Crypto World
Two High Schoolers Charged in Arizona Home Invasion Targeting $66M in Crypto
Two teenagers from California are facing serious felony charges after authorities say they traveled hundreds of miles to carry out a violent home invasion in Scottsdale, Arizona, in a bid to obtain cryptocurrency believed to be worth $66 million.
Key Takeaways:
- Two California teens allegedly traveled over 600 miles to carry out a violent home invasion targeting $66 million in cryptocurrency.
- Police arrested the suspects shortly after they fled the scene and recovered restraints and a 3D-printed firearm.
- Investigators say unknown contacts on an encrypted messaging app directed the plot and funded supplies.
According to court records cited by local media, the 16- and 17-year-old suspects drove more than 600 miles from San Luis Obispo County and arrived at a residence in the Sweetwater Ranch neighborhood on the morning of Jan. 31 wearing delivery-style uniforms resembling those used by shipping carriers.
Investigators say they forced entry into the home, restrained two adults with duct tape and demanded access to digital assets.
One victim denied holding cryptocurrency, after which the confrontation escalated into physical assault.
Police Stop Suspects After Violent Home Invasion Attempt
Police were alerted when an adult son elsewhere in the house called emergency services. Officers arriving at the property found a struggle underway and one victim screaming.
The suspects fled in a blue Subaru but were stopped at a dead end shortly afterward.
Authorities recovered zip ties, duct tape, stolen license plates and a 3D-printed firearm without ammunition. It remains unclear whether the weapon was functional.
Both teens were initially placed in juvenile detention but prosecutors intend to try them as adults. Each faces eight counts including kidnapping, aggravated assault and burglary, while the older suspect also faces an unlawful flight charge.
They were later released on $50,000 bail and fitted with electronic monitoring devices.
Investigators say the younger suspect told police the pair had recently met and were directed by unknown individuals communicating through the encrypted messaging platform Signal.
The contacts, identified only as “Red” and “8,” allegedly supplied the address and sent $1,000 for disguises and equipment purchased at retail stores.
The suspect also claimed he had been pressured into participating after being invited on a trip to “tie people up” for access to cryptocurrency.
Wrench Attacks on Crypto Holders Rise Sharply in 2025
The case reflects a broader rise in so-called wrench attacks, physical assaults aimed at forcing crypto holders to hand over private keys.
Security researcher Jameson Lopp’s public database lists roughly 70 such incidents in 2025, a sharp increase from the previous year.
The Scottsdale attack is the first recorded US case of 2026, though many incidents are believed to go unreported.
Security analysts say criminals are increasingly using leaked personal data to identify targets and recruiting young perpetrators online to reduce traceability.
A recent industry breach involving customer identity information has been cited by investigators as a factor increasing exposure risks.
Authorities have not linked the incident to separate cryptocurrency ransom demands reported the same day in Tucson, about two hours away.
The post Two High Schoolers Charged in Arizona Home Invasion Targeting $66M in Crypto appeared first on Cryptonews.
SOL perp traders are increasing leverage as execution quality improves across decentralized perpetual markets, with HFDX emerging as a key venue for on-chain activity. The current price of Solana is $92.25, having declined by 4.82% over the last 24 hours, but its derivatives volume is still increasing.
With a $52.32 billion market capitalization and a daily volume of $8.13 billion, which has grown by over 32%, it is clear that capital is not leaving but rather rotating. For SOL perp traders, this environment favors speed, liquidity depth, and reliable execution.
As centralized exchanges remain a point of concern for many market participants, on-chain perpetual futures are becoming the preferred tool for managing volatility. This shift is helping platforms like HFDX gain traction as execution infrastructure improves and liquidity scales.
Market Volatility Puts SOL Perp Traders Back in Control
For SOL perp traders, short-term drawdowns often unlock opportunity. Rather than selling spot positions, traders are increasingly using perpetual futures to hedge exposure, deploy short strategies, or trade momentum using leverage. This approach allows capital efficiency while keeping assets on-chain and fully self-custodied.
Solana’s high-throughput ecosystem continues to attract active traders, arbitrageurs, and DeFi-native funds. As volatility expands, perpetual markets typically see higher open interest and funding activity. That pattern is already playing out as SOL perp traders seek platforms that can handle rapid execution without slippage or opaque pricing.
The broader shift toward decentralized derivatives also reflects changing risk preferences. Traders want transparency, predictable liquidation logic, and verifiable smart contract execution, especially during fast market moves.
