Crypto World
Walmart Stock Surges 20% in 2026: Should Investors Buy Ahead of Earnings?
TLDR
- Walmart stock has gained 20.18% in 2026, outperforming the S&P 500 and Dow Jones indices.
- Walmart became the first retailer to reach a $1 trillion market capitalization.
- Analysts have a ‘Strong Buy’ rating for Walmart stock, but price targets suggest limited growth.
- Walmart stock is expected to retrace slightly, with a 12-month target price of $133.04.
- The company has exceeded earnings per share forecasts in three of the last four quarters.
Walmart (NYSE: WMT), one of the top-performing blue-chip stocks of 2026, is set to release its next quarterly earnings report on February 19. Investors are closely monitoring whether Walmart stock remains a solid buy ahead of the event. The retail giant has recently achieved impressive growth, making it a standout in a challenging market.
Walmart Stock Recent Performance
Walmart stock has surged 20.18% in 2026, outpacing both the S&P 500 and Dow Jones indices. In contrast, the broader market has struggled, with the S&P 500 declining by 0.33% and the Dow Jones rising by just 2.31%. This strong performance is raising questions about whether the stock can continue to climb or if a pullback is imminent.
The retailer’s market capitalization recently crossed $1 trillion, making it the first retailer to reach this milestone. Despite its success, there are concerns about the stock’s high valuation, especially ahead of its upcoming earnings report. A slight miss in earnings could trigger a correction, similar to what occurred with Microsoft’s stock after its latest report.
Wall Street remains largely positive on Walmart stock, with an average rating of ‘Strong Buy.’ However, analysts’ 12-month price targets suggest that the stock may see only modest growth. Walmart stock is expected to retrace 0.63%, with a target price of $133.04 in the next year.
Several analysts have raised concerns about potential pullbacks despite the positive outlook. Bernstein’s Zhihan Ma recently maintained a ‘Buy’ rating but forecasted a drop to $129. Similarly, Citi’s most bullish forecast of $147 suggests just a 9.79% increase from current levels. These predictions indicate that even optimistic estimates expect limited upside for the stock in the near term.
The Outlook for Walmart’s Earnings Report
Ahead of its earnings report, Walmart’s strong performance in recent quarters offers some reassurance. The company has exceeded earnings per share (EPS) forecasts in three of the last four quarters, increasing the likelihood of another beat. Walmart’s diversified business model, which includes e-commerce and technology, positions it well in both favorable and unfavorable economic conditions.
Even if the economy faces a downturn, Walmart’s reputation for offering ‘great value’ prices could drive continued consumer demand. This defensive nature of Walmart’s business model has contributed to its strong performance, making it a relatively safe investment in uncertain times.
TLDR
- Nexo is relaunching its crypto services in the United States after more than three years of absence.
- The platform will offer yield programs, a spot exchange, and crypto-backed credit lines to US users.
- Nexo has partnered with Bakkt to provide the trading infrastructure for its US operations.
- The company’s return is driven by improved regulatory clarity for digital assets in the US.
- Nexo’s new US operations will be based in Florida and run by an announced management team.
Crypto platform Nexo is set to return to the United States after more than three years. The company paused its operations in 2022 due to regulatory concerns. Now, with clearer guidelines in place, Nexo aims to offer crypto services including yield programs, a spot exchange, and more.
Nexo Partners with Bakkt for Trading Infrastructure
Nexo’s trading infrastructure will be powered by Bakkt, a US-based digital asset platform. Bakkt primarily serves institutional clients but will help Nexo build its new US offering. Eleonor Genova, Nexo’s head of communications, confirmed that the platform will provide both flexible and fixed-term yield programs.
The platform will also feature crypto-backed credit lines and a loyalty program for US customers. Nexo’s management team will operate the new venture from Florida, with plans to announce the team soon. Genova emphasized that all services will be offered through partnerships with licensed US providers.
After leaving the US market in late 2022, Nexo now sees improved regulatory clarity for digital assets in the country. The company originally withdrew due to what it called an unfriendly regulatory environment under former SEC chair Gary Gensler. Nexo’s “Crypto Earn” program, which lets users earn interest on their crypto holdings, was a key issue in the company’s exit.
