Cysic founder Leo Fan argued that blockchain projects relying heavily on hyperscalers like Google Cloud and Microsoft’s Azure risk undermining crypto’s decentralization ethos, at Consensus Hong Kong 2026.

Fan’s comments came after Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson outlined Midnight, Cardano’s privacy-focused project, and announced partnerships with companies including Google and Telegram. Midnight is scheduled to launch its mainnet at the end of March, according to Hoskinson.

Hoskinson defended working with hyperscalers, arguing that no single layer-1 blockchain can handle the computational demands required for global, privacy-preserving systems.

“When people spend a trillion dollars building data centers,” he said, referring to major cloud providers, “we should probably use what they spent the trillion dollars on instead of trying to build a completely different network.”

Midnight Foundation CEO Fahmi Syed said the network will debut with 10 federated nodes as part of what he described as a “responsible” path toward decentralization. Google Cloud is among early collaborators providing infrastructure support.

Justifying the single point of failure

Hoskinson said Midnight is designed to offload heavy computational workloads, particularly those tied to privacy and zero-knowledge cryptography, to cloud providers such as Google Cloud and Microsoft Azure. He added that technologies like multi-party computation and confidential computing would allow providers to supply hardware capacity without accessing the underlying data.

During a stage demonstration, Hoskinson said Midnight processed thousands of transactions per second with Microsoft Azure powering the backend compute layer.

Fan, however, argued that relying on hyperscalers for core compute still introduces structural centralization risks.

“If your validators look decentralized but all run on the same data center in that’s still a single point of failure,” Fan told CoinDesk. “Blockchain is supposed to remove single points of failure. If the infrastructure is centralized, that’s a contradiction.”

Cysic, operates a decentralized compute network focused on zero-knowledge proof generation. He said one customer reduced proof-generation time from as much as 90 minutes on AWS to roughly 15 minutes using Cysic’s distributed hardware network.

“In some scenarios, we can deliver better performance,” Fan said. “We don’t need to defeat them immediately, but we can compete.”

How decentralization should be defined

Midnight is not outsourcing its blockchain to Google or Microsoft. The base network runs its own nodes, and Hoskinson emphasized that hyperscalers provide hardware capacity rather than governance or protocol control.

He described Midnight as a neutral coordination layer that could dynamically route workloads between cloud providers, arguing that encrypted computation and confidential computing environments ensure providers “just provide the hardware.”

Fan’s critique focuses on a different layer of the stack.

Even if data is encrypted and workloads can shift between providers, reliance on a small number of global infrastructure operators concentrates power at the compute layer, particularly as demand for GPUs and data center capacity intensifies, Fan said.

The disagreement is less about whether Midnight is centralized in a strict technical sense and more about how decentralization should be defined.

Hoskinson’s approach prioritizes cryptographic neutrality over hardware ownership. Fan said that decentralization must extend to the compute layer itself.

Rather than calling for a complete rejection of hyperscalers, Fan advocated a hybrid approach.

“Use big vendors in a limited way,” he said. “Combine them with decentralized networks to make the system more robust. Do not give up decentralization because that’s the nature of our community.”

As blockchain networks pursue enterprise adoption and global scale, the divide between building parallel infrastructure and integrating with Big Tech may define crypto’s next phase.

CoinDesk Indices presents its daily market update, highlighting the performance of leaders and laggards in the CoinDesk 20 Index.

The CoinDesk 20 is currently trading at 1979.83, down 0.3% (-5.15) since 4 p.m. ET on Monday.

Thirteen of the 20 assets are trading higher.

Leaders: APT (+1.6%) and AAVE (+1.5%).

Laggards: BCH (-2.2%) and XRP (-1.5%).

The CoinDesk 20 is a broad-based index traded on multiple platforms in several regions globally.

BitMine Immersion Technologies (BMNR), the largest Ethereum treasury company, purchased 45,759 ether ETH$1,993.86 last week, extending its buying spree despite the sharp pullback in crypto prices.

The haul was the largest weekly purchase this year in token terms, bringing the firm’s total ETH holdings to 4,371,497 tokens, the company said in a Monday update. That’s equivalent to $8.7 billion at current prices, while the company is estimated to be sitting on almost $8 billion in paper losses.