Liquidity Rotation Across DeFi Strengthens On-Chain Perps
Outside of Solana, DeFi liquidity is shifting towards protocols that can generate actual revenue from trading fees and borrowing demand. This is changing the nature of leverage markets across a variety of assets, including SOL perpetual futures.
For SOL perp traders, more liquidity will mean tighter spreads, more stable funding, and fewer liquidations during volatility events. When passive capital can generate revenue from actual use cases, leverage markets are more stable.
Structured DeFi strategies are also playing a growing role. Rather than chasing emissions, liquidity providers are increasingly allocating capital to systems where returns are tied to actual trading activity. This alignment between traders and liquidity is becoming a defining feature of next-generation perpetual DEXs.
HFDX Execution Gains Draw Attention From SOL Perp Traders
HFDX is benefiting directly from these shifts. Built as a non-custodial, on-chain perpetual futures protocol, HFDX is designed to support active trading without relying on centralized order books or market makers. Trades are executed against shared liquidity pools using decentralized price oracles, improving transparency and fairness.
Execution has become a key differentiator. HFDX has already processed more than 500,000 trades, delivering execution speeds under 2 milliseconds. For SOL perp traders operating in fast-moving markets, this performance reduces latency risk and improves entry and exit precision.
HFDX also integrates advanced charting and analytics powered by TradingView. This gives traders access to real-time price data, technical indicators, economic calendars, and broader market context—all within a decentralized trading environment.
In addition to perpetual futures, HFDX offers Liquidity Loan Note (LLN) strategies. These allow participants to allocate capital to protocol liquidity for fixed terms, with returns sourced from real trading and borrowing fees. This model supports execution quality while maintaining a risk-aware framework.
Why HFDX Is Resonating With SOL Perp Traders
- Ultra-fast on-chain execution built for volatile markets
- Non-custodial leverage with transparent smart contract settlement
- Shared liquidity pools that deepen SOL perpetual markets
- Oracle-based pricing without centralized intermediaries
- Structured liquidity strategies backed by real protocol activity
- Professional-grade charting and market analysis tools
These factors collectively make HFDX a compelling option for SOL perp traders seeking reliable decentralized infrastructure.
Where SOL Perp Traders and HFDX Align
As Solana derivatives markets grow further, SOL perp traders are increasingly discerning about their leverage allocations. Speed, liquidity, and transparency are no longer nice-to-haves – they are essential.
HFDX is capitalizing on this trend with its focus on infrastructure over speculation. With improving execution, sustainable liquidity, and full on-chain nature, HFDX is an embodiment of what decentralized perpetuals are becoming. All forms of levered derivatives carry risks, but HFDX provides an environment designed for serious players.
For traders and liquidity participants looking to engage early with next-generation DeFi derivatives infrastructure, HFDX represents a platform worth exploring as on-chain perpetual markets continue to mature.
Make Your Money Work Smarter And Unlock A Wealth Of Opportunities With HFDX Today!
Website: https://hfdx.xyz/
Telegram: https://t.me/HFDXTrading
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.
Arthur Hayes, the co-founder of BitMEX, suggested that institutional dealer hedging is exacerbating the recent downward pressure on Bitcoin prices.
In a February 7 post on X, Hayes pointed to structured financial products linked to BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT).
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Hayes Flags Hidden Risks in Bitcoin ETF Notes
He argued that falling Bitcoin prices force financial institutions that issue these notes to sell the underlying asset to manage their risk exposure. Finance professionals refer to this process as delta hedging.
Hayes explained that these structured notes are often issued by major banks to provide institutional clients with exposure to Bitcoin. The products include specific risk-management features, such as principal-protection levels.
When market prices dip low enough to trigger these pre-determined levels, dealers must aggressively adjust their positions to remain risk-neutral.
While this mechanism is standard in traditional equity markets, Hayes noted that it creates a feedback loop in the crypto sector where selling begets further selling. This dynamic effectively accelerates the asset’s price collapse.
“I will be compiling a complete list of all issued notes by the banks to better understand trigger points that could cause rapid price rises and falls,” Hayes wrote.
However, Hayes clarified that he does not believe there is a “secret plot” to crash the market.
He emphasized that these derivatives do not inherently instigate market movements but rather amplify volatility in both upward and downward directions.
