The Tuesday purchases followed a heavier round of acquisitions on Monday, during which Ark Invest loaded up on crypto-related shares worth more than $71 million.

The broader digital asset market is in a bearish state, but some experts are leveraging the dip to expand their crypto exposure. Cathie Wood’s investment management company, Ark Invest, is one of them, having scooped up thousands of shares linked to crypto firms over the last few trading days.

According to the latest trade filing from Ark Invest, the firm spent over $19 million to purchase additional crypto-related stocks through its exchange-traded funds (ETFs) on February 3. The acquired shares are tied to multiple companies, including the stablecoin issuer Circle, crypto exchanges Coinbase and Bullish, and Ethereum treasury firm Bitmine.

Ark Invest Buys Crypto Stocks

On Tuesday, Ark Invest bought 145,488 Bitmine shares for $3.25 million and 125,218 Bullish shares for $3.46 million. In addition, the company purchased 42,878 Circle shares for $2.4 million and 3,510 Coinbase shares for $630,606. Notably, Ark Invest also tapped into the Bitcoin-focused tech entity Block Inc. and financial services firm Robinhood, buying shares totaling 31,202 and 89,677 for $1.77 million and $7.8 million, respectively.

The Tuesday purchases followed a heavier round of acquisitions on Monday. Ark Invest had scooped up crypto-related shares worth more than $71 million.

Similarly, the Monday buys included shares of Coinbase, Circle, Bitmine, Robinhood, Bullish, and Block Inc. The firm made these purchases through several ETFs, including ARK Blockchain & Fintech Innovation ETF (ARKF) and ARK Innovation ETF (ARKK).

Market Crashes as BTC Declines

Ever since bitcoin (BTC) began its descent late last year, crypto stocks have followed suit. Data from Trading View shows that the stocks of most crypto-related companies are down by double digits over the last three months. Their decline has intensified as BTC remains below $90,000 and faces the risk of plummeting under $60,000. At the time of writing, the leading digital asset was changing hands at $76,000, down 17% monthly and 14% weekly.

While BTC and the broader market continue to decline, Ark Invest has been on a buying spree. The asset manager has spent millions of dollars on crypto-related stocks in December and January. From the look of things, the company is likely to continue buying crypto stocks for as long as the bearish season lasts.

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TLDR

• Fidelity Digital Assets has officially launched the FIDD stablecoin with an initial supply of over 59 million dollars.
• The FIDD stablecoin is now live on the Ethereum blockchain and is available for on-chain payments and institutional settlements.
• Fidelity confirmed that FIDD is fully backed by US dollars held in accredited banks and complies with the GENIUS Act.
• Mike O’Reilly stated that Fidelity is committed to stablecoin development and has researched the digital asset space for years.
• The FIDD token will be available through Fidelity Digital Assets, Fidelity Crypto, and other institutional platforms.

Fidelity Digital Assets has officially launched its native stablecoin FIDD on the Ethereum blockchain, following a recent announcement. The asset began with an initial issuance of over $59 million and is now live for transactions. The token is fully backed by US dollars held in accredited financial institutions.

FIDD Stablecoin Launches with Initial Supply and Ethereum Integration

Fidelity introduced the FIDD stablecoin as part of its broader expansion into the blockchain and digital payments market. The company minted the token on Ethereum, aligning with the industry’s move toward on-chain settlement. The initial supply exceeds $59 million but remains largely limited in wallet distribution.

Mike O’Reilly, President of Fidelity Digital Assets, emphasized the company’s dedication to digital innovation. “We have spent years researching and advocating for the benefits of stablecoins,” he said. The token aims to serve as both a payment method and a settlement tool for institutional clients.

The FIDD stablecoin complies with the regulatory framework set by the GENIUS Act, allowing for secure and compliant issuance. It is backed by US dollar reserves stored in regulated banks. The GENIUS Act also permits backing by US Treasury bills, enhancing issuer control over earnings.

Utility, Custody, and Institutional Access

Fidelity has confirmed that FIDD will be available across its platforms, including Fidelity Crypto and Fidelity Crypto for Wealth Managers. Purchase and redemption will be handled internally, while external trading will occur through major cryptocurrency exchanges. The asset is fully transferable within Ethereum-based wallets.

