Aave Labs has introduced a new governance proposal that would shape the next chapter of one of crypto’s largest lending platforms, and send all revenue from Aave-branded products back to its community treasury.

The proposal, called “Aave Will Win,” asks the Aave DAO to approve a broader strategy built around its upcoming V4 upgrade. If passed, the plan would make V4 the foundation for Aave’s future development and formalize a structure in which 100% of revenue from products built by Aave Labs flows directly to the DAO.

The AAVE token has gained about 2% on the news even as the broader crypto market is selling off heavily on Thursday.

In simple terms, that means any money generated from Aave-branded apps, institutional offerings or enterprise tools would go back to the community-controlled treasury rather than to the development company itself.

“The framework formalizes Aave Labs’ role as a long-term contributor to the Aave DAO under a token-centric model, with 100% of product revenue directed to the DAO,” said Stani Kulechov, Founder of Aave Labs, in a press release shared with CoinDesk. “As onchain finance enters a decisive new phase, with fintechs and institutions entering DeFi, this framework positions Aave to capture major growth markets and win over the next decade.”

The proposal arrives against a backdrop of discord within the Aave community over control of the protocol’s brand and key assets. In late 2025, community members became sharply divided over whether the DAO or Aave Labs should control trademarks, domains, social accounts and other branded assets, with critics arguing that concentrated control by Labs risked undermining the spirit of decentralization. That fight highlighted wider tensions over how much influence founding teams should retain once a protocol becomes decentralized

Aave is already one of the largest decentralized lending protocols in crypto, allowing users to borrow and lend digital assets without relying on traditional banks. The new proposal is designed to help the protocol compete as more fintech companies and financial institutions explore blockchain-based products.

At the center of the plan is Aave V4, a major software upgrade intended to make it easier to launch new markets and financial products on top of the protocol. Rather than requiring major changes to the core system each time something new is introduced, V4 is designed to make expansion faster and more flexible while maintaining security.

The proposal also introduces the idea of launching separate markets with different risk and revenue structures. This could allow Aave to support specialized use cases, including institutional participation, without affecting the broader protocol.

A key part of the framework is a shift in how revenue flows to the DAO. Currently, Aave primarily earns income from lending activity. Under the proposal, revenue from additional Aave Labs-built products, such as user interfaces and institutional services built around the protocol, would also be directed to the DAO treasury. The goal is to diversify income and more closely align product development with token holder incentives.

The proposal further calls for the creation of a dedicated foundation to hold and protect Aave’s brand and trademarks, since decentralized organizations cannot directly own intellectual property. More details on that structure would be introduced in a follow-up vote.

If approved, additional proposals will outline how V4 will be activated and how funding will be structured. Taken together, the framework signals Aave’s ambition to evolve from a leading DeFi lending protocol into a broader piece of global financial infrastructure governed by its DAO.

Read more: ‘Most important tokenholder rights debate’: Aave faces identity crisis

Fresh on-chain data from Glassnode suggests Bitcoin could be headed for another prolonged phase of range-bound trading unless critical support levels are reclaimed. The February edition of The Week On-chain highlights a price corridor anchored by the True Market Mean near $79,200 and a Realized Price around $55,000 — a setup that mirrors patterns seen in the first half of 2022. With overhead supply concentrated in higher price bands, the decisive question remains: will new buyers re-enter and lift BTC out of consolidation?

Key takeaways

• Bitcoin remains confined within a corridor defined by the True Market Mean (~$79,200) and the Realized Price (~$55,000), signaling a 2022-style consolidation unless key support is reclaimed.
• A breakout would require a decisive reclaim of the True Market Mean near $79,200 or a systemic dislocation that drives price below the Realized Price around $55,000, according to Glassnode.
• Overhead supply is structurally heavy, with large clusters positioned between roughly $82,000–$97,000 and then again from $100,000–$117,000, creating a potential sell-side overhang if prices move higher.
• Whales appear to be shifting risk posture, closing long positions and opening shorts relative to retail, reinforcing a cautious, range-bound outlook for the near term.
• Near-term price action remains pinned between support below $65,000 and resistance near $68,000, with a move above $72,000 needed to re-open upside traffic toward earlier momentum benchmarks.

