Crypto World
Big Demand Zone Below $2K Signals ETH’s Next Move
Ether faced resistance to hold above $2,000 on Tuesday as market sentiment cooled, and a 31% drop in 2026 has drawn comparisons to price fractals seen in prior bull markets. The slide to roughly $1,736 underscored a broader consolidation, with traders weighing the risk of further draws versus the potential of a patient, bottoming process. On-chain watchers have repeatedly highlighted a defined demand zone spanning approximately $1,300 to $2,000, a band that could attract buyers if price action continues to meander lower. The narrative here centers on whether Ether can form a durable base or slip into a protracted period of range-bound trading that delays a meaningful breakout. For context, market participants continue to monitor liquidity flows, derivative risk, and evolving network fundamentals that often foreshadow macro moves.
Key takeaways
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ETH’s drop to about $1,736 may mark the initial low in a broader consolidation phase rather than a final bottom.
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On-chain cost-basis data clusters between $1,300 and $2,000, reinforcing this range as a potential demand zone.
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A fractal comparison of the 2021–2022 cycle with 2024–2025 suggests a pattern where an early bottom is followed by retests to lower levels before a durable base forms.
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UTXO Realized Price Distribution (URPD) points to meaningful overhead resistance near $2,822 and $3,119, concentrations that could cap rallies unless substantial demand emerges below current levels.
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Derivatives data show concentrated long-liquidation risk around $1,455 from $1,700, while more than $12 billion in short liquidity sits up to $3,000, implying a potential shift in momentum once downside liquidity is absorbed.
Tickers mentioned: $ETH
Sentiment: Neutral
Price impact: Neutral. Near-term risk remains balanced by base-building signals and a defined demand zone.
Market context: The broader crypto backdrop continues to digest on-chain signals alongside macro risks. Ethereum withdrawals from exchanges have spiked to the highest levels since October 2025, with net outflows exceeding 220,000 ETH, and Binance alone recording roughly 158,000 ETH in daily net outflows—the largest since August 2025. These flows coincided with ETH trading in a $1,800–$2,000 range, suggesting a combination of accumulation and risk-off repositioning. Meanwhile, stablecoin activity on Ethereum has risen markedly, with stablecoin transaction volume up about 200% over the past 18 months even as the price has lagged. This divergence can foreshadow a re-rating if network fundamentals and liquidity conditions align with price action.
Why it matters
The unfolding pattern matters because it frames Ether’s potential trajectory in the context of a longer base-building phase rather than a quick recovery. If the fractal framework holds, the asset could spend more time coiling within a defined band, testing lower supports before a durable upside breakout emerges. This matters for traders and risk managers who must gauge how much exposure to maintain during a broad consolidation while tracking evolving on-chain activity and derivatives signals that historically precede major moves.
From a broader market perspective, the interaction between on-chain demand zones and subtle shifts in exchange flows could signal how liquidity is reallocated as institutions and retail participants reassess risk. The observed uptick in stablecoin settlements and the outflows from centralized venues imply a transfer of risk away from exchanges in favor of self-custody and potentially longer-duration holding patterns. If this trend persists, it could set the stage for a renewed bid when price action tests critical levels in the $1,500s or higher.
Additionally, the ongoing dialogue around whether Ether is capitulating or merely consolidating highlights the nuanced nature of market cycles. The fractal approach, which aligns current action with prior periods of broad basing, suggests that patience and disciplined risk management may be more prudent than chasing short-term rallies during uncertain liquidity regimes. Independent observers are watching for confirmations from on-chain metrics and derivatives markets that could either reinforce a gradual re-rating or expose the market to sharper, faster moves once liquidity conditions flip.
What to watch next
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Price tests of the $1,500–$1,600 zone and whether buyers re-emerge at the lower end of the demand band.
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Verification of key URPD levels around $1,237 and $1,881 as potential cycle floors and pockets of demand if price retraces further.
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Monitoring long versus short liquidity dynamics, including long-liquidation risks around $1,455 from the $1,700 area and substantial short liquidity up to $3,000, which could shape the slope of any ensuing rally.
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Trends in exchange withdrawals and stablecoin turnover on Ethereum, which may presage shifts in market participation and risk tolerance.
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Derivative market signals, including any evolving bias after absorption of near-term liquidity pressures, to gauge whether the market transitions from distribution to accumulation.
Sources & verification
- Ether UTXO Realized Price Distribution (URPD) data and interpretations from Glassnode.