The company will also offer custodian services for holding FIDD and managing associated reserves. This includes both direct and institutional client servicing. As Fidelity already operates digital asset custody, it expands its offerings by adding a compliant stablecoin.

FIDD is designed for on-chain payments and institutional use cases, especially for settlement across digital asset platforms. Its compatibility with Ethereum ensures wide infrastructure support. Despite the launch, liquidity and adoption are expected to build gradually.

Stablecoin Ecosystem Sees New Entrants with FIDD in Focus

The FIDD stablecoin enters a market dominated by USDT and USDC, both of which have seen growth over the past year. New regulations like the GENIUS Act have encouraged more issuers to develop compliant tokens. FIDD is Fidelity’s answer to the emerging demand for tokenized dollars with regulatory clarity.

Fidelity joins the list of fintechs and banks offering branded stablecoins, focusing on secure reserves and usage controls. However, like many new stablecoins, FIDD must still prove its real-world utility and demand. Several newly launched stablecoins have remained underutilized due to limited liquidity or application.

The Fidelity Digital Interest Token, launched in September 2025, demonstrates the firm’s ongoing blockchain efforts. That token reached over $264 million in total value before dropping due to redemptions. Its current assets under management stand at approximately $161 million.

KT DeFi launches regulated cloud mining, offering low-entry, transparent access to BTC, XRP, ETH, SOL, and DOGE.

In today’s rapidly evolving crypto landscape, a quiet but powerful transformation is taking place — one driven by energy efficiency and sustainability.

Across the globe, large-scale mining operations are moving away from traditional high-energy mining models and adopting renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power. This shift not only significantly reduces operating costs, but also improves long-term stability while aligning mining profitability with environmental responsibility.

For investors, this represents more than an environmental upgrade; it marks a smarter and more sustainable way to participate in crypto mining.

Why cloud mining is gaining momentum

As market volatility increases and mining technology becomes more complex, many investors are reconsidering how they participate in crypto mining.

Instead of purchasing hardware, managing electricity costs, and handling technical maintenance, more users are turning to cloud mining — a simpler and more efficient alternative.

With cloud mining:

• Hardware deployment and maintenance are handled by professional teams
• Energy management and system optimization are centralized
• Users simply select a mining contract
• Mining rewards are calculated and distributed daily
• No technical knowledge or active trading is required

This makes cloud mining an ideal entry point for beginners and a time-efficient solution for long-term investors.

KT DeFi: A beginner-friendly and transparent cloud mining platform

KT DeFi is a regulated cloud mining platform designed to make crypto mining accessible, transparent, and sustainable.

The platform supports multiple major cryptocurrencies, including BTC, XRP, DOGE, SOL, ETH, and more. With a clear interface and straightforward contract structure, users can participate in mining with a low entry threshold and predictable returns.

For investors who prefer steady income over short-term speculation, KT DeFi offers a clear alternative:
No market timing, no frequent trading — just consistent, automated mining rewards.

Why choose KT DeFi

• Beginner-friendly design – Simple setup, intuitive interface, no technical background required
• Global mining infrastructure – Hundreds of mining facilities and over one million devices worldwide
• 100% renewable energy mining – Powered by solar and wind energy for long-term sustainability
• Stable passive income model – Mining runs automatically once a contract is activated
• Strong security standards – Multi-layer protection and transparent platform operations

This model has attracted over 9 million users globally, reflecting strong trust and long-term adoption.

Key platform benefits

• $17 instant signup bonus for new users
• No hidden service or management fees
• Multi-currency settlement: XRP, SOL, DOGE, BTC, LTC, ETH, USDC, USDT, BCH
• Affiliate program with referral rewards of up to $50,000
• Protected by McAfee® Security and Cloudflare®
• 100% uptime guarantee
• 24/7 live customer and technical support

How to start mining with KT DeFi

Step 1: Create an account

Register using an email address and gain immediate access to cloud mining services. New users can start mining Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies right away.

Step 2: Choose a mining contract

Mining rewards begin the day after contract activation
Once total earnings reach $100, users may withdraw or reinvest

About KT DeFi

Founded in 2019, KT DeFi is a UK-registered and licensed cloud mining platform dedicated to making cryptocurrency mining more accessible, efficient, and sustainable.