Nexo settled with the SEC in 2023, agreeing to pay $45 million for failing to register its interest-bearing program. The company later shut down the program for US users, marking the end of its earlier US operations. Despite these setbacks, Nexo now believes the regulatory landscape is more favorable for blockchain businesses.
Nexo’s Relaunch and US Crypto Regulatory Landscape
Nexo’s return comes as the US continues to work on crypto regulations. The House recently passed the CLARITY Act, but the Senate has yet to move it forward. Patrick Witt, a White House crypto advisor, called for compromises to pass crypto-related legislation before the 2024 elections.
This renewed effort to regulate crypto coincides with Nexo’s own regulatory framework. Genova stated that the new US operations are compliant with US securities laws. The company hopes to provide a stable platform for crypto users amid ongoing regulatory discussions.
Nexo’s rebooted platform will rely on third-party advisory services registered with the SEC. This ensures that the services offered are in line with applicable securities laws. The crypto exchange aims to establish itself as a trusted platform for US users after its previous exit.
Nexo is set to relaunch its digital asset services and crypto exchange platform in the US on Monday, more than three years after it left the market following battles with federal and state regulators.
Now, citing improved regulatory clarity for digital assets in the US, the rebooted Nexo platform will offer flexible and fixed-term yield programs, a spot cryptocurrency exchange, crypto-backed credit lines and a loyalty program for US users, Nexo head of communications Eleonor Genova told Cointelegraph.
The platform’s trading infrastructure will be provided by Bakkt, a US-based digital asset platform focused on serving institutional clients. Genova said:
“Nexo’s US offering is structured through partnerships with appropriately licensed US service providers. Certain services are made available via a third-party Securities and Exchange Commission-registered (SEC) investment adviser, which provides advisory services under applicable US securities laws.”
The new US operations will be based in Florida and run by a management team to be announced soon, according to the company.
Nexo first announced plans to re-enter the US during an exclusive event in April 2025, which featured Donald Trump Jr., the son of US President Donald Trump, as a keynote speaker. At the event, Trump Jr. described crypto as the future of finance.
Related: Nexo to pay $500K fine to California regulator over ‘risky loans’
2022 exit cited regulatory uncertainty under Gensler regime
Nexo left the US market in December 2022 during the depths of the crypto bear market, citing the hostile regulatory posture toward the crypto industry under the leadership of former SEC chair Gary Gensler.
The company said it had decided to exit the US out of necessity after engaging in “good faith” conversations with US state and federal regulators over 18 months that did not move the needle.
“It is now unfortunately clear to us that despite rhetoric to the contrary, the US refuses to provide a path forward for enabling blockchain businesses,” the company said at the time.
Nexo’s “Crypto Earn” program, which allowed users to earn compounding interest on select cryptocurrencies loaned to the platform, was a major point of contention between the SEC and the company.
In January 2023, Nexo agreed to a $45 million settlement with the SEC over failing to register its interest-bearing crypto rewards program with the regulator. The company also settled a $22.5 million multi-state securities settlement related to the earn interest program.
The company shuttered its Crypto Earn program for US users one month later.
Washington mulls crypto “clarity”
Nexo’s market reentry comes amid efforts in Washington to pass a bill defining how US market regulators will police crypto. The House passed a similar bill, the CLARITY Act, in July, but the effort has stalled as the Senate Banking Committee has yet to gather enough bipartisan support to advance it.
White House crypto adviser Patrick Witt said on Friday that both sides must compromise on the issue and push for passage before November’s midterm elections. Contributing to the stalemate are concerns voiced by crypto industry executives, which US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent believes have negatively impacted the industry, he told CNBC on Friday.
A White House-brokered meeting last week between crypto and banking industry representatives to reach an agreement on stablecoin provisions in the market structure bill was described as “productive,” but remains unresolved.