- Rising Ethereum withdrawals from exchanges and related net flows, with Binance’s outflows highlighted as a notable datapoint from CryptoQuant.
- Derivatives risk indicators, including the Cuingood-style liquidation heat map from Coinglass, detailing long-liquidation risk levels and short liquidity concentrations to $3,000.
- Weekly chart framing and fractal comparisons published with reference to ETHUSDT data on TradingView (Cointelegraph/TradingView).
- Ethereum Foundation SEAL collaboration articles on wallet security and related efforts to curb drainers.
Ether fractal signals an extended base-building phase
Ether (CRYPTO: ETH) has again drawn analysts to a familiar price-action pattern where a pronounced dip is followed by a prolonged period of range-bound activity rather than an immediate leg higher. On the weekly chart, a move toward the $1,730 area resembles a “first low” rather than a definitive market floor, echoing structures seen during the 2021–2022 period when ETH spent roughly a year consolidating near a first low of approximately $1,730 and a broader support band around $885. These historical touchpoints, when viewed through a fractal lens, suggest the current cycle may unfold similarly: a first phase of downside risk that yields to a more extended base-building phase before demand returns with greater resilience. The weekly framing in this narrative is anchored by the ETHUSDT pair on TradingView, which has provided the visual reference for these comparisons. The fractal interpretation is not a guarantee, but it offers a framework for interpreting the sequence of on-chain activity and price movements against the backdrop of a market still digesting liquidity and macro cues.
In the near term, the market’s focus shifts to whether Ether can sustain a bid above the immediate support around $1,500–$1,600 or if price testing compounds the pressure toward the $1,237 level, a region that previous analyses identify as a potential cycle floor. The on-chain support is reinforced by URPD observations, which show substantial realized price concentration at higher levels, underscoring a stubborn overhead that could keep rallies in check unless fresh demand emerges. At the same time, the index of supply concentration at $2,822 and $3,119 constitutes a ceiling that traders must clear to generate meaningful upside momentum. These resistance pillars remind investors that any attempt to re-rate Ether will require a combination of technical durability and sustained capital inflows.
Meanwhile, market participants should monitor the interplay between on-chain signals and derivatives dynamics. The heat map of long liquidations suggests a risk horizon near $1,455 when price drifts from $1,700, while a large pool of short liquidity up to $3,000 implies a potential upside framework once sellers exhaust liquidity pressure. The balance between these forces—realized price levels, withdrawal trends, and the evolving derivative landscape—will shape whether Ether can complete a longer, steadier base or remains vulnerable to periodic risk-off episodes that push the price toward the lower bound of the current range.
As observers parse these signals, one constant remains: the market’s attention to demand zones and supply barriers. The convergence of on-chain data with macro risk sentiment can either reinforce a patient, base-building narrative or catalyze a more decisive move if new catalysts emerge. The evolving ecosystem continues to attract attention from developers and investors who watch for signs of renewed network activity, institutional participation, and regulatory clarity that could shift the risk calculus in Ether’s favor.
LayerZero’s native token, ZRO, has bucked the broader market downturn, posting double-digit gains to reach a four-month high.
The rally follows the LayerZero’s unveiling of a new blockchain, backed by Citadel Securities and ARK Invest. Both firms made strategic investments through ZRO purchases.
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Institutional Backing Fuels ZRO Rally While Crypto Market Slides
BeInCrypto Markets data shows the crypto market extended its decline today, following yesterday’s $19 billion in losses. Over the past 24 hours, total market capitalization has fallen by more than 2%, reflecting continued risk-off sentiment across major digital assets.
Despite the broader pullback, select altcoins have managed to post outsized gains, with ZRO being one of them. During early Asian trading hours, the token climbed to an intraday high of $2.42 on Binance.
This level was last seen in early October 2025. At the time of writing, ZRO was trading at $2.27, up nearly 22% over the past day.
The token secured the third spot among the top 300 daily gainers on CoinGecko. Trading activity has also accelerated significantly. Over the past 24 hours, the token recorded $491 million in volume, marking a 410.60% increase.
What Is LayerZero’s New Blockchain?
The rally followed LayerZero Labs’ announcement of Zero. It is a new blockchain network designed to address scalability constraints that have historically limited decentralized systems.
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According to the company, Zero introduces a heterogeneous architecture. It separates transaction execution from verification using zero-knowledge proofs, eliminating the “replication requirement.”
LayerZero claims the network can scale to up to 2 million transactions per second per zone, with transaction costs as low as $0.000001. The blockchain is scheduled to launch in fall 2026.