The firm also raised its cash pile to $670 million, alongside its small bitcoin BTC$68,170.37 stash and equity stakes, including a $200 million position in Beast Industries. Total assets stand at $9.6 billion, while BitMine’s share of ETH’s total supply rose to 3.62%.

BitMine has now staked over 3 million ETH — about 69% of its holdings — that generate $176 million in annualized rewards, according to Chairman Tom Lee. The firm’s staking operations currently yield 2.89% annualized.

Lee said sentiment in crypto markets remains depressed, drawing comparisons to the lows of 2018 and 2022. But he argued the current environment differs in that there have been no major collapses of large players.

“Investor sentiment and enthusiasm are rock bottom, reminding us of the forlornness and dejection seen at the November 2022 lows and depths of 2018 crypto winter,” he said. “Rather, it seems like crypto has remained weak since the ‘price shock’ and massive deleveraging seen on October 10th.”

Lee also highlighted developments from last week’s Consensus Hong Kong conference, where he cited tokenization, artificial intelligence (AI) integrations and proof-of-humanity infrastructure as long-term growth drivers for Ethereum.

“The price of ETH is not reflective of the high utility of ETH and its role as the future of finance,” Lee said. “Hence, we continue to buy ETH even as crypto moves through this ‘mini-winter.’”

Read more: Tom Lee says stop timing the bottom and start buying the dip

Bitcoin has struggled to regain upward momentum in recent sessions. The price has remained range-bound amid uncertain macro conditions. Volatility in equities and rate expectations has capped recovery attempts.

With short-term signals mixed, attention shifts to long-term holders, or LTHs. This cohort has historically shaped major Bitcoin reversals. Their behavior now offers critical insight into whether BTC is nearing a turning point.

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Bitcoin LTHs Have a Critical Support Established

The LTH CBD Heatmap highlights significant supply density above $65,000. This cluster is anchored in the 2024 first-half accumulation range. That zone has repeatedly absorbed recent selling pressure. Strong demand there suggests conviction among experienced Bitcoin holders.

This support band has acted as a buffer during pullbacks. Capital accumulated during prior consolidation phases remains largely dormant. As long as this structure holds, large-scale distribution appears unlikely.

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

A decisive breakdown below this range would change the narrative. It could open the path toward Bitcoin’s Realized Price, currently near $54,000. However, such a move seems less probable while LTH supply remains stable. The data suggests holders are not preparing for capitulation.

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How Are LTHs Reacting?

The Long-Term Holder Net Unrealized Profit and Loss, or NUPL, has recently declined. This metric measures aggregate unrealized gains within long-term wallets. Falling NUPL indicates shrinking profitability among this BTC cohort.

Historically, extended NUPL declines have coincided with deeper price corrections. Similar patterns appeared in February 2020 and June 2022. In those periods, weakening profitability led to broader capitulation events.

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This cycle appears different. Institutional flows and spot Bitcoin ETF support have strengthened structural demand. Persistent inflows from regulated products provide a stabilizing force. As a result, LTHs may be less inclined to exit positions despite margin compression.

HODLer Net Position Change data shows Bitcoin LTHs are accumulating rather than distributing. Rising green bars on the metric suggest coins are moving into long-term storage. This is a positive sign as their accumulation tends to stick for a long while, unlike STHs, who are prone to selling at the first sign of profits.

Continued inflows into LTH wallets reinforce this trend. Accumulation during uncertainty can slow downside momentum, and if this pattern persists, it may help establish a foundation for a broader Bitcoin price recovery.

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BTC Price Is Still Under Resistance

Bitcoin is trading at $68,282 at the time of writing. The primary near-term target remains reclaiming the $70,000 level. This psychological barrier has capped upside for roughly ten days.

The $68,342 support level is critical in the short term. Strong defense of this zone could enable BTC to challenge the $70,610 resistance. A confirmed breakout may extend gains toward $73,499 and potentially higher if momentum accelerates.

Downside risk remains present under adverse macro conditions. A break below $65,158 would weaken the current structure. Losing that support could expose Bitcoin to a deeper retracement. In such a scenario, price could gravitate toward the Realized Price near $58,000.

