ProCap Financial chairman Anthony Pompliano predicted Bitcoin will benefit from a “monetary slingshot” as the Federal Reserve prints money to combat deflation.

Speaking on FOX Business, Pompliano said Bitcoin’s value proposition remains intact long-term, but investors must hold through periods when deflation masks currency debasement effects.

Bitcoin (BTC) fell 50% from its $126,000 all-time high to around $70,000 as deflation replaced inflation as the primary economic concern.

Pompliano framed this as a test for Bitcoin holders: “Can you hold an asset when there is not high inflation in your face on a day to day basis? Can you still believe in what Bitcoin’s value proposition is, which is it’s a finite supply asset.”

The analyst urged investors who “liked it at one hundred twenty six thousand, you should love it at seventy thousand.”

Figure Technology, a Nasdaq-listed blockchain-based lending firm, confirmed a data breach after attackers used social engineering to compromise an employee. A spokesperson cited by TechCrunch on February 13, 2026, said investigators found a limited set of files had been accessed and that the firm had begun notifying those affected and offering free credit monitoring. The disclosure comes amid continued scrutiny of security practices in crypto‑enabled financial services, where the value of open networks is matched by the risk of exposed personal data when staff can be manipulated into providing access.

Key takeaways

• Unauthorized access resulted from social engineering targeting an individual employee, yielding a limited quantity of files.
• Leaked material includes customers’ full names, home addresses, dates of birth and phone numbers, which could enable identity fraud or phishing attempts.
• The ShinyHunters group claimed responsibility on its dark‑web site, citing the data exfiltration after a ransom declined by the company and publishing roughly 2.5 gigabytes of data.
• Approximately 2.5 gigabytes of data were published by the attackers as part of the leak.
• Figure Technology announced it began notifying affected customers and offering free credit monitoring; the company had recently listed on the Nasdaq and launched the OPEN platform in January 2026.
• OPEN, short for On‑Chain Public Equity Network, enables issuing real shares on Provenance’s blockchain and allows direct lending of pledged shares, bypassing traditional brokers for certain activities.

Market context: This incident sits within a broader pattern of security episodes affecting crypto lenders and open‑finance platforms. While overall phishing losses in 2025 declined to about $83.85 million across Ethereum Virtual Machine chains, that trend does not imply phishing has ended; attackers adapt to market conditions and target staff or supply chains. The lull followed a mid‑2025 rally in the market, notably amid Ethereum’s strong rally in 2025, but risks remain high for users of on‑chain finance protocols.

Why it matters

For investors, the breach underscores the intertwined risks facing fintechs and crypto lending platforms that rely on open networks and real‑time settlement. The exposure of personal data heightens the potential for identity fraud and phishing campaigns aimed at Figure’s customers, complicating risk management for the company and its users.

For builders and platform operators, the incident highlights the ongoing need for robust authentication, staff training against social engineering, and zero‑trust architectures that limit data access even after a single employee is compromised. The January 2026 OPEN launch signals Figure’s ambition to reimagine the capital‑markets stack by enabling real shares on a blockchain, but the breach shows that security controls must keep pace with product innovation to sustain user trust.

From a market perspective, security incidents like this can influence sentiment around on‑chain equity solutions and related fintech services, especially as regulators scrutinize data privacy and the standards governing tokenized assets and cross‑border lending.

What to watch next

• Figure’s forthcoming disclosures on the scale of the breach, including the number of affected individuals and the exact data types exposed.
• Any regulatory notices or investigations stemming from the incident and their implications for data privacy in blockchain‑driven lending.
• Adoption metrics or governance updates tied to OPEN and its integration with the Provenance blockchain.
• Additional data releases or countermeasures from threat actors and any indications of ransom activity or negotiations.
• Figure’s assurances regarding the integrity of its services and remediation steps across its lending and custody workflows.

Sources & verification

• TechCrunch: Figure confirms data breach, with details on the social‑engineering vector and notification efforts (Feb 13, 2026). https://techcrunch.com/2026/02/13/fintech-lending-giant-figure-confirms-data-breach/
• ShinyHunters’ dark‑web leak page claiming 2.5 GB of Figure data published after the ransom note rejection.
• Figure IPO and valuation details reported by Cointelegraph at the time of the September listing and the IPO price of $25 per share that raised about $787.5 million.
• OPEN launch coverage and its description as a platform for issuing real shares on a blockchain and enabling peer‑to‑peer lending of pledged shares, per Cointelegraph reporting.
• Crypto phishing losses context and the decline in 2025, with data from Scam Sniffer and related Cointelegraph analyses on wallet drains and security trends.