By leveraging advanced mining hardware, intelligent hash rate allocation, and renewable energy infrastructure, KT DeFi lowers the barriers to entry for crypto mining, allowing users of all experience levels to participate with confidence.

KT DeFi believes that long-term value comes from stability, transparency, and sustainable returns, not short-term speculation. Through continuous system optimization and strict security standards, the platform aims to help users achieve steady asset growth in a reliable environment.

For investors seeking consistent passive income in the crypto space, KT DeFi is built to be a trusted long-term partner.

For more information, visit the official website, or download the mobile app.

Email: [email protected]

Stellar (XLM) has fallen below $0.20. This move has erased all of the recovery it achieved last year. However, several positive signals suggest that many investors are still staying within the ecosystem.

In addition, real-world assets (RWA) and stablecoins could become key drivers of further XLM accumulation.

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Positive Signs for Stellar (XLM) Despite the Sharp Price Drop

Data from DefiLlama shows that the amount of XLM locked in DeFi protocols on the Stellar network reached a new all-time high in early February 2026. It surpassed 900 million XLM.

This milestone reflects the growth of Stellar’s DeFi ecosystem. It comes even as XLM continues to fall below the year’s key support level at $0.20.

Although Stellar’s TVL, measured in USD, currently sits around $163 million, the sharp rise in locked XLM underscores strong confidence from the community and long-term investors in the network’s adoption potential.

The main protocols driving this capital inflow include Blend, a liquidity protocol that allows anyone to create flexible lending markets on Stellar, and Aquarius Stellar, an AMM protocol and liquidity management layer for the network. Together, these two protocols account for nearly 70% of total TVL.

Artemis data also reveals another notable signal. Weekly active users across the Stellar ecosystem have remained steady at around 60,000 over the past few weeks. No significant decline has appeared despite the deep XLM price dump.

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The chart indicates that in late 2024, when XLM fell below $0.10 before rising to $0.60, user activity remained stable and even trended upwards.

This suggests that Stellar users are not abandoning the network, even as capital continues to exit the broader crypto market. However, the current lack of new users may explain why XLM has not yet recovered.

Derivatives metrics also indicate that XLM could be entering a new consolidation zone. Open Interest volume has dropped to its lowest level since November 2024. This decline reflects a sharp reduction in leveraged exposure among traders.

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As a result, strong volatility may be fading. XLM could now be moving into a sideways phase, with less leveraged buying and selling pressure. This environment often allows a new accumulation zone to form.

However, identifying the exact market bottom and timing a recovery remains challenging under current market conditions.

Real-World Assets and Stablecoins Could Be Stellar’s Main Drivers in 2026

A report published last month stated that the total value of tokenized real-world assets on Stellar, excluding stablecoins, reached $1 billion at the start of this year.

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Santiment, a crypto market analytics platform, also reported that Stellar ranks among the top four RWA projects by GitHub development activity since the beginning of the year.

“XLM isn’t a speculative add-on. It’s required for transactions, account operations, and network activity. As RWA volumes grow, usage of $XLM scales with it — not cyclically, but fundamentally,” said Scopuly, a Stellar wallet provider.

Stellar’s stablecoin market cap remains relatively modest at around $200 million. However, MoneyGram, one of the world’s leading companies in international remittance services and P2P payments, recently reaffirmed the stability of its USD-backed stablecoin instrument. The firm continues testing it on Stellar.

Therefore, demand for RWAs and stablecoins could become the primary drivers of XLM accumulation, especially as the token faces strong selling pressure near current lows.

Bitcoin fell sharply to $73,000 on February 3, extending a broader bearish trend that has now erased 41% from its October 2025 all-time high above $126,000. The drawdown has intensified debate over whether the market is approaching a cyclical bottom—or entering a deeper corrective phase.

The sell-off mirrors rising anxiety across traditional markets. US equity indices weakened amid concerns about artificial intelligence-driven disruption and escalating geopolitical risks, prompting investors to rotate away from risk assets. 

In that environment, capital flowed back into traditional safe havens such as gold and silver, while Bitcoin failed to attract defensive demand.