• NEXO returns to the US with fully compliant crypto services.
• NEXO token rises to $0.8871, up 9.4% over the past week.
• Key support lies at $0.8655, with the immediate resistance near $0.9619–$1.07.

NEXO, the native token of the crypto lending and financial services platform Nexo, has seen a notable uptick in price following the company’s return to the United States nine months after announcing it would return.

The token currently trades at around $0.8871, marking a 5.7% surge in 24 hours and a 9.4% gain over the past week, reflecting renewed investor confidence and growing anticipation surrounding the platform’s US relaunch.

The platform originally exited the US market three years ago due to regulatory hurdles.

At the time, Nexo faced scrutiny over its crypto lending products, leading to a temporary halt of its services to American customers.

Now, the company has returned with a fully compliant approach after partnering with Bakkt, a regulated US infrastructure provider, to ensure its offerings meet local financial regulations.

Nexo’s relaunch in the United States

The US relaunch brings back key services that had previously been unavailable.

Users can once again access flexible and fixed-term crypto yield programs, allowing investors to earn interest on their digital assets.

Additionally, Nexo is offering a fully integrated crypto exchange for spot trading.

This gives US clients the ability to buy, sell, and trade supported cryptocurrencies directly on the platform.

Crypto-backed credit lines have also returned, and users can borrow against their digital holdings without having to sell them, providing liquidity while retaining exposure to the assets.

The platform has reintroduced its loyalty program, rewarding clients for participation and activity.

Fiat on and off-ramps are now available, enabling smooth transfers between bank accounts and the platform.

The partnership with a regulated US provider ensures that all these services operate within a compliant framework.

This regulatory alignment not only mitigates risk but also strengthens institutional confidence in NEXO’s operations.

NEXO price forecast

The combination of Nexo’s regulatory-compliant relaunch, a strong product suite, and favourable technical indicators makes the token one to watch in the coming weeks.

Looking ahead, the first major support is at $0.8655, which is crucial for maintaining upward momentum.

If this level holds, the token could test its first major resistance at $0.9619.

Breaking above $0.9619 may open the path to $1.02, with a further target at $1.07.

On the downside, analysts note that if the support at $0.8655 fails, NEXO could slide toward the next support level at $0.7923.

However, the token’s short-term performance will likely depend on the platform’s adoption in the US, liquidity on exchanges, and overall crypto market sentiment.

“Technology with a Human Promise”

The digital asset revolution has created the need to establish trust in an environment layered with new technology. True to its promise, the ethos of America is represented by the motto 

The challenge of balancing disruptive innovation with unyielding trust is exemplified by the current state of crypto wallets, which are at the core of mass adoption of Web3. It is essential for any enterprise’s digital asset strategy to have a solid crypto wallet infrastructure as the foundation. 

Analysts estimate that the crypto wallet market will grow from an estimated value of 12–15 billion USD mid-period, up to approximately 90–100+ billion USD during the early part of the next decade. [Source: Multi-Source Synthesis of Fortune Business Insights, Grand View Research, etc.]  North America alone accounted for approximately 31% of global crypto wallet revenues in 2024 and is projected to be the leading region.

Customers in 2026 desire more than just a basic interface from your wallet offering; they expect security, compliance, multi-chain compatibility, excellent UX, and true enterprise-scale capabilities. This blog is intended for technical leaders as well as Web3 strategy teams, describing ten crypto wallet development partners in the US focused on delivering quality solutions. Our purpose is to provide you with the accurate information necessary for decision-making, based on real-world context and strategic alignment, not mere marketing feature lists.

Why Choosing the Right Crypto Wallet Development Company Matters in 2026

Cryptocurrency wallets serve as a means of holding digital assets but also function as the hearthstone of trust between your product and the consumer. If an organization has implemented a poor-quality Web3 wallet solution, it exposes its digital assets as well as the firm to multiple risks from both an operational and regulatory perspective (e.g., loss of consumer confidence or reputation).

The past three years have seen billions of dollars’ worth of crypto lost due to poor wallet security practices and hackers exploiting vulnerable digital wallets through theft.  As a result, companies are creating and adopting high-level security controls such as MPC key management, multi-sig schemes, hardware security, and real-time compliance monitoring. 