Magazine: Astrology could make you a better crypto trader: It has been foretold
Crypto news stories are vanishing without a trace. Articles questioning the influence of paid press releases have quietly disappeared from major crypto websites, leaving little evidence they were ever published.
At the same time, thousands of promotional announcements continue to flood the industry, shaping narratives, moving markets, and blurring the line between journalism and advertising.
The Shadow Pipeline That Fuels FOMO
Chainstory analyzed 2,893 press releases distributed between June 16 and November 1, 2025. Using AI-driven sentiment tagging and risk classification, cross-referenced with blacklists like CryptoLegal.uk, Trustpilot, and scam alert feeds, the report found that:
- 62% originated from high-risk (35.6%) or confirmed scam projects (26.9%).
- Low-risk issuers accounted for only 27% of releases.
- In certain niches, such as cloud mining, scam, or high-risk content, dominated ~90% of releases.
The tone of the content was heavily promotional:
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- Neutral: 10%
- Overstated: 54%
- Overtly promotional: 19%
Content type breakdown further highlighted the triviality of much coverage:
- Product tweaks or minor feature updates: 49%
- Exchange listing announcements (spam): 24%
- Substantive corporate events (funding, M&A): 2% (58 releases)
Based on this, the researchers concluded that these dynamics create a “manufactured legitimacy loop.” Dubious projects buy guaranteed placements across dozens of outlets, including mainstream financial portals, sidebars, and niche crypto aggregators.
Placement allows these projects to populate “As Seen On” sections, leveraging recognition to drive retail FOMO.
Headlines are deliberately loaded with marketing buzzwords like “AI-Powered Revolution,” “RWA Game-Changer,” terms editorial desks would likely reject if scrutinized.
PR Dollars Speak Louder Than Facts
The ecosystem echoes TradFi abuses. SEC data shows press releases fueled 73% of OTC penny-stock pump-and-dump schemes from 2002–2015.
In crypto, the effect is amplified, with algorithmic trading bots that scrape keywords such as “partnership” or “listing,” automatically triggering buy orders.
The result is a short-term price pump, often followed by unexpected declines once the underlying project fails to meet expectations.
Complicating matters, FTC rules for native advertising require clear disclosure. In practice, many crypto “Press Release” sections appear neutral, erasing the sponsored stigma and conferring the illusion of independent validation.
Retail investors often interpret the placement of content on recognized domains as evidence of legitimacy.
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Who Pulls the Strings Behind Crypto Coverage?
Chainstory’s findings initially gained traction across crypto media, with coverage appearing on TradingView, KuCoin, MEXC, and other outlets. Yet, key articles disappeared without explanation on several outlets.
- Investing.com – formerly titled “Crypto press releases dominated by high-risk projects, Chainstory study finds.”
- CryptoPotato, which had described wire services turning placement into a “paid commodity.”
There were no 404 errors or notices. Posts were simply erased from search and archive.
As seen by BeInCrypto via email, sources indicate that an executive from a company implicated in the pay-to-play ecosystem contacted these outlets, citing alleged data faults or bias.
Some editorial teams complied, suggesting a broader vulnerability: advertiser leverage over editorial independence.
It is imperative to note that most crypto outlets rely heavily on PR distribution revenue, particularly during bear markets or when ad budgets are tight.
Therefore, it may be safe to assume that critical reports threatening that revenue stream can prompt quiet removals or editorial self-censorship.
“I’m not involved in the day-to-day of the site/ editorial. I need to ask about this,” CryptoPotato’s Yuval Gov responded to BeInCrypto’s request for comments.
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The Man at the Center: Nadav Dakner and Chainwire
At the core of the paid-PR ecosystem is Nadav Dakner, co-founder and CEO of Chainwire (MediaFuse Ltd.), which markets “guaranteed coverage” across crypto and TradFi sites.
“Broadcast your crypto & blockchain news with guaranteed coverage, in industry-leading publications,” read an excerpt on the Chainwire website.
A source close to the matter told BeInCrypto that Nadav is the force behind the article takedowns.
Chainwire mirrors the practices highlighted by Chainstory: syndication to dozens of outlets in exchange for visibility, often leveraged to influence retail behavior.
