Из жизни альткоинов

Korean exchange Bithumb has cleared the air over an internal error that credited certain user wallets with a “concerning” amount of BTC. Notably, this mishap resulted in significant price volatility on the exchange, drawing attention from observing crypto enthusiasts.

Bithumb Moves To Wrap Up Recovery After Overpayment Error

On February 6, Lookonchain, among many crypto commentary accounts, shared that Bithumb had accidentally transferred 2,000 BTC ($134 million) each to users, instead of 2000 KRW ($1.34) in a reward payout. Some recipients immediately sold, causing a 10% flash crash on the Korean exchange, pushing prices briefly to around $55,000.

In a blog post, Bithumb explained the incident as an overpayment that occurred during a promotional event process involving 695 recipients. The exchange stated it had mistakenly transferred 620,000 BTC to these wallets, an error that was immediately noticed, resulting in a swift ban on withdrawals for all affected wallets within 35 minutes of the transaction.

Notably, Bithumb sharply recovered 618,212 BTC, representing 99.7% of the total overpayment amount. Meanwhile, 93% of the 1788 BTC already sold have also been recovered in KRW and other digital assets. According to the exchange, the remaining sold amount that hasn’t been recovered will be covered using company assets. Meanwhile, efforts are underway to ensure such operational errors never recur. 

A statement from the exchange said: 

Bithumb takes this incident very seriously and will do its utmost to prevent recurrence by redesigning the entire asset payment process and enhancing the internal control system. 

Bithumb also kicked against suspicion of external or malicious interference, assuring users that their system remains uncompromised:

They said: 

We want to make it clear that this incident is unrelated to any external hacking or security breach, and does not pose any issues with system security or customer asset management. Customer assets are being safely managed as before, and transactions and deposits/withdrawals are currently operating normally.

Crypto Market Overview

In other news, the total crypto market cap has now climbed to $2.34 trillion after a 5.68% gain in the past day. This follows an earlier bloodbath in the week, during which the market cap fell to around $2.19 trillion.

Despite the recent recovery, data from CoinMarketCap shows the digital asset market remains about 45% away from its present cycle all-time high at $4.28 trillion. Market sentiment also continues to reflect caution, with the Crypto Fear and Greed Index currently reading 8, signaling extreme fear among investors.

Featured image from Blocktempo, chart from Tradingview

China has signaled a renewed and more forceful push to tighten its grip on the cryptocurrency sector, reaffirming its long‑standing ban on virtual currencies while introducing stricter oversight of offshore token issuance tied to Chinese assets. 

According to a Reuters report, Chinese authorities said they will closely scrutinize the offshore issuance of tokens backed by assets located onshore and have explicitly banned the unauthorized issuance of yuan‑pegged stablecoins outside the country.

China Tightens Crypto Controls

In a notice published on the People’s Bank of China’s website, regulators said domestic companies and overseas entities under their control are prohibited from issuing virtual currencies abroad without official approval. 

The move effectively shuts the door on privately issued offshore yuan stablecoins, reinforcing Beijing’s position that cryptocurrencies cannot function as money within China’s financial system.

The announcement largely restates China’s existing prohibition on cryptocurrencies, but it also introduces new clarity around emerging areas of digital finance. Notably, some market participants see the language as a sign that China is laying the groundwork for regulating real‑world asset (RWA) tokenization. 

Louis Wan, chief executive of Unified Labs, described the distinction made by regulators as a significant development. He said the key change lies in the clear separation between virtual currencies and RWA tokenization. 

While cryptocurrencies remain banned, RWA activity is now being brought into the regulatory system. For China’s RWA sector, he called the move a milestone.

Crackdown On Private Stablecoins

China’s central bank also emphasized its control over digital currency issuance, underscoring that the digital yuan is the only legitimate form of state‑backed digital money. 

Winston Ma, an adjunct professor at NYU School of Law, said the message from regulators is that there will be no tolerance for a mix of private yuan‑based stablecoins circulating on global crypto exchanges. 

Officials said the tougher stance reflects concerns that recent speculative activity in virtual currencies has created “new risks” that require additional regulatory measures. 

In a joint statement issued by the People’s Bank of China along with seven other government agencies, authorities reiterated that virtual currencies do not carry the same legal standing as traditional fiat money. 

Regulators also warned that, without explicit approval, neither domestic firms nor their overseas affiliates are allowed to issue cryptocurrencies abroad. Both Chinese and foreign entities were barred from issuing offshore stablecoins linked to the yuan unless authorized. 

Authorities noted that stablecoins pegged to fiat currencies can effectively perform some of the same functions as money in circulation, making them a particular focus of regulatory scrutiny.

Featured image from OpenArt, chart from TradingView.com 

Министерство финансов Вьетнама предложило ввести налог в размере 0,1% на операции с цифровыми активами и ужесточить стандарты лицензирования для криптовалютных бирж.

The Bitcoin mining Difficulty is set to see a significant reduction on Saturday, owing to the Hashrate disruption caused by the US snow storm.