In order to remain compliant with both legal requirements and expectations, having a security-centric design is now a prerequisite for you to participate in the Web3 marketplace.

Now, pause and absorb this-

“Security without usability is a fortress with no door; usability without security is a house with no locks.” 

The right cryptocurrency wallet development venture can turn this apparent contradiction between security and usability into a competitive differentiator. 

Let’s turn our attention to the main subject: 

And have a look at those wallet providers that possess sufficient experience in the development and integration of blockchain wallets, particularly for clients based in the United States and abroad.

Snapshot of Leading Wallet Development Partners in the US

1. Antier 

Founded in 2005, Antier has a team of over 700 employees specializing in the creation of white label wallets, multi-chain wallets, MPC wallet architecture, and virtual crypto card implementations. 

Their value proposition is a secure and compliant wallet framework built to enterprise standard specifications.

They have a hybrid engineering and risk-based approach to the creation of wallets, and that base has been utilized in hundreds of deployments—retail, institutional, as well as platform-level use cases. 

Their services are designed to support multi-currency assets and increasingly use artificial intelligence to support unprecedented fraud control and premium performance. 

The difference between Antier and its competitors resides in how focused they are on corporate-tier benchmarks like 

• Compliance modules – for multiple jurisdictions 
• Audit quality logging capabilities
• Dynamically integrated KYC/AML systems
• And well-designed API layers 

That makes them an ideal choice for projects requiring both resilient and world-class user experiences, especially for those willing to target high-growth markets, including America and others. 

2. Inoru 

Founded: 2000’s (subsequent expansion to blockchain and Web3)

Size: 250+ professionals

USP: Complete wallet development, Web3 platforms, and regulatory-friendly architectures

With particular emphasis on in-depth customization and balanced incorporation, Inoru has established a strong presence in the creation of blockchain solutions, including token platforms, secure wallets, and DApps.

It has delivered significant value by aligning wallet functionality with distinct business models, specifically for those enterprises that cannot adhere to one-off generic wallet models.

They offer wallet features that are accessible on both mobile and web-based applications, and follow robust security and quality assurance practices while maintaining a configurability factor that allows for continual evolution of usage to accommodate changing product and regulatory environments. 

3. Blockchain App Factory 

Founded: 2017

Size: Approx. 250-500

Company Focus: Crypto wallet development with extensive DeFi, NFT & Web3 assimilation 

Blockchain App Factory has built its brand by providing end-to-end blockchain solutions with priority placed on decentralized exchanges, DeFi platforms, and token launch systems. 

Wallets created by BAF are more than secure storage solutions; they come with the capability to act as the primary access point to on-chain activities, marketplaces, and tokenized services. 

Their modus operandi blends wallet engineering with token standards, automated smart contracts, and strong back-end architecture, all of which facilitate complex decentralized functions from staking to providing liquidity to NFTs. 

What does this mean for businesses? Your wallet could potentially become an overall utility platform where people no longer just keep their assets but rather use them. 

4. ScienceSoft

Founded in 1989, ScienceSoft has more than 750 IT experts, including specialists who are dedicated to crafting enterprise-class wallet offerings for clients. 

Their USP is their extensive institutional experience in delivering compliance-ready designs. 

The firm’s track record for mature software engineering is rare among pure-play blockchain startups. The majority of their experts have decades of experience working with regulated, mission-critical systems and have successfully applied that experience to develop Web3 wallets that are secure and scale effectively, while also meeting rigorous compliance, audit, and operational standards. 

Many of ScienceSoft’s wallet offerings are presented with orchestration tools designed to provide integration with identity and access management solutions, back-office systems, and compliance layering options depending on applicable regional laws. 

5. PixelPlex

Founded: 2007

Size of Team: ~130+

USP: Carefully planned for usability, along with an acute focus on security.

PixelPlex works ideally for projects that want to balance user experience with cryptographic hardening. They create wallet products that are tailored for intuitive use by end-users, scalable enough to allow for future growth, and at the same time safe and secure. 

Their wallet ecosystems preserve a level of accessibility to a non-technical audience using a decentralized system for the first time. 