Despite scrutiny, Chainwire remains influential:
- Named “Best PR Wire” at the 2026 CoinGape Awards (February 2, 2026).
- Maintains strong G2 ratings for 2025 campaigns.
Meanwhile, Dakner’s past ventures provide further context. He co-founded MarketAcross and InboundJunction and was involved in the 2017 Gladius Network ICO, which raised approximately $12.7 million in ETH.
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The SEC settled with Gladius in February 2019 for unregistered securities violations, requiring refunds and registration, but no fines due to self-reporting.
Gladius dissolved later that year without full compliance, leaving investors uncompensated.
Court documents from Gladius v. Krypton Blockchain Holdings (2018) describe Dakner introducing Gladius to Krypton Capital (founded by Ilan Tzorya). InboundJunction appeared in the whitepaper as a marketing/PR partner.
Some reports frame Dakner as the de facto CMO and investor. Investigative reporting by FinTelegram and CryptoTicker (October 2025) notes proximity to funding conduits linked to broader fraud networks involving figures such as Gery Shalon, Vladimir Smirnov, and Gal Barak.
Importantly, these connections are indirect, as no charges were filed against Dakner.
Chainwire also faced separate 2025 allegations of exploitative practices, including unpaid “test” campaigns and ghosting publishers.
Notably, no direct link exists between Dakner or Chainwire and Chainstory takedowns.
However, overlap in ecosystems and timing raises questions about whether commercial relationships suppress critical reporting.
The Quiet Amplifiers That Shape Crypto Markets
Chainstory’s research exposes a market where credibility can be bought, manipulated, or quietly erased. When critical reports vanish from archives, it reinforces the opacity and manufactured legitimacy that fueled the original concerns.
For retail participants within crypto’s hype-driven environment, skepticism is essential. Verification via on-chain data, independent sources, and awareness of PR revenue dependence is crucial to avoid falling prey to the pay-to-play cycle.
In crypto’s ongoing information wars, the quietest edits—deleted posts, altered archives, and erased analysis—may speak loudest, revealing the subtle levers that shape perception, sentiment, and ultimately, market outcomes.
Chainwire did not immediately respond to BeInCrypto’s request for comment.
This on-chain metric turning negative has repeatedly meant seller exhaustion and the transition from bear markets to bull cycles.
The cryptocurrency market remained subdued amidst short-term nerves, mixed signals, and no clear direction. Bitcoin also showed limited conviction and was visibly under pressure after shedding over 1% of its value in the last 24 hours.
Data shows BTC’s strongest rallies start only after long-term investors absorb unrealized losses and selling pressure fully exhausts itself.
Bitcoin Bulls Await
Joao Wedson, co-founder of Alphractal, said Bitcoin’s next major bull cycle has historically begun only after long-term holders move into unrealized losses. According to Wedson, the Net Unrealized Profit/Loss (NUPL) metric for long-term holders, which tracks the average unrealized gains or losses of the most resilient market participants, currently stands at 0.36. Such a trend indicates that these investors remain in profit.
However, Wedson explained that the important signal appears when this metric turns negative. A negative NUPL means even long-term holders are underwater, a condition that has consistently coincided with periods of extreme market pessimism.
In past cycles, such phases pointed to seller exhaustion and a redistribution of coins toward stronger hands. Wedson noted that this environment has historically represented the final stage of bear markets and preceded the start of a new bull run, which means that major opportunities tend to emerge during periods of market depression rather than at cycle highs.
Low MVRV
Similar conditions are now being flagged by Bitcoin’s valuation indicators. CryptoQuant, for one, found that Bitcoin’s Market Value to Realized Value (MVRV) ratio has entered its “Accumulation Zone” for the first time in four years, a move last seen in May 2022.
According to the analytics firm, the previous instance of MVRV falling into this range was followed by a sharp price correction, as Bitcoin declined roughly 50% from around $30,000 to $15,000. CryptoQuant explained that the Accumulation Zone is defined by MVRV remaining below 1.44 and potentially falling as low as 0.90, levels that historically indicate periods when the crypto asset is undervalued relative to its realized price.