Tickers mentioned: $BTC

Sentiment: Neutral

Market context: The on-chain view fits within a broader environment where liquidity and risk appetite are delicate, and buyers are waiting for a clearer catalyst. The mix of heavy overhead supply and patient accumulation suggests a market that could drift rather than surge without fresh demand catalysts.

Why it matters

The unfolding dynamics around Bitcoin’s price framework matter for traders and long-term holders alike. The analysis emphasizes the importance of on-chain metrics in gauging potential supply pressure that could cap rallies even if price action briefly turns bullish. If BTC can reclaim the high-end thresholds implied by the True Market Mean, the market could test higher moving averages and previously observed resistance zones. Conversely, persistent weakness around the Realized Price would imply additional downside risk, particularly for participants who bought into higher ranges and are still sitting on unrealized losses.

On-chain behavior paints a nuanced picture. The URPD (UTXO Realized Price Distribution) suggests that substantial portions of the supply were created at price levels well above current prices, reinforcing the argument that a meaningful number of coin-holders may have an emotional and financial stake in seeing a higher price if conditions permit. Yet these same clusters also form a potential overhang: if market momentum fades or risk sentiment deteriorates, concentrated gains from earlier periods could quickly turn into selling pressure as holders decide to cut losses or rebalance.

Added to this, the market environment features a tug-of-war between long-term holders and more speculative participants. Data from on-chain observers and market analytics firms indicates that larger players are tightening exposure, a signal that the restoration of upside momentum will likely require a catalyst capable of re-igniting fresh demand. In practical terms, that means price action could remain choppy until a clear breakout above major resistance or a decisive breach of critical support occurs, with every swing potentially attracting new entrants or sellers depending on the path taken.

What to watch next

• Watch whether Bitcoin clears the $68,000 resistance to aim for the $72,000 level again, a move that would re-energize momentum toward the 20-day EMA and beyond.
• Monitor for a true reclaim of the True Market Mean near $79,200, which Glassnode identifies as a potential sign of renewed structural strength.
• Be alert for a drop below the Realized Price around $55,000, which could trigger renewed capitulation or a shift in risk tolerance among holders.
• Track ongoing on-chain activity from major holders, particularly any notable increases in short positioning relative to retail, as it could presage further consolidation.
• Observe how overhead supply bands between $82,000 and $117,000 behave if price attempts to press higher, as the density of this supply hints at potential sell-side pressure that could cap rallies.

Sources & verification

• The Week On-chain by Glassnode (February 11 edition) detailing overhead supply and the True Market Mean vs Realized Price dynamics.
• Glassnode’s URPD data showing long-term supply clusters above $82,000 and related implications for unrealized losses.
• Commentary from Joao Wedson (Alphractal) on changing whale activity and the potential for a consolidation phase over the next month.
• CoinGlass liquidation heatmap illustrating liquidity distribution between bids and asks around the $69,000–$72,000 region.
• Cross-referenced price movement discussions noting the need to clear $72,000 to target higher moving averages.

Bitcoin price in focus: market dynamics and key levels

Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) is currently trading within a defined corridor that mirrors a broader, on-chain narrative about when demand will re-enter after a period of subdued momentum. The framework rests on two pivotal on-chain markers: the True Market Mean, a measure of where the market’s “fair value” sits on a given day, and the Realized Price, which anchors the cost basis of coins currently in circulation. Glassnode’s recent analysis emphasizes that these markers have established a price range that, for now, resembles the patterns observed during the first half of 2022. In that period, BTC traded between the True Market Mean and the Realized Price before entering a protracted bear phase, with a low near $15,000 later that year. While the present setup does not predict a similar outcome, it underscores the challenge of surging higher without a fundamental catalyst that re-energizes buyers.

