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CleanSpark Sells 553 BTC for $36.6M in February as Miners Dump Bitcoin

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Crypto Breaking News

Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) miners faced a dual dynamic in February: cash-flow optimization through asset sales alongside aggressive capacity expansion to support AI-enabled data-center workloads. CleanSpark reported selling 553 BTC from its February production for roughly $36.6 million while mining 568 BTC during the month. By month-end, the company held 13,363 BTC in treasury and had just closed a second Texas campus that adds 300 megawatts of ERCOT-approved power capacity, broadening its footprint in a grid operated by the Electric Reliability Council of Texas. CleanSpark’s deployed fleet tallied 235,588 mining machines, delivering a peak hashrate of 50 EH/s and averaging 43.2 EH/s, underscoring the industry’s push toward scale to support denser, power-hungry operations.

Year-to-date, the miner reported 1,141 BTC produced through February, with 1,086 BTC of its holdings posted as collateral or receivable in connection with derivatives transactions, illustrating how mining revenue is increasingly hedged to manage price volatility and financing risk. The company framed this as part of a broader strategy to monetize power-dense assets beyond traditional crypto mining, aligning with a trend among miners to repurpose infrastructure for AI-friendly workloads and high-performance computing, as noted in industry analyses linked to the sector’s evolving business model.

As of the filing, CleanSpark’s stock was down about 7.5% on the day, while the sector-tracking CoinShares Bitcoin Mining ETF (EXCHANGE: WGMI) was down 6.4%, reflecting a broader risk-off tone in crypto equities on the publication date.

Miners sell off Bitcoin in 2026

CleanSpark is not alone in liquidating portions of its Bitcoin holdings to fund infrastructure expansion and AI-oriented data-center projects. Riot Platforms disclosed that it sold 1,818 BTC in December for about $161.6 million as part of a strategy to monetize energy and data-center assets while supporting AI workloads; the company reported holdings of 18,005 BTC as of Dec. 31, down from 19,368 BTC a month earlier, after producing 460 BTC during December. The move highlighted a broader shift across the sector toward leveraging hardware and data-center capacity for non-cryptocurrency applications.

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In February, Bitdeer confirmed it liquidated its entire corporate Bitcoin treasury, producing 189.8 BTC during the period and selling the full amount along with an additional 943.1 BTC drawn from its existing reserves. The scale of these sales illustrates a mounting effort among miners to fund ongoing expansions and diversify revenue streams amid tight capital conditions and rising power costs.

Meanwhile, Core Scientific reported during its fourth-quarter earnings call on March 2 that it sold roughly 1,900 BTC for about $175 million in January, reducing its holdings to fewer than 1,000 BTC. In a separate move, the company announced a $500 million credit facility from Morgan Stanley to finance infrastructure capable of supporting high-density computing workloads, including AI and high-performance computing (HPC). The financing underscores how mining companies are increasingly balancing productive capacity with strategic investments in AI-ready data-center capabilities to capture new demand streams.

On the speculative front, MARA Holdings, the second-largest corporate Bitcoin treasury holder with 53,822 BTC, faced chatter about potential sales of its reserves. However, MARA’s investor-relations vice president, Robert Samuels, pushed back on X, saying the treasury strategy remained intact and unchanged. The market will be watching whether this resilience holds as macro conditions, energy prices, and the evolving regulatory landscape shape miners’ treasury management decisions in the months ahead.

Across the industry, the emphasis on powering AI and HPC workloads is driving a broader redefinition of mining infrastructure. Operators are pursuing power-dense facilities, optimized cooling, and robust electrical grids to support large-scale data processing, while balancing the volatility of Bitcoin prices with hedging strategies and longer-term capital investments. The tension between selling to fund growth and preserving Bitcoin holdings for balance-sheet resilience remains a central theme for miners navigating 2026’s mixed liquidity environment and the ongoing wave of AI-driven demand for compute power.