“Zero’s architecture moves the industry’s roadmap forward by at least a decade. We believe we can actually bring the entire global economy on-chain with this technology. Our mission is to build permissionless infrastructure for a better world – this is the beginning of that world,” Bryan Pellegrino, CEO of LayerZero Labs, stated.
As part of the rollout, Citadel Securities is collaborating with LayerZero to evaluate potential applications in trading, clearing, and settlement workflows. The firm also made a strategic investment in ZRO.
ARK Invest is likewise becoming a shareholder in LayerZero and has purchased ZRO. Cathie Wood, ARK’s founder and CEO, will join the project’s advisory board.
“ZRO is the token of the network, and LayerZero will provide interoperability between Zones and across the 165+ blockchains it connects,” the announcement read.
Beyond these investments, LayerZero said it is working with The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation to explore enhancements to tokenized securities infrastructure, including scalability improvements for its DTC Tokenization Service.
Intercontinental Exchange, parent company of the New York Stock Exchange, is examining potential applications related to 24/7 markets and tokenized collateral integration. Google Cloud is also partnering with LayerZero to explore infrastructure enabling AI agents to conduct micropayments autonomously.
Meanwhile, the development closely follows Tether’s strategic investment in LayerZero Labs through Tether Investments. Thus, the combination of strategic capital and institutional collaboration appears to have fueled investor interest in ZRO, even as the broader crypto market continues to face selling pressure.
HONG KONG — Financial regulators in Hong Kong are going to unveil a framework for trading platforms to offer perpetual contracts, the head of the region’s Securities and Futures Commission said Wednesday.
Brokers in Hong Kong will soon be able to provide financing to clients backed by bitcoin and ether and platforms will be able to offer market-making through independent units, said Julia Leung, the CEO of Hong Kong’s SFC at CoinDesk’s Consensus Hong Kong conference.
While the SFC plans to share more details later, the moves are part of the regulator’s broader push to let regulated firms offer more products and services, Leung said, following on its 2025 roadmap which included an effort to develop the local crypto market.
The SFC has already published the conclusions from its consultation on custody and related issues, but these new initiatives are focused on continuing to develop these markets in Hong Kong, including with novel products like perpetual futures contracts.
“We will be publicizing a high-level framework for platforms to be offering perpetual contracts,” she said.
These products will only be available for institutional investors, not retail clients, at this time, she said, and the framework will focus on risks. Platforms seeking to offer these products will need to be able to manage those risks, “and it also has to be very fair to the customers.”
On the other initiatives, Leung said that the SFC will start sharing further details soon.
“We will allow brokers to provide financing to clients with strong … credit profiles, and the collateral will be backed by both securities as well as virtual assets,” she said. “Because virtual assets … many of them are very volatile, so we’ll start with two that will be eligible as collateral, bitcoin and ether.”
Platforms looking to engage in market-making will need to make sure they have strong conflict-of-interest rules and independent market-making units, she said.
Vitalik Buterin, co-founder of Ethereum, reignited conversations about the potential intersection of Ethereum and artificial intelligence (AI). In a recent post on X, Buterin revisited his past thoughts on how the Ethereum network could contribute to the development of AI and artificial general intelligence (AGI). His comments underscore his ongoing commitment to long-term technological objectives, highlighting Ethereum’s broader potential beyond decentralized finance.
Two years ago, I wrote this post on the possible areas that I see for ethereum + AI intersections: https://t.co/ds9mLnrJWm
This is a topic that many people are excited about, but where I always worry that we think about the two from completely separate philosophical… pic.twitter.com/pQq5kazT61
— vitalik.eth (@VitalikButerin) February 9, 2026
Buterin sees Ethereum as a foundational layer not only for blockchain transactions but also for enhancing AI systems. He envisions Ethereum supporting more open, transparent, and censorship-resistant AI technologies. Through Ethereum’s decentralized infrastructure, Buterin believes AI could develop in a way that aligns with human progress, rather than accelerating unchecked technological growth.
Ethereum as the Economic Layer for AI Transactions
Buterin suggests that Ethereum could play a pivotal role as an economic coordination layer for AI-to-AI transactions. Autonomous AI agents, operating independently, could use Ethereum to interact, negotiate, and exchange value seamlessly. In this model, Ethereum would serve as a neutral and reliable settlement layer, facilitating trust in transactions within machine-driven economies.
