hours a day, five days a week, with approximately 6,000 securities currently supported and plans to expand that number in the coming weeks.
Coinbase said it aims to introduce stock perpetual futures for non-US users through Coinbase Bermuda Ltd., subject to regulatory approval, and said it intends to offer tokenized equities in the future.
Today’s announcement comes on the heels of Coinbase expanding its prediction markets offering to all 50 US states last month through a partnership with Kalshi, allowing users to trade contracts tied to real-world events across sports, politics and culture.
Brian Armstrong, CEO of Coinbase, posted the news today on X, writing “The everything exchange is growing.”
Related: WisdomTree gets SEC approval for round-the-clock trading of tokenized MMF
Tokenized equities gain traction from crypto platforms to Wall Street
Tokenized equities, blockchain-based representations of traditional shares, have emerged as a major theme in crypto over the past year.
In June, more than 60 tokenized stocks became available on crypto exchanges Kraken and Bybit, as well as on Solana-based DeFi platforms. The rollout, led by Backed Finance through its xStocks product, gave users blockchain-based exposure to major companies including Apple, Amazon, Tesla, Nvidia, Meta, Coinbase and Robinhood.
In October, fintech Robinhood expanded its own tokenization program on the Arbitrum blockchain, adding 80 new stock tokens and bringing its total to 493 tokenized assets.
While crypto-native and fintech platforms have led recent rollouts, interest in tokenized equities now extends to some of the world’s largest exchanges.
In September, Nasdaq filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) seeking approval to list tokenized equities, and in November, the exchange’s head of digital assets strategy, Matt Savarese, told CNBC that securing SEC approval to list tokenized versions of exchange-listed stocks is a top priority for the company.
In January, the New York Stock Exchange and its parent company, Intercontinental Exchange, announced plans to develop a platform for trading tokenized stocks and ETFs. The proposed system would support 24/7 trading and instant settlement by combining NYSE’s Pillar matching engine with blockchain-based post-trade infrastructure.
Coinbase also today announced a partnership with Yahoo Finance to enable users to move from researching an asset on Yahoo Finance to executing a trade on Coinbase with one click. Yahoo Finance will incorporate real-time information from Coinbase for asset discovery and tracking.
The US-based exchange said Coinbase One members can earn rewards on USDC (USDC) balances used for trading, and Yahoo Finance users will be offered a one-month trial of Coinbase One Basic as part of the partnership.
Magazine: Is China hoarding gold so yuan becomes global reserve instead of USD?
Binance is demanding that the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) remove an article about the crypto exchange firing investigators who discovered $1 billion worth of crypto being sent to Iran-linked wallets.
Binance CEO Richard Teng shared a letter addressed to the WSJ’s Editor-in-Chief, Emma Tucker, and Dow Jones Vice President, Jason Conti, on X today that accuses the WSJ of publishing “defamatory claims” in Monday’s article.
It claims that the article contains “false information” which “should be corrected immediately,” and that any defamatory imputations should be retracted.
Binance says it wants the WSJ to take down the article until the requested corrections are made.
The letter doesn’t explicitly suggest Binance will pursue legal action, but says it must update the piece, “thus potentially avoiding the need for any further action.”
Read more: Is Binance sending cease-and-desist letters?
Binance claims that its client, which remains nameless, “reasonably, cooperatively, and promptly” responded to a series of questions put forward by a WSJ journalist.
However, it claims the piece “fails to reflect” their responses and “falsely asserts to readers that Binance engaged in illegal conduct by breaching Iranian sanctions.”
“While you solicited our client’s position, your failure to reflect our client’s responses is inconsistent with your ethical obligations to ‘remain fair, accurate and impartial’, and suggests an agenda already set, which does not amount to responsible journalism,” Binance claimed.
WSJ says Binance sleuths found sanction-breaking transactions
The WSJ published the article yesterday with the headline “Binance Fired Staff Who Flagged $1 Billion Moving to Sanctioned Iran Entities.”
It claimed that, based on company documents and unnamed sources familiar with Binance, the investigators were fired after uncovering a suspicious account owned by the Hong Kong company Blessed Trust.
The firm converts fiat currency into crypto, and the investigators found it had sent more than $1 billion worth of tether (USDT) to a series of wallets, known as “Entity A.”