Overhead supply, a term that captures the concentration of coins that would require price appreciation to become fully realized profit, remains structurally heavy in higher price bands. The URPD data points to substantial clusters above $82,000, extending into the $97,000 and beyond $117,000 zones. These levels represent cohorts of coins that have historically faced unrealized losses; in a market where buyers are scarce, these zones can turn into latent sell-offs if volatility spikes or sentiment deteriorates. In practice, this translates to a potential ceiling on upside movements unless demand accelerates or supply dynamics shift decisively in favor of buyers.

Rounding out the on-chain narrative is visible activity from market participants described as “whales” — those holding large quantities of BTC. Recent posts from industry observers noted a shift: long positions are being closed while shorts are being opened relative to retail activity. This pattern aligns with a cautious stance, reinforcing a prevailing view that the market could continue to absorb supply rather than launch into a rapid uptrend. In other words, the current price action could persist within a narrow band as participants wait for a decisive trigger to reorient risk exposure.

From a practical standpoint, the price dynamics show BTC facing a barrier near $68,000 after a recent attempt to rebound from lows below $60,000. The next significant hurdle sits at around $72,000, a level that many analysts say must be cleared to re-engage the upward slope toward the 20-day exponential moving average near $76,000 and, beyond that, the 50-day moving average above $85,000. Until that sequence of resistance is breached, the market is more likely to remain in a phase of range-bound action with incremental gains or losses tied to short-term liquidity and the evolving appetite for risk across crypto markets.

In parallel, market observers highlight the current liquidity landscape as another critical factor. The liquidity framework, which shapes how quickly buyers or sellers can enter or exit positions, tends to tighten during uncertain macro periods. In such a regime, even modest shifts in sentiment can produce outsized price moves, particularly when the order book tightens around the major support and resistance thresholds described above. The absence of a clear catalyst makes the path of least resistance a continued drift, with occasional bursts as traders reposition around the pivotal levels identified by on-chain analysis.

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Some Coinbase users are currently experiencing a temporary disruption, leaving them unable to buy, sell, or transfer digital assets on Coinbase.com.

The issue, first reported by the platform on social media, has prompted concern among traders, though the company reassures customers that all funds remain secure.

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Temporary Service Disruption Leaves Coinbase Users Unable to Trade

Coinbase, the largest US-based crypto exchange, confirmed the disruption in a statement on its official Twitter support channel, noting:

“We are aware that customers may be unable to buy, sell, or transfer on Coinbase.com at this time. Our team is investigating this issue and will provide an update. Your funds are safe,” the exchange shared in a post.

The company emphasized that the outage is temporary and that there is no indication of any long-term risk to user accounts or funds. Updates will be provided as the investigation progresses.

Community trackers and crypto news accounts, including MilkRoad, quickly picked up the report, echoing Coinbase’s statement.

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While the cause of the disruption has not yet been disclosed, Coinbase’s quick acknowledgment reflects the platform’s growing focus on transparency amid increased scrutiny of crypto exchange reliability.

Temporary outages on exchanges, though relatively rare, can have ripple effects on trading activity and market sentiment, especially for high-volume users or during periods of heightened market volatility.

Some users have expressed frustration on social media, noting that being unable to execute trades temporarily could affect active positions. However, such disruptions are often resolved quickly and typically do not result in financial loss.

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Coinbase Q4 Earnings In Focus

The incident comes ahead of Coinbase’s earnings report, with the exchange scheduled to release its Q4 2025 and full-year 2025 financial results today, Thursday, February 12, 2026, after market close (US time).

The market sentiment ahead of Coinbase earnings is predominantly cautious to bearish in the short term, driven by expectations of a sequential decline in key metrics amid softer crypto trading volumes, lower asset prices, and broader market weakness.

