Upbit, South Korea’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, has announced the listing of two new altcoins. The platform confirmed it will add spot trading support for Seeker (SKR) and Espresso (ESP).

In addition, Bithumb will also list ESP today. Following the listing announcements, both tokens recorded strong gains, with prices surging by double digits as trading interest accelerated.

Upbit and Bithumb Expand Offerings With New Token Listings 

According to Upbit’s notice, SKR will be available to trade against three pairs: Korean Won (KRW), Bitcoin (BTC), and Tether (USDT). The exchange will open spot trading at 16:00 Korean Standard Time (KST) on February 24 and enable deposits and withdrawals within 90 minutes of the announcement.

“Deposits and withdrawals are supported only through the specified network (SKR-Solana). Please verify the network before making a deposit. The contract address for SKR supported by Upbit is: SKRbvo6Gf7GondiT3BbTfuRDPqLWei4j2Qy2NPGZhW3. Please confirm the contract address when depositing or withdrawing SKR,” the exchange added.

In a separate notice, Upbit announced support for ESP in the KRW, BTC, and USDT markets. Trading is scheduled to begin at 17:00 KST today.

Bithumb also announced the addition of ESP in its KRW market. The exchange stated that deposits and withdrawals will open within two hours of the announcement, with trading scheduled for 17:00 KST on February 24. The exchange set the reference price at 149 KRW.

Both exchanges outlined temporary restrictions designed to manage volatility during the initial trading period. Upbit will restrict buy orders for approximately five minutes after trading begins. 

Sell orders priced 10% or more below the previous day’s closing price will also be restricted for about five minutes. Additionally, the exchange will permit only limit orders for approximately two hours after trading support begins.

Bithumb will similarly restrict buy orders for five minutes following the start of trading. During the same initial five-minute window, sell orders will be blocked if priced 10% or more below or 100% or more above the reference price. Like Upbit, Bithumb will allow only limit orders for roughly two hours after trading opens.

Exchange Listings Drive Sharp Moves in SKR and ESP

The listings triggered notable price movements in both tokens. Data shows that SKR, the native token of the Solana Mobile ecosystem, rose more than 62% following the announcement. 

The daily trading volume increased by over 700%, with Bithumb accounting for approximately 33% of total activity, according to CoinGecko data. The figures suggest elevated trading interest from the South Korean market.

ESP also recorded significant gains, climbing more than 50% and reaching a new all-time high of $0.16. The token was launched earlier this month, making it a recent entrant to the market. ESP serves as the native token of the Espresso Network.

Espresso Network is a blockchain protocol that provides a shared sequencing and confirmation layer for rollups and other chains. It aims to improve scalability and interoperability by coordinating transaction ordering across multiple networks.

Blockchain investigator ZachXBT hasn’t named the target yet. Polymarket bettors are already pricing it in.

A prediction market asking which crypto company ZachXBT will expose for insider trading has drawn nearly $3 million in volume since the on-chain sleuth posted on X that a “major investigation” into one of crypto’s most profitable businesses would drop on February 26. He offered no specifics beyond alleging insider trading.

That was enough. Within hours, Polymarket traders began placing bets across several candidates, and the resulting odds function as a real-time map of where the market thinks the bodies are buried.

Polymarket is a blockchain-based prediction platform where users trade contracts on real-world outcomes using real money. The odds tend to reflect genuine conviction because bettors risk capital rather than just opinions. The platform gained mainstream credibility during the 2024 U.S. election cycle and has since become crypto’s de facto sentiment gauge for unresolved events.

As of Asian morning hours Tuesday, Meteora is the heavy favorite at 43%, with $319,000 in volume on that outcome alone. The Solana-based liquidity layer has been a recurring name in community discussions around meme coin market structure — particularly around how launch liquidity gets seeded and who ends up on the right side of early price moves.

Its proximity to politically linked token activity, including Trump-themed meme coins, has kept it in the spotlight.

Axiom sits at 13%, followed by Pump.fun at 12% with the highest single-outcome volume at $332,000 — suggesting heavy two-way action rather than consensus. Pump.fun’s inclusion tracks with months of scrutiny over early-wallet sniping on the platform, though the project has denied allegations of insider advantages.