Bitcoin Difficulty Is Estimated To Go Down 13% During The Next Adjustment

The Bitcoin “Difficulty” is a metric built into the blockchain that controls how hard miners will find it to mine the next block on the network. This indicator’s value automatically changes roughly every two weeks, based on the speed at which miners performed their task since the previous adjustment.

The next such adjustment is scheduled to occur tomorrow, February 6th. According to data from CoinWarz, the network will reduce the Difficulty during this event.

How the blockchain determines whether to increase or decrease the Difficulty is simple: it tries to bring block time back to the standard 10 minutes that Satoshi coded in for the network to follow. Whenever miners produce the average block in a time faster than this, the network responds by raising its Difficulty just enough that miners take 10 minutes between each block again. Similarly, the validators being slow forces BTC to ease the metric.

Since the last adjustment, the average block time has stood at 11.52 minutes, which is much slower than the expected value. As a result of this, Bitcoin is estimated to reduce its Difficulty by a massive 13% during the Saturday adjustment.

The reason for the drastic change in Difficulty lies in the crash that the Bitcoin Hashrate has witnessed recently. The “Hashrate” is an indicator that measures the total amount of computing power that miners as a whole have connected to the network.

As data from Blockchain.com shows, this metric’s 7-day average value has observed a sharp decline since January 24th.

On January 24th, the 7-day average Bitcoin Hashrate stood at 1,044 exahashes per second (EH/s). By the end of the month, that value had dropped to just 825 EH/s. This was an unusually rapid drawdown for the indicator, and it indeed had an unusual cause behind it: the US snow storm.

The winter storm disrupted various parts of the nation’s infrastructure, including power. To ease pressure on the grid, American Bitcoin miners curtailed their electricity consumption, which led to Foundary USA, the largest mining pool in the world, witnessing a Hashrate drop of nearly 60%.

In February so far, the US miners have started to bounce back, with the global 7-day average Hashrate returning to 913 EH/s. The decline in the Hashrate only being temporary doesn’t matter to the Difficulty, however, since the network only considers the average block time from the last two weeks.

The fact that the miners produced blocks at a slow rate during this window is already set in stone, so the Bitcoin network has no option other than reducing the Difficulty in the next adjustment.

BTC Price

Bitcoin plummeted all the way down to $60,000 on Thursday, but the cryptocurrency has since bounced back as it’s now trading around $69,300.

Инвестиционный директор управляющей криптоактивами компании Bitwise Мэтт Хоуган (Matt Hougan) заявил, что значительная часть негатива уже учтена в текущей цене биткоина, и котировки пойдут вверх по мере истощения медвежьего тренда.

Основатель Cardano Чарльз Хоскинсон (Charles Hoskinson) заявил, что, хотя на фоне краха рынка его собственные криптоактивы обесценились более чем на $3 млрд, он не планирует уходить из индустрии.

As Russia moves to establish a comprehensive digital assets framework this year, the country’s largest bank is reportedly planning to issue crypto-backed loans to corporate clients following a successful pilot conducted in December.

Sberbank Ready To Expand Crypto-Backed Loans

On Thursday, Reuters reported that Russia’s largest bank by assets, Sberbank, is preparing to offer crypto-backed loans to corporate clients amid strong corporate interest in the digital asset sector.

Sberbank is finalizing the necessary infrastructure and methodology for the potential scaling of crypto-backed lending, a spokesperson told news media outlets, and is ready to work with the Central Bank of Russia (CBR) to develop regulations.

“We are ready to engage in dialogue with the Central Bank to develop appropriate regulatory solutions for the launch of such services. Our work with clients whose activities are related to cryptocurrencies is carried out in several areas and is based on a deep understanding of their business models and risk profiles,” the bank shared with news media agency RIA Novosti.

The bank affirmed that interest from corporate clients is a good opportunity, but noted that clear regulation is necessary. It explained that a transition to a permanent regime of lending secured by digital assets and its mass implementation will depend on the development of the regulatory environment.

In December 2025, Sberbank conducted a successful pilot crypto‑backed loan to a crypto mining company, offering a loan against the digital assets the firm had mined. Now, Russia’s largest bank aims to expand its services to companies holding digital assets, following similar moves by global institutions such as JPMorgan and Wells Fargo.

“Sberbank has already conducted one pilot project on lending secured by cryptocurrency,” the statement explained. “Its main goal was to test the technological aspects of working with this type of collateral. We are currently analyzing its results and finalizing the necessary infrastructure and methodology for the potential scaling of such products.”

Sberbank’s domestic rival, Sovkombank, recently affirmed that it was the first Russian lender to start issuing crypto-backed loans. In a Thursday statement, Russia’s ninth-largest bank revealed it had begun offering Bitcoin-backed loans to individuals and corporations who legally own digital assets.

“Sovcombank sees the potential for partnerships with all participants in the crypto industry — from miners and data center operators to crypto exchanges and exchangers,” said Marina Burdonova, the bank’s compliance director, in a statement. “We are developing specialized products for each segment, such as cash management services with special features and conditions, loans and project financing, as well as risk management tools.”