This vision of Ethereum goes beyond supporting financial markets. Buterin highlights Ethereum’s potential to create a decentralized environment where AI systems can autonomously interact efficiently and securely. By providing a transparent and immutable ledger, Ethereum could support an ecosystem where AI agents transact with each other in a trustless manner, all within the bounds of decentralized principles.
AI-Assisted On-Chain Verification and Trust
Buterin also emphasizes the importance of on-chain verification, with Ethereum providing the trust framework for various operations. He imagines a future where AI could assist in auditing smart contracts, verifying data, and improving decentralized governance systems. With Ethereum at the core, this verification process would be transparent, efficient, and immutable, strengthening the security and reliability of the entire system.
This idea aligns with Buterin’s vision of building a decentralized infrastructure that could sustain long-term technological development. He points out that AI could improve market efficiency, ensuring that decentralized systems function with higher levels of trust and accuracy. The integration of AI in Ethereum’s blockchain could bring about a new era of AI systems that are more accountable and reliable, further embedding Ethereum into the future of computing technology.
A Vision Beyond Market Cycles
Buterin’s recent tweet serves as a reminder to the crypto community that Ethereum’s development isn’t only about short-term trends or market movements. While many in the crypto industry remain focused on speculative developments, Buterin’s call for long-term thinking encourages broader innovation. His remarks suggest that Ethereum’s real potential lies in its ability to shape the next generation of computing infrastructure, not just in financial applications.
By revisiting ideas from nearly two years ago, Buterin aims to inspire developers and researchers to look at Ethereum’s broader potential. Ethereum’s decentralized architecture could serve as the foundation for future breakthroughs in AI and AGI development. Buterin’s comments, though not offering a clear roadmap, are a signal to think bigger and consider how Ethereum can be integrated into the next wave of technological advancements.
Robinhood has launched a public testnet for Robinhood Chain, its new Ethereum layer‑2 network built using Arbitrum technology that aims to bring tokenized real‑world and digital assets onchain.
According to a release shared with Cointelegraph, the testnet, which is now live for developers, offers network access points, documentation at docs.chain.robinhood.com, compatibility with standard Ethereum development tools and early integrations from infrastructure partners.
Robinhood says the chain is designed for “financial‑grade” use cases, including 24/7 trading, seamless bridging, self‑custody, and decentralized products such as tokenized asset platforms, lending markets, and perpetual futures exchanges.
A mainnet launch is planned for later this year, with testnet-only assets such as stock‑style tokens and tighter integration with Robinhood Wallet among the features expected in the coming months.
Johann Kerbrat, senior vice president and GM of Crypto and International at Robinhood, said in the release that the testnet for Robinhood Chain laid the groundwork for “an ecosystem that will define the future of tokenized real-world assets,” and enable builders to tap into decentralized finance (DeFi) liquidity within the Ethereum ecosystem.
Related: Coinbase adds stock trading, prediction markets in ‘everything app’ push
Robinhood’s tokenization push
The launch marks a deeper shift by Robinhood from simply offering crypto trading to operating its own onchain infrastructure, following its decision to tokenize nearly 500 United States stocks and exchange‑traded funds (ETFs) on Arbitrum as part of a broader real‑world asset strategy.
Robinhood Chain also mirrors a broader trend in which exchanges try to control both the user‑facing interface and the underlying onchain rails.
Coinbase, for example, runs a regulated trading platform while also building out its Base L2, and announcing the start of its rollout of tokenized equities in Dec. 2025.
Kraken is pursuing a similar end‑to‑end play, operating a global crypto exchange while developing Ink, its own Optimism‑based L2 network, alongside xStocks tokenized equities.
Mixed track record
Robinhood has faced regulatory and public criticism over system outages during periods of market stress and its reliance on payment for order flow in equities, where market-making firms pay brokers to route customer orders to them in exchange for rebates.
Robinhood CEO Vlad Tenev said in January that tokenized stocks could help prevent trading freezes, thanks to the real-time settlement properties of blockchain technology.
Editor’s note: On Safer Internet Day, cybersecurity firm Kaspersky addresses a growing concern for families navigating the rapid adoption of AI by Generation Alpha. As children increasingly use AI-powered tools for learning, entertainment, and everyday questions, the company outlines practical guidance for parents on how to frame AI as a helpful tool without overlooking its risks. The focus is on education, supervision, and the responsible use of digital assistants, rather than restriction alone. The guidance reflects broader questions around digital literacy, data privacy, and online safety that are becoming central as AI tools enter daily life at an early age.
Key points
- Parents are encouraged to explain what AI tools are and are not, emphasizing their limitations and potential inaccuracies.