Jupiter rounds out at 8% and MEXC at 7%. Jupiter’s presence reflects broader questions about Solana DeFi routing and fee extraction, while MEXC has faced persistent social media chatter about listing behavior and whale-friendly timing on meme coin markets.

The odds have shifted notably since the market opened. Axiom, Pump.fun, and Jupiter have all fallen 37-42% from their initial readings, while Meteora has consolidated its lead — a pattern that suggests early speculation has given way to more directional conviction as bettors parse ZachXBT’s prior work and posting patterns for clues.

None of this constitutes evidence, however. Prediction markets price belief, not fact, and Polymarket’s odds reflect the collective speculation of a few thousand traders rather than any inside knowledge of the investigation itself.

But the market is doing what prediction markets do best — forcing participants to put capital behind their hunches rather than just tweeting them.

The answer arrives in two days.

• Bitcoin price dipped to $62,800 amid the latest market weakness.
• Analysts say $60,000 is key to the bulls’ short-term picture.
• BTC could dip to $50,000 amid a bear cross pattern.

Bitcoin’s price slide gathered momentum on Tuesday, with fresh losses to under $63,000 as the cryptocurrency’s vulnerability to macroeconomic pressures and global uncertainties continued.

Trading volume surged 25% as investors reacted to a confluence of events, and top altcoins followed suit.

Bitcoin drops below $63,000

Bitcoin extended its losses to lows of $62,700 on Tuesday, bringing total declines to nearly 29% in the past month.

The benchmark digital asset’s latest dump comes amid mounting concerns over President Trump’s latest tariffs, with investor jitters rippling through the crypto market.

Analysts have noted that these trade policies heighten fears of inflation, trade instability, and reduced global liquidity.

Risk assets like cryptocurrencies are under pressure, and escalating geopolitical tensions surrounding potential US strikes on Iran add to this weakness.

BTC’s struggle mirrors traditional stock indices, which also tumbled after Citrini research sparked a sell out in companies that work in delivery and payments with software stocks also falling on Monday.

Meanwhile, on-chain data shows Bitcoin continues to confront huge ETF outflows, with investors pulling capital from investment products across the market.

According to Farside Investors’ data, Bitcoin ETFs saw $203.8 million worth of outflow on Monday.

These factors have outweighed Strategy’s 100th Bitcoin purchase and have failed to stem the downside.

BTC traded at $63,030 at the time of writing, down 2.4% in the past 24 hours.

The top cryptocurrency is down 7% from last week’s peak near $68k.

What’s next for Bitcoin price?

This dip thrusts the pivotal $60,000 support level into sharp focus.

Bears have already tested this psychological and technical floor, with BTC rebounding off the level following the February 5 crash.

Analysts warn that further short-term pain could allow for a potential revisit to $50,000.

If selling accelerates, lower support levels will come into play.

However, chart patterns suggest Bitcoin could find a bottom as the 50-week moving average crosses below the 100-week average. Price recovery has historically followed such patterns.

At the moment, the chart indicates no such cross has occurred, and prices will likely head lower.

However, extreme oversold conditions suggest a potential sharp rebound is next.

Bullish catalysts, including macro shifts and ETF inflows, can change the direction of Bitcoin.

The $70,000 mark remains key, with a breakout likely to accelerate short-term recovery.

“For a durable breakout to materialise, the market will require a clear resurgence in spot demand and stronger institutional participation; until then, Bitcoin is likely to remain range-bound within its established absorption zone,” analysts at Bitfinex wrote in a research note.

Framework Ventures has forged a strategic partnership with mortgage technology company Better to advance a $500 million credit facility into Sky’s decentralized stablecoin ecosystem. The collaboration aims to unlock the tokenization of real-world assets, beginning with mortgage-backed instruments that could generate yields for holders within a DeFi framework. The move signals a broader push by traditional finance and crypto-native firms to bridge tangible assets with scalable blockchain protocols, a trend that has gathered momentum as tokenization efforts spread from money-market funds to more complex asset classes.