US law enforcement claims Entity A is a shadow banking network run by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps that allows Chinese companies to pay for Iran’s oil.
The account raised numerous internal alerts of suspicious activity throughout 2025. By the time the investigation was raised to Binance’s top execs, the lead investigator and the head of sanctions and counterterrorist financing investigations were suspended, and fired weeks later.
Read more: US hits Iran’s ‘shadow banking’ network in Hong Kong, UAE
A Binance spokesperson told the WSJ that the investigators weren’t fired for raising compliance concerns, but instead left “based on individual circumstances.”
They added that the investigation continued after their departure and that the accounts in question were removed from Binance.
US President Donald Trump pardoned Changpeng Zhao, the former CEO of the company, weeks before the crypto exchange fired the investigators.
All this took place during a period of intense geopolitical tension between the US and Iran. Iran is subject to global sanctions and, as such, is reliant on cryptocurrencies such as USDT to bypass these restrictions.
Iran is now facing a US armada on its doorstep as Trump continues to build his country’s military presence in an attempt to pressure Iran into dropping its nuclear program.
Binance founding member ‘friend’ of Blessed Trust representative
The WSJ also reported that Blessed Trust enjoyed close ties with one of Binance’s founding members, Jukai He, otherwise known as “Rock.”
Screenshots revealed that Rock had some form of friendship with one of Blessed’s representatives. The investigation also found that Binance employees, and a device within Rock’s team, were logging into the Blessed Binance account.
Binance representatives told the WSJ that Rock has no supervisory or operational role within Blessed Trust, and that no Binance employees had logged into the Blessed Trust account.
It said, “Any suggestion that Blessed Trust was operated, directed, or controlled by Binance is false,” and added that the WSJ’s claims are based on “incorrect investigation records.”
Protos has reached out to the WSJ for comment on Binance’s article demands and will update this piece should we hear anything back.
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The Terraform Labs bankruptcy estate has sued quantitative trading giant Jane Street, alleging the firm used non-public information to profit as the TerraUSD stablecoin collapsed in May 2022, according to a docket filed yesterday with the New York Southern District Court.
In a report about the lawsuit by the Wall Street Journal, Terraform Labs’ court-appointed administrator, Todd Snyder, stated that Jane Street “abused market relationships” to short the ecosystem during its death spiral, mirroring similar allegations made against Jump Trading late last year.
The estate seeks to recover funds for creditors who lost billions during the $40 billion wipeout of the Terra ecosystem.
Key Takeaways
- The lawsuit alleges Jane Street exploited private liquidity data to profit from the TerraUSD depeg before the public was aware.
- Terraform’s estate claims the trading firm netted millions by front-running a critical $150 million liquidity withdrawal from Curve.
- Jane Street has dismissed the suit as a “desperate” attempt to extract money from legitimate market activities.
Estate Targets “Privileged Access” in Crash Recovery
The lawsuit centers on specific maneuvers executed in May 2022, just as the algorithmic stablecoin UST began to lose its peg to the US dollar.
Terraform Labs’ court-appointed plan administrator, Todd Snyder, alleges that Jane Street capitalized on vulnerabilities in Terra’s mint-and-burn mechanism via manipulative trades.
“Jane Street abused market relationships to rig the market in its favor during one of the most consequential events in crypto history,” Snyder claimed in his statement to WSJ.
The estate argues that these trades were not merely shrewd market moves but were predicated on non-public information regarding Terraform’s internal liquidity management.
The legal action is part of a broader recovery effort following the firm’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing, which listed assets and liabilities between $100 million and $500 million, a fraction of the market value destroyed during the collapse.
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Inside the Curve Pool Incident
The complaint reportedly highlights a pivotal sequence of events involving the Curve3pool, a critical liquidity venue for stablecoins.
According to the filing, Terraform Labs executed an unannounced withdrawal of $150 million from the pool to adjust liquidity. Less than 10 minutes later, a wallet allegedly linked to Jane Street withdrew $85 million.
The estate argues this timing indicates Jane Street possessed “advance insight” into Terraform’s operations, using that data to position itself ahead of the resulting market panic.