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Why it matters

February’s disclosures paint a picture of miners simultaneously expanding physical footprints and trimming balance-sheet exposure through cash sales. The rapid deployment of additional Texas capacity, alongside continued production, demonstrates the sector’s commitment to scale despite a volatile price backdrop. For investors, the mix of reported BTC production, treasury holdings, and collateralized positions signals an industry that is increasingly integrating mining with broader data-center strategies and AI-capable operations, potentially affecting long-term profitability and cash-flow stability.

The trend toward monetizing dense data-center capacity beyond traditional mining could alter the competitive landscape. As AI and HPC workloads demand reliable, cost-efficient electricity and cooling, miners with expansive power portfolios may gain leverage in power markets and grid interactions. This could influence not just individual company valuations but also the resilience of crypto mining as a capital-intensive, infrastructure-driven business model, particularly in states like Texas where regulatory and market frameworks continue to evolve to accommodate large-scale digital infrastructure.

From a market structure perspective, the activity underscores the close relationship between crypto cycles, energy markets, and financial hedging. The fact that several operators are combining asset sales with debt facilities and non-crypto revenue streams indicates a maturing sector that is learning to weather volatility by diversifying revenue and stabilizing capital expenditure. For builders and developers, the move toward AI-ready data centers signals opportunities to repurpose existing sites or accelerate new builds in power-rich regions, while for regulators, it raises considerations about grid reliability, energy pricing, and the environmental footprint of intensive compute operations.

What to watch next

  • CleanSpark’s next quarterly and monthly updates to confirm ongoing production volumes, treasury changes, and any further capacity additions in Texas.
  • Public disclosures from Riot Platforms, Bitdeer, and Core Scientific on their 2026 treasury strategy, financing arrangements, and any additional asset sales or hedging activities.
  • The utilization and performance of Morgan Stanley’s $500 million facility at Core Scientific, including milestones for deploying AI/HPC workloads on new infrastructure.
  • Industry-wide capacity additions beyond 300 MW Texas expansions and any regulatory developments affecting energy-intensive mining and data-center operations in ERCOT and other jurisdictions.
  • BTC price trajectories and macro liquidity conditions that influence mining profitability, treasury management, and investor sentiment toward mining equities and related ETFs.

Sources & verification

  • CleanSpark February 2026 operational update detailing BTC production and treasury changes, including 13,363 BTC in treasury and 300 MW Texas campus expansion.
  • ERCOT and Texas campus capacity information corroborating the 300 MW expansion and grid context.
  • Riot Platforms’ December 2025 sale of 1,818 BTC for about $161.6 million and holdings of 18,005 BTC as of Dec 31, plus 460 BTC produced in December.
  • Bitdeer’s February 2026 liquidation of its entire corporate treasury and 189.8 BTC produced, plus 943.1 BTC sold from reserves.
  • Core Scientific’s January 2026 sale of approximately 1,900 BTC for $175 million and the announcement of a $500 million Morgan Stanley facility to fund AI/HPC infrastructure.
  • MARA Holdings’ balance-sheet context and public comments from Robert Samuels on X addressing treasury strategy.

Bitcoin miners expand capacity as cashing out accelerates in 2026

Risk & affiliate notice: Crypto assets are volatile and capital is at risk. This article may contain affiliate links. Read full disclosure

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Ethereum derivatives open interest drops 5.62% in 24-hour leverage flush

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Sharplink refreshes brand as ETH staking reaches $1.7 billion

Ethereum derivatives markets saw a sharp bout of deleveraging over the past day, with total ETH contract open interest across major centralized exchanges falling 5.62% to 27.119 billion dollars, according to Coinglass data. ​

According to data from Coinglass, the total open interest of Ethereum (ETH) contracts across the network has contracted by 5.62% in the past 24 hours, bringing the figure down to 27.119 billion dollars.

The decline signals a decisive round of risk reduction in the derivatives market, with traders closing or being forced out of leveraged positions as conditions turn more defensive. While granular liquidation figures were not provided, the magnitude of the move suggests a mix of voluntary deleveraging and margin-driven position exits rather than a purely organic rotation.