Russia’s Upcoming Framework

These developments come as Russia works to implement its upcoming digital assets framework, which is expected to take effect by July. In December, the CBR unveiled its comprehensive regulatory proposals to enable retail and qualified investors to buy digital assets through licensed platforms in the country.

Under the central bank’s new rules, non-qualified investors will be allowed to purchase up to 300,000 rubles in the most liquid digital assets annually, following a knowledge test. Meanwhile, qualified investors will be able to acquire unlimited amounts of any digital asset after passing a risk-awareness test.

Notably, Russia’s leading stock exchanges, the Moscow Exchange (MOEX) and SPB Exchange, have shared their support for the CBR’s proposed framework. The institutions recently confirmed they are ready to launch crypto trading services as soon as the framework is enacted.

In addition, the Committee on State Building and Legislation at the State Duma, the lower house of the Federal Assembly of Russia, has also advanced a bill to complement the upcoming rules.

As reported by Bitcoinist, the ruling political party in Russia, the All-Russian Political Party United Russia, revealed that legislation to regulate the seizure of crypto assets in criminal proceedings was recommended for adoption in its upcoming third reading.

If approved, the bill would reduce the risks associated with the use of cryptocurrencies in criminal activities, such as money laundering, corruption, and terrorist financing.

Главный инвестиционный директор компании ProCap Financial Джефф Парк (Jeff Park) заявил, что рынок биткоина сможет показать бычий тренд в течение года, даже если Федеральная резервная система США (ФРС) не снизит процентную ставку.

Ethereum has slipped below the critical $2,000 level, reinforcing a broader bearish market structure as selling pressure intensifies across the crypto sector. The breakdown comes amid weakening macro sentiment, persistent outflows from risk assets, and declining confidence in short-term crypto demand. Together, these factors have pushed ETH into a defensive phase, with traders increasingly focused on downside liquidity zones rather than recovery signals.

Recent data highlighted by Lookonchain points to three major on-chain liquidation clusters that could shape Ethereum’s next moves. These zones represent areas where leveraged positions may be forced to close if price declines continue, potentially accelerating volatility. Historically, such liquidation pockets tend to act as magnets during corrective phases, amplifying both panic selling and short-term price swings.

Market sentiment has also been affected by reports of Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin moving and selling ETH. While these transactions are often linked to funding ecosystem development, charitable initiatives, or operational needs rather than outright bearish positioning, they can still influence trader psychology. In fragile markets, even neutral fundamental events can trigger disproportionate reactions.

Major On-Chain Liquidation Zones Could Shape Ethereum’s Next Price Move

Lookonchain data highlights three major on-chain liquidation clusters that could significantly influence Ethereum’s short-term price dynamics if bearish pressure persists. According to the analysis, Trend Research reportedly holds about 356,150 ETH, valued near $671 million, with estimated liquidation levels between $1,562 and $1,698. If price approaches this band, forced position closures could amplify volatility and accelerate downside momentum.

Another key concentration involves Ethereum co-founder Joseph Lubin alongside two unidentified large wallets. Combined holdings are estimated at around 293,302 ETH, roughly $553 million, with potential liquidation thresholds between $1,329 and $1,368. This zone sits deeper in the corrective structure and could act as a secondary stress level if broader market weakness continues.

A third cluster attributed to the entity known as 7 Siblings holds approximately 286,733 ETH, valued at around $541 million. Their liquidation prices are significantly lower, near $1,075 and $1,029, representing a deeper capitulation scenario should selling pressure intensify further.

It is important to note that liquidation estimates depend heavily on leverage assumptions, collateral adjustments, and evolving market conditions. Still, these zones provide a useful framework for understanding where volatility could increase, as leveraged positions historically tend to magnify both downward cascades and eventual stabilization phases in crypto markets.

Ethereum Price Breakdown Signals Structural Weakness

Ethereum’s weekly chart shows a decisive deterioration in market structure after losing the psychologically important $2,000 level. Price has broken below the 50-week and 100-week moving averages, signaling a shift from late-cycle consolidation into a more defensive phase. This type of multi-MA breakdown historically reflects declining momentum rather than a simple short-term correction.

Volume behavior reinforces this interpretation. The latest downside move is accompanied by expanding sell-side volume, suggesting distribution rather than passive retracement. When rising volume coincides with lower highs and lower lows, it typically confirms sustained selling pressure rather than temporary volatility.

Technically, the next key support zone appears between roughly $1,600 and $1,750, where prior consolidation occurred in earlier market phases. A weekly close below this range would likely expose deeper liquidity pockets toward the $1,300 region, aligning with previously identified liquidation clusters.

From a trend perspective, Ethereum is now trading below all major weekly moving averages, which often caps upside attempts unless reclaim levels occur quickly. For recovery credibility, price would need to regain the $2,200–$2,400 region and stabilize above it.