Figure breach tests security of blockchain lending and OPEN platform

Figure Technology, a blockchain‑driven lending firm that trades on the Nasdaq, faced a data breach the company described as the result of social engineering aimed at an employee. A spokesperson cited by TechCrunch on February 13, 2026, said investigators found a limited set of files had been accessed and that the firm had begun notifying those affected and offering free credit monitoring. The disclosure comes amid continued scrutiny of security practices in crypto‑enabled financial services, where the value of open networks is matched by the risk of exposed personal data when staff can be manipulated into providing access.

The attackers’ method was not a broad, automated intrusion, but a targeted manipulation of an individual inside Figure’s organization. This distinction matters because it frames the breach not as a systems‑wide hack into a platform but as a social‑engineering incident that created a path to internal files. The information set exposed in some samples reviewed by TechCrunch included personally identifiable details such as full names, home addresses, dates of birth and phone numbers. The potential impact is twofold: identity theft and phishing campaigns that impersonate Figure or its affiliates, complicating the company’s remediation efforts and potentially eroding client trust.

In the wake of the breach, the security ecosystem around Figure has drawn attention to a dark‑web claim of responsibility by a known group. ShinyHunters asserted on its leak site that the operation was successful after the company refused to meet ransom demands and published roughly 2.5 gigabytes of data purportedly taken from Figure’s systems. The veracity and scope of the data remain under investigation, but the assertion underscores the ongoing danger of data exfiltration as a tactic in post‑breach pressure campaigns.

Figure Technology had gone public the previous September, selling shares at $25 each and raising about $787.5 million, with a reported initial valuation in the multi‑billion range. The company has since been pushing an expansion of its business model through new ventures like the On‑Chain Public Equity Network (OPEN), launched in January 2026 on its Provenance blockchain. OPEN is designed to let companies issue real shares and permit investors to lend or pledge those shares directly to one another, sidestepping traditional brokers, custodians, or exchanges. The move signals Figure’s attempt to fuse tokenized, on‑chain equity with a lending marketplace, aiming to create liquidity channels that are not tethered to centralized intermediaries.

As the breach unfolded, the industry watched for how aggressively Figure would respond: how quickly affected customers would be notified, what data would be offered for protection, and what steps the company would take to harden its systems. The incident also emphasizes the broader reality that security incidents in active crypto and fintech ecosystems can influence investor confidence in newly launched products and platforms that aim to shift how assets are issued and transferred on‑chain. While the OPEN platform promises a more direct and less intermediary‑dependent path for equity transactions, the breach invites closer scrutiny of Figure’s internal controls, access governance, and privacy protections for both retail and institutional users.

The incident is part of a larger narrative in which the crypto security landscape continues to evolve. Researchers have noted that phishing and wallet‑draining incidents surged in the past and then contracted in 2025, even as market cycles reignite risk appetites. The data view from Scam Sniffer shows a dramatic year‑over‑year decline in phishing losses and victims across Ethereum Virtual Machine chains, but security incidents remain a persistent threat, especially when attackers exploit human factors and cross‑system dependencies. The breach at Figure highlights that even as markets and technologies mature, operators must remain vigilant against social engineering and insider threats that can expose customer data and undermine trust in innovative financial services.

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Meme coin market capitalization reached $34.5 billion with a 3.5% gain over 24 hours, according to CoinGecko data.

Trading volume hit $2.89 billion as major tokens posted modest recoveries, with Pump.fun leading gains at 9.3% and Shiba Inu climbing 5.7% during the period.

Santiment identified a “nostalgia” narrative forming around meme coins as traders treat the sector as “permanently dead.”

The sentiment analytics platform called this collective acceptance of the “end of the meme era” a classic capitulation signal.

“When the crowd completely writes off a sector, it is often the contrarian time to start paying attention again,” Santiment reported.

Dogecoin leads market cap at $16.3 billion

Dogecoin (DOGE) holds $16.29 billion in market capitalization, accounting for 47% of the total meme coin sector. The token traded at $0.09659 with 4.3% gains over 24 hours.