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Binance remains the largest concentration point for ETH derivatives risk, now holding 5.74 billion dollars in open interest, while Gate registers 2.866 billion dollars, Bybit 2.059 billion dollars, and OKX 1.772 billion dollars. This clustering of leverage on a handful of venues means that order book dislocations or sudden funding shifts on these exchanges can quickly bleed into spot pricing. For basis and spread traders, the reset in open interest may open up cleaner arbitrage conditions after a period of elevated speculative positioning.

Historically, single‑day pullbacks of this scale in open interest have often acted as either mid‑trend “cleanup” events or the first leg of a broader de‑risking cycle, depending on subsequent spot demand and funding dynamics. If funding normalizes and fresh spot buying emerges, the current move could be framed as a healthy clearing of excess leverage built up during prior rallies. However, if open interest continues to grind lower while spot remains under pressure, it would indicate that systematic and speculative capital are still in distribution mode.

At press time, Ethereum is trading around 2,067 dollars, down approximately 3.65% over the past 24 hours, broadly echoing the scale of the derivatives drawdown. In the near term, traders are watching the 2,000‑dollar psychological level as key support; holding that zone while open interest stabilizes would support a consolidation narrative, whereas a decisive break lower alongside further OI contraction could signal an extension of the current downside phase.

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Web3 Foundation Refocuses on Global Advocacy as Polkadot Ecosystem Reaches Maturity

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Nexo Partners with Bakkt for US Crypto Exchange and Yield Programs

TLDR:

  • Web3 Foundation has closed its General Grants Program, Decentralized Voices, and several other key initiatives.
  • W3F is now focused on two pillars: global Web3 evangelism and responsible long-term asset management.
  • Polkadot’s next development phase is being led by Parity Technologies and its broader builder community.
  • On-chain treasury and governance tools remain active, ensuring decentralized funding continues without W3F oversight.

Web3 Foundation has announced a major strategic realignment, stepping back from its hands-on operational role. 

The organization is returning to its founding purpose: championing decentralized web technologies on a global scale.

For years, W3F actively helped bootstrap networks like Polkadot and Kusama into functioning, community-driven ecosystems.

As those networks have now reached a level of maturity, the Foundation is refocusing its priorities. It will concentrate on global advocacy and disciplined long-term asset management.

Concluded Programs Mark a Shift in the Foundation’s Operational Direction

Web3 Foundation has already closed several key programs as part of this transition. These include the General Grants Program, Support, Decentralized Voices, and Decentralized Nodes.

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Each of these programs played a distinct role during the ecosystem’s early growth stages. Their conclusion marks a clear shift in how W3F operates.

Over the past year, W3F undertook a thorough review of its programs and spending. Several resource-heavy bounties were closed, and spending was carefully audited throughout this period.

Clearer documentation and operational guidelines were established based on lessons learned along the way.

Moreover, several additional initiatives are being evaluated for transition to external teams. These include the JAM Prize, Polkadot Governance Support, the Polkadot Wiki, and developer documentation.

The Knowledge Base and Kusama Vision are also among the programs being considered for handover.

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Despite these changes, decentralized funding mechanisms remain fully active within the ecosystem. Communities still have direct access to on-chain governance and treasury tools for funding initiatives. These pathways continue to support innovation without requiring centralized oversight from the Foundation.

Two Core Priorities Will Define the Foundation’s Long-Term Strategy

Web3 Foundation is now centering its work around two clear pillars going forward. The first involves evangelizing and advancing the decentralized web on a global scale. The second focuses on safeguarding the Foundation’s assets in alignment with its broader Web3 mission.

At the same time, Polkadot is entering a phase focused on building products with real-world utility. Parity Technologies and a wider community of builders are now driving this development stage. The Foundation’s reduced operational role is designed to complement, rather than direct, this effort.

This transition also reflects how blockchain ecosystems naturally evolve over time. As networks become self-sustaining, support structures around them must adapt accordingly.

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W3F is repositioning itself as a long-term steward rather than a day-to-day operational body. This approach allows the Foundation to focus on higher-level advocacy work.

Furthermore, this realignment places greater emphasis on disciplined asset allocation going forward. Resources will be directed toward efforts with the greatest global impact.