- Children should be taught to verify AI-generated information and avoid using it for sensitive topics without adult input.
- Built-in safety settings and content filters on devices and platforms are highlighted as a first layer of protection.
- Verifying the authenticity of AI-powered apps and limiting permissions is presented as essential to reducing privacy risks.
- Ongoing dialogue between parents and children is positioned as key to safe and informed AI use.
Why this matters
As AI tools become embedded in everyday digital experiences, early exposure is shaping how the next generation learns, searches for information, and interacts online. For parents, this raises new challenges around trust, privacy, and digital wellbeing. For the broader tech ecosystem, it underscores the importance of responsible design, clear safeguards, and digital literacy as AI adoption expands beyond adults. Guidance like this reflects how cybersecurity and education are becoming tightly linked as AI use moves into younger age groups.
What to watch next
- How AI platforms continue to develop and communicate child safety and parental control features.
- Adoption of digital literacy practices by families and schools as AI use grows.
- Ongoing discussion around data privacy and age-appropriate AI access.
Disclosure: The content below is a press release provided by the company/PR representative. It is published for informational purposes.
Born between 2010 and 2025, Gen Alpha aren’t just growing up with technology – they’re actively living it. These digital natives are already wielding smartphones, tablets, and AI-powered tools with the confidence of seasoned users, navigating everything from gaming and social media to online learning platforms with remarkable ease. But the question that concerns parents and security experts is whether we are giving our kids too powerful technology, too soon. On Safer Internet Day, Kaspersky security experts are sharing practical tips to help parents turn AI from a potential threat into a trusted ally for the younger generation.
The first line of defence is building AI awareness
Children already discovered that ChatGPT, DeepSeek and other neural networks can answer questions faster than you can find the right answer in Google, and Alexa can play music without pressing a single button.
So, the only solution is to become children’s AI support. Begin by explaining that these digital assistants aren’t friends, pets, or even real people. They’re sophisticated tools that can be helpful, but also potentially misleading, biased, or simply wrong. Then teach them to cross-check information with multiple sources, just like they’d verify facts in a school project.
When discussing AI with children, emphasize that they should never fully trust AI answers, especially for sensitive topics like health, mental wellbeing, or safety concerns. Always encourage them to verify information and never share personal details or documents with AI systems.
Enabling safely filters
Most AI platforms and smart devices come with built-in safety features that are often overlooked or misunderstood. Spend some time to check the privacy settings and content filters and, if possible, tailor them to match your family’s values and your child’s maturity level. This is a basic protection against inappropriate content, privacy breaches, and potentially harmful interactions.
However, not all services and platforms provide an opportunity to set up content filters and fully control children’s online activity. To create safer digital environment for your children consider using parental control tools like Kaspersky Safe Kids. It allows parents to not only to hide inappropriate content and prevent specific apps and websites from being opened, but also helps balance children’s time spent online with screen time management.
Checking the AI-powered app’s authenticity
In a world where AI apps are popping up faster than you can say “chatbot,” verifying app authenticity is essential. Only download apps from official stores and inform your children about the importance of not installing anything from unfamiliar sources. Look up the company behind the app and check whether they have a website and legitimate business presence. Teach your kids to limit their apps’ permissions and do not give access to data unless it’s necessary for the apps to work.
Staying involved and informed
A basic understanding of the range of problems your child is willing to entrust to AI is already significant. By asking simple questions like “What did you ask AI today? Did it give you the right answer?” you’ll be teaching your children to openly discuss with you the use of AI and problems they might face. When they mention using ChatGPT for homework, ask them to show you what they’ve learned. When they talk about their favourite voice assistant, ask about the topics they like to discuss and funny particularities they noted.
“When you actively participate in your child’s AI journey, you transform from a concerned parent into a trusted guide. They’ll seek your input because they know you’re interested in their digital experiences, not just trying to control them. But while allowing children some AI freedom, you must always remain vigilant about their online safety and healthy growth,” comments Andrey Sidenko, Cyber Literacy Projects Lead at Kaspersky.
About Kaspersky
Kaspersky is a global cybersecurity and digital privacy company founded in 1997. With over a billion devices protected to date from emerging cyberthreats and targeted attacks, Kaspersky’s deep threat intelligence and security expertise is constantly transforming into innovative solutions and services to protect individuals, businesses, critical infrastructure, and governments around the globe. The company’s comprehensive security portfolio includes leading digital life protection for personal devices, specialized security products and services for companies, as well as Cyber Immune solutions to fight sophisticated and evolving digital threats. We help millions of individuals and nearly 200,000 corporate clients protect what matters most to them. Learn more at www.kaspersky.com
Uniswap has won a patent infringement lawsuit filed by organizations connected to Bancor, marking a major legal victory for the decentralized exchange and the wider decentralized finance sector.