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Macro and Geopolitical Stress Push Investors Toward Traditional Havens

Bitcoin’s volatility continues to reflect macro sensitivity rather than isolation from global markets. The latest leg down coincided with renewed tensions between the United States and Iran after an Iranian drone was reportedly shot down near a US aircraft carrier. 

The incident pushed the VIX up roughly 10% and drove the Crypto Fear & Greed Index into “extreme fear” territory.

At the same time, developments in artificial intelligence—including new announcements around Anthropic’s Claude chatbot—sparked renewed concerns about disruption across the tech sector. 

That uncertainty weighed on major technology stocks and further reduced appetite for speculative assets.

While Bitcoin declined, gold rose 6.8% and silver gained 10%, reinforcing their role as preferred hedges during periods of monetary and geopolitical stress.

Speaking to CNN, Gerry O’Shea, Global Head of Market Insights at Hashdex, noted that the divergence between Bitcoin and gold suggests investors still view precious metals as the primary safe haven during periods of uncertainty. 

That shift has weakened Bitcoin’s short-term refuge narrative and added downside pressure.

Analysts Warn of Deeper Drawdowns and a Potential Bull Trap

Market participants remain divided, but several analysts are openly warning that the correction may not be over.

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Crypto analyst Benjamin Cowen argued that Bitcoin’s near-term path is critical:

Other analysts are more pessimistic. Nehal, a widely followed trader on X, suggested the current structure resembles a classic bull trap, warning that the move lower may only be halfway complete.

According to Nehal’s historical comparison, Bitcoin’s previous cycles ended with drawdowns of 86% in 2018 and 78% in 2021. 

Applying a similar framework to the current cycle implies a potential 72% decline, which would place Bitcoin near $35,000.

This cyclical perspective remains influential despite structural changes in the market, including ETF adoption and greater institutional participation.

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On-Chain Data Signals “Bottom Discovery” Phase

On-chain indicators are adding another layer to the debate. Analyst CryptOpus noted that Bitcoin has entered what he describes as a “bottom discovery” phase for the first time this cycle.

At the 2025 peak, roughly 19.8 million BTC were held in profit. That figure has now dropped to 11.1 million BTC, a 40% reduction in profitable supply.

Historically, similar conditions have marked transitions from corrective phases toward cycle resets. In 2018, Bitcoin remained in this state for roughly eight months before stabilizing.

Key Technical Levels Under Scrutiny

From a technical standpoint, downside risks remain clearly defined. Nic, CEO of Coin Bureau, highlighted that Bitcoin has remained under pressure since breaking below the 50-week moving average in November.

Bitcoin is currently trading near MicroStrategy’s cost basis and close to the April lows around $74,400.

“If we break lower, the next major level is $70,000, just above the previous all-time high of $69,000. A clean break below that opens the door to a bear market target in the $55,700–$58,200 range, between realized price and the 200-week moving average,” Nic warned.

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Conflicting Views on Whether a Bottom Is Near

Not all analysts agree with the bearish outlook. Michaël van de Poppe believes Bitcoin may already be nearing the end of its downturn.

Meanwhile, analyst David Battaglia focused on liquidation dynamics, describing current conditions as increasingly irrational.

Battaglia noted that below $85,000, liquidity gaps were significant, meaning panic sellers—whether institutional or whales—likely exited at suboptimal prices. 

He contrasted this with the October 10 crash tied to Binance, which he described as structurally cleaner.

“Between $90,000 and $100,000, there’s massive short density and a 14:1 puts-to-calls imbalance, which under normal conditions already signals a strong bottom,” Battaglia said.

In Summary

Bitcoin’s drop to $73,000 has reignited fears of a deeper correction. Macro uncertainty, geopolitical tension, and mixed on-chain signals leave the market split between expectations of further downside and signs of an emerging bottom. 

The coming weeks will likely determine whether this move represents a temporary pause—or the foundation of a new trend for 2026.

• Solana dropped to $90 amid massive liquidations across the crypto market.
• Bitcoin and Ethereum fell to under $73,000 and $2,150.
• Standard Chartered forecasts SOL rally to $250 in 2026 and $2,000 by 2030.

Cryptocurrencies are bearish, and Solana’s price has experienced one of the sharpest declines among top altcoins.