Key takeaways

• Framework Ventures will extend up to $500 million in credit to Sky’s stablecoin ecosystem, enabling the launch of mortgage-backed tokens tied to Better’s assets.
• The initiative envisions tokens that represent mortgages, initially offered to accredited investors, with a long-term plan to broaden access to retail participants.
• Better is pursuing a stake in its own stock through Framework, with a reported 10% acquisition valued around a $45 million equity stake, alongside the tokenization push.
• The project sits within a wider wave of tokenization in traditional finance, including BlackRock’s exploration of tokenized instruments for money-market funds.
• Better’s leadership frames the effort as a means to cut intermediation and reduce costs for consumers, potentially enabling cheaper mortgage financing over time.

Tickers mentioned: $BETR

Market context: The plan arrives amid rising institutional interest in tokenized real-world assets and growing experimentation with DeFi-native structures that can support asset-backed tokens. It aligns with a broader move by asset managers toward tokenization as a way to broaden liquidity and potentially lower financing costs in traditional markets.

Why it matters

The collaboration highlights a convergence between crypto-native protocols and traditional mortgage finance. By channeling a sizable $500 million credit line into Sky’s stablecoin system, the initiative seeks to create a pipeline for mortgage-backed tokens that can be minted and traded within a decentralized framework. If successful, the approach could demonstrate a viable pathway to connect real-world debt—specifically conforming, government-backed mortgages—with blockchain rails, a pairing that proponents say can enhance efficiency, transparency, and liquidity.

Better’s leadership has framed the move as a broad effort to trim layers of intermediation and reduce operating costs. Vishal Garg, founder and CEO of Better, has argued that tokenization could lower overall financing costs, which, in turn, could translate into cheaper mortgage terms for consumers. While the precise mechanics and rate implications remain to be seen, the emphasis on cost reduction reflects a recurring theme in real-world asset tokenization: the potential for blockchain-enabled processes to streamline origination, underwriting, and settlement without sacrificing regulatory safeguards or consumer protections.

The strategic angle extends beyond just lending costs. By taking a stake in Better and pursuing mortgage-backed tokens, Framework and Better are testing whether a hybrid model—combining on-chain settlement with traditional mortgage assets—can deliver consistent yields to token holders while maintaining compliance and risk management. The initiative also underscores the appetite among some crypto investors for assets that can offer a bridge between digital liquidity and the stability of real-world collateral. In this sense, the project resonates with a wider industry trend toward tokenized assets that aim to preserve credit quality while expanding access to investors who are comfortable with DeFi governance and transparency standards.

The broader tokenization theme has gained notable attention from institutional players. For example, major asset managers have shown interest in tokenized versions of money-market funds, a development that could signal a future where high-quality, asset-backed tokens play a more prominent role in diversified portfolios. The industry’s trajectory toward tokenized real-world assets (RWAs) has been punctuated by regulatory scrutiny and the need to establish clear redemption, custody, and compliance frameworks. Even as investors weigh opportunities in these tokenized products, the emphasis remains on ensuring that tokenization scales without compromising investor protections.

The market backdrop includes public disclosures around Better’s equity positioning with Framework. Fortune reported that Framework would purchase about 10% of Better’s stock, which is currently valued at roughly $45 million, and that the tokenized mortgages could be made available initially only to accredited investors. Garg indicated the tokens would be issued first, with efforts to determine how those assets could reach everyday consumers, but specific launch dates were not disclosed. Market observers will be watching not only for token economics and compliance paths but also for how these mortgage-backed tokens would perform within Sky’s ecosystem and how collateralization, liquidity, and risk management would be structured in practice.

From a pricing perspective, Better’s stock BETR has experienced a challenging period since peaking near the $86 level in October. It was trading around $27 as of last close, reflecting ongoing volatility in the stock’s performance and investor sentiment amid broader market fluctuations. This backdrop adds another layer of complexity to any tokenization plan tied to a public equity component, highlighting the delicate balance between on-chain innovation and traditional market dynamics.

