Crypto World
Standard Chartered sees bitcoin (BTC) sliding to $50,000, ether (ETH) to $1,400 before recovery
Investment bank Standard Chartered lowered its short-term and full-year price forecasts for major cryptocurrencies, citing continued downside risk as exchange-traded fund (ETF) outflows and a challenging macro backdrop pressure the market.
The bank now expects bitcoin to fall to around $50,000 in the coming months, with ether potentially bottoming near $1,400.
The world’s largest cryptocurrency was trading around $67,900 at publication time. Ether, the second-largest, was trading around $1,980.
Geoff Kendrick, Standard Chartered’s head of digital assets research, said the selloff in recent weeks could extend as ETF investors, many sitting on losses, are more likely to reduce exposure than “buy the dip.”
Once prices establish a bottom, Kendrick said, he expects a recovery through the rest of 2026. The analyst reduced his year-end target for bitcoin to $100,000 from $150,000, ether to $4,000 from $7,500, solana to $135 from $250, BNB Chain to $1,050 from $1,755 and to $18 from $100.
The crypto market has weakened sharply in early 2026, with major assets like bitcoin sliding significantly from late-2025 highs and the total market cap down sharply over recent weeks. Bitcoin has dropped almost 23% since the start of the year.
The downturn has been marked by heightened volatility, large liquidations of leveraged positions and broad risk-off sentiment, which has seen crypto correlate more closely with weakening equity markets.
Macro pressures such as concerns about global growth and interest-rate outlooks have pushed investors toward traditional havens like gold, while stalled regulatory clarity, particularly in the U.S., and liquidity strains at some institutions have weighed on confidence. Combined, these forces have led to reduced trading revenues for crypto-exposed firms and bearish sentiment across many tokens.
Holdings of bitcoin ETFs have declined by nearly 100,000 BTC from their October 2025 peak, according to Kendrick. The average ETF purchase price is around $90,000, leaving many investors with unrealized losses of roughly 25%.
Macro conditions are also weighing on sentiment. Kendrick noted that while U.S. economic data show signs of softening, markets expect no interest-rate cuts before Kevin Warsh’s first Federal Open Market Committee meeting as Federal Reserve chair in mid-June, limiting near-term support for risk assets.
Despite the expected capitulation, the bank said the current drawdown is less severe than previous cycles. At its worst point in early February, bitcoin was down about 50% from its October 2025 all-time high, and roughly half of supply remained in profit, declines that are sharp but not as extreme as in prior downturns.
Crucially, this cycle has not seen the collapse of major crypto platforms, unlike 2022’s failures of Terra/Luna and FTX. Kendrick said that suggests the asset class is maturing and more resilient.
The analyst left his longer-term projections unchanged, maintaining end-2030 targets of $500,000 for bitcoin and $40,000 for ether, arguing that usage trends and structural drivers remain intact.
The analyst previously reduced his bullish bitcoin forecasts in December.
Read more: Standard Chartered Throws in the Towel on Bullish Bitcoin Forecast
Israel is attempting to prosecute a reserve soldier who allegedly used military secrets to place bets on security operations via Polymarket.
Polymarket offers a multitude of markets on various military operations, from bets on the outcome of the Ukraine/Russia war, to more specific targeted missile strikes against various countries.
Israel’s Shin Bet security agency announced today that the soldier — who is facing court along with an alleged civilian accomplice — used “classified reports” accessed via their military role to help make bets that could threaten Israel’s national security.
The pair is charged with numerous security offences, as well as bribery and obstruction of justice. Several people were arrested, but only two have been charged so far.
A lawyer representing the soldier told Bloomberg that the indictment is “flawed,” adding that the charge of harm to national security has been dropped.
They added, however, that he’s still believed to have used confidential information without permission.
Pair might be connected to $150K Polymarket winnings on Israel-Iran strikes
It’s unknown which prediction markets the two bet on, or if they made any profits. There are suspicions, however, that they could be linked to the Polymarket account “ricosuave666.”
This account made over $150,000 betting on Israel’s strikes against Iran in 2025, and reportedly got each prediction correct across a war that lasted 12 days.
Israeli authorities then opened up an investigation into these bets.
Previous cases involving the leaking of military secrets led to an Israeli soldier reportedly being sentenced to 27 months in jail in 2023.