Summary
- Uniswap won a patent infringement lawsuit filed by Bancor-linked entities in a U.S. federal court.
- The case focused on the constant product market maker formula used in decentralized trading.
- The ruling supports open-source development and limits patent claims over core DeFi tools.
On Feb. 11, Uniswap founder Hayden Adams said on X that his legal team had informed him of the court’s decision in Uniswap’s favor. The case had challenged the technology that powers automated token trading on the platform.
Many people in the crypto world paid close attention to the lawsuit because it brought up a bigger issue. It questioned whether simple trading formulas used in DeFi can actually be protected by patents.
Lawsuit focused on AMM technology
The legal fight started in May 2025. Bprotocol Foundation and LocalCoin Ltd., both connected to Bancor, filed a lawsuit in a federal court in New York. They claimed that Uniswap Labs and the Uniswap Foundation used a trading method that was covered by a patent granted back in 2017.
The patent covered the constant product automated market maker model, commonly known for the formula x*y=k. This system is used to price tokens in liquidity pools and has become a foundation of many decentralized exchanges.
Bancor argued that Uniswap (UNI) had relied on this patented method since launching in 2018 without permission. The plaintiffs sought financial damages for several years of alleged unauthorized use.
Uniswap strongly rejected the claims from the start. The company said its code had always been open-source and publicly available. It also argued that the patent attempted to claim ownership over basic mathematical principles applied to blockchain systems.
Several industry groups supported Uniswap’s position. Organizations such as the DeFi Education Fund and the Solana Institute filed statements backing the exchange and warning against using patents to restrict open innovation.
Impact on DeFi and open-source development
According to people familiar with the case, the court found that the allegations did not meet the legal standard required for patent infringement, especially given the open nature of Uniswap’s software.
Legal experts say the ruling sends a strong message to the market. Core financial mechanisms that rely on simple formulas may be difficult to protect through patents when they are openly shared and widely adopted.
Many developers see this outcome as a strong moment for open finance. It sends a message that the basic tools behind DeFi cannot easily be restricted or put behind paywalls through patents.
Uniswap users and its partners can also breathe a little easier. The uncertainty surrounding the case had raised concerns about possible setbacks. If the court had ruled differently, it might have slowed down new features and partnerships across the wider ecosystem.
So far, there has been no word of an appeal. For now, the matter seems to be settled at the district court stage.
The tokenized commodities market has risen 53% in less than six weeks to over $6.1 billion, making it the fastest-growing vertical in the real-world asset tokenization market as more gold moves onchain.
The tokenized commodities market was valued at just over $4 billion at the start of the year, meaning around $2 billion has been added to the market’s value since Jan. 1, according to data from crypto analytics platform Token Terminal.
Data shows the tokenized commodities market is dominated by gold products.
Stablecoin issuer Tether’s gold-backed token, Tether Gold (XAUt), has been the biggest contributor to the rise, with its market cap increasing 51.6% in the past month to $3.6 billion, while the Paxos-listed PAX Gold (PAXG) has increased 33.2% to $2.3 billion over the same timeframe.
Tokenized commodities have now risen 360% year-on-year, with the increase since the start of 2026 outpacing growth in the tokenized stocks and tokenized funds markets at 42% and 3.6%, respectively.
It also puts the tokenized commodities market at just over one-third the size of the $17.2 billion tokenized funds market. It’s also much larger than tokenized stocks, which are valued at $538 million.
Tether expanded its tokenized commodities strategy on Thursday by acquiring a $150 million stake in precious metals platform Gold.com, in an effort to broaden access to tokenized gold.
Tether said its XAUt token would be integrated into Gold.com’s platform and that it is exploring options to allow customers to purchase physical gold with USDt (USDT) stablecoin.
Gold picks up the pace as Bitcoin stuck below $70,000
The rise in tokenized gold comes as gold’s spot price rallied more than 80% over the past year to set a new all-time high of $5,600 on Jan. 29.
A minor pullback saw gold retrace to the $4,700 mark earlier this month, but it has since risen back up to $5,050 at the time of writing.