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These conditions typically coincide with high market pessimism and reduced speculative activity. The firm also added that, based on historical patterns, continued periods with MVRV below 1.44 have offered favorable phases for long-term accumulation, even as price volatility and downside risk remain quite high in the short term.
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Bitcoin round tripped gains after a spike to $70,000 as liquidity traps began to characterize BTC price action on the US bank holiday.
Bitcoin (BTC) took out long and short positions during Monday as low-volume trading sparked short-term volatility.
Key points:
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Bitcoin sees low-time frame manipulation clear both longs and shorts on the US bank holiday.
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BTC price action offers “breakouts and shakeouts” while staying in a narrow range.
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2022 bear market comparisons continue, now focused on weekly RSI.
BTC price liquidity squeezes shake out traders
Data from TradingView captured sharp moves within a narrow BTC price range on the US bank holiday which topped out at $70,000.
With Wall Street closed, thinner order books overall made it easier for large-volume entities to influence short-term price action. This resulted in multiple “squeezes” that impacted both longs and shorts.
Data from monitoring resource CoinGlass showed $120 million in crypto liquidations for the four hours to the time of writing.
Blocks of bids and asks were cleared on the day, with new “walls” placed immediately above price as it fell, adding to downward pressure.
“Volatility is much higher which is something that we also see in pretty much all other markets lately. Definitely not a calm period for markets around the world,” trader Daan Crypto Trades commented in a post on X.
Trading resource Material Indicators described the latest BTC price performance as “breakouts and shakeouts.”
An accompanying chart monitored both liquidity and whale activity on Binance’s BTC/USDT pair.
Trader CW nonetheless observed that buying pressure was more robust than on Sunday, with the exception of exchange OKX.
What’s different about $BTC from yesterday is that net buying is maintained except for OKX. pic.twitter.com/x3Y1OegrsI
— CW (@CW8900) February 16, 2026
Bitcoin RSI teases “once per cycle lows”
Continuing on the wider status quo, Material Indicators cofounder Keith Alan stressed ongoing resemblances between this year and Bitcoin’s 2022 bear market.
Related: $75K or bearish ‘regime shift?’ Five things to know in Bitcoin this week
Relative strength index (RSI) readings on weekly time frames, he said, were pointing to a BTC price bottoming phase.
“Finding more similarities with 2022 in the $BTC chart as Weekly RSI moves towards what has historically been, once per cycle lows in oversold territory,” he told X followers.
“In 2015 and 2018 it marked bottom, however in 2022 it led to a 5 month consolidation before establishing a macro bottom.”
Weekly RSI measured 27.8 on Monday, marking the lowest reading since June 2022. Readings below 30 are considered “oversold.”
“This doesn’t mean it has to develop the same way this time, but it’s worth watching closely to identify similarities and deviations in the pattern to help with forecasting,” Alan added.
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.
Bitcoin (BTC) saw a sharp dip below $67,400 during the Monday session open, after it rallied above $70,000 over the weekend. An immediate recovery may come at the back of BTC order book data, which shows aggressive bid positioning, and onchain data pointing to a rise in long-term accumulation.
Analysts now say the move may extend toward the $80,000–$84,000 region, with order book liquidity playing a key role in the next move.
Key takeaways:
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The Bitcoin accumulator addresses held over 372,000 BTC on Feb. 15, up from 10,000 BTC in September 2024.
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BTC order books show the largest bid skew in over two years, signaling a stronger near-term support.
Bitcoin futures and order book data support $80,000 retest
Crypto analyst Mark Cullen said Bitcoin may move toward the early February CME (Chicago Mercantile Exchange) gap, placing $80,000 to $84,000 as his upper price target this week.
A CME gap forms when the Bitcoin futures on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange close for the weekend and reopen at a different price, leaving a price range with no traded volume.
Previously, Bitcoin has revisited these gaps to “fill” them, meaning the price trades back through that untested range.