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Analysts at Monness, Crespi, Hardt have also downgraded COIN stock amid predictions that Coinbase will struggle to meet Q4 earnings forecasts.

The downgrade reflects ongoing issues in digital asset trading and reduced visibility in near-term financial performance.

As of this writing, COIN stock was trading for $140.31, down by over 45% year-to-date. While revenue is likely to lag, long-term prospects remain intact.

The Litecoin price has taken a beating this week, with holders facing significant losses and key support near $50 under the spotlight. A dip below this level could push LTC down to $45, while resistance near $56.4 limits any immediate rebound.

Dogecoin is showing a similar bearish trend, with the latest Dogecoin price prediction pointing to further weakness as it trades below $0.13. Traders are watching the charts closely, trying to gauge whether these popular meme and altcoins can find their footing amid broader market pressure.

But in the middle of all these declines, BlockDAG (BDAG) is moving in a sharp upward pattern! Its Mainnet is now live, handling 5,000 transactions per second, far beyond what Ethereum can deliver. Plus, current buyers are eyeing 200× upside ahead of exchange listings on February 16.

This mix of speed, technology, and ROI potential is attracting serious attention from traders seeking top crypto coins, especially as big names like LTC and DOGE shift into defensive mode.

Litecoin Price Tests Critical $50 Support

Litecoin investors have faced heavy losses recently, with nearly $40 million booked over the weekend. Since the start of the year, LTC has shed about $1.81 billion in market value, leaving holders with an average loss of 40%. The coin is now approaching key support at $50, and a break below that could push the Litecoin price down to $45, its lowest since June 2022.

On the upside, Litecoin faces resistance near $56.4, with the 20-day EMA acting as the next hurdle if buyers step in. Technical indicators like the RSI and Stochastic Oscillator remain in bearish territory, signaling ongoing selling pressure. Traders tracking the litecoin price are closely monitoring these levels, as MVRV readings suggest a rebound may be possible if sentiment improves.

Dogecoin Price Prediction: Is DOGE Headed Lower?

The Dogecoin price prediction is turning bearish, as DOGE is slipping again. It is currently trading around $0.0909, down about 15% in the past week. After failing to stabilize, the coin has broken toward the lower end of its daily range, showing sellers still in control.

Over the past month, DOGE has lost more than a third of its value, and it’s slightly weaker against Bitcoin. This recent drop below the $0.13 Fibonacci extension raises questions for short-term traders.

On the weekly chart, the next key support sits near $0.0208 if current levels fail to hold. On the upside, DOGE faces resistance near $0.168–$0.198, meaning any bounce may be limited.

With the weekly RSI near oversold at 32, some see a buying opportunity, but technical pressure remains. Analysts are keeping a close eye on these zones for shaping the near-term Dogecoin price prediction.

BlockDAG Mainnet Outperforms Ethereum!

BlockDAG’s Mainnet is officially live and is processing an impressive 5,000 transactions per second; that’s 500 times faster than Ethereum! This move comes days ahead of its exchange listings, which are now expected to see even stronger demand as the market sees the network’s capabilities. On top of this, a final allocation is running, offering coins at $0.00025. Compared with the confirmed listing price of $0.05, this points to a potential 200× return.

The TGE is now live, and the Claim button for the free airdrop will be active within the next 24–48 hours. Users will be able to claim their BDAG allocations directly through the BlockDAG dashboard. Claiming is simple: connect the wallet used during the presale, select “Claim BDAG,” and confirm the transaction. No extra verification or forms are required. The claims are executed on-chain, and coins will be sent directly to the connected wallet.

Once claimed, BDAG coins will appear in the wallet and can be transferred, traded, or used according to vesting conditions. Network features and staking rewards will continue to roll out after this. The team has confirmed that staking is available only to BDAG holders, so missing this window means missing out on staking rewards.

This combination of record-breaking speed and the final allocation phase has attracted massive attention from traders tracking top crypto coins. Likewise, analysts suggest that acting now could make a real difference in potential gains later on. Ultimately, high ROI potential, transparency, and a live Mainnet outperforming some of crypto’s biggest names have made BDAG one of the most promising projects for the year ahead.