Related: Do Super Bowl ads predict a bubble? Dot-coms, crypto and now AI
Meanwhile, Bitcoin (BTC) and the crypto market have been in a slump since Oct. 10, when a crypto market crash triggered $19 billion in liquidations.
Bitcoin fell 52.4% from its early October high of $126,080 to about $60,000 on Friday but has since rebounded to $69,050, CoinGecko data shows.
Bitcoin’s fall amid a rise in traditional safe-haven assets has led some industry commentators, like Strike CEO Jack Mallers, to speculate that Bitcoin is still treated like a software stock despite having hard money characteristics.
Crypto asset manager Grayscale similarly said Bitcoin’s long-standing narrative as “digital gold” has been put to the test, stating that its recent price action increasingly resembles that of a high-risk growth asset rather than a traditional safe-haven.
Magazine: Big questions: Should you sell your Bitcoin for nickels for a 43% profit?
Since August 2025, XRP holders have increasingly spent their coins, adding to the selling pressure that has flipped the asset’s on-chain profitability negative.
The past six months have been primarily depressing for XRP, the native cryptocurrency of the Ripple Network. Now, the asset appears to be flashing a capitulation signal as holders realize major losses amid panic selling.
Data from Glassnode shows that on-chain profitability for the digital asset has flipped negative, with the Spent Output Profit Ratio (SOPR) falling from 1.16 on July 25, 2025, to 0.96 currently. Analysts say the current setup mirrors that seen during the September 2021 to May 2022 period, when the SOPR for XRP fell into the <1 range. A prolonged consolidation followed the plunge, leading to stabilization.
XRP Holders Realize Huge Losses
Since August 2025, the price of XRP has been in a steady decline, recovering only briefly before resuming its descent. By late October, the price had dropped 27% from $3.5 in mid-July to $2.4. As the asset lost its value, long-term holders who had accumulated before November 2024 increased their spending by 580% from $38 million per day to $260 million per day.
The numbers remained steady into early November, highlighting a distribution into weakness, not strength. Analysts noted that the spending spree was unlike past profit-realization waves that aligned with rallies. There was a clear signal that experienced traders were exiting their positions, adding pressure to the price of XRP.
By mid-November, the share of XRP supply in profit had plummeted to 58.5%, the lowest since November 2024, when the asset was worth $0.53. Even though XRP traded around $2.15 at the time, four times higher than the November 2024 price, more than 41% of the coin’s supply was sitting in losses. It was an indication that the market was top-heavy, structurally fragile, and dominated by late buyers.
Capitulation Signal or Structural Failure?
As the bears would have it, the price of XRP fell below $2 in mid-November, and the 30-day estimated market average (30D-EMA) of daily realized losses surged to $75 million. Since the beginning of the year, investors have realized between $500 million and $1.2 billion in losses per week each time XRP has retested $2. $2 is now a major psychological zone for XRP holders.
At the time of writing, XRP was trading at $1.40, having lost its aggregate holder cost basis, which explains the panic selling. Such moves have raised questions about whether the XRP market is in a capitulation or experiencing a structural failure. Experts insist the former is the case because fundamentals are stronger now, unlike 2022, when regulatory clarity did not exist.
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Stripe has launched a new payment system designed for artificial intelligence agents, allowing them to pay for digital services automatically using cryptocurrency.
Summary
- Stripe launched x402 payments to enable AI agents to make automated USDC transactions on Base.
- The system supports fast, low-cost micropayments for APIs, data, and compute services.
- The move shows the growing convergence between AI, fintech, and blockchain infrastructure.
Stripe product manager Jeff Weinstein revealed the feature on Feb. 11 and it is currently in preview. The update adds support for Base, an Ethereum-based blockchain network, for the x402 payment protocol.
Through this system, AI agents can quickly and easily make small payments using USD Coin (USDC) stablecoins. Developers can charge agents for services like data access, processing power, and API calls using Stripe’s built-in tools, eliminating the need for manual billing or traditional subscriptions.
Built for machine-to-machine payments
Weinstein said current payment systems are designed mainly for humans and are not well-suited for automated software. AI agents, he noted, need fast, low-cost, and always-available payment rails that can work without human supervision.
Under the new system, businesses create a standard Stripe Payment Intent. Stripe assigns a one-of-a-kind wallet address to every transaction. When the AI agent sends funds to that address, the payment can be monitored in real time through the Stripe dashboard, via webhooks, or by using the API.
Once the transaction is confirmed, the funds are deposited into the merchant’s Stripe balance, just like any standard payment. Stripe’s current infrastructure also manages tax reporting, refunds, and compliance tools.