This mirrors the scrutiny placed on liquidity shifts in current markets, where traders obsessively monitor order books and Polymarket odds for a Bitcoin price drop to detect institutional positioning before price action hits.
Jane Street firmly denies the allegations.
Implications for DeFi and Stablecoin Regulation
If the court finds merit in the “misappropriation theory” applied to DeFi protocols, it could redefine the legal obligations of market makers in the crypto sector.
The suit suggests that “privileged access” in decentralized finance is a legal liability, not just a competitive edge.
This legal battle arrives as the regulatory environment for stablecoins intensifies. While the 2022 collapse serves as a cautionary tale, modern stablecoins drive $1 trillion in T-bill demand, creating a different set of systemic risks and incentives.
Regulators are currently scrutinizing how private trading firms interact with issuer protocols.
The outcome could also accelerate legislative frameworks. As odds spike for stablecoin talks regarding the Clarity Act, lawmakers may cite these allegations to demand stricter separation between protocol issuers and market makers.
What Comes Next
The case now moves to the discovery phase in Delaware, where Jane Street will be required to produce communications regarding its 2022 trading strategies.
This follows a similar $4 billion lawsuit filed by Terraform Labs against Jump Trading in December, which accused the firm of materially contributing to the Terra ecosystem’s instability.
Major Update in Terraform Labs Bankruptcy: Plan Administrator Files Lawsuit Against Jump Trading! — Z3r0w
On Dec 18, 2025, a bombshell complaint was dropped in Illinois federal court (Case 1:25-cv-15414) targeting Jump Trading, its ex-Crypto president Kanav Kariya, and even Do Kwon… pic.twitter.com/3uhmVNBCzF
Traders (@_Z3r0wTraders) February 18, 2026
It looks like Terraform is entering a protracted battle on at least two different fronts that could peel back the curtain on high-frequency trading strategies during crypto market crises.
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The post Terraform Estate Sues Jane Street Over Trades Tied to 2022 Crypto Collapse appeared first on Cryptonews.
Bitwise Investments has acquired institutional staking provider Chorus One, offering clients access to more than 30 proof-of-stake networks.
Bitwise Investments has announced the acquisition of Chorus One, a leading provider of institutional staking services, marking an expansion in Bitwise’s staking capabilities and onchain offerings.
With more $15 billion in assets under management (AUM), Bitwise is known for its crypto index funds and has been broadening its offerings through its Bitwise Onchain Solutions (BOS) division. The acquisition of Chorus One, renowned for its cross-chain staking infrastructure, significantly boosts BOS’ capabilities in the staking domain. The move enhances Bitwise’s reach across over 30 proof-of-stake networks, according to a press release from Bitwise.
Chorus One’s expertise in providing staking services to institutions complements Bitwise’s existing offerings, allowing for a seamless integration that is set to enhance the overall service quality.
The institutional staking market has been experiencing rapid growth, with more institutions looking to participate in proof-of-stake networks. This trend is driven by the dual benefits of yield generation and contribution to network security, which are increasingly attractive to institutional investors seeking diversified returns.
“For our thousands of clients who hold spot crypto assets, staking is one of the most compelling growth opportunities. I’m thrilled about this acquisition and grateful to the Chorus One team for the trust placed in us. Chorus One is best-in-class across technology and research, with an eight-year track record of doing things the right way.” said Bitwise CEO Hunter Horsely.
This article was generated with the assistance of AI workflows.
Shares dropped after Citrini Research published a thought experiment, but the Kobeissi Letter argues the outlook may be too pessimistic.
Shares of major credit card companies fell on Monday, Feb. 23, after a thought experiment report from Citrini Research raised concerns about how artificial intelligence (AI) could change the payments industry – however, a separate note from The Kobeissi Letter pushed back, saying the disruption risks are overstated.
According to market data shared by Bearly AI in a post on X, Visa dropped about 4.4%, Mastercard fell 6.3%, American Express slid 7.9%, and Capital One declined roughly 8% on Feb. 23 after Citrini’s note was published on Feb. 22.
Notably, by Tuesday afternoon, shares were mostly steady or slightly higher. Visa was around $306, flat on the day, while Mastercard traded near $497, up about 0.5%. American Express was also little changed at $321, and Capital One rose about 4% to around $197.