Which Is the Top Crypto Coin to Buy for 2026?

Litecoin and Dogecoin remain under clear pressure as sentiment across the market stays fragile. The Litecoin price is hovering near critical support, and unless buyers step in above key resistance, the risk of another drop toward $45 remains real.

At the same time, the latest Dogecoin price prediction reflects continued weakness, with DOGE struggling to reclaim lost ground and facing strong resistance on any bounce. For now, both assets sit in a defensive territory, leaving traders cautious as they reassess exposure.

Meanwhile, BlockDAG is telling a very different story. The Mainnet is already live, processing 5,000 transactions per second, and exchange listings are happening in four days.

And with the final allocation priced at $0.00025 and a confirmed $0.05 listing price, the potential 200× upside is basically guaranteed. For traders seeking top crypto coins to buy now, BlockDAG isn’t just competing with the market’s biggest players; it’s effectively outperforming them.

Private Sale: https://purchase.blockdag.network

Website: https://blockdag.network

Telegram: https://t.me/blockDAGnetworkOfficial

Discord: https://discord.gg/Q7BxghMVyu

Disclaimer: This is a Press Release provided by a third party who is responsible for the content. Please conduct your own research before taking any action based on the content.

World Liberty Financial has unveiled plans to introduce a new foreign exchange and remittance platform called World Swap. This platform aims to simplify global money transfers and reduce high transaction fees. The venture is backed by the family of former U.S. President Donald Trump, raising some ethical concerns. It is set to challenge traditional financial institutions and revolutionize cross-border transactions.

Revolutionizing the Remittance Market

The World Swap platform is designed to connect users directly to bank accounts and debit cards worldwide. It will allow users to complete foreign exchange and remittance transactions at a much lower cost than traditional financial institutions. Co-founder Zak Folkman highlighted that the platform is built around the company’s USD1 stablecoin, which was launched last year.

Folkman emphasized that over $7 trillion is currently moving across the globe in currency exchanges, and traditional financial institutions have been heavily taxing these transfers. With World Swap, the company aims to cut these fees significantly, offering a more efficient solution for global money transfers. The platform is poised to directly compete with services provided by banks and legacy money transfer operators.

Expanding into Decentralized Finance

In addition to its remittance platform, World Liberty Financial is expanding its footprint in decentralized finance. The firm recently launched its lending platform, World Liberty Markets, which has already facilitated $320 million in loans. It has also handled more than $200 million in borrowings since its inception just a few weeks ago.

World Liberty Financial’s broader goal is to carve out a significant role in the global payments and remittance ecosystem. This ecosystem is currently dominated by established financial players who charge high fees and have long settlement times. The firm’s stablecoin-based approach offers a potentially more affordable and faster alternative to traditional financial systems.

Ethics Scrutiny Amid Trump Family Ties

World Liberty Financial’s expansion has raised concerns among government ethics experts due to its ties to the Trump family business, the Trump Organization. The company’s activities have reportedly generated substantial revenue from foreign entities, fueling these concerns. The timing of the company’s growth, coupled with Donald Trump’s involvement in U.S. crypto policy, has led to discussions about potential conflicts of interest.

Despite these concerns, the White House has denied any conflicts of interest. The company has not yet disclosed a specific launch date for World Swap or detailed its pricing model. However, the announcement signals the company’s intent to disrupt the global remittance industry and take on incumbent players in the market.

• Bitcoin Cash price held near $500 as bulls battled intraday sell-off pressure.
• The altcoin could retest key resistance levels amid Bitcoin’s gains.
• However, Standard Chartered forecasts BTC could drop to $50k, and BCH will likely mirror this.

Bitcoin Cash (BCH) price is demonstrating notable resilience, with bulls holding near the $500 mark as the broader cryptocurrency market downturn hits sentiment.