To guide their product direction, they view wallet adoption as a three-phased behavioral funnel with a direct relationship between onboarding experience and subsequent user activation and retention.  

6. Dev Technosys

Dev Technosys provides expandable crypto wallet development services suited for launches that must handle a high volume of activity from the start.  Their crew comprises the necessary engineers, architects, and project managers for building the underlying setup and the customer-facing components. 

Originated in 2010, the company currently has 51-200 employees. Their core impetus is to provide blockchain wallets and eWallet platforms, offering elite performance. 

Their cryptocurrency wallet engines are crafted to optimize for high transaction loads and concurrent transactions, providing direct seamless integrations with exchanges, payment processors, and custodial infrastructure. 

This positioning creates an ideal vendor for enterprises that are expecting large user bases or global distribution.

7. Codezeros Technology 

Established: 2015

Personnel: 51 to 200 

Areas of Expertise: Custom wallets, Web3 consolidation, DeFi‑ready base 

Value Proposition: Flexible and customized wallet creation through agile engineering.

If you require speed and iteration for your digital wallets, look to Codezeros. Whether you are planning to merge utilities like staking & cross-chain support or modify compliance logic components in response to a fluid regulatory backdrop, this organization has proven experience. 

With its full suite of services comprising wallet creation, NFT marketplace establishment, dApps, exchange development, etc. Codezeros provides an opportunity for developing complementary digital wallets within the broader blockchain ecosystem.

By stressing an agile methodology, they help achieve rapid product releases without losing sight of security or quality. Their services allow the flexibility to make changes or upgrades based on user feedback or new governance rules. 

Worth Noting 

In 2026, the product experience created by your Web3 crypto wallet will define the way your customers interact with your business. 

The selection of your wallet solution provider will directly impact many critical facets of your overall enterprise, including defense posture, legal conformance, user adoption, and long-term value, depending on whether your organization plans to support DeFi, tokenized services, blockchain gaming, or global asset platforms. 

You should consider asking these questions concerning your potential partners:

1. Will the scale of this white label crypto wallet offering be as effective as our audience grows and our transaction volume increases?

2. Will the wallet offer established key management methods, for instance, HSMs, MPC, and good recovery routes?

3. What is the level of complexity associated with synchronizing the wallet service into our compliance and reporting systems without disruption? 

4. How does the engineering team demonstrate both pragmatic problem-solving and overall mastery in our industry?

Wrap Up 

For those who take enterprise suitability and long-term sustainability seriously, companies like Antier, Inoru, ScienceSoft, and others on this list present credible, battle-tested wallet technologies. 

Antier stands out among these firms because of its inexorable focus on security-first innovation and its extensive expertise in developing across numerous different types of networks & implementing large-scale global systems, which provide compelling reasons for alignment with the digital asset structural needs of American corporations. 

Gold and silver markets are in a sharp correction, with prices falling for a second consecutive session. Commodity-based exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are also declining by as much as 4%.

The sudden downturn has erased an estimated $1.28 trillion in combined market value, reflecting how even traditional safe-haven assets remain vulnerable to macro shocks and liquidity shifts.

Lunar New Year Liquidity and Macro Pressures Fuel Gold and Silver Correction

The decline follows a powerful rally earlier in 2026 that pushed gold above $5,000 per ounce and drove silver to record highs.

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Analysts now say the pullback reflects a mix of seasonal factors, macroeconomic pressure, and profit-taking after an extended run-up.

Silver has been hit particularly hard, falling nearly 40% from its all-time high (ATH) of $121.646 recorded in late January.

As of this writing, Silver (XAG) was trading at $74.11, reinforcing its reputation as a more volatile counterpart to gold, given its smaller market size and stronger industrial demand.

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“Gold and Silver wiped out $1.28 trillion today… even ‘safe havens’ bleed,” wrote one analyst, emphasizing the speed of the decline and the risks of assuming stability in any asset class.

Others pointed to the role of market structure and liquidity, arguing that temporary dislocations may occur when key physical markets slow, particularly in Asia.

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Lunar New Year Liquidity Effects Come into Focus

Against this backdrop, one of the most widely cited short-term drivers is the Lunar New Year holiday period, during which trading activity across major Asian financial centers declines sharply.