The situation underscores how quickly viral narratives can move markets and how sensitive both stocks and crypto are to FUD (fear, uncertainty, and doubt). It also shows investors are still unsure how much AI will disrupt the industry.
AI Agent Payments
Citrini Research described a scenario in which AI programs make purchases on their own and seek the cheapest way to send money. In that case, stablecoins could replace credit cards for some transactions.
“What follows is a scenario, not a prediction,” the note emphasized. “This isn’t bear porn or AI doomer fan-fiction. The sole intent of this piece is modeling a scenario that’s been relatively underexplored.”
Meanwhile, in a separate note published last night, The Kobeissi Letter said the negative view assumes demand will not change. It argued that when technology makes things cheaper, people usually spend more. Lower-cost AI services could give consumers more buying power and help new businesses start.
“The doomsday scenario went viral because it captured something visceral,” The Kobeissi Letter note reads. “It framed AI not as a productivity tool, but as a macroeconomic destabilizer capable of triggering a negative feedback loop: layoffs lead to weaker consumption, weaker consumption leads to more automation, and automation accelerates layoffs.”
The memo said AI could also have a positive impact. While some companies may face pressure, lower costs could improve productivity and support economic growth over time. “AI amplifies outcomes. It can amplify fragility if institutions fail to adapt, and it can also amplify prosperity if productivity outpaces disruption,” the note reads.
The back-and-forth comes amid declines in some software and tech stocks following major AI announcements. For instance, shares of IBM plummeted about 13% on Monday, the stock’s steepest drop in more than 25 years.
TLDR
- Smarter Web secured a $30 million Bitcoin-backed credit facility from Coinbase Credit.
- The company stated that the facility will help it execute Bitcoin purchases faster after equity raises.
- Smarter Web confirmed that it will not use the credit line as long-term debt for Bitcoin accumulation.
- The firm reported holding 2,689 BTC, which is valued at about $170 million at current market prices.
- Tracker data shows that Smarter Web continued to increase its Bitcoin holdings after its 2025 disclosure.
Smarter Web opened a new phase in its treasury plan as it secured a $30 million Bitcoin-backed credit line, and the firm said the move will speed purchase timing after fundraises, and the structure will support rapid deployment during volatile sessions.
Credit Facility Details and Early 2026 Treasury Activity
The Smarter Web Company confirmed the new facility with Coinbase Credit and stated that the credit line is secured against Bitcoin held in custody with Coinbase. The firm said the facility helps it act quickly after equity raises and cuts timing risk during fast markets. The company stressed that it does not plan to use the structure as ongoing debt and intends to repay it once the funds clear.
Smarter Web trades on the London Stock Exchange Main Market and also trades on the OTCQB Venture Market in the United States. The firm describes Bitcoin as core to its treasury plan and continues to expand digital asset holdings. Data shows digital asset treasuries recorded billions in inflows from late 2025 through early 2026 before slowing in February.
DefiLlama data shows treasuries reached $4 billion in inflows during December and $3.7 billion in January. The figure reached $363 million through February 24 and stayed positive but below earlier peaks. The company cited these flows when noting its need for faster execution during market shifts.
Smarter Web Treasury Position and Sector Activity
Smarter Web reported holdings of 2,689 BTC with an average cost of $112,865 per coin. At current prices near $64,472, the position is valued at about $170 million. The firm said the book reflects an unrealized loss based on its reported cost basis and continues to track long-term plans.
The company reported 2,470 BTC on September 12, 2025, and called itself the largest corporate holder in the United Kingdom. It also mentioned interest in acquiring competitors and referenced future index ambitions. Tracker data indicates the company continued steady accumulation after that point.
The new credit line allows the firm to borrow against existing Bitcoin and act quickly after equity raises. The structure then allows repayment once fundraising proceeds settle.
The company said this approach helps reduce timing gaps during active sessions.
Strategy added 592 BTC on Monday and raised its total to 717,722 BTC. The company marked its 100th purchase since 2020 and maintained its accumulation pattern. Meanwhile, Bitdeer reported selling its entire treasury and shifted to a convertible debt raise while removing all corporate Bitcoin.
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