Featured image from ChatGPT, chart from TradingView.com 

Основатель платформы Santiment Михаил Балашевич заявил, что основным катализатором начала нового бычьего цикла биткоина станет ликвидация позиций крупнейшего публичного корпоративного держателя первой криптовалюты — компании Strategy.

Южнокорейская криптобиржа Bithumb заявила, что причиной случайного начисления 2000 биткоинов пользователям во время проведения промоакции стала операционная ошибка.

Bitcoin is struggling to stabilize around the $65K level as persistent selling pressure continues to weigh on market sentiment. The recent decline has reinforced uncertainty among investors, with volatility increasing and liquidity conditions tightening across major trading venues. Against this backdrop, on-chain data is beginning to reveal shifts in market structure that may help explain the current weakness.

A CryptoQuant report highlights a notable change in Bitcoin flows on Binance during the first days of February. Data shows that the whale inflow ratio — which measures the share of deposits coming from large wallets — has climbed to its highest level since 2022. This suggests a renewed presence of major holders on the exchange deposit side, a development often associated with repositioning, risk reduction, or preparation for active trading.

According to the report, total Bitcoin inflows to Binance reached roughly 78,500 BTC, while whale inflows alone accounted for about 38,100 BTC. As a result, whales represented approximately 48.5% of all deposits during this period. This means nearly half of the Bitcoin sent to the exchange originated from large addresses, marking a meaningful structural signal that could influence short-term price dynamics and broader market sentiment.

Whale Activity Signals Market Transition, Not Automatic Selling

The report emphasizes that the recent surge in the whale inflow ratio should not automatically be interpreted as imminent selling pressure. Large holders often move funds to exchanges for multiple operational reasons beyond liquidation. In this context, some whales may simply be reallocating capital, adjusting portfolio exposure, or positioning liquidity for derivatives trading rather than preparing immediate spot sales.

Another plausible explanation is defensive positioning. After periods of elevated volatility, institutional or high-net-worth participants frequently transfer assets to exchanges to hedge risk, secure profits, or maintain flexibility in uncertain market conditions. This behavior tends to increase during corrective phases, when sentiment weakens, and liquidity becomes more fragmented.

Historically, spikes in whale inflows have typically appeared during market transition stages rather than at definitive tops or bottoms. In several past cycles, similar readings preceded short-term selling waves as large players reduced exposure. However, there have also been instances where comparable inflow patterns coincided with accumulation phases, reflecting repositioning before renewed upward momentum.

Ultimately, the current data suggests a fragile equilibrium between supply and demand rather than a clear directional signal. Monitoring follow-through — particularly exchange outflows, derivatives positioning, and spot demand — will be essential to determine whether this activity evolves into distribution or longer-term accumulation.

Breakdown Below Trend Support Raises Structural Risk

Bitcoin’s price action in this chart reflects a decisive shift in market structure following a prolonged corrective phase. After failing to sustain momentum above the $110K–$120K region, price gradually transitioned into a lower-high sequence, ultimately accelerating downward with a sharp breakdown below the $70K area. The most recent move toward the mid-$60K range represents the weakest level seen since late 2024, confirming that sellers currently dominate the trend.

From a technical perspective, price has fallen below key moving averages, including what appears to be the 50-, 100-, and 200-period trend lines. This alignment typically signals a bearish regime rather than a short-term pullback. Additionally, the rejection near the longer-term average before the latest drop suggests that previous support has flipped into resistance, reinforcing downside pressure.

Volume dynamics also indicate stress. The spike accompanying the breakdown implies forced selling or liquidation activity rather than orderly distribution. Historically, such conditions often precede either a volatility climax or a prolonged consolidation phase while the market searches for equilibrium.

For now, the critical question is whether the $60K–$65K region can hold as structural support. Failure there could open a deeper retracement, whereas stabilization may indicate the early stages of a base formation rather than an immediate reversal.

Featured image from ChatGPT, chart from TradingView.com 

Metaplanet is pressing ahead with its plan to buy more Bitcoin even as the broader crypto market turns sour. Reports say the Tokyo-listed firm is keeping its target goals and moving to raise cash to support further purchases, a bet that has left the company with big paper losses but a steady, public commitment to its strategy.

Metaplanet Commits To Bigger Bitcoin Hoard

According to recent coverage, Metaplanet wants to grow its stash to far larger levels over the next year, with long-range figures aimed at reaching 100,000 Bitcoin by the end of 2026 and 210,000 by 2027, under what has been called the “555 Million Plan.”

“There has been no shift in Metaplanet’s approach. We plan to keep adding Bitcoin at a steady pace, grow our revenue streams, and get ready for the next stage of growth,” Metaplanet CEO Simon Gerovich wrote on X on Friday, based on a machine-translated version of the post.

The company has also opened financing channels to help fund buys, including a stock offering that was announced to support staged purchases rather than a single big trade.