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He added that the market should be grateful for the absence of bailouts, which would allow leverage to unwind naturally.
The commentary comes amidst a turbulent week for the cryptocurrency market. Bitcoin recently recorded its worst single-day performance since the collapse of the FTX exchange in November 2022.
Meanwhile, other market participants have attributed the decline to broader macroeconomic headwinds and even quantum computing security concerns.
For context, Pantera Capital General Partner Franklin Bi pinned the volatility on a distressed non-crypto entity rather than a typical industry fund.
Bi posited that the seller was likely a large, Asia-based player. This entity reportedly evaded early detection by market watchers because it lacks deep ties to crypto-native counterparties.
According to Bi’s theory, the entity was likely engaged in leveraged market-making strategies on Binance, funded by the Japanese yen carry trade.
These two analysis underscores a fundamental shift in the digital asset sector.
It shows that complex trading strategies, rather than retail sentiment alone, increasingly influence Bitcoin’s price action.
Bitcoin (BTC) gained up to 3% Sunday, but some traders refused to believe that the BTC price crash was over.
Key points:
-
Bitcoin price comparisons warn that new macro lows are due if the 2022 bear market continues to repeat.
-
Moving averages and the cost basis of the US spot Bitcoin ETFs are in focus.
-
Analysis says that a carbon copy of 2022 is not a certainty.
Bitcoin capitulation “hasn’t happened yet”
Data from TradingView showed BTC/USD crossing $71,000, now up 20% versus Friday’s 15-month lows.
As the weekly close neared, Bitcoin added characteristic volatility, while market participants remained highly skeptical that the rebound would last.
Uploading a chart to X which compared current BTC price action to the 2022 bear market, independent analyst Filbfilb had no good news for bulls.
“Im not going to try to dress it up any way other than how it looks,” he commented alongside a chart showing spot price versus the 50-week exponential moving average (EMA) at $95,300.
Analyst Tony Severino held similar ideas, contributing multiple price indicators and concluding that new lows were all but guaranteed.
Four more for your foresight https://t.co/psM23MQiI2 pic.twitter.com/Qu0Pt5QeUz
— Tony Severino, CMT (@TonySeverinoCMT) February 8, 2026
“$BTC final capitulation hasn’t happened yet,” trader BitBull agreed, like Filbfilb referencing 2022.
“A real bottom will form below $50,000 level where most of the ETF buyers will be underwater.”
The US spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) currently have an average buy-in cost of $82,000, per data from monitoring resource Checkonchain.
BTC price deja vu continues
Earlier, Cointelegraph reported on a key bear market feature for Bitcoin based on two other trend lines: the 200-week simple (SMA) and exponential moving averages.
Related: What crashed Bitcoin? Three theories behind BTC’s trip below $60K
Together, they form a “cloud” of support between $58,000 and $68,000.
In one of his latest market takes at the weekend, Caleb Franzen, creator of analytics resource Cubic Analytics, argued that here too, the ghost of 2022 was in play.
“In May 2022, Bitcoin retested its 200-week MA cloud. Bulls said ‘that’s it, we’ve retested the long-term moving average & can continue higher now.’ Price immediately rebounded on that zone, produced a long wick, & closed above the midpoint of the weekly range,” he summarized.
“But then that rally faded… Price came back into the 200W MA cloud a few weeks later, failed to rebound, then sliced through the cloud in June 2022. What are we seeing right now? The first retest of the 200W MA cloud with a long wick.”
Franzen note that the market may not replicate the previous bear market “perfectly.”
“The reality is that no one knows what happens next,” he acknowledged.
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.
TLDR:
- Office CMBS delinquency rate reached 11.7%, surpassing all prior records, including the Financial Crisis.
- Higher interest rates and weak office demand have disrupted refinancing across U.S. office markets.
- Large office defaults in major cities accelerated the rise in CMBS delinquencies.
- Losses are spreading across global investors as distressed office debt exits bank balance sheets.
Office CMBS delinquency rate climbed sharply in early 2026, hitting a record 11.7% for office properties. This number has surpassed the 2008 Financial Crisis peak by roughly 1.6 percentage points, according to Trepp data tracking CMBS defaults.
Office delinquencies outpace other sectors. On the other hand, multifamily rates have also risen, reflecting continued distress in U.S. commercial real estate markets.
Rising Office CMBS Delinquencies
The Office CMBS Delinquency Rate reached 11.7%, exceeding levels seen during the 2008 Financial Crisis. Historically, office delinquencies remained low before the crisis.