The current gap sits roughly between $80,000 and $84,000, making it a clear technical level. With 9 out of 10 CME gaps filled since August 2025, the $80,000–$84,000 range stands out as the key unfilled level.
Meanwhile, the order book data shared by crypto trader Dom shows roughly $596 million in bids within 0–2.5% of price versus $297 million in asks. This near 2:1 bid-to-ask imbalance represents the largest bid skew in over two years.
A bid skew of this magnitude indicates stronger immediate demand than the supply, which can support a short-term upward trend if sustained.
Dom said traders were hesitant to buy during the sharp drop. After Bitcoin swept below $60,000, demand picked up near the lows, suggesting growing interest in accumulating at discounted prices.
Related: Metaplanet revenue jumps 738% as Bitcoin generates 95% of sales
BTC accumulation demand hits new highs
CryptoQuant data shows that the demand from addresses classified as “accumulators” has reached new highs at roughly 372,000 BTC on Feb. 15. In September 2024, that figure was around about 10,000 BTC.
Crypto analyst Darkfost explained that these addresses are filtered using strict criteria: no outflows, multiple inflows, a minimum balance threshold, at least one active period in the past seven years, and exclusion of exchange, miner, and smart contract wallets.
Meanwhile, the long-term holder (LTH) distribution 30-day sum, which measures the total BTC moved by long-term holders over a rolling 30-day period, has fallen below $100,000, compared to averages above $1 million in November 2025.
A lower distribution suggests reduced selling from the LTHs, partially offsetting whale-driven inflows.
Related: $75K or bearish ‘regime shift?’ Five things to know in Bitcoin this week
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.
Total market value slipped 2% on the day as most large-cap tokens traded lower.
Crypto markets opened the week on softer footing, with prices slipping lower after last week’s brief rebound.
On Monday, Feb. 16, Bitcoin (BTC) was trading around $67,500, down about 2% on the day and 1.7% over the past week, though it briefly rallied to $70,000 earlier today.
Since dropping to as low as $60,000 the first week of February, BTC has mostly been trading in a tight range between $68,000-$70,000. Trading volumes remained around $40 billion over the past 24 hours, suggesting active but indecisive positioning.
Ethereum (ETH) is down slightly more over the past 24 hours with 3% losses, while down 3.5% on the weekly timeframe.
Total crypto market capitalization fell 2% over the past 24 hours to $2.39 trillion, with most of the top-10 tokens moderately lower on the day. TRON (TRX) was the lone exception, posting slight gains on the day, while Dogecoin (DOGE) lost the most, down 7.5% in the past 24 hours, but still nearly 7% in the green on the week.
‘Macro Hedge Narrative Remains Challenged’
Despite pockets of resilience, analysts continue to flag a lack of strong directional conviction. In a Monday note, analysts at Keyrock said Bitcoin remains tightly correlated with risk assets.
“Our Take: Bitcoin continues to trade as a high-beta extension of tech, struggling to decouple during growth-led drawdowns,” Keyrock wrote. They added:
“Rather than hedging fiat risk, its rising correlation with software stocks continues to weaken its diversification case. Until it begins responding inversely to dollar weakness, its macro hedge narrative remains challenged.”
As for the Crypto Fear & Greed Index, it still remains in “extreme fear” territory, where it’s been for most of the past month.
Big Movers and Liquidations
Looking at the top-100 assets by market cap, Cosmos (ATOM) led gains on the day, up just 2.4%, followed by Bittensor (TAO), which rose 1%.
On the downside, Rain (RAIN) slid over 8%, while Dogecoin was today’s second biggest loser among large-caps after its recent outperformance.
According to CoinGlass data, total liquidations of $232 million over the past 24 hours, with long positions accounting for roughly $159 million. Bitcoin and Ethereum liquidations were nearly even, with $105 million and $90 million, respectively.
ETFs and Macro Conditions
Flows into U.S. spot crypto exchange-traded funds remained negative on a weekly basis, despite a net positive day on Friday.
According to SoSoValue data, last week, spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded net outflows of nearly $360 million, similar to the previous week’s total, bringing total net assets at $87 billion by Feb. 13.