The system relies on x402, an open protocol that revives the old HTTP “402 Payment Required” status code. When an agent tries to access a paid service, it receives a payment request. After sending USDC on Base, access is automatically granted.
Because Base offers fast settlement and low fees, payments can be completed in a matter of seconds. This makes the setup suitable for frequent, low-value transactions, such as paying per request or per minute of usage.
Stripe has also released an open-source command-line tool called “purl,” along with sample code in Python and Node.js, to help developers test machine payments.
Expanding the agent economy
The launch reflects Stripe’s growing focus on what it calls the “agent economy,” where software programs operate independently and manage their own finances. These agents are expected to buy data, computing resources, and digital services without human approval.
The company said more protocols, currencies, and blockchain networks will be added in the future. For now, support is focused on USDC on Base, which provides stability and predictable pricing.
Industry observers see the move as another sign that AI, fintech, and crypto are becoming more closely connected. Instead of relying on monthly plans or prepaid credits, services can now be priced per action, per second, or per request.
TLDR:
- Circle Ventures invests in edgeX, the team behind EDGE Chain layer-3 blockchain infrastructure
- Native USDC and CCTP integration will enable regulated stablecoin settlement on EDGE Chain
- Migration from bridged USDC.e to native USDC planned for existing EDGE Chain ecosystem users
- CCTP enables secure crosschain USDC transfers without reliance on wrapped or bridged assets
Native USDC and Circle Cross-Chain Transfer Protocol (CCTP) are set to launch on EDGE Chain, bringing regulated stablecoin infrastructure to the layer-3 blockchain ecosystem.
Circle Ventures has invested in edgeX, the team developing EDGE Chain, supporting the integration of USDC and CCTP capabilities.
The upcoming launch will enable institutional-grade settlement and crosschain transfers for users of edgeX exchange and other EDGE Chain applications.
This development positions EDGE Chain as a high-performance environment for onchain financial applications.
Circle Investment Backs EDGE Chain Infrastructure
EDGE Chain operates as a layer-3 blockchain powering edgeX, a perpetual decentralized exchange focused on competitive trading performance.
The platform leverages Arbitrum’s layer-2 chain for security while settling on Ethereum’s base layer. Circle Ventures’ investment reflects confidence in EDGE Chain’s technical architecture and growth potential.
According to the announcement, the integration “brings trusted, regulated stablecoin settlement and secure crosschain infrastructure to the EDGE ecosystem, including edgeX exchange, unlocking new onchain financial use cases.” The investment demonstrates Circle’s belief in the platform as a scalable environment for USDC-based applications.
The integration will provide users access to USDC, the world’s largest regulated stablecoin. Native USDC serves as a fully reserved asset redeemable 1:1 for US dollars.
Eligible institutional users can access Circle Mint for direct on and off-ramp services. The stablecoin will function across trading, lending, and various onchain activities within the ecosystem.
CCTP enables the secure movement of USDC between the EDGE Chain and other supported blockchains. The protocol eliminates reliance on wrapped or bridged token versions.
Developers can select between Standard Transfer and Fast Transfer options based on application requirements. This infrastructure supports cross-chain onboarding, trading, margin operations, and lending applications.
Migration Path Set for Bridged USDC Users
EDGE Chain currently supports Bridged USDC, known as USDC.e, created by Alchemy. The EDGE Chain and edgeX teams plan a gradual migration of USDC.e liquidity to native USDC.
Bridged versions will maintain clear labeling as USDC.e across block explorers, application interfaces, and technical documentation.
The announcement outlined key capabilities, noting the integration enables “Native USDC for settlement and collateral” alongside “CCTP for seamless USDC movement across supported blockchains. Users will benefit from infrastructure with “no reliance on wrapped or bridged assets” for cross-chain transfers.
Circle has released testnet USDC at address 0x7433b41C6c5e1d58D4Da99483609520255ab661B for developer experimentation. Mainnet contract addresses will be announced closer to launch.
Developers can obtain free testnet tokens through Circle’s official faucet to test fund flows and integration workflows.
The existing Bridged USDC maintains its mainnet presence at address 0xd8e20462EDCe38434616Cc6A6a560BB76B582ED8. Both token versions will coexist during the transition period.
Ecosystem applications will coordinate migration timelines to minimize disruption for existing users and liquidity providers. Circle Internet Financial, LLC holds multiple regulatory licenses for money transmission services under NMLS number 1201441.
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