On February 12, 2026, the BCH price hovered between $496 and $523, down nearly 3% in the past 24 hours but still within range of this crucial level.

Bitcoin Cash price holds $500 amid BTC struggle

The resilience comes as the broader crypto market faces pressure, including from macroeconomic factors.

Sell-off across the sector has seen Bitcoin struggle to reclaim the $70,000 mark, and on Thursday, Standard Chartered analyst Geoff Kendrick highlighted the bank’s forecast for BTC in 2026.

Specifically, Standard Chartered has now slashed its 2026 target to $100,000 per Bitcoin, citing potential further pain before prices recover.

Amid downward pressure, the bank sees bears pushing BTC to support around $50,000.

Kendrick said in a note to clients that Ethereum will also likely drop to $1,400 before rebounding to highs of $4,000 in 2026.

While BCH remains near $500 and has held above the $450 support, this outlook for BTC and ETH suggests the coin could be at risk of further decline.

Negative sentiment will cascade to other Bitcoin-related tokens.

BCH price technical outlook and forecast for 2026

Bitcoin Cash price fell to around $468 on October 10, 2025, and to $454 on Feb. 5, 2026.

The two dates highlight the last two major sell-off events across the crypto market. If prices fall past this support base, a retest of June 2025 lows at $385 could follow.

Before this, Bitcoin Cash had rallied from $268 to $443 between April 9 and May 23.

From a technical perspective, BCH’s weekly chart indicates that the price currently hovers above a key horizontal support level.

The uptick between March and September 2025, and between November 2025 and early January 2026, also put prices above the middle line of a broader parallel channel.

The resistance level of this pattern lies near $700, while support is around $264.

Currently, BCH’s price hovers at the 50-day moving average of $597, which has acted as support since Oct. 10, 2025.

If the price drops below the 50-day SMA, bulls could be in trouble. The weekly RSI sits in the neutral 40-50 zone. However, it is likely to suggest potential bearish acceleration before a rebound.

Meanwhile, the MACD indicator shows strengthening bearish momentum after a bearish crossover in mid-January.

A weekly close above $510 could allow buyers a relief rally towards the channel resistance. However, if prices slip under $425, a revisit of $300-$260 could be next.

Jeffy Yu, the Zerebro founder who previously faked his own death before being sued by Burwick Law, has allegedly committed suicide for real.

On February 2, X account “alvennya” claimed that Yu had killed himself, pointing to a recent burial at the Roseville Cemetery, which lists the deceased as “Jeffy Zhenyu Yu” and claims he died on New Year’s Day.  

The account also claimed to have police recordings taken from a scanner that contains audio of Roseville police discussing the scene before discovering his suicide.  

This was shared along with unsubstantiated screenshots apparently from Roseville police that suggest Yu was suffering a “mental crisis” and was going door to door asking for help while armed. 

Another X account, “Scooter,” shared these reports and also claimed that one of their followers visited Yu’s grave and took a photo. 

Jeffy Yu staged his death to sell $1.4M in crypto

Yu staged his death last year after launching his own after-death-themed memecoin. He also faked his own obituary and scheduled posts to be released after his apparent death.

A writer for The San Francisco Standard, however, tracked Yu down and discovered him living with his parents in San Francisco. 

After his supposed death, analysts spotted Yu selling $1.4 million worth of Zerebro tokens.  

Binance converts $1 billion SAFU fund fully into Bitcoin, buying 4,545 BTC to finish its reserve overhaul.

Binance announced on Thursday that it has finished converting its $1 billion Secure Asset Fund for Users (SAFU) from stablecoins into Bitcoin, purchasing a final tranche of 4,545 BTC and bringing total holdings to 15,000 BTC.

The exchange’s decision to shift its emergency insurance reserve into BTC rather than a dollar-pegged asset reversed its position from April 2024 and placed roughly $1 billion of user protection funds directly into the cryptocurrency with the largest market cap.