Shiba Inu (SHIB) ranks second with $3.74 billion in market capitalization at a price of $0.006343. The token posted 5.7% gains over 24 hours and 1.1% over seven days.

MemeCore holds third position at $2.37 billion market capitalization but posted the weakest performance among top tokens. The coin traded at $1.36, down 4.5% over 24 hours and 18.9% over seven days.

Pepe (PEPE) maintains $1.59 billion in market capitalization at $0.003792 per token. The frog-themed coin gained 3.1% over 24 hours but declined 2.5% over seven days.

Pump.fun posts strongest 24-hour gains at 9.3%

Pump.fun recorded the sector’s strongest 24-hour performance with 9.3% gains to reach $0.0021. The token holds $1.24 billion in market capitalization with seven-day gains of 1.3%.

The overall meme sector shows mixed signals. While 24-hour performance appears positive with market cap climbing 3.4%, seven-day charts reveal most tokens remain under pressure.

Only Shiba Inu and Pump.fun posted positive weekly gains among the five largest meme coins tracked.

Santiment’s capitulation signal comes from widespread trader pessimism declaring the meme coin era finished.

As Bitcoin (BTC) struggles to regain its former highs and crypto prices today remain under pressure, investors are looking for altcoins that can outperform during market consolidation. One project capturing attention is Mutuum Finance (MUTM), a next-generation DeFi platform currently in its Phase 7 presale. With its innovative design, rewarding mechanisms, and growing ecosystem, MUTM is positioning itself as a promising alternative for both new and seasoned crypto investors.

Entry Price Advantage 

Currently valued at $0.04, the MUTM token has surged an impressive 4x from its initial $0.01 price. So far, $20.52 million has been raised, and the holder count sits at around 18,980. In each presale phase, the price of the MUTM token has increased by nearly 20%, making it one of the best crypto options for early investors.

In fact, investing now while using crypto or cards could be particularly advantageous, as the potential launch price of $0.06 is still ahead. This means investors today could potentially enjoy growth of around 50%. For example if someone invests $2,000 today, at the anticipated launch price the total value holding will reach $3,000.  With a current entry price of $0.04, MUTM presents an excellent opportunity to start accumulating before launch.

Mutuum Finance (MUTM) Launched on Ethereum (ETH) Testnet

A key reason for MUTM’s rising prominence is the recent launch of its V1 protocol on Ethereum (ETH)’s Sepolia testnet. This environment allows users to interact with fully functional smart contracts without using the real assets in a risk-free setting, creating confidence ahead of the mainnet release. During this phase, participants can explore features such as lending, liquidity pools, mtTokens representing lender shares, debt tokens for borrowers, and a liquidator bot ensuring system solvency. 

Launching V1 protocol on the testnet gives the community early access to experience the protocol before the mainnet release. This phased deployment enhances transparency, encourages early engagement, and allows the development team to collect practical feedback for optimization. As more users interact with the testnet, confidence in the ecosystem is expected to grow, supporting long-term interest and demand for the MUTM token making it one of the top altcoin options to buy now.

Looking ahead, the team will introduce peer-to-peer (P2P) lending, enabling users to negotiate loans directly without intermediaries. This feature will drive more platform activity, generating additional fees and increasing organic demand for MUTM. By giving investors early exposure to its protocol, Mutuum Finance (MUTM) is cultivating trust and a committed community — essential ingredients for sustainable growth in the DeFi arena.

Alongside lending, analysts say Mutuum Finance (MUTM) is planning to launch its own stablecoin. Designed to stay near $1, it will only be minted against crypto collateral and burned upon loan repayment or liquidation. This structure ensures value preservation and liquidity circulation, which will reinforce MUTM’s utility and support consistent borrowing and lending activity. Stablecoins have historically anchored thriving DeFi ecosystems, and this implementation could further accelerate MUTM adoption hence increase its value to somewhere $0.5 to $1 within a year.

Buy-and-Distribute Model Creates Sustained Demand

Another compelling factor that makes MUTM the best altcoin to watch is its buy-and-distribute model. Revenue generated from lending and borrowing will be used to repurchase MUTM tokens from the open market. These tokens are then distributed to mtToken stakers as rewards, incentivizing active participation and reinforcing long-term MUTM demand.