The motivation for the program rests partly on the belief that tokenization can unlock new efficiencies and access. Garg’s remarks suggest a long-term view where mortgage-backed tokens could reduce cost pressure on lenders and borrowers alike by removing redundant steps in the origination and settlement processes. The promise hinges on rigorous risk controls, credible asset backing, and a framework for on-chain governance that preserves the integrity of the underlying mortgage assets.

As the industry watches, a number of fundamental questions remain: How will the mortgage-backed tokens be structured in terms of collateralization and payment streams? What governance mechanisms will oversee the Sky ecosystem to ensure reliability and security? What regulatory approvals or safe harbors will be necessary to allow token holders to participate economically in mortgage yields without running afoul of securities or commodities rules? While these are not uniquely defined yet, the collaboration between Framework and Better signals a concerted effort to address these issues in a convergent manner—blending the best practices of traditional credit markets with the transparency and programmability of DeFi.

What to watch next

• Official rollout details for the $500 million credit facility to Sky and the timeline for token issuance.
• Detailed tokenomics for the mortgage-backed tokens, including yield structures, collateral requirements, and redemption mechanics.
• Regulatory filings or statements clarifying compliance pathways for accredited-investor tokens and eventual consumer access.
• Subsequent investor communications from Better and Framework regarding the equity stake and governance rights tied to the token program.
• Updates on Sky’s protocol integration, including security audits, collateral-custody arrangements, and on-chain settlement protocols.

Sources & verification

• Better and Framework Ventures press release announcing the strategic partnership to deploy $500MM into Better via Sky’s stablecoin ecosystem (BusinessWire).
• Fortune coverage of Framework’s investment in Better and the proposed “Home Token” mortgage-backed tokens, including the 10% stock acquisition and accreditation restrictions.
• Cointelegraph reporting on BlackRock’s exploration of tokenization for money-market funds as part of the broader tokenization trend.
• Cointelegraph explainer on tokenization, outlining the mechanics and opportunities of tokenizing traditional assets.
• BETR stock price context from Google Finance showing recent trading levels in Better’s public market.

Market reaction and key details

The partnership between Framework Ventures and Better marks a notable step in the ongoing experimentation with tokenized real-world assets. If the mortgage-backed token concept proves viable, it could provide a scalable model for aligning mortgage originators with DeFi liquidity, potentially lowering financing costs for borrowers while offering a novel yield channel for token holders. The approach emphasizes real-world asset backing, robust risk controls, and a governance framework designed to coexist with traditional financial oversight. Investors should monitor how the tokenization framework adapts to regulatory developments, how capital is deployed to Sky, and how consumer-ready token products are designed, tested, and rolled out in the months ahead.

What it means for users and builders

For users, the initiative could eventually translate into accessible, tokenized exposure to mortgage-originated yields—an option that sits at the intersection of DeFi and mainstream finance. For builders, the Sky ecosystem represents a testbed for on-chain loan structures, asset-backed collateral, and transparent settlement processes that can scale across asset classes. The collaboration also signals ongoing interest from institutional players in tokenized RWAs, a trend that could help drive liquidity, standardization, and better risk management practices within DeFi.

Blockchain intelligence platform TRM Labs has joined forces with banking infrastructure firm Finray Technologies to create a unified system that monitors both crypto and fiat transactions.

Finray’s compliance and decision engine, XZiel, has been integrated with TRM’s blockchain intelligence tools to enable real-time alert triaging, automated escalation, case management, and risk assessment across crypto and fiat transactions, the companies announced on Tuesday.

With stablecoin settlements and fiat payment flows becoming increasingly interconnected and with new regulations such as Europe’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA), institutions operating in both markets now require unified oversight, according to Finray Technologies and TRM Labs.

The system is designed to help institutions implement structured, auditable monitoring programs aligned with MiCA requirements and anti-money laundering obligations, streamlining market entry for regulated entities. 

Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other blockchains covered

Key features of Finray and TRM Labs’ new system include real-time risk alerts for suspicious crypto transactions, using the same workflow as traditional payment monitoring. Blockchains covered include Bitcoin, Ethereum and Tron.