The individual passed on confidential information to users on social media so that they could gain credibility and popularity online.
Read more: Logan Paul fakes $1M Super Bowl bet on Polymarket
Every month, there seems to be another debate surrounding Polymarket and the use of insider information to make bets, but it’s unclear how capable the platform is of preventing these sorts of trades.
There were concerns over one account that made $437,000 betting on the exit of Venezuela’s former president Nicolás Maduro hours before the US captured him.
There were also concerns that someone was able to use insider information to bet on the Nobel Peace Prize before it was announced.
After the home of Polymarket’s CEO, Shayne Coplan, was raided by the FBI, a company spokesperson said, “We charge no fees, take no trading positions, and allow observers from around the world to analyze all market data as a public good.”
Protos has reached out to Polymarket for comment and will update this piece should we hear anything back.
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Disclosure: This article does not represent investment advice. The content and materials featured on this page are for educational purposes only.
Web3 security firm CertiK honored for its contribution in web3 security and compliance at the 2026 SiGMA AIBC Eurasia Awards.
Summary
- CertiK named “Best Security & Compliance Solution 2026” at SiGMA AIBC Eurasia Awards for advancing crypto safety.
- CertiK has expanded into the Middle East, offering institutional-grade crypto security from its Abu Dhabi branch.
- CertiK has partnered with ADGM regulators to provide enterprise security solutions via Skynet.
CertiK, the web3 security services provider, received an award for “Best Security & Compliance Solution 2026” at the SiGMA AIBC Eurasia Awards ceremony on February 10, 2026.
The award is a recognition of the firm’s efforts in driving the crypto industry towards compliance and institutionalization. The SiGMA AIBC Eurasia Awards, jointly created by SiGMA and AIBC, is an award for the digital technology and innovation industries in the Eurasia region. It focuses on areas such as AI, blockchain, web3, and compliance security, and is well-known across the region.
Other award winners included web3 companies, including Crypto.com, OKX Wallet, Avalanche, and Cointelegraph.
The award comes at a time when CertiK has been expanding its presence in the Middle East since the launch of its branch in Abu Dhabi in 2025. According to the firm, it has launched a localized team recruitment drive to address the demand for security services in the Middle Eastern markets.
The company’s focus in the region has shifted to providing “institutional-level” security services. The goal of this service model is to provide banks, sovereign wealth funds, and large multinational corporations with security measures that meet traditional financial security requirements through advanced engineering capabilities and a tight defense matrix.
Since launching the branch in Abu Dhabi, CertiK has partnered with Abu Dhabi regulators, participated in roundtable discussions on the framework for virtual asset regulatory activities in the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), and offers services to local regulators via its security platform Skynet Enterprise.
According to CertiK, its services assist regulators in assessing the potential impact of abnormal events on corporate entities and the broader financial ecosystem, and promote the development of security compliance and innovation in the digital economy.
Disclosure: This content is provided by a third party. Neither crypto.news nor the author of this article endorses any product mentioned on this page. Users should conduct their own research before taking any action related to the company.
Key takeaways:
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Ether exchange-traded funds saw $71 million in inflows, signaling strong institutional appetite.
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Weekly decentralized exchange volume doubled to $20 billion, narrowing the revenue gap with Solana.
Ether (ETH) price failed to sustain levels above $2,000 on Thursday, leaving traders to weigh the potential catalysts for a market turnaround. While optimism has waned since the crash to $1,745 on Friday, both exchange-traded fund (ETF) flows and ETH derivatives metrics are showing early signs of a reversal.
Traders now question if there is enough momentum for a bounce back toward $2,400.
US-listed Ether ETFs recently broke a three-day streak of outflows, attracting $71 million in fresh capital between Monday and Tuesday. Crucially, assets under management have stabilized at $13 billion, which is sufficient to maintain institutional interest. Ether ETFs currently average over $1.65 billion in daily trading volume, a level of liquidity that enables participation by the world’s largest hedge funds.
To put Ether ETFs in perspective, the State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE US)— the largest in the US energy sector — trades an average of $1.5 billion per day. That instrument tracks a combined $2 trillion market capitalization across companies such as Exxon (XOM US), Chevron (CVX US), ConocoPhillips (COP US), The Williams Companies (WMB), and Kinder Morgan (KMI US).