Spot Ethereum ETFs also posted weekly outflows of $161.2 million, with total net assets of $11.7 billion.
On the macro front, revised labor data reinforced caution. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics revealed on Friday, Feb. 13, that employers added just 181,000 jobs in 2025. That is far below the previously estimated 584,000 and the 1.46 million added in 2024.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Friday in an interview for CNBC that Congress should advance the CLARITY Act to set federal rules for digital assets, calling it a source of “great comfort” for markets, while cautioning that bipartisan support could weaken later this year.
The crypto market entered the third week of February with notable recoveries across several altcoins. However, overall negative sentiment has yet to improve, creating conditions for potential liquidations among overly optimistic traders.
Altcoins such as XRP, DOGE, and TAO are drawing attention this week due to significant developments, but they also carry the following risks.
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1. XRP
XRP’s liquidation map shows that the cumulative liquidation volume of Long positions slightly exceeds that of Short positions.
This week, if XRP declines to $1.30, cumulative Long liquidations could surpass $200 million. Conversely, if XRP rises above $1.63, cumulative Short liquidations could reach $150 million.
On Sunday, XRP briefly climbed to $1.66 before quickly falling back below $1.50 on Monday. Analyst Dom identified selling pressure originating from the Upbit exchange through the XRP Spot Cumulative Volume Delta indicator.
The data shows that approximately 50 million XRP were net sold on Upbit within 15 hours, generating strong selling pressure. This pressure emerged ahead of the Lunar New Year’s Eve, a holiday period in many Asian countries that often raises concerns about declining liquidity.
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Meanwhile, XRP accounts for a significant share of trading volume on both Upbit and Bithumb in South Korea. As a result, selling pressure from Asian investors could put Long positions at risk this week.
2. Dogecoin (DOGE)
Recent bullish discussions within the community have encouraged traders to allocate capital to Long DOGE positions this week.
If DOGE falls to $0.091, cumulative Long liquidations could approach $90 million. Meanwhile, if DOGE rises to $0.114, cumulative Short liquidations could total around $53 million.
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Why should DOGE Long traders remain cautious? Data from Nansen shows that DOGE exchange balances (yellow line) surged abruptly from February 12, when DOGE began its recovery driven by rumors surrounding the upcoming launch of X Money.
Many DOGE investors appear to be using the recovery as an opportunity to exit positions by transferring tokens onto exchanges. If this trend continues this week, DOGE could correct and move toward liquidation levels for Long positions.
3. Bittensor (TAO)
The listing of TAO on South Korea’s Upbit exchange on February 16 could provide fresh momentum to support a price recovery.
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The liquidation map shows that if TAO climbs above $283 this week, Short liquidations could exceed $13 million. Conversely, if TAO declines to $160, Long liquidations could reach $11.5 million.
As crypto community discussions around AI continue to capture a high share of overall market attention and Bittensor (TAO) corrects toward a long-term support zone, analyst Michaël van de Poppe expects a strong recovery.
“I think that protocols working on AI <> Crypto are a must have in every portfolio and I’m glad I’ve added funds into this position. I think that we’re going to see more strength going forward from here. At least a mean reversion to ~$300,” Michaël van de Poppe stated.
New liquidity from Upbit, combined with Michaël van de Poppe’s assessment, could place TAO Short positions at risk.
More online businesses are integrating cryptocurrency into their payment systems. This trend is especially noticeable among companies serving customers in multiple regions. For them, it’s a useful addition to their existing payment methods.
To take crypto payments, a business needs a solid payment gateway to process them smoothly. This guide explains how to begin clearly and avoid mistakes.
Why Are Businesses Starting to Accept Crypto Payments?
Accepting crypto for payments makes many traditional problems easier to handle. Payments go through faster, you don’t have to wait long for settlements, and sending money abroad is simpler with fewer middlemen. This proves highly useful for online businesses and organizations that work with international clients.
Meanwhile, people are moving away from old payment methods. Many who already have digital assets prefer to pay with them rather than convert first. This way, crypto payments are not meant to replace existing options but to expand the choices available.