Even during market stress, rates rarely surpassed 10%. The sharp increase reflects structural market changes rather than temporary disruptions.
From 2000 to 2007, delinquencies were minimal, showing stability in office lending. During the Financial Crisis, rates spiked as refinancing froze and tenant demand collapsed.
After 2010, rates declined steadily, reaching 1–2% by 2021–2022, which created a false sense of security.
Since 2023, delinquencies accelerated due to higher interest rates, remote work, and expanding cap rates. Refinancing became increasingly difficult.
The surge is driven by real cash flow problems rather than temporary market panic. Many loans remain in “extend and pretend” mode, masking the underlying stress.
Manhattan Office Defaults and Market Effects
Two Manhattan towers triggered the January 2026 spike. One Worldwide Plaza, with $1.2 billion in debt, failed to cover its tax bill and debt service.
Extell Development is positioned to foreclose through a mezzanine loan, following a court ruling allowing the auction to proceed. Vacancy rose from 10% in 2024 to 37% in 2025 as major tenants downsized or left.
The building’s value fell from $1.7 billion in 2017 to $390 million. Similarly, One New York Plaza entered maturity default in January.
Morgan Stanley occupies 44% of the space and is subleasing part of it. Vacancy reached 35%, worsening debt repayment challenges.
Brookfield Properties sought extensions, but cash flow remained insufficient. These defaults illustrate the shift in office market conditions.
CMBS delinquencies affect investors globally, including REITs, bond funds, and private equity firms. Banks sold troubled loans to reduce risk exposure.
Other regions also report delinquencies, such as a $211 million office loan in Plainsboro, New Jersey, delayed due to insurance disputes. Special servicers funded shortfalls and settlements are in progress.
The current 12.3% rate may not be the peak. Rising vacancies and refinancing challenges continue to pressure loans.
Office CMBS delinquencies are now a measure of actual market conditions, reflecting a broad repricing in the commercial office sector. Cash flow realities are reshaping the landscape of office real estate.
Tether has built a portfolio of 140 investments spanning sectors from South American agriculture to a stake in Italian football club Juventus, according to a Financial Times report.
Summary
- Tether holds 140 investments, from agriculture to Juventus, funded by USDT profits.
- The stablecoin giant plans 150 new hires as it builds a global “freedom tech stack.”
- Political ties and a $500B valuation push raise scrutiny over transparency and audits.
The world’s largest stablecoin issuer expanded its workforce to 300 employees and plans to add another 150 staff over the next 18 months, mostly engineers.
CEO Paolo Ardoino presented Tether’s vision at a recent San Salvador conference, describing plans for a “freedom tech stack” across finance, intelligence, communications and energy.
USDT market value reached $185 billion from $5 billion in 2020, serving 500 million users as the main bridge between cryptocurrency and dollars.
The company generates tens of billions of dollars in annual profit from returns on assets backing USDT, which it retains rather than distributing to token holders.
Hiring spans AI filmmakers to regulatory affairs leads
Tether’s expansion extends beyond engineering roles. LinkedIn job listings show openings for AI filmmakers in Italy, venture investment associates in the United Arab Emirates, and regulatory affairs leads in Ghana and Brazil.
The company registered in El Salvador with a base in Switzerland operates through a small executive circle that has shaped its direction.
A new London-based team now oversees finance and operations under chief financial officer Simon McWilliams. Employees work with limited visibility into other teams outside occasional gatherings in El Salvador or Lugano.
Conference exhibits displayed products including MOS bitcoin mining operating system, QVAC platform for AI agents, and WDK wallets enabling AI agents to accept Tether.
Investments include $775 million in Rumble, the right-leaning YouTube challenger that hosts Truth Social through its cloud service.
Tether shifted headquarters to El Salvador last year, welcomed by pro-crypto president Nayib Bukele.
Previous bases included Isle of Man and British Virgin Islands. The company is building an office tower in El Salvador where executives maintain close relationships with the Bukele administration.
Trump administration ties raise scrutiny ahead of funding round
Tether maintains close ties to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, whose bank Cantor Fitzgerald serves as custodian for Tether’s US Treasury holdings and holds an investment in the company.
Brandon Lutnick, who succeeded his father as bank chair, attended the El Salvador conference and called Ardoino “one of Cantor’s closest partners and a close personal friend.”