ETH metrics and ETF inflows signal potential market recovery
While institutional appetite for Ether ETF trading is a positive indicator, it does not guarantee that demand for ETH derivatives is inherently bullish.
On Wednesday, the annualized premium (basis rate) of ETH futures remained below the 5% neutral threshold. This lack of demand for bullish leverage has been a constant theme for the past three months. However, the indicator has stabilized at 3%, even as the ETH price hit its lowest level in nine months. These derivatives markets are displaying moderate resilience, which remains an encouraging sign for Ether investors.
Related: Denmark’s Danske Bank allows clients to buy Bitcoin and Ether ETPs
Ether’s price weakness has driven Ethereum’s Total Value Locked (TVL) to $54.2 billion, down from $71.2 billion one month prior, according to DefiLlama data. Reduced deposits in the network’s smart contracts represent a major risk, as lower chain fees diminish the native staking yield. Moreover, Ethereum’s supply burn mechanism remains dependent on excessive demand for blockchain processing.
Despite these worsening conditions, demand for Ethereum decentralized applications (DApps) has been gradually improving throughout 2026.
Weekly decentralized exchange (DEX) volumes on the Ethereum network surged to $20 billion, up from $9.8 billion one month prior. This increased activity caused DApps revenue to reach $26.6 million in the seven days ending Feb. 8, providing a healthy indicator of ETH demand. While Solana remained the clear leader with $31.1 million in weekly DApps revenue, the gap between the two networks is narrowing.
Those monitoring Ether price performance exclusively fail to see that ETH onchain metrics and derivatives have displayed resilience, especially as inflows into Ether ETFs resumed. While it might take a couple of weeks for investors to fully regain confidence, there are strong indicators that a near-term rally toward $2,400 is possible.
This article does not contain investment advice or recommendations. Every investment and trading move involves risk, and readers should conduct their own research when making a decision. While we strive to provide accurate and timely information, Cointelegraph does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information in this article. This article may contain forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Cointelegraph will not be liable for any loss or damage arising from your reliance on this information.
The new proposal aims to resolve the ongoing debate and align the interests of equity holders and token holders.
Two months after the Aave DAO and Aave Labs clashed on the DeFi platform’s governance forum, Aave Labs has formally submitted a new strategic framework proposal to the DAO called “Aave Will Win.”
The proposal intends to align the DAO and Labs over the future growth of Aave v4, and to direct 100% of product-layer value directly to the DAO.
Specifically, the proposal requests that the DAO ratifies Aave v4 as the protocol’s core foundation for future development, establishes a funding and growth framework to compete at a global financial scale, and formalizes a model where 100% of revenue generated by Aave-branded products, including those built by Labs, flows to the DAO treasury.
If passed, the deal would clarify structure and align incentives between the DAO and Labs, potentially serving as a landmark decision on tokenholder rights, which were called into question in December by Ernesto Boado, the former chief technical officer (CTO) at Aave Labs.
“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, the founder of Aave Labs.
“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,” Kulechov concluded.
While rumors have been circulating that major changes were coming to Aave, some prominent delegates, such as Marc Zeller of the Aave-Chan Initiative (ACI), were quick to dismiss them, saying, “there’s nothing positive on the short term, but i guess good try.”
It is unclear whether Zeller was privy to this proposal and whether his statements pertain directly to it.
Aave remains DeFi’s leading lending protocol, accounting for more than 50% of the total lending market with more than $52 billion in cumulative net deposits. Despite the protocol’s long-standing success, its native token has struggled alongside the rest of the altcoin market and is down 56% over the last year.
While the proposal is far from finalized, tokenholder alignment and DAO value accrual could potentially be a tailwind for the AAVE token.
A new drop or a major rally: what comes next for ADA?
Cardano’s ADA has been struggling lately, with its price nosediving to a five-year low at the start of February.
While bulls might be eager to see a decisive revival in the short term, the recent actions of the large investors suggest another move south could be on the way.
The Whales Know Something We Don’t?
The renowned analyst Ali Martinez revealed that Cardano whales have dumped approximately 190 million ADA in the past week. The USD equivalent of that stash is roughly $50 million (calculated at ongoing rates of $0.26 per coin).