This mechanism ensures that the platform’s growth directly benefits its community. The more users interact with Mutuum Finance (MUTM), the more revenue is generated, fueling further buybacks and rewards. 

With Bitcoin (BTC) under pressure, Mutuum Finance (MUTM) offers investors a compelling alternative. Its carefully designed ecosystem, presale incentives, and sustainable tokenomics make MUTM one of the best altcoins to watch now. As the platform moves closer to mainnet, MUTM is likely to capture further attention, making this phase of the presale an attractive window for potential gains.

For more information about Mutuum Finance (MUTM) visit the links below:

Website: https://www.mutuum.com

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/mutuumfinance

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.

Social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, is set to integrate stock and cryptocurrency trading directly into user feeds.

This move marks a significant escalation in Elon Musk’s bid to transform the platform into a dominant player in financial technology.

On February 14, Nikita Bier, X’s head of product, said the new functionality will allow users to execute trades immediately after discovering an asset on their timeline.

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The feature centers on “Smart Cashtags,” an evolution of the platform’s existing indexing system. Currently, users prefix ticker symbols with dollar signs—such as $BTC for Bitcoin—to create clickable links.

Under the new system, tapping these symbols will display live price charts and related posts, and offer direct trading options.

This development is the company’s latest move to reduce friction when switching between social media and brokerage applications. By bridging these functions, the update potentially accelerates how quickly retail investors can act on information

The integration is a cornerstone of Musk’s broader strategy to evolve X into an “everything app.” Notably, he has championed this concept since acquiring the company in 2022.

The vision mirrors the utility of Asian “super apps” that combine messaging, social networking, and payments.

Over the past years, X has ramped up efforts to build a financial ecosystem. The firm has laid the groundwork for peer-to-peer transfers, daily consumer payments, and now, active investing.

However, the intersection of social media hype and financial speculation poses moderation challenges.

Bier noted that while the company intends for cryptocurrency to proliferate on the platform, it remains cautious regarding user experience.

He warned that applications that create incentives for spam, raiding, or harassment will not be supported. According to him, such behavior “meaningfully degrades the experience for millions of people.”

So, as X transitions from a town square to a trading floor, the company faces the dual challenge of competing with established brokerage firms while navigating the regulatory complexities inherent in facilitating financial transactions for a global user base.

Figure Technology, a blockchain-based lending firm, was reportedly hit by a data breach after attackers manipulated an employee in a social-engineering scheme.

The incident allowed hackers to obtain “a limited number of files,” a company spokesperson told TechCrunch. The company said it has begun notifying affected parties and is offering free credit-monitoring services to anyone who receives a breach notice.

Details about the scope of the incident, including how many users were affected or when the intrusion was detected, were not disclosed publicly. Cointelegraph reached out to Figure for comment, but had not received a response by publication

The hacking collective ShinyHunters claimed responsibility on its dark-web leak site, alleging the company declined to pay a ransom. The group published roughly 2.5 gigabytes of data said to have been taken from Figure’s systems.

Related: ‘Hundreds’ of EVM wallets drained in mysterious attack: ZachXBT

Leaked Figure data includes names, addresses

TechCrunch reported that it reviewed samples of the leaked material, which included customers’ full names, home addresses, dates of birth and phone numbers. This information could be used for identity fraud and phishing attempts.

As Cointelegraph reported, crypto phishing attacks linked to wallet drainers dropped sharply in 2025, with total losses falling to $83.85 million, an 83% decline from nearly $494 million in 2024, according to Web3 security firm Scam Sniffer. The number of victims also fell to about 106,000, down 68% year over year across Ethereum Virtual Machine chains.

Researchers said the drop does not mean phishing has disappeared. Losses closely tracked market activity, rising during periods of heavy onchain trading and easing when markets cooled. The third quarter of 2025, during Ethereum’s strongest rally, recorded the highest losses at $31 million, with monthly totals ranging from $2.04 million in December to $12.17 million in August.

Related: Crypto hack counts fall, but supply chain attacks reshape threat landscape

Figure Technology goes public

Figure Technology went public in September last year, listing on the Nasdaq Stock Exchange. The fintech firm, known for its blockchain-based lending, priced its initial public offering (IPO) at $25 per share, raising $787.5 million and achieving an initial valuation of approximately $5.3 billion to $7.6 billion.