In the past 24 hours, the cryptocurrency has dropped nearly 10% to under $91, with many traders caught off guard amid heightened market volatility.

As can be seen in the crypto heat map below, Solana’s plunge aligns with broader market pressure. Billions of dollars in leveraged positions have been wiped out in the past week as the sector faces massive unwinding.

Price dips 10% amid crypto liquidations

With market sentiment in shambles for much of 2026, it is no surprise that Bitcoin tanked to its multi-month lows of $72,800.

BTC and ETH’s latest dips mean Michael Saylor’s Strategy and Tom Lee’s BitMine currently sit on billions of dollars in unrealized losses.

Digital asset treasury companies that flocked to Solana, BNB, Cardano, and others have similar trajectories.

For Solana, the coin’s price under the psychological level of $100 has strengthened this. Sellers sustained this negative trend with another 10% push over the past 24 hours, hitting lows of $90.60.

Onchain perpetual markets on Solana contributed significantly, with over $70 million in liquidations from Solana-based platforms in the past 24 hours.

During the downturn, over $65 million of these were longs.

The surge in forced selling exacerbated the decline, with high leverage amplifying losses for over 15,900 bullish traders.

The liquidations reflect the rapid deleveraging that has also wiped billions of bullish bets from Bitcoin and Ethereum.

Solana price prediction

The SOL dip is part of a broader market correction, but there’s a potential for recovery if bulls hold $90.

However, liquidity contractions and liquidation overhangs, such as the $800 million in total liquidations in the past 24 hours, suggest a possible down leg as excess leverage clears.

The technical picture also has Solana trading below its 50-day moving average around $132, which adds to the bearish outlook of the RSI and MACD.

SOL could drop to $70 if markets continue to struggle.

Despite the overall bearish picture, Standard Chartered has pointed out a bullish forecast for SOL.

According to the bank, SOL could reach $2,000 by 2030 but has cut its 2026 forecast to from about $310 to $250.

Catalysts include the macro picture and capital flows, as well as a fresh explosion in rotation from memecoins to top altcoins. Stablecoin adoption is another factor in the bank’s outlook.

Nomura Holdings pushed back against suggestions it is losing confidence in crypto, saying tighter risk controls at its Laser Digital unit are designed to limit short-term earning swings while it focuses on longer-term strategies, the bank told CoinDesk in emailed comments on Wednesday.

“Given the nature of the crypto-asset business, we recognize that a certain level of earnings volatility is inherent, and we recognize the importance of taking a medium- to long-term perspective,” the bank said. “At the same time, to limit short-term earnings swings, we have further tightened position and risk limits. We will continue to capture growth opportunities in the crypto market while strengthening our services and customer base.”

The clarification follows comments from Nomura’s chief financial officer, Hiroyuki Moriuchi, who said during an earnings briefing that the firm introduced “stricter position management” at Laser Digital to reduce risk exposure and limit earnings swings driven by crypto market volatility. Losses at the unit contributed to a 9.7% decline in Nomura’s fiscal third-quarter profit.

The bank’s strategy shift comes as the crypto market is hit by a steep decline with total value slumping by nearly half a trillion since Jan. 29, according to CoinGecko data. Bitcoin tumbled to its lowest level since President Donald Trump won re-election in early November 2024 on Tuesday, hitting a low of $72,870 although it later bounced back to over $76,000, according to CoinDesk data.

Nomura’s decision follows the Oct. 10 flash crash, which wiped out more than $19 billion in leveraged positions just days after bitcoin hit a record high above $126,200. Bitcoin ended the year around $87,000, roughly 31% below its peak, while total crypto market capitalization also fell over 30% to just over $3 trillion.

Nomura denied the decision means it has lost faith in the sector. “Laser Digital’s risk controls performed as designed: exposure was reduced early, losses were contained, and the firm avoided the more severe impacts felt worldwide,” it said.

The banking firm, considered Japan’s largest investment bank, with $673 billion in assets under management as of late last year, acknowledged that volatility is an unavoidable feature of the crypto business.

“By nature of the digital asset business, Laser Digital and other industry peers have beta exposure to the market,” the bank told CoinDesk. “However, risk taking at Laser Digital is at Trad-Fi institutional grade, and Q3 performance is not representative of any fundamental weakness.”