Through advocacy and financial stewardship, the Foundation aims to strengthen the Web3 ecosystem for years to come.

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WhiteBIT Coin ($WBT) Officially Listed on Kraken Exchange, Highlighting Its Growing Recognition

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WhiteBIT Coin ($WBT) Officially Listed on Kraken Exchange, Highlighting Its Growing Recognition

[PRESS RELEASE – Vilnius, Lithuania, March 5th, 2026]

WhiteBIT, the largest European cryptocurrency exchange by traffic, announces that its native WhiteBIT Coin (WBT) is now trading on Kraken, one of the world’s long-standing crypto platforms. WBT trading is available on WBT/EUR and WBT/USD pairs, giving more traders worldwide access to the coin and reflecting the asset’s growing recognition in the market.

The listing marks a significant milestone for WhiteBIT, following rapid growth in 2025, during which WBT surged 160%, reaching an all-time-high of $64.11 and solidifying its position as the 11th-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization at $10.7 billion, according to CoinGecko.

“Listing WBT on Kraken represents a logical next step in the expansion of the WhiteBIT ecosystem,” said Volodymyr Nosov, Founder and President of W Group, which WhiteBIT is a part of. “It reflects the momentum we’ve built through ecosystem growth, strategic partnerships, and increasing institutional visibility. It’s another important endorsement of WBT’s value and its role in the future of digital finance.”

This momentum has been powered by the expansion of the W Group ecosystem, which WhiteBIT is a part of, including:

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  • High-profile partnerships, such as the collaboration with Juventus, making WhiteBIT the club’s Official Sleeve and Cryptocurrency Exchange Partner.
  • Global market expansion, with new operations in South America and the United States.
  • Strategic cooperation in the Middle East, including partnership with Saudi Arabia to develop blockchain infrastructure and CBDC framework.
  • Institutional recognition, including WBT’s inclusion in the S&P Crypto Indices, reflecting the token’s growing liquidity and market relevance.

Launched in 2022, WhiteBIT Coin (WBT) is the native utility token of the WhiteBIT platform. It offers significant advantages within the WhiteBIT exchange ecosystem, including reduced trading fees (up to 100% discount), increased referral bonuses (up to 50%), and free daily withdrawals. Users also gain from free AML checks, staking rewards up to 22.1%, and exclusive access to new projects via the WhiteBIT Launchpad.

The addition of WBT to Kraken not only expands access for traders worldwide but also reinforces WhiteBIT’s commitment to developing a globally recognized exchange-native coin that delivers utility, liquidity, and long-term value.

About WhiteBIT

WhiteBIT is the largest European cryptocurrency exchange by traffic, offering over 900 trading pairs, 350+ assets, and supporting 8 fiat currencies. Founded in 2018, the platform is a part of W Group which serves more than 35 million customers globally. WhiteBIT collaborates with Visa, FACEIT, FC Juventus and the Ukrainian national football team. The company is dedicated to driving the widespread adoption of blockchain technology worldwide.

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SEC, Justin Sun Settle Lawsuit for $10M

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SEC, Justin Sun Settle Lawsuit for $10M

The Securities and Exchange Commission has ended its long-running fraud and securities violation lawsuit against Justin Sun in a $10 million settlement.

The US Securities and Exchange Commission has ended its lawsuit against crypto entrepreneur Justin Sun with a $10 million settlement, ending a two-year legal battle over alleged fraud and securities laws violations.

The SEC said in a letter to a Manhattan federal court on Thursday that Rainberry, one of Sun’s companies, would pay a $10 million fine, and claims against Sun and his companies, the Tron Foundation and BitTorrent Foundation would be dropped.

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Related: Rep Waters demands SEC oversight hearing about its approach to crypto

The lawsuit, first filed in March 2023, accused Sun and his companies of selling unregistered securities via the Tronix (TRX) and BitTorrent (BTT) tokens and allegedly wash trading TRX.

Magazine: SEC’s U-turn on crypto leaves key questions unanswered

This is a developing story, and further information will be added as it becomes available.

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