Conversion Completed Within 30-Day Window

Binance executed the rebalancing in several separate purchases between February 2 and February 12, according to on-chain data monitored by Lookonchain. The final transaction of 4,545 BTC, valued at $304.5 million, brought the total worth of the holding to just over $1 billion based on Bitcoin’s current price around $67,000.

The exchange first announced the conversion plan on January 30, saying the process would conclude within 30 days. However, the completion fell nearly halfway through that window, with the SAFU wallet address, which Binance made public, now holding 15,000 BTC.

The Secure Asset Fund for Users was created in 2018 as an insurance pool to cover user losses in extreme events such as exchange hacks. In April 2024, Binance converted the fund entirely into USDC, describing the move at the time as a stability measure. The completion now marks a full reversal of that approach.

Binance said it views Bitcoin as “the premier long-term reserve asset” and framed the decision as aligning SAFU with that position. The firm also stated it will rebalance the fund if its value falls below $800 million due to price declines.

Market Context

Back when the move was announced, it drew immediate comment from market observers, with crypto commentator Garrett describing the conversion on X as “a direct capital injection into the market” and “what responsible builders do.”

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The announcement arrived as CryptoQuant data showed Binance accounted for roughly 41% of spot trading volume among the top 10 exchanges in 2025. The exchange also maintains similarly high shares in Bitcoin perpetual futures and stablecoin reserves.

Meanwhile, at the market, the OG cryptocurrency was trading around the $67,300 level at the time of this writing, up slightly by about 0.5% in the last 24 hours, but in the red over seven days after suffering a nearly 5% dip per CoinGecko data.

The situation is the same across longer timeframes, with BTC shedding just under 24% of its value over the past fortnight and nearly 30% in the last month to keep its price more than 46% below its all-time high above $126,000 reached in October 2025.

One way or another, the U.S. crypto industry is likely to receive official policy that defines which digital assets get what treatment from which federal agencies. The problem: It might not last.

Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman Paul Atkins is focused on reversing the “head in the sand” approach he accuses his predecessors of having on crypto policy, and he’s ready to issue rules that give the industry the regulatory clarity it craves. The catch, though, is that such rules won’t be locked down and can be erased by the same kind of commission vote that puts them in place. They won’t be backed by a targeted law that makes them unassailable by future administrations.

“We need a firm grounding in statute so we can’t have any backsliding in the future,” Atkins told the Senate Banking Committee in Thursday testimony. No matter how enthusiastic he is in giving the industry innovation-friendly rules, they’re not “future-proof.”

But the legislation in the U.S. Senate that would govern such things is floundering. Crypto executives and bankers haven’t been able to reach a compromise on one of the sticking points in stablecoin rewards programs. And Democratic lawmakers haven’t been offered answers to a number of their core concerns, including the full staffing of regulatory commissions and the danger of conflicts of interest when senior government officials have deep business ties to crypto (most obviously, in their view, President Donald Trump).

Senator Mark Warner, one of the leading Democratic negotiators on the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act, which still needs a hearing in the banking panel, said there’s still a big, bipartisan group working hard on the bill.

“We want to get this done,” he said, signalling that Democrats haven’t yet abandoned the talks. “It’s got to be done safely.”

His primary concern is decentralized finance (DeFi) and preventing bad actors from using it for illicit purposes. Warner’s views on this have, at times, shaken the industry and been seen as a threat to the future existence of DeFi projects. But the latest talks over the bill’s treatment of illicit finance haven’t yet settled on an approach.

“We’ve got to make sure that we don’t set up a regime that allows bad actors or carves out enforcement,” Warner said.

A Republican lawmaker, Senator Bernie Moreno, commiserated with the SEC chairman, saying, “Congress has failed miserably to give you laws.”

Atkins reiterated that his agency has “pretty broad authority” to write rules now that put crypto businesses on a clear regulatory foundation, as he’s been trying to execute with his “Project Crypto” agenda. But, he said, the rules would need to have legislation “undergird” them.