おはプラネット。最近の株価動向を踏まえ、株主の皆さまにとって厳しい状況が続いていることは、私たちも十分に認識しています。しかしながら、メタプラネットの戦略に変更はありません。私たちは引き続き、ビットコインの積み上げ、収益の拡大、そして次の成長フェーズに向けた準備を、着実に進めてい…

— Simon Gerovich (@gerovich) February 6, 2026

Market Gloom And Heavy Paper Losses

Reports note that the recent slump in Bitcoin prices has hammered firms that use the coin as their main reserve asset. Metaplanet’s share price has slid, mirroring a wider selloff in corporate Bitcoin treasuries, and investor mood has turned cautious as unrealized impairments mount.

The wider market wobble has pushed some treasury companies to report deep impairments and to rethink near-term funding moves.

CEO Reaffirms Buying Plan

Reports say Metaplanet’s chief executive has publicly stated there is no change to the buying policy and that the firm will steadily keep adding BTC.

The message was posted on social channels and translated for local media, where the CEO stressed that accumulation will continue alongside efforts to expand revenue sources. That comment came amid heavy volatility and concerns about how long the downturn might last.

Bitcoin Price Action In The Middle Of The Story

Bitcoin itself has been volatile this week. The token traded below recent highs before recovering some ground, and the quick moves have amplified unrealized gains and losses across corporate balance sheets.

The market has swung hard, creating days when billions of dollars were wiped from prices and other days when a modest rebound pushed values back up.

Impairment And Funding Moves

Based on reports, Metaplanet recorded a substantial non-cash impairment tied to its Bitcoin holdings, a figure roughly in the hundreds of millions of dollars that trimmed reported earnings for the year.

At the same time, management has put in place capital-raising steps — including equity issuance — aimed at giving the company the firepower to buy in stages and support operations while prices remain rocky.

Featured image from Pexels, chart from TradingView

Ethereum’s (ETH) latest downturn below $2,000 is no longer confined to price charts alone. Capital flows, on-chain data, and technical structure are now aligning with the bearish momentum, supporting concerns that the selloff may have further room to run.

Related Reading: Bitcoin Price May Slide Toward $50,000 By March-April, Top Analyst Warns

As ETH breaks below key support zones, fresh ETF outflows and shifting investor behavior are adding pressure at a time when confidence already looks fragile.

ETF Outflows Signal Waning Institutional Appetite

Ethereum spot ETFs recorded a net outflow of $80.79 million on February 5, according to SoSoValue data.

Fidelity’s FETH accounted for the bulk of the move, with $55.78 million leaving the fund in a single session. While FETH still holds a cumulative historical inflow of $2.51 billion, the sharp daily withdrawal highlights renewed caution among investors.

Not all products saw exits. Grayscale’s Ethereum Mini Trust (ETH) posted the largest daily inflow at $7.05 million, followed by Invesco’s QETH with $3.53 million. However, these gains were not enough to offset broader selling.

Total Ethereum spot ETF assets now stand at $10.9 billion, representing about 4.83% of ETH’s market capitalization. The uneven flow picture suggests selective positioning rather than broad-based accumulation.

Ethereum Price Structure Weakens as Support Levels Give Way

Ethereum’s price action has continued to trend lower, with ETH recently trading below the $2,000 range after briefly dipping to $1,750 earlier this week. Analysts tracking higher time frames note that the bearish market structure remains intact, with no confirmed bullish shift on the four-hour chart.

Former support around $2,125 has now turned into resistance, while traders are watching liquidity zones near $2,200 and $2,300 for potential reactions. A sustained reclaim above $2,345 is widely viewed as the minimum requirement to signal a trend change.

Until then, rallies are being treated as corrective moves within a broader downtrend.

On-Chain Signals and Developer Concerns Add Context

On-chain data shows a clear divergence between investor cohorts. Mid-sized holders have reduced exposure during the decline, while large wallets have increased their holdings, suggesting accumulation by long-term players amid weakness.

At the same time, exchange inflows, particularly on Binance, have risen to levels last seen in 2022, often associated with distribution or repositioning.

Beyond price, Ethereum’s co-founder Vitalik Buterin has recently criticized the lack of innovation among copycat EVM chains, arguing that scaling progress risks stagnation without deeper technical differentiation.

While these comments are not directly market-related, they support broader concerns about direction and execution within the ecosystem.

Cover image from ChatGPT, ETHUSD chart on Tradingview

Bitcoin’s (BTC) slide below the $65,000 mark this week has rippled far beyond the crypto market, dragging down mining stocks and weighing on Asian equities already under pressure from a global tech sell-off.

The world’s largest cryptocurrency briefly dipped just above $60,000, its lowest level in about 15 months, before attempting a modest rebound. Even with that recovery, sentiment across digital assets and related equities remains fragile as investors reassess risk in an uncertain macro environment.

Whales Retreat As Sentiment Deteriorates

On-chain data shows a notable shift in Bitcoin ownership during the sell-off. According to Santiment, whales and sharks, controlling between 10 and 10,000 BTC, have reduced their share of Bitcoin’s circulating supply to around 68.04%, a nine-month low.