How to Pick a Crypto Payment Gateway?
What makes crypto payments so convenient is that the gateway does most of the work. Merchants don’t have to be experts since it takes care of processing, monitoring, and keeping records.
A reliable gateway often includes:
- Support for multiple coins and networks.
- Clear and transparent fees.
- Flexible integration options.
- Invoice management with accurate payment tracking.
- Automation tools to minimize manual work.
- Strong security.
How customers feel matters just as much as the payment itself. Simple steps, support in multiple languages, and a consistent brand make users feel secure and more likely to complete their payment. Platforms like Cryptomus bring all of this together, making crypto payments easier to handle.
How to Start Accepting Crypto Payments?
Cryptomus is a versatile platform designed for both businesses and personal use. It features a reliable cryptocurrency payment gateway built for everyday operations. It supports over 120 coins and is suitable for companies of all sizes, from major ones to small online services like VPNs or hosting providers.
Fees are really low, starting at just 0.4%, and withdrawals are completely free. Merchants can also transfer the payment commission to the buyer when creating an invoice, effectively reducing direct costs.
To begin, first create a merchant account and choose one of these integration options:
- API integration with documentation and keys.
- SDK tools with instructions and code samples.
- Plugins for e-commerce platforms.
After that, just choose which cryptocurrencies you want to accept, set up automatic conversion, and customize a payment page with your branding. From the dashboard, you can track all incoming payments. Withdrawals usually take 1–2 minutes and can be done manually or automatically. You can also schedule auto-withdrawals based on time, currency, or network. Fiat withdrawals are available via SEPA, SWIFT, and P2P exchanges.
Another point to keep in mind is security. Cryptomus offers two-factor authentication, PIN codes, and IP whitelisting, and its safety has been independently verified by Certik. Customer support is available 24/7 in several languages through Telegram, email, website chat, or a personal manager.
Why Should Your Business Accept Crypto?
Accepting cryptocurrency can give your business a competitive advantage. It shortens settlement times, makes cross-border payments easier, and provides clients with a payment option they may already use.
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Zcash’s original creators have formally broken away from the Electric Coin Company (ECC) and launched a new independent development entity, marking the clearest structural split in the privacy coin’s history.
The team announced today that the Zashi wallet will be rebranded as “Zodl,” confirming that Zcash’s flagship wallet and its original engineers now operate outside ECC’s control.
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Original Builders Continue Zcash Development Outside ECC
The announcement formalizes a break that began in January, when the entire ECC staff resigned following a governance dispute with Bootstrap, the nonprofit that owns ECC.
That conflict centered on control, autonomy, and the future direction of Zcash development.
The newly formed ZODL now includes the same engineers and product team that built Zcash’s core privacy technology and developed its flagship wallet.
The organization said it will continue building tools to expand shielded ZEC adoption, independently of ECC and the Zcash Development Fund.
Critically, this means Zcash’s original creators did not leave the ecosystem.
Instead, they regrouped under a new entity and retained operational continuity through the wallet infrastructure. The Zodl wallet remains fully compatible with the Zcash blockchain.
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Meanwhile, ECC still exists as a legal entity under Bootstrap ownership. However, it no longer employs the original team that designed and maintained much of Zcash’s modern infrastructure.
As a result, Zcash now has two separate organizational centers tied to its future development.
Split Mirrors OpenAI and Anthropic’s Structural Break
The split closely resembles the OpenAI–Anthropic divide, where former OpenAI leaders left to form a new independent AI company after disagreements over governance and strategic direction. In both cases, the founding engineers and technical leadership exited the original organization and launched a parallel development effort aligned with their original mission.
Importantly, the Zcash blockchain itself has not forked. Blocks continue to process normally, and the ZEC asset remains unchanged.
However, development leadership and technical direction now exist outside the original corporate structure.
This distinction highlights a growing pattern in decentralized ecosystems, where developer continuity can matter more than institutional ownership.
In practice, the engineers who build and maintain protocol infrastructure often shape its long-term trajectory.
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