“We do need, I believe, a good law coming out of Congress,” Atkins said.

Read More: The big U.S. crypto bill is on the move. Here is what it means for everyday users

So far, a similar version of the Clarity Act already passed the House of Representatives last year. And just last month, another version cleared the Senate Agriculture Committee in a party-line vote. However, when it comes time for the full Senate to vote on a final market structure bill, the industry will need at least seven Democrats like Warner on board — and potentially more, if the Republicans aren’t unanimous.

While Senate Banking Committee Chairman Tim Scott sounded a hopeful note on Thursday about the Clarity Act, even industry leaders such as Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong have shown a willingness to pull support if the policy doesn’t look right. And Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent called out crypto-industry “nihilists” who are ready to stand in the way, saying they should move to El Salvador if they don’t want vigorous regulation.

The girding that Atkins needs for the SEC’s pending rules remains uncertain, though the White House has directed negotiators to find common ground before the month is out. The clock is ticking, as House Financial Services Committee Chairman French Hill put it.

Read More: SEC’s Paul Atkins grilled on crypto enforcement pull-back, including with Justin Sun, Tron

Ethereum price remains under pressure after a sharp decline that unsettled investors across the crypto market. 

Although Ethereum appears to be entering a historically favorable accumulation zone, on-chain indicators reveal mixed conviction among different holder cohorts.

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Ethereum Is In a Prime Accumulation Range

Ethereum’s Market Value to Realized Value, or MVRV, ratio indicates that ETH has entered what analysts describe as an “opportunity zone.” This range lies between negative 18% and negative 28%. Historically, when MVRV falls into this band, selling pressure approaches exhaustion.

Previous entries into this zone often preceded price reversals. Investors typically accumulate when unrealized losses deepen. Such behavior can stabilize the Ethereum price and initiate recovery phases. However, historical probability does not guarantee immediate upside.

Want more token insights like this? Sign up for Editor Harsh Notariya’s Daily Crypto Newsletter here.

Current macro conditions complicate the outlook. Liquidity constraints and cautious sentiment may delay accumulation. While MVRV suggests undervaluation relative to realized cost basis, broader market weakness could suppress momentum and extend consolidation before any meaningful rebound begins.

Ethereum Holders Are Leaning Differently

Short-term holders are regaining influence over Ethereum price action. The MVRV Long/Short Difference measures profitability between long-term and short-term holders. Deeply negative readings signal greater profitability among short-term holders compared to long-term investors.

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Toward the end of January, the metric suggested profitability was shifting away from short-term traders. That trend hinted at an improving structure. However, the recent decline reversed that dynamic, restoring short-term holder profits. These investors typically sell quickly, increasing vulnerability to renewed downside pressure.

The HODLer net position change metric reveals another shift. Long-term holders previously exhibited steady accumulation. In recent days, the buying pressure has transitioned into distribution, reflecting reduced confidence among strategic investors.

Long-term holder selling adds structural risk. These participants often provide foundational support during downturns. Without renewed accumulation from this cohort, the Ethereum price may struggle to absorb supply. Current data shows limited evidence of strong counterbalancing demand.

ETH Price May Look At Consolidation

Ethereum price trades at $1,983 and remains above the $1,811 support level. Despite this stability, the altcoin recently marked a nine-month low at $1,743. Maintaining $1,811 is critical to prevent deeper technical deterioration.

Given ongoing selling from both short-term and long-term holders, recovery may face resistance near $2,238. Continued weakness could keep ETH trading closer to support rather than challenging overhead barriers. A confirmed breakdown below $1,811 may expose Ethereum to $1,571.

Alternatively, reduced selling from short-term holders could ease pressure. If long-term holders resume accumulation, Ethereum may attempt a stronger rebound. A decisive move above $2,238, followed by a rally past $2,509, would invalidate the bearish thesis and improve the medium-term outlook.