The large Bitcoin holders have sold roughly 81,000 BTC over the past eight days, coinciding with Bitcoin’s drop from near $90,000 to the mid-$60,000 range.

Similarly, smaller investors have continued to accumulate. Wallets holding less than 0.1 BTC reached a 20-month high in their share of supply, suggesting retail buyers are stepping in as prices fall.

Historically, similar patterns, large holders selling into retail demand, have been associated with prolonged bear phases. Reflecting this shift, the Crypto Fear & Greed Index fell to 9 out of 100, its lowest level since mid-2022.

Mining Stocks Slide Amid Bitcoin Weakness

The pressure on Bitcoin has translated quickly into losses for crypto-linked equities. Shares of major mining firms and Bitcoin proxies such as Marathon Digital, Riot Platforms, Hut 8, and Strategy Inc. posted double-digit declines, with several hitting new 52-week lows.

Strategy, one of the largest corporate Bitcoin holders, reported a sharply wider quarterly loss as falling prices weighed on the value of its holdings, adding to concerns about balance sheet risk if weakness persists.

Analysts note that the sell-off in miners has been largely macro-driven rather than tied to company-specific developments, reflecting their role as high-beta bets on Bitcoin’s price.

Asian Markets Feel The Spillover

Bitcoin’s drop also weighed on Asian markets, which were already tracking Wall Street’s losses, led by technology stocks. Equity benchmarks in South Korea, Hong Kong, and Australia declined, while Japan’s Nikkei managed modest gains after earlier losses.

Market players cited a broader risk-off mood linked to concerns over U.S. monetary policy, particularly following President Donald Trump’s nomination of Kevin Warsh as Federal Reserve chair, a move seen as less supportive of easy liquidity.

With Bitcoin now down roughly half from its October peak, investors remain cautious. While short-term rebounds are possible, continued selling by large holders and tightening financial conditions suggest volatility across crypto assets, mining stocks, and global markets is likely to persist.

Cover image from ChatGPT, BTCUSD chart on Tradingview

Ripple on Thursday published an “Institutional DeFi” roadmap for the XRP Ledger (XRPL), positioning XRP as a protocol-level settlement and liquidity primitive across payments, FX, collateral workflows, and on-ledger credit. The company’s pitch is straightforward: compliance tooling and asset-layer primitives are already live on mainnet, with lending, privacy, and permissioned market infrastructure slated to round out a more institution-friendly stack over the coming quarters.

The Institutional DeFi Roadmap For The XRP Ledger

In its post, Ripple framed the roadmap as an evolution from a fast settlement network into something closer to a full financial operating environment for regulated workflows. The blog argues that with “native onchain privacy, permissioned markets, and institutional lending” expected “in the coming months,” XRPL is aiming to become “an end-to-end operating system for real-world finance,” with institutions able to run compliant processes without pushing additional complexity onto end users.

RippleX summarized the roadmap in a companion post, saying XRP sits “at the center of settlement, FX, collateral, and onchain credit,” and that 2026 focus areas include lending, privacy, and permissioned on-chain markets.

The roadmap leans heavily on the idea that XRP demand can be driven both directly and indirectly. Directly, Ripple points to new functionality that could increase transaction volume and asset issuance, raising demand for network resources. Indirectly, it highlights XRP’s role in base-layer mechanics such as reserve requirements, transaction fees (which burn XRP), and bridging in FX and lending flows.

Ripple organizes this into three institutional pillars: payments/FX, collateral/liquidity, and credit/financing. On payments and FX, it emphasizes “Permissioned Domains,” where access is gated via “Credentials” (e.g., KYC/AML attestations), and a planned Permissioned DEX that would extend XRPL’s existing exchange rails into controlled, regulated contexts for secondary markets in FX, stablecoins, and tokenized assets. In those permissioned market flows, Ripple says XRP functions as an auto-bridge asset between tokens and stablecoins, while each transaction consumes fees paid in XRP.

On collateral and liquidity, Ripple spotlights Token Escrow and Batch Transactions as building blocks for conditional settlement and atomic delivery-versus-payment workflows, alongside the Multi-Purpose Token (MPT) standard, which it describes as a way to embed metadata and restrictions for complex instruments without custom contracts. The thesis here is that tokenized collateral issuance, escrowed settlement, and DvP-style flows expand on-ledger activity that still depends on XRP reserves and fees at the protocol layer.

The most explicit “institutional DeFi” expansion comes in credit. Ripple says XRPL v3.1.0 will introduce native on-ledger credit markets via a lending stack built around Single-Asset Vaults and the XLS-66 Lending Protocol, designed for fixed-term, underwritten loans with repayment automation. Underwriting and risk management remain off-chain, while the loan contracts and mechanics live on-ledger.

What Ripple Says Is Next

Ripple’s post distinguishes between primitives already available and a near-term pipeline. Live today, it lists MPT, Credentials, Permissioned Domains, transaction “Simulate” tooling for preflight-style risk reduction, “Deep Freeze” controls for issuers, Token Escrow and Batch Transactions, plus an XRPL EVM sidechain bridged via Axelar for Solidity-based deployments that tap XRPL liquidity and identity features.