The company hired experienced American lobbyists and recruited former Trump administration members for its US expansion.
A $15 billion to $20 billion funding round targeting $500 billion valuation faced pushback from some investors.
Tether publishes quarterly attestations from accounting firm BDO Italia but does not provide full audits.
A 2021 settlement with state and federal authorities addressed claims Tether misrepresented assets backing USDT’s dollar peg.
New York District Attorney and State Attorney General Letitia James sent a letter to Democratic lawmakers raising concerns that Tether provides law enforcement assistance only in limited circumstances.
Tether said it works closely with American enforcement agencies voluntarily despite lacking blanket legal obligations that bind US-regulated financial institutions.
TLDR:
- Tether now manages 140 investments, actively moving beyond stablecoin operations worldwide.
- The company hires 150 staff, boosting engineering, finance, and regulatory teams globally.
- CFO Simon McWilliams centralizes London operations to strengthen governance and reporting.
- Tether scales down $20B fundraising plan to $5B, focusing on investors and profitability.
Tether, issuer of the dominant stablecoin USDT with about $187 billion in circulation, is diversifying beyond crypto payments.
It is moving into a global investment group as investors pushback trim a planned $15–$20 billion capital raise to around $5 billion.
CEO Paolo Ardoino says the firm remains profitable and strategically aligned, while expanding hires, investments, and governance under new CFO Simon McWilliams.
Tether Expands Beyond Stablecoins into a Global Investment Group
Tether, the issuer of the widely used stablecoin USDT, is accelerating its transformation from a crypto infrastructure provider into a diversified global investment group.
According to the Financial Times, the company now manages around 140 investments spanning artificial intelligence, commodities, sports equity, and other sectors.
This strategic shift aims to reduce reliance on stablecoin operations while broadening revenue streams and market influence
To support this growth, Tether’s workforce is scaling. The company currently employs roughly 300 staff and plans to hire 150 more.
These new roles focus on engineering, regulatory compliance, finance, and venture investments. Offices in London, the UAE, Brazil, and Ghana indicate a deliberate push toward global reach and regulatory alignment.
Leadership changes are central to the expansion. New CFO Simon McWilliams is centralizing finance and operations in London.
Sources say he is enhancing governance, streamlining reporting, and improving operational discipline. Centralizing key functions in a major financial hub positions Tether closer to traditional markets, signaling its intent to bridge crypto and conventional finance.
Despite growth, regulatory scrutiny remains. Market participants and regulators continue to request independent audits of Tether’s reserves, even though the company issues quarterly attestations.
Executives argue that strong profitability and transparent reserve management provide flexibility to pursue long-term growth while maintaining market confidence.
Capital Strategy, Investor Response, and Market Position
Tether is simultaneously managing its capital strategy amid investor scrutiny. FT and Reuters report that the company considered a $15–20 billion fundraising scenario, potentially valuing it near $500 billion.
Following investor feedback, the company is considering a smaller raise, possibly around $5 billion, emphasizing strategic alignment rather than headline figures. CEO Paolo Ardoino clarified that the higher amounts were hypothetical, used for planning, and not formal targets.
Profitability underpins this approach. Tether projects continued earnings growth in 2026, reducing reliance on external capital.
Internal reinvestment allows the company to fund expansion into diversified sectors while maintaining operational control.
Investor sentiment is mixed. Some remain cautious due to valuation and transparency concerns.
Nevertheless, Tether’s market dominance is a stabilizing factor. With USDT circulation exceeding $185 billion, the company maintains a strong revenue base and liquidity position.
This allows it to pursue investments across multiple sectors while mitigating crypto-specific risks. In conclusion, Tether is evolving from a stablecoin issuer into a diversified investment and technology platform.
Through strategic hiring, governance enhancements, portfolio expansion, and disciplined capital management, the company balances ambition with prudence, positioning itself for sustainable long-term growth across digital and traditional financial markets.
Solana (SOL) has once again captured market attention amid volatility, as news reports continue to show whales rotating capital out of the ecosystem. Analysts continue to say the recent surge and renewed interest in on-chain perpetual futures (perps) is fueling the rotation.
Despite SOL trading at a low price, whales are selling and stealthily rotating their portfolios. These shifts are a classic trend where liquidity and risk exposure move dynamically in response to volatility.
Whales are increasingly positioning in the next 100x projects, decentralized perpetual markets. One that continued to surface across different traders’ watchlists is HFDX. Read on.