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Mainland China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, and South Korea all experience reduced participation as traders, manufacturers, and market makers step away.

Lower liquidity can amplify price movements in global futures markets, especially for commodities like silver, where physical demand from the Chinese industry plays a major role.

Weaker demand during the holiday period could temporarily pressure prices, with physical buying potentially resuming once factories and exchanges return to full activity.

I am expecting silver prices to get slammed this week due to the Chinese New Year, meaning the Shanghai exchange isn’t functioning. There could be a rare buying opportunity off the dip, as NY and London engage in last-ditch desperate paper shorts. All the shenanigans will…

— HealthRanger (@HealthRanger) February 16, 2026

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Analysts Warn of Continued Volatility As Macro Pressures Weigh on Bullion

Beyond seasonal factors, broader macroeconomic developments are also contributing to the downturn. Precious metals came under pressure as investors focused on narratives that strengthen the US dollar in the short term. These include:

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A firmer dollar typically weighs on bullion by making gold and silver more expensive in other currencies, reducing demand from international buyers.

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ETF flows reflect the cautious sentiment. Several gold and silver ETFs declined between 2% and 4%. This mirrors weakness in futures markets and suggests that some investors are locking in profits after the recent rally.

Meanwhile, market strategists say precious metals are now in a “volatile consolidation phase.” After such a strong advance, corrections and sideways trading are common as markets digest gains and rebalance positions.

Metals Are Too Hot If Commodities Are a Guide-
The stretched metals sector is reminiscent of its July-August 2020 peak vs. broad commodities. A top signal that silver got too hot in January, when it surged above $100 an ounce, was its greatest-ever stretch vs. copper and crude… pic.twitter.com/PkQuBYSc5Z

— Mike McGlone (@mikemcglone11) February 15, 2026

Therefore, a disciplined approach may be advisable, rather than chasing prices at elevated levels; instead, consider staggered buying during corrections.

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Technical analysis also shows key support levels, with estimates placing silver price support near $65 per troy ounce and gold support around $4,770 per ounce on a weekly closing basis.

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While these levels could determine whether the current pullback stabilizes or deepens, investors should conduct their own research.

Despite the sharp drop, structural forces such as rising global debt, currency debasement, and historical cycles in ratios, such as the gold–silver ratio, could support a powerful long-term bull market in precious metals.

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BREAKING: US national debt is set to surge +$2.4 trillion PER YEAR over the next 10 years, according to new CBO estimates.

As a result, US debt will likely reach a record $64 TRILLION in 2036, doubling from 2023 levels.

That would be TRIPLE the debt recorded in 2018, before the… pic.twitter.com/cYnyht45ec

— The Kobeissi Letter (@KobeissiLetter) February 16, 2026

If historical ratio reversals repeat, silver could experience significant upside over the coming decade, potentially reaching dramatically higher price levels by the early 2030s.

Altcoin Sherpa says Bitcoin’s bear phase could end within 12 months as ETFs, macro risks and a possible capitulation shape the next accumulation zone.

Broader macroeconomic factors including equities, metals, overall risk appetite and artificial intelligence developments remain critical variables, according to the analysis. Sherpa stated Bitcoin does not require another seven months of decline to form a bottom, suggesting accumulation may already be underway if the recent slide was the final capitulation.

The analyst acknowledged one key risk to the outlook: the possibility that a final capitulation has not yet occurred. If another significant sell-off emerges, that would be interpreted as the definitive bottoming event, with accumulation likely following for several months, according to the analysis.

Global investors are rotating into FTSE 100 and FTSE 250 as stretched US equity valuations, sector mix, yields, and FX stability make UK stocks look undervalued.

The Bank of England’s monetary policy trajectory represents an additional consideration, with market expectations pointing toward gradual interest rate adjustments that could support equity valuation multiples.

While capital flows remain subject to rapid shifts, the current trend indicates a broader portfolio rebalancing as international investors reconsider UK markets following an extended period of underperformance relative to other developed markets.

Continued valuation disparities could sustain inflows into UK equities, with the FTSE 100 and FTSE 250 positioned to benefit from ongoing global portfolio diversification strategies, market observers stated.