On the roadmap, Ripple highlights a Permissioned DEX targeted for Q2, the XLS-65/66 lending protocol for later in 2026, “Confidential Transfers” for MPTs using zero-knowledge proofs in Q1, and “Smart Escrows” and MPT DEX integration in Q2—alongside an “Institutional DeFi Portal” intended to bundle tokenization, lending, and payments exploration in one place.

At press time, XRP traded at $1.35.

Tether has put a big bet on bullion. Reports say the stablecoin issuer bought a roughly $150 million stake in Gold.com, taking about 12% of the shares at a price that undercuts recent trading.

That move follows signals that both firms want to tie physical gold markets to digital tokens more closely. Investors reacted with a mix of curiosity and caution.

Tether Takes A Stake

Reports note the deal gives Tether the right to name a board member at Gold.com. That matters because it means more than money changes hands; it opens a direct line between a major crypto issuer and a major bullion distributor.

The firms plan to explore a gold leasing facility of at least $100 million, a step that could help move metal without always shifting cash around. Gold.com will also accept Tether’s stablecoins, including USDT and USAT, as part of the collaboration.

Tether Makes $150 Million Strategic Investment in https://t.co/wkdntYlIFB, Expanding Global Access to Tokenized and Physical Gold

Read more:https://t.co/ttkmDcS369

— Tether (@tether) February 5, 2026

What The Deal Could Do

This partnership aims to speed how people buy, sell, and hold gold using crypto rails. Part of the cash will be put toward Tether’s gold-backed token, XAU₮. That could make XAU₮ more usable in everyday trades, and it might give buyers a clearer path from a crypto wallet to physical bullion.

Some traders think this helps gold tokens gain credibility. Others worry a big crypto player stepping into metal markets will raise fresh questions about custody, audit practices, and how price moves will be reported.

Market Reaction And Risk

Equity traders noticed the shares were bought at close to 12% discount to recent levels, which suggests a negotiated, strategic purchase rather than a public market run.

Buyers in the bullion trade care about storage, insurance, and counterparty trust. Reports have disclosed that linking stablecoins and physical assets raises both promise and regulatory scrutiny.

Regulators in several regions are already watching how tokenized assets are structured. That scrutiny could shape how fast this partnership scales.

Distribution And Token Plans

Gold.com and Tether appear set to build new on-ramps. Imagine buying bullion and immediately receiving a token that represents the metal, or using USDT to pay for vault storage without fiat rails.

The plan to put a portion of funds into XAU₮ suggests token holders might see more liquidity and more places to spend or move their gold exposure. That could cut friction for buyers who prefer digital settlement.

Featured image from Pexels, chart from TradingView

Bitcoin (BTC) has just formed a textbook inverse Head & Shoulders pattern, signaling the beginning of a potential shift in its market structure. Despite the broader market selloff that pushed the cryptocurrency below $70,000, a crypto analyst suggests that the newly formed pattern indicates that a fresh bullish trend could be up ahead.  

Bitcoin Head & Shoulder Pattern Signals Price Reversal

In an X post this Thursday, market analyst Crypto Tice declared that Bitcoin has printed a classic inverse Head & Shoulders pattern on its chart, renewing the debate over whether the market is on the verge of another historic breakout. He said that this pattern is a textbook structural signal that has formed over an extended period on the weekly timeframe. 

Related Reading: Bitcoin Historical Performance Shows How Low The Price Will Go Before A Bottom

The chart highlights three distinct phases in Bitcoin’s price action, showing how the inverse Head and Shoulder pattern formed. The first stage saw a “Left Shoulder” emerge after an initial rally, followed by a deep decline that shaped the head of the Head and Shoulders pattern. Subsequently, prices climbed again to create a higher “Right Shoulder,” signaling that sellers were losing momentum while bulls were gradually asserting control. 

A horizontal line across the previous swing highs on the price chart marks the neckline of the inverse Head and Shoulders pattern, which Crypto Tice highlights as a pivotal level for determining Bitcoin’s next major trend. According to him, Bitcoin is currently retesting this trendline, as a breakout from here could set the stage for a potential price rally. 

Crypto Tice highlighted that the current retest should not be seen as a sign of weakness, but as confirmation that Bitcoin’s structure is still holding. He said that market sentiment at this stage often wavers among investors and traders. However, historical trends suggest that similar retests have preceded major price expansions. 

Crypto Tice noted that the inverse Head and Shoulder pattern is a critical signal that often signals a transition from accumulation to expansion. Historically, accumulation phases allow buying pressure to build, followed by a breakout, a controlled pullback, and finally a retest confirmation.  

Head & Shoulder Pattern Point To $215,000 Price Target

Above the neckline of Bitcoin’s Head & Shoulder pattern, Crypto Tice has set a projected target of $215,000 on the chart, indicating where the market could move if BTC breaks out decisively. With the cryptocurrency currently trading above $65,000, this would represent a roughly 231% increase. 