Solana Whales Continue To Rotate, Here’s Why.
Solana has stood tall amidst the beneficiaries of the ongoing price crash in the cryptocurrency market, following the market tides. SOL is currently trading at $91.91, down 25% over the past seven weeks.
Solana’s repeated price crashes in the market had caused its whale holders to move their tokens to exchanges and sell off. A few hours ago, Whales_alert reported that 505,554 SOL tokens, worth over $50 million, were transferred from an unknown wallet to Binance.
Historically, such off-chain transfers signal whales selling ahead of an incoming bearish season. On-chain monitors have revealed that the liquidated funds are being rotated into on-chain perps. While these moves are being made quietly, their footprints are evident, especially in a project called HFDX
HFDX, The New Gold Investors Are Rotating Into
HFDX is a decentralized perpetual futures infrastructure that enables traders to:
- Open and manage leveraged positions on a variety of assets
- Do so non-custodially (you keep control of your keys)
- Operate fully on-chain via smart contracts
HFDX lets you trade perpetual futures without relying on a central exchange; your positions and liquidity live in transparent smart contracts. With recent Inflows and heightened interest in on-chain perps, HFDX offers what whales cannot afford to miss.
What HFDX offers:
- Non-custodial on-chain perp trading – all positions settle via smart contracts, reducing counterparty risk.
- Shared liquidity pool model – designed to increase capital efficiency across markets.
- Multi-chain access — enabling traders to follow momentum across different blockchains without lock-in to a single ecosystem.
- Transparent execution — all trades and settlement processes are auditable on-chain.
Structured liquidity instruments like Liquidity Loan Notes (LLNs) are tied to actual trading fees and activity (not token emissions).
This infrastructure is structured for traders and liquidity providers who prioritize transparency, decentralized risk controls, and access across markets, not just within one layer-1 ecosystem like Solana.
Given the rotation toward on-chain perps on Solana during heightened volatility, several factors are driving interest toward platforms like HFDX:
- Self-custody preference: The idea of having full control over their private keys, compared to centralized players, is making traders jump in.
- Diverse market access: HFDX offers Multi-chain perpetual markets that allow capital to rotate fluidly across ecosystems.
- Transparency: HFDX’s on-chain settlement and public audit trails appeal to risk-aware traders.
- Capital efficiency: Shared liquidity models can offer deeper markets without siloed constraints.
Rather than promising guaranteed returns, this reflects a broader shift in trader behavior, where on-chain infrastructure capable of capturing diversified derivatives flows is in focus, particularly amid persistent volatility and macro uncertainty.
Solana’s whale rotation into on-chain perps highlights how large holders respond to market volatility and liquidity opportunities across decentralized markets. At the same time, HFDX is capturing attention for providing transparent, multi-chain perpetual infrastructure that aligns with professional traders’ risk and access preferences.
As capital continues to seek flexible, decentralized derivatives solutions, understanding how these ecosystems interrelate will remain key for sophisticated market participants.
Make Your Money Work Smarter And Unlock A Wealth Of Opportunities With HFDX Today!
Website: https://hfdx.xyz/
Telegram: https://t.me/HFDXTrading
X: https://x.com/HfdxProtocol
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.
[PRESS RELEASE – Ibiza, Spain, February 8th, 2026]
Investing Yachts today introduced its real-world asset (RWA) yacht charter model, a blockchain-based approach designed to tokenize exposure to potential double-digit revenue generated by luxury yacht charter operations via their upcoming $YATE token. Being their ultimate goal to democratize access to all private equity sectors.
Positioning itself at the intersection of yachting and on-chain finance, Investing Yachts is built to remove traditional barriers associated with yacht investing—such as high minimum capital requirements, illiquidity, and operational complexity—by offering a token-based structure intended to be tradable on markets and supported by a managed charter fleet.
How the model is designed to work
At the core of the Investing Yachts model, the $YATE ecosystem connects charter activity to tokenholder incentives through a rules-based framework:
- Charter profit distribution: Up to 65% of annual net charter profits is intended to be distributed to tokenholders who lock $YATE into protocol “vaults,” with different lock periods associated with different maximum shares of the profit pool.
- Buyback & burn: A defined portion of net profits, 10%, is earmarked for buying back tokens and burning them, aiming to reduce circulating supply over time.