Seven days ago, the total possessions of this cohort of investors were 13.57 billion ADA, whereas they currently hold around 13.38 billion tokens. The figure represents approximately 36.3% of the asset’s circulating supply.
There is a general assumption in the crypto space that whales are experienced investors who may have inside information about important upcoming events that could influence their buying or selling decisions. That said, their recent actions could spread panic across the community and prompt smaller players to cash out as well.
The purely economic impact is also worth noting. Large sell-offs increase the amount of ADA on the open market, which, combined with non-increasing demand, should lead to a price pullback.
ADA’s Relative Strength Index (RSI) is another bearish factor investors should be wary of. The indicator shows whether the asset is overbought or oversold based on recent price momentum. It ranges from 0 to 100 and helps traders identify when a trend may be about to end.
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Readings above 70 signal that ADA has entered overbought territory and could be on the verge of a correction, while ratios below 30 favor a bullish scenario. As of this writing, the RSI stands at around 74.
History to Repeat Itself?
ADA is among the cryptocurrencies with vast communities, which consist of proponents and bullish analysts. Just a few days ago, X user Aman noted that the asset’s price has dropped to the demand zone of around $0.26, reminding that in the past this area has sparked major reversals.
Mentor shared a similar viewpoint, arguing that the last time ADA reached current levels, it later rose to nearly $1.40 in less than a month. “History is going to repeat itself soon,” they projected.
Over the last few months, ADA’s exchange netflows have been predominantly negative, which reinforces the optimistic predictions. The trend reflects investors moving coins from centralized platforms to self-custody, reducing the likelihood of short-term selling.
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New York — Bitcoin isn’t just a hedge against inflation, according to ARK Invest CEO Cathie Wood, but against something more disruptive: deflation driven by technological acceleration.
In a conversation with Anthony Pompliano at Bitcoin Investor Week in New York, Wood argued that traditional financial systems are unprepared for a coming “productivity shock” powered by artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, and other exponential technologies. That shock, she said, will push prices down rapidly, upend legacy business models, and create what she called “deflationary chaos.”
“If these technologies are so deflationary, it’s going to be tough for the traditional world — used to 2% to 3% inflation — to adjust,” Wood said. “They’ll have to embrace these technologies faster than expected.”
That deflation, in her view, won’t come from economic collapse, but from breakthroughs that slash costs and boost output. She cited data showing AI training costs falling 75% per year and inference costs (what it takes to generate an AI response) dropping by as much as 98% annually. As a result, businesses are becoming far more productive with fewer inputs, leading to lower prices.
Wood said this kind of innovation-led deflation is being misread by the Federal Reserve, which still relies on backward-looking data. “They could miss this and be forced into a response when there’s more carnage out there,” she warned.
In that scenario — where traditional financial institutions are caught flat-footed — bitcoin’s appeal becomes clearer.
“Bitcoin is a hedge against inflation and deflation,” she said. “The chaotic part of this is… disruption all over the place,” referencing underperformance in software-as-a-service stocks and emerging counterparty risks in areas like private equity and private credit. “Bitcoin doesn’t have that problem.”
Bitcoin, she argued, offers a trustless alternative that is insulated from the fragility of traditional finance. As central counterparties and legacy institutions come under pressure, bitcoin’s decentralized architecture and fixed supply become strategic advantages.
Wood also noted that bitcoin’s simplicity stands in contrast to the complexity of layered financial systems, which may face pressure as deflation compresses margins and undermines debt-based growth models.
“This is the opposite of the tech and telecom bubble,” she said. “Back then, investors threw money at tech when the technologies weren’t ready. Now, they’re real — and we’re on the flip side of the bubble.”
She emphasized that ARK’s portfolios have been built around the convergence of disruptive technologies, including blockchain, for years. The firm remains one of the largest holders of Coinbase (COIN) and Robinhood (HOOD) among many other allocations in crypto companies.
While markets remain volatile, Wood argued that bitcoin — and innovation-focused investments more broadly — stand to benefit as the economic narrative shifts from inflation to productivity-driven deflation.
“Truth will win out,” she said. “We believe we’re on the right side of change.”
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.
Sponsored
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.
Crypto World
LTC & DOGE Holders Jump Ship to BlockDAG as Its Live Mainnet Beats Ethereum with 5,000 TPS!
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.
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