Related Reading: Did Satoshi Nakamoto Sell 10,000 Bitcoin For $800 Million? Here’s The Truth

Given the recent market downtrend and Bitcoin’s price breakdown below $70,000, the analyst acknowledged that a sudden move to $200,000 sounds largely unrealistic. However, he noted that the same perception was held in past cycles before Bitcoin skyrocketed to new all-time highs against the odds. Concluding his analysis, Crypto Tice explained that large price trends rarely begin comfortably, noting that they typically emerge amid market hesitation and uncertainty.

Ethereum’s price just lost the key support at the $2,000 mark after several weeks of steady downside pressure observed across the crypto market. While the price continues to decline, on-chain data attributes the drop to the ongoing substantial selling pressure from both big and small investors.

Big Wallets Turn Bearish On Ethereum

With the heightened volatile market conditions, the Ethereum price has seen increased sell-side pressure as investors steadily reduce their exposure. This renewed selling activity is cited among large holders regarded as whales and Sharks.

Joao Wedson, a market expert and verified author, reported that whales and sharks are starting to distribute their positions in an aggressive manner. Large holders are gradually reintroducing ETH into circulation, which frequently indicates a decline in conviction or strategic de-risking during erratic market periods.

This behavior may have an outsized effect due to the fact that distribution from large wallets increases accessible supply and affects price momentum. Furthermore, the expert stated that the pattern raises the question of whether this is just a movement into cryptocurrency exchange reserves. However, the ideal answer remains no.

Crypto exchanges’ reserves, from recent data, remain relatively stable, which excludes that hypothesis. According to Wedson, this is not an operational transfer, but rather a real selling activity from investors. Currently, entities with substantial ETH holdings are persistently lowering their exposure and putting direct pressure on the altcoin price.

In the meantime, the outcome of the current pattern is clear, which includes progressive capitulation, cascading liquidations, and dominant selling pressure. Wedson highlighted that this kind of move does not emerge from retail holders. Rather, it often begins at the top of the structure, with players controlling large volumes.

However, when this happens, the market does not let go of the distraction. As a result, the expert has urged holders to protect their capital by seeking alpha signals and not narratives.

What Lies Ahead For ETH Beneath The $2,000 Price Level

Ethereum losing the $2,000 support level has sparked heightened fear and uncertainty across the market. Prior to the breakdown, Wedson shared an analysis that offers insights into the development and the next direction the altcoin might take. The analysis underscores the significance of the level in Ethereum’s current price performance.

In the post on X, Wedson stated that ETH cannot lose the $2,000 because if it does, it is highly likely to increase its bearish performance. This drop is not being triggered by Binance, the largest cryptocurrency exchange in the world, or any other exchange. The expert claims that the decline is being bolstered by the OG holders; these are investors who truly control and have always controlled the market.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent put a spotlight on the growing rift between regulators and parts of the crypto industry this week, telling lawmakers that those who resist clear rules “should move to El Salvador.”

The line landed hard during a Senate Banking Committee hearing and was repeated across multiple news outlets as a sign the administration is pushing for firm oversight rather than tolerance for gray areas in markets.

Bessent’s Warning To Industry

Based on reports, Bessent called out what he described as a “nihilist” wing of crypto that would rather scuttle compromise than accept a legal framework.

His remarks came as senators debated the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act, a bill meant to spell out how digital assets fit into existing banking and securities rules.

The episode followed recent moves by major players — including a high-profile platform stepping back from support for the bill — which lawmakers say complicates chances for a quick fix.

Lawmakers And Lobbyists Take Sides

The hearing did not stay polite for long. Voices rose. Accusations flew. Some senators warned that unchecked stablecoin products could pull deposits out of banks, while crypto advocates argued that heavy-handed rules would stifle innovation.

Bessent suggested that if firms prefer places with looser oversight they can seek them out, naming El Salvador as an example. That rhetorical nudge is more than a talking point — it’s a signal about market access: do business under US guardrails, or accept limits on participation.

What El Salvador Actually Offers

Reports note that El Salvador’s crypto stance has shifted since it became the first country to make bitcoin legal tender. Lawmakers there approved changes to make Bitcoin acceptance voluntary as part of an IMF-backed deal last year.

The move reduced the mandatory use of Bitcoin while the government said it would still hold and, on occasion, add to its reserves. Those choices mean El Salvador is not a simple “no rules” refuge, even if it appears friendlier to some crypto actors than the US.

Markets And Messaging

Traders watch words like these. Markets respond to certainty, and clarity tends to calm them. When policymakers argue publicly, volatility can spike.

At the same time, a clear path for regulation would let banks plan products and let crypto firms design services that can be sold widely, not just in select jurisdictions.

Some industry executives are lobbying for carve-outs; others want full regulatory recognition. The tension is real and it will shape who stays and who sails elsewhere.

Featured image from Unsplash, chart from TradingView