- Asset-tied issuance: New tokens are being minted in connection with acquiring additional yachts or other real-world assets, using a NAV-based issuance framework designed to align token supply with the underlying asset base and charter activity.
$YATE Token Pre-Sale
Investing Yachts states that the $YATE pre-sale is scheduled to open on February 25, 2026, with the goal of expanding community participation ahead of broader exchange availability.
As described on the website and in the whitepaper documentation, the pre-sale pricing is structured as follows:
- Initial price: 0.10 USDT per $YATE
- Dynamic increase: +0.75% price increase every 24 hours
- Duration: 9 months
- Target post–pre-sale listing price: 1.00 USDT
The documentation also outlines vesting terms for pre-sale tokens, as well as other mechanisms aligned to provide sustainable growth stability for the project, rewarding long-term holders and early adopters.
Broker Network and Market Positioning
The global yacht charter and yachting services market represents a multi-billion-dollar industry, traditionally limited to a small group of high-capital participants. Investing Yachts aims to use its RWA structure to broaden access by enabling community participation through $YATE, bringing a token-based framework to a segment that has historically remained offline and illiquid.
Investing Yachts has established relationships with experienced yacht brokers and industry intermediaries to support fleet sourcing and charter deployment. These connections are intended to strengthen the project’s ability to identify acquisition opportunities, negotiate terms, and access vessels aligned with demand in key charter regions.
Community and updates
Investing Yachts is publishing updates via social channels and encourages supporters to follow the project for pre-sale announcements, documentation updates, and roadmap progress:
About Investing Yachts
Investing Yachts is a blockchain platform described as an RWA project focused on tokenizing exposure to luxury yacht charter economics through the $YATE token (Ethereum ERC-20).
Investing Yachts lists a management team and advisory group spanning technology, yacht operations, finance, media, and international legal expertise. It counts on leadership with backgrounds in algorithmic trading, yacht charter operations, and institutional markets, including experience at major international banks.
Disclaimer: This press release is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice.
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The first Friday of February was supposed to be a day of joy for Pi Network, but it backfired.
Although it was created over half a decade ago, the controversial Pi Network project and its native token officially launched just under a year ago. Since then, the Core Team has deployed numerous updates, it has dabbled with AI, tried to improve some of its sluggish systems, but the results have been… mixed, so far.
The latest post from the Core Team was meant to be more positive and to celebrate a valid portion of the vast Pi Network community. However, it attracted significant backlash immediately.
Celebrating Pi Network Moderators
Every First Friday of February (FFF day), Pi celebrates Moderator Appreciation Day! Today is about recognizing the moderators who make the Pi Network community what it is. Thanks to all Pi moderators for their incredible volunteer efforts in supporting the Pi community—assisting…
— Pi Network (@PiCoreTeam) February 6, 2026
The video itself tried to recognize moderators who “make Pi Network’s community what it is,” as they are volunteers and are not employed or paid by the Core Team. They help moderate charts, answer Pioneers’ questions, monitor Pi apps and products, report bugs, and test new features.
Additionally, they translate Pi into other languages, moderate Fireside Forums, and try to keep the conversations helpful, safe, and respectful.
“Behind answered questions, updates, and chatrooms, Moderators help ensure the Pi experience runs smoothly for everyone!”
The Backlash
It was a statement like that last one that caught the attention of some of the Pi Network Pioneers. While many users agreed that Moderators should be praised and respected, some raised valid questions about the lack of tangible progress on several fronts.
Joann&Joe urged the Core Team to “speed up the progress-it’s been dragged out over and over again,” after indicating that they should “stop messing around with all that superficial nonsense.”
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Chialo20’s approach was similar, indicating that the team behind Pi Network has been holding him for “7years plus now not to migrate my Pi coins, just migration stage, and this is not fair.”
A. A. Gada tried to remind the Core Team that “many pioneers are still stuck in ‘tentative approval’ for their KYC status. We hope you can improve this situation.”
It’s worth noting that the team recently published an update claiming that they have unblocked millions for mainnet migration, and promised new changes are coming soon.
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TLDR:
- Strategy requires only 1.5% annual Bitcoin appreciation to sustain $888 million dividend obligations
- The company maintains a $2.25 billion cash reserve, providing 30 months of dividend coverage independently
- Strategy holds 713,502 Bitcoin, representing 3.4% of total supply at $76,052 average purchase price
- The firm operates with 13% leverage versus 23% for investment-grade companies, with 42 basis point debt
Michael Saylor unveiled a dividend sustainability model that requires Bitcoin to appreciate just 1.25% annually for perpetual payments.
The Strategy Inc. Executive Chairman made this revelation during the company’s Q4 2025 earnings call on February 6, 2026.
The announcement came as Bitcoin plunged to $63,596.56, marking a 13% single-day decline. Strategy reported a $12.4 billion net loss, yet Saylor defended the treasury strategy with confidence.
Minimal Bitcoin Growth Sustains Perpetual Dividend Model
Saylor’s dividend framework centers on an exceptionally low appreciation threshold for long-term sustainability. CEO Phong Le explained that the company needs Bitcoin to increase by only 1.5% annually to maintain payments indefinitely.
The model functions by selling incremental Bitcoin holdings to cover dividend obligations while preserving the core treasury position.
Strategy holds approximately $45 billion in Bitcoin reserves against annual dividend commitments of $888 million across preferred equity instruments.
This ratio provides 67 years of dividend coverage based solely on current holdings without any price appreciation. The mathematical simplicity of the model demonstrates the company’s confidence in Bitcoin’s long-term value trajectory.
Saylor extended the scenario even further during the earnings call, addressing the possibility of zero Bitcoin appreciation.
He stated that even if Bitcoin stopped appreciating entirely, Strategy would have “80 years to figure out what to do about that.”
This timeline provides substantial flexibility for strategic pivots while maintaining current dividend commitments to shareholders.
Cash Reserves and Financial Buffers Strengthen Payment Certainty
Strategy established a $2.25 billion USD cash reserve in Q4 2025 specifically to address dividend reliability concerns.
CFO Andrew Kang noted this reserve provides 30 months of coverage without requiring any Bitcoin sales. The cash buffer insulates dividend payments from short-term Bitcoin price volatility and market downturns.
Michael Saylor’s post on X highlighted the multi-layered approach to dividend security that Strategy has implemented.
The company designed this structure to weather extended bear markets while maintaining shareholder distributions. The combination of cash reserves and Bitcoin holdings creates redundant payment mechanisms across different time horizons.
The dividend adjustment framework recently shifted to monthly volume-weighted average price calculations instead of five-day periods.
This change addresses trading patterns around record dates and payment dates. Strategy’s Stretch digital credit product trades near its $100 stated amount with an 11.25% annualized dividend rate.
Bitcoin Holdings Position Company for Long-Term Execution
Strategy held 713,502 Bitcoin as of February 1, 2026, with total acquisition costs reaching $54.26 billion. The average purchase price stands at $76,052 per coin, representing roughly 3.4% of Bitcoin’s total supply.
The company maintains its position as the world’s largest corporate Bitcoin holder despite recent price declines.
The company achieved a 22.8% BTC yield for 2025, exceeding the lower end of its target range. This metric measures the percentage increase in Bitcoin per share, demonstrating acquisition rates faster than shareholder dilution. The strategy’s accumulation strategy continues regardless of short-term price movements or accounting losses.
The Q4 2025 net loss of $12.6 billion stemmed primarily from mark-to-market accounting on Bitcoin holdings. Operating losses reached $17.4 billion, while earnings per share came in at negative $42.93 versus forecasts of positive $2.97. However, the software business generated $123 million in revenue, exceeding expectations by 3.53%.
Market Volatility Tests Dividend Thesis Amid Capital Raising Success
Strategy’s stock closed at $119.74 in aftermarket trading, down 17.12% following the earnings announcement on February 6, 2026.
Bitcoin’s simultaneous decline to $63,596.56 intensified selling pressure across cryptocurrency-related equities. The company’s Bitcoin holdings fell below their cumulative cost basis for the first time since 2023.
Saylor appeared undaunted during the conference call, emphasizing that the company’s Bitcoin treasury strategy was built to withstand volatility.
He noted that Bitcoin’s 45% drawdown from its all-time high four months earlier was consistent with the asset’s 45% volatility profile. This perspective frames current losses as expected fluctuations rather than fundamental flaws.
Strategy raised $25.3 billion in capital during 2025, becoming the largest U.S. equity issuer for two consecutive years. The company raised an additional $3.9 billion in January 2026 and acquired 41,002 Bitcoin during challenging conditions.
Strategy operates with 13% leverage compared to 23% for investment-grade companies, with convertible debt carrying a 42 basis point average interest rate.
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